Bites of My Life

Life is busy, but full of only fun things. Something I’ve struggled with the past year. Something I complain about, but feel silly when I do. As someone who thrives and absolutely recharges by having down time, this stage of life has exhausted me a bit. Weddings, parties, happy hours, etc. All things I absolutely love doing, but still… I’m not sure there is a fix, besides doing my best to carve out more ‘me’ time. I’m ranting and don’t really know the point of all this besides to say, life is busy, but life is fun. A double edge sword, that I think I’m okay with…

-i’m officially a paraphernalia junky. Thanks sis for my shop girl mug! My movie and tv show coffee mug and crewneck sweatshirt collection is near but not yet out of control.
-Valentine’s Day dinner at ‘Annie’s Express.’ Much thanks to The Defined Dish and her Paleo Lemon Chicken (from her new book)!
-Vday tulips in my new vase I’m obsesssssed with!
-Ladies night with my special Sladies! TY to our host for the cozy vibes and soup topped with potato chips.
-Was reminded by a friend this week that I need to be drinking more poppi. This stuff is good, and good for you.
-Friday foot massage turn up!
-Back on the Blender Bombs smoothie train this past week. This chocolate raspberry concoction was top notch. ANNIE10 for 10% off your BB purchase!
-Tiny tacos and tinis with some of my best!
-Sunday mahjong lives on no matter who or where!

Annie

Bites of My Life

A full week of fun friend time, a weekend with family, capped with a Sunday night spent with more bffs has me ~feeling the love~ for Valentine’s Day. You can bet I’m in a pink sweater at work today, Rom Com Valentine is on in my airpods, and Defined Dish healthy Chinese food is on the menu tonight. I’m happy to report February is trumping those dreadful January blues. Proof in the pud here.

-First time making tofu for myself. The recipe was on point, but I didn’t use extra firm tofu and that was my first mistake.
-Another successful galentine’s in the books. PJ-themed and not without heart-shaped pizza.
-When the movie scene inspo meets the result.
-Early spring pieces thanks to The Avenue.
-Pulled into Austin right around happy hour on Friday.
-We always get *blessed* with yucky weather when visiting Austin. Friday was gorgeous and Saturday was rainy and cold. My brother-in-law and I made Alison Roman’s One Pot Chicken with Caramelized Lemons and Dates and it was superb for a chilly night.
-Attempted my first run of a copy-cat to Honor Bar’s Trout Dip. It’s one of my favorite things and my first go was close. Hoping to perfect and post soon.
-Biggest sis and littlest nephew!
-North on I-35 just in time for the Super Bowl with this crazy crew.

Annie

Bites of My Life

Entering a short week after a slow Monday for MLK service Day. After a slower week and enjoyable weekend I’m turning the corner with my thoughts of January. Less gloom, more enjoying the slowness. Here is to more slowness in 2022. Can i say slow one more time? Slow!

-I’m back on my smoothie game in the new year, and recently hooked on Weeknight Bites Snickerdoodle Smoothie.
-Crispy orange chicken a la Chef Pete for a fun Tuesday night din.
-Working on adding in more relaxing and reading to my morning routine. I’m trying to wake up earlier to read a chapter or two from my Kindle, do my devotional, and then walk/workout.
-I mentioned that I want to host more in 2022. My goal is to host in some capacity, once a month. Had some girls over for dinner last week and made a very January meal. Faux-lomas to drink, Kathleen’s Veggie Chili, and The Defined Dish’s Grain-Free Almond Butter Cookies from her new book.
-First timer at Lover’s Seafood and absolutely loved it. It’s Jordan’s favorite and she insisted on a dinner date with the boys and Vaughans. We had the best time.
-Quick down and back to OKC, because Taylor and Al got engaged. So excited for them and the festies that are to come as we celebrate.
-Breakfast date with these beanie babies before heading back to Dal.
-Perfect Sunday Mahjonging the afternoon away. Working on making this a standing activity.
-Peter and I were supposed to be in San Miguel for the long weekend but canceled due to multiple factors. Attempted a San Miguel night at home making this TDD Spicy Red Snapper platter from her first book and decorating my place with these and these to set the scene.

Annie

Bites of My Life

Unintentionally skipped a week of bites and barely noticed. It was suuuuch a good week and some change at home for Thanksgiving. Can’t wait to do it all again for Christmas. After having Covid over Thanksgiving last year, this year’s holiday was everything.

I’m back in Dallas for the next few weeks, and I know they are going to fly by. Work is always busy this time of year making the workdays quick, and socially things are stacking up. I’m trying to schedule in as many nights at home for cooking and watching holiday movies!

-So many snuggles and kisses and loving on baby Jack. The newest to our crew is cute as ever and growing so big and healthy. I loved his addition to Thanksgiving.
-Once arriving to OKC, a trip to Spark for lunch was an obvious decision.
-Gameday like it was 2014!!
-Pete in OKC! Peter came up on the front end of the trip for a short but really fun visit with the whoooooole fam.
-We’ve turned sporty! A Sunday afternoon pickleball game started off a little dicey, but once we all got the hang of it, it was a really fun day.
-OKC’s favorite drink turned cozy. Thanks to cousin Clay who’s working for Clubby, we got the Cashmere Sweater hookup.
-Almost every evening ended with a round or two of Mexican Train. Such a good game to play with family. It also doesn’t take too much concentration so it’s easy to play while multitasking watching Planes, Trains, and Automobiles and sipping some kind of cocktail or glass of wine.
-Proof of the turkey trot that killed me. We ran 2 miles, yes only 2 miles, but the wind that morning sent my allergies into a spiral that had me napping from all the Benedryl I took the majority of Thanksgiving.
-Look at that plate! So much color, so much yum.
-Rent the Runway head to toe pretty much every day, always. I couldn’t let these split flare jeans and oversized plaid coat go just yet.
-Leftover turkey cooked all day in a smokey tomato sauce for turkey tinga tacos. The best way we’ve ever used up leftover turkey. I used this recipe as a guide minus the corn.
-Claire, Mike, Jack and I headed back to Texas early Sunday morning. We all stopped in Dallas for lunch and a visit to my apartment before the Elmgreen’s kept on to Austin.

Annie

Bites of My Life

I’m writing this the night before I head back to Dallas (finally) after 10 days up in Oklahoma. It’s been a looooong time coming, but my company’s newest concept Spark, opened yesterday. We’ve been working on this project since 2018 (zipes!!). After construction, covid, paper good delays, hiring shortages, and food sourcing Spark is finally open. It’s been a labor of love, but always so rewarding to open a new concept. While my trip was long it was productive and so fun. The work can get exhausting but I truly love my job!

-Got to Oklahoma City last week for a 10-day stint while here for work. Spark being the #1 reason!
-There is an F45 on every corner in Dallas yet I’ve never tried it. F45 landed in OKC and is still in its opening week. I ended up finding myself there 4 times during my trip. I’m hooked on this quick and effective workout!
-This little sparkie got to come try Spark during our soft opening. Hallie approved!
-I ate this burger bowl from Spark’s menu about every day while here.
-Veggie Chili by sis which is sneaky good. Topped with shredded gouda - the key!
-Oatmeal kiiiiick. Have had it every day for the last 10 days. Best when eaten from an almost empty almond butter jar.
-I wasn’t kidding when I said I kept eating this burger bowl. A side of pink fries for good measure.
-Mom and dad had planned a big family dinner Sunday night, which made for the perfect occasion for the Tucker family favorite Caramel Cake. Hoping to have this recipe posted tomorrow!
-Perfect ending to the weekend all around the table with family.

Annie