November Travelogue

2016 is almost over, but here’s a look back at last month. In the November Travelogue, get a peek at the things I did, ate, drank and saw. 

November seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. And now we’re almost two weeks into December and I figured I’d better round it up before it’s time to recap December, too.

What did I do last month? I started the month with that staycation in Charlotte I told you about last week. The next week I trekked to Birmingham, Ala. for a long weekend, which you’ll be hearing more about soon! The following week, Chris and I drove north to a food festival in Richmond, Va. And THEN from there we went to Washington, D.C. for Thanksgiving. And then we drove home.

Whew. That was a lot. Thankfully, I’ll be in Charlotte all month long, and I can’t wait to finish out the year in one place. I do love traveling, but last month was exhausting!

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Here’s what I loved this month:

Gorgeous place I went: It’s a total toss up between Birmingham and Richmond. I had never been to either of these cities and both were charming and full of history. Can’t decide. I’ll just go back.

Playlist I’m adoring: I started playing the Christmas Peaceful Piano playlist on Spotify right after Thanksgiving. It’s perfect for keeping me in the holiday spirit while I work without distracting me with all the songs I want to sing!

Show I’m obsessed with: I just got off the Gilmore Girls train the other day. The Netflix reboot was a lovely, nostalgic throwback to my high school days. I rewatched the whole series a couple years ago, and this redux brought me that same joy. A lot of people seemed unhappy with the new season, but I thought it was great and the ending was just perfect. (But I am hoping for more!)

Drink I imbibed: In D.C., I met up with old friends at a Russian restaurant called Mari Vanna. They make their own infused vodkas, and the cocktail menu is delicious. I had a blackcurrant cocktail that I’ll be thinking about for a while. We also went to The Miracle on 7th Street in D.C., AKA “the Christmas bar.” I highly recommend the cocktail called, “Gretchen, Stop Trying to Make Fetch Happen” with moscatel sherry, dry curaçao, spiced cranberry syrup and sparkling wine. A+.

Place I’d like to go: My sister is planning a trip to Prague over her Christmas break, and I am totally jealous. I studied abroad there one summer in college, but I would LOVE to see it at Christmastime, all decked out in snow and lights.

Dish I want to make: Someone brought Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie to the Thanksgiving I attended, and it was to-die-for. I begged the host to get the recipe from her sister-in-law, and I already made it once since then! I’m pretty sure I’ll be making it at Christmas, too. Get ready, family.

Thing on my wish list: In the holiday spirit, I thought I’d share a few silly things I’m jonesin’ for this year: An Instant Pot. These pretty books by Anna Rifle Bond. A 2017 Day Designer. A new lens (can’t decide between the 28mm f/1.8 and the 50mm f/1.4). An Nintendo NES Classic. Fresh Cannabis Santal perfume. A subscription to Southern Living and Martha Stewart Living. And definitely a new computer. But I’m not sure what kind, yet.

What I’ll miss about November: All that traveling was super stressful, but it was also quite magical and lovely to explore more of the South at this time of year. So, I’ll miss that magic. I’ll also miss Thanksgiving because it’s my favorite and I never, ever get enough. // susannah