November is a hard month for me.
Ever since I was a child I’ve also felt that November is a creepy month. Maybe it’s the lingering Halloween effect or just the fact that it’s dark so early in the day.
The cheery fall weather of October begins to move determinedly towards winter. You can pretend it’s not going to happen but you just know that the first snowfall isn’t far away.
November is the month that I lost my father. That, in and of itself, makes it challenging to get through.
While I’m usually a social creature, during November I find that I mostly just want to rush home after work and curl up on the couch. The only respite I seek from this routine is baking.
It just feels good to bake in November. It’s soothing and comforting and right.
Looking at The Overburdened Bookshelf, there were hundreds of cookbooks to choose from (where did all these cookbooks come from???) for the November 2007 Flavour of the Month. I thought of some of the newer cookbooks like Indulge or Demolition Desserts. And then I considered some of the older books Trattoria Cooking. In the end, I settled on one of my very favourites: The King Arthur Flour Baker’s Companion.
Like an old friend, this book is open and welcoming. Thorough, easy-to-use, appropriate for both the beginner and the more experienced baker, this cookbook covers every aspect of baking imagineable from breads to cookies to cakes.
I’ve turned to this book so many times whenever I want to bake something that is deeply comforting. To me, the book celebrates one of the fundamental joys of baking: bringing warmth into your kitchen.
Here’s to a November of warmth, light and baking!
Ciao!
oatmeal
cookies
21 comments
Dolores
What a wonderful way to combat November’s eerie chill (a feeling I share with you). Looking forward to seeing what you and the folks from King Arthur use to chase the chill away.
Kat
Very soothing way to work through November! Can’t wait to see what other goodies you will bake for us
Aimee
I don’t think you will find many people who will disagree with you about the month of November, Ivonne.If there was ever a time to need comfort food, it is now! As usual, you have a remedy that sounds ideal!
Cheryl
I am so glad you having baking to help you with difficult months like this one. It is so therapeutic. Lovely cookies.
Maria
November is the perfect month to hibernate and bake! I know that is what I am doing this weekend:)
Simona
November is the most difficult months for me as well, followed by February. Mostly this has to do with the days getting shorter. I have a baking project for today that hopefully will help.
Ciao.
Julie O'Hara
Yes, I love my King Arthur book! Maybe I’m missing something in the post, but which recipe is this? Baking a sweet, homey cookie is definitely a great way to get through trying times.
Julie
Jenny
Yes, I agree, November is a hard month, and comfort baking is a good thing.
Brian
Wow, it’s reassuring to see that all these other people find November rather challenging, too. For me it’s just the arrival of cold fronts, the shift of the weather, changing of leaves. It’s no longer the pleasant, warm early autumn, but it’s not quite winter, either. The periods of depression and loss I remember most strongly in my life are closely associated with these weather patterns, the autumnal-wintry smells and the chilly air and all of it.
I think it makes sense, right? The cycle of seasons is a little microcosm of the cycle of life, and where summer is the heyday, autumn is that slowing down, the golden years, moving into winter, which is death (followed by the rebirth of spring,) so it makes sense that late autumn would dredge up nostalgia, wistfulness, melancholy, a holding on, all sorts of stuff.
And it’s also reassuring to see that other people treat it with cooking. I was struggling a bit this year, until I realized I could burn some new memories into my brain if I just found the things that make me happiest this time of year. So I’m having dinner parties with warm food (I roasted a chicken last weekend with a maple syrup and orange juice glaze which came out fantastically; next weekend I’m doing a menu with mulled wine, warm fresh cider, poached pears, sweet potato pasta, baked beans, that hearty New England steamed brown bread, warm creamy soup — a friend, looking over the menu, pointed out that I ought to have at least *something* that wasn’t 100% earthy warm soothing comforting flavors, so I stuck a room-temperature pickle salad in there somewhere, hah!)
Anyway, I think it’s working. Where summer and spring always feel very comfortable to me, the increasingly inhospitable weather of autumn and winter give way to coziness, instead. (I think comfort & coziness are kind of opposites, in a way.) Too bad I don’t have a fireplace. Someday.
VeggieGirl
I agree – as much as I like gaining an extra hour of sleep, when we turn the clocks back, I do not like how it gets dark so soon. It’s so gloomy outside, and cold!! But alas, there is baking – perfect therapy for autumn gloom :0) Your oatmeal cookies look terrific!!
Nabeela
I’m sorry to hear about your dad…it’s indeed hard getting through the day in these circumstances. I have a friend who has a very hard time every November…for all the same reasons.
Coming to the baking, I love how you choose one book for a month and work through it. I would love to do that…but I know I wouldn’t be faithful! I would definitely make something from another book. Kudos to you for sticking to your book of the month!
Hillary
I know what you mean about wanting to rush home and curl up on the couch. It’s just so cold out there! I’m sorry you lost your father this month, but I’m happy you’ve found comfort in baking. That picture looks delicious so we’ve all reaped the benefits!
Kevin
November is only trumped in dreariness by January’s cold and snow. The only thing I look forward to in Nov is big game hunting. At least this year it hasn’t snowed and I can still raid my woody herbs from the garden.
StickyGooeyCreamyChewy
Ivonne, I know just how you feel. I lost my beloved father last November16. It was the worst day of my life. Plus, his birthday was November4. I feel like I am plodding through this month with lead boots on. Maybe some baking will cheer me up too. Take care.
joey
Keep warm and cozy this November Ivonne! Can’t wait to see what you are baking up from your “flavor of the month”!
clumsy
I know what you mean about November! I’ve been in such a rut since daylight savings time (as has my dog Champ, since we can’t make it to the dog park on weekdays anymore because it’s dark by the time I get home!) I’ve holed myself up baking this week, and I plan to keep baking all month. Your cookies look delicious!
Allison
I’m so glad that your King Arthur cookbook has been a trusty and comforting friend to you. To us here at King Arthur Flour, baking is a wonderful way of bringing comfort, community, nourishment and joy into people’s lives – and we’re always so happy when we know we’re accomplishing that in however small a way. Enjoy your baking this month, and take good care of yourself!
Warm wishes,
Allison at King Arthur Flour
Christine Ousley
I am so sorry to know that you feel gloomy but I am glad that you have your baking to help you get through those dreary months. I want to thank you for sharing all of your experiences baking so many of the recipes from the Kind Arthur cookbook. I appreciate your feedback and recommendations. If I need a great recipe I know just where to look. Have a great day!
Kimberly Ann
I agree wholeheartedly about November. For me, I’m trying really hard not to get into the December frenzy too soon so I am turning to baking, crafting, and other cozy comforts to give some spark to dreary November. Think I’ll go start a batch of bread!
Anita
November for me is always a crazy time…because it means the end of the year is coming! It seems like in the US that no sooner is Halloween over than it’s time to Thanksgiving, and then it’s Christmas! Great, now I have to start thinking about presents! I think staying cozy and stress-free in the kitchen like you is the best course of action!
Liliana
I lost my father 8 years ago. His birthday was on Nov 30th and I still bake a cake on that date in his memory. I can certainly relate to you baking to find comfort.
This is a book I do not have on my ‘can’t fit another book’ bookshelf. Definitely have to add it on my Cookbook Wish list for Christmas!
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