Friday Five {Celebrity Buzz}


Remember when I gave up gossip for Lent??  It was a really challenging but enlightening experience.  While I hope to implement the lessons learned daily I have been able to catch up on all of my celebrity gossip!!


Dunzo!!  Literally Died!!  No Soup For You!!

Practice makes perfect!  Kimye knocked it out of the park!

Nice work, Ross Gellar!

Jessica Simpson is clearly having the last laugh!!

Prince George, he's just like us!



Goals for June {Breaking and Making Habits}

Can you believe June is just a few days away?  It actually gives me knots in the stomach area.  I think this is a key sign of adulthood--when time flies by.  Another sign of adulthood is getting into a routine.  They say it takes 21-days to make something a habit.  For me, I think it takes a bit longer. Except for the bad ones.  I adopt those real quick.  

That is why I am taking the month of June to focus on adding a few good habits and breaking a very bad one.  And, to help me be accountable I will report back with a weekly status report.  

Are there any habits you need to purge from your life?  Is there anything you would like to add to your life? Maybe you just want to cleanse something out of your life for the month then slowly reintroduce it.  No matter what, I would love to know what you are doing!



One Hour of Exercise A Day

I live a very sedentary life and I hate to admit it, but, it is starting to show.  For the month of June I challenge myself to incorporate one hour of exercise into my life every day.  This may be something intense like a spin class or pilates.  It could also be something as simple as going for a walk in the neighborhood or doing light weights and stretching while watching TV.

End of Day Shut Down

While I used to be a stickler for the end of day shut down routine, in February and March I really got out of the habit.  Unfortunately, I have not gotten back into it.  EODSD requires that I leave no dishes in the sink, no pots or pans on the stove, all ingredients and tools are put away and the counters are wiped down.  This also includes tidying the dining room table and living room.  Meaning no junk is collecting on the table, all dishes have been picked up and the blankets are folded.  

Couch Lounging, No Mas!

Couch lounging is my jam.  I absolutely love it.  It is the perfect way to snooze away a Sunday after a busy week and wild weekend.  Couch lounging is not appropriate 5-days a week.  A few weeks ago I had my first free Sunday in months.  I skipped church, made a giant breakfast and parked it on the couch.  I watched trashy TV, was in and out of consciousness and began to morph into a cat.  It was fabulous!  Because it was so great I kept the party going and have been lounging on the couch several nights a week.  The tv is on, but I'm not actually watching anything.  I just scroll through Instagram and play Seven Degrees of Separation on Wikipedia.  My new rule is that I am only allowed to lounge on the couch if I am REALLY watching a show or moving, taking a nap or reading a book.  

Oh hey, where have you been?? {Stay With Me}



Hello There!!!  How have you been?  Is everything ok?  Is your heart in tact?  Are you healthy?  Where have you been???

I wish I could say I skipped out on blogging because I won the lottery and decided to take my entire family to Ireland!  Or, that I have been eradicating E.Coli.  It may even be acceptable if I had lost all inspiration and had nothing to share with you.  Unfortunately//Unfortunately//Fortunately, none of these things are true.

The truth of the matter is, I just haven't felt like photographing all of the fun things I have been doing.

A horrible excuse; I know!!

How about I tell you what I have been doing and you let me know what, or if, you would like to know more about it?!?!

I made my own ricotta.  LIFE CHANGING.

With that ricotta I made a pretty tasty crostini.

I made that ricotta because I had leftover milk from making ice cream.

I made ice cream because the neighbors just welcomed their sweet baby, Olive.

I actually ate a deli container of castelvetrano olives in less than a week.  

Despite the belly ache, I made two batches of my addictive rice krispy treats this week.

The first, for dinner at Rachel's.

The other, was for a neighborhood BBQ.

I have the coolest neighbors.

And the neatest friends.

My family is really amazing.

Martha Chartreuse's readers are the bee's knees!!

And you all make me feel so tremendously wonderful.

Thank you for checking in.

And making sure I hadn't fallen off anything.

Or contracted some kind of illness.

So let me know if there is anything you would like to see around here.

And please, won't you Stay With Me?!?!








Friday Five {Questions for you}

Today I am headed up to Seattle to help celebrate my beautiful cousin and her upcoming nuptials!  
I arrive tonight and will be attending a BBQ at my aunt and uncle's house.  The next morning will be the shower and then all of the ladies will dress to impress for her bachelorette party!


I will be taking the Bolt Bus up which just so happens to have Wi-Fi.  Making this the perfect opportunity to catch up on a few blogs and read your answers to the questions below!  Be sure to have an email attached to your comments--I love responding!


Portland is getting a Lobster house?!?!  I am so excited!  Are you lob-STAH fans?

Rachel, Erin, Annie, Claire and I got together last weekend.  While many things came up in conversation the most unusual topic was butter coffee.  We were all equally perplexed and intrigued.  Have you heard of this?  Would you try it?

Joy the Baker's New Book looks amazing!!!  Are there any cookbooks you are loving?

Using math to find a mate.  Would you do this?  How did you find your special someone?

Did you see last night's Grey's Anatomy finale?  I've been watching the show since the very beginning and this was by far the best finale the show has ever had.  It is actually in my Top 10 favorite episodes!  Did you or do you watch Grey's?  Favorite shows right now?





Why?? Why not?!?! {Kiwi Guacamole}

When I was a small human I received an Itty Bitty Baby for Christmas.  Unlike the elder American Girl Dolls, Itty Bitty's did not come with a name or back story.  My mom asked me what I would like to name her.  I quickly declared, "Meredith Junior"!!  to which my mom replied "Why?"  I simply answered, "Why not?!?"  She has often told me she knew in that very moment I was going to require a special kind of parenting. {After last week's post I now suspect it was that very day she developed our private sign language.}

Let's flash forward nearly one quarter of a century to present day America.  Meredith Junior is safely stored in my parent's attic, my mom has not figured out how to face time me private sign language and I am loving the Portland Sunshine!!  Since Cinco de Mayo has already passed and Memorial Day is just around the corner, I feel it is safe to say guacamole season has officially kicked off!  



While I love a traditional mash-up of chunky avocados, tomatoes and a few spicy seasonings, I also like to mix it up.  Why???  Why not??  

Kiwi Guacamole is the Kate & William of the dip world.  
Unexpected at first but something you just can't live without.
The perfect marriage.

For your sake I removed my analogy for each ingredient and person of the Cambridge family.  Per request, I will share this with you.  Over a drink.  

Friday Five {Mother's Day}


I have no idea where I would be without my mom.  We talk/text almost every day, even if it is just to share our thoughts on the excessive profanity in films these days.  She keeps me in check; when I was little she developed a fake sign language system to always let me know when I needed to "Cut. It. Out."  And she is always encouraging and supportive; be it kind words before an important meeting or cutting out circles for garland, then talking through how we can make the project better.

While the reason's I love and admire my mother are countless, I thought I would share some things about my mom that I really, truly admire.  Things that have nothing to do with being a parent.  The traits that make my mom, my mom.  Her funny, loving, lay-down-the-law, non-nonsense, generous, and slightly-snarky self.


She is an amazing friend! 
Despite having three full-time jobs {Parent/Wife/Teacher} and being involved in various community groups, she has always maintained strong friendships.  Some of her friendships have been going strong for more than 50 years!!!  And  not just Facebook friend status, but regular phone calls and constant text message conversations.  Some of these relationships have thousands of miles between them, so it also involves air miles and fun adventures.  They have supported each other through the high's and low's of life.  

She's a bad-A$$ 
One of her favorite activities may be cutting the grass at the cabin--on the riding lawn mower.  She's never relied on a man to do "men's work" and she enjoys the task at hand. She also has the most effective death stare in the entire world.  I completely credit her {Very scary} political ad for a US Senator's re-election.

The Dodge
My mom's mom purchased the first car in our town-- a 1946 Dodge.  My mom still has this car.  It is actually our other sibling.  She maintains, loves and drives it with pride.  It has even been in a few commercials!

Girl loves a good dinner party!
If anyone ever questions where my love of entertaining comes from, it is my mamacita!  From beautiful china to cleverly themed dinner parties she has done it all.  Her taste is impeccable and the food is fantastic.  Someday, I'll tell you about my parent's Christmas Party--it is the best ever!! 

Her work ethic
I do not know anyone who works harder than my mom.  She is an amazing teacher who has changed the lives of so many students.  She is passionate and dedicated.  I mean, she makes her own play dough for their monthly color unit!!  She ACTIVELY sits on several non-profit boards and is a leader in the Irish community.  Then she handles so many things at home

My Go To Meal {Thomas Keller's Roasted Chicken}


If you are a Julia Child or Jack-In-The-Box in the kitchen, this chicken will be your best friend.  It is flavorful, crispy, juicy and beautiful.  It can be cooked for one and used throughout the week or presented on a platter for Sunday Night Supper with your in-laws.  If you are a new mom fresh from partum or a bachelor, this chicken is for you.  If you are a vegetarian, this chicken is NOT for you.  Why?  Because it is a chicken.  But everyone else, this is for you!!!

Thomas Keller is a world renowned chef and he kindly shared his simple roast chicken recipe with a publication that is not Martha Chartreuse.  I have slightly modified the recipe for myself but follow his tips and techniques to the capital T!  This calls for four simple ingredients.  Chicken. Salt. Pepper. Paper Towel.  Don't worry, the paper towel is just for drying the chicken.  The key is to make sure the chicken is very, very dry.  It prevents the chicken from steaming and allows the flavor of the meat to shine and the skin to get so crispy and golden.

It is also necessary to generously salt the chicken.  Not generous as in "I'll take care of the tip" more like "I will pick up dinner, the tip and Uber you home."  That is, if Portland had Uber.  I am getting on a soap box.  Back to the chicken.

Mr. Keller's instructions include trussing the chicken.  I don't do this.  No particular reason why.  I just don't.  If you so desire, treat yo' self, and truss away.

Okay... everyone do the chicken dance!

Friday Five {My Guide to Portland}

Today's Friday Five is super-sized!  About a month ago, my  sister Sarah let me know her co-worker had just announced she and her family would be moving to Portland!  Instead of five quick shots, today's post is my guide to Portland, OR covering five different areas; Health, Sweet Treats, Where to Eat, Grocery Shopping, and A Night On The Town!  Hopefully this list can help guide her and her family as they begin this new chapter!

Welcome to the City of Roses, WC!!

Last month marked my one year anniversary in Portland, OR and I absolutely love it!  While I had visited several times before the big move, it took awhile to adjust and find some of my favorite spots.  When visiting I always hit the "hot spots" and well-known highlights.  Actually living here has been quite a change from being a tourist.  For the first 6 months it didn't feel like home.  I didn't know the city yet and would get very turned around.  It took me awhile to get into a routine, find my favorite spots and truly build a life!  Now that I have, I am happy as can be!


Health & Fitness

Me strolling around Forest Park!

Walking and hiking around Forest Park is one of my favorite activities.  There are so many different options, anyone can find a trail that fits their needs!  It is family, pet and deep-thinker friendly!  I also love walking along the waterfront and following the esplanade loop to take in just how beautiful Portland really is.  Last summer I actually floated the river through The Big Float!  Not quite ready to dip your toes in?? Rent a bike and let the adventure begin!

When the skies are spewing the notorious NW rain I try to get a good workout indoors.  Barre3 is, without a doubt, one of the most challenging fitness classes I have ever participated in.  But darn, it feels good!  Firebrand, Burncycle and StudioBlue are also Portland favorites!

Sweet Treats
Blue Star Donuts

Now that we've burned some calories let's get to the fun part... the food!  It is no secret that Portland has an AMAZING food scene.  In fact, it is very overwhelming.  While there are always new places and food carts opening up I have certainly found my go-to's!  Blue Star Donuts is the bees knees!!  The flavors are unique and the passion is evident.  By far the best donuts in the city!!  One of the more famous spots, Salt & Straw, certainly lives up to the hype.  There are several locations around the city and can be ordered for delivery across the country!  While I tend to gravitate towards the special flavors featured each month my go-to combination is Almond Brittle & Chocolate with Gooey Brownies!

It is no surprise that Maurice is high on my list of recommendations!!!  The pastries and desserts are out of this world.  If you are on the East Side stop by Pix Patisserie for wine and Le Courdon Bleu worthy desserts!


Where to Eat
My sister and her husband loving Pok Pok!

Now that you are loaded up on sugar let's counter that with brunch, lunch and dinner.  Another world-famous spot that lives up to the hype is Pok Pok!!  The wings alone are worth the wait in line!  If you are a fan of Vietnamese food, affordable prices and jaw-dropping happy hours stop by Luc Lac!  The lines can get a bit long, if you are in a hurry or under the weather call ahead and take your Pho to go!

For brunch Broder {and now Broder Nord} can't be topped!  The food is fantastic and the service is spectacular!  My favorite taco spot is Porque No?, I always get three tacos and share a side of chips and guac.  It is highly probable a seasonal margarita ends up in front of me as well.

Now, without a doubt, my FAVORITE place to eat in Portland is......