Adventures in Wreath Making...

I should probably start this post at the beginning of the week...On Tuesday, we woke up to 65 mph winds and rain that took down trees all over the Western Washington area.  Around 9 am, as predicted, our power and internet went down.  So, Ty and I hopped in the car headed for our favorite coffee shop to work.  At the end of the dirt road, just past our mail boxes we saw it - a downed pine tree that landed clear across our one lane road balanced on the power lines.  Just to be clear here, this is literally the ONLY way off the ridge that we live on.  So until a utility truck could come up and move it, we were trapped.

Being the true mountain man that he is, my lumberjack of a husband didn't hesitate for a moment. We turned around, headed for home where he promptly loaded the 1984 Ford Van with a chainsaw, and headed back for that tree. He fired up the saw, and expertly detached the limbs of the pine, careful not to upset the power lines that it was precariously balanced on.

How could I not record this?

As I stood there in the rain, watching him toss boughs of sweet-smelling pine to the side of the road, it struck me, I should make holiday wreaths! So, Wednesday afternoon, when the power was finally restored, Mae and I took a walk down the road, gathered a giant pile of downed branches and began to plan!

Yesterday, I finally had time to gather the materials I needed at Michael's (floral wire, feather accents, mini LED lights, and wreath frames), and set up shop in my father-in-law's workshop.  

Never having done them before, the first one took a while to master, but once I got the hang of it, I was rolling through them with ease. The steps are simple: snip branches, arrange them to your liking, place on the frame, and wire them down.  I used a continuous wrap around method initially to get the branches in place, and individual wires to get the precise look I wanted at the end.

I loved the feathers I found, though a bit expensive.  I also used a laser-cut "Seasons Greetings" ornament I had laying around, and pine cones. and a monogrammed frame.  Other ideas that would look great: bows, the classic wreath adornment, pretty colored ball ornaments, acorns, citrus fruits, small apples, a cranberry garland, succulents, seashells, a mix of different greens, moss (which we have oodles of around here) dried flowers....anything is possible when you use your imagination!

Happy Decorating!

xoxo,

Bee

Healthy Eating

I do my best to eat healthy and work out at least 4 times a week. But I am easily distracted from my best intentions.  Especially when travelling for work.  Conference Centers tend to inundate the senses with their constant flow of mediocre breakfast pastries,  gummy bears and salty chips.  And I don't always jump at the chance to work-out.  I have rather lazy tendencies.

However, with our looming honeymoon on the horizon, I am suddenly committed to looking and feeling my best by mid-January (with Thanksgiving and Christmas between now and then, it's shitty timing to say the least...I love me some hot buttered rum, extra gravy and pie).  Teeny Brazilian Bikinis, here I come.

So for 3 weeks now I have been (mostly) eating super healthy: lots of lean fish, whole grains and fruits and veggies by the pound.  I've only cheated a couple of times (warm doughnut the other morning, glass of wine with dinner).  I feel great, I am sleeping so well (probably the lack of processed sugar and fat in my belly) and even my energy level is up!  It's awesome, no major weight loss yet, but clothed are fitting better and that's a great place to start .

I am not trying to give a nutritional lesson, preach about the benefits of healthy eating or anything like that.  Just sharing what my conscious effort to be healthier and fitter looks like. 

Thanks to Trader Joe's, eating healthy organic produce doesn't even cost a fortune!!! 

A typical grocery haul - canned beans & tomatoes - whole wheat pasta & flat bread, quinoa, wild rice, fresh veggies, dark berries, organic sprouted tofu, organic eggs, nuts (usually walnuts, almonds, pecans), squashes, tons of greens and of course Extra Virgin Olive Oil, fresh herbs and lemons for seasoning! Not shown - organic free range chicken and wild caught halibut and cod.

Typical meals ideas (all super simple, easy and quick to make)

I adore avocado toast.  It is simply toasted whole wheat bread, Smashed avocado, a drizzle of olive oil,
salt & pepper and lately I have been really into sundried tomatoes (from TJs)

I usually have it with my morning coffee and a side of fresh fruit

Ancient Grain Oatmeal (from TJs) is another fave.  It takes 3 minutes to cook, and topped with nuts and fruit makes a
filling and soul warming breakfast to keep me running until lunch time!

Lunches tend to be rushed so I make sure to keep cooked quinoa and wild rice in the fridge
Also, fresh herbs like mint, parsley, cilantro and basil are great to add a ton of flavor without adding calories
This is my favorite lunch bowl inspired by Sweet Green - tofu, quinoa, arugula, peppers, tomatoes
chic peas, olive oil, salt pepper, lemon & fresh herbs galore!

Again, the brown rice already cooked makes this hearty healthy lunch so fast - in a pan with
a tsp olive oil heat up 1 cup brown rice, 1 cup black beans, handful each of tomatoes and bell peppers,
Salt pepper, lemon, a dash of hot sauce and cilantro - 5 minutes to fab!

For Dinners I like to make filling salads a couple of times a week (Ty actually enjoys these, most of the time)
Here is one, with roasted sweet potatoes (I usually cook 4-5 at a time because they take so long to cook)
Arugula, Chic Peas, Peppers, Tomatoes, Cucumbers and walnuts.  Serve it all with whole grain bread
and homemade tzaziki for dipping
 (nonfat greek organic yogurt, olive oil, garlic, tons of fresh dill, cracked pepper and lemon)

On nights when I have more time to cook we have a more civilized meal like this one:
Fresh Halibut baked over onions in lemon juice and olive oil, seasoned with salt & pepper
Brown rice pilaf, and roasted brussel sprouts with apple cider vinegar and maple 

My best tips for keeping up a healthy diet:

1. Keep healthy foods on hand and plan ahead so you can eat quickly on busy days

2. Keep unhealthy foods out of the house/office so you don't succumb to temptation

3. If you eat something unhealthy, start over!

4. Water Water Water Water!

Healthy eating and happy living!

xoxo Bee

Road trippin' Washington

There are few things that my husband loves as much as road trips.  So when our hike to Melakwa Lake got rained out last Saturday morning, he jumped at the chance to take me on a sightseeing drive around the state.

It's important to note that I am from the mini (but mighty) state of Massachusetts. In New England, a road trip involves 3 hours and as many states.  But the loop Ty had in mind involved an 8 hour drive, gnarly terrain changes, all in the same state. The twinkle in his eye describing the drive was enough to convince me.  A quick cup of coffee and we hit the road!

The loop: Issaquah to Cle Ellum, through Wenatchee (where all the apples are from), to Lake Chelan  for a lunch pit stop, through Pateros and Twisp, stopping in Winthrop  for steering candy, over the Washington Pass through a foot of snow, then heading South to Concrete, Sedro-Woolley and back down to Seattle where we ended the evening with friends. 

Autumn steals my heart.  The clouds, the rain, the leaves...

One of 3 rainbows we saw along the first leg of the drive around Wenatchee

That's the Columbia River on the right :)

Our first stop was in Chelan, an adorable resort town in the summer, boating many local vineyards and this adorable cafe.
Ty got the chicken gyro wrap and I had the tuna salad sandwich - both were dynamite!

Fox salt & pepper shakers, mugs, dishes...cuteness overload!

Truth.

Following lunch, we stopped into Bear Foods Natural Market where I found this Alpaca Puppet.
 Luckily, Ty was there to capture this moment for me.

It was Halloween afterall, so a stop at the famous Sheri's Sweet Shop was necessary.  We ordered SeaFoam (google it),
Rocky Road and a healthy does of Jelly Belly beans. yummmmm!

Next up we headed over the Washington Pass on the North Cascades Highway.  It was literally THE LAST day we were able to drive through.  This is a 70 mile stretch of road that is considered the most remote in the contiguous United States.  It closes for the winter after the first snow fall of the season, we got there just in time!

Flash snow storms at the pass made me glad to have a pom-pom hat, gloves and parka with me. If there's one thing
I've learned living in the PNW, it is to always have a range of layer options with you.

(this is what the view normally looks like at the Washington Pass Overlook)

This was our view...

4 wheel drive came in real handy...

He was so excited to see the snow.  Visions of ski season dancing in his head...

8 hours of windshield time sounds daunting.  But with so many sights to see, adventurous stops, a tom of laughs and a great playlist, how could it not be a totally awesome day?

Happy trails!

xoxo, Bee

From Small space to Sanctuary

So we moved into our charming little mountain guest house back in May, and I had big plans for our bedroom (sight unseen). Plans that included adding a headboard and small seating area, a fun wall color perhaps? Maybe a pair of patterned benches at the foot of the bed, distressed wide board floors and definitely our signature gallery wall.  Something straight out of my pinterest dreams...

cue dream sequence....ahhhhhh

All that was before we moved in and I saw that we have precisely enough space for 1 queen sized bed, 2 nightstands (one rather teeny nightstand, in order to allow the closet door to open all the way), and a narrow dresser (which I affectionately refer to as the toe-stubber).  After much editing, I am very happy with the cozy space created.  Especially the witty accents and no-fuss style, perfect for newlyweds on-the-go.

Since winters are dark and dreary up here, and the window is further shaded by the carport, the room lacks the natural brightness that I crave. To compensate, I used light, airy colors (white, dove gray, natural beige).

For decor and furniture, I used only items that we already owned (hooray for free!).  My only purchases were a new frame for our giant wedding photo (HomeGoods $12.99), kraft paper initials for the gallery wall ($4.25 each from Michael's), and a simple white linen curtain and rod for privacy- our bedroom door is glass ($22.59 total from Target).

Here is how it all came together...

I am a total sucker for mid century modern dressers + gallery walls.
Tips for creating your own gallery wall - stick to a color scheme - randomize frame placement - mix up art,
with personal pics, letterpress prints and landscape photography - add an animal head, license plate, sea life or other
non framed decal for a central focal point.

Detail from our witty little whale sheets - West Elm

Neutral and Natural colors.

My nightstand -again mixed textured frames + pretty perfume bottles and vintage crochet doillie

Shelves (Threshold by Target) re-purposed from our Chicago apartment guest-room. I love these simple floating
displays, filled with little pieces of my mom, our wedding and sea shells.

White +Gray
West Elm Whale sheets + HomeGoods Throw Pillow + Target Duvet
Normally, I adore duvet covers and how quickly they can change up the look of a room. We have 4 or 5 of them.
 Right now, though, I am digging the soft gray of our naked duvet - for now anyhow!

Perfect spot for our city maps :)

Adding some personal touches - Sonal Shah original illustration for our engagement last year, and
Taj Chin Photography's best work from our wedding ceremony

Man things= rocks, sea life, penny collection, antique keepsake boxes and globe

Happy decorating :)

xoxo Bee

Pumpkin & Caramelized Pear Soup

Halloween has come and gone.  The days are getting markedly shorter, the air is crisp and around here the smell of roaring fires fills the air. Perfect weather for my favorite Pumpkin & Pear soup.

This is one of my favorite flavor profiles, because it is velvety, fresh and just a little bit sweet.  It is also full of fiber and vitamins, so you absolutely DO NOT have to feel badly about indulging.

Normally I make this as a starter for dinner parties (hello, Thanksgiving!). But with a few simple additions, it can be hearty enough to be a full meal.

Brown Butter Fried Sage is my favorite way to garnish this soup for dinner parties
(start in a pan with  brown butter (butter melted on high heat until it turns brown), delicately
add whole fresh sage leaves and fry on each side for 30 seconds, it will be crisp and darkened on the
edges....delish!)

Some add on suggestions:
-A dollop of sour cream (or greek yogurt to keep it healthy) & pomegranate seeds
-Diced Applegate Farms Chicken & Sage breakfast sausages
-Wild rice & Brown Butter Fried Sage
-Diced Apple & Pear


Here is the basic recipe:
2 ripe pears (any variety works)
2 16 oz organic pumpkin puree (I like to use one can and one tetra pack...the can tends to be more solid while the tetra tends to be more liquid, this combo makes the perfect thickness) 
1 cup organic chicken broth
Sea Salt & Black pepper to taste
Pinch of Cayenne Pepper (optional, in this house, we like a delicate heat in the finish)
1/4 cup Fresh Apple Cider

Tetra pack liquid pumpkin puree - available at Whole Foods

In a non-stick sautee pan:
1/2 tsp of extra virgin olive oil
peeled and quartered pear slices 
heat the oil and add the pears, stirring occasionally.  Remove when golden brown and soft.

Caramelized Pears when finished 

In the vitamix (or food processor):
add all ingredients and process until smooth and velvety.
If using a food processor that doesn't warm like the vitamix, pour your pureed mix into a sauce pan and heat on low.  Serve with desired garnishes.

Perfectly pairs with a small green salad topped with chevre, walnuts and maple vinaigrette, a hunk of crusty bread and a nice cold autumnal ale.

Happy Fall, y'all!

xoxo Bee