Christmas Day {Part I}

Christmas morning we woke up to a winter wonderland {not quite realizing just how snowy it was about to get in the coming days}.  We had a quiet morning at the farm opening presents with the kitties and checking out the snow, then we headed out to the island to have breakfast with the family.  It was fun to spend time with out of town cousins and catch up with the grandparents - I'm so happy we were able to make this trip happen despite the weather and pandemic!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{a really pretty leftover lunch}

{testing out night mode on my new phone}

{friday night pizza}

{much needed after a long first week back}

{i'm going to miss seeing this yard blossom in the spring - but i won't miss weeding it!}

{hiding boxes in my hallway}

{pretty saturday sunset}

{saturday scallops}

{these 3 are the absolute best!}

{burgers after a long sunday of moving}

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Christmas Eve Snow

Happy Friday!  I made it through the first week back from vacation {barely} and am just about ready for another week off - anyone else?  I'm sure glad we aren't getting the snow here in Seattle that everyone around us seems to have right now, but wanted to show you a few fun pictures from Christmas Eve up at the parents where we suddenly looked outside and were in a winter wonderland!  Nothing like a White Christmas to really get you in the festive spirit :)  Have a great weekend - stay warm out there!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Christmas Eve

Christmas was super lowkey this year with brother and the family staying out east with little Henry and Covid overstaying it's welcome about 2 years too long.  Christian and I still headed up north for a quiet celebration and spent a few days being cozy, looking for eagles, and eating lots of good food.  We started Christmas Eve morning running a few errands then driving around the valley looking for bald eagles, but only were able to spot a few due to some pretty yucky weather.  We came home to watch some great Christmas tv, drink some excellent Christmas cocktails, and have our traditional Christmas dinner of lasagna while watching our annual viewing of Christmas Vacation.  While it was a quiet day with just the 5 of us {including Uncle Mark} it was still festive and fun to all be together :)

xoxo,

stephanie marie

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve was once again a quiet affair at our place while we were forced inside due to weather and Covid {but really, we've been spending NYE at home every year together so it wasn't a big change for us!}.  During the day we went for a sunny snowy walk up to Kerry Park - it was a gorgeous day but man was it cold!  After we got home and warmed up we had a little snack for lunch and watched a gorgeous sunset before setting out on our NYE tradition - homemade cocktails and dinner.  We went pretty lowkey this year, making Sidecars before dinner and whipping up a yummy Penne Alla Vodka paired with wine club red wine and green salad.  We ended the evening torching some crème brulee and toasting with bubbles as we watched the fireworks out the bedroom window and on tv.  It was the perfect lowkey night to say byyyyyyyyeeeeee to 2021 and look forward to the promise of a better year ahead!

{can you spot the fireworks over magnolia in the distance?}

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  2022 - can you believe it?!?  We survived yet another unprecedented year and I think we're all about ready for a quieter one ahead.  I know for myself {and most people I know} this pandemic is still taking such a toll - the past 2 years have been HARD to say the least and it's hard to stay positive and optimistic when it feels like with every step we take forward {vaccines! boosters!} we take two steps backwards {delta! omicron! anti-vaxxers {wtf?}!}.   That said, the new year is the perfect time to reflect on all we've accomplished, start fresh with new intentions and build on the ones that are serving us well.  I've been really proud of myself for finding an online workout that I actually enjoy and have been sticking to {yeah Peloton} and in this new year I plan to listen to what my body needs and not push myself to do a cardio class when what I'm craving is some stretchy yoga.  I love feeling strong and sweating after an intense workout, but I've been missing the feeling I get after yoga and can't wait to add it back into my routine more frequently.  Speaking of routine, a lot has changed lately with slowly moving in with Christian {!} and trying to get everything in order with my house.  I've been missing some of my routine while everything feels a bit chaotic, so I'm hoping to get into the groove with new routines for the two of us as we navigate living together and also leaning back on some of those old routines that I miss from living on my own.  I'm talking about meal planning for the week {packing has made me realize I have about a million cookbooks}, decorating the house together, making time to read more {I did not do well on my book count this year}, drinking a little less on weeknights, but also treating ourselves to date nights when it feels safe to go out - it's all about balance!  I'm also resolving to set more boundaries with work {it's especially hard while working from home} and afternoon walks with my sweetie, actually taking lunch breaks, and taking more mental health days when I need it are all on my list for the year.  Also for my mental health I've gotten back on the meditation bandwagon and I love that 10 minutes a day where I can just sit and not have to do anything but breathe.  It also goes along with another intention which is to be kinder and gentler with myself and give myself more grace while also being confident in my decisions and speaking up for what I want and need.  All areas of our health {mental, physical, emotional} are equally important and if the past 2 years have taught us anything it's that we need to take care of ourselves and be the healthiest in all those areas that we can be.  Cheers to a happy and healthy 2022 - I think we all deserve a good one :)

xoxo,

stephanie marie