The Most Delicious Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

It's November 1st! Can you believe it? Have you bought your turkey yet? Do you also have ham on Thanksgiving? We have both ham and turkey. And, like I said, I tend to panic...and, in my panic, I forget things. 

This year, I am on it! I will not forget the whole cloves in my ham. [It's a sore subject for my ham loving husband, even one year later.] I will not buy pre-made pumpkin pie. I will make a double batch of green bean casserole, even if I am the only one who eats it. [The older I get, the more I appreciate leftovers.]

In an effort to help me prepare for Turkey Day, I scoured Pinterest for the yummiest side dishes for your Thanksgiving meal. Or, maybe you don't live near family, these yummy side dishes will be perfect for your Friendsgiving. 

Green Bean Casserole was yucky looking to me, when I was a kid. Now, I can't get enough. I double batch it, y'all! And eat leftovers for dayzzz.

My husband's Aunt Debby makes an amazing cream corn something every year. I've never asked for her recipe...maybe, because I'm too busy shoving it in my mouth. LOL In my search, I came across this recipe and it looks pretty similar.

This roll recipe had me at honey butter. Is there a combination more delicious? Well, there's green bean casserole, but I digress.

Mashed potatoes are quite possibly the easiest of all side dishes. But, if done improperly, they can also be the most boring. Will you look at all of that BUTTAH on top of these mashed potatoes?!?! I say, YES, PLEASE!

Here's yet another Thanksgiving side dish, that I turned my nose up to, as a kid. I certainly wonder what younger me was thinking...who the heck doesn't like marshmallow?!?! Now that I'm older and wiser *snicker*, I will gobble this up, and go back for seconds!

Since the day I married my husband and became a wife, I've been on the search for a creamy, cheesy, yummy macaroni and cheese. My sister-in-law makes a good mac 'n cheese, but she's tight-lipped on her recipe. So, to the Pinterest boards I went. And, I think I've found us a good one!

What is your most favorite side dishes for Thanksgiving? Tell me your favorite recipes in the comments, or share it with me on Pinterest.

If you're looking for a few Last Minute Thanksgiving Craft Ideas for Kids, I got you! If you make one [or two] of them, tag me. I'm @jonahbonah on all social media. 

Fiesta on Cinco de Mayo Like There's No Maňana

I love Mexican food. Tacos, burritos, enchiladas, they're all avenues to get the sour cream, queso and salsa in my mouth. I LOVE Mexican food!

I LIVED on Mexican food with each of my pregnancies. Especially with my first one. I could put a #4 dinner special away like it was nobody's business. {that may have had something to do with the 60 pound weight gain with him...}

With Cinco de Mayo a mere 4 days away, I thought I would gather a few yummy recipes up for you to make for your own fiesta. Or, just make them because you love the food as much as I do. Add them to your weekly dinner menu. Or, eat them every day, I won't judge.

/1/ Tex-Mex Chicken - This is a recipe I created for Blissfully Domestic. It's a family favorite in my house. We eat it on the regular. I'd love for you to give it a try and tell me what you think. {Top it with sour cream and guac for an added umph of flavor!}

/2/ Mexican Pizza - Diva Eats the World call this one "Party on a Plate." Judging by the picture alone, I'm gonna have to agree with her!

/3/ Loaded Sweet Potato Nachos - I love me some nachos! Recently, I've also discovered my love for sweet potato chips. It only makes sense to make nachos with them. My nacho addiction just became healthy! After all, the calories are in the chips, right?!

Want more great recipes for your Cinco de Mayo Fiesta? Check out my recent post on Blissfully Domestic!

Salad Recipes that are Perfect for Spring

Are you looking for the perfect salad for Springtime? One that's not too heavy, not too filling, but is light, colorful and just right? I just curated a post over at Blissfully Domestic that I think you'll find to be the solution to your Spring salad woes! Click here to check it out!

Holiday Cocktails and Mocktails that are Perfect Beyond the Holidays

Disclaimer: This post is intended for readers 21+. There are cocktail recipe ideas below. However, you could omit the alcohol and make a delicious mocktail. If you do decide to have a cocktail, don't drink and drive. Also, an affiliate link is at the bottom of this post. 

While, technically, Thanksgiving and Christmas are over, the Holidays are still going strong for some. How many of you still have houses to go to, to visit with family or friends?

When I was a kid, we ALWAYS did Christmas at my grandma's house AFTER Christmas. It was her way of letting her children and grandchildren enjoy Christmas morning with their children and parents. She knew that we would all gather together in the days following, to enjoy each others company and open gifts. A bunch of my most favorite memories are of all of us squishing into her too-small-for-twenty-people-living-room and opening gifts. I love her for thinking of us in this way.

How many of you enjoy cocktails at holiday gatherings? A mocktail, perhaps, if you aren't a drinker. I've gathered a few of the most beautiful cocktails on the internet, and put them all in one place. For you. You're welcome. :) Which one will you try tonight?  

Caramel Apple Mimosas from Delish. And, holy smokes, they look DELISH!

Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider from The Recipe Rebel. This is the perfect recipe to make in the morning and enjoy in the afternoon.

Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria from Kitchn. I love a good, tall glass of fruity sangria. My favorite sangria is at a little restaurant in St. Augustine. Sadly, I can't get to St. Augustine as often as I'd like. With this fruit-filled recipe, I can make my very own sangria at home.

White Christmas Margarita from How Sweet It Is. It's 80 degrees in Florida today. The day after Christmas, y'all. This margarita is coconut based, so it's like a holiday drink, that's perfect for beach dwellers.

Cranberry Pineapple Punch from Natasha's Kitchen. The sweet pineapple. The tart cranberry. I'm sure this is the perfect combo for YUM!

Grinch Hot Chocolate from Cooking with Curls. The perfect drink for the kids at your party!

Do you have a cocktail {or mocktail} recipe that you'd love to share? Leave a link in the comments below, I'd love to check it out!

5 Easy St Patrick's Day Recipes {and Kids Crafts}

As a mom, I always have these really great intentions when it comes to celebrating holidays with my kids. I peruse Pinterest for the most perfect ideas, I pin them and then I forget about them. Or, time gets away from me. This year will be different. At least, I'm hoping so. 

I've gathered 5 Easy St Patrick's Day recipes that I am going to strive to make for my family. Pancakes for the morning, a fruit pizza for lunch {Who cares if it has a cookie crust! My kids will LOVE me!}, Beef Pot Pies for dinner and a couple of snacks for throughout the day. I'm actually looking forward to March 17 now! Keep reading to get the recipes for yourself.

/1/ Green Pancakes Topped with Lucky Charms - Jamielyn at I Heart Naptime says she throws Lucky Charm marshmallows into the pancake batter sometimes to take the pancakes over the top!

/2/ Rainbow Fruit Pizza - My kids are HUGE fruit eaters...they will FLIP for this sweet {but healthy} pizza!

/3/ Guinness and Beef Pot Pies - I've always been a little intimidated by homemade pot pies, but Mary at Home is Where the Boat is makes them look easy!

/4/ Shamrock Shake - Have you guys checked out Amy at Living Locurto? She has some of the most amazing party ideas in the blogosphere! This shamrock shake is definitely one of them! My favorite touch is the rainbow on top.

/5/ Lucky Charms Munch - Oh my! It's a good thing St Patrick's Day only comes around once a year...this Lucky Charms Munch looks like something I could snack on all.day.everyday.

Looking for a few St. Patrick's Day crafts to keep the kids busy. Check out my post over on Blissfully Domestic for some really great kids crafts ideas!

How will you celebrate St Patrick's Day? Tell me about it on Twitter!

*UPDATED* My Grown Up Christmas List {2014 Edition}

Each year I get asked the same question, "What would you like for Christmas?" And, each year I say, "I don't know. How about ____?" After the New Year rolls around I'm always glad I got a gift card or two and some cash for Christmas...it means I get to go out and buy that other thing I forgot I wanted. Us girls have a lot of wants...we just forget what they are when put on the spot.

This year, when the things I'd like to have most came to mind, I decided to add them to this list of things I'm dreaming of! {it's also a sneaky ploy to gain more page views on this here blog, too. I kid. Maybe.}

Without further ado, my grown up Christmas list... {in no particular order}

Minnie | Disney themed "M" | the Jaguars

I am IN LOVE with these bracelets...and feel the need to own one of each. I currently only have one, the Disneyland one. I got it as my one special souvenir from being invited and attending Disney Social Media Moms in California this past April. I'm dying for more!

Florida | My Y'all is Authentic

Y'all! I need these tees in my life. First, Florida is HOME. Second, I say "y'all" all of the time! It's a southern thing.

Samsung Galaxy Camera

While on assignment at a recent media event to Kissimmee, FL I discovered the need for this beauty! While the iPhone takes amazing photos, my storage is always fully occupied. With this amazing camera as my back-up I can shoot and send photos directly to social media outlets with the built-in wi-fi. It's a must-have for any blogger or social media extraordinaire!

Ariat Women's Boots in size 8

Speaking of Y'ALL, how do I live in the South and not own a pair of cowgirl boots?? I've wanted a pair for a couple of years now but, that price tag. This is a "Wish List", after all. Maybe Santa will be extra nice this year?

OtterBox Resurgence Power Case

If you know me in real life then you know that my iPhone battery is constantly dying. I have a charger in my truck and in the house. I go through those every few months because even they are always dying. When I found out OtterBox had this new Resurgence Power Case that will keep my iPhone battery charged twice as long, I knew I had to add it to my Grown Up Christmas List!

Practical Paleo

Since changing my eating habits and lifestyle a few months ago, I've been eager to learn. I want to know ALL of the good foods to eat and ALL of the bad! Knowledge is POWER! This Practical Paleo book looks like a wealth of information that I'm looking for.

Olloclip for the iPhone 5

I have dreamed of one of these for a very long time. How cool would it be to capture Jett's bug finds with the Macro lens? And, the Fish Eye lens is just awesome! This is something I just wouldn't buy for myself...as much as I love it, throughout the year my family needs more important things. But, to receive it as a gift? That's a whole new ball game!

6 Pack Fitness Tote

Eating healthy has its downfall when we go out as a family. It has effected the options I have when we go out to restaurants or even for a family outing. With the 6 Pack Fitness Tote I can pack my healthy foods in individual containers and tuck them inside this fancy cooler bag. There's room for food containers, water bottles, supplements AND the things I would normally carry in my purse. A fit girl's best friend! {In case you're wondering all about it...click on the link under the picture and check out all of the features. If you struggle to find healthy food options, like I do, when you go out for the day you're gonna want one for yourself!}

*This momma has a million things going on in her mind at any given moment. So, this list is bound to be added to...but, my mind will not change on anything already listed. I have been dreaming of these things for a really long time. :o)

**Under each picture is a link to each product that I'm dreaming of. Some of them may be affiliate links. This simply means that in purchasing a gift for me, you're also helping me purchase gifts for my children. :o)

Blissfully Domestic Happenings {for Fall}

Y'all, I LOVE FALL! The back-to-school season, the weather change, the color changes in our surroundings, PUMPKINS {!!}, Mums and Halloween. Fall is also the time to dust off your baking dishes and make homemade baked goods. Mmmm...

If you've been following jonahbonah for the last year, you know I'm also a writer/curator over at Blissfully Domestic. I'm trying to get better at sharing with you guys what I post over there. I don't want you to miss a thing!

The following four posts are my latest. Each of them are Fall related. Are you ready for Fall? What about Halloween? The ideas in these posts will get you excited!



Paleo-Friendly Pumpkin Cupcakes {my kids LOVED these!}
How to Sew a Simple Bunting
DIY Halloween Costumes for the Entire Family
13 DIY Spooky Halloween Party Ideas

*click the above titles to be taken to the related post.

Go check these out! I've got a few more before Halloween to help you make your home SPooKy!!

As Seen on Blissfully Domestic {June/July}

Blissfully Domestic is ALWAYS on fire but, MY favorite time to write is End-of-Summer/Back-to-School season! With four kids in school full-time this year, I feel like these topics speak volumes for me. The last few weeks have been especially fun for me! I've gathered a bunch of ideas and recipes for Blissfully Domestic readers AND myself!

Here are a few of my most recent posts.

• 7 Back-to-School Teacher's Gifts
• 7 Healthy Back-to-School Lunch Ideas
• 10 DIY Craft Ideas to Relive Summer

• 7 Back-to-School Organization Ideas
• DIY Beach Bags for Every Budget
• Fruit Infused Water Recipes for Summer

Which of these posts are your favorite? What would you like to see me write about next? Tell me in the comments.

Southwest Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing {a Recipe}

I found this salad recipe a couple of weeks ago on Meg Duerksen's blog. I didn't even have to see the list of ingredients to know I'd love it. The photo and the words Southwest and Cilantro reeled me right in.

It took a little time to prepare but, I'm telling you, it's worth every minute of prep time! It's best you go ahead and prep enough for two or three salads because you'll be wanting this for lunch again tomorrow. And the next day.

Gather your ingredients.


Southwest Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing

For the salad, you'll need:

5 C chopped romaine lettuce
1/2 C cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 C canned black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 C corn kernels, draines
2 Tlbs. fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and diced
1/4 C tortilla strips, for garnish

For the Cilantro Lime dressing, you'll need:

1 C loosely packed cilantro, stems removed
1/2 C plain Greek yogurt
2 cloves of garlic
the juice from one lime
pinch of salt
1/4 C olive oil
2 Tbls apple cider vinegar

How-to:

• Combine your cilantro, Greek yogurt, garlic, lime juice and salt in a food processor. Slowly add olive oil and vinegar in a slow stream, while food processor is running, until emulsified: set aside.
• To assemble the salad, top romaine lettuce with all of your fresh ingredients.
• Pour dressing on top and gently toss. 
• Garnish with tortilla strips, if desired.
• Enjoy!

{you wanna stick your fork right into your computer screen, don't you?!}

Tips from the kitchen:

• Find tortilla strips in the salad dressing section of your local grocery store.
• Chill dressing for a bit if you prefer a really cold dressing, like me.

Adapted from ____ Delicious. {There's a line there because the first word is a bad word. I like to keep things PG around here.}

Blissfully Domestic Happenings {June}

You won't want to miss these June posts I wrote for Blissfully Domestic.  You'll find a plethora of information for summer grilling and Fourth of July party prepping.  And a few other fun tidbits of info too!

• Easy Fourth of July Crafts for the Entire Family
• Easy Patriotic Wreath {a tutorial}
• Festive Fourth of July Recipes

• Create a Summer Bucket List {free printable}
• Savory Summer Grilling Recipes
• Must-Have Fourth of July Party Supplies

Hubs made it clear today that should we have a party for the Fourth of July I better not be serving our guests with Dixie cups and paper plates.  {practice what you preach kind of thinking, ya know?}  :o)  To him I say, grill me that Portabella Mushroom goodness I share in the Summer Grilling post! 

Kids + The Printed Palette

Oh boy, you guys already know that I love The Printed Palette for myself. {if you don't know this about me you must not pay much attention to A} what I wear or B} what I post on social media.} When Alissa, the rock star creator of the uber cool brand, posted tees for kids on her Instagram feed I was smitten. Like, must.have.that.now. smitten.


{This shirt has coral letters but, I knew Jake would love it. He's not afraid to wear pink and purple.}


{This boy. His little eyes lit up when I told him that this baseball style raglan was for him.}



I can't wait to show you some of the other amazing kids tees {and adult tees} The Printed Palette has to offer! Until then, you can hop over to their site and use the code JBONAH10 to save 10% off of your purchase.

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I'd love for you to take a peek at my newest post on Blissfully Domestic, too.

It's wedding season so I've rounded up ten beautiful recipes for you make for the next bridal shower you host. Even if you don't have a bridal shower to host, this round-up has yummy recipes perfect for spring and summer.


{click here}