Roaming the Garden {Flowering Crab Apple}

Since I've told you that my yard is exploding with pretties recently, here's this week's installment of what's happening in my garden.  I have the prettiest flowering crab apple tree in my front yard that provides shade over my cutest little table and chairs {courtesy of mom and dad} for an afternoon of drinking a beer and reading a magazine {my perfect combination}.

 

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Restaurant Zoë {again}

I feel like it's been ages since I've actually gone out to a new restaurant and treated myself to a fun and fancy dinner {this whole home ownership thing sure puts a damper on the frivolous spending!}.  But when my favorite time of year, Seattle Restaurant Week, popped up a few weeks ago, I knew it was time to treat myself.  I invited Maddie, my restaurant partner in crime, to join me at the new Restaurant Zoe that I have been wanting to try ever since it moved to Capital Hill a few years back.  If you recall, Leslie and I tried out their previous Belltown spot back in 2011, and it was just as good, if not better than I remembered.  Mads and I started out with much needed cocktails, before ordering off the preset menu.  We each started with the fresh ricotta gnudi, and I followed it up with some arctic char with bacon and onion ragout {they had me at "bacon"}.  The new space is so gorgeous, and it was such a fun evening catching up and chowing down.  I can't wait to go back again :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Tulip Festival

When I was home a few weeks ago, Mom and I decided to take an evening drive and ended up out in the tulip fields.  I tell ya - if you want to go see the tulips, do it on a stormy Monday evening.  The lighting was perfect, and there were hardly any tourists out at the fields.  Granted, we didn't actually pay to go inside and get the good pics {come on now - I've seen my fair share of tulip fields before}, but I think these shots from the parking lot are just fine.  I know it's totally cliche {especially being from the valley}, but I really do love these flowers :)

but of course, we could've just stayed at mom & dad's to see the prettiest tulips of them all {above} :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Birthday David!

This just in - it's David's birthday!  Happy Birthday, dearest David!  I am so lucky to have you as a friend and know that this year will bring wonderful things for you.  I hope you have the most fabulous birthday weekend filled with cheeseburgers, Buzzfeed quizzes, puppies, and plaid shirts :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy 30 Stefanie

Happy Birthday Stefanie!  Even though I don't get to see you daily anymore, I'm so grateful we've stayed so close and that we get to celebrate these special occasions together {yeah, dirty thirty!}.  I treasure the adventures and memories we've shared, and can't wait for the arrival of a little baby Robinson this fall - Auntie Steph is sure to spoil him/her rotten :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Roaming the Garden {Magnolia Tree}

You guys - my garden is insane right now!  I knew that when I bought this house, the yard was going to be a bit more than I imagined I'd ever have to take care of.  However, now that it's officially spring, everything is suddenly so alive with leaves and flowers and, well, pretty much awesomeness.  A few weeks ago, I snapped these pics of my Magnolia Tree, predominantly placed right by the street {I'm pretty sure it's a requirement if you live in Magnolia to have one of these}.  Unfortunately, the recent wind and rain have obliterated this tree to just a few small flowers, but back when I took these pictures it was breathtaking.  I love seeing my garden come alive {and to see everything that lives there!} and promise to share more of what I find in the upcoming months {trust me - there's a lot}.

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Nana

This past week, we unexpectedly said goodbye to my dear Nana.  I can't express how much she meant to me and how much this hurts - all I can say is that if you knew her, you were lucky.  She was quite a memorable lady {the two words that seemed to come up most in the past week were "spunky" and "fiesty"} and would give you the coat off her back if you needed it.  She always put others ahead of herself and made me feel so incredibly special and loved everyday.  I hope to one day be as generous, loving, and downright funny as her.  I know that now she is somewhere with my Papa, watching over us from some casino in the sky :)  Nana - I love you and miss you so much it hurts.  Oh, and Happy {belated} Birthday yesterday :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Friday

What are you up to this weekend?  It's been a super fun but very long week {I don't think I've gone to bed before midnight all week!} and I'm ready to relax.  I plan on spending time in the yard tending to the ever increasing population of plant life there, hanging with the fam, and maybe throwing in a Thai Friday tonight :)  While I never EVER thought I'd say this, I actually enjoy working in my yard and seeing the progress over the past few months.  There's something so satisfying when it's actually your own, so let's hope for some sunshine! 

Have a great weekend!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Bar Buddies

Last night I met up with some of my most favorite ladies from The Bar Method for happy hour at Mistral Kitchen.  We have been saying for months that we were going to do this, and apparently when you schedule something weeks in advance, it actually ends up happening!  These girls are some of my absolute favorite people - I mean, with how much time we spend together, we would have to like each other at least a little :)  We all have gone through so much together over the past two years {babies, weddings, breakups, death} and are always there for each other for a laugh or a hug whenever it's needed.   While I love having a workout that's so convenient and actually gives me results that I can see, the best part about Bar is by far the people I've met.  These "nooners" are so special to me, and I am so happy to call them friends.  I know they'll be in my life for a very long time :)

love this pic from vanessa

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Opening Day

Yesterday was one of my favorite days of the year - Opening Day at Safeco Field.  Minus a quick hiatus last year, I've been going to Opening Day as far back as I can remember.  It's such a great time - the energy, the crowd, the excitement - it's like your championship dreams aren't crushed quite yet :)  I went with the Robinson's, and while the day started off rainy and cold, we were greeted at the field by the Superbowl Champs {including the one and only Pete Carroll} and their Lombardi Trophy, and Russell Wilson himself throwing out the first pitch.  The M's battled back from a lousy first inning to beat the Angels, and as the song of the night goes, these boys are definitely back in town :)

 lots of fireworks

 russell! {and how awesome is that banner in center field}

 the hawks

 my mariner buddy for life

one of my absolute favorite places to be

xoxo,

stephanie marie

The Home Depot

Can I just say I have the best parents ever?  Friday night, my parents came down to spend the night with me and help me with some much needed house chores after a trying week {yeah, I broke my bathroom sink}.  They really gave me that kick in the butt I needed to get motivated again about fixing my home.  Saturday morning, Dad and I headed to The Home Depot to spend a chunk of my tax return on home supplies {trust me - I never thought I'd be excited about this}.  We left with a cartful {including an outdoor broom, a string trimmer, a saw, a hose, and a new sink} and headed home to work.  While we were out, Mom had spent the morning working in the garden and the house, and throughout the rest of the day, we fixed the leaks in the chimney, pruned branches, fixed the front gate, and finally replaced the sink {definitely not a one person job!}.  Thanks so much Mom & Dad for helping me with my house.  I couldn't have done it without you {literally} and now I'm more motivated than ever to get this place in shape!

 saturdays are daddy and me day at the depot - all the kids making their bird feeders in their orange aprons were adorable

 a cart full of stuff

 yes, i broke my bathroom sink {don't ask}

dad installing the new one {i promise i helped!}

I love you guys!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

The Weekend {in pictures}

 {the kitty who has randomly decided my yard is his favorite place to hang - i named him charlie}

 {home depot trip with dad}

 {friday dinner with mom and dad - i made this and we drank wine and watched so many episodes of Modern Family}

 {my new obsession - vanilla ice cream with strawberries}

{sunday lunch with david at the new din tai fung at uvillage}

Hope your weekend was as fun and productive as mine!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Chupacolivers

 

Last night, David met me after I got my hair did for dinner and drinks.  While debating where we should go, I decided it had been way too long since we had a Chupacoliver's night {drinks at Oliver's Twist and dinner at El Chupacabra} and insisted on it.  We met at the OT for a drink before heading over to El Chupa for some of the best burritos in town.  These are two of my favorite places to go in the city {low key and fun with a neighborhood vibe}, and it's always nice to sit and laugh with this guy :)

Happy Friday!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

HIMYM

I started watching How I Met Your Mother several years ago after flying through most of the first season on a cold and rainy day at Erika's apartment.  I immediately took to the show and the ongoing story of Ted, the narrator, explaining to his children how he met their mother.  I quickly caught up during several marathon viewing sessions, and after 9 seasons the show finally said good bye this week.  I was a little skeptical when I heard that the whole final season was going to take place over one weekend {Barney & Robin's wedding weekend}, but it told the story perfectly.  The ending was just what I had hoped - maybe not the happiest, most perfect fairytale ending, but then again, what is?  In the end, it was legen.....wait for it.....dary :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Chicken Stir Fry

This week I have been craving stir fry, so last night I decided to whip one up.  I used many things I already had in the pantry, picked up some of my favorite veggies, and combined a few different recipes online to make the perfect sauce.  Served over some brown rice {from my rice cooker - one of my most favorite kitchen appliances} it was a cinch to put together and tasted just as good as I had been hoping.  And the bonus?  Leftovers!  Enjoy :)

Easy Chicken Stir Fry

Ingredients
2/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tblsp cornstarch
1 tblsp minced ginger
1 tblsp minced garlic
dash of red pepper flakes
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped in 1 inch cubes
2 tblsp oil {i used olive oil}
1/2 onion, sliced*
1 red bell pepper, sliced*
1 head broccoli,chopped*
1 cup mushrooms, sliced*
1 cup snow peas*
Rice for serving

Instructions
1. Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, and cornstarch.  Add ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes.  Cover chicken with sauce and let marinate in fridge at least 20 minutes.
2. Heat 1 tblsp oil over medium high heat.  Add onion, bell pepper, broccoli, mushrooms, and snow peas {or whatever combination of vegetables you like!}.  Stir about 5 minutes, or until just tender.  Remove from skillet.
3. Heat remaining tblsp oil over medium high heat.  Remove chicken from marinade and add to skillet.  Cook until almost cooked through.  Add vegetables and marinade.  Bring to boil.  Cook until heated through and vegetables are soft, about 5 more minutes.  Serve over rice.

Serves 4-5

***Use whatever vegetables sound good to you.  I just picked up what looked yummy at the market!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

73 Questions with SJP

Have you seen this interview with Sarah Jessica Parker?  It has quickly become one of my favorites.  It shows just how lovely and authentic she is - and how awesome is it to see a little slice of how she lives?  My favorite question?  Heels or Flats :)

Enjoy!

xoxo,
stephanie marie