November's Letter
An unputdownable book. A tasty side for Thanksgiving dinner. Wyoming mountains in autumn.
We’ve already had a foot of snow. I can tell you this now that it’s almost melted. I’m a winter lover, as you know, but I’m an autumn lover even more, and I really do want her to have her fair share of time on stage. Because we wait all year for this incredible wonder!
And so, I welcome November, and how she’s let winter know he’ll need to sit tight for a bit, wait his turn. How she carries so well the last stretch of color, gradually fading it into the simple palette of winter. She’s so gracious that way.
All this just makes you want to give thanks, doesn’t it? She’s arranged that, too. An entire country of us, together, on the same day, serving each other, giving thanks, remembering how powerful gratitude is.
Here in the little house, there may well be two Thanksgivings this year, one pretend, and one real. There’s so much to be grateful for.
I’m wishing you all pause and reflection and deepest gratitude as we enter the month that begins the holiday season.
Moments Lately
Reading Lately
A Girl Called Samson - I don’t recall ever having finished a book, to then immediately turn back to page one and start reading it all over again, until now; until A Girl Called Samson. Inspired by a true story, it’s about Deborah Samson, a girl who came of age during the American Revolution. Indentured from age ten to age eighteen, to a family that had ten sons, she not only helped with the cooking, cleaning, weaving, and spinning, but also learned to shoot and drill by watching the brothers practice on the farm. Then, she watched them go, one by one, to join the Revolution. When she was finally free, with no good options to ensure her continued freedom, she disguised herself as a boy and enlisted as a soldier in the fight against the British. What follows is an incredibly well crafted story with unexpected twists, turns, and… love. Amy Harmon is an incredible researcher and a master with words. I couldn’t put this one down!
Eating Lately
Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Garlic
In the middle of summer, at the recommendation of a friend, I stopped for lunch at a restaurant that was tucked into an old building in downtown Livingston, Montana. On the appetizer menu were crispy Brussels sprouts. They were insanely good - crispy, slightly charred, and seasoned to perfection. They were so good, that I don’t even remember what else I ate. I’ve been trying to recreate them ever since. I’ve made this delicious New Your Times Cooking recipe twice in the last month. It comes close.
Favorites Lately
Talking Gardens (with Nigel Slater)
The next Gather is Sunday, November 19 at 3:00pm MST! I do hope you can come! If you’re a paid subscriber, the Zoom link will go out via email and Substack chat on Sunday morning. If you’re not yet a paid subscriber and you’d like to join us, you can upgrade by clicking the button below.
What incredibly beautiful scenes. I would so go there.
Beautiful pics Carmella.