Christmas Dancin'

Since I'm taking a few weeks off of work and planning on fully relaxing over the holidays, posting on the blog may be a bit sporadic for awhile.  So, I wanted to leave you with this awesome video my brother sent me at the start of the season that I can't stop watching and laughing at {and no, I'm not sure why I don't have hair in it}.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Signs of Christmas

{front door greetings - that also act as a security alarm}

 {without a mantel, you have to get creative with where to hang the stockings}

 {homemade cookies for the neighbors}

 {christmas cards hanging from the doorways}

{a wreath by the front door - thanks mom!}

Plus the tree and the lights :)  Is your home ready for Santa?!?

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Red Velvet Crinkles

I may have a new favorite Christmas cookie.  Ok, that's a lie.  These will always be my favorite, but these Red Velvet Crinkles that I tried from Cooking Classy may be a close second.  I brought them to work this week and the unanimous consensus is that these are good.  If you are still looking for a cookie recipe to bring to the neighbors {or eat with hot chocolate while watching Elf - I don't judge}, then I'd recommend trying these ASAP.  They're positively delicious {and how Christmas-y do they look!?!}.

Red Velvet Crinkles

Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/3 cups sugar
3 large eggs
1 tblsp milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp lemon juice
5 tsp red food coloring
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions
1. In mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and set aside.
2. In separate bowl, mix butter and sugar with electric mixer until pale and fluffy.  Mix in eggs 1 at a time until blended through.  Mix in milk, vanilla, lemon juice, and red food coloring.  With mixer on slow, slowly add in dry ingredients until just combined.  Stir in white chocolate chips.  Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 2 hours.
3. Preheat oven to 350.  Pour powdered sugar into small bowl.  With hands, roll individual cookies with dough into small balls (about 2 tblsp each).  Roll each into powdered sugar to coat evenly.  Transfer to parchment lined baking sheets and bake about 15 minutes.  Allow to rest on cookie sheet a few minutes, then transfer to baking rack to cool.  Store in airtight container.

Makes about 30 cookies

adapted from Cooking Classy

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Sausage Potato & Kale Soup

After a freezing cold week where most days I could barely feel my toes, I decided to declare Friday night "Soup Night".  I went to my lady PW to find something hearty, warm - and easy {who wants to spend all Friday night in the kitchen anyway?}.  I came up with Sausage, Potato, and Kale soup, and while I think it wasn't supposed to be quite as thick as mine turned out, I actually liked the stew-like consistency for the cold days.  Served with warmed bread to sop up the soup, this was the perfect meal to reheat all weekend long.

Sausage, Potato, & Kale Soup

Ingredients
1 bunch kale torn to bite sized pieces
6 red potatoes, sliced thin
1/2 onion, chopped
1 lb Italian Sausage
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes {more or less, depending on how much heat you want}
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup milk
2 cups half-and-half
Splash heavy cream
Dried Oregano
Pepper

Instructions
1. Rinse kale with cold water in colander.  Set aside.
2. In medium pot, boil sliced potatoes until tender.  Drain and set aside.
3. In large pot, heat onions and crumble in sausage.  Cook until browned.  Drain off excess fat.  Stir in red pepper flakes, oregano, pepper, broth, milk, and half and half.  Simmer 30 minutes.
4. Add potatoes, splash of heavy cream, and kale.  Stir, then simmer 10-15 minutes.  Serve.

Serves 4-6

adapted from The Pioneer Woman

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Nutcracker Traditions

Saturday night, David and I put on our fanciest and headed out for one of my most favorite holiday traditions - The Nutcracker.  We started off our date with dinner at mkt. where we dined on fabulous dishes and a yummy bottle of wine.  After sitting in traffic for what felt like forever, we finally made it to McCaw Hall just in time for the curtain to rise on my favorite ballet of all time.  During intermission, we stepped out to take a few pictures {who could resist all of those awesome props} and then headed back in for the beautiful second act.  As expected, the performance brought tears to my eyes {there's something about that music} and there is no one I would've rather spent the evening with than David :)

Merry Christmas!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Sunrise

How beautiful was this sunrise yesterday {this pic taken from my front yard}?  And the view of Mt. Rainier from the neighborhood was insane.  One of my favorite parts of my day is riding the bus into work and seeing the city from the Magnolia bridge.  Seattle sure is pretty :)

Happy Friday!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Say Cheese

I saw David the other night, and it reminded me of the impromptu photo shoot we had with Tara at the Nordstrom Grill during his last week at our work.  Yes, we really are this awesome :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Birthday Gram!

Happy Birthday Gram!  I love you very very much, and I'm not just saying that because you're one of the only people that consistently reads this every day :)  Have a most wonderful day!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

pic from christmas 2009

Downtown Lights

These pictures don't really do it justice, but downtown is so beautiful this time of year.  Christmas lights are everywhere - on the trees, the buildings, even on the construction cranes {and lord knows there are enough of those downtown these days}.  I walked by Macy's last night and a little boy was absolutely fascinated by the Christmas trains in the windows.  It made my heart melt a little :)  If you're bustling around town these next few weeks for those last minute presents, make sure to stop and look up at the lights.  It really is quite magical.

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Oliver! {and the Icon Grill}

Saturday afternoon, Mom came down to Seattle to spend the day with me in the city.  We saw Oliver at the 5th {so cute}, did some Christmas shopping downtown, and met up with Sara for dinner at the Icon Grill, where we all stuffed ourselves on their yummy comfort food.  It was such a fun day, and we ended it by driving around Magnolia looking at Christmas lights {and trying to stay warm} and with a slumber party for the two of us at my house.  It was a fun weekend with the girls getting into the holiday spirit :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Last weekend my parents and Nana came down with the intent that Dad would help me put up my Christmas lights.  Luckily, the forecasted rain stayed away and though it was chilly, we were able to decorate the outside of my home to be utterly festive.  While we only did the front porch, the arbor over the gate {tied up with cedar bows!} and a tall tree behind the fence, it makes me feel like a real homeowner :)  Since the lights are set to come on right before I get home from work, I get giddy every evening when I walk up to my house and see it decorated for the season.  There's no way Santa's going to miss my place :)

topped off with a bow :)

 

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Perfect Potato Soup

This past weekend, my parents brought Nana down to see my house for the first time, so I knew I had to make something super yummy {and not too weird} for lunch.  Who better to make classic, delicious food than The Pioneer Woman?  My mom suggested soup, so after perusing her site a bit, I landed on Perfect Potato Soup which looked quick, easy, and oh so good.  It really was so quick to put together {the longest part was the peeling and chopping} and when almost all of my leftovers were taken home by both my dad and Nana, I knew it was a winner.  I'm pretty sure I'll be making this all winter long, and I suggest you do the same :)

Perfect Potato Soup

Ingredients
6 slices bacon, cut into 1 inch strips
1 medium onion, diced
3 carrots, scrubbed and diced
3 celery stalks, diced
6 whole small Russet potatoes, peeled and diced
8 cups low sodium chicken broth
3 tblsp flour
1 cup milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
salt
pepper
1/2 tsp Cajun spice {I subbed Old Bay}
1 tsp minced fresh parsley
1 cup grated cheese

Instructions
1. Cook bacon over medium heat in soup pot until crispy.  Remove from pot and set aside.  Pour off grease, but do not clean pot.
2. Return pot to medium high heat.  Add onion, carrots, and celery.  Stir and cook about 2 minutes, then add potatoes.  Cook for about 5 minutes, then season with salt, pepper, and spice mix.
3. Pour in broth and bring to gentle boil.  Cook about 10 minutes, or until potatoes begin to get tender.  Whisk together flour and milk, then pour into soup and let cook about 5 minutes.
4. Remove about half the soup and blend in blender until smooth.  Pour back in with the rest of the soup.  Season as needed.  Stir in cream and parsley.
5. Serve garnished with parsley, cheese, and bacon.

Serves 10

adapted from The Pioneer Woman

 and must be served with apple pie :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

My Tree

There is no doubt that I love putting up my Christmas tree right after Thanksgiving {as seen here and here}.  This year, I decided to go it alone with just myself, a bottle of wine, and a couch covered in ornaments.  The tree just barely fits in my living room {no star on the top this year!} and has all the same trimmings from years past, but I still love it so much.  And that fact that this is my first Christmas in the new home?  Well, that makes it even extra special this year :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Stuffed Peppers

Confession - I've always been intimidated of stuffed bell peppers.  They seem so fancy and labor intensive, and what do you do with the leftovers?  But when the girls decided to come over for a sleepover, I decided it was time to conquer my silly fear and give 'em a go {I also had a vegetarian in the mix which helped the cause}.  Fact - stuffed bell peppers are not that hard to make!  I followed Smitten Kitchen's recipe {can she do anything wrong?} and after a little chopping and baking, I had the peppers ready in no time!  They're super simple to customize - next time I might try sausage and mushrooms - but I think the couscous and feta will definitely stay.  I kept the leftover filling in the fridge and the next day, cooked up an extra pepper to stuff.  And then the next day, just baked the filling on it's own - Genius!  Next time you're having guests, make these and you are sure to impress :)

Couscous & Feta-Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients
Cooking Spray
1 1/4 cup chicken broth
2/3 cup couscous
4-5 large bell peppers
2 tsp olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
6 oz zucchini, quartered lengthwise and chopped
6 oz yellow squash, quartered lengthwise and chopped 
1/2 tsp fennel seeds
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
15oz canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
4 oz crumbled feta
3 tblsp tomato paste

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350.  Coat baking dish with cooking spray.  Cut stems and top 1/2 inch of peppers off and scoop out seeds and membranes.  Place upright in dish and bake about 15 minutes, until beginning to soften, and remove from oven.
2. Bring broth to boil in saucepan, stir in couscous, cover, and remove from heat.
3. Heat oil in non-stick skillet.  Add onion, zucchini, squash, fennel seeds, oregano, and salt.  Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables soften (about 5 minutes).  Remove from heat and stir in tomatoes, chickpeas, and tomato paste.
4. Using fork, scrape couscous into skillet and toss with vegetables.  Stir in feta.  Stuff peppers equally with mixture.
5. Bake 15 minutes.  Serve immediately.

Serves 4-5

adapted from Smitten Kitchen

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Thanksgiving

Did everyone have a good Thanksgiving break?  While I didn't really get the full break {yay for working Friday!}, I did manage to sneak out early to begin prepping my house for Christmas {my most favorite thing to do}.  But before I get to that, here are a few pics of our family Thanksgiving, which ended up being a gorgeous fall/winter day {as seen in the above pic from the view at my parents' house Thanksgiving morning}.

 yum

 after dinner chats

 happy baby

my lovely mama

xoxo,
stephanie marie