Happy {Long Weekend} Friday!

Happy Friday!  I am sooooo ready for the long weekend and am rushing to get everything done at work today so I can actually enjoy it!  Since getting fully vaccinated it's been so nice to be able to actually see friends and slowly start doing things again, but one of the absolute best happened earlier this week when I finally ran up to Bellingham to get my hair done {it had been since November 2019!!} which meant I also got to see Susannah!  I can't even remember the last time I actually saw her in person, and even though the visit was brief it felt absolutely wonderful to actually sit and talk to her and do a real catch up that didn't involve screens and texting.  Suze - I'll sit outside in the rain with you any day :)

Have a great long weekend everyone!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Peddler Brewing {First Outing}

For the two week anniversary of our second vaccine {when we were officially fully vaccinated!} we decided to go out and celebrate with Cullen, Nicole, and Mackenzie at Peddler Brewing.  There are a lot of things I've missed during the pandemic {and a lot I'm still not quite ready to do} but drinking a cold beer outside at a brewery with fully vaccinated friends was right up there at the top of the list {it's the little things}.  It was great to see this crew twice in one week and be able to toast taking a small step towards a bit of normalcy, something I'll never again take for granted.  Cheers!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Edmonds Afternoon {The Market}

Sunday afternoon, after checking out Sky Nursery, Christian suggested we keep heading north and explore Edmonds while we were already so close.  I haven't really spent time in downtown Edmonds at all, so I was excited to explore this little town.  We walked along the water, checking out the ferries and the beaches below, then wandered around the shops until we couldn't deny our bellies the yummy smells coming from the local restaurants any longer.  We decided to try out The Market after reading their menu and seeing lots of available outdoor seating and this became our first time dining in {outside} at a restaurant in over 15 months!  It felt oddly normal to sit down, take off masks, and enjoy our delicious lunch, and I can't wait to try out some more local outdoor spots this summer as we feel more comfortable venturing out into the world again.  Thank you vaccines!

my fish tacos were delicious

the fish and chips were super yummy too!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Rooftop Brewing {David}

Saturday afternoon I met up with David at Rooftop Brewing - something we haven't done in years!  It felt weird yet normal to actually sit at an establishment {outside, on spaced out tables} and drink a beer {or two} that someone else poured us.  There were a few mishaps while I tried to ease into post-pandemic life {like forgetting my mask and credit card when I went up to order}, but all in all it was worth it to catch up with one of my most favorite people over drinks under the tent.  Who knows - maybe next time food too??

xoxo,

stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{friday night happy hour}

{takeout from eden hill provisions}

{avocado toast}

{workin' hard}

{and he made me dinner too!}

{yum}

{pictures don't do this sunset justice}

{but we still tried to capture it}

{morning walks}

{aisles and aisles of tomatoes}

{i love walks with this girl}

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!  What are you up to this weekend?  I'm finally 2 weeks post-vaccine so officially "vaxxed" and I'm working on figuring out what this new, vaccinated normal looks like.  I can't wait to see some of my closest friends in the coming weeks and am feeling little bursts of pre-pandemic life.  What a weird, crazy time we're living in, right?  Hope you have a great, safe, and happy weekend!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Urban Hiking {SLU & Kerry Park}

Saturday afternoon the sun was shining and the temps were getting hot so we decided to go for an urban hike to run a few errands down in South Lake Union.  I'm pretty sure this was our first urban hike since last summer where we didn't have to bring extra layers in case of chilly weather and it felt great to feel the sun on my shoulders {with sunscreen of course} as we walked around the city.  We grabbed coffees at Starbucks then headed down to the lake to people and boat watch with a socially distanced crowd.  We next stopped in at REI to check out their newest offerings, then picked up some groceries for dinner before heading back up the hill where I actually had to check my phone to make sure it really was only 72 degrees when it felt closer to 90 :)  We stopped by Kerry Park on the way home from our 7.5 mile hike{which was hoppin'} and couldn't resist snapping a few pics of the gorgeous skyline with Mt. Rainier on full display in the background.  It really is such a beautiful city and she shines the brightest on sunny days :)

much deserved rooftop beers at the end

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Asparagus, Goat Cheese, & Lemon Pasta

While perusing instagram recently this recipe for Asparagus, Goat Cheese, and Lemon Pasta on Smitten Kitchen's site caught my eye and I knew instantly it would be the perfect dish to whip together using fresh spring ingredients.  It was almost too easy to make earlier this week - while the pasta and asparagus are cooking you can prep the "sauce" so that it all comes together so quickly, and the flavors of the fresh asparagus, bright lemon, and creamy goat cheese come together so well that it tastes like a spring explosion.  Definitely making this again while asparagus is in season for quick weeknight meals!

Asparagus, Goat Cheese, & Lemon Pasta

Ingredients

1 lb spiral shaped pasta

1 lb slender asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces

1/4 cup olive oil

1 Tblsp finely grated lemon peel

1 tsp chopped fresh tarragon or other herb {I used basil}

1- 5oz log soft fresh goat cheese

Fresh lemon juice to taste

Salt & pepper

Instructions

1. Cook pasta in large pot of well-salted water until almost tender, or about 3 minutes less than package suggests.  Add asparagus and cook until firm-tender, another 2-3 minutes.  Drain both pasta and asparagus, reserving 1 cup pasta water.

2. While pasta is cooking, combine olive oil, lemon peel, herbs, and cheese in large bowl, breaking up goat cheese as you add it in.  Add hot pasta and asparagus to bowl along with a few splashes of pasta water.  Toss until smoothly combined, adding more pasta water if needed.  Season generously with salt & pepper and add lemon juice to taste.

Serves 6

adapted from smitten kitchen

xoxo,

stephanie marie

An Afternoon at Gas Works Park

Sunday afternoon I did something I haven't done in a VERY long time - I hung out with a group of friends!  When Nicole mentioned she was going to be in town for the first time in like 15 months, we all decided it was time to finally get together after a long hiatus.  We met up at Gas Works Park on the most gorgeous day so far of the year {it felt like summer!} and since I'm still not fully vaxxed until the end of the week, I kept my distance {as you can see in the pics} on my own picnic blanket while they all snuggled and hugged after a year plus of not seeing each other.  It was a perfect day to soak up the sun {the park was expectedly busy, but everyone kept their distance so it felt safe} and it gave me a little glimpse into post-pandemic life of seeing people I love and getting out to actually do stuff again.  Such a lovely day!

see that crazy guy that jumped in the water?  that's cullen

xoxo,

stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{facetime friday}

{rooftop happy hour}

{friday night dinner}

{trying to steal mommy's taco salad}

{pancakes}

{coffee on the roof}

{bbq weather}

{my fave dinner}

{perfect way to end a sunny day}

xoxo,

stephanie marie