Leftover turkey is a special blessing in more ways than one! I’m thankful for having all of that extra meat on hand for whipping-up quick and healthy dinners. But of course, you don’t have to eat it every single day in a row until it’s gone. You can freeze it and use it later – long after the memories of the Thanksgiving Day overindulgence have past.

One quick and easy way to make use of turkey leftovers (or roasted chicken) is this delicious Turkey Pot Pie recipe that I’m sharing over at For the Family. It’s definitely a creamy, rich comfort food that the whole family will appreciate – and will leave you with more time for preparing for the next much-anticipated holiday – Christmas!

Three cheers for leftovers!

My Martha-like heart often gets the best of me if I’m not careful. Maybe you can relate?

I get so busy buzzing around fretting over everything that needs to get done that I sometimes miss out on investing my time in “the better thing” – enjoying the people I’m serving, rather than getting caught up in the work of serving.

Holidays can be especially challenging. After all, it’s supposed to be Norman Rockwell style picture-perfect, right? As someone who struggles with everything being “just-so,” I thought it would be helpful (to me personally and hopefully for you) to share some thoughts about simplifying our holiday meal plans and instead focus our energies more fully on the relationships the Lord has given us.

I’m honored that the woman whom I consider to be a heroine in the art of being a Titus 2 woman – Sally Clarkson – has asked me to share these very thoughts on her encouraging website I Take Joy. So please join me there today to hear more on this topic, if it rings true for you as well.

As a follow-up to my post on Sally’s site, I thought it would be equally helpful to share with you my simplified Thanksgiving menu. It’s not to say this is the end-all, be-all holiday menu. It’s just a more time efficient menu that helps me avoid spinning out of control in working myself into a tizzy, and instead keep my priorities centered on spending lots more time enjoying all those special people that the Lord has brought into my life!

A Simple & Satisfying Thanksgiving Menu

Main Course

Easy Roasted Turkey by theKitchn

Simple & Satisfying Sides

Savory Herb Stuffing (GF & DF options)
(follow the recipe tips to prep ahead and save time on the big day)

Lemon Garlic Green Bean Sauté
(blanch the beans the day before, then sauté on the big day)

Simple Mashed Sweet Potatoes (GF)
(can easily be made a day or two in advance and reheated;
if dairy-free, replace cream with coconut milk)

Easy Cranberry Sauce by Against All Grain
(can easily be made several days in advance)

Grain-Free Squaw-Style Dinner Rolls (GF, DF)

Simply Sweet Ending

Creamy Pumpkin Pie Custard Cups (DF, GF)

Wishing you and your family a joy-filled day full of simple pleasures.
Happy Thanksgiving blessings, Kelly