Gardens to Hearth

Wine & Whiskey
12 minutes ago
4 min read

November always feels like the handoff between two versions of life: the outdoor one, where every spare moment is spent in the garden, the yard, or the Barn Lounge, and the indoor one, where the house suddenly demands our full attention again. By the time the clocks change, the shift is impossible to ignore.

Around here, November is less about winding down and more about switching gears. The firewood gets stacked, and this year I filmed a video showing the simple method we use—it’s efficient and stays stable through winter. The garlic gets planted, one of the last truly satisfying gardening tasks of the year. And the garden beds get a final once-over.

This year, though, I’m trying something new: leaving more plants standing for the winter. It’s good for the birds, good for the beneficial insects, and good for the soil—but I’ll admit, it’s a challenge for me. I like things neat and tidy, especially when it comes to garden beds. Letting go of that urge to clean everything down to bare ground feels like a small personal experiment in patience and trust.

The herbs get harvested before the hard freeze, and the leaves get raked and blown clear of the grass. By this point, the lawn is ready for its long winter nap, and honestly, so are we.

Once the outdoor chores are done, November draws us inside. After months of spending little time indoors, the house has quietly gathered its share of cobwebs and dust. The early darkness makes all of it suddenly visible and it's time for a deep clean. Windows get washed, furniture gets moved, corners get tackled, and I clear out the dust and webs that built up while we were favoring the garden and the barn all summer and fall.

Inside, the kitchen shifts too. Out come the hearty recipes: stews, braises, slow roasts—the foods that warm up the whole house and make leftovers something to look forward to. My sourdough routine keeps going, and I filmed a new video to share that process. November is also when I make tallow candles. They’re simple, practical, soot-free, and just nice to have on hand, especially during the season of early sunsets.

This month included a 1,500-mile work trip in our mobile condo/office. It was a long few days on the road but sticking to backroads and less-traveled routes made it more enjoyable. The scenery kept shifting, the pace was relaxed, and the miles rolled by in that easy rhythm you get when you’re not battling highway traffic.

We started in New Hampshire, headed up to The County in Maine, crossed northern Vermont, dipped into Dutchess County, New York, and eventually made our way back home. Plenty of small towns, long stretches between stops, and enough variety to keep the trip from feeling repetitive.

For entertainment, we rotated through our favorite podcasts and whatever audiobook we were in the middle of. Wine handled most of the driving, while Whiskey used the passenger seat as a rolling office—reports, emails, and everything else—thanks to his mobile hotspot. Having the motorhome as a workspace made the logistics easier, especially with so many rural stops.

We made most of our meals onboard, but we did make one worthwhile detour in Vermont to see a friend who’s a professional chef. We brought the ingredients, he worked the magic, and the evening turned into a loud, late-night music session the guys considered a highlight. It was a productive trip, and I put together a video of the trip for anyone who wants a closer look at the route and the setup.

November wrapped up with Thanksgiving at our place. We hosted our friends Crabby Jack and Ginger—just the four of us—so we kept things simple but still made it feel special. I set a pretty table using the “fancy” dinnerware, the crystal glasses, and a few of my vintage serving pieces that live on display in the built-in antique corner cabinet.

Ginger and I teamed up on the menu ahead of time, each taking on a few dishes, and the meal came together easily. No drama, no frenzy—just good food, good friends, and a relaxed afternoon that felt genuinely enjoyable.

As November winds down, the wreaths go up, the greens are tucked into the window boxes, and the house slowly shifts toward the festive Christmas season. Homemade boozy eggnog will be first on the list in December, kicking off the next chapter of winter traditions.

Thank you as always to everyone who reads, watches, or follows along. We truly appreciate your interest in our life, our travels, and the little seasonal adventures that fill our days. Sharing these moments—whether it’s a garden experiment, a long road trip, or a simple holiday meal—means a lot, and we’re grateful to have you along for the ride.

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