The November Gather

The Joyful Hospitality Newsletter

from Amber Dawn at The Host Notes

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The Monthly Gather brings intentional, joyful living tips straight to your inbox: a new seasonal recipe, hospitality insights, upcoming events, and current notable media obsessions.

Let's get right into it.

You're busy - I'll go ahead and dish it right up so you can get back to cookin' or traveling or whatever it is you're up to over there. Here we go!

Very Last Minute Thanksgiving Recipe Round Up

Did I intend to get this into your hot little hands a few days ago? Of course. But here we are. It just might come in handy.

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​Dry Rub Chicken Wings If your turkey is still in the freezer, you're going to need this recipe. If you accidentally overcook the big bird, you may also need this recipe. There's no shame in serving chicken wings for Thanksgiving, regardless of how you landed here. One of the best holiday dinners of my life involved these little imposters.

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​Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce is a simple way to elevate your holiday spread and comes together in about thirty minutes. This recipe is the stuff life-long friendships are made of. There's something sort of magical about the berries popping and bubbling, cinnamon and anise in the air. If you make it this season, let me know how you make it your own!

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​Delicata Squash with Breadcrum​bs and Parmesan is the unsung hero side dish of winter squash recipes. If you're afraid of gourd-like veggies, this might be the one to change your mind. The texture both delights and surprises everyone who tries it. Hot tip: The breadcrumbs are a game changer.

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​Caramelized Butternut is new to the blog but an old classic in my kitchen. It's tender, sweet, savory, and can be pulverized into a delicious soup with the addition of some stock and coconut milk. It will knock your winter socks off. I like it as-is, eaten standing at the counter, right off the spatula.

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​The Pumpkin Bread I planned to get fancy and make this into a pumpkin roll (coming soon), but was told to "chill" and that a loaf topped with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting is outrageous enough. I made the full recipe, which makes two loaves - one for each Thanksgiving dinner I'm planning to make a scene at.

(Snarky) Hospitality Notes for Holiday Dinners

If you're hosting: Let folks know what time dinner will be served and then aim to have dinner ready within a thirty minute window of that time. If you get behind schedule, no worries! Let everyone know, make sure you have some delicious small bites ready to hold them over. Try not to stress... you're doing great!

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If you're a guest: Bring the dish you committed to bringing and arrive about thirty minutes before dinner, or earlier if the host insists. Check with the host before bringing any unplanned guests and offer to help in whatever way you feel most comfortable. Check your politics at the door and keep your alcohol consumption... appropriate. Every household is different in this way, know your host, know yourself. You got this.

Joyful Living: The Host Notes Holiday Gifting Guide is (almost) here!

Our first Holiday Gifting Guide is launching this weekend and includes gifts for the hostess, the cook, for calm & cozy moments, gifts under $30, and a mini Snohomish locals guide to boot! As a newsletter subscriber, you'll be notified when it's up. Is there something you're hoping I'll share? Hit reply and let me know! I hope you love it.

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Until Next Time...

Keep the recipe reviews coming! I read and respond to each and every one and all reviews submitted *through the month of December* will be entered into the drawing to win 'The Host Notes Favorite Things' mystery delivery. (I've extended the deadline because time is FLYING and I'm still pulling the gift together. It's going to be GOOD.) Can't wait to see what you make!

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I hope you’re making space to do more of what you love!

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cheers & gratitude,

amber dawn

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*Tag @thehostnotes in your latest creations so I can see what you’re cookin’ and hosting!

Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links included in this newsletter may be affiliate or partner links and I may earn a small commission if you purchase through those links. Anything featured in this newsletter is intentional, because I believe in them. Please let me know if you have any questions!