Somerset photo-shoot

We stumbled across an opportunity while we were in Virginia to have photos taken of our precious one and a half year old (something I've been meaning to do for months)! A friend of my cousin, Courtney McIver (see her website and amazing talent here), was going to be in town while we were visiting, and agreed to spend some time with us and snap some shots in beautiful Somerset. The photos and memories are everlasting. Thanks, Courtney!

 

{What We're Eating}

Sweet, Sour and Spicy (optional!) Chicken
2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into small pieces
1 Tbsp olive oil
3/4 cup fresh broccoli, cut into pieces
3/4  cup sliced bell pepper
1/2 cup sliced red onion
3/4 cup pineapple pieces (fresh is best!)
{any other veggies that you wish- I like to add sugar snap peas and shredded carrots!}
dash salt and pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Sauce:
1/3 cup ketchup
1/3 cup cider vinegar
2 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1/4 tsp ground ginger
2 Tbsp siracha pepper sauce (optional!)
2 Tbsp cold water
1 tsp corn starch

Saute chicken in 1 Tbsp olive oil and add salt, pepper and garlic powder; cook until chicken is starting to brown. Remove chicken from skillet and add veggies to the pan. Cook until crisp and add chicken and pineapple to skillet until heated through. In a sauce pan, combine first six sauce ingredients and bring to a low simmer. Add mixture of water and cornstarch until well thickened, then pour sauce over meat and vegetables. Serve over brown or white rice and enjoy!

VA is for lovers

Our Virginia road trip (yes, 10 hours in the car with a 19-month-old) went wonderfully. We only had one minor toddler motion sickness episode about two hours into the trip! I spent my birthday week with my dear aunt and uncle, cousin Hillary, sister, mom and the sweetest and funniest daughter. We relaxed, visited some wineries, did some antiquing and shopping, had a photo shoot (see this post), took many walks to visit the neighbor's cows, heard "naaaay" and "choo choo!" five hundred and thirty two times, and ate pounds of pimento cheese. Couldn't have asked for a better visit with family in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains.

the BIG 30

So THE big thirtieth birthday came and went, with a killer surprise party (thrown by my amzing hubby and sister) and a girls' road trip to Virginia (see those photos in this post). I'm so blessed for the thirty years I've been given, filled with the love of family and wonderful friends. Bring on thirty more, baby!!