The Bright Eyed Brunette

 Thanksgiving might be all about the turkey in theory... but let's be honest, the real magic happens in the side dishes. That's where the cozy flavors, secret family recipes, and must-have holiday comforts live. Every year, I look forward to the moment the table fills with those colorful bowls and casseroles--each one carrying a little nostalgia, a little comfort, and a whole lot of flavor. Today I'm sharing my absolute favorite Thanksgiving side dishes--the ones I pile on my plate first and would happily eat as a meal all on their own. Let's dig in! First and foremost is baked macaroni and cheese! Just look at that cheesy goodness! Ingredients: 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked) 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 cups milk 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (reserve 1/2 cup for topping) 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional) 1/4 teaspoon paprika (optional) Instructions Cook the macaroni.   Bring a pot of salted w...

Today, I thought I'd share a little peek into what I've been reading--what I loved, what surprised me, and what I'd absolutely recommend curling up with next. Whether you're here for your next favorite book or just love a good book chat, let's jump into my recent reads! First up is The Mad Wife by Meagan Church.  This book has a blend of historical fiction and psychological suspense. It is set in the perfectly polished world of 1950s suburbia, and follows Lulu Mayfield--the ideal housewife on the outside, but a woman quietly unraveling on the inside. The book shines in its emotional depth and slow-building tension. What makes the story so gripping is how Church keeps you wondering what's real and what's being hidden-- not through shock twists, but through quiet, creeping dread. The pacing is deliberate, the atmosphere rich, and the sense of unease grows with every chapter. This is a must read! Next on my list is The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill...

 Hey friends! It's been a minute, so I thought it was time for a little catch-up. Life has been doing that thing where it sprints ahead while I'm still tying my shoes, so let's rewind and chat about what's been going on. I'm going to go back to the beginning of November. Makena and I made our annual trip to a fly-in at the Air Base and Cold War Museum in Blytheville. It is roughly two and a half hours from our house.  Makena is a natural at presenting her information about our museum's exhibit on the Stuttgart Army Airbase. We were thankful that the Civil Air Patrol let us take shade under the wings of their planes! It was a beautiful sunny day, and without the shade we would have been toast! We had a fun day :) There is nothing like the smell of jet fuel first thing in the morning! That day also happened to be the opening day of the modern gun deer hunting season, so both Carl and Trey were busy hunting (neither of them saw a buck and Trey was told not to shoot...

And just like that, October is over! As we say goodbye to October, I love looking back on the little moments that made the month memorable. This month was full of cozy weekends, family fun, and pumpkin-flavored everything!  Our little princess had the most magical time trick-or-treating on Halloween! Carlie brought her out early and we hung out here until the sun went down. She loved showing everyone how her dress lit up with the push of a button. It was precious.  Our blonde Snow White  Painting her pumpkin at school in her jammies  Baby #2 is growing perfectly💗 I love keeping the vibe festive around here! You may ask, "Beth, why a picture of a stack of pizzas?", and the answer is, because our Gospel Project kids raised close to $300 for the month of October for our missionary in the Philippines! They always seem to rise to the challenge put before them. Our missionary, Bro. Joshua buys rice and treats for his parishioners in need.  Our kiddos earned a pizza p...