Come for the Spicy Takes, Stay for Nana’s Secret Recipe

If you're a new subscriber, welcome! What was it that brought you in? The gooey Brie Bites or my impression of Gossip Girl? On second thought, don’t answer that. I’m thankful you’re here!

Friends, this one is packed with so many nuggets of entertainment to keep you set all season long! I hope you’re able to enjoy something from this newsletter for yourself!

#ICYMI Your Next Craft Should Totally Be a Book Ornament:

I have seen the viral book ornament everywhere, but couldn’t find any actual directions. So, being the former educator that I am, I decided to write them for myself! I’ve got detailed instructions and a free template download for you here! This was so much fun to make. You can see my finished ornament here. I can totally see this being a girls night craft or making one over a holiday break. I would love to see your ornaments!

Your Reading Update:

Since my last newsletter, I’ve read and loved three books that have wowed me! These three haven’t made it to Instagram yet, but put them on your library list or buy them now. Each of these would be a fantastic choice to read over a long Thanksgiving weekend!

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt: FIVE STARS - For fans of A Man Called Ove, a charming, witty and compulsively readable exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope that traces a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus

The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer: Paperback on sale for $11.79! - Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt is a nice Jewish girl with a shameful secret: she loves Christmas. For a decade she’s hidden her career as a Christmas romance novelist from her family. Her talent has made her a bestseller even as her chronic illness has always kept the kind of love she writes about out of reach.

When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill: Hardcover on sale for $15.39! - A rollicking feminist tale set in 1950s America where thousands of women have spontaneously transformed into dragons, exploding notions of a woman’s place in the world and expanding minds about accepting others for who they really are.

Books I DNF’d:

The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead: This was actually the *second time* I’ve tried to read this book and had to stop. I’m throwing in the flag. I wanted to love it. I love a psycho cult thriller, mind games novel, but dang, I could not get past the explicit submission and degradation of the women. It was not for me, which is a shame because I loved her last thriller In My Dream I Hold a Knife. If you’re curious about The Last Housewife, I might recommend checking it out from the library or Libby before committing to purchase. 

Looking for other reading recommendations this season? Check out my blog post on Atomic Habits by James Clear. This is the first book I’ve ever read twice in the same year AND I got Austin to read it with me! This would make a fantastic holiday gift or for setting goals for the new year.

You’re Watching Update:

I recently binge-watched two shows, and if you like creepy, these are for you. I’ve linked the trailers to both shows!

The Watcher: A married couple moving into their dream home are threatened by terrifying letters from a stalker, signed - "The Watcher." Based on a true story, this eerie series felt kind of like being in a Riley Sager novel. It fell off a little bit at the end, but don’t most shows? Definitely worth the watch!

The Patient: Steve Carell is the MC in this trapped thriller. He plays a therapist and one day one of his patients kidnaps him and holds him prisoner in his basement. He soon finds out that the patient is a serial killer who needs (obvi) and wants help curbing his homicidal urges. I love a trapped thriller plot and this show kept me highly entertained!

You’re Tasting Update:

I teased my favorite Thanksgiving appetizer on Instagram last week and y’all got excited!! These are a hero snack! I found it several years ago, randomly scrolling Facebook. If you search Pinterest for Brie Bites, you’ll find several recipes like this one from Delish.

Here’s how I make them!

Brie Bites: (makes 25-30 bites)

Ingredients:

• 2 cans of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls

• 1 can of whole cranberry sauce

• 1 wheel of Brie

• Fresh Rosemary (you can find this in the refrigerated area of the produce section)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F

2. Spray mini muffin pan with nonstick spray

3. Roll out the crescent roll dough flat and press away the perforated cuts to make one sheet of dough. There are two dough sheets in each can. You can keep those separate!

4. Use a knife or pizza cutter to slice the dough sheets into a 3x3 grid or 9 squares each 

5. Gently press the dough squares into the mini muffin tins 

6. Cut the Brie into ½” chunks and place one piece into each bite

7. Drop a small spoonful of whole cranberry sauce into each bite

8. Bake for 12 minutes

9. While the bites are baking, prep the rosemary by picking sprigs off of the stalks

10. As soon as the bites are done, top with a small spring of rosemary and serve warm!

I’ve made these for years for both sides of the family and they are always the first thing gone. The fact that Austin’s Nana sent a text message confirming that I would make them again should tell you all you need to know. Usually, we just get her pocket dials. :)

Speaking of Austin’s Nana… I’ve got a Newsletter exclusive for you! Besides the Brie bites, I was also put in charge of making her Thanksgiving sweet potato casserole (presumably, for the rest of time) shortly after Austin and I got married. This is truly the best sweet potato dish I’ve ever had and I’m sharing it with you! This is straight from Nana’s kitchen.

Look at that card… When a recipe card looks like that, you know it’s going to be good. 

If you make either of these recipes, I’d love to know!

Let’s connect on Pinterest for more recipe ideas!

Your Useful Finds Update: 

*Adds to Cart*

I get compliments on these drinking glasses every time I post a cocktail! I bought them a couple of months ago and love using them. They’re heavy and large and have just a hit of flair to make them unique. There is a small seam on one side of the glass where the pattern comes together, making this a more affordable option than other bubble glasses. It doesn’t bother me, especially since I know I paid $40 for six, instead of $40 for two! They would make a fantastic housewarming gift!

I’m giggling as I type this, but y’all keep messaging me about them so I’m putting in the newsletter for future reference! These Amazon bras are so comfortable!! Great price for two bras with shape but no underwire. Just be sure to cut out the **5** tags before you wear them… 

I’m working on putting together some gift guides and will be sure to share those here soon! Let me know if you’d like to see anything specific!

You’re Spicy Teacher Take:

I was super long-winded in my last newsletter, so I’m going to keep it short and sweet this time. I get messages at least once a week from teachers struggling and, frankly, there’s no relief in sight. That is what is most heartbreaking to me. That’s why teachers are leaving en masse. There is no relief in sight.

Your kid’s teacher is overloaded, even if they’re smiling and sugary sweet every time you see them. Your kid’s counselor is hanging on by a thread because they are so overworked and still 

giving everything they have, even though it means draining themselves. Your teacher friends are depleted, that’s why they haven’t texted you back yet. They are doing everything they can to put on their best show and do their job, but whether you see it or not it’s draining them in an irreparable way. 

I was talking to a friend this week about her struggles being in education and how she’s thinking about leaving the profession in December. Mid-year. That’s a big, huge deal. It’s huge because it feels as if it is the most selfish thing you could possibly do, to put your own needs above the needs of your students. It’s huge because a decision like that often comes with professional consequences like a revoked license for breaking your contract. A decision like that comes from desperation, not selfishness. 

I’d go so far to say the reason more educators haven’t left the profession yet is because they don’t know what else they would or could do.

Speak and act with care and humility to your educators. They are giving more than what is healthy or sustainable.

You’re Final Verse and Thoughts:

1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

I reflected on the song from the Disney Pixar movie UP earlier this week. You can read it all here, if you missed it. Essentially, I was reflecting on how we may feel like we’re living the same day most days and it’s in the small moments that make those days big and beautiful or arduous and tiring. We should remember that the tempo of life is always changing.

You may be in the best season you’ve ever had, praising God for the blessings you’ve been given.

You may be in a confusing season, feeling lost and a little scared, praying to God for help.

You may be in a strangely quiet season, thanking God for consistency and calm.

It’s important to remember that the tempo of life is ever-changing. Live it and exemplify God’s grace to you! How are you turning this season into service?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the newsletter! What are you reading right now? Have you found any great Amazon finds lately?! Are you making those Brie bites? Let me know!

With Joy,

Katelyn