Spicy Shrimp Stir Fry

January 6, 2020 AmandaLeave a comment

Spicy Shrimp Stir Fry is a ridiculously easy and even more delicious weeknight meal that comes together in less than 30 minutes! Chock full of vegetables and good-for-you ingredients, it’s a wonderful way to start this year’s meal planning!

This dish right here? This Spicy Shrimp Stir Fry? It’s all you’ll need for dinner tonight. This week. This month. This year!

It’s SO good! Seth and I are obsessed for a multitude of reasons.

For one thing – it’ super flavorful! The sauce is made from the base of my go-to stir fry with a hefty dose of sweet Thai chili sauce thrown in (because we like a short cut on weeknights, ok?).

Peppermint Mocha Bûche de Noël

December 17, 2019December 17, 2019 Amanda4 Comments

I’m so excited! And I just can’t hide it!

I don’t know that I’ve been this pumped for a Tuesday since…well, I don’t know when!

But, today! This Tuesday! This Tuesday of Tuesdays is different.

This Tuesday I am victorious! This Tuesday I am triumphant! This Tuesday…I am sharing a Bûche de Noël with you!

Finally. After years of wanting to and trying to. After many unsuccessful attempts at Swiss Roll Cakes I have figured. It. Out.

Pecan Lacey Cookies (& perspective)

December 14, 2019 Amanda1 Comment

These cookies may not look like much but let me tell you…

They were a ~~pain in the ass~~ labor of love.

Perspective. It makes all the difference. These cookies, for instance, could be seen as simple, passable, unimportant nothings compared to the more festooned Christmas cookies.

Or! They can be seen as complex, distinctive, and intriguing.

Perspective.

Homemade Eggnog (& next year)

December 6, 2019 Amanda1 Comment

I remember such a specific Christmas when I felt I had it all together. My head was fully attached and on straight. Gifts were purchased in June and wrapped in November. The tree was bought and put up the day after Thanksgiving. The lights were on the house and lit every night.

I sincerely wonder/hope/pray if my life will ever feel that way again. If the holidays will ever feel that way again. I have great hopes that they will. I understand this is just a busy season in our lives. I also understand that there are positives that can come from this time, that are coming from this time.

I’m learning how to focus on what’s really important and let other things go.

I’m taking stock of what I already have and parting with things that no longer move or serve me.

I’m getting a jump on planning next Christmas.

Holiday Cheeseboards – 3 Ways (& a class!)

December 4, 2019December 4, 2019 Amanda2 Comments

We didn’t get to fry a turkey for Thanksgiving.

Between Seth hunting and me working and all of the shuffling around that comes from having in-laws who have in-laws – we just couldn’t make Thanksgiving at our house work.

So! We regrouped, reconfigured, and reorganized. And are now going to be hosting a Christmas party/open house/Festivus instead!

I really love hosting gatherings at our home. I’d rather have a cavity filled than leave our house for a social engagement, but the tables are totally turned when I’m hosting the party. I love having people over! Milling around, making drinks, munching on snacks! It’s the best! I like decorating the house and doting on guests. As evidenced by Cheeselandia last year and my podcast-themed birthday party this year. Call me crazy, but I even like the clean up afterward, too.