Happy Mom's Day

Happy Mother's Day to the best Mom in the entire world {and I'm not just saying that because you're my mom}!  Mom - you truly are the most amazing person I know.  Through the good times and hard times, you are there through it all - with a joke, a hug, a shoulder to cry on, or just a smile.  Thanks for being my travel buddy, my confidante, my role model, and my best friend.  I'm so grateful to call you Mom :)  Love ya!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Roaming the Garden {Rhododendrons}

If there's one thing that's really making my yard absolutely awesome right now, it's the huge Rhododendrons out front.  There are 3 beautiful shades of pink that seem to take up the entire front yard, and overnight they were all of the sudden there.  It makes me so giddy to see these as I'm walking home from the bus stop - they're visible from blocks away.  I can't even begin to describe how happy it makes me to see everything coming to life in this little garden of mine.  I never thought this stuff was important to me when I was house hunting, but now I can't imagine living somewhere without all of this life around.  Rhodies - please stick around for a while.  I think you are quite stunning :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Portage Bay Cafe

A few weeks ago, Mom and I took the day off of work to celebrate Nana's birthday.  We decided to start the day with a hearty breakfast, so I took Mom to one of the yummiest restaurants in the city - Portage Bay Cafe.  Since it was a Monday, there was absolutely no wait to get a table {unheard of on a weekend at this place} and we immediately started drooling over their amazing menu.  I can't resist a Mexican-themed breakfast, so I ordered the Migas, and Mom was hooked on the Ham and Cheese omelette when she saw "Beecher's Flagship" in the description.  We both devoured our breakfasts, then lingered over coffee and conversation.  It was a great way to start the day celebrating the lady we both love {and miss} so much.

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Pappa al Pomodoro

A few weeks ago, when it was still rainy and cold out, I had Erika over for some good hearty soup.  I had about half a loaf of bread leftover from Easter dinner, so I decided to utilize it to make The Barefoot Contessa's Pappa al Pomodoro, something I've been wanting to try forever.  You know how I love a good tomato soup, but this one is different in that it stays super chunky and is flavored by some of my favorite herbs and veggies {basil and fennel, to name two}.  I loved the consistency of the soup and Erika and I both kept commenting on the delicious flavor.  If you are looking for some warm comfort food this week during the unpredictable weather, I'd suggest giving this one a go.  And the best thing about soups?  Leftovers :)

Pappa al Pomodoro

Ingredients
1/2 cup olive oil
2 small yellow onions, chopped
3 carrots, unpeeled and diced
1 fennel bulb trimmed, cored, and diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups diced (1 inch) day old french bread, crusts removed
2- 28oz cans peeled whole tomatoes in juice
4 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
Salt and Pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Instructions
1. Heat oil in large pot over medium heat.  Add onions, carrots, fennel, and garlic and cook over medium low for 10 minutes until tender.  Add bread cubes and cook 5 more minutes.  
2. Place tomatoes in bowl of food processor or blender and process until just coarsely chopped.  Add tomatoes and their juice to pot, along with chicken stock, red wine, basil, 1 tblsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper.
3. Bring soup to boil, lower heat, and simmer, partially covered, for 45 minutes.  Serve topped with Parmesan.

Serves 6

adapted from The Barefoot Contessa

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Easter Sunday

I know I'm a few weeks late, but I wanted to share a few shots from our Easter Sunday.  The parents and I decided to keep the holiday low key, so I ended up having them down to my house and hosted my first holiday at home {good to start small}.  It was super relaxed watching the Mariner's, drinking wine, cooking, and walking through my garden identifying plants that were popping up.  It was such a nice day spent together with two of my most favorite people in the whole world :)

 meal prep ideas

 dying eggs

 a table set for 3

 mom's ham and my green beans

 

 dessert!  {recipe coming soon}

Hope you all had a great holiday!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Charlie

Have you met Charlie?  He's the kitty {I totally made up his name - he just looks like a Charlie} who thinks my yard is his own personal playground.  I guess I can't blame him - there are so many bushes to hide under, trees to climb, and birds to chase that he never gets bored.  But when he does, he's sure to climb up into the bird bath {left by the previous owners} to watch over the place for me.  He's a good guy like that :)

Happy Friday!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy 6th Birthday Abby!

Happy 6th Birthday, sweetest Abby!  I can't believe you're already 6 - that makes Auntie Stephie feel old!  I can't wait to see you this summer, but until then I'll have to settle for the hilarious stories and pictures - especially the ones of you playing soccer and chasing butterflies {often at the same time}  :)

Happy Birthday Abby! 

xoxo,
stephanie marie