Pizza on the Island & a Drive North

After the reunion, we reconvened at home before heading out to the beach to make homemade pizza for G&G.  Christian graciously served up pizza after pizza while Mom & I prepped and topped them, and I think from the happy faces and full bellies the evening was a success.  Sunday morning we had coffee and pancakes on the patio, then headed up north via Chuckanut Drive to explore some new to Christian places, including Birch Bay & Semiahmoo, where we could see Mt. Baker in all her glory and sneak a peek at Canada across the bay.  After heading back to Burlington, Mom went to meet friends so Christian, Dad, and I headed out to The Corner for a late lunch/early dinner which hits the spot every time.  After leftover pineapple upside down cake back at the farmhouse and stealing from Mom & Dad's garden, it was time to make the drive back to the city {though we luckily waited until late enough to avoid traffic}.  It was a fun and full weekend at home and one I'm hoping we can do again very soon!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Twenty

It's absolutely crazy to me, but last weekend we celebrated the class of 2002's 20 year high school reunion {relive our 10 year here}.  The past 20 years have gone by in the blink of an eye - it seems like just yesterday we were walking across that graduation stage on what has to be one of the coldest June days ever, but when I think back to everything that has happened since then, I guess it really has been quite a long time.  Due to covid, travels, and other plans a lot of people couldn't make it, but we still had a pretty awesome turnout {see above for most of the attendees and their families} for a warm sunny day at Bay View State Park.  While I was super nervous before the event {especially as one by one my friends started dropping like flies}, it ended up being so much fun catching up and reminiscing with people I haven't seen in so many years - it was like no time had passed with some and we picked up just like we had left off.  While I know most of these people I probably won't see for another 10 years {except for chance encounters in the valley} I'm hoping that some of these rekindled friendships won't take quite so long to connect again.  Thanks to Merith for putting together such a fun afternoon, and to Josh for executing it in her absence!  Cheers to the class of 2002 - see y'all again in 2032 :)

with janet & josh

janet, josh, & jake

facetiming in merith

zach singing happy birthday to tessa and remembering those we've lost

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Happy Birthday Brother!

Happy Birthday little brother!!  Even though I always beat you at Wordle, you’re still the best for jokes, advice, long talks about nothing, and just the right meme. I’m so thankful for you and our FaceTime Fridays and they are even better now that there are more little mini-yous around this year. Hopefully they celebrate you today and realize just how lucky they are to have you! Cheers to you, little bro - I love ya!! 

xoxo, 

stephanie marie 

Dinner on the Boat & Neil Diamond

Friday night after we arrived in the valley and finished up some work we decided to head out to the Marina for a sunny evening on the water.  We picked up dinner to go at Fidalgo Drive In and took it to Dad's boat where we sat in the marina listening to the distant sounds of a Neil Diamond cover band playing tunes back on shore.  We sipped beers and ate yummy food all while soaking up the sun, then headed back to the main stage just in time for the grand finale of Sweet Caroline.  It was a fun and chill night on the water and the perfect start to the weekend.

xoxo,

stephanie marie

A Valley Weekend

How was your weekend? We spent ours up north soaking up lots of sun outside, being by the water, visiting with friends and family, and having a wonderful time outside of the city. It’s refreshing to spend time up there and always so hard to come back, but here we are ready to conquer Monday and make it a great week :) Hope you had a great one too!

xoxo,

stephanie marie 

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!  It's been gorgeous weather here in Seattle {knock on wood that heat wave they're predicting for next week doesn't come} and we're excited to head out of town for a bit and spend some time with the family {and friends - how has it already been another 10 years?!?!}.  Hope you have a great weekend - say safe and cool!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Pasta with Corn, Tomatoes, "Onion-Bacon", & Basil

While summer may not be the ideal time to turn on the stove, it's the best time to cook with that yummy bright produce that is all over the farmer's markets right now.  When I bought The Weekday Vegetarians last year I couldn't wait until summertime to try this Pasta with Corn, Tomatoes, Onion-Bacon, & Basil, knowing that the flavors would be super fresh and delicious this time of year.  This past week I gave it a go and with a bit of prepping and slicing, the dish came together really easy giving us those great, summer flavors I dream of all winter long.  The key to the "bacon" flavor is the slow cooked red onions that get jammy and delicious when cooked on low as the pasta cooks, and all put together it's the perfect summer dish to celebrate this wonderful season.  Cheers to that!

Pasta with Corn, Tomatoes, "Onion-Bacon", & Basil

Ingredients

Salt

1 medium red onion, sliced

4 Tbsp olive oil

16 oz favorite pasta {I used linguine and the recipe called for tagliatelle}

3 Tbsp unsalted butter

1 garlic clove, minced {I used 4 because we love garlic}

Black pepper

Pinch of red pepper flakes

4 cups corn kernels {from about 4 ears of corn}

3 cups roughly chopped ripe tomatoes {from about 3 large tomatoes} and their juices

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

4-8 basil leaves, torn

Instructions

1. In large Dutch oven set over medium-low heat, combine onion and 3 Tbsp olive oil and stir every few minutes until very melty and softened.

2. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to directions.  When almost done, reserve 1 cup pasta water and drain pasta, tossing with 1 Tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking.

3. Add butter to the red onion, which should be very soft by now, along with garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.  Cook 1 minute.  Add corn and tomatoes and cook until veggies release a lot of liquid, about 5 more minutes.  Sauce will be bright and chunky.

4. Add pasta and Parmesan to veggies, tossing thoroughly.  Add drizzle of pasta water as needed.  Serve topped with basil and more Parmesan.

Serves 4-5

adapted from the weekday vegetarians

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Musang

For this past weekend's date night I had made reservations at Musang, a much talked about filipino restaurant on Beacon Hill.  We headed down south early for a drive through neighborhoods we hardly ever go to and a walk through Seward Park, then headed up the hill to this converted old house on the main drag.  We had reservations on the patio that had spaced out tables and was covered {and thankfully not too hot} and immediately ordered some yummy specialty cocktails to start the night out.  All the dishes we shared had delicious flavors and a real sense of comfort food, and we left the restaurant almost too full to move {at least, too full for ice cream down the street}.  It was fun to try somewhere new that's been on my list for awhile and I love getting out on dates and exploring new 'hoods in Seattle.  Such a fun night!

lumpiang Shanghai {pork & shrimp lumpia}

short rib kare kare {braised short rib with peanut sauce} + garlic rice + pancit canton {canton noodles with veggies}

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Strawberry Shortcakes, Deconstructed

For our quiet 4th of July this year I decided that since we didn't have a lot of plans during the day I had time to make my own shortcake for dessert {and if it was terrible, at least we'd still have ice cream and strawberries!}.  After looking at several recipes in my cookbooks, I decided on Barefoot Contessa's deconstructed version from her How Easy is That? cookbook.  They were a cinch to put together while I was making the rest of the day's meal, and I think I cut mine a bit small because it made way more than the recipe said it would {not a bad problem to have}.  They were perfect paired with simple strawberries and ice cream {by the end of the day I was too lazy to make homemade whipped cream} and the bite-sized shortcakes made excellent leftovers when stored in an airtight container for a week {I think they would've been really good warmed up with some jam for breakfast}.  If you're looking for a fun new spin on a classic dessert, give this one a try!

Strawberry Shortcakes, Deconstructed

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 Tbsp sugar

1 Tbsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

12 Tbsp  {1 1/2 sticks} cold, unsalted butter, diced

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 cup cold heavy cream

1 egg beaten with 2 Tbsp water {for egg wash - I skipped this part as we were running low on eggs}

Fresh Strawberries

Homemade whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400.  Line baking sheet pan with parchment paper.

2. Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in bowl of electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment.  Add butter and mix on low speed until butter is size of peas.  Combine eggs and heavy cream in cup and with mixer still on low, add slowly to flour mixture.  Mix until just combined {dough will be sticky}.

3. Dump dough onto well-floured surface.  Flour a rolling pin and roll dough to about 1/2 inch thick.  You will see lumps of butter still in dough.  Dip 2 inch round cutter {or top of small glass} into flour and cut 16-18 biscuits {you may need to re-roll dough several times}.

4. Place biscuits on sheet pan, brush tops with egg wash {if using} and sprinkle with extra sugar.  Bake for 15-20 minutes, until tops are browned and insides fully baked.  Cool on pan.

5. Serve however you would strawberry shortcakes, with a few small shortcakes topped with strawberries and either whipping cream or ice cream!

adapted from barefoot contessa how easy is that

xoxo,

stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{starting the weekend off with beers at a new favorite brewery}

{pizza dinner}

{home improvement}

{a walk around seward park}

{sunday brekkie}

{i should've hired a gardener}

{a little 5 mile walk by the lake}

{somebody made a friend at the brewery - and yes, we went again to end the weekend}

{remnants of a neighborhood tree house}

{sunday night quesadillas}

xoxo,

stephanie marie