White Chocolate Cherry Macadamia Cookies

Chock full of creamy white chocolate chips, tart dried cherries, and crunchy macadamia nuts, these thick & chewy White Chocolate Cherry Macadamia Cookies would make the perfect addition to Santa's cookie plate...

So who else feels like we were catapulted straight from Thanksgiving dinner right into the Christmas season almost overnight? Granted, Thanksgiving did arrive a little later than it normally does this year, so maybe that is why I am feeling as if I have been scrambling this last full week before Christmas. 

We finally went out and picked out our Christmas tree and got it up and decorated last Friday. We didn't bother putting lights up outside this year because it seemed to rain almost every day that my son & I actually would have had the time to tackle the task. And by the time the weather cleared up, the lights would only be up for a couple of weeks so why bother with all that effort?

And while it may seem that I am grumbling a little (maybe there is even a little hint of bah-humbug in there?), it has been kind of nice to just be able to focus on the essentials for the holiday season for once. The tree may have been put up a little later than normal, but it IS up. The gift list has been checked off and the shopping is officially done. And I was still able to host my annual Christmas cookie baking party with my family. Things may not have went exactly according to my usual plan, but memories are being made and cherished family traditions are still being continued.

So what does the recipe for these White Chocolate Cherry Macadamia Cookies that I am sharing with you all today have to do with any of the above? ;)

It's Time for Turkey: My 4 Essentials for Easy Holiday Dinner Prep

Make your family holiday dinner super simple & hassle-free with My 4 Essentials for Easy Holiday Dinner Prep...

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com.

It is t-minus one day until turkey time, folks! If you happen to be scrambling to put the finishing touches on that holiday dinner menu for tomorrow, then you are in luck because I have a few quick & easy ideas to share with you all today. 

Who says that hosting a family holiday dinner has to be crazy time consuming and stressful anyways? ;) You can make it super simple & hassle-free with a few simple ingredients and a little creativity. I am sharing a handful of my favorite products & tips below for making that happen.

Make Your Holiday Dinner Simple & Easy with the Bob Evans Premium Farmhouse Feast

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bob Evans Restaurants for IZEA Worldwide. All opinions are 100% mine.

The holiday season was meant for spending quality time with your family and loved ones. Make your holiday dinner simple & easy this year with the Bob Evans Premium Farmhouse Feast...

I love sharing a special meal with my family during the holidays. In fact, it is one of my favorite parts of the holiday season. Coming together, gathering around a table to enjoy a family-style meal, sharing stories, and just enjoying a little time together.

What I don't sometimes like about family holiday dinners is that someone (usually me) gets stuck in the kitchen cooking and baking up a storm while everyone else gets to come together, share stories, and enjoy a little time together. 

But I have a little secret to share with you all that I just discovered for myself... you can let Bob Evans do all the preparation for that family feast for you this holiday season by ordering their Premium Farmhouse Feast either online, in store, or over the phone. That's right! Your next holiday dinner can be made simple with Farmhouse Feast.

Bob Evans Premium Farmhouse Feast provides a complete "home-cooked" meal for 8-10 dinner guests without all of the hassle.

Chipotle Butternut Squash & Pumpkin Soup

Roasted butternut squash & creamy pumpkin are blended together with warm spices & a little kick of heat in this perfect for fall Chipotle Butternut Squash & Pumpkin Soup...

This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them helps support this website.

While I am not a fan of the cooler temps (and *gasp* the impending snow), there is one thing I do look forward to as fall progresses into early winter and that is the ushering in of one of my favorite seasons of the year- soup season! Honestly, we eat soup all year round in this house. But I definitely kick up my comforting and cozy soup game once the temperatures start to dip below the 40's on the regular.

I mean, what is better than a bowl of warm and creamy homemade soup when it is a cold and rainy (or snowy) outside? Not much else, folks. Except for maybe a mug of my Pumpkin Chai Hot Buttered Rum or a dish of my Slow Cooker Apple Butter Rice Pudding. ;)

This recipe for Chipotle Butternut Squash & Pumpkin Soup that I am sharing with you all today just might be the best fall inspired homemade soup recipe that I have come up with so far for the blog. It is creamy & smoky, with a little kick of heat, and a touch of spice & sweetness. Everything you could possibly ask for in a fall time soup! 

20 Tasty & Comforting Slow Cooker Recipes for Fall

You are sure to find a cozy slow cooker recipe to keep you and your family warm and satisfied in this collection of 20 Tasty & Comforting Slow Cooker Recipes for Fall...

Who else is huddled up inside avoiding this cold front that this blasting the east coast this week? I, for one, loathe being cold. When an arctic blast is heading my way, I am happiest when I am warm & cozy, cuddled up with a soft blanket and a bowl or plate of my favorite comfort food. Who's with me? ;)

And some of my favorite comfort food recipes happen to be made in one of my favorite kitchen appliances- my slow cooker! My love affair with my slow cooker is no big secret to those of you who have been following my blog for a while. In fact, some of my most popular recipes on the blog are made in the slow cooker.

I searched some of my favorite food blogs for the best tasty & comforting slow cooker recipes I could find for fall time. All of these slow-cooked recipes are brimming with some of our favorite flavors of fall like apple, pumpkin, butternut squash, and pears. 

Whether you are avoiding the cold temps outside or you are just craving a little comfort food, you are sure to find a cozy slow cooker recipe below to keep you and your family warm and satisfied...

How to Make a Boxed Cake Mix Taste Better Than Bakery

Magically transform a store bought cake mix into a moist, crowd-pleasing layer cake with my "secret" hack for How to Make a Boxed Cake Mix Taste Better Than Bakery...

I don't mean to brag or anything (okay, maybe I do just *a little* bit ;) ), but I have become known over the past few years for my "homemade" two-layer cakes. They are often requested by my family & friends for birthdays, special occasions, and holidays. And I do have to say that I find it a tad bit amusing since I have never really considered myself much of a cake baker.

But a few years back, I discovered a little hack to doctoring up a boxed cake mix. (Shhhhh.... I do not make my layer cakes from scratch!) The "secret" is extra eggs, extra oil, and sour cream. The addition of these three things can magically transform a regular ole store bought cake mix into a super moist and decadent cake that will leave all of your party guests raving and begging you the recipe.

Honey & Herb Roasted Chicken with Autumn Squash

This Honey & Herb Roasted Chicken with Autumn Squash recipe is a delicious way to usher in the fresh & warm flavors of the fall season...

This recipe first appeared on the Bridgeport Farmers Market Let's Get Fresh site.

I am on a mission once again this outdoor farmers market season to show you all how you can create a delicious recipe purchasing mostly locally grown & raised produce and meats at your local farmers market. I started this locally inspired recipe series in the summer of 2017, and I am thrilled to be continuing the series this year as well. Each month I will be sharing a recipe here to the blog inspired by and featuring some of my own personal favorite fresh & local finds from my local market. 

For the month of September, I am sharing my last recipe post of the outdoor market season- this juicy and flavorful Honey & Herb Roasted Chicken with Autumn Squash. This roasted chicken recipe is a delicious way to usher in the fresh & warm flavors of the fall season. 

I am going to share a little secret with you all that I just recently learned myself- if you roast a chicken upside down, you will end up with the most moist & juiciest chicken breast that you have ever tasted. I know it seems weird to roast a chicken with the breast side down, but do trust me on this one, folks. Give it a try with this recipe. I guarantee that you won't regret it.