Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. To me, it is a combination of the best parts of Christmas reduced into a less commercialized and distracting holiday. The most important parts of every major holiday seem to center around family, friends and food, and Thanksgiving exhibits these at the most undiluted level. At Thanksgiving, the common tradition is to gather with family and friends around a lush fall harvest meal and give thanks for all of the blessings in our lives. 

Thanksgiving means something different to everyone and includes unique traditions, celebrations and food. For me, every year I look forward to the traditional Thanksgiving food that we normally do not partake in during the rest of the year. Cooking and baking are some of my favorite things to do, and while growing up I learned to cook by helping my mom and dad. Throughout my life I have witnessed and learned how the sharing of food can be an act of kindness, love and healing, especially around the holidays.

If you are looking for some suggestions for your Thanksgiving menu this year, here are some of my favorites and the recipes that I like to use:

Appetizer:

Baked Brie
One of my absolute favorite appetizers to share during the holidays is baked brie. Brie is a soft cheese with a really rich flavor that pairs well with a variety of flavor combinations. This dish is usually baked so that the brie melts and can be easily scooped up with crackers and shared amongst a group. One of my favorite things to pair with brie is a tart or sweet fruit jam flavor like cranberry or raspberry that matches well with the rest of your holiday meal. Some recipes even wrap the brie with a puff pastry that adds another layer to the dish. Baked brie is an easy dish to prepare and can be easily customized to include your favorite flavors and toppings. Here is an example of a fun holiday baked brie recipe that I have tried before:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/pastry-wrapped-cranberry-baked-brie/

Main Dish:

Honey Ham
This may be a slightly controversial opinion for Thanksgiving traditionalists, but I prefer a nice baked honey ham over the traditional roast turkey for my main Thanksgiving dish. Hams are an easy option that are not as difficult to get right compared to the roast turkey. Most of these hams come pre-smoked, fully cooked and spiral sliced so all that you have to do is add whatever flavors you like and heat it back up in the oven before serving. My favorite way to cook ham is to add a honey and brown sugar glaze to the top before putting it in the oven or the smoker so it carmelizes over the top for a delicious addition to the juicy ham. Some hams even come with prepackaged glazes and instructions that you can follow but here is another simple and delicious recipe as well:
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trisha-yearwood/baked-ham-with-brown-sugar-honey-glaze-3361933

Side Dishes:

Cornbread Stuffing/Dressing
Stuffing is traditionally stuffed inside of the roasted turkey, but I prefer stuffing in its dressing form, which means that it is prepared and cooked in a separate dish that can then be served alongside the turkey or the rest of your meal. There are all kinds of variations that you can give to the basic spices and dried bread base of the stuffing/dressing to make it with your own favorite flavors for a unique taste. My favorite way to prepare dressing is with a combination of cornbread, french bread and ciabatta as the base. I then like to add celery and onions for some texture and aromatic flavors along with the traditional spices of thyme, rosemary and parsley. If I want to add some extra dimension to the dish, I also like adding some cooked ground Italian sausage or diced granny smith apples for some extra flavors. The recipe that I usually follow for the basic cornbread stuffing/dressing is linked below, but don’t be afraid to experiment with unique recipes and flavors!
https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a11893/thanksgiving-dressing-recipe/

Dinner Rolls
One of the most popular dishes at my family’s Thanksgiving are the dinner rolls that my cousins, sister and I always beg my mom to bake for us (as you can tell from this list, we really like bread). Rolls are the perfect addition to any meal to help tie in all of the other rich and decadent dishes that are being served. Warm, flaky and buttery all combined into a small little package, you can always find room to eat at least three in one sitting (although you probably should not). People sometimes find making and baking bread a daunting task, but it does not have to be a difficult process to get a delicious result. Our favorite recipe comes straight from the Pillsbury Hot Roll Mix that you can buy for just a few dollars at the grocery store and only needs water, eggs and butter to complete. If you still have reservations about your bread baking skills, there are always good pre-made options in the bakery section of your local grocery store, but here is my favorite easy recipe in case you want to challenge yourself this year:
https://www.pillsburybaking.com/recipes/buttery-hot-rolls

Honorable mentions for other side dishes include: mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole (best with marshmallows and cranberries on top), green bean casserole, roasted carrots, cranberry sauce and homemade gravy.

Dessert:

Pie
Now, getting to everyone’s favorite part of any meal: dessert. Despite stuffing ourselves with ham, turkey and all of the delicious sides, there is always room in our stomachs left for a sweet piece of pie for dessert. Pumpkin pie is a classic choice that you can’t go wrong with, especially with a dollop of whipped cream on top. The recipe I prefer uses canned pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs and baking spices to make a traditional pumpkin pie. Apple pie is another top choice for me and tastes even better when it is fresh out of the oven with some whipped cream or vanilla ice cream melting on top. I prefer using fresh Granny Smith apples that are peeled and sliced for the filling, but if you want a simpler solution you can find premade filling at the grocery store as well. The great thing about pie is that you can get premade pie crust from the grocery store that makes the baking process much faster and easier, but still tastes delicious. Here are some of my favorite recipes for these pies:
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/23439/perfect-pumpkin-pie/
https://www.bhg.com/recipe/apple-pie/

These examples are all fairly traditional Thanksgiving foods, but do not be afraid to experiment with different recipes. Most importantly, cook whatever you feel like expresses your thanks for the season and the people you are sharing the meal with.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m all for the comfortable fall outfits – sweatpants, sweatshirts, slippers- you know the look. Apparently, loungewear is not what we’re doing this fall on the Hill, as stylish outfits have debuted left and right. So, if you need a little inspiration to jumpstart your cute fall fits, here are the top fall outfit trends I’ve been seeing on campus:

Knitwear

If you’re like most, the word “knitwear” makes you think of the bulky winter sweaters that turn into a sauna as soon as you walk into Jewell Hall. But not anymore! This year, crochet tops aren’t just for summer. Try layering your crochet top under a jacket or cardigan, pair a chunky or cropped sweater vest with a lightweight turtleneck or sheer long-sleeve shirt underneath. However you decide to style it, knitwear is definitely in for this fall.

Earth Tones

While most people think of fall colors as orange, burgundy or even purple, this year it’s all about earth tones – muted browns, tans, mauves, olive tones, grays, etc. Try pairing pieces in your closet within a similar color family, like tan or khaki pants with a brown top or even a monochromatic fit. You can try mixing and matching earth tones with the sandwich method: match your top and shoe colors, then add a statement piece in the middle and an optional third color for accessories.

Corduroy

The corduroy renaissance has finally arrived! From pants to skirts, overalls to shirts, corduroy is back. Layer a corduroy skirt with a light-colored sweater, try a pair of looser or flare corduroy pants with platform shoes or layer a corduroy shirt/jacket over a brighter tank top.

(Faux) Leather

I know, I know. We’re college students, so leather clothing might be WAY out of our radar when shopping for a new fall wardrobe, or we may just not be comfortable with buying leather products in general. So it’s a good thing faux leather has been showing up everywhere over the past few months. Faux leather pants go with tons of different top options, such as sweaters, cardigans or–for the bold among us–a faux leather top.

Platforms

Last, but definitely not least: platform shoes are the go-to footwear this fall as a great (and much more comfortable) alternative to boots and other heeled shoes. From Converse to Doc Martens and even Uggs, you can find platform styles in nearly every type and every brand this fall. Try matching some platform Converse with your corduroy pants, match platform boots with a leather or suede skirt or if you’re rocking the sweatpants look, slip on a pair of platform Uggs or slippers to boost the effortless athleisure fit.

Whether you choose to find inspiration from the current trends or craft a look that’s totally different, the most important thing is that you wear what makes you feel your best this fall!

While we wait for the fall weather to catch up with the official start of the season, people are already beginning to enjoy fall traditions and activities. From apple-picking to carving pumpkins to anything fall-flavored, we all have our favorite customs. One trend that has taken the fall season by storm is the Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Starbucks is the original inventor and distributor of the Pumpkin Spice Latte, creating its signature flavor and launching the invention in 2003 as part of the company’s special seasonal flavors. At first, the drink was only released at the Starbucks locations in Vancouver and Washington D.C., but it was an immediate hit with the customers and was soon expanded to their other locations. 

20 years later, the Pumpkin Spice Latte has become Starbucks’ most successful seasonal drink with hundreds of millions sold over the past 20 years during the fall seasons. Their menu has also expanded to include their Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew and Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte, which are available during the fall season as well.

Before the creation of the Pumpkin Spice Latte by Starbucks, the pumpkin spice flavor and scent was not yet present in the marketplace. Now in 2023, you can’t walk into a store during the fall season without seeing a pumpkin spice-flavored drink, candle or a variety of other products emulating the signature combination. 

The extreme popularity of the Pumpkin Spice Latte took off with the arrival of social media sites Facebook and Twitter in 2006. Media exposure through celebrity endorsements, viral videos and more brought the Pumpkin Spice Latte to its current status as a cultural symbol of fall. The original Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte has also been copied by innumerable coffee shops and can be found in almost every store that you visit in the fall. 

In Liberty and nearby areas, some of my personal favorite places for a Pumpkin Spice Latte (hot or iced) include:

Starbucks: There are various locations around Liberty. You can never go wrong with the original.

Hammerhand Coffee: Located near Downtown Liberty, Hammerhand offers their delicious Spiced Pumpkin Latte and Spiced Pumpkin Chai drinks that have a perfect blend of fall spices.

Paisley Perk: Located in Kearney (a short 15 minute drive from Jewell). Their Pumpkin Pie Latte has a rich flavor that doesn’t overwhelm the espresso.

Make sure to take advantage of these indulgent flavors before they disappear at the end of the season!

As we wait for the hot weather to fade, we can look forward to the fall events that are coming up in the Liberty and greater Kansas City area during the month of September. Fall is the perfect time of year to get out and enjoy the changing of the seasons with food, festivals and fun.

Events

1. Liberty Fall Festival

On Sept. 22-24, the Liberty Fall Festival will be celebrating its 46th year, featuring over 200 artists and vendors, two performance stages with live entertainment and carnival activities for everyone to enjoy. There will also be a parade beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23 that will make its way around the Square to kick off the weekend festivities. Take a look at the schedule on their website for more details. I highly recommend taking a walk down from the Hill to take part and celebrate the beginning of fall with the Liberty community!

2. Plaza Art Festival

If you would like to venture further outside of Liberty to celebrate the beginning of fall, check out the Plaza Art Festival also occurring from Friday, Sept. 22 through Sunday, Sept. 24 on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City. Within the festival you will be able to attend live music performances at their three different stages, explore the booths of 240 artists and enjoy the food at over 20 featured restaurant booths! Take a look at their website for more information about the schedule and specific vendors. This would be a great event to bring your friends and start the fall season though a celebration of art and appreciation of the Kansas City area!

Activities

1. Fun Farm 

Located 15 minutes away in nearby Kearney, the Fun Farm features a variety of quintessential fall activities perfect for everyone to enjoy. Starting on Sept. 15 and continuing through Oct. 31, the Fun Farm will be hosting their Fall Festival, which includes their pumpkin patch, apple orchard, corn maze, farm animals, fall foods and all sorts of other farm goods and fun activities. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time on their website or in-person when you arrive. Make sure to stop by to get some cute fall photos with your friends, pick some pumpkins to carve for Halloween and try some of their tasty fall treats!

2. Taylor Family Orchard

A convenient location right in Liberty just north of the Downtown Square, the Taylor Family Orchard is a you-pick fruit orchard that offers a variety of apples for picking on the weekends in the fall season. Picking times and available apple varieties are updated weekly on their Facebook page, so you can plan your weekend trip accordingly this fall.

3. Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch

Another nearby spot perfect for picking out your Halloween pumpkins, Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch is located about 15 minutes south of the Jewell campus. Along with their you-pick pumpkin patch, they have other fun activities and homemade treats to enjoy as well! Open from Sept. 16 through Oct. 30, don’t miss out on the fun!

4. Liberty Corn Maze

Opening on Friday, Sept. 15, the Liberty Corn Maze is debuting their new maze design showcasing the professional women’s soccer team, the Kansas City Current. Within the new design, you can find your way through the winding twists and turns of four different mazes! Purchase a cool refreshment before you begin your trek through the maze or book a campfire in advance to enjoy some roasted hotdogs and gooey s’mores for the full fall experience! Check out their website for information on weekend concerts and other events as well!