November in Minnesota means full tables, familiar faces, hometown sports, and at least one person asking what's for dinner while you're still eating breakfast.

From cheering on our teams to saving the last of the garden harvest, we've got a few ideas to make the most of the month.

Minnesota's Got Game.

Skates on. Sneakers squeaking. Breakfast is #1.

November is heating up on Minnesota's courts and rinks.

The Wild are chasing pucks, the Timberwolves are bringing the action to Target Center, and high school basketball is tipping off across the state.

Whether you're cheering from the stands or proudly embarrassing your teenager from the bleachers, there's plenty to get excited about.

And before the big game? Fuel up at Hen House. Pancakes, hearty breakfasts, and a little team spirit never hurt anybody.

Wild Schedule Timberwolves Schedule

Green Tomatoes. Red Alert.

The frost showed up. Your tomatoes didn't get the memo.

Still staring at a pile of green tomatoes from your garden? Don't give up on them just yet.

• Want Them to Ripen?Bring mature, firm tomatoes inside, spread them in a single layer at room temperature, and check them every few days. No sunny windowsill required.
• Feeling Impatient?Slice them, coat them in seasoned cornmeal, and fry until golden. Add a little ranch or spicy mayo, and suddenly green doesn’t sound so bad.
• Feeling Pickly?Try quick refrigerator pickles with vinegar, garlic, dill, and a little sugar. Keep them refrigerated and use a tested recipe if you plan to preserve them for longer.

Turns out your garden's late bloomers still have plenty to offer.

The Thanksgiving Table Has Personality.

Good food. Questionable relatives. Excellent conversation.

This year, give the Thanksgiving table a little extra character.

First, Promote the Kids' Table.

Ditch the paper turkeys. Think colorful place cards, mini snack boards, mismatched napkins, and a few silly surprises. Let the kids decorate their own place settings or create a centerpiece from backyard finds.

They might actually stay seated. No promises.

Then, Let the Table Talk.

Put a few unexpected questions in a bowl and let everyone pull one between bites.

• Who at this table would survive the longest on a deserted island?
• If our family had a reality show, what would it be called?
• Who would you trust least to cook Thanksgiving dinner?
• What’s the funniest thing someone in this family has ever done?
• What’s one family tradition you’d never give up?

Around Town. Close to Home.

Art, lakefront lights, and a reason to get out of the house.

Art. Without the Shushing.

Family in town? Give the living room a break.

Head to the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) for a little culture, a lot of conversation, and a chance to discover who in your family has very strong opinions about abstract art.

With thousands of works spanning centuries and cultures, there's something to surprise just about everyone.

And general admission is free. Even better.

Explore Mia