Cocktail Class {Italian Plums & Asian Pears}

 asian pear daiquiri

For my birthday present this year, Stefanie took me to a cocktail class at Cuoco {see our past classes here and here}.  This year's theme was Italian Plums and Asian Pears, and along with the class, we got a membership to City Fruit.  The format was a little different than classes past {we didn't get to mix the cocktails on our own} but we still got appetizers, 4 {small sized} drinks, and souvenirs to take home {pickled plums and our own homemade bitters}.  The class focused not only on the fruit and the drinks but different types of bar tools and methods to make our at home bartending skills top notch.  It was such a fun evening - not just for the class, but to spend time with Stef since I don't see her everyday anymore.  Below, I've copied down my favorite recipe from the class that I'll definitely be replicating just as soon as I remember how to pickle plums :)

Plum Dirty

Ingredients
1.5 oz gin or vodka
1 oz Dolin dry vermouth
1/4 oz plum pickling liquid
dash orange bitters

Instructions
Combine all ingredients, add ice, stir, and strain into martini glass.  Garnish with orange twist or slice of pickled plum.

 plum dirty

perfect plum

 asian pear highball

catching up with wine after the class

Thanks again, Stef!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Max Wanger

Have you heard of Max Wanger?  He's a fabulous photographer who takes the most gorgeous shots.  I wish I could have his photographs all over my house, so I decided to start with the above shot of New York.  I bought it on sale and can't wait to frame it and hang it up in my new home :)

Happy Weekend!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Fall Cold

No, this post isn't about the drastic change in weather that arrived to Seattle this week {but wasn't yesterday crazy cold?!?!}.  I've come down with what my parents would describe as my "back to school" cold {and what I would probably describe as my "stress has gotten the best of me" cold}, so instead of writing something interesting or witty {don't I always?} I'll just leave you with this pretty picture I took with Diana in the Fall of 2009.  Let's hope this cold goes away ASAP so I can get out and enjoy those changing leaves!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Barking Frog {Mobile Kitchen}

Last month we stopped by the South Lake Union Block Party to see the local booths and what the Food Trucks had to offer.  I've been going to this block party since I first started working in the area {almost 7 years ago!} and it's gotten bigger and more crowded every year.  Still, I love walking around and supporting the local businesses {and seeing just how many more there are now}, and the food truck selection this year was pretty great.  We chose Barking Frog Mobile Kitchen {since I can't afford the actual Barking Frog} and it did not disappoint.  While my lunchmates chose the small-ish shrimp and scallops, I decided to go all out with the Reuben and homemade pickle {I had just come from working out, after all}.  I don't think I've ever ordered a Reuben in my life, but I might start now.  The sandwich was absolutely delicious, and while it was probably too big for me to finish, I happily did while my friends looked on with pure jealousy.  Yum :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Raspberry Lemonade Punch

Do you want the most simple yet delicious drink recipe for your upcoming party?  I found this one for Raspberry Lemonade Punch from Martha Stewart for last weekend's shower and it was an instant hit.  One warning - if you're using a beverage dispenser like we did {above}, be careful to not let the berries get to the level of the spigot {we got ours clogged}.  This recipe is so refreshing - I wish I had a cup of it right now!

Raspberry Lemonade Punch

Ingredients
1 - 2 liter bottle ginger ale
3/4 cup powdered lemonade mix
12 oz bag of frozen raspberries
4 cups ice

Instructions
In large pitcher or punch bowl, combine ginger ale and lemonade mix.  Right before serving, stir in raspberries and ice.

adapted from Martha Stewart

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Baby Trygve

Sunday afternoon Mom and Marsha threw a baby shower for Trygve, cousin Stephanie's newest little sweetheart.  The baby was calm as can be {must have been those victorious Seahawks playing in the background} as we all mingled and ate cheesecake while Steph opened presents.  It was a fun but laid back shower, and I can't wait to watch little Tryg grow up to be a little cowboy :)

 a bike made out of diapers

this kid is going to have a lot of overalls

 

that face

nancy and little sofia

 the spread

 we decorated cheesecakes with blue baby knick-knacks from the party store - so cute and so easy

right before he started crying for the first time all afternoon

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy {Fall} Weekend

Can you believe that Sunday marks the official start of Fall?  Where did the time go?!?!?  I'm actually pretty happy about the change in seasons.  While I've had a ton of fun this summer and have made some great memories, I'm ready for a fresh start and for good things to happen.  And I think this Fall may just bring that.  In any event, it brings around some of my favorite things - pumpkin patches, pumpkin spice lattes, football, and boot season!  Fall - I'm welcoming you with open arms :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Engaged {Susannah & Rob}

Two of my most favorite people in the whole wide world got engaged a few weeks ago, and I couldn't be happier.  While it was a little bit of a shock {well, they've been together 9 years, so I guess not that much of a shock}, I was absolutely ecstatic when I found out {and maybe started crying tears of pure happiness}.  If there are two people who are absolutely meant to be together, it's these two.  They support and accept each other wholeheartedly, and the genuine love between them is palpable.  I cannot wait to celebrate with these two, and I selfishly hope this pushes them closer and closer to moving a bit more north :)

I love you guys!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

pic circa May 2010 in LA

Old Friends

Thank you, Merith, for knowing exactly what it takes to cheer me up.  Which apparently includes red wine at 1PM, girl talk, and trashy magazines from the airplane.  You seriously are the best.  I love you even more than I did when this picture was taken :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Tom Douglas Crab Salad

A few weeks back, my mom brought me down a few halves of fresh crab since I hadn't had any all summer.  Trying to decide what deliciousness to make with it, I instantly went to my Tom Douglas: Seattle Kitchen cookbook to see what ideas I could come up with.  Flipping through the book, I recognized the Crab Salad with Asparagus, Avocado, and Lime Vinaigrette from Etta's and knew I had to recreate it.  The salad was a breeze to put together and was one of the most delicious things I've ever tasted {especially that dressing - I want to add it to every salad I make}.  A little tip - if you're counting on leftovers, leave everything separate and dress it all when you're ready to eat.  If you find yourself with some leftover end of season crab, go make this salad now.  You'll thank me :)

Crab Salad with Asparagus, Avocado, and Lime Vinaigrette

Ingredients

Lime Vinaigrette
3 tblsp fresh lime juice
4 1/2 tsp white wine vinegar
2 tsp grated lime zest
1 1/2 tsp peeled and fresh grated ginger
1 1/2 tsp honey
3 tblsp olive oil
3 tblsp peanut oil
Salt & Pepper

Salad
1 lb asparagus, tough bottoms cut off
3/4 lb fresh cooked crab meat (from about 2 Dungeness crabs)
1-2 bunch Bibb or Green Leaf lettuce
2 Avocados
1 Grapefruit, peeled & cut into segments

Instructions
1.  To make vinaigrette - whisk together lime juice, vinegar, lime zest, ginger, and honey in small bowl.  Whisk in oils.  Season with salt & pepper and set aside.
2.  Bring pot of water to boil and cook asparagus until just tender, about 5 minutes.  Immediately plunge into bowl of ice water to cool.  When cooled, drain and toss with 3 tblsp vinaigrette.
3.  Toss crab meat with 3 tblsp vinaigrette in separate bowl.
4.  Divide lettuce among 4 plates.  Top with half avocado.  Arrange bundle of asparagus on each plate, along with equal parts crab and grapefruit.  Drizzle remaining vinaigrette over each plate.

Serves 4
 
adapted from Tom Douglas Seattle Kitchen

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Crabbing {with Maddie}

When I suggested that Maddie stay up north after the wedding to join me in my first crabbing excursion of the year, I didn't realize that she had never been crabbing in her life!  Luckily, it was a gorgeous day for us to relax out at the cabin in the sunshine with my parents, waiting for the tide to come in.  When it was finally high enough for us to get out on the water, we all headed out with the pots and the rings {since in a wedding blur, we forgot to put the pots out ahead of time}.  We spent a few hours out on the water, ringing for crabs {something I haven't done since I was little} and in the end, we came home with one perfect crab {damn all those little guys}.  Since it was Maddie's first time, we cooked up that one lone crab and shared it while sitting on the bulkhead with a beer {my absolute favorite thing in the world}.  A week later, she was still talking about how awesome the experience was, and since this was my only time this year, I can't wait to get out a lot more next year with my new crabbing partner.

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Erika & Joe {The Reception}

After the ceremony, it was time to cut loose.  Erika had said that she wanted everyone to have a great time at her wedding, and boy did we.  The food, the drinks, the photo booth - oh, and the dancing.  From my numb and sore toes the next day, I think it's safe to say that I spent a fair amount of time on the dance floor :)  We all had a fabulous time toasting the bride and groom and celebrating their special day, and in the words of the ring bearer, I wish we could do it again :)

 erika & my parents

 dan's sweet speech

 first dance

 the only {and horribly fuzzy} pic i got with the bride all night

 they constructed this photo booth to act as their guestbook.....

 .....and we sure had a lot of fun in it

 friends for life

my date and i tearin' it up on the dance floor

sparkler send off

Congrats Erika & Joe!  Love ya!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Erika & Joe {The Wedding}

Erika and Joe's wedding was absolutely gorgeous.  The flowers, the dresses, the setting - everything went together flawlessly.  Not knowing what to expect, I was completely blown away when I saw everything set up.  I cannot wait to see the professional pictures, but until then here are a few I {and my dad} snapped throughout the day.  So pretty, right???

sneaking a peak at the bride & groom's first look

 we took lots of polaroids throughout the day

 bridesmaids

 reading a letter from joe before the ceremony

 grabbing a quick beer before the ceremony

josh - my handsome wedding date

 how pretty are all of our dresses together?

mr. & mrs

 

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Erika & Joe {Rehearsal & Getting Ready}

After a quick rehearsal at the wedding venue {Erika's aunt's house}, the families and bridal party headed over to LaConner Seafood and Prime Rib for drinks on the deck, a delicious dinner {the prime rib was to die for}, and toasting the bride & groom.  Luckily, the crazy storms from that morning subsided and we were able to mingle outside with wine and friends while overlooking the channel.  The next morning, us ladies woke up early and headed out to Bow with our brand new robes that Erika got us {so cute!} to get our hair and makeup done, drink bellinis, and to keep the bride calm before the big event :)

 all the ladies

 lizzie was so sweet to do all of our makeup

the final touches on the bride's hair

cheers!

Next up - the wedding!!

xoxo,
stephanie marie