I know it’s only November but we need the holidays this year! As we’ve all been reminded in 2020 time with our people is really precious. Making memories and enjoying simple things like a meal together truly fills our cup. Being a mom of 2 boys under 2 you might think things like tablescapes go out the window, but these types of things bring me so much joy to create and elevate the moments we hold dear so I choose to spend the time creating them. Now that being said, sometimes I need to simplify so that things can get done so here is a beautiful simple tablescape that is kid and adult friendly and most importantly can be prepped almost entirely the night before. Because we need the time with our family more than we need to be in the kitchen…especially in 2020.

Y’all know I love my Le Creusets, so I had to use them when making the ultimate Christmas breakfast. I used this red one for the best homemade cinnamon raisin bread. I adapted this recipe from The Busy Baker on Pinterest and it turned out perfect!

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Ingredients:

• 2 cups all purpose flour (plus 1-2 tablespoons if necessary)
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 3/4 cup raisins
• 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cup room temperature water

Instructions:

Add the flours, raisins, yeast, salt, cinnamon, and brown sugar to a large bowl. Be sure to add the yeast and the salt to separate sides of the bowl. Stir the dry ingredients together well. Add the water and stir until a thick, rough dough forms. Add 1-2 more tablespoons of water or flour if needed. Flour your hands and shape the dough into a ball, placing it into the bottom of the bowl and covering the bowl with plastic wrap. Place in a warm spot in your kitchen and let rise for 12-18 hours. When I make this bread, I prepare the dough in the evening and bake the next morning. For quick rise instructions, see the Recipe Notes below. After the rising time, preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Place an oven-safe Dutch Oven pot in the cold oven and let it preheat with the oven. Flour your hands well and shape the dough into a round ball and set it on a piece of parchment paper on the counter dusted with flour.

Dust the top of the dough ball with flour and cover with a clean kitchen towel, letting it rise for 25 minutes. After the dough has risen remove the Dutch Oven pot from the oven and using the parchment paper, pick up the dough and place it carefully in the bottom of the Dutch Oven. Make two very shallow slices in the top of the risen loaf in the shape of an X. Replace the lid of the Dutch Oven, place it back into the hot oven, and bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes of baking time, remove the lid from the Dutch Oven and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes uncovered. After the baking time, remove the pot from the oven and transfer the loaf to a cooling rack using the parchment paper.

Cool completely before slicing. Slice, and enjoy!!!

I found this table runner from Target and it’s the perfect base for your holiday table. I like affordable runners while I have sticky hands at the table.

I also found this greenery from Target. It worked so well as centerpiece decor, and it would work perfectly on the mantel or over an entryway! And these awesome candlesticks are so timeless and such a simple detail to any holiday decor.

I grabbed these cute Christmas tree napkins, Santa ornaments, and placemats from Crate and Barrel as soon as their holiday dropped in store.

I love a breakfast casserole and there are 10 million on pinterest. I love them because you can prep them the night before and because I’ve never met a man, woman or child who didn’t like a hash brown casserole. I found the recipe from The Chunky Chef while scouring pinterest and it’s to die for. I usually make up my own recipes but this meal I wanted to do simple and easy so I was so pumped when I found these!

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Ingredients:

• 30 oz bag frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
• 3 cups diced smoked sausage
• 1 cup diced yellow onion
• 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
• 2-3 Tbsp canned diced green chiles, – drained
• 4 Tbsp butter
• 4 Tbsp all purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 cups chicken stock or broth
• 4 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• minced fresh parsley or chives

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. Lightly spray a 3 qt baking dish or skillet with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. In a large skillet, cook sausage until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon, reserving the drippings in the skillet, to a large mixing bowl with the thawed hashbrown potatoes. Add onion and bell pepper, cooking until soft, about 3-5 minutes. Remove to large mixing bowl with potato mixture, along with the green chiles. To same skillet, add butter and melt. Once melted, add flour and whisk to combine, cooking 1 minute. Slowly pour in milk and chicken stock, whisking as you pour. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to MED-LOW and simmer, stirring often, until thickened to the consistency of a slightly thinned out condensed soup, about 5-10 minutes. Add 3 cups of cheddar cheese, stirring until melted and combined. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Add cheese sauce to mixing bowl and stir to combine all ingredients. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish or skillet. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup of cheese, and bake 45-50 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown. If desired, garnish, then serve and enjoy!

I served mine right in this Le Creuset dish and it was perfect!

Also, I’ll let you in on the best parenting move of 2020, this Olaf waffle maker. You’ll literally be on the nice list…forever. I feel like I’ll be making these waffles every day until my kids move out of the house. Because honestly Frozen is never going out of style.

Also, these mini Le Creusets are perfect for waffle toppings, or even a hot chocolate bar. The colors are perfect and they look so cute on your table. It also makes it fun for the kids to do their own toppings.

I found the cutest mugs that would be perfect for a homemade hot chocolate anytime during the holiday season!

I have a huge family, and I’ve always loved cooking and entertaining, but I really try to find simple recipes to make it easy so you can focus on your family not your frittata.

I just threw some bacon in the skillet and some eggs in the pan to add some more elements to this breakfast the morning of!

This wreath is also THE best, simple, pretty wreath I’ve found this holiday! I think it would look so great on windows or front doors.

I’m all about tiny details and these tiny pinecone candles added the perfect touch to the overall look of the table!

Thank y’all so much for reading!