Next Post
Spicy Poblano, Black Bean, and Quinoa Enchiladas.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.
{the coziest homemade hot toddy kit to warm up to this week}
Happiest Sunday before Thanksgiving week! Anyone else getting incredibly excited for the holiday season to officially kick off? Clearly I am…as if you couldn’t tell. Not going sugar coat it, I probably took on more holiday work than I should have, but it’s just all so much of what I love to do, that I could not say no. The issue I’m currently having is that there are just not enough hours in the day. Please give me more daylight hours, OR send another me so the two of us can work quicker. If only that could happen, right?
Anyway, point is, I’m so happy it’s finally this time of year again. I know many of you are rolling your eyes about how much I love the holidays, but we are who we are, and I am just being me!
Today’s favorite’s post is actually going to be one of my last of the year. Over the next few weeks I’m planning some fun holiday inspired Sunday posts, full of homemade gift ideas, easy crafts, and more. I love being creative and having fun with holiday gifts and decorating, so I can’t wait to share some of that with you guys this year.
Christmas Drink Saturday officially kicked off yesterday, but if anyone has a request for holiday drinks, be sure to let me know. My drink list is still missing a few festive cocktails.
Coming up this week on the blog, we’ll be starting things off with an easy, healthy vegetarian dinner to ease ourselves into what’s going to be a heavy eating week. On Tuesday I’ll be sharing something yummy to snack on. And on Wednesday I’ll show you an easy idea for all the leftover cranberry sauce you might end up having come Friday. I’ll be taking the day off on Thanksgiving, and then ending the week with a Black Friday Christmas gift guide!
Hope you all have a great Sunday, and if you’re prepping for Thanksgiving today (here is my complete Thanksgiving menu), have fun…and maybe snack on a sweet treat or two (caramels and cookies) for me!
Enjoy this week’s favorites!
1. Ten Things I am Most Thankful for this Year…
- My family, our health, and all the love that we share.
- The Cookbook, and the overall positive feedback it’s received.
- The growth of Half Baked Harvest.
- Christmas music and movies, because they truly make me so happy!
- My cozy barn and its warmth during this bitter cold night.
- Golden and hour and the amazing light it brings.
- Coffee. Enough said.
- Christmas candles and all their smells and relaxing vibes.
- The snow, and the magic it brings this time of year.
- YOU GUYS! Aside from my family and health, I am most thankful for you, my amazing readers and your constant support that you all continue to show Half Baked Harvest. Over the last five years I have really grown up with you guys and you’ve experienced a lot with me. I could not be more grateful for each and every one of you. Thank you all for reading, making my recipes, and the general kindness you bring to my family and I. You truly are helping to make my dreams come true. So thankful you came across Half Baked Harvest and that you stop by to read daily.
- BONUS:Â this year I’m extra thankful for a few select people in my family. My mom for all the hard work she puts into Half Baked Harvest and the constant love she shows me…even when I’m mean. My dad, for always being by my side in a moment’s notice whenever I need anything. My brother Kai, for putting up with me, cracking out hundreds of videos, and generally just being a best friend. And of course, little Miss Asher, who is really not so little any more. This girl is the light that brings me happiness every day.
What are you all most thankful for this year?
2. Healthy Glowing Skin?
All this week I have felt like my skin has not been looking its best. It’s been dry and splotchy, probably do to our winter like weather. It also didn’t help that I had a zit on my chin. I shouldn’t be complaining because generally I have pretty clear skin, but this week got me thinking, I might need to start taking better care or my skin and protecting its youth. As of right now I have no skin care routine. I wash my face in the shower, lotion up, and that’s about it. I loved reading this article on what Victoria Secret models do for healthy, glowing skin.
What do you do for healthy, glowing skin during the winter months? Any products I should try?
La Mer lifting anf firming mask | La Mer eye concentrate
3. Homemade Holiday Gifts…
The Gift of a Christmas Scent (homemade holiday potpourri)
Coziest Homemade Hot Toddy Kit
Snowy, Sparkly Pine Cone Ornaments
Let’s Make the House Smell Like Christmas
Christmas Cookie Decorating Kit
Vanilla Bean Salt + Vanilla Bean Sugar
Edible Christmas Gifts in Jars
Coconut Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Covered Pretzel Presents
4. Festive Mugs I Love…
tree travel mug | holiday spirit mug | copper mule mug | porcelain & copper mug
snowman mug | copper mug | ’twas the night before Christmas mug set estrella cup and saucer
5. New Videos:
Pumpkin Chai Snickerdoodles…sweet, chewy, soft, cinnamony, and all things delicious.
Cranberry Pot Roast…a classic, but with a twist. Cozy, warming, and so good.
6. Favorite Christmas Movies (in no certain order)…
- The Grinch.
- Miracle on 34th Street (both versions, but the newer version is my favorite).
- The Santa Clause (love all of them, but 1 and 2 are my favorites).
- Home Alone (all of them, but 2 is favorite, with 1 coming in close second).
- Elf.
- The Polar Express.
- Eloise At Christmas Time.
- Christmas Vacation.
- Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.
- Jack Frost
- Frosty the Snowman
- Hallmark Channel Anything (I am such a sucker for a good Hallmark Christmas movie)
- ABC Family 25 Days of Christmas – MY FAVORITE (I was just informed it hasn’t been ABC for quite some time, I guess it’s now called Freeform…what is Freeform?)
What else do I need to be watching. Please share all your favorites. PLEASE!
7. A Few Links I am Loving…
authenticity, creativity, and drive…an inspiring read.
how to bounce back from burnout…needed to read this article this week.
laughter is medicine…this could not be more on point. LOVED this read.
your easy weeknight recipe…Thai butternut squash and peanut soup.
4 benefits of bone broth…excited to start cooking with bone broth now.
how to relieve holiday stress…go for a snowy hike.
8. My Favorite Holiday Pieces…
coach rouge with quilting | cropped flare | rib turtleneck | lea boots (have these, love them)
tatum dress (own this and love it)
9. This Weeks Dinners:
Monday:Â Slow Cooker Creamy Wild Rice Soup with Butter Roasted Mushrooms
Tuesday:Â Skillet Roasted Moroccan Chicken and Olive Tagine
Wednesday: Crispy Belgian Waffles (breakfast for dinner!)
Thursday: HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! Here is what my family and I eating!
Friday:Â Turkey, Smashed Avocado, Cranberry, Brie and Mashed Potato Waffle Melts
Check out all the past Favorites posts here.
For skincare, love Clarity moisturizer by Good Medicine Beauty Lab, also if you are interested in oil cleansing, Live Crude has great products. As far as holiday movies go… every year (several times) I watch The Holiday and also love While You Were Sleeping. I’m also a sucker for Hallmark movies, I’m glad I’m not the only one.
Thank you! I will check this out!
MOVIES!
Prancer
Christmas with the Kranks
White Christmas
It’s a Wonderful Life
Some of the bests for sure!
Thank you for all your wonderful recipes and sharing ideas, etc. Eloise at Christmas was a fun movie. I watched it on youtube in the 10 different parts. Cute. Happy FriendsThanks&Giving! I’ll be sure to make at least 3/4 of the recipes here by Christmas 😉
That is so great! I hope you love the recipes Sabell! Thank you!
I love the Ole Henriksen Power Peel! It’s a little spendy, but it works wonders on your skin. I use it every few weeks.
Thank you Natasha!
Girl, I won’t lie – you are going to want to make the leap to Beautycounter’s cleansing balm (for those dry cold CO winters) and Countermatch collection. The dewiest, glowing from the inside out skin – and it’s clean too! Let me know if you have questions 😉
Hi Heather! Thank you for this suggestion! I will look into this!
Hey Tieghan,
I’m sorry you’ve been crazy busy lately. Hopefully seeing your family this week will ease some stress and bring you joy. 🙂 I’m grateful for you too and reading your posts each day. They really do make me smile and are a positive light in my life. I’m sending you warm hugs and positive vibes!
Also, I recommend Lush products for your body and face! I use dark angles, one of their face lotions, and tea tree toner. Maybe you could go in one of their stores and the kind staff can help assess what would work best for your body. I hope this helps! Stay warm and sleep well.
Hi! Yes, I am really looking forward to seeing my family! Thank you for the recommendations, can’t wait to check out Lush!
Thanksgiving should be filled with two things: Thanks & Giving! You have succeeded beautifully! I am very thankful for all that you give through this fantabulous blog. You are a gift that never stops giving. Thank-you so much for the joy and the inspiration. Wishing you and your family The Happiest Thanksgiving! P.S. Looking forward to your holiday posts. I will miss Nine Favorite Things, please resume this after the holidays!
I completely agree with you Ellen, I am very thankful for all of you guys! Thank you so much for this very kind comment! I hope you have a great holiday!
I would love to see pictures of how your setting your thanksgiving table.
Can’t wait to share thanks!
Honestly, I start oil cleansing my face come Autumn, which makes an ENORMOUS difference for me as I have sensitive skin with rosacea. While the idea scared me at first, envisioning zits and oiliness, it’s a god-send.
I use castor oil, jojoba, and a few drops of tea tree oil — all natural goodness! It works as both a cleanser and makeup remover, eliminates the dry patches, diminishes my fine lines (!!!), and keeps the typically oily areas of my face from getting too oily. Plus, you just use an extra drop of jojoba to moisturize afterwards. If you wash in the shower, it’s just as easy as washing your face with typical cleansers.
It’s also important to stay hydrated, as it’s super easy to not drink enough water when it’s not blistering hot outside. Even if you replace your normal water with hot herbal tea to get enough fluids — my typical go-to. Good luck!
I think I am going to try this, it sounds amazing! I have heard tea tree oil is pretty good for the skin! Thank you Meghan!
Love the positivity of this this post, and all that food looks in-sane! x
Ariadna || RAWR BOWS
Thank you!
I love your nine favorite things posts and also LOVE the holiday season. It makes me so happy to read about other people loving it just as much as I do! Special thank you this week because not only do we eat your recipes every day but I saw a skirt that you suggested and got it this week and it’s AWESOME! If I did a top ten things I am thankful for list, you’d have to be on it because without your blog/cookbook I wouldn’t be as creative or eat as well and I hope to pass these things on to my kids as they grow up. Thanks for all the inspiration and keep up the great work! Happy Thanksgiving! P.S. My Dad is cooking the turkey this year so I sent him your recipe- ha!
Thank you! This is such a sweet comment and it makes me so happy to know that you enjoy the recipes and favorite things posts on my blog! I hope you have an amazing Thanksgiving Amy, thanks again!
Hi there! I have the same issue with dry patches on my face but finally found a true game changer. The Glow Pads (for face) by Dr Dennis Gross are amazing. They leave me hydrated and glowing. Every time I use them I get compliments from everyone on how dewy my skin looks. Highly recommend, Nordstrom carries them… plus you get three free samples when you order from Nordstrom:
https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/dr-dennis-gross-skincare-alpha-beta-glow-pad-for-face/3168806?contextualcategoryid=2375500&origin=keywordsearch&keyword=dr.+dennis+gross+skincare
Thank you so much Wrenn!
I love love love this movie – the cast/the animation/the characters …. sweet/fun/a tiny bit emotional at the end (the good kind). It plays a lot on Freeform over the holidaze!! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1430607/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_20
Thank you Doreen!
I can’t wait for your upcoming Sunday crafts and gifts!
I would love to see warm cocktails, like hot toddies or hot apple spiked ciders! Also, maybe a Christmas sangria?
Sounds so good! Thanks Libby!
This stuff for glowing skin https://www.amazon.com/Rosehip-Leven-Rose-Unrefined-Moisturizer/dp/B00URXIKIY
OMG it is amazing!!! I thought my skin was fairly glowy until I started using it. I used to use it on my face as a moisturizer but it was breaking me out (it’s a purifying oil so it’s possible that could happen on your face). I might try using it on my face again and then wiping it off with witch hazel, but in the meantime I’m adding it to my lotion and it’s sooooooo great! Also that company has a great return policy if you’re not satisfied.
Thanks Jackie!