TGIF

Happy Friday!  I got to share a couple glasses bottles of wine at Happy Hour last night with these Bar Babes and it made me so happy :)  I can't believe I've known these girls for almost 4 years and how much life has changed in that time.  Love these gals!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Date Night {Coppelia & Crow}

Last Friday I went on a date - with myself.  Let me explain.  I've wanted to see the ballet Coppelia since I was little, and when I saw it was coming to the PNB this year, I was determined to go see it.  As the date got closer and the tickets went on super sale and after asking a few people who couldn't make it, I decided I would make it a little date for myself.  I'd had a bad week with the car and stuff, and the ballet always makes me super happy, so it seemed like the perfect plan.  A date to the ballet is not complete without dinner beforehand, so after going home from work and making myself date night ready, I headed down to Crow for a pre-show dinner.  The place was super busy, but I squeezed in at the back kitchen bar where I sat next to the loveliest couple who actually had a daughter dancing in the show {with a solo!}.  We chatted throughout dinner, with them giving me recommendations on the menu and telling me about the show, and me chatting about my house and my love of the ballet.  After a few glasses of wine and the yummiest {and biggest} piece of lasagna, I headed over to the theater, where I took my seat in the very center of the balcony and settled in to watch the lighthearted and funny show about a man who falls in love with a doll.  At the end of the night, as I was walking to the car, I was actually happy that no one else could make it and that I got to do this by myself.  It's kind of nice to go to something you love and not worry about if the person you're with is enjoying themselves :)  The man I met at dinner reiterated several times how proud he was of me that I decided I wanted to see the show so I just went, and you know what?  I was pretty proud of myself too :)  Here's to getting out of my comfort zone more often and doing things that make me happy.  

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Black Bean Soup

When I saw on Amazon that Gwyneth Paltrow was coming out with yet another cookbook, I knew I had to get it.  She can do no wrong in the food department {see here, here, and here that are some of my absolute faves to make over and over}, and since this new cookbook, It's All Easy, focuses on quick and easy recipes for the home cook, I knew I was going to be all about it.  This past weekend, since it was a bit stormy out, I decided to go with her Black Bean Soup to warm up.  I've tried black bean soups in the past and they've been kind of blah, but I was amazed at the amount of flavor this one had in just a few simple ingredients.  Ladies & Gentlemen, Gwyneth has done it again.  

Black Bean Soup

Ingredients
3 Tblsp olive oil
1 large yellow onion, cut in half and thinly sliced
1 1/2 tsp sea salt
3 large garlic cloves, sliced
12 sprigs fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder {less if you don't like a lot of spice}
2 - 15oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed
3 cups low sodium chicken stock
Toppings {cheese, sour cream, tortilla strips, limes, diced avocados, cilantro, etc}

Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in dutch oven over medium high heat.  Add onion and salt and saute about 5 minutes, stirring often and not letting onion get too brown.  Add garlic, cilantro, and spices, cover, and cook 5 more minutes, checking to make sure the mixture is sauteing and not burning.
2. Add black beans and chicken stock.  Bring to a boil, then simmer, uncovered, for about 15 minutes.
3. Using an immersion blender, blend soup directly in pot until almost completely smooth.  
4. Serve with desired toppings.

Serves 4

adapted from it's all easy

an excuse to use my awesome pink immersion blender from shaun and sara!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Blind Pig Bistro

Ever since Leslie moved to Eastlake last year, we've been talking about going to Blind Pig Bistro across the street from her apartment, somewhere I've always wanted to try.  It's tucked into an assuming strip mall with a menu that changes daily, and a few weeks back we finally gave it a try.  The restaurant was completely empty, so we had the full attention of the workers, and since everything on the menu looked divine, we decided to go for it and do the tasting menu, where you get to try small bites of everything on the menu that day.  Each course was better than the next, and we sat drinking our wine with the sun shining through the windows, catching up on life and eating a damn fine meal.  Here's a look at all of the amazing courses we got to try:) {these were all shared plates - I didn't eat all of these by myself!}

 scallop crudo, kohlrabi, rhubarb, and sorrel with homemade beer bread

 endive, apple, goat cheese and cilantro

 sunchokes, dandelion greens, feta, anchovy, and leeks

 asparagus, arugula, poached egg, miner's lettuce, and breadcrumbs

 squid, radish, kimchi, tasso ham, and mint

 parsnip soup with brown butter, lime, and pecan

 orecchiette, nettles, oyster mushrooms, capers, and parmesan

 halibut, peas, cauliflower, and kumquat

 steak, charred eggplant puree, potatoes, and kale

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Birthday David!

A Poem {for David}

Today is David's Birthday
And there's so much here I could say
He is funny and sweet
And really likes to eat
And travel to far far away


David is a wonderful guy
His appetite extends to the sky
He grows a great beard
And is not very weird
And no, he won't tell a lie


I wish I could give him a treat
Not something sour or really too sweet
A burger he'd like
Or maybe a bike
Or really, anything neat


Minnie is David's pup
And with Ed. they're both shacked up
A nice family they are
They should buy me a car
Just kidding! I made that up


So on this April Monday
There is just one thing left to say
David, you're a dear
Let's celebrate with a beer
On this, your 23rd Birthday! 



Happy Birthday David!!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Birthday Stef!

Happy Birthday {this weekend} to my work wife, happy hour homie, cooking companion, ballpark bestie, and the mother to the coolest little guy I know!  Stef - you are one of the most generous and fun people I know, and I can't wait to celebrate with you very soon!!  Love ya!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Bhangra

A few weeks back, Kelsey turned 30, and to help her celebrate in style, we did something a bit......unusual.  You see, Kelsey had seen this Indian dance class called Bhangra and became obsessed with going for her birthday.  So after some pizza and drinks at Bar del Corso beforehand, we headed to Culture Shakti {get it?} on Beacon Hill to get our groove on.  The class is held in an old school and though we felt terribly out of place, the teachers were so welcoming and encouraging.  I have to say, I have not sweat that much in a looooong time - the cocktails before class were definitely a terrible mistake.  We did catch on pretty fast {I guess that's the positive of being a dancer in another life} and by the end of class we were twirling and bouncing just as well as the people that had been coming for weeks {see video above for proof}.  We all agreed that we had to go back again soon - it was one of the most fun nights I've had in a long time!!  Happy Birthday, Kels!  Oh, and you're welcome for the video :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Roaming the Garden {Candy Tuft}

The other weekend when Sara & Shaun stayed over, Sara commented on the pretty white flowers outside my bedroom window.  I had no idea what she was talking about, but when I looked outside, it was like that side of the house had exploded in Candy Tuft.  I have several large patches of it lining the driveway and I love the bright pops of white against the bluebells popping up.  With the 80 degree weather we're having, the garden is definitely loving it.  It really does feel like spring :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Showering Lizzie

Friday night, 6 of us girls got together to toast Lizzie and Baby Boy Battaglia at Volunteer Park Cafe.  This was my kind of baby shower - no games, no awkward conversation, just a group of girlfriends out for dinner celebrating the mama-to-be - with presents & cake!  The restaurant was a perfect venue for us to get a bunch of food to share {pizzas and mac & cheese were a total hit} and they allowed us to bring in the cutest sprinkie cake that Autumn & Maddie had made for the occasion.  It was so fun getting together with the girls to catch up and celebrate Lizzie at one of my most favorite restaurants, and I cannot wait until I get to snuggle that little nugget in just a few short months!

lizzie and her sprinkie cake

xoxo,
stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{fresh coat of paint on the patio furniture}

 {the notice on my phone - apparently the sun really was shining this weekend!}

 {painting took hours, but so worth it}

 {spring blooms in the yard}

 {baby play time}

 {wedding crafting}

{remnants of the first outdoor dinner of the year with kelsey}

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Friday Flowers {Tulip Peonies}

I picked up these Tulip Peonies at Pike Place Market last weekend and these beauties are still going strong.  I love the bright red color and how the stems kind of snake around the vase - they almost don't look real.  A reminder to myself to buy more fresh flowers for the house!

Have a great weekend!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Baked Chicken Chimichangas

These Baked Chicken Chimichangas popped up on my Pinterest feed recently, and since chimichangas are one of my most favorite things to order at restaurants, but are not anywhere near healthy, I decided to give this baked version a go.  I halved this recipe, and though they looked kind of small when I made them, they were stuffed with the chicken filling and one wrap filled me up right away.  I loved how quick and simple they were to put together {the longest part was cooking the chicken, but you could use rotisserie if you wanted}, but they seemed so much fancier, and I can't wait to whip up another batch to put in the freezer very soon.  Definitely put this one on your must-make list :)

Baked Chicken Chimichangas

Ingredients
2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
1 cup salsa
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 green onions, chopped
6 (8 inch) flour tortillas
2 Tblsp butter, melted
diced tomato, sour cream, avocad, etc for topping

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400.
2. Mix chicken, salsa, cumin, oregano, cheese, and onions in large bowl.
3. Place about 1/3 cup chicken mixture in tortilla.  Fold sides over filling, roll up from bottom, and place seam-side down in baking dish.  Repeat with remaining tortillas.
4. Brush tops of tortillas with melted butter.  Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.  Serve with desired toppings.

Serves 6

adapted from the girl who ate everything

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Etta's & Pike Place Market

After the game on Friday, Shaun & Sara stayed at my house so we could go to brunch with the parents the next morning and celebrate their engagement {sidenote - it was so fun having roommates for a night!}.  Mom had suggested Etta's, so we all headed down to the Market for one of my most favorite brunches {the food is delish and you can't beat the location}.  We all cheers'd with our breakfast cocktails and enjoyed the yummy brunch before wandering around the Market to try and walk off those huge meals.  The flowers were in full force at the market {especially the tulips!} and it was fun to play tourist for a few hours in this lovely city with my family :)

 cheers!

 chorizo & egg tostadas

 paparazzi 

love this family of mine

xoxo,
stephanie marie