Welcome to the weekend, my friends! The countdown is on and I am soooo excited for Thanksgiving. My brother’s family will be arriving in a few hours and I can hardly wait. They’ll be here all week and we’ll be playing as many of our favorite games as possible while they’re here. Wingspan, DC Deckbuilding, Skyjo, Hitster, Poetry for Neanderthals, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, Harry Potter Deck Building, Quirkle, and more will be on repeat. 

ON THE BLOGS THIS WEEK: Ready in just minutes, these Chicken Bites are generously seasoned pieces of tender chicken with crispy edges, perfect for a game day, a family night in, or just when you’re in the mood for something satisfying. Blink and they’re gone!

Tender carrots are tossed with a light and buttery glaze in these Honey Glazed Carrots. They are the perfect combination of earthy sweetness and buttery richness.

Absolutely loaded with buttery sweet corn, this Corn Spoon Bread is pure southern comfort. This is the kind of side that greets you before you even open the oven door. And, you just know you’re going to find a second spoonful on your plate without quite knowing how it got there.

I’m not claiming to be the first human to ever put pancake batter on top of perfectly crispy bacon. But, these are absolutely the best Bacon Pancakes you’ll ever have the pleasure of eating. Don’t take my word for it. Try them for yourself.

Moist chocolate cake, filled with juicy cherries and topped with fluffy whipped cream? Say less. This Easy Black Forest Cake is a busy baker’s dream come true with just five simple ingredients. Using boxed cake mix is a shortcut that feels too good to be true. But it works beautifully for this showstopping dessert.

Maple Syrup Cookies are generously studded with pecans and drizzled with a homemade maple frosting. They’ve got the soft texture of a scone, but all the sweet satisfaction of a cookie. I am telling you, these cookies are a MOOD.

Waves of salty and sweet churn together in a l

If you’ve ever wondered how restaurants get their chicken so juicy and flavorful, the secret is simple — it’s all in the brine! This easy chicken brine recipe takes just a few minutes to mix up, and it transforms your whole chicken into something truly special.

The salt and honey work together to lock in moisture while the lemon, garlic, and herbs add a beautiful depth of flavor. Once you try it, you’ll never roast chicken without brining again!

Why Brining Makes the Best Chicken

Brining helps poultry stay juicy. The salt in the brine actually changes the structure of the meat’s proteins, allowing them to absorb and hold onto more water. That means less moisture loss during cooking and a tender, succulent bite every time.

The salt also tenderizes the meat slightly, breaking down muscle fibers so the chicken cooks up more tender and evenly.

Instead of just seasoning the surface, brining also lets flavor soak deep into the meat. Every bite tastes perfectly seasoned — not bland in the center and salty on the outside.

Simple Ingredients for a Flavorful Brine

• Water: The base that helps distribute the salt and flavors evenly.
• Kosher Salt: Draws moisture in and out of the chicken, resulting in juicy, seasoned meat.
• Honey: Adds a subtle sweetness and helps with browning during roasting.
• Peppercorns: Infuse mild spice and depth into the brine.
• Lemons: Brighten the flavor and help tenderize the meat.
• Bay Leaves: Add an earthy, aromatic note.
• Parsley & Thyme: Fresh herbs that lend light, savory flavor.
• Garlic: Deepens the flavor and complements the herbs beautifully.
• Whole Chicken: The star of the show — brined to tender, juicy perfection.

Step-by-Step: How to Brine a Whole Chicken

1. Dissolve: Mix the water, salt and honey in a large pot over medium heat and stir until the salt is dissolved. Remove from the heat and let the water cool.
2. Brine: Add the remaining ingredients to the pot, then add the chicken to the brine solution and let it brine in the fridge overnight.

How Long to Brine Chicken

For best results, brine your chicken for 8–12 hours, or overnight.

Once you start brining your chicken, you’ll never go back! It’s such a simple step, but it makes all the difference — juicy, flavorful, and perfectly tender every time. Whether you’re roasting for Sunday dinner or meal prepping for the week, this chicken brine will take your cooking to the next level.

Now if you’re wondering how to cook this perfectly brined whole chicken, our go-to chicken recipe is our melt-in-your-mouth b

Sometimes, life doesn’t stick to the script. I’ve been there. Standing in my kitchen, overwhelmed by the stress of a looming event, while it felt like things are falling apart. If that’s you this Thanksgiving, then I’ve got you covered. You can still pull off a terrific holiday meal and keep it as low-stress as possible.

I can’t fix the bigger picture. I wish I could. But, I can help with the meal. I developed this Last Minute Thanksgiving guide so that you can enjoy a wonderful dinner, even if you’re starting the day before. It even has a printable shopping list. You’ve got this.

Last Minute Thanksgiving

First, let’s agree that a last minute thanksgiving meal doesn’t try to do ALL the things. Focus on the most important sides. I asked around, and these are the ones that my community agreed were at the top of their “I want it homemade” list: mashed potatoes, creamed corn, green beans, and cranberry sauce.

You might want something else. Stuffing is one of the most popular side dishes, but it takes a bit more time to go through all the steps to make it homemade. And, I know a lot of us need rolls at the table (so buy them at the store this time). Maybe sweet potatoes are your family’s thing (swap for mashed potatoes or green bean casserole).

If you take the time to customize the list, it will probably looking a little different than mine. That’s ok. The structure of it still works with light adaptations. The point is that for a last minute Thanksgiving to work, it has to put the focus on the people first. It will be less stress, less cooking, and more connection.

There’s a full grocery list and a timeline at the bottom of this post outlining exactly how to get things done with a minimum of stress on Thanksgiving Day.

Turkey or Ham (or Chicken!)

The first decision will probably be your easiest. Will you make a turkey or a ham? My family LOVES this ham, so we make it every year. But, your family might need a bird for it to feel like Thanksgiving. If you don’

Waves of salty and sweet churn together in a luscious creamy base in this Sea Salt Ice Cream. Yeah, I’ll admit I could wax poetic on this one.

The salt and sugar enhance one another instead of competing for your attention. It’s exactly like one rolls in while the other rolls out, over and over again. This is one of those flavors that makes you pause mid-bite and wonder how is this so good?

Sea Salt Ice Cream

I first tried a salted ice cream while in Santa Fe with my sisters earlier this year. As soon as the first bite hit my tongue, I knew I’d be working on a sea salt ice cream to share with you.

I’ll tell you now that salt and ice cream isn’t a combination for everyone. I went crazy over it and my younger sister did as well. My older sister? She wants nothing to do with anything remotely salted with her desserts.

The salt in this ice cream is very subtle, verrrrrry subtle. It mostly enhances the sweetness and flavor. However, if you look closely at the photos, you’ll see that I generously sprinkled additional salt over the servings and am now a very happy convert to salting every scoop of ice cream. It’s transformative.

Salt and Ice Cream

Salt and ice cream may sound like a strange combination. I get it. But, let’s talk about salt for a second. See, I come from a long line of low sodium cooks. My mom and grandma each had their reasons for skimping on salt. Nevertheless, I grew up with very little first-hand experience for how salt actually works in cooking. So, I’m making up for lost time!

In a nutshell, salt increases our ability to taste four of the five primary flavor categories: salty, sweet, sour, and umami (savory). And, as an added bonus, salt actually decreases our ability to detect bitterness. This is why a teeny pinch of salt in your coffee can make even a basic brew taste noticeably better.

This dynamic is one reason why recipes like salted caramel sauce are all the rage. Yes, there is saltiness. And, if you’re not expecting it, that might be off-putting. But, that saltiness then gives way to an incredible, boosted e

There’s nothing quite like a classic pumpkin pie made completely from scratch. Forget the store-bought stuff—this homemade version has a creamy, spiced filling, a buttery crust, and that nostalgic Thanksgiving flavor we wait all year for. If you’ve ever felt nervous about making pumpkin pie from scratch, don’t worry…I’m walking you through every step so your pie bakes up smooth, creamy, and perfect every time.

Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving or just craving a cozy fall dessert, this is the only pumpkin pie recipe you’ll need.

Oh, pumpkin pie, oh pumpkin pie, thy flavor is so lovely… Who needs the Christmas tree song when we could be singing about pie?

I know we have some haters out there (haters gonna hate, hate, hate. Thank you Taylor Swift.) I can’t even understand the hate, but it’s fine. It exists. I believe that every blog should share their favorite classic recipes and this one is one of my favorites. Well this, and Mom’s Lemon Meringue Pie. 

Thanksgiving For Me Growing Up

Thanksgiving was always one of my favorite holidays growing up. We’d pack into my grandpa’s house in Le Grande, Oregon—cousins, aunts, uncles, everyone—filling every corner with folding tables and chairs. There were always more people than the house could technically hold, and more than once we kids ended up on the floor with our plates.

If we stayed home in Vancouver, Washington, the house still filled with family, plus a few people from church who didn’t have anywhere to go. Dad always made sure no one spent Thanksgiving alone. The cousins played nonstop, the adults snacked and chatted, and we’d finally sit down for “dinner” in the middle of the afternoon. After cleanup (always paper plates because… sanity), the ladies and kids did Christmas crafts, the men watched football, and then—pie time!

Honestly though, my favorite part was the next day: lazing around with movies, leftovers, and turkey sandwiches on rolls. I loved those even more than the big meal.

Thanksgiving at Our House Now

As an adult, Thanksgiving looks a little different. Where we live now, most people have deep roots and big family gatherings of their own, so it can feel a bit lonely when you’re not traveling. It’s not the bustling holiday I grew up with, but it’s taught me something important—be like Dad and always look around to see who might need a place at the table.

Our traditions have changed, but we still have pie… and honestly, pie makes everything okay.

Ingredients for Pumpkin Pie

You’ll want to start by making my favorite pie crust recipe or Mom’s failproof magic crust. Both recipes make a double crust, so you’ll only need half the dough for this pumpkin pie.