The mornings on my street in Avondale always start the same way. Sunlight filtering through the live oaks. The distant hum of someone mowing their lawn. And, Daisy and Cooper tugging me toward Boone Park like it’s their first walk ever. I like the routine. It’s comforting. But every once in a while, something comes along to shake up the usual pace of life.

This week, it was a moving truck and a woman with a friendly smile across the street.

Her name is Janine. She’s new to Jacksonville, here with her teenage son and a golden doodle who immediately decided my dogs were his new best friends. We met the way neighbors often do – not over a planned introduction, but in the middle of an untangling of leashes, laughter, and shared apologies. She mentioned she didn’t know many people yet. I told her she’d feel at home here sooner than she thinks.

I couldn’t stop thinking about that conversation after we walked back home. There’s something about a new neighbor that brings out the welcome wagon in me, maybe because I remember what it’s like to be the new face on the block. And while some people bake cookies or drop off a note, I’ve always believed the best way to say “hello” is with a warm meal.

So that night, I decided to cook. Nothing complicated, just the kind of comforting weeknight dinner that’s easy to share: garlic butter chicken with roasted vegetables and creamy mashed potatoes. It’s a dish that tastes like home, even if you’ve only just unpacked the last box.

The kitchen is where I do my best thinking. I chopped vegetables and seasoned the chicken while imagining how Janine and her son might be settling in, deciding where the coffee mugs should go, learning the rhythm of this neighborhood, figuring out which days the trash goes out. And when the scent of garlic and lemon started filling the house, I thought, This is exactly how friendships begin. Small gestures that turn into something bigger.

Later, when the sun dipped behind the rooftops, I packed up a plate and walked across the street. It wasn’t anything fancy, just a simple supper and a little welcome to the neighborhood. But sometimes, that’s all it takes to make a place feel like home.

🍗 Garlic Butter Chicken with Roasted Veggies & Creamy Mashed Potatoes

A cozy, weeknight-friendly dinner perfect for sharing with neighbors or just making a quiet night at home feel special.

Ingredients
For the chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
• Juice of 1 lemon

For the roasted vegetables:

• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 cups chopped carrots
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup tomato medley (optional)
• 1 cup mini sweet peppers, halved
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper

For the mashed potatoes:

• 2 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup milk (more as needed)
• Salt and pepper
• Optional: shredded or sliced cheese for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss broccoli, carrots, tomato medley, and sweet peppers with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes until tender and slightly browned.
2. Place potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Boil until fork-tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and mash with butter, milk, salt, and pepper. Adjust consistency with more milk if needed.
3. Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Add chicken and cook 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
4. Squeeze lemon juice over the chicken just before serving for a bright, fresh finish.
5. Plate the chicken with a scoop of mashed potatoes and a side of roasted veggies. Garnish with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of cheese if you’d like.