It’s Friday! It’s November! There is so much to talk about!

We have been back home for nearly a week now and the past few days have reminded me how much I love our little abode. Home is a happy thing.

Now, let's get down to what is really important. Our November horoscopes are here! Which side dish are you? I'm jealous of Virgo.

Is it too early to start thinking about this coconut cream hot chocolate? It has been calling me, especially on these dark, chilly mornings.

After about the third email from Bon Appetit urging me to make this chicken, I am finally convinced. It is on next week's menu.

Alinea has been on my dream restaurant list for the past five years - ever since I watched a presentation by Grant Achatz and fell a little bit in love. Being that I still have not been to Chicago, it remains on the bucket list, but I am fast and determined to make it happen before too much longer. When I saw this infamous, translucent pie, I immediately thought of Achatz. What are your thoughts? As much as I admire the genius, I sort of miss the element of orange.

Did you know Barbie does makeup tutorials on her vlog? Further more, did you know Barbie had a vlog? I feel a little nauseas.

How gorgeous are these little buns? I cannot wait to attempt this project!

I am adding two more baking books (one & two) to my wish list because we are never done learning...or eating.

Since it was Halloween, like, a few minutes ago, let's talk about candy. Hershey's is messing with my security by releasing a new, caramel-colored chocolate bar. I am skeptical to say the least.

I am shooting my first Christmas recipe today and I am so excited to share it with you! I also started my Christmas shopping this week. For some reason I am especially stoked about this holiday season. I might have even cued up the holiday Spotify station on Wednesday...

What are you plans this weekend? I have some cupcakes to bake and I might just sneak out to stock up on Christmas candles.

Happy, happy Friday!

Sincerely,

Pedantic Foodie

hungry?

It's the 'Don't Want to Make Dinner' that's hearty and full of fall the fall flavors we all crave. Find the recipe on www.platefete.com!

Bacon & Butternut Weeknight Hash - ' The Don't Want to Make Dinner ' Dinner

This baked Sage & White Cheddar Cheese Ball is wrapped in buttery puff pastry and topped with a Grand Marnier Cranberry Chutney. Find the recipe for this and so many more holiday showstoppers at www.pedanticfoodie.com!

Baked White Cheddar with Sage, Orange, and Cranberries

We are in the home stretch. With just forty-eight hours between us and the most delightfully indulgent holiday, there is a lot to be done.

Chances are you already have your menu planned, and if you have already done your marketing, well there’s some extra points for you.

Mini Chicken, Mushroom & Squash Pot Pies

We had our first snow day yesterday and while it was but a sprinkling, my brain instantly kicked into Cozy Mode. Ironically, nothing warms my heart like a fresh dusting of snow.

Spiced Chai Oatmeal with Caramelized Pears

Let’s turn our favorite spicy latte into breakfast!

CIDER-BRINED PORK CHOPS

There are many practices in this life which are initially assumed with trepidation but, once adopted, are thought to be undeniably essential.

I am speaking of such things as owning a dog (I can vouch for both my initial fears and leeriness and my subsequent undying love and sometimes, extreme, obsession on this front), marriage, investing in a quality mattress, or in this case, brining. All of these steps are often categorized as nonessentials until you experience, firsthand, their magical levels of value and proceed to exclaim loudly to all who will listen that you “really do not know how or what you ever did without them”.

Butternut squash soup is stepped up a notch with maple butter brie crostini! Find the super simple recipe on www.pedanticfoodie.com!

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP with MAPLE BUTTER BRIE CROSTINI

Though the Virginia weather refuses to corporate, we are in the glorious depths of fall and I am ready for every meal to come in a bowl.

This Bourbon Sweet Potato Slab Pie features an irresistible, Gluten-Free Pretzel Pecan Crust and is the perfect treat for a crowd! Find this recipe and so many more on www.pedanticfoodie.com!

Bourbon Sweet Potato Slab Pie with Gluten-Free Pretzel Pecan Crust

Let’s bake a pie today, it just feels like the right thing to do.

Orange, Ginger & Cardamom Hot Chocolate

“This is our place, we make the rules…”

Taylor is once again swirling through my brain on repeat and I am taking her lyric as my inspiration to rewrite the unwritten rules of hot chocolate consumption.

Pumpkin Coconut Muffins with Coconut Streusel

Before the generation of iPhones and Pinteresty chalkboard signs, my siblings and I had one very special back-to-school tradition.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Maple Ginger Glaze and Bacon

The foodie world can show as much disapproval as they wish, I will never turn down a Pyrex full of whipped sweet potatoes topped with a perfectly charred layer of marshmallows.