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Today’s newsletter goes out specifically to my mom who has been nicely asking for weeks for an “official” breakdown of the Thanksgiving menu that we had planned verbally. Now she’ll have a proper place to go for the organized list, and I’m hoping that some of you will be able to take some inspiration from this breakdown, too.
My family and I are Notes app fanatics. We use the app on our iPhones to catalog everything from weekly meal plans and the funny things my dad has said over the years, to Christmas wishlists (we just recently made a shared holiday wishlist organized by name in Notes that everyone can access so we know what each person wants for Christmas). It’s just such a handy way to keep track of things since we generally always have our phones nearby and can jot things down quickly when lightbulb moments strike.
All that to say that we also have an official Thanksgiving menu kept in Notes. For some reason, I have this exclusively on my phone, and keep it updated each year with the recipes we liked from holidays gone by, things we’d like to try in the future, and things we don’t need or want to include the following year (cheesy green bean casserole got cut last year).
Keep scrolling if you’re curious to see what made the final Thanksgiving menu list at my parents’ house this 2025 holiday season, and please (oh, please) tell me all about what’s on your own Thanksgiving menu in the comments.
Grilled Chicken (I don’t have a recipe to link, but we generally do this with a simple marinade made from pantry/fridge staples; according to my Notes app, though, we need to “do maybe 5-6 fillets and chicken breasts instead of thighs,” so I guess we didn’t love the thighs last year)
Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy with Onions & Sage (made with vegetable stock and without turkey drippings for my pescatarian sister—but we do add extra wine…)
Simple-Is-Best Stuffing (the key is to tear the bread instead of slicing it so that you get to enjoy all of those “craggy” bits)
Mashed Potatoes With Crispety Cruncheties (we make pretty boring, straightforward mashed potatoes, but the Crispety Cruncheties from this recipe level them up immensely)
My dad will be making homemade rolls
Apple Pie (locally made and gifted to us by our realtor every year)
Peanut Butter Pie (same as above!)
That’s right: we don’t eat turkey on Thanksgiving! It generally always stresses my mom out to cook that type of bird, it makes too much food, and none of us are over-the-moon for the taste either, so we’ve since agreed as a family to enjoy grilled chicken instead.
Oh, and one bonus note that I just noticed on my phone is that we’re all interested in trying this Saffron Risotto with Butternut Squash recipe. It didn’t make our 2025 menu, but maybe we could test it out for 2026 Thanksgiving this Christmas? Seems like it could become a new annual favorite. Don’t forget to leave your own favorite Thanksgiving recipes in the comments!
New On The Blog: If you need something to bookmark ahead of Black Friday sales, I highly recommend the vacuum that I reviewed in yesterday’s blog post! We reach for it daily in our pet-filled home.
What I’m Watching: I added pretty much every single one of the dishes in this $60 meal plan developed by Jenn Lueke on YouTube to my recipe box. It’s a must-watch if you’re in need of fall time menu ideas.
What I’m Reading: My brother-in-common-law strikes again with an epic book recommendation, this time for Project Hail Mary. I’m a sucker for a good sci fi story set in space, and this one so far has been the perfect blend of humor, drama, science, and apocalyptic suspense.
Favorite Recent Purchase: I don’t know how it has taken me so long, but I finally invested in a mini portable charger for my phone and other devices while on the go. It works so well, and I know it’ll come in handy when I start doing pottery pop-up markets away from home for the day this winter.
Looking Forward To: The 5K I’m doing this weekend with my mom to benefit rescue pets! There’s no cause that I feel more strongly about.
A few favorite posts from the Dream Green DIY archives:
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💻 For more of my life, home renovation, and DIY design business, follow along on Instagram, and check out my blog, Dream Green DIY.
🧡 And last but not least, I think you’re absolutely amazing! Don’t forget to treat yourself this week because you undoubtedly deserve it.
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