Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!  This is one of my favorite pics from last weekend - waking up to the sun rising over the fog and the farm.  What a beautiful place, eh?  It's going to be super nice again this weekend, so I'm excited to cheer on the M's {yay!}, have dinner outside, and spend time with some of my faves.  Oh, and maybe a little wedding planning {which is crazy to say}.  Cheers to the weekend {and the end of September - where does the time go?!?}!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Engagement {Family, Bubbles & Blackberry Picking}

As luck would have it, we were driving right through Burlington after our road trip and engagement in the North Cascades, so I surprised the fam by offering to bring them dinner, citing being exhausted and hungry from driving all day.  We picked up dinner in town and brought it out to the farm where we shared the exciting news and toasted with everyone, including my bro who was randomly also home.  It was so special to be able to share the news with my family after spending hours enjoying it ourselves, and the surprise on their faces when they finally noticed my ring was absolutely perfect.  After Shaun left, we hopped in the bed of the pick-up and headed out to the field for blackberry picking where we loaded up bag after bag of fresh, juicy berries.  After we made it home {driving through a gorgeous sunset} we toasted once again with glasses of bubbles and huge smiles on our faces.  It was the perfect end to the most perfect day :)

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Pizza Salad with Marinated White Beans

For these summer days that may never end, I give you one of my most favorite and easy recipes I discovered this year, Pizza Salad with Marinated White Beans, from one of the best cookbooks, The Weekday Vegetarians.  I've made this several times and the flavors of the beans that have been marinating all day {I typically prepare them as I'm making breakfast that morning} give that perfect Italian zest that I love when the weather is warm.  You can mix up the veggies using whatever you want {and I even add a little sliced salami, making it not vegetarian but still so good} and it's the perfect dinner to have on the table in no time when you want something healthy but filling.  Enjoy!

Pizza Salad with Marinated White Beans

Ingredients

For Beans

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 garlic clove, halved or quartered

Salt & Pepper to taste

8 fresh basil leaves, chopped

Shake of dried red pepper flakes

2-15oz cans cannellini {or other white} beans, rinsed and drained

For Salad {note these measurements are estimates - add whatever you like and looks good to you for your salad!}

Marinated Beans {see above}

8 cups favorite lettuce {I like romaine or red leaf}

2 cups quartered or sliced little tomatoes

2 Tbsp finely minced red onion

1 cup halved small mozzarella balls or sliced fresh mozzarella

8 large basil leaves, chopped

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Other toppings {avocado, salami, radish, etc}

Instructions

1. For beans: In medium bowl, whisk together vinegar, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, basil, and red pepper flakes.  Toss in beans, stir, cover bowl with plastic wrap, and let marinate in refrigerator as long as you can {all day is great}.  Stir and toss throughout the day as you remember.

2. For salad: In large shallow bowl, add all of the salad ingredients.  Toss in beans with their marinade {it serves as a dressing} and mix to coat.

Serves 2-3

adapted from the weekday vegetarians

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Road Trip {North Cascades}

After our engagement, we continued our giddy journey across the North Cascades Highway stopping at different sites along the way to check out the {unfortunately} smoky views.  We stopped at the viewpoint for Ross Lake, where the wind was whipping and the smoke was really intense, then continued on towards Diablo Dam where we drove across the dam {I didn't even know you could do that} to the other side and checked out the beach and learning center.  We were both so smiley and happy from the events a few hours before and it was so fun to visit these gorgeous and quiet places knowing that they now mean so much to us as they were a part of this super special day :)

xoxo,

stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{friday night dinner}

{trying out bertelsen winery with mom & kelli}

{cheers!}

{brunch in bellingham}

{with my lovely susannah}

{checking out the welty dahlia stand}

{picking up our favorite bread at the breadfarm}

{roadside stands are one of my favorite things about the valley}

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Happy {Fall} Friday!

Happy Friday!  I cannot believe it is officially fall - where did the summer go {above is the last sunset of summer 2022 on Wednesday}?!?  Luckily we have a few more nice days ahead, and maybe even luckier that there's some rain in the forecast as well because we for sure need it around here.  Though I'll miss the long days of summer and the warm temps, I'm excited to get cozy, light some candles, drink some tea, and wear all the sweaters.  Plus, we have a lot of fun things planned for fall, so let's go!  Have a great weekend!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Engagement {Washington Pass Overlook}

I'm still processing how amazing 9.11.22 was when Christian asked me to marry him {yes, we've been together 5+ years and yes, I was still shocked} so here are a few more pics from that most amazing day.  After Mazama we kept heading west and decided to stop at Washington Pass Overlook to take a look at the {smoky} mountain views.  We followed the winding paths to the view of Liberty Bell Mountain, then decided to keep hiking up the rocks off the beaten path, getting away from the other small groups of people.  After taking in the beauty of this very special and scenic place, Christian came up beside me, put his arm around me, said the sweetest things, and asked me a question that of course I said yes to :)  He even pulled the most gorgeous ring ever out of his pocket - how did I not know it was there?!? It was the most surreal moment that I wasn't quite sure was actually happening, but after about 10 minutes of shock and pure delight, it finally hit me and I started crying the happiest of tears.  What an amazing feeling to know you've found your person and you get to continue this wonderful adventure of life with them :)  Here are a few more pics from that amazing day that I won't soon forget!

surprise!!

the best spot

xoxo,

stephanie marie