You know, October is all pumpkins and December is Christmas trees, but November? November is just a whole feeling.
It’s that exact time of year when you see the chimneys fill with smoke for the very first time — a soft gray ribbon telling you that warmth is waiting inside. It just feels so cozy. Like we are living in an old-fashioned vintage photo of houses and a little white church on the side of a snow-blanketed mountain, with chimney smoke filling the air. If you know, you know. Those photos are my favorite.
You look up and see the quiet emptiness of bare branches against the sky, then look down at gorgeous leaves covering the ground. There is nothing like that satisfying crunchiness under your boots with every single step you take outside. It’s a beautiful reminder that the earth is slowing down — until the Christmas hustle and bustle anyway.
For me, this season always brings back a deep wave of nostalgia and memories of my dad. Right after Thanksgiving, he would leave to go to the cabin for hunting season. As a little girl who loved her daddy, as soon as that last leaf dropped, I knew he’d be getting all his gear out and cleaning his gun to get ready. I honestly used to hate it when he left for the week because I missed him so much, but now, that specific chillness in the air just reminds me of him and those quiet family traditions.
There is just something about November that gives me all the feels. It is fueled by the growing excitement of the holidays and the heavy, comforting anchor of Thanksgiving. You can feel the energy shifting with the excitement of Thanksgiving company coming over, the first Christmas commercials starting to pop up on TV, and that perfect, crisp winter-is-coming chill. It asks us to slow down, lean into the cold, gather around the table, and appreciate the beauty.
October might be filled with spooky traditions, and December may be festive and bright, but November just gives you a feeling that nothing else can match. Happy November, everyone!
Smoked Sausage & Cheesy Potatoes
Ingredients:
• 1 (14 oz) smoked sausage, sliced into rounds (and fried in a pan till browned if you choose but you don’t have too)
• 2 lbs. russet or Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Optional: Sprinkle on seasoned breadcrumbs before baking.
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or butter.
Prepare the sauce:
In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, 11/2 cups of shredded cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Assemble:
Add diced potatoes and sliced sausage to the baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the top and gently mix until evenly combined.
Bake:
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle remaining ½ cup cheese on top, and bake uncovered for another 15-20 minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender and the top is golden and bubbly.
Cool and serve:
Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
