Welcome to the weekend, my friends! I’ve been home for a couple of days now and I’m soaking up the time with my guys and our sweet Oscar. He’s had a tough year with medical issues, so the vet referred us to a surgeon and we’ve finally gotten some answers. He’s scheduled for surgery on Tuesday, so I’ll be at home with him this week to give him all the petting and extra attention while he recovers.
ON THE BLOGS THIS WEEK: Tender cabbage, savory ground beef, and a spicy, garlicky sauce make this Cabbage Stir Fry an instant favorite. Made with fresh vegetables and loaded with flavor, this 30-minute meal is an easy alternative to Chinese takeout.
Chunks of tender chicken, crunchy pickles and celery, and fresh herbs are tossed with a creamy, tangy dressing to make this hearty Dill Pickle Chicken Salad. I have eaten this for more snacks and meals that I want to publicly admit. It’s good, alright? Don’t judge me.
Fresh greens, spicy red onions, crunchy walnuts, chewy sweet raisins and cranberries, salty Parmesan, and roasted Acorn squash come together in this Winter Squash Salad with Maple Vinaigrette. Salads today can be so many different things. A bed of mixed lettuce is the perfect base for so many delicious combinations. One of my favorite things is to come up with ideas to top them that hit all the flavor and texture notes.
Loaded with my most frequently used spices (garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper), this All Purpose Seasoning has a permanent spot at the front of my spice cabinet.
Classic house seasoning is a simple combination of salt, pepper, and garlic. I’ve made that spice mix plenty of times, and it’s a great combination. However, my go-to version adds onion powder and smoked paprika for smoky, savory blend that works on just about everything.
I’m convinced that garlicky mushrooms in a fluffy, cheesy omelet can make any morning better. And, this Mushroom Omelet comes together in one pan for a hearty, satisfying twist on the tried and true breakfast staple.
These Loaded Mint Cookies are an absolute dream come true for anyone who loves mint chocolate. (Both of my hands are waving in the air right now, by the way. That’s me – 100%.) Chewy chocolate chip cookies are flavored with a hint of peppermint and loaded to the max with whatever add-ins you like best in the world of chocolate and mint.
Chocolate Turtle Cookies are thick, chewy chocolate cookies filled with caramel bits, pecans, and melty chocolate chips. Classic turtles in cookie form.
What I’m CRAVING: I’ve been craving all the vegetables, loaded salads, and soups. I’ve already made a taco salad and a grilled chicken salad in the past couple of days. I have my eye on this Roasted Vegetable Salad and this Butternut Squash Soup now too.
My FAVORITE THING this week is this sea salt body cream. I’ve been using it for several years now, and I love it as much now as the first time I tried it. It’s thick, creamy, and doesn’t leave your skin greasy at all. As someone who doesn’t enjoy many fragrances, I absolutely LOVE the mild scent too.
For this lotion, I always order through the brand’s website. If you go through that link, you can purchase the larger size item (vs Amazon) at a better price, plus for every dollar spent, you can redeem a $.50 credit towards any additional items. I just stack the lotions and stock up.
What I’m WATCHING: Somewhere in Time. I fell in love with this movie so many years ago. Sean introduced me to it when we were dating and it’s been a special one for our family ever since. I watched it with a friend this week and when I pulled it up online, I could hardly believe it’s almost 50 years old now! (It gets bonus points as a recommendation this week too, because it’s a free watch on Prime too.)
What I’m LISTENING to: Rescue Story by Zach Williams. I’ve really enjoyed finding new-to-me artists over the past few years and this style of Southern rock, country, soul, and gritty vocals is a refreshing addition to contemporary Christian music.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Wishing you a beautiful week filled with little things that make you smile!
Mary