Cupcakes and Commentary

I found this recipe while cleaning out our junk drawer, it came with my dutch oven I got for Christmas last year. What I really like about it is that you slide the chicken breasts in and essentially poach them in the stew for most of the cooking time. Doing this really kept the chicken moist and tender (something that I often find is lacking in soups and stews with cut up chicken).

The chicken stew is a Giada DeLaurentiis recipe and you can find it here. I paired it with a spinach salad (baby spinach, croutons, mandarin oranges, and honey mustard dressing), and Sister Shubert rolls per my husband’s request!

Tags: chicken stew

From all of us! And from A who loves his Papa because he:

flies helicopters with him in the house…

plays outside…

and is why A calls himself a fixer guy, thinks a power washer is awesome, and wants a mustang and a jeep just like Papa.

So for New Year’s Eve I made this tasty meal:

It’s two recipes: baked salmon in foil and sweet pea risotto.

What makes this meal really work well is when you put the salmon in the oven it takes about 25 minutes (because it is wrapped in foil). That is about the same time it takes to make the risotto. Therefore both parts of the meal are completed at the same time! And they are delicious! The links to both recipes are above. Enjoy!

My picture New Year’s Resolution was to capture a picture a day, especially since our year is going to be filled with exciting new additions and family trips! So if you would like to follow our picture a day adventures such as this:

You can! Just follow us @cupcakesandcommentary on Instagram.

Thank goodness for warm days in January! A loved being able to use his new power washer!

A loves the new keyboard! I have to say for the deal that “Santa” got on the keyboard I am really impressed with the sound quality and the amount of different functions it has. I am looking forward to him learning the different keys, and I really like how he can learn to play along with the songs that come with it!

A is bringing ABBA back! One dance party at my parents and boom…our house is now filled with Mamma Mia and Super Trouper. Don’t worry Katy Perry…A hasn’t forgotten the Firework song. However, it is nice to hear some diversity in his song choices!

At first all A wanted to do was hold the microphone.

Then he concentrated on tapping drum sticks to the beat.

Then he anxiously anticipated Super Trouper being played again.

The guys had no trouble getting the moves down to the ABBA Dance party!

And yes I danced as well. And yes this is the only picture you will get to see of me dancing. HA!

Smiles!

A finally retired to the couch with Aunt Pam and Papa and demanded that we replay Super Trouper (over and over and over).

After opening presents at our house, we then continued later to my parents house for dinner and more presents! I have to say A was not the best at opening presents this year…he took about three hours at our house to actually get all of his presents opened, and then had quite a bit of help from all of us to actually get presents open at my parents house.

Christmas Present Opening Collage!

Pretty much as soon as A opened his pressure washer from Granna and Papa he was good to go.

Christmas present opening is really exciting!

Thanks to cousin Steph for all the great pictures! Love these!

My husband’s next video game mission. I got to play the first few minutes, and I have to say…I was a bit worried about being burned by a dragon. I’m not going to say that my avatar was running around as I was not so quietly shouting “I’m getting burned by a dragon! How am I supposed to know where to go? Why don’t I have any weapons??” But I might have.

My boy and I. And my new Keurig.

My sister’s family and my family’s big gift to my parents. A photo book from our Destin family vacation. I think we surprised them well!

And perhaps A and J’s most coveted moment of Christmas. Cookies. Lots and lots of tasty cookies.

Merry Christmas Rewind! We were so blessed to have such a wonderful Christmas with everyone! It was a great time!

Our Christmas this year started out at our house.

A was slightly more interested in opening our stockings than his own. And was a bit offended that Santa did not bring him a real cake.

However I think Santa’s surprise present of a keyboard helped A get over the whole cake debacle.

“Santa brought me my own piano!” A exclaimed.

My new 5o mm camera lens! I think my husband is still laughing about how I said upon opening it “Oh good I thought you had changed your mind and got me jewelry instead!”

New sander! A was very excited about all the new tools he received.

Helping Nana and Grandpa open presents. And enjoying his cake from Santa.

A was very excited about Christmas this year, and our Christmas Eve included the Vesper Service at our church and dinner at my parents. I think A’s favorite part was helping Granna put the cookies out on the table, and then getting to set his cookies out for Santa at home!

Christmas Eve Dinner Collage!

Helping Granna place cookies on the dessert table.

The boys!

Sisters!

Cousins!

So cute!

Our traditional Christmas Eve ornament exchange.

Setting out cookies for Santa.