Nine Favorite Things.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

Debbie Matenopoulos and myself on the set of Home and Family

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind! So exciting, kind of mind-blowing. It’s all been so much. ALL GOOD THINGS, and I’m not complaining in the least. I’m so grateful for this exciting time and know it might not always be like this. So while it is busy, I’m also trying to take it all in and enjoy it too.

And with that, I just have to say thank you to all of you. As I mentioned yesterday, HBH Super Simple debuted at number two on the New York Times Best Seller list this week (right behind The Pioneer Women). To say that I’m in shock would be a major understatement. Of course, this is something I’ve always wished for. But did I really think it would ever happen? Nope. Not even a little bit.

When I got the news I was on my way home from LA sitting in LAX, working on my laptop. There were people all around me, but when I got the call nothing else mattered (not even the fact that my flight had just gotten delayed, something that would normally make me very stressed). I was SO EXCITED and just in shock, I didn’t even know what to think. All I knew was that everyone on the other end of that phone call was even more excited than me. I didn’t really understand just how hard the list is to make, but from what I understand, it takes A LOT.

So for that, I am saying the biggest Thank You in the world to you guys. It’s only because of you that the new cookbook is doing so well. I can’t begin to express how grateful I am for this HBH family. I know it’s cheesy, but you guys really are like family!! So, thank you, thank you! Keep your eyes peeled for some big giveaways over the next few weeks through December. We have some really great items!

Question: what’s your favorite recipe so far from HBH Super Simple? Dying to know what you guys are loving most!

In other news, we have a 3-day photoshoot here in Colorado starting on Sunday. Then on Wednesday, I’m heading to Chicago for a quick seventy-two-hour trip. I’ll be doing two events at Eatley Chicago and then heading right back home. I heard it’s going to be COLD there! I’m not going to lie, I’m a little nervous about that. I can do Colorado cold, but Chicago cold? YIKES. Packing all my coats.

Coming up this week on HBH, we’ll really be getting into Thanksgiving. I’ll be sharing everything from new side dishes, to a sweet pie, to rolls. And we’ll finally be rolling out our full 2019 Thanksgiving menu! And…as is usual during the holiday season, we’ll be finishing the week up with a delicious cocktail. So many good things ahead. Who else is getting ready for Thanksgiving?

Lastly, if you’re catching up on blog posts from the week, be sure to sign up for our daily newsletters. They’ll help you to stay up to date with everything that’s happening here, as well as fun content you’ll only get via email. And of course, if you’re meal planning today, don’t forget to check out my menu below (it’s #9 on the favorite’s list).

1. My HBH Super Simple LA Trip.

I spent a good portion of last week in LA, and it was a BUSY, but FUN trip. I flew into LAX Sunday night and went to wait in the new airport Uber line. Anyone else think the new Uber set up there is horrible? Once I was finally in my Uber I went directly to my home away from home while in LA, The Kimpton La Peer Hotel. Always love staying here.

Things kicked off on Monday with a fun lunch to celebrate the release of HBH Super Simple with a few LA friends. The event was held at Pizzana in Brentwood and we had some of the BEST food I’ve had in a while. The pizzas are to die for and the salads fresh and delicious. Highly, highly recommend Pizzana if you are in the LA area. I was so taken back by everyone who turned out for this event and felt so much genuine love. It was a great afternoon spent with some really inspiring women.

My friends at Staub and The Little Market helped to put this lunch together and created some incredible gift bags for all eighty plus guests. I can’t thank these two long-time partners enough!

Here are a few photos from the lunch.

Tiffani Thiessen

Amazing pizzas from Pizzana

Candace Nelson (Sprinkles + Pizzana), myself, Suzanne Hall (Chalkboard Magazine), and Hannah Skvarla (The Little Market)

Sarah Michelle Gellar

After Pizzana, I made a stop at my hotel before heading out for a quick meeting. Then it was onto The Little Market store in Palisades for a quick hello. And lastly…on to my signing at Shoppe Amber Interiors. I spent the night meeting so many of you, signing books, and creating cheese boards. Twas a long day, but a great one. I came back to my hotel, worked, on my bed, and fell asleep…computer on my lap and lights on. Guess I was tired!

Tuesday it was up bright and early to head to the LA Feed Feed event where I signed books and did a really fun interview + audience Q&A. It was awesome to meet so many of you. Thank you so much to everyone who spent their morning with me!!

And from there, I recorded podcasts until 8 pm. And yes, it was yet another night where I fell asleep with the computer in my lap and lights on. Oops.

Candace Nelson and myself

Wednesday was spent at Home and Family making my Spinach and 3 Cheese Stuffed Shells. I always have so much fun on H&F every time I’m in LA. This is the nicest set to visit. It’s already decked out for Christmas (love) but most importantly…everyone is SO welcoming! Every time I visit I’m in shock at how genuinely nice every last person on set is. Such a pleasure and always so much fun to tape this show!

You can watch the full clip here.

From there, I headed straight to LAX only to get the best news, New York Times Best Seller!! YAY. The perfect way to end a great trip to LA.

2. The cookies everyone can’t get enough of…

I was nervous to share these cookies, only because I wasn’t sure how everyone felt about mixing pumpkin into their chocolate chip cookies. But it’s safe to say that you all have been loving these pumpkin butter chocolate chip cookies. SO MANY of you have made them and LOVED them. This makes me SO HAPPY!!

Have you made them yet?

PS. Here are 6 of my top favorite fall cookies. Soooo, which are you baking today?

chai spiced maple sugar cookies

pecan pie cookies with butter pecan frosting

cinnamon-spiced sugar cookies with browned butter frosting

browned butter pecan chocolate chip cookies

monster oatmeal chocolate chip cookie bars

milk chocolate stuffed jack-o’-lantern cookies

3. A few ideas for Hostess Gifts…

4. questions of the week.

q: What’s your favorite gluten-free Thanksgiving side dish?
a: I have a few! Here are my favorites… This creamed spaghetti squash with browned butter walnuts. For sure this Hasselback butternut squash. Love this shredded brussels sprout bacon salad. And of course, can’t forget these buttery herbed mashed potatoes.

q: What’s on your Christmas list?
a: Just downtime with my family at home. And candles! It’s been busy, so that’s all I need!

q: First recipe I should make from HBH Super Simple?
a: Hmm, this is hard for me to choose, so I’m going to tell you 4… The Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Soup. The Meanest, Greenest Pizza. The Spinach and Artichoke Mac and Cheese. And the Browned Sage Butter Chicken Pot Pie.

q: What’s your favorite recipe from your new cookbook?
a: I have to go with the Meanest, Greenest Pizza. BUT my favorites change with my mood and even the seasons. I also really LOVE my mom’s recipes for maple cinnamon roasted acorn squash

5. newest videos.

Pecan Pie Cookies with Butter Pecan Frosting…SO GOOD. Like pecan pie, but in cookie form.

Pumpkin and Pesto Cheese Stuffed Shells…hands down my favorite Sunday night dinner.

Spicy Poblano, Black Bean, and Quinoa Enchiladas…my go-to vegetarian enchilada.

6. Thanksgiving Tip of the Week.

If you’ve been following my Thanksgiving Tips on Instagram then you might have seen this already. But I want to feature some of my favorite tips here too! Today’s tip comes from a reader, and it’s GENIUS…

Tip: Rent your plates, glasses, and silverware. You send them back dirty, so there are no dishes to do!!

I mean, why I never thought to do this I don’t know. But if you have A LOT of guests this Thanksgiving, you might want to consider this tip. Sometimes you have to take on a little help, and this sounds like a great place to start! I am all about fewer dishes.

7. a few links i am loving…

8 ways to win at Thanksgiving this year…love these simple words of wisdom.

Taylor Swift on sexism, scrutiny, and standing up for herself…Sunday reading.

8 cozy recipes that will keep you warm all winter…need them all. please.

hey, upper east siders, Kristen Bell is returning to the Gossip Girl reboot…excited.

a painting studio in Provincetown…the coziest little cottage.

the best under $10 wines at Trader Joe’s…which are you stocking up on?

how to host Thanksgiving on a budget…yes, it’s possible.

I am going to watch every single Netflix’s holiday movie…yup, most likely.

15 things I wish someone had told me when I started cooking…good advice.

12 makeup removers that are really good…excited to try these, been wearing so much makeup recently.

an interview with Amy Chapling…on whole food cooking every day.

ski update…where to go and what to wear in Aspen.

17 of the best classic Christmas movies…all about The Grinch and Miracle on 34th Street, you?

10 Career Books By Women…to Help You Lead Your Life Like a Boss

a lesson in finding gratitude when life throws you a curveball…a thoughtful Sunday read.

winter’s biggest boot trends are on sale at Nordstrom right now…these are the ones to buy.

15 Thanksgiving decorating ideas…simple and easy.

8. I’ve been getting a lot of questions about all my outfits, so…

9. this week’s dinners…

Monday: creamy wild rice chicken soup with roasted mushrooms

Tuesday: spicy poblano, black bean, and quinoa Enchiladas

Wednesday: french onion soup…made easy in the slow cooker (recipe in HBH Super Simple)

Thursday: creamed spaghetti squash with browned butter walnuts

Friday: cranberry cider braised beef stew with rosemary polenta

Sunday Side Dish: Hasselback butternut squash

Finally, check out all the past Nine Favorite Things posts here.