hello November | As Kat Knits

Hello, November | 11.3.25

by Kat | Nov 3, 2025 | General, Welcome

Wear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every corner of your life. — Rumi

November… whew. This year is flying, isn’t it? Too darned fast, if you ask me… though if I focus on headlines, the news, and all that chaos, it makes it feel like one long-ass year.

I am beyond privileged that I do not have to even give headlines, news, and chaos one scintilla of my attention. I know… I am so, so fortunate. So I consume what news I seek out, I am trying not to worry about things I cannot control, but rather… give attention (and resources as I am able) to causes that inspire me.

So I thought that this November, I would turn my attention to finding gratitude in my days… gratitudes that I will be sharing with you occasionally. Since about mid-July, I have been journaling about gratitude… and while I am not steadily writing daily about gratitude… it has become a focus in my mind. What started as a “task” has become something more like a meditation to the day. A very good thing!

This morning, I am going to share three very good things from last week (it was an exceptionally amazing week!!)

Gratitude One: I was truly worried about Heidi being induced… but that was wasted worry because on Tuesday, October 28, she and Christian welcomed a new baby to their family! Odette Elizabeth arrived late Tuesday night. She is perfect in every way! Yes, Odette arrived before her sweater was done! But… it is so close to the finish, I expect it will be in the mail to Heidi soon!

Gratitude Two: After a LONG summers nap, I pulled out my sourdough starter from the refrigerator. It was last given any attention way back in May! And after just a couple of days feedings it was back and raring to go! I baked bread on Friday morning and it was such a delight to have that fresh baked bread smell in the house again with the added boon of a delicious loaf of sourdough bread to eat!!

Gratitude Three: Time change… I know… I know! Even though no one else in my house was happy about the time change it was so nice to walk in the light on an early Sunday morning! I won’t need my headlamp, at least for a few more weeks, and that makes me happy! The other curious benefit to time change was the deliciously “slow” Sunday morning. The neighborhood was quiet, the house was quiet… ahhh!

So welcome, November… I am looking forward to your gratitude focus this month!

Header photo by Brett Sayles

Hello, November! | 11.4.24

by Kat | Nov 4, 2024 | General, Welcome

The thinnest yellow light of November is more warming and exhilarating than any wine they tell of. The mite which November contributes becomes equal in value to the bounty of July. — Henry David Thoreau

I love November light especially in the early mornings at sunrise, which have been so lovely recently, I just love the glow the sun gives to the trees that still have leaves!

I also enjoy all that November holds in her days: Election Day – tomorrow (if you haven’t voted, please go vote), Veterans Day – next week, and Thanksgiving Day – later this month! These are some of the best parts of November and I will also celebrate a beloved son-in-law’s birthday this month as well.

Those things aside, I do have some things I need to accomplish this month! It is a short list, but that does not mean it will be simple to accomplish!

Lotsa bulbs… oy.

Plant this box of bulbs. The daffodils and alliums will be the easiest things to get done… but I have 50 grape hyacinth bulbs, which are supposed to bloom over several months, that I want to plant in a “challenging” area in my yard. My hope is that this plethora of hyacinths will fill a dull area with some color once the snowdrops are done!
Figure out how to get back to my daily painting practice. I have not picked up a brush since Franklin arrived and I miss it terribly.
Catch up my Autumn Pages… I am woefully behind. Stitching + Franklin might be the greatest challenge of the month, but I know what I want to do! I just need to pull the fabrics and get them cut out and stitched down. My last pages turned out wonderfully but they are still not done!! I need to add some leaves to the “moon tree” and the date and time. Small bits, but I need to figure out a way to work this into the schedule!