Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween weekend!  Halloween is looking a lot different for most of us this year {let's face it - that's the new normal for 2020} but even though I'm not expecting trick-or-treaters at home, I'm still planning on my favorite parts of the holiday including witches stew, pumpkin beer, and a not scary movie!  I hope you can find fun ways to distantly celebrate this year and I can't wait to hand out loads of candy in 2021 :)

Have a great weekend!

xoxo,

stephanie marie 

A Fall Drive

Saturday afternoon it was cold but sunny so we decided to go for a fall drive to find some changing colors and perhaps a pumpkin or two.  We headed out towards Newcastle where we stopped at the golf club to take in the sprawling views of Seattle in the distance and the pretty changing leaves on the hills.  The wind was whipping up on the hill so we quickly left and headed out to Tolt MacDonald Park in Carnation to walk along a pretty {and not so sturdy-feeling} bridge in between spits of rain.  Next we went in search of a not crowded pumpkin patch and after a few failed attempts {including a very disappointing stop at Oxbow Farms that had zero pumpkins} we decided to give up and grab some fall coffee drinks for the drive home {note - if looking for a delicious fall drink, try an iced chai with pumpkin cold foam.  So yummy}.  Back in the city we stopped by the brand new Fritz Hedges Waterway Park by UW to take in the new views of Lake Union and Montlake before heading home to warm up.  It was a fun {and chilly} fall day driving around the county - thanks to C for obliging my silly fall requests! :)

views from newcastle

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Seven

If you can believe it {because I sure can't} this past Sunday marked SEVEN YEARS since I got the keys to this little yellow cottage I call home.  I am more thankful than ever before to have this little slice of Seattle to call mine - she has become not only the place I sleep, but also my office, my restaurant, my movie theater, my Zoom backdrop, my shelter and comfort in the chaos and craziness that is 2020.  I've spent more time in this house in the past year than I ever have before and while I miss girl's nights, sleepovers with mom, and pizza delivery that I don't have to mask up for, I am so truly grateful that I have this space that allows me to work from home, stay cozy and healthy, and gives me a beautiful outdoor space to recharge.  This past year the cottage has gotten some much needed internal improvements {in the name of a new water main line and cleaned out sewer system} and hosted some most unwelcomed guests {goodbye rats & hornets}, but I've come to cherish the long days I spend in my new "office", watching the seasons change through my window and the neighborhood kitties that come to hunt in my garden.  Who knows what the future will bring, but for now I am forever grateful for that day 7 years ago when I popped the bubbly with Erika & Joe on this wonderful chapter of my life.  Cheers to you, sweet yellow cottage :)

xoxo,

stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{facetime friday with sad face}

{friday date night at costco}

{yummy and simple costco dinner}

{shakshuka breakfast}

{neighbors bringin' it for halloween}

{pretty fall colors}

{facetiming with grandma in sweden}

{happy birthday maggie!!  wish we were celebrating together!!}

{inheriting a ladder from the neighbors....}

{...and an outdoor heater!}

{a disappointing snf game with my favorite cold weather dinner}

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Happy Fall Y'all!

 

Happy Fall Friday!  While this week was a bit quieter than last {thank goodness}, work is still feeling busy so I'm very ready to take Monday off to extend the weekend and cross off some important items from my To Do list!  It's supposed to be a cold one this weekend, but I'm excited to enjoy the sunshine all bundled up while hopefully going for a fun fall drive, getting some yummy takeout, and cheering on the Hawks on Sunday night!  Thanks again to my Mama who helped me pick out this cute new fall sign last weekend and who brought me some gorgeous valley dahlias to brighten up my house.  Happy Fall, Y'all!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Wanderlust

I've been having some major wanderlust lately, as I'm sure most of you have as well.  It's been over 16 months since I've been on an airplane {which may be the longest I've gone without flying in my entire life} and while I know it's going to be quite awhile before it feels even remotely safe to fly somewhere frivolous, I am making my list and anxiously looking forward to that day {and think of all the vacation days we're saving by not travelling right now?!?}.  Here are a few places I can't stop thinking about, though in reality I'd go just about anywhere :)

revisit new york city

explore vietnam

stroll through stockholm

boat around lake como

drink wine in sonoma

bundle up in patagonia

Where would you go if we weren't in the midst of a global pandemic?!?

xoxo,

stephanie marie

I Voted!

With less than 2 weeks until election day, the stakes have never been higher in probably the most important election of our lifetime.  I voted on Sunday and it felt sooooo good {and even emotional} as I dropped off my ballot and lingered around, seeing my local drive up ballot box busier than ever with excited people turning in their ballots early.  There is zero question who I'm voting for this year {#bidenharris} and I hope with all of my heart that you are doing the same.  If not for yourself, think about the legacy and future you want to leave behind for your kids, grandkids, great grandkids, and beyond.  Vote for a world where scientists are believed, where love is love, where Black Lives Matter, where choices and freedoms are given not to a select few but to ALL humans, where healthcare is a human right, where we work together to ensure there's still a planet left for us to live on, where we're not bombarded every day with messages of hate and lies, but of hope and truth.  It seems ridiculous in 2020 that these important fundamental rights are even questioned but alas, here we are with a "leader"  trying to tear us down and tear us apart by spreading hate, fear, and obvious lies.  This is not a joke, folks - lives depend on this election.  Vote for your transgender child, your black brother-in-law, your female grandchild, your scientist aunt, your immigrant boyfriend {*raises hand*}.  We need peace and unity right now and I'm honestly afraid of what another 4 years of this monster will do to our country and our world {believe me when I say that our reputation worldwide is the opposite of a "great america" and it will take decades to undo the damage that has been done in the past 4 years}.  If you care about lives other than your own and you care about truth, decency, and kindness, then I beg you to vote for Joe Biden {and vote early!} and be on the right side of history.  

 and let's not forget about the equally important local elections!  Inslee, Reykdal, and Referendum 90 all have my vote :)

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Trader Joe's Spicy Pumpkin Curry Simmer Sauce

 

This past week really showed how crucial it is to have easy, quick ingredients on hand for weeknight dinners, especially since we're trying to cook as much as possible at home and limit takeout to once a week {still gotta support those local favorites!}.  During my last Trader Joe's trip I picked up a jar of their Spicy Pumpkin Curry Simmer Sauce thinking it would be a fun seasonal thing to try and this past week it was time to give it a go.  We chopped up a few chicken breasts and cooked them, then tossed them with lots of chopped veggies {green bell peppers, onions, zucchini, and broccoli} and put it all in a pan with the simmer sauce to cook down and serve over rice.  It was a super simple meal to put together and even rivaled some of our favorite Thai and Indian takeout with how delicious it was {we definitely both went back for seconds}.  I'm hoping this is still stocked up at TJ's as I want to grab a few to get us through winter for those cold nights when we need something easy and delicious!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{breakfast}

{takeout with the parents at one of our favorite neighborhood spots}

{morning fall walk with my girl}

{breakfast & ballot}

{perfecting the chorizo scramble}

{rainy morning}

{rbg}

{rainy walks}

{my newly organized mud room that finally fits my bike - thanks mom & dad!}

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Happy Friday!

 

Happy Friday!  It's been quite the week at work {and still going} but I'm hoping to wrap up most of my projects today so I can relax and enjoy the weekend.  Fingers crossed for some nice weather for house projects, yummy takeout, and a long drive to do some leaf-peeping during my favorite time of year :)

Have a great weekend!

xoxo,

stephanie marie 

The Little Things

 

Work has been crazy busy the past few weeks, making it difficult to come up for air most days, but on Monday I got to connect with the girls and complain chat about everything that is going on.  I mentioned a story about donuts and how I wanted one so bad but didn't get one, being extra dramatic and giving us all a good laugh.  The next morning I got a "knock knock" text from Merith bright and early so I headed to the front door and lo and behold there was a box from Mighty-O containing 2 donuts that she had delivered for me!  It was the sweetest gesture and made me insanely grateful for my awesome friends {and donuts}.  It just goes to show how the little things really do make for the best days and my day was 1000 times better than the day before, both from the donuts and knowing I have some pretty amazing people in my life.  Thanks Mer!!

xoxo,

stephanie marie