Happy Halloween friends! We just came back from a walk in town. It was just so fun to see kids in their cute little costumes. Sadly, it is raining today here in Manchester, but I guess the love of candy doesn’t stop them from tricker or treading even if it raining like cats and dogs outside.

Small pumpkins photographed from the top

So here we are at the end of October. It is hard to believe that we are just 3 weeks away from Thanksgiving. While I am excited about all the amazing food and planning coming up, I am sad to let autumn go.

It is so weird that Vermont is still unseasonably warm but I know cold days are ahead of us. I am not ready for the snow and the cold temperatures that will linger through the end of May.

Though I think the biggest news of October 2019 was the fact that we found out that this will be our last winter here in Vermont. I am not at a place where I can share more information just yet, but as soon as I know our next location I promise you’ll be the first one to know.

Don’t get me wrong, I love living in Vermont and feel so grateful to have called this place home. However, the winters are just too brutal for me. Honestly, I don’t mind the cold but the fact that it doesn’t last until May has been so hard on me.

Halloween - pumpkin set up from a pumpkin patch

We do not have all the details as to where we are moving yet and when, but I am secretly hoping for a warmer place. Or at least, somewhere with shorter winters. Even though it is bittersweet, I am excited to see what is ahead of us.

Monthly Book Update

If you have been a reader of these life updates you know that I love reading and do my best to read at least two books a month. This month was a bit of an exception as I started taking a class about blogging and had to spend some of my precious reading time on learning.

Still, I was able to finish one book. A book that I cannot recommend enough.

Super Attractor by Gabriel Bernstein

Full disclosure. I am a big fan of Gabriel Bernstein and read all her books. If you are not familiar with her work, I recommend checking out her YouTube channel to see if you like her.

I have been a follower of her for many years and have found lots of wisdom in her teachings. Similar to her other books, Super Attractor (affiliate link) is about how to manifest what you desire and get into the frequency of the Universe. It is packed with doable action steps that you can follow when things go wrong.

Oh and I did something that I have never done before. I bought the actual book and the version of it on Audible. I made Gabby read the book to me.

I had to pay twice for the same book, but I thought it was just an amazing experience to have one of your favorite authors to read to you.

Autumn Leaves

Best Thing I ate in October

One of the best things about living in Southern Vermont is that it is close to New York City. We usually drive down to Albany and catch the Amtrak train from there to Penn Station. It is a good 4-hour trip, but when you need a quick city fix it is worth the trip.

Last week, I took a day trip to NYC for some retail therapy and to treat myself in one of my favorite restaurants, Jack’s Wife Freda.

Have you ever been? If not, put it on your list next time you visit NYC. One of the reasons why I go there is for their hot green sauce, which is why you see two of them (in small bowls) in the photo below.

I ordered the burger on the lunch menu and spread the middle with a generous amount of that sauce. Oh man oh man.. It was AMAZING. The best thing I ate all month long.

Lunch photo at a NYC restaurant

THANKSGIVING PLANNING

Have you started planning your Thanksgiving menu yet? We are having dinner at a friend’s house and I am in charge of the side dishes. I am super happy about that as I am all about when it sides when it comes to Thanksgiving. Here are a few of the recipes that I know I will be making:

  • Vegan Stuffed Acorn Squash – I made this last year and it was one of the first dishes to disappear. Quinoa flavored with apples, cranberries, and nuts, it is a great vegan and gluten-free dish you can serve.
  • Butternut Squash Soup – I cannot imagine a Thanksgiving dinner without a squash soup. This one is flavored with apples and a dollop of creme fraiche.
  • Brussels Sprout Kale Salad – A big bowl of kale topped off with shredded brussels sprouts, avocados, and pomegranate arils.
  • I am obsessed with this (affiliate link). The best product I have ever used for my skin.
  • I bought my second pair of these boots (affiliate link) to get through this winter. I think they are the best winter shoes out there.
  • I recently collaborated with Cuisinart for their holiday campaign and shared this apple snack cake on my Instagram feed. I wanted to share it just in case you haven’t seen it.
  • Look how gorgeous is this website.

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About Aysegul Sanford

Hello Friend! I'm Aysegul but you can call me โ€œIce." Iโ€™m the cook/recipe-tester/photographer behind this site.

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