Happy {Chelan} Weekend!

Happy Friday!  It's one of my most favorite weekends of the year - Chelanigans!  I can't wait to head out east of the mountains bright and early tomorrow to spend a long weekend at the Lake with the family.  There's sure to be lots of sunshine, laughs, relaxing, and of course, wine!  Hope you have a great weekend - and happy almost June!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Memorial Day in the Valley

Saturday morning we woke up to a grey and rainy day, but we had planned on bringing Maggie up north to hang with the fam, so we packed up the car {Nina included} and headed for the valley.  Our first stop was Samish Island, where it was pouring down rain but that didn't stop us from hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa in the cabin while  we all chatted and Nina got enough people food from Gramps to last the year.  After our visit, we headed to the farm house where the rains started to let up a little so we were able to run around in the grass with Nina, attracting the attention of all the cows in the field {it was hilarious as they watched her running around oblivious to their stares}.  Afterwards, we had the perfect BBQ dinner for Memorial Day of burgers, beans and the sweetest fresh corn before heading back to the city {and the sunshine that followed us for the rest of the weekend}.  It was such a fun day introducing Maggie to more family and where I grew up - and I know Nina loved the chance to run in the yard and see her best friends, the kitties :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Memorial Day Breweries

Friday afternoon both Christian and I got off work early {me because of a cool boss and him because it was his last day at his old job} so we decided to take Maggie out for a little brewery tour of Ballard.  We started off at Lagunitas since neither of us had been before and had some yummy beers and snacks in their huge open warehouse, then we ventured across the street to one of our faves, Peddler, for some of my favorite beers in Seattle.  I love that since it was early it wasn't too crowded yet and we were able to get tables at both places and not have to wait in any lines.  After beers, we were all pretty hungry so we headed to dinner at La Isla {which I hadn't been to since our 3rd date!} and had some delicious food before heading back to Christian's to give Nina some much needed snuggles.  It was the perfect way to start the holiday weekend :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Long Weekend

How was your weekend?  Mine was a lot of family time, a lot of relaxing time, and a few margaritas on the rooftop mixed in there somewhere :)  While the weekend started out rainy and cold, it ended with the sun shining and a lot of time spent soaking up the rays and prepping for a few busy weeks ahead.  I hope you had a great long weekend - cheers to a short week!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy {Long Weekend} Friday

Happy Friday!  It has been so long since our last long weekend, and without any vacation days at the new job {I'm hoarding them for something extra special coming up} I've been working away without any time off.  I'm so excited for an extra sleep in day - this weekend will be filled with lots of family time and checking things off the To Do list, so it'll be nice to have Monday to spend some time just relaxing and being at home.  I hope you have an awesome long weekend and that there's a bbq in there somewhere to celebrate the official start of summer :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Shrimp Fajita Bowls

This past weekend when trying to decide what to make for dinner for the upcoming week, I remembered I had some leftover shrimp in the freezer that needed to be cooked, so in perusing the Skinnytaste website I found this recipe for Shrimp Fajita Bowls and knew instantly this was the one.  All of the different sections of ingredients can seem daunting, but it's actually quite simple to put together {like making the rice and salsa as the veggies are cooking}.  You can change the toppings around however you'd like {some cheese and black beans would be delish}, but however you dress it, these bowls are a great weeknight meal to whip together and leftovers the next day are delicious heated up.  The perfect summer meal :)

Shrimp Fajita Bowls

Ingredients

For shrimp:
1 Tblsp olive oil
Juice of 1 lime
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
Black pepper
1 lb large peeled, deveined, tail off shrimp

For the veggies:
2 medium red bell peppers, sliced
1 large red onion, sliced
1 Tblsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
Black pepper

For the rice:
3 cups cooked brown rice
2 Tblsp chopped cilantro
1/4 tsp salt
Juice of 1/2 lime

For Salsa & Topping:
1 cup diced tomatoes
1/3 cup chopped white onion
1/4 cup chopped cilantro 
Salt
Black pepper
1 small avocado, thinly sliced

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400.
2. In large bowl, whisk together all shrimp ingredients from olive oil to black pepper.  Add shrimp and toss evenly to coat.  Set aside and allow to marinate while you make the veggies.
3. Combine all veggie ingredients in large bowl.  Using hands, toss and evenly coat veggies with oil and seasonings.
4. Transfer veggies to sheet pan and roast about 20 minutes, tossing halfway through.
5. To make rice, combine rice with cilantro, salt, and lime juice.
6. To make salsa, combine tomatoes, onion, cilantro, salt, and pepper.
7. Remove veggies from oven and place marinated shrimp evenly among the veggies.  Return to oven and roast 8 minutes.
8. Make bowls with rice, shrimp, veggies, salsa, and sliced avocado.

Serves 4

adapted from skinnytaste

{quantity may look small since I halved the recipe}

xoxo,
stephanie marie

G.O.T.

I'm still trying to process Sunday night's series finale of Game of Thrones and even now I still find myself thinking "huh" when I think about how one of my most favorite shows ended.  David and I have been through it all with this series - we each read all 5 books {all 1000+ pages per book} and we even binged Season 1 one cold November day from start to finish just to catch up.  Sunday night he brought over a fitting bottle of wine and I made dinner for the finale of a show that started strong, always surprised, and ended a little meh.  I'm not as disappointed as others - I'm definitely not signing a petition to re-shoot season 8 and I think we all need to settle down and realize that in the end it's just a tv show - but I do think the series was groundbreaking, surprising, and completely one of a kind and there really isn't another show like it that takes you for such a ride.  While most of my favorites ended up alive {a rarity on this show} and it was a rather happy and hopeful ending, I'm still left wanting more - or at least to fill in the holes that were undoubtedly created while trying to wrap up this epic tale in 6 final episodes.  Regardless of the ending, Game of Thrones was one of my absolute favorite things I've ever watched {and read!} and I cannot wait to inevitably re-watch it again and cheer for my faves.  After all, even though winter has come and gone, the pack survives and that's definitely worth another go around.

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Anniversary {Shaun & Sara}

Happy {1 day late} Anniversary to these two on the right!  I can't believe it's already been 2 years since the Best Day Ever, and I'm so excited to see what the next upcoming years have in store for you guys - I know it's going to get even better!  Happy Anniversary you two - I can't wait to celebrate with you in just a few short weeks!  Cheers!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{friday night shrimp quesadillas}

 {quick visit with theia}

 {the view that never gets old}

 {happy hour - pick your poison}

 {new hair}

 {bbq chicken dinner}

 {full hazy moon}

 {meal prep}

 {never not begging for food}

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Happy Friday

Happy Friday!  What are you up to this weekend?  I'm excited to head up north for a little family and friend time - it feels like forever since I've spent some quality time up there and it'll be nice to relax and have some good home cooked meals.  But first, I think tonight deserves a big glass of wine - who's with me??  Have a great one!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

The Best Skinny Margarita

Christian and I have been on a mission to perfect the at home margarita, and I think we may have finally done it.  We love a good fresh margarita on a Saturday evening to sip while we make dinner and the recipe I found on Simply Real Health for a Skinny Margarita is simple, straightforward, and delicious.  The first step is to have some yummy ingredients - we were fortunate enough to get a bottle of Casamigos tequila and Grand Marnier while Mom's friend was in Nevada {tax free!} but we've made this with Jose Cuervo Silver and it's still pretty tasty.  The second secret?  Big ice cubes - I swear it makes all the difference in a cocktail.  I bought Christian these round ones for Christmas last year and we always keep them filled for when the mood strikes for a cocktail.  Next time you're in the mood for a fresh and refreshing margarita without all the extra sugar and artificial flavor, grab the tequila bottle and make these ASAP.  Cheers!

The Best Skinny Margarita

Ingredients
3oz tequila
2 limes, juiced
3oz Cointreau or Grand Marnier
6oz club soda

Instructions
1. Add tequila, lime juice, and Grand Marnier to a shaker with ice and shake like crazy.
2. Add large ice cubes to two glass and fill about 1/3 full with club soda.
3. Pour margarita over top, splitting between the two glasses.

Serves 2

adapted from simply real health

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Mother's Day Brunch

Mom and Dad stayed over after the BBQ at Christian's so Sunday we had a lazy morning at home celebrating Mom.  I made us her fave, broccoli cheddar quiche, and paired it with some bacon, homemade blueberry muffins, and mimosas {duh}.  It was a little rainy and cold outside so we relaxed in the house, watching HGTV and sipping coffee, then Dad and I headed outside to do a bit of pruning before they headed back north for the rest of the day.  I love getting to spend time with my parents, and especially love the chance to spoil them whenever I can.  Thanks again for coming down Mom & Dad - I'm so lucky to have the best parents in the world!

 outtake

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Mother's Day BBQ

Saturday evening Mom & Dad came down to spend part of the Mother's Day weekend with me.  Since the sun was shining and it was another gorgeous day, we headed over to Christian's for a bbq on the roof with his mom, sister, and brother-in-law.  After grabbing some drinks, we all headed up to the rooftop to take in the views, snack on some yummy appetizers, and chat about everything from boats to plants while Christian bbq'd some of his specialties {flank steak and the best onions ever}.  Once the winds picked up and the sun started to go down, we headed down to the dining room where the most delicious feast awaited us.  It was such a fun evening bringing some of my favorite people together, and judging by all the laughs and convos that were had throughout the night, I'd say there's a strong possibility we'll be getting together again very soon :)

 xoxo,
stephanie marie