Happy November everyone!
We have many things to be thankful for this month. Holiday meals, visiting with family and friends, fun games to play, great books to celebrate, and so much more.
What you will find in this month’s post:
*Our Thanksgiving Meal
*We’re Going on a Turkey Hunt
*Saran Wrap Ball Game
*Books I’ve Read and Reviewed
*Update on My Next Book
Our Thanksgiving Meal
Since our son and his wife make their yearly Thanksgiving meal for their “Friendsgiving” celebration, we don’t always have a traditional Thanksgiving meal. We will come very close this year but will change up one thing. I’m adding Beef Tenderloin I found on sale for just this occassion.
Here’s our menu for Thanksgiving 2026.
PS. This menu was sent out to our family members via messenger. The original menu said it was “subject to change” and it sure did. So, here’s the revised version. You are seeing what my family sees. 🙂
Yes, I could have made a new menu but going with the flow and not stressing out has been my goal lately. You will hear more about that in my January 2027 blog. 🙂
I also found out we might have a few more guests, so it made sense to make a whole turkey instead of a turkey breast. (I had chicken legs and thighs thrown in for those who prefer dark meat.)
After dinner…
We’re Going on a Turkey Hunt
How to play this game:
Each person rolls two dice, and the highest number goes first.
After that, each player will take a turn as they try and pick up a turkey. (String attached to a tube with a magnet attached to a turkey we made, and magnets glued to the ones lying flat.)
Example on How to Win:
If they pick up turkey #4, they get to pick Bag #4.
We will all play and there are several adults playing this game so it will make sense on the prizes I’m going to include in these “prize bags.” (See my thoughts below.) I have done something like this in the past and we have always get a good laugh at what everyone gets. Since there is a second game after this one, the kiddos will enjoy even more fun and yummy prizes.
(Here’s a rough sketch of what it will look like.) There will be at least 10 – 15 bags for our game. You can use a poster board like this or just put them flat on the floor. It’s up to you and your crowd and what you think they might prefer.
I’d love your help for “turkey related” prize ideas.
Everyone will get treats in each bag. I hope to find some chocolate shaped turkey candy, “Little Debbie” fall cakes, and other items like that related to Thanksgiving or fall.
I thought of “turkey” food items like:
Carton of Turkey Broth
Canned Turkey Gravy
Packets of Turkey Gravy
Turkey Jerky
Frozen Turkey Pot Pie (A note to look in freezer.)
Boxed Turkey Stuffing, etc.
Can you all think of anything else?
Now, on to our 2nd game….
Saran Wrap Ball Game
I’m sure you all have heard of this one?
First, I will have this printout ready for our little ones to color the below image together. There’s always time as we wait for everyone to show up and for me to get those last-minute dinner items ready. Once it’s colored, we’ll cut them out and I’ll secretly go and add it to the “Saran Wrap Ball!”
(Feel free to print this turkey out for your little ones to color, too. Make it as big or small as you’d like. Ooh, I just thought of something else. These turkeys could be printed out for small name tags to place where each person will sit at your Thanksgiving table.) 🙂
Okay, back to the Saran Wrap Ball game.
What Is This Game?
It’s a giant ball of items that have been wrapped with plastic wrap. Flat or small items work the best. (Candy, money, gift cards, small packs of Kleenex, Chapstick, etc.)
It takes lots of buying over the months ahead, which I have learned to do. It’s also a good idea to start wrapping those items as you get them.
In the middle, and the last item to be found, is usually something larger. (A coffee mug, a box filled with something, or a rolled up t-shirt or a nice towel. This makes for a great base to start with, too.)
Tip: Don’t wrap the ball super, super tight. You don’t want it to be too difficult for players to unwrap, but you also don’t want to make it too easy for them either, ha!
How to Play and Items Needed
Saran Ball and two dice.
To get started, I’m going to pick one of the (turkey) numbers from our bag game and we will play the “Hot and Cold Game” for who is picked, to hunt for the turkey (Saran Wrap Ball) somewhere in our house.
Once found, put your Saran Wrap ball in the middle of the table.
Directions:
Roll the dice to see who goes first. Highest number wins.
Winner starts unwrapping the ball while the person to their right, or left, rolls the dice until they get doubles. After that, that person hands off the dice to the next person and then they start unwrapping the ball, and on and on.
It gets going fast. Expects lots of laughs as each person is busy trying to unwrap and get as many items as they can before the person next to them struggles to get doubles.
Winning:
Players keep all the prizes they unwrap. (See, this is where those treat bags come in handy for them to store their winnings.) The game continues until the ball is fully unwrapped, again with a larger or special prize placed in the middle.
There are other variations of this game on how to play. Search online and see what you can find. Make up your own rules if you’d like.
Books I’ve Read and Reviewed
“Magic Cube,” by Erno Rubik
What’s it About?
“This first picture book biography of Erno Rubik, creator of the Rubik’s Cube, reveals the obsession, imagination, and engineering process behind the creation of a bestselling puzzle that will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024.
In 2023, the world record for solving the Rubik’s Cube was broken by Max Park, who finished in 3.13 seconds!
And then there’s you. Did you ever get so frustrated with a Rubik’s Cube that you wanted to pull it apart and put it back together in order? Were you to do so, you’d see how cleverly one of the world’s most popular toys is assembled. Working together, the 26 pieces combine to make 43 quintillion possible configurations—but only one solution.
A solitary child, Erno Rubik grew up in post-World War II Hungary obsessed with puzzles, art, nature, and the underlying patterns and structures. He became a professor of art, architecture, and design, who was still fascinated with how objects work together, sometimes becoming greater than their components. In a quest to help his students understand three-dimensional objects and how they move—not to mention a desire to entertain himself—he fashioned a cube whose pieces twisted and turned without breaking, and unexpectedly invented the Rubik’s Cube, the most popular puzzle in history, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024.”
My Review:
I really enjoyed learning about how the Rubik’s Cube was made. I remember when it first came out and was so very popular.
The creator of this interesting toy, Erno Rubik, worked hard to make this happen. I found his book fascinating and appreciate this toy so much more after reading this book.
Next up…
“This Book is Out of Control,” by Richard Byrne
What’s it About?
“In this follow-up to This book just ate my dog! and We’re in the wrong book!, Bella and Ben and that adorable dog are back for another (mis)adventure.
Ben has a new remote-controlled toy; it has all kinds of buttons—Up, Down, Siren, Spin. He and Bella try pressing each one, but the remote doesn’t seem to be working . . . at least, not on the toy. As things go haywire on the page, Bella and Ben realize their book is out of control! With a remote on the fritz, it’ll take the help of the reader to put things right in this interactive story.”
My Review:
Readers will laugh and enjoy this one as Ben’s new remote-controlled toy goes haywire! Another fun interactive book by author, Richard Byrne.
“I Want to Go First,” by Richard Byrne
What’s it About?
“The littlest always goes last―that’s the elephant rule. But Elphie, the littlest elephant, is determined to go first. And where there’s a will, there’s a way! With a little help from you , reader.
From the author-illustrator of This book just ate my dog! comes a new hilarious interactive picture book.”
My Review:
I did like this book a lot, but there is some sneaky trickery in this tale. On the other hand, it could bring up some great discussions about right and wrong. It has cute illustrations readers will enjoy.
Last, but not least…
Here’s a perfect newly published cookbook families will love to have on hand.
“The Pizza Planet Cookbook,” by Sarah Walker Caron
What’s it About?
“Calling all Toy Story fans and pizza join the Pizza Planet team and learn the secrets to their out-of-this-world pies, sides, and more!
Blast off planet earth and embark on a cosmic culinary From intergalactic celebrations to refueling after a journey through the stars, these delicious recipes are sure to satisfy even the hungriest of travelers. You’ll find all the basic techniques, ensuring you can quickly get up to speed with Pizza Planet’s signature doughs, sauces, and pizza-making tips. The recipes include everything you’d expect from the Pizza Planet you know and love from Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story, including classic pies as well as Sicilian-style pizzas, deep-dish pizzas, and creative specialty pizzas—one for each of the planets, of course! Shareable sides, quirky desserts, and a few drinks round out the menu.
Whether you’re a seasoned pizza pro or just touching down on Pizza Planet for the first time, this cookbook will help launch your skills into orbit. Buckle up and get ready to explore a galaxy full of fantastic flavors right in your own kitchen!”
My Review:
This newly published “Toy Story” cookbook is perfect for parents and their children to read together.
There are yummy recipes to make, fun trivia facts to try out, and entertaining tidbits added.
It’s a colorful book with great photos and illustrations, too.
Update in My Next Book
When I first started this part of this month’s blog, I wasn’t sure how I was going to handle the release timing for my next book. I’m still working on it.
I can say, I’m super excited to share it with you all. It does need some more testing. This will all make sense once you see. it.
Meanwhile, the book itself is done. I’m feeling so thankful I have the cover, title, and summary ready to share with you all at some point. It has been proofed, ordered, and it will arrive on Sunday! Yay! 🙂
I will have some little hands working on it to help me find any errors. Getting their thoughts on this is a must as this book will be geared towards pre-kindergarten through 1st or 2nd grade. (That will depend on the learner and their abilities.)
I can share this:
Check out the face of the character in my new book.
I just love this little face! 🥰
So….keep watching! I will start sharing much more about my next book and when it will be available. 🙂
That’s all I have for this month. I hope you all have a wonderful November, Thanksgiving, and an amazing time with each other and your family and friends.
Before I go…
What Are Your November Plans?
What are your November plans?
Will you be traveling this holiday season?
Any new projects you’d like to share with us?
Happy November, and as always,
Happy Reading! 🙂
Rosie