Blue Friday {NFC Champs & we're going to the Superbowl!!}

This is the best {and most important} Blue Friday - the Seahawks are headed to the Superbowl!!!  The excitement in this city is palpable - after that NFC Championship game, it's pretty amazing that we are once again going to the big game.  It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it :)  We spent the afternoon watching that nail-biter of a game 2 weeks ago at Brian's place downtown, where we celebrated the barely-squeaking-by victory with lots of cheers, car horns, and screams out the balcony to the passers by coming back from the game.  Let's hope this Sunday brings the same kind of celebrating :)

 this is what nervous looks like

 the lone packers fan across the street at the hard rock

 pompoms and noise makers

GO HAWKS!!!!!  This whole city loves you!! :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Thai Chicken Quinoa Bowl

A few weeks ago, in honor of the season premier of The Bachelor {are you watching?  how much crazy can one show have?!?}, I decided to make a new recipe that I found on one of my favorite blogs, How Sweet Eats.  These Thai Chicken Quinoa Bowls were so quick to put together {I cooked the chicken the night before} and the flavors were insanely delicious - this seriously may be one of the best things I've ever made.  I plan on making the sauce to put over pretty much everything {veggies, salads, chicken}, and when I make this again, I'm definitely doubling the recipe, as I could down that whole thing in one sitting :)  Please do me a favor and make this one ASAP.  And invite me over for dinner :)

Thai Chicken Quinoa Bowl

Ingredients
1/2 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
1 chicken breast, cooked and shredded
1/3 cup chopped carrots
1/3 cup shelled edamame
1/3 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup chopped peanuts
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Sauce
2 tblsp sweet chili sauce
1 tblsp rice vinegar
1 tblsp canned coconut milk
1/2 tblsp brown sugar
1 tsp creamy peanut butter, melted in the microwave
1 garlic clove
1/2 lime, juiced
1/8 tsp ground ginger

Instructions
1. Prepare quinoa as directed, using 1 cup of liquid.
2. While cooking, combine all sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk well to combine.  In a bowl, combine chicken, carrots, edamame, and green onions.  Add cooked quinoa and toss all with the sauce to cover.  Season with salt and pepper if needed.  Toss in half peanuts and cilantro then serve in large bowl with remaining peanuts and cilantro.

Serves 2

Adapted from How Sweet Eats

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Discovery Park

This past Sunday was the most gorgeous January day I can remember {it was in the 60's!} so Brian and I headed out to Discovery Park {along with half of Seattle} to hike around and get our much needed dose of vitamin d.  While the place was crawling with people, there are so many trails and paths to take that we didn't feel crowded at all {which I heard was the opposite at Greenlake}.  We walked down to the beach where we poked around the lighthouse, picked out some favorite rocks, and just sat on a fallen log, taking in the gorgeous views.  It feels pretty great to walk around in January without a coat or sweatshirt - if that's what the rest of winter is like, I'll take it :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Manolin

A few weeks back, David and I decided to try out a new restaurant I'd heard a lot about - Manolin in Fremont.  Opened by alums of Renee Erickson restaurants, this spot definitely has the same aesthetic and feel as her spaces.  The food was delicious {especially the rockfish ceviche and the grilled beef} but the plates, meant for sharing, are pretty small, which kept us coming back to order more and more!  With great food, cold beers, and a beautiful feel, it's hard to go wrong at this cute little restaurant, and I can see us meeting up there time and time again for a quick catch up.  Don't you love those kinds of places??

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Utah

Sorry for the radio silence last week!  After 8 years in my current job, I finally went on my first work trip!  A group of 20 of us headed out to Ogden, UT last week to visit the Autoliv airbag manufacturing plant.  Autoliv is the premier example of lean manufacturing outside of Japan, and we spent two full days touring their factory and offices, along with lots of work on team projects and bonding time.  While it's hard to put into words exactly what we saw, I can say that watching this place run was amazing.  The factory floor was truly fascinating - everything was timed to the second, from folding the airbags to delivery of parts to each work cell.  I'll just say that the next time I buy a car, I'll definitely be checking to see who made the airbag!  While the trip was great, it was super exhausting {we were on our feet or working from early in the morning until late at night every day} so I definitely took this weekend to relax, reflect, and watch a few Oscar movies :)  I hope you all had a fabulous week!

 the ogden temple {for the two minutes we were actually outside}

the obligatory shot of gorgeous mt. rainier on our way out of seattle

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Go Hawks!

Fingers crossed the Hawks can overcome those Cheeseheads this weekend and make it to their second Superbowl in a row.  I have no doubt they'll do it :)  Go Hawks!!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

pic taken a few games back from one of my favorite views in the city

Sausage, Potato, & Spinach Soup

A while back, I was perusing Pinterest, my favorite site to organize all of the recipes that catch my eye on the internet, and decided this quick and hearty Sausage, Potato, & Spinach Soup would be the perfect weeknight meal to warm me right up.  It came together in less than 30 minutes, and I couldn't stop going back to the stove for more helpings.  If you're not a fan of spice, I'd suggest leaving out the red pepper flakes {it was definitely hot!} but besides that, it was one of the easiest and most flavorful things I've made in quite awhile.  And the leftovers were delicious :)  Enjoy!

Sausage, Potato, & Spinach Soup

Ingredients
1 tblsp olive oil
1 lb spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, diced
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes {optional}
Salt & Pepper
5 cups chicken broth
1 lb red potatoes, diced
3 cups baby spinach
1/2 cup heavy cream

Instructions
1. Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium heat.  Add sausage and cook until browned, crumbling as it cooks.  Stir in garlic, onion, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes.  Cook, stirring frequently, until onions are translucent (about 2-3 minutes).  Season with salt and pepper.
2. Stir in chicken broth and bring to boil.  Add potatoes and cook until tender, about 10 minutes.
3. Stir in spinach and cook until it begins to wilt, about 2 minutes.  Stir in heavy cream, heat through.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 5-6

adapted from Damn Delicious

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Brass Tacks

Before our New Year's Eve party, we headed out to dinner at Brass Tacks, just a block away from our final destination of the night.  I had heard about this place for a long time, but how often does one actually get down to Georgetown to try out new hip restaurants?  Well, since the party was down there, we decided to take full advantage.  The upscale pub greeted us with a live jazz band and a festive crowd to start our evening.  We had a cocktail to get things started, then each ordered some of the best burgers we've ever had {seriously - so good}.  While we couldn't stay too long {that open bar called our names} I definitely want to head back to this little neighborhood to the south for more cocktails and yummy plates.  Georgetown - we'll be back soon!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

NYE

A few fun pics from our New Year's Eve party at The Stables in Georgetown with Aubin & Brittany.  We may have had a little too much fun in the photo booth {and at the open bar} but it was a fabulous night saying good bye to the old and hello to the new :)

Happy New Year!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Year in Review {2014}

Though I'm a little late again, here's a look back at 2014 {see previous years - 2013, 2012, 2011} and all the fun we had :)

I started off the new year hanging with coworkers and discovering my new neighborhood, but January was all about cheering on the Seahawks on their road to the NFC Championship with a rally downtown, the cutest little fan, and a trip to a playoff game.

In February I took a trip up north to see the family and the snow, did some Valentine crafting and spent the holiday at home, but most importantly, we cheered our Seahawks on to a Superbowl championship at DAP and with the most epic {and cold} championship parade.  Go Hawks!!

In March I showed off my house to family, made a very grown up purchase, spent some time with my favorite ladies and my sweet Nana, found a new favorite spot in my neighborhood, and was completely starstruck.

I started out April hanging with some fabulous new buddies, watching that other Seattle sports team start their season, seeing the tulips, and making some home improvements, but the month ended on the saddest of notes after losing our beloved Nana.

 
May was quite busy - I started tending to the garden and watching it bloom, had drinks with my cousin, was introduced to the most fun {and addictive} activity, made a few summer additions to the house, showed off the house to some awesome ladies, met a new neighbor, and saw two fellow Seattleites. 

Since it was the official start of summer, June was all about being outside - hosting my first bbq with friends, brunching outdoors, exploring my neighborhood farmer's market, discovering my favorite flowers growing right outside my front door, finding my favorite new neighborhood restaurant, watching a friend do his thing, and celebrating the best night ever.

 

July was full of some of my favorite things - my favorite holiday and my favorite munchkins, having a fun family weekend golfing and drinking, entertaining some fabulous houseguests, and of course, I celebrated turning 30 in style with the most awesome concert, dinner with the parents, dinner with the girls, and the most amazing {and surprising} fiesta. 

August was pretty busy meeting my neighbors, anticipating a little guy's arrival, revisiting childhood memories, spending some time by the water, celebrating a fantastic bachelorette, and cashing in on a special birthday dinner. 

 

With Indian summer in full swing in September, I reaped the benefits of a successful harvest, celebrated a beautiful wedding, spent some time on the San Diego beaches {and tried to forget that game}, ate the best homemade dinner, and spent the most wonderful night on the lake.

 

October consisted of hiking a mountain and meeting two of the most precious babies, partying in the neighborhood, picking the perfect pumpkin, having a romantic date on the beach, cheering on a victorious team, spooking it up in the city, and celebrating one year of being a homeowner. 

November brought the most gorgeous sunset, time with the sweetest babe, a night listening to music, a lovely fall hike/walk, an awesome Hawks win, and a Hawks-giving to remember.  

December was full of holiday cheer, with a festive evening in the village, my annual tree, a lit up night around the lake, a gorgeous view, an amazing win, a quiet Christmas at home, and celebrating a first Christmas with my favorite person :)

2015 - I have a feeling you're going to be pretty great!  Can't wait to see what's next :)

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Blue {Playoff} Friday

In honor of Playoff Blue Friday today, I want to share our pictures from the game against the Rams last month, when we walked down to Pioneer Square to tailgate with the crowd and watch the game at the Hawks Nest right next door to the stadium.  The energy in the neighborhood was awesome, and luckily the Hawks went on to win the game, making for a pretty happy and entertaining walk back downtown.  Hopefully they can do it again this weekend!

 tailgating with strangers

 light up necklaces!

 a sea of blue and green in the bar

Go Hawks!!

xoxo,
stephanie marie