Damn The Weather

Before our date with The Clinton's, we rode the bus down to Pioneer Square to find a place for dinner.  It has been years since I had been to Damn the Weather {it's always way too packed before games} but the sweetest hostess there said it would only be about a 20 minute wait for the bar, and then when we left she came running out and tracked us down, saying two seats had just opened up {now that's service}.  We quickly ordered some much needed Friday afternoon drinks, then after much debating went with the steak bavette {me} and the burger {C} for dinner.  It was fun being out at a new place for a date night, cozied up to the bar and trying some yummy food before heading out into the spring sunshine to have the date night continue.  If this is what spring and summer feel like, I'm ready for it!

 xoxo,
stephanie marie

The Clinton's

Many months ago I got an email saying that Bill & Hillary Clinton were coming to Seattle for a speaking engagement at WaMu Theater.  After seeing Bill last year and being completely obsessed with how smart and engaging he was, I instantly bought us tickets and last Friday was finally the night we got to see this power couple in person.  The talk was moderated by Bradley Whitford, who you could tell was incredibly politically savvy but held back while Bill and Hillary spoke about the events of the past few years and the world we live in today.  He started off with a question he said was from his West Wing days - "What in God's name is going on right now?" and from there it was an hour plus discussion about politics from two people who have been in the business a loooong time.  They talked so eloquently and openly about how differently Hillary was treated as a woman running for President{she accurately accounted how she doesn't remember a male candidate ever being told to go away and shut up like she has after losing an election }, how the people in power now believe they live by their own set of rules, and lots of insider knowledge and first person anecdotes about the inner workings of DC.  One thing that Bill kept touching on that really resonated with me was to vote for the person who is going to make the world better for your children's children {he mentioned it so many times} and how resentment voting without really knowing someone's policies or the facts will really hurt our future world.  They both seemed hopeful and optimistic for a better world, which in turn made me feel just a bit more hopeful that maybe things will be alright in a few years and I left feeling inspired that I had just spent the evening listening to two of the smartest people in the world.  It feels good to have a little hope every now and then in this crazy world.

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Chilaquiles

When trying to think of something festive to whip up for Cinco de Mayo that wasn't just tacos or enchiladas, I decided to make one of my all-time brunch favorites, Chilaquiles.  They're so easy to make with ingredients I almost always have on hand and are easy to customize with toppings to taste just how you like.  I don't have a real recipe for these {I used a few from Pinterest to put this together} but I promise you can have this on the table in time for dinner {or brunch} in as little as 20 minutes.  Now that's a celebratory dinner I can get behind.

Chilaquiles

Ingredients
3-4 small yellow corn tortillas, cut into 8 triangles {or tortilla chips!}
Olive oil
Salt
1 cup enchilada sauce
1-2 eggs
Chopped onion
Radish, avocado, feta, cilantro, etc for topping

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400.  Lightly coat baking sheet with oil.  Add cut tortilla pieces in single layer.  Lightly brush with more oil and top with salt.  Bake about 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. 
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in small frying pan.  Cook egg over medium heat until whites are set and yolk is still runny.
3. Heat Enchilada sauce in large skillet.  Add tortilla crisps and chopped onions and cook about 5 minutes until sauce is mostly absorbed into chips.
4. Serve chips topped with egg and desired toppings.

Serves 1

xoxo,
stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{hello?}

 {the best view}

 {sweetest bf cleaning my car}

 {ikea building}

 {car ride}

 {rooftop bbq-in'}

 {grilled shrimp salad}

 {car wash}

{the yard is so full of color right now}

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Friday!

Phew, it's been a week, amiright?  Work has been super busy, but I managed to have a fun night in with my girls this week full of homemade pie, lots of rosé, and some much needed catching up - that girl time is so important for the soul.  I'm so happy it's Friday, and even more so that it's supposed to be sunny and getting warmer.  I've got a slightly busy weekend ahead, with a cool event tonight, some Cinco de Mayo tacos in my not so distant future, and hopefully lots of time with my sweetie.  Have a great weekend!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Chicken Parm Meatballs

Making meatballs always sounds like such a chore, when in reality they are probably one of the most simple meals to make.  After coming across this recipe for Chicken Parm Meatballs countless times on Cup of Jo, I finally decided to give it a go this past Sunday and am so glad I did.  They were so simple to put together, using mostly pantry staples and a few extras I picked up from Trader Joe's, and paired with a yummy fresh salad and extra sauce, they have been the perfect meal to eat every night this week.  I'm definitely adding it to my weeknight dinner list!

Chicken Parm Meatballs

Ingredients
1 lb ground chicken
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
2 Tblsp chopped onion
1 Tblsp chopped parsley
1/2 cup Parmesan {or Pecorino}
Salt 
Pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp fennel seeds
1 egg, whisked
zest of half lemon
3 Tblsp olive oil
About 14 oz homemade or store bought marinara sauce {I love TJ's Arrabiata sauce}
About 4 oz fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400.  Line baking sheet with foil.
2. In large bowl, using your hands, gently mix together first 11 ingredients {through lemon zest}.  Shape into about golf ball size balls and place a few inches from each other on baking sheet. {note - original recipe calls for 1.25 lbs chicken and makes about 20 meatballs - I only used 1 lb because of packaging and came up with about 15 meatballs}.
3. In small bowl, mix 1 spoonful of marinara with the olive oil.  Brush mixture on top of each meatball.
4. Bake 15-20 minutes.
5. Remove meatballs from oven.  Spoon a small amount of remaining sauce over each, then cover with a small slice of cheese.  Broil another 5 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
6. While broiling, heat remaining sauce in small sauce pan.  
7. Serve meatballs with sauce and large salad, sauteed greens, or over pasta. 

Serves 3-4

adapted from cup of jo

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Birthday Abby!

Happy 11th {!} Birthday to my most favorite little lady!  Abby, I say this every year, but I can't believe you are 11!  I love watching you grow into such an awesome young lady - your passion and kindness and overall being is such a joy and I'm so happy to be your Auntie - and I can't wait to see you this summer!  Happy Birthday, love bug!

xoxo,
stephanie marie