Thanksgiving Favorites.

I can't believe I am saying this, but it's almost Thanksgiving!! Wow. Wasn't it just Memorial Day??? I know every family has their favorite dishes, and I am so excited to share some of mine with you today! Some of these are old favorites that have been served at our Thanksgiving table since I can remember, and some are new favorites that have been introduced only recently. Enjoy the round-up of my personal favorite Thanksgiving dishes! I would love to know… what is served at your Thanksgiving table that has become a family favorite? Please share!

See how much love this recipe has gotten over the years!

Estelle is my uncle Philip's mother. She made this dish at their Thanksgiving - and special occasions - all of his life. Once he married into our family, he brought this classic dish with him! It's safe to say no Thanksgiving is complete at our house without this amazing dish! When I went to school at Belmont University, many of my close friends came home for Thanksgiving with me because their families lived in other states. We have shared this dish with friends from CA, AZ, KS, and PA! I think it has even become part of other people's Thanksgivings after they had it at our house! How special is that?

This is an easy recipe to make for any holiday! It makes appearances at Christmas and Easter, too! 

My uncle, Philip, found this recipe in the Memphis newspaper several years ago. It was such a hit with the family that it is now one of our main desserts each year! (Along with chess and pecan pie, of course… we are in the South, right?) 

One of my personal favorites is what I call "The Harper Family Butternut Squash." There is never any left over, and it tastes a lot like sweet potatoes! Here is the recipe…

THE HARPER FAMILY BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Squash Mixture

2 c. baked, mashed butternut squash

3 eggs, lightly beaten

3/4 c. sugar

1/3 c. unsalted butter, at room temp.

1/3 c. milk

1 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp coconut flavoring 

1/2 tsp salt 

Crunchy Topping

1 1/2 c. corn flake cereal 

3/4 c firmly packed brown sugar 

1/2 c chopped pecans

1/4 c unsalted butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients for squash mixture and pour into a greased 8 in square baking dish. Bake uncovered for 35 mins. For topping, combine all topping ingredients. Sprinkle topping over squash and bake an additional 10 mins. ENJOY!

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Another easy recipe that is made a lot at Thanksgiving is our family recipe for:

SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE 

3 c mashed sweet potatoes 

1 c sugar (can reduce to 3/4 c if you prefer to use less)

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 c milk

1 tsp salt

1/4 stick butter 

1 tsp vanilla 

Optional: add grated orange zest for extra flavor!

Mix well and add to baking dish. 

Topping (optional but SO SO good!)

1 c brown sugar

1/2 c flour

1 c chopped pecans

1/2 stick butter, melted

Mix all topping ingredients together and pour over sweet potato mixture. 

Bake at 300 degrees for 30 mins.

Other favorites include The Pioneer Woman's Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic and Cranberries and her Burgundy Mushrooms …both amazing! That Brussels Sprouts recipe converted three Brussels Sprout haters to LOVERS! 

Here are a few pictures of our Thanksgiving table from years past...

The famous Asparagus Casserole is the second thing on the right, and the sweet potato casserole is after that one. We also do lima beans, a lot! So easy!

Hope you enjoyed my Thanksgiving recipe and picture round up! Have a blessed month and holiday!

Monday Musings.

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Casual Friday.

I love getting dressed up. I also love not getting dressed up. There's something to be said for throwing on workout clothes & a hat and running out the door for errands or a quick lunch with a friend. Let's face it…sometimes you just don't want to put forth the effort to get ready and look put together. I've recently gotten a few key pieces from Sidney Clark Designs to help take my casual game to the next level. Enter the kimono and the Moto jacket…

The now sold-out Sidney Clark Designs kimono is one of the pieces that's upped my game big time!

Seen here, worn over Nike workout pants & top. Also worn with my favorite Nike leopard shoes and a black baseball hat. Throw this on. Go get your groceries. Easy as 1-2-Kimono! I also love this Sidney Clark cape to throw on over workout gear for a chic, casual look! (Posts wearing that coming soon!)

My favorite fall piece - hands down - has been this Sidney Clark Designs Moto Jacket.

I wore this exact look for a day of shopping with my mom recently! During the day, I had on the same Nike leopard shoes, shown in the picture above, with this exact outfit. For our dinner at Adele's, I wore this outfit and just slipped on booties and took this easy look from day to night. Best part of all? I looked put together, and I was SO comfy all day! 

Went to lunch with my BFF and her sweet daughter this week on a rainy day, so I threw on my favorite Zella leggings, Nike shoes, a cozy thin sweater, my regular arm candy, and of course…the SCD Moto Jacket. 

Hope you enjoyed the "Casual Friday" post! I love when I can get out the door quickly and with minimal effort but still look somewhat chic :) Click here to visit Sidney Clark's Facebook page and here to see the Fall collection. Have a great weekend! 

Monday Musings.

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Thinking I will make this easy, no-bake rocky road fudge this week for my sweet husband!

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Definitely plan on making a few of these autumn salad recipes!