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Happy Thanksgiving // Last Minute Recipes, Decor & Activities for the Best Holiday Yet

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

happy-holidays-kaylynn-kelley-windermere

Fall and specifically, Thanksgiving, is such a special time of year. Our family loves welcoming friends and family alike to our home for a relaxed and casual gathering. As the boys have grown, our family has gotten busier and busier which often results in me looking to easy (also last minute) ways to add special touches to our celebration.

A few of my favorite recipes, activities to keep kids busy during the day, and simple decor ideas are below. I hope these are helpful in creating a wonderful holiday.

Wishing you the best of the season. May you enjoy it with cherished family and friends!

With gratitude,

Kaylynn & family

 

Recipes

Beautiful & Easy Cheese Board

A cheese board can be a beautiful start to any holiday celebration, but sometimes can feel overwhelming to put together. This Fall Fig Cheese Board from Fashionable Hostess keeps things easy, but doesn’t skip on beauty or flavor.

Also, check out this ‘How to’ guide for putting together a more extensive cheese board from local cookie blogger and Jenny Cookies bake shop owner, Jenny Keller.

Her fall cookies  which you can order online are cute & yummy!

 


Perfect Side Dish

This simple Maple Roasted Butternut Squash dish is  a beautiful and delicious compliment to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

The natural sweetness from the butternut squash pairs nicely with some pure maple syrup goodness. Then, toss in a punch of crushed garlic flavor and bites of fresh herbs for a restaurant-quality side dish that is sure to impress everyone at your Thanksgiving or Fall dinner party table.

For more veggie-based options, check out these delicious vegan alternatives for Thanksgiving.

 


Truly Delicious Mini Pumpkin Pies

To be honest, I’m not a huge pumpkin pie fan, but at the insistence of our 4 year old I gave in one weekend and attempted the Joy of Cooking’s homemade pumpkin pie recipe.

We didn’t have a pie dish that worked, so we used cupcake tins instead and the result was the cutest and surprisingly the best pumpkin pie we’ve ever had! Jump over to my personal blog, Life Love Hustle for the full recipe.

Top with homemade whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg and you have the cutest and yummiest little pumpkin pie…I bet you won’t be able to eat only one.

KID-APPROVED THANKSGIVING ACTIVITIES

Even the littlest guest will be entertained with these fun turkey-day activities for kids.

Check out The Littles and Me blog for instructions on how to create  a coloring tablecloth for the kids table, playdough turkeys and a fun twist on the class game, Pin the Tail on the Turkey.

Another fun and easy game that the kids (and adults) will love is Turkey Bowling from The Seasoned Mom blog.


Last Minute Decor Ideas

A welcoming smile and the smells of Thanksgiving in the air are the perfect way to welcome guests, but if you want to add a few special touches, a few easy and simple ideas are below:

Happy Thanksgiving!

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ABOUT the Author

I’m Kaylynn! Real estate expert, former agency girl, real-life storyteller, and always down to debrief over coffee or champagne.


After more in the digital marketing world I created Bellwether as a creative expression and reflection of my evolution.

This blog is part personal journal, part digital magazine. We talk about transitions, timelines, home, motherhood, personal style, clarity, and the good stuff in between. If it’s layered, lovely, or a little undone, you’ll probably find it here.

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