Thanksgiving Recipe Trials + Falling for Fall
I think it’s safe to say that all of us workin’ folk are happy for the short week ahead, amiright?
It’s technically a four day week for me since I am on call at the hospital for an entire 24 hours the day after Thanksgiving…that means no Black Friday shopping for moi. I’m okay with that though; I’ve never been one to enjoy large crowds and chaos.
But I do enjoy cool and sunny weather. I guess I was wrong about the rain because after about three days of it, we’re now back to beeyootiful.
It was so pretty that I wanted to spend the entire weekend outside but I had some work to tend to in the kitchen.
Since all of our family is back in Florida, we will be spending Thanksgiving with a group of friends here in California and it’s a potluck so I wanted to try out a few recipes ahead of time to make sure they were worthy. And of course, to post last minute on the blog. ;)
I tried making braised collard greens using this recipe but I added shallots and used vegetable broth instead of just water.
They tasted amazing but were a bit too laborious for the small amount of servings. I might try to skip the blanching step next time and see how they turn out.
I also made a vegan sourdough stuffing along with Erica’s mashed butternut squash {so.unbelievably.good.} and it made for two very happy bellies.
The stuffing and the mashed butternut squash were both delicious so that’s what I’m bringing on Thursday. If you are looking for an easy and unique side item to make, you should definitely check out Erica’s recipe. We both loved it, like, a lot. I can’t wait to share both of them with everyone.
A long day of work in the kitchen was then rewarded with some cozy cuddling by the fireplace and a fresh batch of my favorite chocolate chip cookies.
p.s. I cannot be trusted with those cookies.
Then on Sunday we fit in some playtime with a certain stinky someone.
I originally wanted to take her hiking with us but my time in the kitchen took longer than expected so we had to stick to our neighborhood for some exercise.
As familiar as it is, I still love walking just around the neighborhood during this time of year.
After spending pretty much every single fall in Florida, the change in seasons here make me swoon. Especially the pomegranate trees…
They’re just so darn cute.
In fitness news, I managed to squeeze in a Body Attack class on Saturday morning that was taught by a new-to-me instructor {since giving up my gym membership earlier in the year} and he is amazing. He just has that infectious energy that makes you push yourself and I loved every second of it. It’s amazing what the right instructor can do for a class, you know?
I hope everybody had a great weekend and I’ll see you with a last minute Thanksgiving recipe tomorrow!
Are you cooking for Thanksgiving? Do you have all your recipes planned already?
Amazing weekend. So beautiful. I’m living vicariously through you since I spent the weekend on the verge of a panic attack thanks to my blog redesign!
I will be cooking for my Mom’s T-giving dinner on Saturday but I am not invited. Let’s not talk about this. If there aren’t any leftovers I’m legit going to lose my mind! I’ll be making my cornbread stuffing and Oh She Glows carrot ginger soup and then whatever I make in my baking class will be dessert because the last thing I want to do after this week is bake for my Mom’s dinner party that I can’t eat anything from. Anddddd I just vented all over your blog. Sorry about that! Can you tell it’s been a long weekend?
Um, yeah. They better save you some leftovers! WTF?
Wow, such beautiful pictures! Wish I lived in Florida! The weather was like that here about a month ago but now the trees are bare and it already looks like winter outside. I am definitely looking forward to the short work week too. I won’t be cooking this year because we’re visiting family out of town but I’m sure I’ll be helping in the kitchen a lot. Have a great Thanksgiving!
Thanks Christie! I am actually living in Northern California now. I’m originally from Florida where there weren’t changes in seasons so I love it here.
I hope you have safe travels and a great time with your family! :)
Man I so wish I had a pomegranate tree!
What a delicious and beautiful weekend :) I wish we were having Thanksgiving round 2 up here but sadly I will have to drool over everyones photos. Still looking forward to the last minute recipe!
Your photos make me miss the crisp, sunny, fall days of home! So cozy. I’ve also never seen a pomegranate tree in real life; so cool! haha
You are totally right about fitness instructors. For me, it’s always a make it or break it. I’m starting my Body Attack mentoring next week with a top notch (male) instructor, and can’t wait. It makes me nervous though, because I know the people attending the class go because they love HIM, so I don’t want to ruin the vibe! Eeek!
Happy short week! My Thanksgiving has come and gone, but I’m sure enjoying all of the festive photos on all the blogs :)
You won’t ruin the vibe! I’m sure you’ll be awesome. Plus, everyone has to start somewhere. I’m sure he wasn’t always so comfortable in front of everyone- it probably takes time. You’ll find your groove eventually. Whether it be yelling at everyone to work harder or breaking it down and shaking your booty, you’ll get there. ;)
I always love all your scenery photos! They make me want to move (and we just moved here! lol). That mashed butternut squash looks downright awesome – I’m going to have to try that soon. And I am sooo looking forward to a few days off from my day job – can’t get here soon enough!
Looking at all the snow outside and trying my best to stay warm, it’s hard to believe that you guys have such gorgeous weather down there! (jealous :P ) Fall has been long gone here for about a month, and winter is out in full force. And so is Thanksgiving! I may have to cook up a Thanksgiving-esque meal on Thursday so I don’t feel left out.
Mmmm those cookies look perfect, indeed!
Ahhhh so jealous of the Cali weather! I mean, I guess I like snow during the holidays but after that—nope. Glad you enjoyed the stuffing and those choc chip cookies do look dangerous but also tempting. I’m actually going to DC for Thanksgiving so I am not cooking–noooo idea what’s on the menu and a little curious to find out haha.
Mashed butternut squash is so tasty, right!?! I made some a few weeks ago and I loved it; plus, it’s super simple to make. The weather you’re having sounds so nice! I’m kind of jealous! It’s super cold here. It was only in the 20s yesterday and windy. Brrrr! We’re going to my parents’ house for Thanksgiving, but I’m doing the dessert and making a side dish. Can’t wait!
Aw man, I miss fall. I can’t remember a time where I didn’t live at the north pole. :(
I’m thinking I should probably cook something festive on Thursday. I was going to do an actual Thanksgiving meal, but then remembered I have plans to go for ‘all you can eat’ Indian buffet for lunch that day so I won’t be too hungry in the evening.
While I do like having Thanksgiving in October, the downside is that I’m going to spend this week in a fit of jealousy ;-) Maybe I just need to find myself some pumpkin pie so I don’t feel left out!
And i’m so jealous of your weather right now…we’re currently in the midst of a ‘winter wonderland’ kinda thing.
I love, love, love pomegranates! I have never actually seen a pomegranate tree. That would be awesome to have your own!!
What a great weekend! I have a really short week too, so I’m pumped. I love when it gets cooler cause my old lady of a dog does a lot better on her walks when it’s chilly out! I don’t think I’m cooking anything for Thanksgiving. I think we’re just doing the show up and eat deal, which I’m totally ok with :-)
Your pictures are always so gorgeous! That meal of stuffing, butternut squash, and greens looks incredible, and it makes me real excited for all of the Thanksgiving food.
Your neighborhood looks so pretty! I’d love to take walks there with Ryder. My weekend was pretty uneventful since David was consumed with a take-home final. I pretty much did house chores, took Ryder for walks, and spent time in the kitchen.
For Thanksgiving I’m bringing desserts. I usually always make a sweet potato pie & something new, but this year I’m baking apple pie, which I used to always make every year for like 5 years in a row, but then stopped and also those pumpkin cheesecake bars I posted a few weeks backs.
I hope you have a great Thanksgiving with your friends!
P.S. I don’t do black friday either…I tend to think those people are crazies…Plus, nowadays you can find just as good of deals online. :)
Those pumpkin cheesecake bars looked amazing! I’m sure they’ll be a hit. I hope your Thanksgiving is great too! :)
Your Thanksgiving creations look delish! I am so not ready for cooler weather, but the rain does make everything beautiful. Coco is adorable… beautiful pictures lady!
You’re too sweet! So glad you guys liked the squash. And you are super on top of it for trying everything out ahead of time! I’m impressed!
Such pretty pictures! Your doggie is so adorable!!!
Looks like a productive weekend in the kitchen! I already have my menu planned, as we are hosting this year – GAH!! I’m working Monday-Wednesday so I have some busy days ahead of me to prepare!
Sounds like you are gonna be a busy lady! I’m sure everything will turn out perfect and they’ll all be swooning. :)
It was a beautiful weekend. Cold, but lovely. I spent the majority indoors though since I was cooking up some of the main fishes for my family’s Thanksgiving. The inlaws get the actual day, so we just do our Tday at my mom’s the weekend before. We had mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, wild rice, “healthy” candied yams, salad, buttermilk biscuits, stuffing, and of course, the turkey.
Those pomegrantes looks so good! I’d pick some in the middle of the night, lol.
Two Thanksgivings are always better than one! Sounds like the first one was delicious! :)
I will try not to be insanely jealous over your gorgeous weather. It was in the 20s when I got up this morning!! I am cooking for Thanksgiving this year. 3 sides for me! I didn’t try them out beforehand so I hope they come out ok!
Your neighborhood is so pretty girl! I would be walking around there all of the time. I’ve been lazy with this nice weather and have been putting off cooking, as I want to savor these warm summer like days. It’s been all about easy breezy meals in my house. We’ve always spent the holidays with friends, as we both have family in other parts of the country. I love it though because your friends become like family and you can all share potluck and you’re not having to cook everything. That’s no fun! I ‘m excited because all I have to bring down to my girlfriend’s house are a few batches of popovers, some kale salad and a pie. I already bought all of the ingredients so I don’t have to deal with the stressed out people in the grocery store. Yaay! xoxo, Jackie
We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here but that doesn’t mean I can’t drool over all the thanksgiving recipes around at the moment.
Loving all of your photos, looks so nice and sunny and warm there.
Can’t wait for your new recipe tomorrow and enjoy your 4 day week!
I really enjoyed reading this post and thus getting to know something more about you and the place where you live. Looks like a beautiful area! No thanksgiving here in Europe, though I can almost feel the excitement from overseas :)
Awwwww … those cute puppy pics remind me so much of my old dog, Zero! He was black with a white chest blaze, too! (Our new little guy, Finn, is white and caramel – totally different!) I also especially love the pomegranate pics! Living in Ohio, I don’t exactly see many pomegranate trees! The burst fruits nestled amongst the green leaves are just gorgeous! :D