Have a lovely weekend.

Wednesday we celebrated a delayed Valentines date with dinner and taking in the touring Cirque du Soliel show, Kurios.  This show was amazing and left me wanting to swing from the chandeliers, tumble on the giant trampoline and basically run away with the circus.  Hey a girl can dream can't she?  This weekend I'm baking our favorite chocolate cake to celebrate a dear friend’s birthday and looking forward to a little r&r. 
I hope your plans include something to celebrate.

10 fun things around the web.

This story on racial identity is absolutely beautiful.  

Wouldn’t you love stepping through a fabulous doorway in your home?  

The Seattle Aquarium made viral news with this cephalopod video.  

Hair envy I love, totally serious about this one.   

Matt Brown starts his European Tour.   

I’d like to believe this is true but I’m just not sure about this one. 

An epic fail at a dog race that made me laugh out loud.  

Mesmerizing art exhibit on family faces.  

Freebies all year long. 

And finally,  the perfect white tee.

Have a lovely weekend!

Daffodil photo taken in the Skagit Valley of Washington State.

One morning in Maine; the birth of a new day.

We are blessed and grateful that we are able to spend time in Maine on Bailey Island in a cottage sidled up to the mighty Atlantic.  We actually love this island so much we named our dog after it.  And while I am glad to take in any time of day along the coast of Maine I absolutely love the mornings. Taking in the beauty and quietness of a new day is an amazing scene.  I would imagine it similar to watching a painter craft a masterpiece, it's pure magic.  I wrote this last October moments after another spectacular sunrise.

One morning in Maine; the birth of a new day.

The ocean awakes me.
I can hear the tide rolling in, pushing strong toward the shore.

Waves breaking wildly against the rugged coastline, just steps away from my cozy bed.  

My eyes are weary, focusing on the room which is still dark.
I glance to the window and can see the faint glow of dawn and immediately I'm up.  

The sun always repetitive in its ritual, yet its greeting continually varied.  

I spy the Belt of Venus. 
It's captivating me with its midnight blues and shades of orange, vibrant reds and delicate pinks or sometimes just hazy shadows of grey filtering bright white light to the steel blue water below.  

It's a race, the sun to rise and me to capture it, each stage incredible and fleeting.  

I step out as the coffee is brewing, the October air is crisp and energizing.
I stand alone. 

The sounds of the waves, the gulls, and now my shutter, strung together in a magical rhythm.    

I look to the left and the right at homes hushed with a quiet only known in the off season.  

I think it's perfect.
It's my season.

In what seems like an instant the horizon is awake.

I can see the sun peeking, yawing, and stretching its rays outward.  

The ocean grows louder commanding my attention, reminding me of the direction of the tide.

Soon the sun, intensely bright, will usher me to look away.  

I move to the porch now so warm the sweater I needed moments ago will be shed.  

He brings me coffee, the schedule is discussed, breakfast is requested
…and all of a sudden, a new day has arrived on the coast of Maine.

Seek beauty, be grateful and have a lovely day. 
~ xo

Chocolate Chip Hazelnut Cookies.

Hello, are you still out there???

I've been away but I am back with this amazing Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe from Dorie Greenspan.  



I must confess I have never been a big fan of chocolate chip cookies.  The cookie part usually flattens out too thin when cooking and I don't care for the big hard chocolate chips, they seem out of balance.  These cookies are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside with threads of chocolate strewn throughout and the addition of the hazelnut meal adds a faint nutty flavor, much better than biting into a big nut.  These cookies are perfectly balanced. 

My adjustments: I cut out about 1/4 c of the brown sugar, opted for succanat* in lieu of the white sugar and I sprinkled a few flakes of Maldon salt on top, after I flattened them right before the second baking.   I also rolled all the cookie dough into balls, baked some and froze the rest.  Next time I will just need to thaw the frozen cookie balls and then bake 'em up.

Chocolate Chip Hazelnut Cookie Recipe by Dorie Greenspan

Servings: 50 cookies Prep Time: 15 minutes + 2 hours chilling in refrigerator Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (476 grams)
1 1/4 teaspoons fine sea salt
3/4 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
8 ounces unsalted butter, at room temperature (2 sticks)
1 cup sugar (200 grams)
1 cup packed brown sugar (200 grams)
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs, at room temperature
12 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (or 2 cups chocolate chips)
1 1/2 cups hazelnut or almond flour (150 grams)
 

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder together.
2. In the bowl of the stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed for 1 minute, until smooth. Add the sugar and brown sugar and beat for 2 minutes, until well blended. Beat in the vanilla.
3. Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating for minute after each egg goes in. Reduce the speed to low and add in the flour mixture in 4-5 additions, mixing only until each addition is just incorporated (about 5 seconds for each addition - don't over-mix!)
4. Still on low speed, mix in the chocolate chips and the hazelnut (or almond) flour. Refrigerate dough for 2 hours or up to 3 days. If you are planning to freeze a portion - you can scoop out 1 1/2-inch rounds of dough to freeze.
5. Preheat oven to 350F with rack centered. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop out 1 1/2" rounds of dough onto baking sheet, about 2-inches apart.
6. Bake the cookies one sheet at a time for 8 minutes, and then, using a spatula, gently press each mound down just a little; rotate the baking sheet when returning to oven. Bake for another 7 minutes, or so, until the cookies are pale brown. They'll still be slightly soft in the center, but that's fine- they'll firm up as they cool. Transfer to rack to cool. Repeat with remainder of dough, always using a cool baking sheet.

Have a lovely Monday, wishing you all a week filled with balance.

*Do you use sucanat?  It's a less processed sugar that retains the molasses, vitamins and minerals that refined sugar remove, still the same calories.  The name is derived from SUgar CAne NATural, it's basically pure dried sugar cane juice.

Build something with me.

As promised here is the video of Matt Browns beautiful new song, Build something with me.  A collaboration with Ryan Root and billed as Brown & Root.



MB Build 498 from Wendy on Vimeo.

Available on iTunes here.

Happy Friday all!

Matt Brown, Concert at the Creek 2014

Life is just a big pile of experiences that serve to teach, stretch, and fill our hearts along the way.  I try to see it all, the good as well as the bad, knowing it's the whole sum of these parts that serve to build a meaningful and well balanced life.  The past few years I have been both inspired and challenged to really suck the marrow out of this life, push the limits, and dare to ask more questions.  How can I make this more meaningful?  How can this situation be better?  What would it take to elevate this from ordinary to extraordinary?  And if I have learned anything, it's that good things want to be better.  Like attracts like and before you know it, that momentum builds and opens doors to experiences you never imagined.

Three years ago we saw an up and coming singer/songwriter at a small restaurant and we became instant fans.  The talented Matt Brown is the real deal and if you have not heard of him yet, it's time you take notice.  A few emails and phone calls over the next few months and the wheels were in motion.  Our vision became reality when, the following summer, he played an epic private concert on our friends deck.  We called it Concert at the Creek, you can see that post here.  It was an amazing evening and I imagine Matt hadn't even made it out of the driveway, after that concert, before we were thinking about planning a repeat for the following year. 

This past Saturday night was our 2nd Annual Concert at the Creek and let me tell you the combination of this venue and this artist yields a magical evening.  And if this post does anything I hope it inspires you all to dream just a little bit bigger, find the magic in the everyday and encourage it to stay awhile. 

The venue for the evening was our friends lovely home along the banks of the Pilchuck Creek.




We spent the entire evening gathered on the deck, warming up around the fire pit and relaxing along the gentle slope of the grass, while soulful blues, jazz and a bit of rock swirled in the air.


Yeah, lets take a closer look at that vintage bed tucked among the apple trees.  I'm sure you can see unicorns if you squint for just a minute. 

Seriously, how over the top is this?

Two lucky guests enjoyed a sweet nights slumber beneath a crystal clear night sky filled with stars. 
...now you're seeing the unicorns aren't ya?


It was about six o'clock when Matt set up on the deck with his signature vintage suitcases and state of the art sound system and our intimate concert was underway.  The weather was perfect with a warm August afternoon sun that set around eight and left us with a cool but comfortable evening. 


Sixteen acres of old growth cedars and a parched summer creek were the perfect backdrop for this special evening.  And right before sunset, as the sun hung low and illuminated the dry creek bed in the distance,  the "magic hour"  was made even more memorable with his signature tunes including, the Best of you, the Acrobat, and  Little does she know.  



A gentle slope by the deck became a mini amphitheater and was a great space to take it all in, the deck, the music and the creek in the distance.


Brenda and I picked 100 stems of white dahlias earlier in the day and had them bursting out of mason jars and galvanized buckets placed around the entire setting.  It was beautiful, casually elegant and completely fitting for the evenings event.




On the deck we set up appetizers that each guest brought to share, beverages and a full dessert table that slowly depleted as the evening went on.  Chocolate cake, coconut cake, cookies, biscuit and strawberry-rhubarb jam cobbler and cheesecake with strawberry sauce.  I can not imagine anyone left hungry.


Matt took a short break mid way through, had a bite to eat and visited with the guests; all now big fans.  He had cd's for sale and shared how his career has unfolded since moving to Nashville last year.  We are all looking forward to the release of his two new cd's this fall.  And he has more exciting things on the horizon, so keep an eye on his website for more information.


And because every great concert has to have a t-shirt souvenir, I had a few custom made, one for myself and one for John.  CustomInk did a great job on the t-shirts and I was thrilled at the quality and how they came out.

John rocked the night away in his shirt, I loved the aviator image on the back. 


Matt played a great mix of his own music and some classic covers of old jazz and blues and then ended the night with his version of "Kiss" by Prince; which I caught most of on the video below.


DSC 7294 from WA Nutting on Vimeo.
Soon I will have another post dedicated to his beautiful new song, Build something with me.  So come back and check it out.  And by all means if you are in Nashville or the surrounding area, check his schedule and go see one of his shows. 


Have a lovely day, dream big and "make it count!"

We have but one life, what is it you plan to do with yours?"

Mary Oliver                           

Come sail away!

Three years ago I surprised my Sweetie with a sunset sail on Puget Sound for his birthday, we both loved it.  We had never been sailing in Seattle and we were hooked from the moment the sails went up.  I blogged about it, we told friends and we have talked a lot about returning.  So with his birthday once again upon us and a warm sunny forecast predicted for Saturday I figured this was the perfect way to celebrate.  I called a few friends and we made plans for dinner along the waterfront and a lovely evening sail.

We all met at The Crab Pot on Pier 56 and timed it perfectly to dine and catch the "Neptune", with Let's Go Sailing, promptly at 7pm.

The sun was high and bright.





As soon as the sails went up, the boat leaned into the wind and swiftly carried us along the edge of the busy waterfront,



...past the Great Wheel,



...and then straight into the sun.


We shared a bottle of wine and laughed as the boat angled into the wind. 


Before too long we had journeyed eight and a half miles across the Sound into a little cove on the East side of Bainbridge Island.  While the boat anchored for a few moments and the sun hung just above the tree line, we snapped selfies, tried to capture the scenic beauty and daydreamed of living in one of the lovely homes along the waters edge.

The evening light was gorgeous, a beautiful soft amber glow and the reflection of the liquid gold on the deep blue water was mesmerizing.


And the view back towards the city was spectacular too. 

Hello Seattle.


Let's Go Sailing, has two sailboats the Neptune, our boat, and the Obsession, seen in the photo below.


I have been in the Pacific Northwest 20 years and Mount Rainier still slays me.  It's sixty miles to the South, yet it feels like you could reach right out and touch it.



As the sun set, the wind slowed a bit and leveled out our ride back.

Andrea and I, she was also celebrating her birthday.



The city was gorgeous on the way back, washed in pale blue and lavender pink.


...and least we forget the Space Needle.


We gently glided back to the dock just after the sun set and the lights of the city came on. 


Oh sailing, how I love thee.




Thank you to everyone who came out and made this such a special night, and thank you to the staff and crew of  Let's Go Sailing, we will be back.
Wishing you all a lovely day, go do something fun!

WRITE:Doe Bay Slideshow

I have been working on this slideshow for a while now and finally put the finishing touches on it tonight.  It contains some of my photos many of the talented Jesse Michener's photos, who also happens to be a co-creator of this amazing workshop, WRITE: Doe Bay.  My original post on this writing retreat can be seen here.  This slideshow, along with the beautiful song, "The Acrobat",  written and performed by Matt Brown and the Connection, pretty much sum up the feeling's I took away with me. 


WRITE Doe Bay Spring 2014 from WA Nutting on Vimeo.

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“Our job in this life is not to shape ourselves into some ideal we imagine we ought to be, but to find out who we already are and become it.”  ~ Steven Pressfield, The War of Art