Saturday Market

This past Saturday mom came down for a girls day shopping at UVillage.  Before we headed out that way, we decided to take a stroll through the Magnolia Saturday Farmer's Market since it was such a pretty day {and we were trying to avoid Husky football traffic}.  All the fresh veggies looked so delicious and everyone was so happy to be strolling around in the September sunshine that we couldn't help but pick up a few bouquets of flowers and some Italian plums to take home :)  It was a lovely fall day spent with my mama :)

 the bottom bouquet came home with me

after a long day of shopping we stopped for burgers and milkshakes at Red Mill - so perfect!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Hot Stove Society

Friday night, I cashed in on my birthday present from Stef, a Tailgate Party cooking class at Tom Douglas's newest venture, Hot Stove Society. Hot Stove is a cooking school that hosts classes of all varieties with local chefs and restaurant people, and knowing how much I love football and grill food, Stef knew this was right up my alley.  The class was super laid back - we walked in and were immediately offered a beer and a Fireball Jell-O shot :)  During class, Chef's Sean & Tim taught us how to make some of their favorite tailgate foods, all of which we got hefty portions of to try.  We also got to make our own buttermilk biscuits and onion dip at our stations to take home, which were insanely good and easy.  We've already decided that we need to cook up some of these dishes for our next football viewing party, but in the meantime it was nice to just hang out with this lovely lady for a night of good food, good drinks, and great company :)  Thanks Stef!!

 the premade biscuits topped with sausage and carmelized apples

 my cheddar topped biscuits! {these are almost too easy to make.....}

 palace chicken wings & taco salad with flank steak and halibut

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Sea-HAWKS!!

The Seahawks finally won!! Yesterday I headed to the game with Leslie for the season home opener - it was the most gorgeous fall day, perfect for football :)  We pre-funked at The Wave, her friend Eileen's apartment building across from the stadium, then headed down to the stadium where we met up with cousin DJ, then headed to our seats to cheer on the team.  There was no doubt in my mind that we'd come out ahead this time, but it was a pretty great sight to see that "0" next to the Bears name at the end of the game :)  Here's to turning this season around!!
 

 pretty awesome view {and socks}

 i look like a nerd here, but right behind me was joel mchale!!

 cousin dj

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Kam's Back!

Say what you will {and I know I've said a lot}, but this city is pretty stoked that Kam's back.  I'm so excited to head to my first game of the real season this Sunday and welcome Kam and the whole entire team back to Seattle.  This weekend will be a true test to see if the guys have what it takes, but I'm pretty sure with this city behind them, it's gonna be a great weekend for football in Seattle :)

Happy Blue Friday!  Go Hawks!!

xoxo.
stephanie marie

Happy Fall!

It's officially Fall!!  We had such an amazing summer that I don't even feel bad about saying that I'm excited that fall is here.  There's something about the cooler mornings and leaves changing that feels, well, good :)  Here are a few of my favorite fall things (in no particular order):

• Crisp mornings & the sun shining
• Pumpkin Spice Lattes
• Pumpkin patches
• Pumpkin beer
• Ok, anything pumpkin
• Homemade soups
• Leaves changing colors
• Boots & scarves
• Apple pie
• Snuggling in blankets
• Little kid Halloween costumes
• Fall TV shows
• Football

What's your favorite thing about fall?

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Teriyaki Salmon & Broccoli Bowls

This summer was busy and completely flew by, and as it often goes, I spent very little time in the kitchen.  But now that it's starting to feel like fall, I'm finding myself craving home-cooked, warm meals.  I was perusing Pinterest and came across this recipe for Teriyaki Salmon & Broccoli Bowls and knew I had to try them.  I don't eat nearly enough fish, so this is a great way to incorporate some fish and veggies into my weeknight routine.  Enjoy!

Teriyaki Salmon & Broccoli Bowls

Ingredients
1 cup uncooked rice
1 tblsp cornstarch
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tblsp ginger, minced
2 tblsp honey
4 (5 oz) salmon filets
12 oz (2-3 cups) broccoli florets

Instructions
1. Cook rice according to directions.  Preheat oven to 400.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and 1/4 cup water; set aside.
3. In a small saucepan over medium heat, mix together soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, honey, and 1 cup water; bring to simmer.  Stir in cornstarch mixture until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.  Let cool.
4. Place salmon filets in lightly coated baking dish, top with soy sauce mixture, and bake until fish is flaky, about 15 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, steam broccoli until bright green, about 5 minutes.

Serves 4

adapted from Damn Delicious

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Ashley's Bachelorette

Saturday evening I met up with Ashley and friends to celebrate her upcoming wedding and the end of her single life :)  We went to the Can Can for the late night showing of "Flamingo", which, just like last time, totally exceed my expectations.  The show is so much fun to watch and the entertainers are insanely talented.  While these pictures make it seem pretty risque, I guarantee those booties were the most risque thing we saw the entire show :)  Ashley had a fabulous time laughing, drinking, and being brought up on stage, and sitting next to this lady and chatting throughout the night made me realize how insane it is that I've known her almost 3 decades!!  I cannot wait to celebrate her wedding to Sam next month, and this was a pretty awesome way to start the festivities :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Birthday John!

Happy Birthday John!  Even though the Hawks couldn't pull off a birthday victory last night, we had a great time cooking dinner {Cullen} and eating the dinner {the rest of us} while we screamed and yelled at the tv, hoping to beat those Packers.  While it wasn't meant to be, we still had some pretty great cake, so I guess it wasn't all bad :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Go Rams!

It's officially football season!!  And this weekend marks probably my favorite game of the year - CSU vs. CU.  The boys in green are ready to defend their title from last year, and I can't wait to get together with my Seattle alumni and cheer them on.  I found this picture last night of my very first CSU vs. CU game back in 2002 when I was a young little freshman with my brand new dorm-mates.  We're pretty cute, eh?

 

Go Rams!!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Outdoor Yoga

Last Saturday, I discovered one of the coolest things to do in this city - outdoor yoga!  I read about it somewhere online, and when I woke up Saturday morning with the sun shining through my window, I knew I had to give it a chance.  The class is free and taught by instructors from 8 Limbs Yoga at Olympic Sculpture Park, just a few miles down the road from my house.  I showed up early, not quite knowing what to expect, and followed the people with the yoga mats to the grassy lawn where people were unrolling their mats and basking in the September sunshine.  The place got pretty packed, and once we started the practice, I was instantly relaxed, rejuvenated, and happy.  It's been so long since I've gone to a yoga class, and this was the perfect way to get myself back into it.  While practicing yoga with your sunglasses on is a bit unconventional, I am completely hooked with these classes and am upset I didn't find them sooner.  I'll definitely be back next year :)  Namaste.

after class, i wandered around the park for a bit - such a gorgeous day!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Cafe Lago

Erika and I have the best tradition of taking each other out to a fun, new {to us} restaurant to celebrate the other person's bday.  It's usually a month or so after the actual birthday, which makes the celebration last even longer {and if you know how much I love my birthday, you know I love this}.  This past Monday Erika took me out, and I decided on Cafe Lago in Montlake, a restaurant I've driven past numerous times and have always wanted to try.  It's been around for 25 years {always a good sign}, and for a neighborhood restaurant, it was definitely packed on a Monday night.  Per usual, we ordered a bottle of wine and got a few items to share.  We went with the cheese ravioli with tomato and pesto sauce {delish!} and my favorite, the pappardelle with pork sugo {amazing}.  As we sat at our tiny corner table, we caught up on Linnea, work, life, and everything in between.  These kinds of nights are always my fave - girls "date night" - and I'm so lucky to have girlfriends that love it just as much as I do.  Thanks Erika!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Goodbye Kelly

I met Kelly a few years back at Bar class, and we became instant friends.  We always would get to class early, and we'd sit in the back chatting, laughing, and sharing stories and secrets in those few minutes before class would begin each day.  Our friendship grew and through birthday parties and happy hours, she became one of my most favorite people.  Kelly is one of the sweetest, kindest, most caring people I've ever met, and everyone who knows her loves her.  Sadly for me, Kelly took a new anchor job and left for her home state of Minnesota last week, but we sent her out in style with a going away party filled with lots of love and laughs.  I'm going to miss this girl - it's not everyday you meet someone who comes into your life so quickly and makes such an impact - but I know she's one of those people that I'll always stay in touch with.  While I'm super sad she's gone, I'm so excited for her to start this next chapter :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

PS - see her coworkers going away tribute here

Hawks Buddy

Though the game did not end how we wanted, I did have the pleasure of watching with my favorite little guy, Ryley.  I brought him a Seahawks Rubber Ducky {nicknamed the Good Luck Duck} which he didn't let go of, and this smiley little guy was extra snuggly and sweet when he wasn't paying close attention to everything happening on the tv {he'd even throw both hands up every time we'd yell "touchdown!"}.  I'd happily spend every Sunday with this little one :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Blue Friday

We've had this schedule hanging up in our office for months - basically since it was announced {you can download it here}.  I am so pumped that football season is here - the sun is shining, the air is crisp, and I get to dust off the ol' #3 jersey once again to show my support.  I think we have a lot to prove this year, and I know these boys can do it.  It's gonna be another good season, I can just feel it :)  Make sure you wear your blue today, and Go Hawks!!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Roaming the Garden {Tomatoes}

Remember when my brother surprised me with planting all of my pots {including my tomatoes} last spring?  Well, the tomatoes have been verrrrrrry happy this year, and are growing faster than I can pick them.  Once again, I grew Sweet 100's and Early Girl's, and apparently I have the absolute best spot because they are perfectly round and red and growing like weeds.  I love picking the Sweet 100's from the vine every time I walk by {the best snack} and the Early Girl's have been staples in salads, pizzas, sandwiches - you name it, I'll put a tomato on it.  In my opinion, this may be the best part of summer :)

 these little guys....

 .....took over the yard!

 

xoxo,
stephanie marie