Day Trip to Nowhere

Ever need to get away?

I was urgent for a day out of Seattle so I started brainstorming ideas of day trips but the options that seemed the most exciting were better saved for a sunny day. I always wanted to check out the Lululemon outlet in Burlington so I hopped in my car and took off.

Amsterdam Style

Yesterday I realized that I will be in Amsterdam in two weeks... TWO WEEKS!

I don't know how I lost track of time but after months of anticipation it is just around the corner.

Lion House Banana Bread

I've noticed as I've grown older, and especially since getting married and moving away, that preserving traditions is really important to me. I guess because it makes me feel like I'm still connected to my family, my childhood, and to great memories.

The biggest way I see this is through food. By cooking dishes that I grew up with, I remember where I came from and the experiences that shaped me. Recently, I’ve found myself craving this connection. On Halloween, I made my mom's Hamburger Soup, the dish she always made before we left the house to go trick-or-treating. When St. Patrick's rolled around, I decided to share the fun with my husband, Mark. We made corned beef and cabbage with soda bread, a meal that reminds him of the countless meals cooked by his mom and grandmother in the kitchen.

One family recipe in particular is probably my favorite. When I was about to leave home and begin my college career in New York City, my mom sent me off with her recipe for banana muffins. Without a kitchen in my dorm, though, I was sadly never able to make them. Later, when I came home for a visit, my mom sent me back with a whole batch. I froze them in my tiny dorm fridge in an attempt to make them last as long as possible. I ended up microwaving one each morning to eat on the way to class, savoring each bite and the feeling of somehow being closer to my mom. It was a sad day when they ran out and I had to go back to my breakfasts of creamsicle flavored NuGo bars.

So it’s no surprise that when I recently had a bunch of overripe bananas, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them. I couldn’t find the recipe given to me some years ago, so I asked my mom if she could send it over. Here is exactly what she wrote:

Found in my "Tried and True Favorite Recipes" Notebook, so it is definitely a traditional family recipe! 

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter1 cup sugar
2 eggs1 cup mashed bananas
1/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 cups flour1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts I don't add nuts

(For some reason I just really got a kick out of that last part about the nuts.)

Directions:
Cream butter and sugar
Beat eggs in one at a time
Add bananas, milk, and lemon juice
Add all dry ingredients together and stir to blend
Add blended dry ingredients to wet ingredients and blend together just until combined.
Bake in well greased in 8x4x3 inch loaf pan, bundt cake pan, or muffin cups. For loaf or bundt cake bake 1 hr at 350*, for muffins bake at 350* for about ½ an hour or until toothpick comes out clean.

Enjoy!!!!Love, Mom

This recipe especially speaks to me because its history dates back to before my mom’s time, or even my grandma’s time. As the name implies, the recipe comes from The Lion House, a reception and banquet hall in Salt Lake City that was originally built in 1856 by the then leader of the Mormon church, Brigham Young, as a home for his family. Although I was not raised in the LDS faith, it is part of my heritage and I love the fact that this recipe has a rich history and that it has been, and continues to be, enjoyed by so many people.

I love this recipe because it is tried and true and serves as a bond to my mom as well as generations past. I hope you enjoy it too!

P.S. I also do not add the nuts

Eyes To See

I live, work, eat, breath, and sleep in Seattle. Living in a densely populated city, I am constantly surrounded by those that are less fortunate than me to a point that it makes me numb to the need. I have perfected the eyes pointed to the ground walk to work or plugged in daze on the bus so that I tune everything out.

People are crazy... smelly... weird... unsafe... It warrants me not being present and hurrying past. Right?

This past Sunday, my church launched a four week program called Eyes To See. It is about being open to the needs of those less fortunate around me and responding to it. They have asked us to focus on four people that we can help. It can be a grand gesture or as simple as a smile to acknowledge their existence. To remind us of this conscious effort, we are wearing friendship bracelets.

On Monday, just a day after agreeing to participate, I left the office to get lunch and immediately ran into a woman with her son asking for money for the bus. Without thinking, I told them I didn't have any change and kept moving. I made it 3 blocks before I remembered just what Pastor Jack spoke about the day prior. I didn't have change but I did have a bus pass so I doubled back only to find they were gone.

Within 24 hours, I had already returned to tuning people out.

I have gotten to good at forgetting the people who are overlooked or unwanted. These next weeks are going to be a challenge of changing my behavior and attitude as I strive for eyes to see. I know that as I seek to be more like God and see people as he see them he will reveal the needs and show they are closer than I realize.

Trove Vintage Boutique

Normally with 'Here & There' I like to show you two locations that are within walking distance of each other but then I spent time in Trove Vintage Boutique and had a chance to talk with owner, Cyrena, plus shop her collection... sharing this spot in a post would do it a diservice.

Trove is located in Seattle, WA in the neighborhood of Ballard on Market St. Their hours are generous for a small boutique and their prices are reasonable. Best of all, they do such a great job of displaying their finds that shopping the boutique is not intimidating but instead delightful.

I can't wait to return!

When I'm Gone

Sometimes you just need to get away to explore and find adventure.
Sometimes you need that to be with someone specific.
But whether or not they join you... adventure awaits.



I saw Pitch Perfect in theaters more times than I can count. I dragged family, friends, boyfriend and I even went by myself.

I was addicted.

So of course it would make sense that I am over joyed that Anna Kendrick's Cup Song was extended and made into a video. (Although, even I will admit it is a tad cheesy.)

Does this song resonate with you too?

Mother's Day Gifts: Care Package for Mom

With Mother's Day coming up, I couldn't wait to put together a little care package for my own mom. My mom is the queen of care packages and gift baskets. That woman can pull together the most amazing gifts that just start with one little idea. Someday I hope to be as creative as she is.

I like to start care packages with a theme, and I started off with chocolate for this one. All moms like chocolate, right? I found some chocolate bars and chocolate tea at Cost Plus World Market and paired those with my mom's favorite shortbread cookies. "It's Okay, It's Organic" is a great excuse for any indulgence! A cute mug that says "Good Morning" is the perfect accessory.

I found a perfect chocolate soap from Rose City Soap to go along with the edible chocolate. It smells divine. I'm not usually a fan of "smelly" soaps, but this is different. It smells great and I know my mom will love it. Rose City Soap is a local Portland company that sells soaps and candles, and everything I've tried is wonderful.

One thing that so great about my mom is that she's ALWAYS willing to listen to my problems. We talk on the phone at least 5 times a day and she knows the ins and outs of all of my drama. My mom also loves gossip magazines! I included a new magazine so she can catch up on drama other than mine.

And the quintessential gift for any mom? A picture of her favorite person! That's you! Bonus points if you throw a grandchild into the picture!

 

Step One.

I wish I could say that no one warned me.

That no one told me not to do it.

That everyone was enthusiastic at the idea.

But it was, in fact, the opposite.
Everyone warned me.
Everyone told me not to do it.
And then everyone partnered with me once I made the mistake and encouraged me along.
Darn all of you for your friendship and support.

The cat is out of the bag... It's true: I am regretting the pixie cut.

Almost immediately I knew this was not my brightest idea. I had moments of confidence in the cut and short hair. There were and are still moments that I absolutely enjoy this new look.

But at the end of the day... I miss my girlish locks and top knot bun. As much as I try to make the pixie cut me, I can't fight the feeling that I am no longer pretty.

So now begins my journey of growing out this cut. I haven't been able to see my hair stylist in Portland so I found someone local in Seattle to turn me brunette. I have never had my hair this dark and hope to not be here long. Only time will tell.

For those that are finding this blog because you too are going through this process:

Step One: Go Dark. Don't Cut.

Pear Flower Cocktail

For my birthday this year, my wonderful sister gave me a three-month subscription to Julibox, a cocktail subscription service that describes itself as a “passport to cocktail discovery.” Each month I receive a boozy bundle of joy that includes spirits, mixers and detailed instructions for two servings of two different cocktails (so four drinks total). This month’s selection featured St. Germain, a French elderflower liquor, paired separately with pear vodka and white rum.

This month’s first selection is the Pear Flower, a refreshing (and simple) combination of equal parts Grey Goose La Poire and St. Germain, lemon juice and soda water. Putting it together took all of a minute – I dumped the individually wrapped bottles of vodka and St. Germain in a shaker added fresh lemon juice and ice, and shook until chilled. I strained the drink into a Collins glass filled with ice, topped with sparkling water, and started drinking.

I’ve received two Julibox shipments so far, and I’m very impressed by the creative recipes, top-shelf liquors, quality packaging and overall fun factor it offers. I don’t spend as much time as I used to in Seattle’s speakeasies, so Julibox is a great way to satisfy my cravings for creative and high quality cocktails. I’m looking forward to next month’s Kentucky Derby-influenced selection featuring bourbon!

Here & There: Nouveau & Alki

When my parents made a last minute decision to visit Seattle I couldn't leave them to fend for themselves all day so I joined them in a work ditch day.  We went all over Seattle and stopped at many tourist spots but our morning was spent exploring these "Here and Theres": Bakery Nouveau & Alki beach.

Here: Bakery Nouveau
Location: West Seattle

I first heard of Bakery Nouveau when a coworker told me about the most amazing brioche roll that tasted like a cinnamon roll with walnuts and bacon. I couldn't even wait a week before visiting upon which I found just what she had described... and let me tell you... it was amazing.

This bakery is on one of the main streets in West Seattle and a mile from the beach. It has an assortment of breakfast breads, sandwiches, pizzas, breads, and desserts but it is most known for its twice baked almond croissant  Even during my mid-day Tuesday visit with my family there was a short line and a steady flow of customers.

There: Alki Beach
Location: West Seattle

Having spent 9ish years in California.... I use the term "beach" lightly. When I first moved here, people were always giving me recommendations of places to explore and Alki came up often. I had this idea of what I imagined it to look like but when I finally visited I was aghast that this is what Seattle refers to as a beach. There was more sand in a sandbox!

Over the months, my disdain for Alki "beach" dwindled and I have come to love this area of town... and not just because it usually means I am stopping at Nouveau first. There are miles of beach walkways, a few local (and chain) coffeeshops, and amazing views of downtown Seattle.

I haven't been here on a hot summer day but I imagine this to be a little less serene and a lot my Baywatch... well, Seattle Baywatch.

How to Design a Party Invitation

Everyone loves a good party, right?!?! To build the anticipation of great party, whether it is a small get together or a huge soiree, it starts with the invitation. Invitations these days tend to be a text, email, or Facebook® invite. All too often in today’s world of technology we lose the personal touch of traditions from the past, this is why a mailed invitation can be an attention grabber for your next par-tay, as no one expects such a gesture!

For the purposes of this How-To post, I’ll share with you all an invite I recently did for a dinner party in honor Habitat for Humanity Walton County in conjunction with Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation— Both great local charities serving our local communities!

First set the tone for your party and let it inspire your invitation. This is a Patron Winner dinner party set in Ruskin Place in Seaside, Florida hosted by the owners of Art of Simple . So I went and saw first hand the setting for the party.

Looking at the surroundings and the purpose of the party I pulled:

• Supplies that feature natural textures and neutral colors for my base.
• Wine being highlighted I choose to pull a wonderful red that was inspired by both the wine and the Tolix chairs in park.

I designed the invitations using a typeface called “Love Potion”.  I took all of the information that needed to appear on the invite and organized it in an easy to follow manner with emphasis on hierarchy. With such a large amount of information a picture or illustration of sorts did not make sense to me for this particular design, so I took inspiration from the theme of the wine auction and organized it all to follow the shape of a wine bottle.

While the design of the information on the page is important, a simple combination of fonts can make for a really simple and elegant invite. Stick to a maximum of two typefaces, such as a script font for your main headings and a san serif for the bulk of the information.

Supplies I used:

·      Inkjet Linen Fabric Paper *

·      Chip Board {Paper Source}

·      Cream Labels {Paper Source}

·      Chocolate #10 Envelopes {Paper Source}

·      Spray Mount {Michaels}

·      Paper Trimmer

·      Ruler

After I designed the invitation on screen I printed them out and cut them down to size with a paper trimmer. I cut them down slightly smaller than I cut down my chipboard to allow the chipboard to “frame” the invitation. While you do not have to do this step, it really adds dimension and weight to your invitations. So if you are using a thinner paper for your invitations I highly recommend adding it to another sheet of another paper— the backing paper can be another color or texture.

Once everything is cut down to size you’ll want to use spray adhesive to put them sheets together. I recommend doing this outside and laying down a towel to place your invites on, not only to protect them but also to protect the surface below from getting gunky from the spray mount.

After your spray mount has dried you are ready to insert them in your envelopes and address!

I forgot to mention before you go through all of the effort to assemble your invites, make sure you proof read them, your spouse proof reads them, and even some random stranger proof reads them. After all was said and done these invites had 4 typos in them and I had to recreate them all over again. So lesson learned, even though those whom charged you with the task of creating an invite might say they look great have someone besides yourself take a hard look at them for errors!

*This Linen Paper used to be carried by Paper Source and YES you could run it through your printer at home. Sadly I cannot find this great product any longer. I used what was the last of my stock from a personal project for these invites.