Thank you to New England Dairy for sponsoring this post.

Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that sneaks up on us New Englanders. With our seasonal landscape swaying, temps dropping, and all the holiday tidings in sight – if you’re like me, over the coming weeks you’ll be in full prep-mode for the holidays!

Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving, traveling to see loved ones, or like me and just down the street from your family, there’s a lot to do for the holiday. Personally, I do not cook for Thanksgiving Day. My mom hosts the holiday every year! But, while I won’t be cooking, I’m always all-hands-on-deck for running errands in anticipation of the big meal.

This year I purchased many of the ingredients my mom will be using for our Thanksgiving Day from local farmstands like The Cow’s Coop in Canton, CT. Visiting my favorite farm stands is the perfect combo of an autumn drive and the opportunity to shop local. Plus, it’s at a great price for the holiday season!

During my visit to The Cow’s Coop – located at 24 Barbourtown Road – I stocked up on a bunch of goodies. I purchased both shredded and blocked cheese. As well as sour cream, butter, and fresh farm eggs.

The Cow’s Coop offers their own brand of bath products made from cow and goat milk too! Their soap comes in multiple shapes and scents. They had box assortments of food-styled soap, like the donuts you see above. They sell cute pie-shaped ones too. These local items make a sweet and practical hostess gift! If you’re interested in seeing their whole line of beauty products, you can do so here.

While shopping, I met the farm owners. The duo introduced me to their dairy cows – as I explored their green acres of pastures out back. These cows are responsible for both the cheese and the soap located at the farm stand!

New England Dairy shares a holiday guide every year featuring festive farms, events, activities, and unique gift ideas. Check it out to see how you can support New England farmers in person or by purchasing products online.

After stocking up on food and chatting with the family of farmers, I was getting hungry. So, I decided to purchase additional ingredients to make a Baked Cream Cheese Salsa Dip for the Patriots game that evening and share it with Matt.

It takes just a minute to whip together and includes:

1 block of cream cheese, half a container of sour cream, 1 container of salsa (a local brand I discovered thanks to The Cow’s Coop), 1 bag of seriously sharp shredded cheddar cheese, and 1/2 block of habanero cheddar cheese – the secret ingredient for an extra kick! We popped it in the oven for 30 minutes at 350 degrees until it was crispy on top – yum!

Wishing you all a relaxing and fun Thanksgiving Day with family and friends! Make sure to keep your eyes out the week of Thanksgiving for a special announcement from yours truly.