Friday Night M's Game

A few weeks back, I was lucky enough to get Mom & Dad's amazing Mariner tickets for Friday night.  Seriously - these were about 20 rows back right behind home plate - some of the best seats I've ever sat in!  Not only did we have the best seats {I didn't get up once, except to jump up and down cheering on the M's to an awesome victory!}, it was also Fireworks night!  After the game, we stayed in our seats to watch the Firework show in left field set to the Star Wars theme music.  It was the most perfect summer night - I only wish those tickets were ours all the time!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Happy 35th Anniversary, Mom & Dad {well, yesterday}!!  You are the greatest example for both my brother and me of happiness and love, and I'm so happy that you picked each other's name out of a hat so many years ago :)  Here's to 35 more fabulous years - I love you both!!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Summer Salad

Did you know it's supposed to get above 90 degrees this weekend in Seattle?!?!?  With temps like that, I'm thinking I need to get myself to a large body of water and some shade ASAP.  Since it's not fun to plan big meals when it's that's hot, I've been relying on fresh yummy salads that can be put together in seconds to keep me happy.  The picture above is my most recent favorite - cantaloupe, arugula, slice mozzarella, and sliced prosciutto, topped with salt, pepper, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.  It's fresh yet filling, and is so easy to whip up on these hot summer evenings.  I'm pretty sure I'll be picking up extra helpings of these ingredients at the store this weekend :)

Stay cool, everyone!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Delancey

A few Fridays ago, Stefanie and I finally fulfilled our Seattle foodie goals - we had dinner at Delancey.  We have wanted to go to this tiny neighborhood pizza place since it opened, but for one reason or another, we never made it.  I like to think it's because we knew that we had to go with Ryley :)  Well, the Robinson clan and I headed up to North Ballard on a gorgeous Seattle evening {a common occurrence these days} and when we were told there would be a 45 minute wait, no one {not even Ryley} complained.  We ordered some wine at Essex next door and sat out on the patio drinking, catching up, and enjoying the Seattle sun.  When our table was finally ready, we all headed in and were overwhelmed by everything on the menu which looked insanely delicious.  We started with the seasonal salad {that included cherries and goat cheese} then decided to go with two pizzas for the three of us - the pepperoni topped with seasonal peppers and the white pizza topped with seasonal morels and garlic scapes.  Oh my god.  We did not leave one crumb left on our plates - I think my fave was the white, but I cannot make an informed opinion until I've tried every one on the menu :)  Dare I say this is the best pizza I've ever had?{it is}  The whole time, Ryley was nothing but happy and sweet - he even made some new friends at the table behind us {by screaming to get their attention}.  I love spending time with this family so much, and I envision many more nights with them at this exact place doing exactly this.

 happy kid

 double chin {sorry stef - too cute not to post :)}

 wine and waiting

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Birthday Sara!

Happy Birthday Sara!  I hope you have the most fabulous birthday :)  We are so happy to have you in our lives - enjoy your day!  Can't wait to see you and celebrate soon!!!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Summer To Do

Can you believe that this past weekend was the official start of summer?!?!  I know it's going to go by insanely quick {pretty sure I have something on the calendar every weekend until September!} but I am determined to make the most of this one and not take this insanely gorgeous weather for granted.  I have a feeling it's going to be a pretty amazing summer :)  Without further ado, here's my plan for those few free days I've got:

1. Spend a day at the Seahawks Training Camp
2. Watch an outdoor movie
3. Organize a Magnolia/Interbay Brewery Tour
4. Make pizza on the barbecue
5. Host an outdoor wine tasting at home
6. Visit the Olympic Sculpture Garden
7. Make homemade popsicles for those hot days
8. Getaway for the weekend
9. Take my picnic basket out somewhere new
10. Ice Cream Cruise
11. Stand by one of my bestest friends while she says "I do" to her man
12. Dinner at La Medusa 
13. Beach Day!
14. Take a day off work to spend time with little Linnea :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

see past years here, here, here, and here

Happy {late} Father's Day

Happy Father's Day, Dad!!  Even though I didn't get to celebrate with you this year, I made sure to have a beer by the water in your honor :)  You're the best dad I could ever ask for - thanks for still being there for me after all these years.  I couldn't do it without my dad!!  I love you!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

{Introducing} Linnea Beatrice

I am so so happy to announce that little Linnea Beatrice Novak arrived healthy, happy, and quickly last Sunday, June 14th.  I couldn't wait to get my hands on this little nugget, so in between events on Sunday, I snuck away to the hospital to snuggle with her for a few minutes.  Her Auntie Stephie is completely smitten, and I cannot wait to spoil this little one rotten.  Congrats Erika & Joe - she's perfect!

 how gorgeous is erika with baby??

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Engaged {Maddie & Ashley}

A few weeks ago, the girls got together to celebrate the super exciting engagement of Maddie & Ashley.  I totally called this one - a few months after they met, we were painting my new living room and I told Maddie that she was going to marry him :)  While she wasn't so sure, a year and a half later we were sitting in her living room hearing her recount the story of Ashley getting down on one knee in Hawaii and proposing.  That wasn't the only thing we were celebrating that night - Ashley and Maddie became puppy parents!  They have the most adorable little pug, Zelda, and we were all fighting over who got to hold and play with her more.  I envision many walks and picnics and snuggles with this little one throughout the next few months - she is absolutely precious!  Congrats Mads & Ash - I know this is going to be an epic year for you guys and I cannot wait! :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Fresh Thyme & Tomato Mussels

Lately I've been craving fresh foods - salads, fruits, seafood - so last weekend I ventured down to the Fisherman's Terminal and came home with a pound or so of fresh Penn Cove mussels that looked oh so good.  I picked up the cookbook that Maddie got me for my birthday last year, Summer Food, and found an easy looking and delicious recipe for someone who had never cooked mussels before {aka, me}.  Make sure you have everything chopped and measured, as this literally comes together in about 8 minutes.  It's so easy to cut in half {I actually only bought a pound of mussels, but just halved the rest of the recipe for extra juice for dipping} and is quick for a good weeknight meal after work.  If you are a fan of shellfish, definitely go home and make these right away.  With some crusty bread and a big glass of white wine, it's the best meal I've made myself in a looooooong time :)

Fresh Thyme & Tomato Mussels

Ingredients
2 tblsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 shallots, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
4 lbs fresh mussels, rinsed and cleaned
1 sprig fresh thyme {or a few shakes of dried thyme}
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup chicken stock
2 cups cherry tomatoes
Salt & Pepper
Crusty bread

Instructions
1. Heat oil in large pot over medium high heat.  Add onion, shallots, and garlic to pot and saute until the onion is translucent and tender.
2. Add mussels, thyme, wine, stock, and tomatoes to pot and cover with lid, cooking 3-4 minutes.  Stir mixture well, circulating the shells throughout the liquid.
3. Discard any shells that do not open.  Season with salt and pepper, and ladle into soup bowls with plenty of broth.  Serve with crusty bread for dipping, and that leftover wine.

Serves 4

adapted from Summer Food

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Showering Ashley

Sunday morning, I headed down to Belltown to celebrate my oldest friend {literally - we met when we were 2} getting married.  No matter how much time passes or where we are at in life, Ashley and I have always been close and can pick up exactly where we left off.  The shower was pure Ashley - a little bit whimsical, a little bit classy, and a little bit Disney :)  We snacked on finger foods and listened to the most awesome Pandora station {Celine Dion, Disney, & Wilson Phillips} while taking pictures, telling stories, drinking mimosas, and catching up with people I haven't seen in years.  We even got to take home a vintage tea cup as party favors.  It was a perfect morning celebrating this amazing lady, and I cannot wait to watch her marry her Prince Charming this fall :)

 with ash & janet

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Congrats Sara!

Sunday night, we all gathered at Key Arena to celebrate Sara's graduation.  She's spent the past 3 years working towards her Master's degree in psychiatric nursing and it all was worth it on Sunday when she received her diploma.  It was so much fun to see her and her fellow grad students walk across that stage - almost enough to make me want to go back to school {but not quite}.  Afterwards, we toasted the grad with some champs and wine, then made our way down to Anthony's on the Pier for a quintessential Seattle dinner.  This was a day not to be forgotten - Sara, I'm so proud of you!! Cheers! :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Birthday Leslie!

Happy Birthday sweet Leslie!  I hope you have the most fabulous day, being celebrated by those you love.  I'm so excited to have you back in town and just a phone call away :)  I'll always remember this stormy night in Chicago as one of my favorites ever - let's make more memories like that!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Birks

Talk about a blast from the past.  Last year, when Birkenstocks were making a comeback everywhere from the grocery store to the runway, I said no way.  I had several pairs back in elementary/middle school, and while I love love loved them, I got kind of sick of them.  Fast forward to this year and Birkenstocks seem to be here to stay {at least for the time being}.  Remembering how comfy and easy they were, and wanting a new summer sandal instead of my $2 Old Navy flip flops or my Madewell sandals that have to be superglued together, I decided to bite the bullet and get myself a new pair of Birks.  I picked out these, as they are a bit softer than the originals and have the cutest gold buckles {I can never say no to gold}.  I envision wearing these all summer long, from strolling the locks to strolling the deck of the cruise ship {more on that later}.  In the meantime, I'm joining the ranks of my awesomely cool parents and sportin' the Birkenstocks :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Celebrating Susannah

This past weekend, besides celebrating Dad's birthday, was all about celebrating the lovely bride to be, Susannah.  A few of us girls headed out to Suze's family friend's gorgeous home for a Women's Gathering & Blessing to pass on our well wishes and hopes for Suze & Rob.  It's hard to tell these two anything new, with them being together for over 10 years {!}, but I couldn't help but give her my best advice, which was to giggle often, and always love love {our inside joke}.  After the blessing, we drank champagne and walked along the river, then 6 of us headed up to Bellingham for dinner at The Copper Hog and an awesome burlesque show by the Bellingham Circus Guild.  It was such a wonderful day spending time with the women that make Susannah.....well, Susannah.  I couldn't love her more, and I cannot wait until these two finally say I Do :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie