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Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

Nine Favorite Things | halfbakedharvest.com

I hope you have all been enjoying a long slow weekend with family and friends! Over here it’s been a snowy winter wonderland, so we’ve been decking the halls, baking, and doing a little holiday shopping. Thanksgiving Day was spent cooking from morning to night. I did not follow any of my own tips and ended up cooking all of the Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving Day. Luckily my family is not picky in the least. They all really enjoy all the Thanksgiving classics, so it’s not too hard of a meal.

I was so busy in the kitchen that I really did not pick up my phone all day long. It was nice not to be glued to Instagram. Sometimes I hate that I have to be so “on” all time and constantly checking my phone. So the break was needed and nice, but I’m bummed I didn’t even snap one photo throughout the day. Back to normal postings and daily updates now…can’t stay away too long.

It’s been a nice, and busy weekend. But I’m looking forward to diving back into work a bit today, and trying to get a head start on all things Christmas. We have some fun things planned for this month on HBH. A trip to NYC for an event…more details coming soon (NYC readers be on the lookout for a fun announcement this week). Our annual Sunday Homemade Holiday’s posts. And of course, plenty of holiday talk. I am so so excited the Christmas season is here!

Coming up this week on HBH, we’ll be kicking Monday off with a healthy spin on a classic Asian recipe. Sharing something  perfect for a Tuesday snack. A new and simple twist on a past recipe. A casserole the entire family will love. A chocolate filled dessert. And, to kick off December on Saturday, a very festive cocktail.

Lastly, if you missed anything from this past week, be sure to sign up for our newsletter here. Hope you’re all having the best fall weekend, and enjoy this Sunday’s Favorites!

1. My December Bucket List. 

This is in no particular order, but seeing as December is my favorite time of the year my bucket list is a mile long…

  1. make homemade gingerbread houses
  2. build a snowman
  3. decorate both my house and the studio (this needs to happen soon)
  4. have a Christmas movie night with my mom and little sister
  5. make hot cocoa and sip by the fire
  6. find a way to give back (any organizations you love?)
  7. walk through snowy central park and see all the lights
  8. do one thoughtful thing for someone every day all December long
  9. make homemade holiday scented candles
  10. find a fun and meaningful gift for my secret Santa

Question: what is your favorite thing to do in December?

2. November’s Most Popular Recipe. 

This was HBH’s biggest month ever and it makes me so happy to see you cooking, baking, and enjoying all the recipes we share. When I receive your comments, direct messages on Instagram, and emails, sharing how much you love a recipe, it makes my day, and this past month has been filled to the brim with sweet messages. Thank you all so much for reading and recreating our recipes. All the support and love is what keeps fueling me to work hard every single day!!

Here are this months most popular recipes…

Our 2018 Thanksgiving Menu | halfbakedharvest.com #turkey #thanksgiving #menu #holidayrecipes

Old: Herb Butter Roasted Turkey with White Wine Pan Gravy

Hands down this was the most viewed recipe of the month. I was SO excited to see so many of you make and love this turkey recipe. It’s been my go-to for a few years now, and it’s looks like many of you have made it your go-to as well!

Shredded Brussels Sprout Bacon Salad with Warm Cider Vinaigrette | halfbakedharvest.com #brusselssprouts #salad #thanksgiving #fall #winter #healthy

New: Shredded Brussels Sprout Bacon Salad with Warm Cider Vinaigrette

This one was a shocker to me. I LOVE brussels sprouts, but was shocked to see that so many of you guys do too. I thought this would be a recipe for a select few, but so many of you have made it and love it!

Healthier Instant Pot Coq au Vin | halfbakedharvest.com #instantpot #slowcooker #quick #easy #healthy #fallrecipes #sundaydinner

Runner Up: Healthier Instant Pot Coq au Vin

No surprise here, this one is easy, cozy, and healthy. Perfect for any night of the week.

3. My Favorite Cyber Monday Home Picks…

4. All the Christmas Movies I’m Dying To Watch. 

I’m a sucker for a good Christmas movie, here are the ones I’m dying to watch. This list is a mix of the classics and the extra sappy Hallmark movies. The ones we all love so much…admit, you do.

The Classics (which will forever be my favorites)

  1. The Grinch
  2. Miracle on 34th street
  3. The Santa Clause (all of them)
  4. Elf
  5. Home Alone (all of them)
  6. Eloise at Christmastime
  7. The Polar Express
  8. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
  9. A Christmas Story

Hallmark Picks

  1. Homegrown Christmas
  2. Entertaining Christmas
  3. A Shoe Addicts Christmas
  4. Christmas at Pemberley Manner
  5. Christmas in Evergreen

Netflix Picks

  1. The Princess Switch
  2. The Christmas Chronicles
  3. A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding

Reader Favorites (thanks everyone – great suggestions!)

  1. The Man Who Invented Christmas
  2. Love Actually
  3. Christmas in Connecticut
  4. The Holiday

What Are your favorite Christmas movies?

5. New Video:

One-Pan Cheesy Spaghetti Pie…a family favorite that’s great for busy nights.

6. What I’m Baking This December.

Some of my favorite Christmas recipes from year’s past…

Homemade Holidays- Let's Make the House Smell Like Christmas | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Homemade Holidays: Let’s Make the House Smell Like Christmas

Gingerbread Cake with Caramel Cream Cheese Buttercream | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Gingerbread Cake with Caramel Cream Cheese Buttercream

Overnight Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Overnight Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

Eggnog Frosted Chai Snickerdoodle Snowmen | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Eggnog Frosted Chai Snickerdoodle Snowmen

Chewy Chocolate Ginger Molasses Cookies | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Chewy Chocolate Ginger Molasses Cookies

Snowflake Pull-Apart Monkey Bread | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Snowflake Pull-Apart Monkey Bread

Salted Milk Chocolate and Peanut Butter Blondies | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Salted Milk Chocolate and Peanut Butter Blondies

Easy Slice n Bake Vanilla Bean Christmas Sugar Cookies w-Whipped Buttercream | halfbakedharvest.com

Easy Slice ‘n’ Bake Vanilla Bean Christmas Sugar Cookies w/Whipped Buttercream

7. A few Links I am Loving…

the best face mask…if you need a refresh after this weekend.

lounge in style with these 10 sets…cozy.

a healthier chicken pot pie…it’s not too good to be true. promise.

28 things to do this winter…all about that snowball fight.

the day after Thanksgiving detox…down for some warming soup.

8. My Favorite Cyber Monday Fashion Picks…

9. This Week’s Dinners:

Easy Chicken Coq au Riesling | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Monday: Easy Coq au Riesling

Tuesday: Winter Beet and Pomegranate Salad

Red Wine Cranberry Braised Short Ribs | halfbakedharvest.com #slowcooker #easy #dinner #familyrecipes #holidayrecipes

Wednesday: Red Wine Cranberry Braised Short Ribs

Crockpot Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Thursday: Crockpot Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Friday: Crockpot Sun-Dried Tomato Penne Alla Vodka

Check out all the past Favorites posts here.

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Comments

  1. In terms of organizations to give back to, I recommend the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust. It’s a small group that works with private landowners all across Colorado to keep their land undeveloped by using conservation easements. They partnered with Summit County Open Space to conserve a ranch by Green Mountain reservoir this summer. December 4th will be Colorado Gives Day, which is a great day to donate to most non-profits as many, including CCALT, have matching donations and challenge grants that day!

  2. Your Chai Pumpkin Cake and Brussell Sprouts Salad were stars at my Thanksgiving dinner. Thank you for sharing such wonderful dishes!

    1. I am so happy to hear that everyone loved them, Kathy! Thank you for making them and I hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving!

  3. Did you see that someone linked to one of your recipes in the Comments section of yesterday’s Money Diary on R29? Cool shout out from the OP!

  4. If you’re looking for a great way to give back, I highly recommend Cake4Kids.org – It’s an organization I volunteer with in California (but I’m betting you have something similar there!) baking birthday cakes for Foster kids. It’s so rewarding and a great way to give back to your community! Happy Holidays to you & yours!!

  5. One of my very favorite movies to add to your list: “Christmas in Connecticut” with Barbara Stanwyck. I think you would really identify with this one, since she is a food writer! It’s a comedy, a love story, a sweet slice of life from World War II. Thank you for your post – your “Niners” are the highlight of my Sunday morning relaxation.

  6. As far as organizations to support, the Wild Animal Sanctuary here in Colorado does incredible work. It’s a huge refuge for animals that have been held in abusive situations. It tends to save a lot of big cats and bears. Definitely worth checking out!

  7. You HAVE to add ‘Love Actually’ to your Christmas movie list!!!!! A MUST see – S? GOOD❗️❗️❗️My fave- 100%….you probably couldn’t tell – lol.
    Love your blog just as much and got your cookbook recently! Our favorite recipes so far are: the Heirloom Tomato Galette, Apple Butternut Brie soup, every pizza and both the bbq chicken Cobb salad & the kale apple harvest salad! Thank you!!!

  8. OH NO!!! I was expecting to see pictures of the new studio all decorated for Thanksgiving.

    I was so intrigued by your butter roasted turkey that I had to try it even though I was not cooking Thanksgiving. I baked it on Friday just see if it would really work for me. I got a bit concerned about the cheesecloth baking at 450 but is survived. HA!! It was the prettiest turkey I have ever cooked, which I don’t usually cook one. I have fixed a couple of turkey breast in a slow cooker but nit a fan of turkey. I was a bit surprised the herbs didn’t flavor the turkey. I expected it to taste very much of herbs. It really was a pretty turkey. I froze some in broth for soup and made turkey salad.

  9. A couple weeks before mom’s last Christmas, I told someone at work that her favorite Christmas movie was A Christmas Story and learned that the vintage cheap theater plays it the week before Christmas, so we went. They had a leg lamp in the window. Mom absolutely loved seeing it on the big screen again and it inspired her to ask for Chinese takeout for Christmas day, so that’s what we had.

    We’d had a little party Christmas eve in one of the nursing home’s conference rooms with my aunt, my cousin and her family so it was nice to have a low key Christmas day.