Are You Spending Thanksgiving Alone This Year?

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Many times, there are reasons why a person could be alone on a holiday. They could be a newly adjusting adult moving into their own apartment, their family could be out of town while they are stuck working, the reasons are endless really. Or perhaps, you're even celebrating with one other person. But you don't wanna go buy a huge turkey just for one or two people, right? These following recipes I found are perfect for a small Thanksgiving meal.

1. Chipotle Dijon Turkey Meatballs
2. Crockpot French Onion Soup with Cheesy French Toast -- paired with the meatballs, this would be even better!
3. Herbed Sweet Potato Mash -- this would make a small and light, but savoury side dish.
4. Caramelized Condensed Milk Mini Apple Pies -- these are perfect bite-sized desserts for you and your partner (or just you if you're alone...or an apple pie fan. just don't let your partner know you made them) ;)
5. And to top it all off, why not have a Coconut Pumpkin Spice Latte to settle in the food.

Some Inspirational Tradition-Breaking Recipes For This Thanksgiving

It's a Thanksgiving tradition to have a stuffed Turkey with dressing, cranberry sauce patties (uck!), and Fall flavored pies. But this year, why not try something new? Break the tradition and spice it up some, literally. Here we have four savoury and sweet Thanksgiving goodies that you can add to your meal this year.

1. Butternut Squash and Wild Mushroom Stuffing - man, oh man, does that sound delicious.
2. Sweet Potato Detox Soup (thanks to James over at Bleubird for sharing this on her list as inspiration) - Not only does it sound super yummy, it will help with all the other goodies you'll be having later!
3. Spiced Sweet Potato Rounds - Okay these just simply look so easy and can be whipped up in no time. Talk about saving time!
4. And for the dessert, instead of traditional apple/pecan/pumpkin pies, why not try this Lighter Sweet Potato Casserole with Maple Toasted Marshmallow. Yum!

Do you have any yummy Thanksgiving dishes that break tradition?

Leave your comments below.

How I Celebrated Halloween With a Small Child

All statements in this post are my opinion alone. Please do not think I am suggesting that you follow my statements as given law. You are the parent and know what's suitable and acceptable for your child.

Trick-or-treating has always been a Halloween tradition, but when you have a child that only makes it to 3 months old by that time, things can change. Living in a state where Winter practically begins in mid-October, I couldn't dream of taking my very young child out in that cold just for some candy. I do know people that have done so, and I do not look down on them at all. I just prefer not to. Instead, we celebrated here at home.

I bought a decent sized pumpkin, and already had a pumpkin hat that I got at my baby shower. I decided I would put my photography skills to use and take pictures of my little man. Of course, they still need to be edited since I took over 76 pictures total, but here is the most basic image.

It's not the best image or edit, but it was the most basic. The others are still being processed. That said, he was very cooperative and we could show off our Halloween spirit by still dressing up and using a food/item that is associated with the season and holiday.

After the pictures were taken, my fiance carved the pumpkin and took it outside to put a smoke bomb in it. It looked neat to say the least! We also saved the pumpkin seeds. We salted them and put them in the oven, which is the easiest and most popular method; however, next year I'd like to try them baked with cinnamon instead of salt.

How did you and your family celebrate Halloween?

Leave your comments below.