Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!  Here are a few snaps from around this haunted house - hope you have a fun and safe holiday!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Etta's & Zig Zag

Last Friday we all went out to celebrate Christian's mom's {Maggie's} bday.  She was craving seafood, so after looking into several restaurants, we decided on Etta's in the market {can't go wrong with Tom Douglas!}.  Christian and I got there early so we wandered around the Market taking in the nice evening.  Dinner at Etta's was delicious and mother and son went all out with 1lb each of King Crab Legs.  After dinner we were all so full, but since we still wanted to celebrate we headed down to Zig Zag Cafe for a few cocktails to continue the party.  It's been years since I've been to Zig Zag but I always love heading to this Seattle staple for late night cocktails - it brings back so many fun memories.  We sipped our drinks and toasted the birthday girl, making it the perfect end to a fabulous birthday celebration :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Monday

Can we redo the weekend?  After a quick trip to urgent care and subsequent hours of lying around on the couch, I'm already missing the weekend, even though I was able to get out for a few fun celebrations in between torrential downpours.  This week I know is going to fly by and I can't believe in just 5 short days life as I know it will be changing {more on that later}. For now, I'm off to conquer Monday as best I can - hope you are too!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Fall Friday!

Happy Friday!  Don't you just love the fall colors everywhere?  I think this is my favorite time of year, with the leaves shining bright beautiful colors and the days getting crisper and cooler - there's something so perfectly cozy about fall :)  I'm excited for a weekend of chillin' and celebratin' and, of course, gettin' cozy :)  Happy Friday!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Five

It doesn't seem possible, but today marks FIVE years since I got the keys to this precious little yellow cottage in Magnolia.  Five years worth of homecooked meals, weekend gardening, changing seasons, backyard critters, emergency calls to the plumber/electrician/contractor/dad, decorating and redecorating, cleaning and collecting, laughing and crying, Friday night takeout, entertaining friends and loved ones, and not one ounce of regret.  I love my little corner of the world over here and can't imagine spending the last 5 years anywhere else.  This place is mine, for better or for worse, and though I probably won't be here forever, I'm forever grateful that I {ok, Dad} found this little cottage 5 years ago and I made the biggest {financial} decision of my life, never looking back and feeling oh so proud every time I look around and think "this is mine".  I'm so happy to celebrate half a decade in the yellow cottage - I'll definitely be poppin' some bubbly tonight!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Butternut Squash Pizza Crust

My weekly trip to Trader Joe's is one of my favorites, as I always find something new and different to try that inevitably ends up in my cart.  This past weekend I stumbled across this Butternut Squash Pizza Crust and I decided I had to give it a try.  I did a little refrigerator clean out pizza with whatever I had in my fridge {browned sausage, garlic, bell pepper, zucchini, tomatoes, arugula, and fresh mozzarella} and after following the directions on the box to cook the crust, I added the toppings and heated it up until the cheese was melty.  It was such an easy and delicious dinner, and since the crust is made of vegetables, it was an easy way to eat one of my favorite foods in a healthy way.  Unfortunately, I think this crust is seasonal only, but I'm excited to stock up on a few more to put in my freezer before fall is over for those weeknights when I want something easy and healthy for dinner.

xoxo,
stephanie marie

One Pan Pork Chops with Apples & Onions

Ok, this picture isn't great, but trust me that the dinner was good :)  Trying to use up all of those apples from my parents house, I found this recipe on Pinterest for One Pan Pork Chops with Apples and Onions and it just screamed "fall" to me.  I love a one pan meal {yay less clean up!} and the flavors of the apples, onions, and herbs were absolutely perfect for a chilly fall evening.  And the fact that this delicious and impressive meal came together in just about 30 minutes?  Even better!  If you have some apples to use up or are just looking for something cozy on these chilly evenings, I'd highly recommend trying this one out {and checking out her website for some better pics :)}.

One Pan Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

Ingredients
2 Tblsp olive oil
3 - 4oz each pork chops
Salt & Pepper
3/4 cup low sodium chicken stock
1 tsp grainy dijon mustard
1 Tblsp fresh sage
1 1/2 tsp fresh rosemary
1/2 tsp fresh thyme {note: instead of buying all of these herbs separately, I found them together in a roast chicken herb mix - way less wasteful}
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 medium apples thinly sliced
1 small red onion thinly sliced

Instructions 
1. Season both sides of pork with salt and pepper.  Heat 1 Tblsp olive oil in pan over medium high heat.  Add pork chops to pan and sear about 5-7 minutes on each side, until mostly done.  Remove pork to a plate.
2. In small mixing bowl, mix together chicken stock and mustard and set aside.
3. Add remaining 1 Tblsp olive oil to pan and add apples & onions.  Cook about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften.  Add salt, pepper, and herbs.  Stir to combine.
4. Pour stock mixture into pan, using a wooden spoon to scrape up browned bits from bottom of pan.
5. Add pork chops back to pan, nestling between the apples and onions.  Cook until chops are fully done.

Serves 3

adapted from the chunky chef

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Mom Weekend

How was your weekend?  On Saturday morning, Mom came down to spend the weekend and we headed off to see Come From Away at the 5th.  I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but was absolutely blown away by this story of 7,000 passengers stranded in remote Newfoundland when all planes were grounded after 9/11.  I know what you're thinking - who would make this into a musical? - but it was entertaining, heart wrenching, uplifting and emotional and I left thinking "I need to see that again".  If you get a chance, I'd highly recommend it - it's one of the best shows I've seen maybe ever.  After the show we met up with Christian and his mom for some yummy dinner at Purple before driving back home the long way around Queen Anne to show mom the beautiful night view from Kerry Park.  On Sunday we had a lazy morning before heading out to run errands and enjoy the beautiful fall weather after the sun finally broke through the fog.  It was a perfect fall weekend :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!  This fall weather has been absolutely gorgeous {as seen from the pic above from Kerry Park last week on one of Nina's walks} and I'm so glad it's going to stay around for a few more days before the rains start.  I'm excited for a weekend with my mama and some much needed sleeping in after a long week.  Cheers to the weekend!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Pumpkin Patch {Part II}

More fun from Saturday at the patch with some of my most favorite people and introducing some of the littles to their very first pumpkins :)  Can it please stay this sunny and beautiful forever?

 this sweet guy hauled around everyone's pumpkins :)

Until next year, pumpkin patch!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Pumpkin Patch {Part I}

Last Saturday was one of my most favorite days of the year - Pumpkin Patch day!  We found a day that worked for all of us to get together and lucked out with the most gorgeous fall weather that could not be beat.  I have so many pictures from this awesome day that I had to split them up into two posts, so get ready for some pumpkin overload.  Tis the season, right?  Thanks to Erika and Christian for letting me steal your gorgeous pics - there's something about pumpkins and changing leaves combined with my fave people that is just the best :)

 charlie has the best smile

 ruining christian's pretty pictures

xoxo,
stephanie marie