Brunswick & Hunt

Last week David and I decided to spend a beautiful summer evening doing one of our favorite things - trying a new restaurant.  We picked Brunswick & Hunt, an almost brand new spot in northern Ballard that specializes in farm to table yumminess.  We took a seat in the lodge-like restaurant and since everything looked so delicious, decided to split a few things {my favorite way, since you get to try more dishes}.  We started with the Baked Flat Bread with Duck Rillette, Rhubarb Marmalade, and Roasted Eggplant Spread, then for the main course shared the roasted brussells sprouts and the Tenderloin of Beef with Asparagus & Mushroom Ragout with the most delicious cheesy potato side.  Paired with a cold IPA, each dish was so flavorful, and since everything on the menu looked really tasty, I can't wait to go back and try out more plates.  I love supporting new, good restaurants in the city and I hope this one will be around for awhile.

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Happy Anniversary {tomorrow}, Mom & Dad!  Thanks for being a constant source of inspiration when it comes to love and happiness.  I am so proud to call you my parents :)  Love ya!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Grilled Tomato Linguine

It's been awhile since I've cooked from my absolute favorite cookbook ever, and now that I have my own grill, I feel like it's time to try some of those recipes I couldn't test when I was grill-less.  Case in point - Grilled Tomato Linguine.  This recipe combines two of my favorite things - tomatoes and pasta - and is so simple to whip up that the food was ready before I was ready to eat it.  I used fresh thyme from my tiny herb garden and grilled up a piece of french bread alongside the tomatoes.  It was a delicious and simple meal - one of those perfect summer dinners I'll be making all season long.

Grilled Tomato Linguine

Ingredients
3 lbs plum {roma} tomatoes, cored and halved lengthwise
5 tblsp olive oil
1 tblsp chopped fresh thyme {or 1 tsp dried}
salt and pepper
1 lb linguine
1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving

Instructions
1. Heat grill to high.  In a bowl, toss the tomatoes with 3 tblsp olive oil and thyme.  Season with salt and pepper.
2. Starting with cut sides down, grill tomatoes until soft and charred, about 10 minutes per side.
3. Return tomatoes to bowl and cut with kitchen shears.
4. Meanwhile, cook linguine per package directions until al dente.  Drain and return to pot.
5. Add remaining 2 tblsp olive oil, Parmesan, and grilled tomatoes to the linguine.  Divide among bowls and top with more Parmesan and thyme if desired.

Serves 4-5

adapted from Everyday Food: Great Food Fast

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Roaming The Garden {Azaleas}

These pictures are about a month late, but I just had to share these gorgeous orange azaleas that popped up near my front porch.  While they're long gone now, they were a bright and happy surprise when they bloomed in the spring.  This yard never ceases to surprise me :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Birthday Sara!

Happy Birthday Sara!!  I hope my brother spoils you like crazy :)  So happy to have you in our lives!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Fremont Fair Solstice Concert {The Physics}

Saturday night, I met up with Nicole and her friends to watch our work buddy Thig perform with his group, The Physics, at the Fremont Fair Solstice Concert Series.  It was such a blast watching Thig in his element - he was a completely different person than the quiet guy we see at work everyday.  We squeezed our way up to the front row for their set, and afterwards hung out in the beer garden with Thig and friends while The Blue Scholars played in the background.  It was such a fun night - and a great way to officially start the summer :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Summer To Do

I can't believe tomorrow is the official start of summer!  But I'm not complaining - I love the warm weather, long evenings, and promise of adventure.  I know summer can get crazy busy, but I plan to check at least a few things off this list this year.  Who's with me?

1. Pick flowers from my garden {see above}
2. Picnic at the Locks
3. Make Paella from seafood found at my neighborhood Fisherman's Terminal
4. Drink my weekend morning coffee on my patio chairs
5. Plant tomatoes in my garden
6. Start running jogging again
7. Host a brunch for my Bar girls
8. Go camping
9. Sit outside on the adirondacks at Westward until dark
10. Mini golf
11. Make s'mores
12. DIY something for my home {mainly, something to cover the ugly electric panel}
13. Celebrate my dirty 30 with a smile on my face, surrounded by people I love :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie


see past years' to do lists here, here, and here

Magnolia Farmers Market

The first weekend in June was the official 2014 opening of the Magnolia Farmer's Market, and being a new resident of the neighborhood, I made it a priority to check it out.  I walked around the market in "downtown" Magnolia, where vendors selling all the freshest foods, flowers, and goodies chatted with me and sweetly let me snap these photos of their loot while I sampled such things as snap peas and wine.  While I didn't buy anything this time {except a yummy lunch of a black bean tamale and grilled veggies}, I can already tell this will be a weekly stop for me on Saturday mornings.  I highly recommend you check it out :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Mondello

Since I moved to Magnolia almost 8 months ago {seriously, where does the time go?!?} I have discovered parts of Seattle I never knew existed.  Case in point - Mondello.  When I saw a Groupon awhile back for dinner at this cozy Magnolia Italian restaurant, I immediately bought it, knowing it would be a great way to discover a new local place.  Last week, Erika and I had dinner there and it so exceeded my expectations.  Everyone was incredibly friendly, the atmosphere was light-hearted and authentic {you could tell this is a family owned restaurant where most customers keep coming back}, and most importantly, the food was absolutely delicious.  After debating forever what we wanted to order {everything looked so good!} we settled on splitting the gnocchi in gorgonzola sauce and the fettuccine with house-made sausage.  There was not a drop left on either of our plates {the true test of a good meal} and we finished up our wine taking in the sweet atmosphere of the restaurant {the grandma of the house even came by our table at one point exclaiming "bella!" to both of us and proceeded to speak in Italian until the waitress had to take her away:)}.  I definitely will be coming back to this sweet neighborhood spot and can't wait to try out more deliciousness from the menu.

 \

grandma folding napkins at the bar

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Roaming the Garden {Valerians}

These pretty Valerians are growing all over my yard in every shade of pink and purple.  I love how they twist and turn to reach towards the sun and add a pop of color surrounding the entire house.  Oh, and they smell delicious :)  Here are a few pretty pictures for your Tuesday.  Enjoy!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{saturday breakfast using fresh herbs from the garden}

 {a new wine club with celene and zara}

 {fathers day cheers at kickin' boot - our new fathers day tradition}

 {a fathers day stroll around the locks}

{can you believe i haven't been here since moving to seattle 7 1/2 years ago?}

{happy fathers day, dad!}

xoxo,
stephanie marie