Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! I’m going to take some time off to soak up the holiday season and enjoy time with family, but I hope you have a very happy, healthy, and peaceful holiday season filled with love, laughter, and lots of treats :)

xoxo,

stephanie marie 

December Date Night {Part II - Dave Chappelle}

About a month ago I got a random email saying that Dave Chappelle tickets were going on sale that day for a show in December at Climate Pledge.  I know how much Christian loves Chappelle so I thought it would be the perfect late birthday/early Christmas birthday present for him.  The show was last week and unfortunately, we weren't allowed to bring any phones into the arena {they had us put them all in locked cases that we would unlock at the end of the show}.  So no pictures or videos from the show, but it allowed us to be present and engaged the whole time {and also have no idea what time it was all night long}.  We had a great time laughing along with all 4 openers throughout the evening {some better than others}, and then when Chappelle finally came on it was like a rock star was in the building, with the crowd going wild and his signature storytelling coming to life.  It was a great date night with my honey and I'm so glad I got that random email for tickets!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

December Date Night {Part I - The Sitting Room}

When I saw that The Sitting Room was once again transforming itself into the Home Alone movie for the holidays, I knew we had to stop by on our way to an event at Climate Pledge.  Since it was a pretty nice evening we decided to walk down there and as it was early enough, we were able to grab a table no problem.  The bar was playing Home Alone on the tv so we could watch the movie while sipping on themed cocktails and checking out all of the amazing decorations throughout the restaurant.  I love a Christmas-themed bar and am so happy we were able to stop by this one again before the season is over!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Marry Me Chicken & Gnocchi Soup

While we were in Milan, Miriam cooked dinner for us several nights and one that C instantly fell in love with was this Marry Me Chicken & Gnocchi Soup.  Even though the ingredient list looks intimidating, it's actually really easy to put together so I've made it several times for us since we've been home {we're definitely deep into soup season over here!}.  If you're craving something hearty and a little indulgent, I'd highly recommend making this one to warm you up!

Marry Me Chicken & Gnocchi Soup

Ingredients

2 Tblsp Butter

1/2 Tblsp sun-dried tomato oil

1 yellow onion, diced

2 carrots, diced

2 ribs of celery, diced

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes in oil, chopped

3 Tblsp tomato paste

6 garlic cloves, minced

4 cups chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream

1 lb shelf stable gnocchi

3 cups cooked, shredded chicken {can be from a rotisserie}

4 oz cream cheese, softened to room temp

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped

2 Tblsp fresh basil, chopped {plus more for topping if desired}

Instructions

1. In large pot, melt butter and oil over medium heat.  Add onion, carrots, and celery.  Season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.  Cook for about 5 minutes while veggies soften.

2. Stir in sun dried tomatoes.  Add tomato paste and cook about 3 minutes until darkened.  Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.

3. Stir in broth and heavy cream and bring to a boil.

4. Add gnocchi and chicken.  Boil uncovered for 3-4 minutes until the gnocchi float.

5. Turn off heat and stir in cream cheese until melted.  Add Parmesan and stir until melted.

6. Stir in spinach and basil.  Season with Salt & Pepper if needed.

Serves 6

adapted from whats mom cookin

xoxo,

stephanie marie

November Date Night {Lupo}

I love celebrating my honey on his birthday so this year, after getting back from our European adventure, we turned it into our monthly date night and I told him to choose wherever he wanted to go.  He fell in love with Lupo when we went for our February Date Night and talks about it all the time, so when he chose to go back there I happily made us a reservation for that Friday night.  We started with an insanely delicious autumn salad with radicchio, apples and the yummiest vinaigrette, then moved on to 2 pizzas to share including the mushroom and a special for the night that had guanciale and caramelized onions {so so good}.  Though the restaurant is pretty loud, it's still a cozy date night spot and with some exceptionally delicious food, was the perfect place to celebrate another trip around the sun.  Cheers!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{friday sunset}

{friday at uvillage}

{a very satisfying drawer organization}

{fish soup}

{3rd sunday of advent}

{breakfast}

{roundabout decorations}

{hawks win}

{sunday roast}

{pastries & pluribus}

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Happy {Very Wet} Friday

Happy Friday!  It's been crazy to see all the flooding in my hometown this week {even on the national news} - luckily in Seattle it's been very wet but nothing like it is in the surrounding areas.  Stay safe out there my friends, and sending lots of love and warmth to all of those who need it!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Happy Birthday Gram!

Happy Happy Birthday Gram!  I hope you have the best day filled with lots of love, happiness, and sweet treats - you deserve it!  Love you so much and see you soon!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Grappa

After our holiday shopping excursion we met up with Christian for a festive holiday dinner.  We decided to try Grappa on Queen Anne - a place I hadn't been to in years but always looks and feels cozy and festive {and has a lit up Santa's Sleigh on the roof all season long}.  The service was quite slow but the ambience was festive and the food really tasty, making it a perfect stop to fuel up before a drive around the 'hood looking at Christmas lights then a cheesy Christmas movie back at home.  A perfect evening!

lasagna

meatballs to share

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Holiday Shopping

Here are a few pics from last Friday when I skipped out on work early to spend the day shopping with Mom at UVillage {a fun holiday tradition we've been doing the last few years}.  We stopped at the new DeLille En Ville for a delicious lunch, then spent the surprisingly nice day wandering around the village and checking things off our to do list.  It was a great way to feel a little more prepared for the upcoming holidays and so fun to spend the day hanging out with my mama!

mom's hamburger + my fried chicken sandwich

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Happy Birthday Henry!

Happy 4th Birthday Henry!! You are the funniest, sweetest, most daring little guy I know and I’m so lucky to be your auntie. Have a great day, buddy - can’t wait to celebrate you soon!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!  I'm excited for a weekend full of Christmas shopping and cheer - I can't believe we're already into December!  Even though our evening walks are getting quite dark, it's made a little more cozy by the neighborhood Christmas lights and the lit up tree on top of the Space Needle.  I sure love this time of year :)

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Sweden {Part IV - Costco & Copenhagen}

For our last day in Sweden, C's parents drove us down to Malmo where we got to visit Costco, a real treat if you know this family :)  We spent hours wandering the aisles and marveling at the differences {Princess Cake} and similarities {rotisserie chicken} of the Swedish and US versions.  Afterwards it was time to say goodbye and drop us off at the train station, where we waited in the freezing cold for an hour while our trains were delayed.  After having to switch trains again in Malmo city center before making our way to Copenhagen, we were almost tired and cold enough to stay in the hotel and have a bad last dinner, but we rallied and put on our warmest clothes for one night out in my favorite city.  We took the train from our airport hotel to the city center, where we wandered the dark and rainy streets, pointing out places we've been and wanted to go back to, before making our way to Brus for a delicious dinner after not eating since breakfast.  Since we had a super early 6am flight we headed back to the hotel after dinner, but I'm so glad we made time to have one final date night out in Copie before the long trek back to reality.

walking by our favorite we talk about all the time

double smashed beef burger and fries

labneh with flatbread, sumac & mushrooms {our favorite}

not your average meatball & spatzle 'n' cheese

even in the cold and freezing rain, i love wandering around this city

xoxo,

stephanie marie