Moments 11.2025

Posted Nov 29, 2025

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November was another full month – we got to spend time with family, celebrate Thanksgiving, take a trip to the beach and more.

“I can’t remember all the times I tried to tell myself to hold on to these moments as they pass.”

Welcome to “Moments” here on JoyFoodSunshine. This is when I pause my usual recipe content, and take time to share our family’s favorite moments from the month!

Here are some highlights from November 2025! I love Thanksgiving (it’s my favorite holiday) and the beginning of Christmas season (after Thanksgiving, always) Don’t forget to check out my favorite Thanksgiving recipes (that also work well for Christmas) and if you’re already there – my Christmas cookie recipes.

Thankful for YOU!

First I want to say thank you. Thank you for letting me be a small part of your holidays by making my recipes. It’s truly humbling to know that you love my recipes enough to make them for your holiday celebrations and it means the world to me.

My Favorite Things – November! ♥️

Here are my favorite things for November – all of them make great gifts!

Especially check my holiday gift guides here (for mom, teenagers, kids, and dad)! And visit my Amazon Store for my favorite baking and gift ideas!

Cookie Scoop. I have three because this is the GOAT cookie scoop. For real.
Silicone Oven Mitts. Life-changing because it doesn’t matter if they get wet!!! Oven mitts on Amazon.
The best baking sheet. Love it so much. You can also find it on Amazon.
Potato Ricer. For the creamiest mashed potatoes you’ve ever had. This is THE WAY. (Ricer on Amazon).
The #1 Measuring Cup Set. Maybe my favorite kitchen item. Find it on amazon too.
Red Light Mask. On sale right now and I use it all the time.
Brightening Eyeliner Pencil. This is a repeat purchase for me. Love it.
Lip Stain. I’ve used this for about a month now and I love it!

Recipes I’m Making on Repeat

Here are some recipes I made this month! Click on the photo or title to go to the recipe!

Instagram Highlight

You guys, tomorrow I kick off a 12 days of Christmas cookies series on Instagram! I worked so hard on this one, be sure to swing over there to check it out!

Also don’t forget to bake from my list of the Best Christmas Cookie Recipes.

NEW November Recipes!

Here’s a recap of the brand new recipes I shared this month.

Bacon Macaroni and Cheese – leveled up favorite.
Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese – protein-packed version of our favorite.
Sweet Potato Gratin. perfect holiday side dish.
Dutch Apple Pie. The crumb topping.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie – absolutely insanely delicious dessert.
Beet Salad. healthy and festive salad.
Butternut Squash Risotto. creamy & yummy!
Skillet Brownie. so gooey, so easy.
Maple Bacon.
Baked Ziti. perfect dish to feed a crowd.

Thanksgiving

It was so, so great to spend time with our family the week of Thanksgiving! I’ve been running a 5K on Thanksgiving morning since I was 16. Ritch inherited the tradition by marrying me (haha) and our kids have come to love it. We wake up and run, they get cute medals and Starbucks on the way home. Then we cozy up and watch the Macy’s parade while we cook.

This year was even more fun because our family came to visit. We haven’t lived by family since we moved to Utah 12 years ago – so when we get to see them it’s such a gift. Our kids just love their cousins and it just feels like home when we’re together!

Life & Faith

Ritch has been meeting with these 7 men who are senior pastors of 7 churches here in Utah. They pray together twice a month – and I have seen how much it has blessed my husband to have these brothers in his life! I’ve formed cherished friendships with some of the pastor’s wives and I’m just so grateful for this group of people.

Miraculously, all 7 families were available to come over for dinner this month and we had such a lovely time getting to know everyone. I’m so grateful for these faithful men and women serving God here in the valley!

Discernment

As we’ve been reflecting on the things we’re thankful for this month. I feel especially thankful for the gift of discernment. Over our almost 20 years in ministry, it has been a covering and a protection from the Lord. I truly believe that He often grants a double (or triple) portion to pastor’s wives – because so many of my friends also have the same gift.

I read this and it really hit home to me. Discernment exposes darkness. It’s a revealing from the Lord from the Holy Spirit inside of us and we must listen.

Snapshots

These cuties had a piano recital this month and performed so well.

G and Z (!!!!!) started wrestling. Can you even handle those tiny wrestling shoes?

Spent a week in FL. My soul was happy. Seashells and sandman.

Aquariums & sunsets.

This was my first time traveling with 5 kids solo! We have a big trip planned in December that we’re pulling B out of school for, and we felt like we couldn’t do it twice in such a short timeframe. It went so well! Obviously we missed Ritch and B, but the kids travel better than most adults (seriously), and we still had an amazing time!

A harvest crusade came through Utah and it was incredible. We actually flew home from FL early so we could take the kids. We got to worship with Chris Tomlin and Phil Wickham and it was such a blessing.