It’s November which means it’s National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo), a commitment by participating bloggers to publish one post on their personal website or blog every day for the month (read more about it here). I chose to participate in this challenge which is sponsored by BlogHer. Yes, there are prizes involved, but I was more motivated by the challenge to cook, write and photograph much more than I have for the past year.  I spent much of this year (and last) away from home. There were many reasons for this, but I am here, now, for this month and for the foreseeable future. (I tend to hibernate in the cold months.) It is time to rest, regroup, and focus on all the new and different directions I want to take.  I am hoping this challenge will also help me focus on the right path to take.  Just being in the kitchen, my safe place, doing what I love to do- cooking, taking pictures and editing them (yes, editing-I’m geeky like that), writing and being creative- always helps take my mind off the other parts of my life that I am not too fond to deal with. And being in that space lets me cope with those things in the best way I know how. It provides a comfortable place for me to work through the things floating through my head while showing my love to those around me.

Of course, for me, November is also my busiest month. Thanksgiving is my most favorite holiday and whether I have just my small family or 12 others, I always go all out. I make everything- bread, soups, mains, sides and desserts all with multiple versions-read three kinds of stuffing and four types of pie. There is no cutting back on the menu either. That would be akin to blasphemy!  Plus, this year we have the honor of Hanukah coming early and coinciding with my favorite day- which means latkes will make an appearance as will the nightly gift ritual for the kids.

There are also science fair projects due and many, many invites for everyone to different events. I will definitely be going in all different directions this month. And despite the thought of “What the H@($ was I thinking by adding another thing to my list?”,  I am looking forward to spending time each night sharing what went on that day. I have to warn you though, I truly suck at these things. It’s true. I tried with great intentions to post each Friday for French Fridays with Dorie, but I ended up traveling early in the year and it got away from me. I also tried #photo365… I have the photos (simply because I do snap pics every day)  but do you think I posted each day? Nope. My Instagram and Flickr are barren.  That part got away from me too. But I am seriously going to make a valiant effort here. It’s only one month (it will go by fast!). If I can walk across Spain in a month, I CAN do this, too. (Oh wait! It took me 35 days!) Maybe there’s no hope for this- but at least I am going to try. Wish me luck!