Cooking Thursday: Sheet Pan Cashew Chicken

 

Hello Friends!

We are heading quickly towards the weekend - yay! I'm so looking forward to our annual girlfriend Christmas get together I'll be hosting here Saturday. I plan to soak up the last of the Christmas tree and glow extra over the weekend. ;) 

 What do you have planned? 

It will also be a bit of indulging as we do a fun potluck for our gathering. But Matt & I have already been working on some of our new year goals for better health. I have been walking every day instead of being so sporadic. And we have been making sure we up our veggies and lean protein in many of our meals. I made this really easy and VERY yummy sheet pan dinner the other night. The marinade is amazing and would be good used in other ways too. 

It was one I found from my sheet pan meals board on pinterest and it's a recipe by family table vibes website found here. She looked like she has lots of yummy recipes if you want to check it out. 

But Matt & I both loved this stir fry tasting easy meal that had lots of yummy veggies and baked chicken. You add the cashews at the end so they get a little roasted but are still crunchy. So good! 

You let the chicken marinade a while and in the meantime prep all the veggies:

Then put it all in an even layer in the sheet pan and bake. So very easy! I did use fresh ginger (which I think really made the marinade so flavorful) - but I think powdered ginger would work too. I didn't have cilantro so didn't garnish with that and it was still amazing. 

We had ours with some jasmine rice that we blended with cauliflower rice so it was about half and half. It added more nutrients and fiber that way. I highly recommend this one for an easy weeknight dinner that is truly delicious and pretty healthy. We will definitely be making it again. 

Enjoy! xo

Happy Homemaker Monday

Happy 2026 to you my dear Friends! 

I wish for you a healthy, happy, and blessing-filled year ahead. 

Please know I'm so grateful for the gift of your friendship here. And I look forward to sharing another year with you all in this blogland space. 

Matt has had downtime from work so this holiday season has been filled with such fun quality time together. We had a quiet New Years Eve. We were going to be doing things with our friends - the C's...but Mr. C and his daughter were sickies. So Matt and I had a fun order in dinner, played some games, and then hung out by the fire with only the Christmas lights on. It was so cozy and snuggly and a wonderful way to ring in the 2026 (we did make it to midnight!). 

Then New Years Day we watched the Rose Bowl parade and some football and had a wonderful chat about our goals for the year ahead. Our individual ones, as well as some together, home improvement plans etc. 

I like to have a word for the year. It helps encompass all I would like to achieve without feeling like a resolution. A resolution to me always sounds rigid or like a setting of rules. Whereas, I think of a word as something fluid and flexible that will adapt with all that life may throw at me in 2026. Something that can grow and improve, as opposed to something that is only success or failure (if that makes sense?) 

My word for this year is FAITH. Here are some ways I want to grow in this word for 2026:

1)to literally grow in faith and dive deeper into Scripture

2)to continue to grow in faith in our marriage (sharing in faith, literally, with Matt) but also in our faith in what we have and how we can grow even closer and stronger as a couple

3)to grow in faith in myself and my ability to improve my health habits and my work habits (including a new endeavor this year). To take some real leaps of faith in 2026.

4) to grow in faith in humanity - meaning to focus on the good in the world. It gets so easy to get caught up in the news and sad parts of our world. I want to focus on the beautiful things going on in this world - and in my own community, and contribute to it all in any ways I'm able.  

Do you set goals in the new year? 

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

A wonderful neighbor friend of mine often makes lefse this time of year  - and she brought us some. If you're not familiar you can read about lefse here. It's basically Norwegian crepes...almost tortilla-like and made from potatoes. I had a little part of one with melted butter and cinnamon sugar on it and rolled up. So good with my coffee!

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

out to lunch with Mrs. C., get things ready for girlfriend Christmas I'll host here this weekend, groceries and errands, work projects and clean up before party, hospice work

THINKING ABOUT: 

How it was my blogaversary back in November. But as it's become my routine - I'm always so busy this time of year that it escapes my brain until now. And I want to do a giveaway because I think it's fun, and also because I want to thank you all for being such wonderful friends. 💗 I appreciate you and your visits so very much! So I've been accumulating some goodies and when I'm all set I will do post for you to join for the giveaway. So please stay tuned! 

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

going for a lovely lunch out and catching up with a bestie (food for the belly and soul) 💗

CURRENTLY READING

The Housemaid  by Freida McFadden Still reading (it's really good!) and then will watch the movie with Matt (it's a thriller) when I'm done.

ON THE TV TODAY:

 Jeopardy, old seasons of big brother, Junk or Jackpot on HGTV, some cooking shows, still watching old episodes of the Office too, movies (we recently watched Roofman based on a true story and it was pretty good)

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY - cashew chicken sheet pan dinner

TUESDAY -  maybe leftovers? maybe breakfast for dinner?

WEDNESDAY -  pork soup dumplings and veggie spring rolls, fruit & fresh veggie plate

THURSDAY - homemade chicken pot pie

FRIDAY -  out for dinner?

*Girlfriend Christmas on the weekend - doing Italian theme this year and I will put out build your own naan flatbread pizzas. I will also put together a fun charcuterie with some fresh fruit and veggies. Making something fun for a little treat too. One of my friends is bringing spinach and artichoke dip & stuff to make bellinis. Another is bringing an Italian pasta salad. And another is bringing an Italian dessert. We never starve if you can't tell. Lol I look so forward to our time together every year. They will come in the afternoon and stay until late into the evening. We gab, graze, and exchange gifts. I treasure time with these sisters of my heart more every year that goes by. We have been doing this gathering for over 30 years now!

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

read book, color, watch a movie with Matt

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

I recently made a pasta meal that we had tossed with pesto and some parm cheese. A few days later I thought a fun way to use more of the pesto up was to make sandwiches with it. We had some sun dried tomato deli turkey and I layered that on a sandwich along with some mayo and pesto as a spread on the inside of the bread. Some cheese and some spinach layered inside too. Then buttered the outside of the bread and grilled them like grilled cheeses. When I took them out of the pan, while still hot, I sprinkled a little parm cheese on top of the buttery grilled bread. They were so tasty! And a great way to use the pesto up.

I think another fun way to use it up would be to make an egg bake, omelette, or scramble with it. Make the egg dish with Italian flavors (peppers, feta or mozzarella cheese, tomato etc) and of course the pesto in there too. Yum!

FROM THE CAMERA:

I was back on duty at the hospice house right after New Years and I found this surprise on my car door mirror. I sure love that Hubby of mine! ❤️❤️❤️

New Years moments. New years eve brownies = yum! We're still enjoying the pretty glow of decorations over here as I host my girlfriend Christmas this weekend and I like to leave everything up for it. New Years Day lounging with the Rose parade, Ruby and Bubba snuggles, football and maybe a nap or 2. :) 

PRAYER LIST:

 For an end to the conflicts all over the world and anyone living in war & fear. For peace and unity in this country, especially from hate and shootings or violence.  For anyone sick, suffering, in pain, fear, loneliness etc ... that God bring them comfort and peace. 

For the Lord's love and peace to fill 2026. ❤️ 

For Christ's Light and Love to cast out the darkness everywhere and help the world find its way to loving our neighbors as ourselves. 🙏🏻

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

Wishing you so many blessings for 2026 dear Friends! 

I'm sharing this with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Hello and happy Monday Friends ~

And Happy 2025!! It's my first time checking in since the calendar officially turned. 

I hope you've all been having a wonderful start to this shiny new year. We rang it in with our friends - the C's and it was a lot of fun! We got dressed up and met them out for a fancier dinner. And then they came back to our place and we did sort of a belated Christmas and exchanged gifts. Annie hung out with us too. And then we stayed up late gabbing away  - ringing in the new year and with them leaving around 1:30 AM! They have a lot of exciting things going on in their world. So there was a lot to gab about: Their oldest daughter is engaged to be married and is expecting their first child (a granddaughter) in June!! Pretty fun stuff. :) 

Matt and I did lots of lounging on New Year's day. We watched the Rose Parade, played cards, watched movies and he played video games while I read. We helped Annie work on her puzzle and she hung out with us a bit too. 

Annie and I have been having such fun while she's been home. Going out shopping, hanging out a lot, great chats, watching shows, playing games and working on her puzzle. It's going to be so hard to watch her leave back to FL this week. But I've treasured every minute and we're planning to meet up with her in AZ late winter/early Spring - like we usually do to visit my Dad and step Mom. And in between we will text or talk on the phone almost every day - so that helps too. 💗

I don't usually do new year resolutions - as I think they're too easy to break and feel down on yourself. I typically pick a word for the year. Something I can go back to meditating on all through the year. More of a concept than a resolution of any kind. But it gives me a sort of beacon to keep finding my way back to for a little extra purpose for the year. 

This year my word is HOME. For many different reasons:

*an obvious one is literally being home more this year as we were gone so much last year with our epic trips etc. We have projects planned around here and just want to love our first married year continuing to plant our roots here

*spiritually I want to go back "home" - to the start and dive more into the word. I do a lot of devotional time with books I have, but I'm not always as good about reading my bible. That changes this year!

*and mentally/physically going back to the basics or "home base" to get back on my healthier routine...especially for the sake of my arthritis etc. Matt & I have lots of plans of golfing, playing pickleball, camping - very active things and I plan to lead the charge with all of it! 

We had even hoped to be snow shoeing by now - but we still don't have snow. It's just so crazy and really hurts our winter industries up here (ski trails, snowmobiling, sled dog races etc) Plus we need the moisture badly. Our bay was so low last year already, that if this keeps up we won't be putting in our dock this Spring. So I'm hoping that changes and we can get out in the woods for good exercise and activity soon! 

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

some coffee with protein creamer and a little bit of sugar-free cinnamon roll flavor creamer. Also a grapefruit. Annie's boyfriend's family sent us a crate full of wonderful citrus fruit from FL for Christmas. Everything in it has been SO delicious!! 

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

Costco run, other errands, Matt & I meeting with our financial planner (starting NY the right way there too), home projects, hospice work

THINKING ABOUT:  

What a blessing my kiddos and Matt are in my life and reflecting on all my hopes for them and fun for us all in 2025! 

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE

I still have my decorations up and enjoy the glow each night. My besties and I have been getting together to do Christmas in January for around 30 years now and I'm hosting it this year. We get together this weekend, so I wanted to keep up my decorations for that. ✨❤️💚

CURRENTLY READING

My new awesome herb book I got from Aaron for Christmas. It's called The Cook's Herb Garden: Grow, Harvest, Cook

by Jeff Cox & Marie Pierre Moine

I also added The Little Book of Cottagecore: Traditional Skills for a Simpler Life by Emily Kent on my kindle

Plus, when Annie & I were out shopping recently I also picked up the newest edition of In Her Studio: spaces and stories of creative women (love those magazines!!)

ON THE TV TODAY:

When Calls the Heart, Virgin river, All Creatures Great & Small (starts this week), The Rookie starts this week, movies taped & cooking shows, lots of football (Packers lost - boo....but at least Vikings lost to the Lions - yay!)

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY - leftovers 

TUESDAY -  

WEDNESDAY - 

THURSDAY - 

FRIDAY - 

*will be doing a Costco run and figure out meal plan for the week

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

 read, organize craft plans in my office, do fun workouts (too cold to walk outside)

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

I found this on Youtube and it's called "Vintazy" and shows a vintage pic while playing fun vintage music. Nice back drop for cleaning/reading. And they have nighttime jazz ones nice to fall asleep to as well.

FROM THE CAMERA:

We got all dressed up and headed out in New Year's Eve. Look at our cute downtown all decorated for the season. ✨ On our way there it started to snow and added a lot of pretty - however it didn't last. Sigh

I made some yummy ranch dill pretzels for a new year's eve snack for Annie (& a friend she hung out with) and for us all to nibble for new years day lounging. 

I also made this truly amazing blueberry french toast bake. Annie's direct quote: "Mom this is fire and you should definitely make it again!" 😋

I will share recipes later this week!

Lots of wonderful lounging on NY's day

The very difficult - but finally completed puzzle Annie had gotten at Christmas

Bubba last night giving the evil eye to the Vikes so the Lions would win (& they did! 😉)

I still have an ipad coloring addiction when I'm not reading. Going to try to focus on more books  and crafting now. 🙈

As you know, Matt spoiled me so much at Christmas but this little gift was definitely a fave and makes me so happy. It's a little bookstore that lights up that I'm loving on my bookcase (in between the books) in my office. Annie's friend was over crafting with Annie on new year's and they put it together for me. Isn't it adorable??

💗💗💗

PRAYER LIST:

 For an end to the conflicts all over the world and anyone living in war & fear. For peace and unity in this country, especially from hate and shootings or violence.  For anyone sick, suffering, in pain, fear, loneliness etc ... that God bring them comfort and peace.For all those affected in the New Orleans tragedy. For a friend (& family) that recently lost her husband unexpectedly and very young and the funeral is soon. 

For Christ's Light and Love to cast out the darkness everywhere and help the world find its way. 🙏🏻

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

Wishing you good health, blessed peace, and endless joy for 2025 my Friends! 🙏🏻✨

I'm sharing this with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.