Welcome to the weekend, my friends! I’m in Rhode Island this week with my friend Lynne, and the weather has been absolutely glorious. If you’ve ever visited this gem of a state, then you know there’s nothing quite like a New England fall day. We’ve been walking everywhere and just soaking it in.
ON THE BLOGS THIS WEEK: Oh, my friends. I am soooo very excited to share this one with you. I dreamed up this Thanksgiving Quesadilla many years ago and finally got around to taking photos of it last fall. And let me tell you, it fulfills every food fantasy I had and then some.
I made that quesadilla for lunch the day after Thanksgiving. And then I made it again for dinner for myself and for the rest of the family too. And then? I made it again on Saturday AND on Sunday. Yep, I did that. And I will happily be making this quesadilla again, on repeat, for as long as the Thanksgiving sides last this year.
I have a well established love for quesadillas and I’ve been warming up the pan for Thanksgiving with this Mushroom Quesadilla this week. Crispy tortillas and gooey cheese are paired with rich, savory mushrooms in this simple Mushroom Quesadilla. Add some spicy garlic and fresh parsley, and this is on its way to becoming a favorite quick lunch for me.
Creamy green beans and mushrooms are nestled beneath crispy onions in this Fresh Green Bean Casserole. If you’ve been looking for “the one” new recipe to make this holiday season, look no further. I may be biased, but it doesn’t get any better than this!
Sweet corn kernels are coated with an irresistible creamy sauce in this simple Creamed Corn. It’s a treat that instantly takes me back to holidays at my grandma’s house, so why not make it year-round? Creamed corn has always been something I look forward to around Thanksgiving or Christmas (along with this corn spoon bread). But, this side is too easy and too good not to make it anytime I want.
Forget heating up the oven, I use the air fryer for Baked Sweet Potatoes. The first time I baked sweet potatoes in the air fryer it was a game-changer for me. And over the past couple of years, this has become a frequent lunch for me.
Fresh, juicy pears nestled between layers of brown sugar crumble topping and crust make this Pear Crumble a wintry dessert for any occasion. Slightly chewy with that irresistible buttery, brown sugar, and oat crust and topping, these pear crumble bars are great for a hand-held treat or an after-dinner dessert topped with ice cream.
Creamy hazelnut spread and melted chocolate are tucked inside flaky, buttery pastry dough before being baked into these irresistible Chocolate Hazelnut Babka Bites. It’s an almost unbelievably easy shortcut to babka happiness. I love this easy recipe so much!
What I’m CRAVING: My friend Lynne’s Linzer Cookies! Oh my goodness, I can hardly wait for the holidays now. She’s had me craving cookies like mad this week with all of the cookies she’s been sharing for her countdown to Christmas.
My FAVORITE THING this week is my teeny tiny travel pill organizer. I’ve been using this little case for several years now and I’ve gifted it to friends more times than I can count too. They all use it and love it now too! It just might be the most useful little travel item I own.
What I’m READING: Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist. I read this book for the first time ten years ago and am reading it again now. There are so many points here that still resonate with me and the reminder that “busy” isn’t a badge of honor is still valid. I’d much rather continue to choose where I want to be connected and spend my time there.
What I’m LISTENING to: The Precious Memories Collection by Alan Jackson. All of these hymns are so special to me, especially “In the Garden.” I can’t hear that song without remembering my sweet grandmother.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 ESV
Wishing you a beautiful week filled with little things that make you smile!
Mary