Christine’s Notes
Oh how I love this time of year. To be honest, I wish Oct-Dec would last TWICE as long as they do! I feel like I need to savor each month to the most, but there’s never enough time. Anyone else feel that way?
One of my favorite ways to enjoy these fall and winter months is definitely through food! November is a busy month for us over here, but my mind is already on pumpkin pies, mac & cheese, table settings, and of course, all things Thanksgiving. And, ok, ok, I’ll admit it. I’m thinking about Christmas, too. I know, I know! I’m that girl. Christmas music starts Nov. 1st, no shame!
Nonetheless, If you’re looking for ideas for your Thanksgiving gathering, this newsletter is definitely for you! I’ve rounded up my favorite Thanksgiving recipes and ideas, and I know you’ll love them, too. I’m so excited about them and new ones that are coming this month (be sure to subscribe to get them right to your inbox)! Happy Thanksgiving, friends!
RELATED: 15 Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Tabletop Thanksgiving Decor
Take your Thanksgiving table to another level with these fall decor items! Just scroll through these images for inspiration and hit the arrow to see more.
Thanksgiving Sides
Vegan Green Bean Casserole
This easy-to-make Vegan Green Bean Casserole is one of the best side dishes! Taken to the next level with garlic, mushrooms, a creamy sauce, and fresh rosemary, this recipe is great as both a weeknight vegan dinner or a vegan Thanksgiving side dish. Cozy, hearty, and SO delicious!
Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Goat Cheese
The hands-down BEST Roasted Brussels Sprouts recipe topped with crumbled goat cheese, dried cranberries, and chopped walnuts. With a soft, tender center and a crispy, caramelized outside, everyone will love this impressive brussels sprouts recipe!
Creamy Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes
Delicious, easy-to-make Creamy Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes that are perfect for the holidays! This yummy recipe is sure to be a hit with your guests. With just a few simple ingredients, these red mashed potatoes can be made and on the table in no time at all!
Baked Mixed Vegetable Casserole
Lightened-up Baked Mixed Vegetable Casserole made with greek yogurt, cream of mushroom, and vegetables. Topped with whole wheat crackers, shredded cheese, and perfect for any holiday gathering!
Rosemary Mushroom Rice Pilaf
Savory, fluffy, and delicious. This Rosemary Mushroom Rice Pilaf is full of so much flavor! Made with aromatic rice, rosemary, fresh garlic, and hearty mushrooms, this rice pilaf is one of the best as a wholesome side dish or vegan dinner recipe.
Air Fryer Crispy Brussels Sprouts & Bacon
This Air Fryer Crispy Brussels Sprouts & Bacon recipe is a favorite! With Brussels sprouts that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, this is a savory side dish that everyone will love. Seasoned to perfection with garlic, then tossed together with smoky, delicious bacon. Top it all off with grated parmesan for a side dish that’s perfect for any occasion!
Best Turkey Recipes
The BEST Citrus Tea-Glazed Roasted Turkey
When it comes to making the perfect roasted turkey, it doesn’t get much better than this Citrus Tea-Glazed Roasted Turkey recipe. It truly is the best! Not only does it taste delicious, but the citrus tea-glaze adds a slightly sweet flavor and beautiful visual that will impress your guests this holiday season!
Italian Herb Butter Roasted Turkey
This Italian Herb Butter Roasted Turkey is a perfect main course for your holiday meal! A decadent and moist roast turkey flavored with butter, sage, rosemary, and herbs.
Oven Roasted Turkey Recipe
This Oven Roasted Turkey Recipe is made using a dry brine. The flavorful rub, combined with the citrus herb butter, lends both smoky and citrus notes to the overall flavor.
Thanksgiving Desserts
Dairy-Free Pumpkin Pie
Rich and creamy, this Dairy-Free Pumpkin Pie is the ULTIMATE Thanksgiving dessert! With the right balance of sweet brown sugar and maple syrup, this recipe is easy, foolproof, and made to impress. Everyone will love how perfectly delicious this pumpkin pie is!
Bourbon Pumpkin Cheesecake
If you’re looking for something impressive for Thanksgiving dessert, this Bourbon Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe is PHENOMENAL. All of the flavors of fall in a beautiful, indulgent cheesecake!
Vegan Pecan Pie
Sweet, delicious, and easy to make, this Vegan Pecan Pie recipe is melt-in-your-mouth perfection. Made with your choice of a homemade or store-bought vegan pie crust and simple, everyday pie filling ingredients, you’ll love how perfect this Vegan Pecan Pie is for any holiday occasion!
Pie Crust Cookies
Want to know what to do with leftover pie crust? Make these Pie Crust Cookies, of course! Sweet, crunchy, and delicious, these cookies are so addicting and melt-in-your-mouth perfection for the holidays. Make these easy Pie Crust Cookies in about 25 minutes or less for a sweet treat that the entire family will love!
Fudgy Pumpkin Brownies
These Pumpkin Brownies are truly the BEST! Soft and fudgy, chewy and gooey, and made with delicious chocolate chunks, these brownies are melt-in-your-mouth perfection. Full of fall flavors and easy to make, this is a recipe that everyone will love!
Mini Pumpkin Pies
These little pumpkin pie bites have a tender, flaky pie crust with a creamy, smooth filling, perfectly sweet, that’s just right – not too light, not too dense. Made with better-for-you ingredients, these healthier mini pumpkin pies are perfect for everything, from a delicious Thanksgiving dessert to a holiday party recipe your guests will love and a just-for-fun weekend treat.
More Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas:
- 65+ Easy Healthy Crockpot Recipes
- Last Minute Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas
- 45+ Healthy Pumpkin Recipes
- Organizing Thanksgiving Leftovers (And What To Do With Them)
- 50+ Healthy Fall Recipes
Tips For Hosting Fall Gatherings
While there’s so much joy in hosting a fall gathering, it can also be overwhelming and/or stressful. Here are a few of my favorite tips for making fall gatherings (like Thanksgiving) go as smoothly as possible!
- How To Host A Small Thanksgiving
- The Ultimate Fall Cleaning Checklist
- 15 Ways To Reduce Holiday Stress
- How To Create A Fall-Inspired Cheese Board
- 10 Tips For Making Your Home Cozier This Fall
Life Lately
I feel like I say this almost every month, but it’s just the truth: last month was a whirlwind! We were out of town for part of October, and then we had family in and out visiting, plus a big work conference for Cody. So it feels like October started, I blinked, and now it’s over!
Sadly, we didn’t make it to the pumpkin patch like I had hoped, which is a huge bummer since it’s Nova’s first year. But we have a few pumpkins on our porch that we may need to snag a few photos in front of with her!
A few things that did happen this past month: Nova has started babbling and it is the CUTEST thing! Her sweet little voice just melts my heart. She said dada first (of course), but recently she has started saying mama and I just can’t handle it. She’s truly the sweetest baby and such a blessing to our family.
We’ve had a few rounds of sickness already, but I’m trying to be positive and think that maybe we’re just building up our immune systems so that winter doesn’t hit us so hard! Atlas and Nova were home both Thursday and Friday of last week, so it was sweet to have that special time with them and extra snuggles. However, I will say it is TOUGH to manage kids at home unexpectedly and both of us working full time! I’m traumatized from previous winters with my littles and all the sickness that comes with that, but focusing on taking it one day at a time and thinking positive thoughts.
We’re getting ready to travel for Thanksgiving. I’ll get to be with my abuelitos (grandparents) in Texas this year, so we’re excited for that!
Oh, and after not being able to really work out much through pregnancy (thanks morning sickness) and then a slow recovery after my c-section, we’re finally getting our Peloton membership back and I’m SO pumped! Any Peloton friends?? I’m obsessed.
As we head into the holidays, as always, feel free to reach out with any recipe suggestions, ideas, things you want to see on here, or just say hi! The easiest way is to DM on Instagram, but you can also email me or just comment below. 🙂
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