The Weekend {In Pictures}

 {my favorite corner of queen anne right now}

 {waiting for daddy to grab dinner}

 {best buds}

 {rooftop dinners for as long as we can}

 {breakfast}

 {quick stop at the german grocery store}

 {my first introduction to jack stack from the millers}

 {sleepy girl}

{polenta & veggies for dinner}

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy {End of August} Friday

Happy Friday!  I can't believe next week will be September already - where did the summer go?!?  Even though the weather has been gorgeous, you can definitely feel a crispness in the air signalling that fall is right around the corner.  I'm hoping for a nice relaxing weekend, seeing {socially distanced} family and enjoying these last warm sunny days of summer outside while we still can.  Hope you can do the same!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Strawberry Ice Cream

Last year for my birthday Christian bought me the ice cream maker attachment for my Kitchenaid Mixer but it's taken me a year to actually use it {whoops!}.  The whole process seemed intimidating but I was determined to use it this summer with fresh fruits and berries and when I came across Grandbaby Cakes' Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream I knew this was the perfect place to start.  The biggest lesson I learned in this process was that making ice cream takes a looooong time.  The steps are actually incredibly easy and quick, but there is a lot of waiting time {freezing the bowl for at least a full day ahead of time, cooling the mixture in the fridge, running the mixer for at least 30 minutes, then freezing afterwards to get the ice cream to firm up} - this is not something you're going to be enjoying the same day you start making it!  But homemade ice cream {especially this one} is so worth it.  The freshness of the strawberries really shined and the creaminess of the ice cream was hard to beat.  For a first timer I think I did a pretty decent job and now that I know making homemade ice cream is not hard I can't wait to look up other recipes to try again :)

Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream

Equipment
Ice Cream Maker

Ingredients
3 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups heavy whipping cream
2 cups half and half
1 lb strawberries, hulled and pureed in blender with 2 Tblsp granulated sugar
1 Tblsp vanilla extract

Instructions
1. Beat eggs and egg yolks together in medium size bowl.  Add sugar to bowl and whisk together.
2. Add heavy cream and half & half to large pot on stove and heat to boiling level.  Remove from heat.
3. Slowly add 3 Tblsp of hot milk mixture to egg mixture to temper it and whisk together to combine.  Slowly add in rest of milk mixture and continue to whisk entire time to make sure eggs don't scramble.
4. Stir in strawberry puree and vanilla extract.
5. Place mixture in refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours to chill completely {some recipes suggest overnight}.
6. Add mixture to ice cream maker and mix according to manufacturer's instructions {I mixed mine about 30 minutes}.
7. Store in freezer safe container in freezer when not eating.

adapted from grandbaby cakes

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Netflix & Chill {Part II}

When I first wrote about the shows we were watching back in April, I don't think I really anticipated how long we'd actually be socially distancing {coming up on 6 months of being home!}  I thought I'd give you a new updated list of shows we currently are watching or recently have completed {because we've blown through the last list - except Schitts Creek which I'm savoring because I don't want it to end!} that will hopefully help with your list as the days get shorter and the weather gets a little cooler.  There's nothing better than a good binge watch!

Yellowstone - just finished Season 2 this week and I CANNOT WAIT to get my hands on season 3.  If you haven't seen this, start it now!

Ramy - unlike anything else I've watched recently, it's funny, frustrating, and thought-provoking

Mrs. America - such an interesting take on the fight for equal rights, plus I'll watch anything with Cate Blanchett

Little Fires Everywhere - a gripping adaptation of a favorite book

Normal People - another adaptation of a favorite book and one of the best shows I've watched lately

When They See Us - so difficult to watch, but incredibly important and timely

Succession - what the what?!? I can't help but dance when I hear the theme song, and I can't begin to tell you how awful this family is which makes for such a great watch

Selling Sunset - you know I love my "reality" tv and Selling Sunset does not disappoint

What shows have you been into lately?

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Sheet Pan Hawaiian Pineapple Shrimp Tacos with Creamy Jalapeno Special Sauce

A few weeks back I was in a cooking rut but knew Half Baked Harvest could get me out of it.  I stumbled upon her Sheet Pan Hawaiian Pineapple Shrimp Tacos with Creamy Jalapeno Special Sauce and was instantly intrigued.  I would say this was one of her simplest and tastiest recipes I have tried - it was so easy to cook everything on one sheet pan then mix up the sauce in my mini food processor - and before I knew it I was eating some delicious tacos!  You could probably make this even easier by using canned pineapple chunks or canned corn too, which would be perfect come winter time.  I'm already craving making these again and suggest you do the same!  Oh, and if you're worried about spice, roasting the jalapeno and removing the seeds takes away most of the heat, but you could always just use half the pepper if you're extra worried {though you need not be}.  Enjoy!

Sheet Pan Hawaiian Pineapple Shrimp Tacos with Creamy Jalapeno Special Sauce 

Ingredients

Tacos

1 1/2 lbs large shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 Tblsp olive oil

3-4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp chili powder

1 Tblsp low sodium soy sauce

1 Tblsp sriracha

Salt & Pepper

2 cups fresh pineapple chunks

1 medium shallot, thinly sliced

Creamy Jalapeno Special Sauce

1 jalapeno

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

Juice of 2 limes

2 tsp honey

1 cup cilantro, roughly chopped

1 ear raw or grilled corn, kernels removed from cobb {if using raw, heat up in a frying pan for a few minutes to get a slight char}

warmed corn or flour tortillas

avocado, for topping

feta or cotija cheese, for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425.

2. On a baking sheet, toss together shrimp, 1 Tblsp olive oil, garlic, chili powder, soy sauce, sriracha, and pinch each of salt and pepper.  Arrange in a single layer on one side of pan.  On other half of pan, add pineapple, shallot, and jalapeno.  Toss with 1 Tblsp olive oil.  Transfer pan to oven and roast 8-10 minutes or until shrimp is cooked.  Turn oven to broil and broil for 1-2 minutes until pineapple is slightly charred.

3. Remove from oven and toss shrimp and pineapple together.  Set aside.

4. To make sauce, de-seed jalapeno if desired.  Add to blender along with yogurt, juice of 1 lime, honey, and 1/4 cup cilantro.  Blend until smooth and season with salt.

5. Toss together remaining 3/4 cup cilantro, corn, juice of 1 lime, and pinch of salt.  Set aside.

6. To assemble tacos, fill tortillas with shrimp and pineapple mixture and drizzle with jalapeno sauce.  Top with avocado, cheese, and corn mixture.

Serves 4

adapted from half baked harvest

xoxo,
stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

 {friday night happy hour}

 {cocktails}

 {dinner prep}

 {linguine with scallops and zucchini}

 {sweetest bf cleaning my car}

 {saturday afternoon rooftop chillin'}

 {italian chopped salad}

 {a fave wine + a fave show}

{socially distanced firepit drinks with the neighbors}

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Jack on the Farm

After our quick trip to the beach we headed back to the farm for dinner and so Jack could play in the yard and enjoy life at Nana and Grandpa's.  I loved crawling around with him on the grass {getting some cute selfies while he tried to steal my phone} and getting in as much snuggle time as I could before his bedtime.  I love this little dude so much and cannot believe in just a few short weeks he'll be 1 {and I'm sure walking everywhere shortly thereafter}.  Thanks Shaun & Sara for letting us come play with Jack - I can't wait to see all of you again very soon!

{making friends with Nina}

{exhausted after running away from jack all afternoon}

{rawwwwwrrrrrr}

{emo hair + a photo bomb}

{checkin out the cows & nina with grandpa}

{hammock life}

{loving his new car}

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Jack at the Beach

Saturday afternoon we headed up north for a very special visit to see Baby Jack, who was in town with his parents for the weekend.  After a quick stop at my parents {more on that tomorrow} we headed out to the island so Jack could spend some time with his great grandparents.  Seeing Jack so excited to see the waves coming in and play in the same places I did as a kid made me so happy and watching him interact with Gram and Gramps was as sweet as can be.  He's at such a fun age where he's mimicking what we're doing and the noises we're making and I just loved being able to share this special visit to the island with him :)

{cruisin' to the beach in dad's vw bug}

{playing "the drums" with great grandma}

{that face}

{cheese}

{playing with great grandpa}

xoxo,
stephanie marie