Happy Friday
"Some of the most beautiful chapters in our lives won't have a title until much later." - Bob Goff
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Hello, November.
You certainly made an entrance, didn’t you? It feels like we blinked and October was gone — leaving behind pumpkin guts, candy wrappers, and a handful of memories from one whirlwind of a month. Between trick-or-treating, costume parades, and enough sugar to power the farm for days, I think it’s safe to say October ended with a bang.
But now… November. The air has shifted, and there’s something peaceful about it. The pace feels slower, the evenings quieter. While some folks have already hauled out the Christmas totes (no judgment here!), I’m hanging on to these last golden days of autumn — the cozy throws, the muted colors, and the calm before the holiday rush.
Of course, I can’t say the same for the Scoop Shoppe — we’ve been in full-on holiday mode behind the scenes for weeks now. My kitchen counters are lined with ribbon and twine, and I think I’ve unboxed more ornaments than I’ve ever owned. It’s all in preparation for one of my favorite small-town traditions: Brockway’s Christmas Gathering.
If you’re local, you know how special it is — the twinkling lights, the sound of laughter down Main Street, and that unmistakable hum of neighbors supporting neighbors. We’re thrilled to be part of it again this year with extended hours, a completely refreshed shop layout, and shelves full of handcrafted gifts and treats I’ve been curating for months. (There’s something magical about seeing it all come together.)
And while the garlands are getting fluffed and the gift tags are being tied, back at home we’re savoring these first few quiet November nights. Our oldest has started basketball season, which means bleachers, cheers, and late dinners — the kind of chaos I secretly love. And in between, we’ve been testing hot chocolate recipes — and let’s just say, once it’s ready, you’ll want to grab a mug. It’s that good.
As for this week’s gelato lineup at the shop, we let you decide what came back — and you did not disappoint. This weekend, we’re scooping:
🍪 Brookie – brown sugar gelato swirled with chunks of our house-made brownie and cookie dough.
🎃 Pumpkin Cheesecake – a creamy pumpkin base with gingersnap cookies folded in.
🥜 Parent Trap – peanut butter gelato loaded with crushed Oreos.
🍏 Caramel Apple – apple gelato with ribbons of salted caramel.
✨ Classic Vanilla Bean – because some things never go out of style.
Our outdoor heaters are on, the gelato is fresh, and the farm feels still — just for a little while — before the holidays sweep us up again. So come by, grab a scoop (or two), and soak in these fleeting November days with us here in our little town of Brockway.
Save the date for A Christmas Gathering:
Links + finds from the week:
- Molly Weasley is one of my most favorite book characters ever, and I loved this take on A Homemaker's Guide to Living like Molly Weasley.
- This old fashioned Swiss Steak recipe is calling my name.
- I saw this NFL version of Guess Who and I'm excited to gift it to my teenage nephews (and my son) this year: I know all the grown men will love it, too!
- I can't stop thinking about a combination of chocolate and orange: maybe a gelato, soon?
- This feels so close to my home, and made me laugh out loud. Kids are the best.
Have a great weekend!
xx,
Lisa