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“Then Came You” Book Review

August 31, 2011 by 3 Comments

I finally read a new book that I enjoyed! It had been a while. You can always count on Jennifer Weiner for a good read. Her latest, just out in July, is about four women with separate lives who are interconnected. They are different ages, live in the same general geographic area, and are from different backgrounds. The book alternates chapters about each woman until they start to get woven together.

I really enjoyed the stories of each woman–one a college student who donates her eggs, one a middle class woman who becomes a surrogate for extra money, and one a woman trying to have a baby. The fourth is the step-daughter of the woman trying to have a baby who didn’t like the step-mother and her motives for wanting a child.

I found each woman intriguing and likeable and I wanted to keep reading. Although it wasn’t a smashing ending, I still thought it was a page turner that I enjoyed and didn’t want to end. It’s always the sign of a good book when I want to keep reading but stop so it won’t end.

What have you read lately?

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Lily Takes On Austin

August 29, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Another weekend, another messy Monday of pre-5 a.m. wake ups to hit the road. I am tired of that too. This weekend, we were in Austin for a wedding on Sunday night. While I love Austin and think it’s the best city in the state, I do not enjoy it when the temperature is a record 112 for the hottest day in Austin. Ever. And to think some of you are already pulling out your canned pumpkin for your chilly mornings. Not here friends.

Luckily, I am done traveling until the end of October. Very happy about that.

Here are some pictures of our weekend, including most of little Lily, who took the trip too. She is not a fan of the heat either, but loves a nice vacation!

On Sunday morning, I thought it would be nice to take a short family walk on Town Lake. I haven’t been walking outside much in this heat, but it was 8 a.m. and mostly shady, and kind of tolerable, so we all went. Everyone was doing fine, so we kept going and made a nice loop for about 45 minutes. It turned into a good walk! It’s one of my favorite things to do in Austin, so I was glad to walk the lake once.

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Austin is so developed! None of those high rises were there when I was in school. I sound old.

 

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My favorite view of town, Congress Ave. bridge looking into downtown.

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Looking over the lake. Lily not so interested, saying “I’m so hot, need water!”

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Finally, ice water out of a cup!

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And resting in the hammock, nice and lazy. Except it feels like we’re breathing exhaust because it’s so hot.

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What a pretty face.

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Filed Under: Travel ·

Saturday

August 27, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Oh what a week, I feel like we never got caught up. Having your week pushed a day unexpectedly due to travel plans makes for a late start to the week. When Tuesday came, it felt like Monday, but by Friday, I wondered where the week went.

We are gone again this weekend in Austin for a wedding, and again, return on Monday instead of Sunday. Means my work week schedule starts on Tuesday again, while Jeffrey rushes back to get to work on Monday. I hate starting the week feeling rushed and unprepared.

At least it’s almost September, and that’s closer to Fall? I’m not ready to think about hot oatmeal and pumpkin and gingerbread cookies yet, we’re still sweating through our clothes and melting into the pavement as we walk the dog.

My parents are in Carmel, CA and my dad sent me this picture “for the blog.” He is an expert at tuna sandwiches, so he took a picture of this tuna melt with sweet potato fries for me to show you. How funny that he is taking pictures of his food. I give him a C+. A little blue and shadowy, but good light coming from the right. Try again soon!

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Here are a few recipes on my “to try” list when I finally get some time in the kitchen:

Spicy Asian Crunchy Slaw by Eat Live Run

Roasted Tomato and Grilled Corn Soup by Edible Perspective

In a Hurry Tamale Pie by Eat Live Run

I’m probably not taking my computer with me, so follow me on Twitter, or check back on Monday when I return!

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Jeffrey’s Latest Pasta Creation

August 26, 2011 by Leave a Comment

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Well friends, this is the only home cooked meal to come out of our kitchen this week. There was one night of baked potato for me and eggs for him, but that hardly warrants a picture and a post. I promise we eat boring sometimes, it’s not all home baked challah every week. I actually ate this for dinner two nights, so maybe it’s not as bad? Except that my three dinners at home were pasta twice and a potato. Mmm starch.

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We made this dinner on Monday night, after 24 hours of traveling on a travel day that should have taken about 5 hours. I didn’t really take notes, we planned the meal on the plane so I could grocery shop, and then Jeffrey did most of the cooking. I actually used most ingredients from the pantry or freezer and only had to buy asparagus, an onion and fresh garlic. That’s pretty good!

Since I didn’t write down a recipe, I’ll share the thought process that I think Jeffrey used too.

For her: I wanted a pasta dish with some veggies and melty cheese. We had linguini in the pantry and used the whole box so there were plenty of leftovers. I thought asparagus was a hearty vegetable, so I bought a bunch of that, and then I used corn and edamame I have frozen. Just a big handful of each.

For him: Jeffrey wanted chicken in his pasta, so I defrosted some raw chicken in the freezer when we got home that afternoon. It was thawed by 6 p.m. when it was time to cook. He didn’t want the corn and edamame, but wanted garlic bread. I defrosted some Mrs. Baird’s white bread that we keep frozen, and we baked it with olive oil sans crust cut in triangles.

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For the whole dish to come together, we cooked the pasta as instructions said. About 10 minutes in boiling water.

In a separate pan, we sauteed the asparagus until tender and then added the corn and edamame for me, and none for Jeffrey. I think there was some sauteed onion in there too.

For the pasta sauce, we kept it simple with olive oil and garlic. Jeffrey minced garlic and added it to a sauce pan with olive oil and heated that up. I’m not sure what else was in there, maybe nothing? It made the noodles buttery and slippery. Mmm.

Then we combined the pasta, vegetables, chicken for Jeffrey (pan seared with just salt and pepper), and sauce and cooked together until warmed through. Season with red pepper flakes, salt, pepper and top with grated Parmesan cheese while it’s still hot.

That’s dinner!

Filed Under: Dinner · Tagged With: , ,

Summer Summary

August 25, 2011 by Leave a Comment

This summer has been very memorable filled with great trips with friends and family. Between some trips back in April three times to the East Coast for me (NYC, Chapel Hill, NC, and Washington, DC), and then my summer trips below, I have covered the country from coast to coast.

I have definitely gotten good at packing, eating snacks from many ziploc baggies, and learned how to eat creatively in airports. Luckily, we only had one bad airport experience, and it was the last flight of the summer! It took a whole extra day to get home, but it could have been worse. I could have been stranded without Jeffrey (he has better Continental perks than I do), or in a city without family. The story is too long to tell again, but I had some rude rants to Continental on Twitter if you follow me.

It was fun to see each coast, and I do enjoy beach vacations, but the mountain trip to Aspen was new for me in the summer, and I really loved it. Can’t wait to go back and try to ride a bike again.

Here are the places I went this summer with links to the blog posts I wrote about them.

Aspen, CO

 The sights of Aspen

Riding Bikes in Aspen

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Destin, FL for the 4th

Beach trip with the cousins

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Dallas for a wedding

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Destin with Friends

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Laguna Beach, CA

A Laguna Beach Wedding Weekend

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Filed Under: Travel · Tagged With:

Enjoying the Laguna Beach Weather

August 24, 2011 by 1 Comment

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Hope you enjoyed the pictures from yesterday’s post of the wedding. Before that event, we got to enjoy the outdoors some more. It was so nice to spend so much time outside, and neat how everyone’s activities were focused on being outdoors. It’s completely opposite in Houston. I like the other way better.

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The houses above were just feet from this view. Pretty awesome to see this every morning while walking the dog!

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The beaches were packed, but it was different than the beaches we are used to going to.

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The houses had such beautiful flowers in their yards. Biggest roses and whatever these pink balls are.

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I always think this little town square lifeguard tower is cute.

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We walked down to the sand just because we were so close to the ocean.

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And I stuck my toes in because, why not? The water was icy cold.

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That’s about it for this trip, our last vacation of the summer! We have one more wedding in Austin, and then I’m home for many weekends.

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A Laguna Beach Wedding Weekend

August 22, 2011 by 1 Comment

Hello hello! Pardon the hiatus for the weekend from the blog. We were in California for a wedding, and I didn’t bring my computer to try to travel light. I also left my big camera at home and took our new Canon PowerShot. It’s a great camera with a quick shutter speed and extra clear images. If you’re looking for a new camera, I’m happy to share the details.

Anyway, we had a wonderful weekend enjoying the weather especially and catching up with Jeffrey’s friends from law school. This couple met in Austin during law school and the wedding was a wonderful tribute to city of Austin and their new home of California.

I loved everything about this wedding, and I promise, I don’t say that lightly. I loved the colors that matched the ocean and outdoors, the flowers and details of having bridesmaids carry different white flowers, the food, band, and after party Austin club theme.

Here are a few pictures of the wedding.

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Ceremony at 2 p.m. at a church, I’ve never been to a mid-afternoon wedding.

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The reception–St. Regis Hotel outside, overlooking ocean in the distance and hotel all around. Such amazingly beautiful grounds. We have stayed at the hotel before, and I always thought attending a wedding on the lawn would be so cool. Check!

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My afternoon cocktail with a fun straw.

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The colors were coral blue and white. It extended on the invitations, wedding program and table runners. Lights hung above the tables and were turned on after dark.

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Cute sweetheart table. Honestly, I am usually not a fan of these. It’s your wedding! Talk to your guests! (told you i’m honest) But they weren’t there for maybe 3 minutes, and it was pretty cute.

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Such beautiful orchids, tulips and other flowers I don’t know the names of.

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It’s a pretty great place to get married.

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Bride and groom entering.

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The Hoffmans and Gilberts.

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Afterparty at “Spill.” Their favorite Austin club on 6th Street when they were in school.

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More photos on my personal Facebook page if you’re friends with me. More to come of the rest of our trip.

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Friday things

August 19, 2011 by 1 Comment

I’m on my way to California for Kim Kardashian’s wedding.

NOT.

I am on my way to California for a wedding, not KK’s. I am most excited for the temperatures in the sixties and seventies. I hardly remember what that’s like. I might sleep outside. Or forget to board the plane on Sunday. Except for my little Lily, what’s the rush to leave great weather?

I have a couple recipes tagged to maybe make one day, or if not, just keep thinking about. I’ll share them here in case you want to bake this weekend.

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Snack Squares They just sound really delish.

Orange Chocolate Chip Scones Such a short ingredient list, looks simple enough to whip up in a jif. Like how I could do that instead of playing on the computer now.

What have you seen online lately worth a try?

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Things that make me happy Thursday

August 18, 2011 by 6 Comments

Here’s a little something different for today. How about some things that make me happy? I actually don’t have much to write about. No new recipes, no good stories, just pictures of Lily. Who doesn’t find that fun to look at? Lily always makes me happy, except when she drives me crazy like when she gets cranky and barks like a mad woman, or wants to play when I want to sleep. But even then, she is so cute and funny to watch that you just obey her orders.

Above is Lily’s favorite couch spot. She nestles herself under two pillows and comes out the other end. It’s so cute especially with her too long hair on her head.

Again between two pillows on the bed is the doggy tushy. She is saying “can’t someone make some room for me? These pillows are in my spot.”

And this is Lily posing on pillows for the camera. What a pretty girl. She smiles and you smile too. Look at her eyelashes.

 

Flowers always make people happy. Jeffrey sent me these at work for our anniversary. I love flowers at work! Brightens up an office and people stop by to see what they’re for.

And I saw The Help on Tuesday afternoon (who sees movies on a Tuesday at 3:50 p.m.?) It was great, such a nice story, educational, well told, and great cast. All girls, especially Southern ones, should see it, you’ll leave with a twang.

What’s making you happy today?

Filed Under: Lily, Thoughts · Tagged With: ,

Really good Vegetable Soup

August 17, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Do you cook at home when you’re lazy, not feeling great, but still want to make sure you get your vegetables and a square meal? We try to, sometimes. I browsed cookbooks on Saturday and decided soup sounded good. I made the grocery list and Jeffrey did the shopping (so nice), and then we cooked together on Sunday afternoon and ate together a few hours later. Soups are great to cook ahead and let simmer or sit with the heat off. It only gets better tasting with time. Even better the next day too.

This soup was plenty big for a few meals or multiple bowls of soup. I plan to freeze some leftovers and pull out on another occasion when I just want a quick and simple meal but don’t want to resort to frozen food, canned food, or takeout.

Great with toast with cheese on top, or Saltine’s, we both loved the herb flavors in the soup, and I loved the big chunky vegetables like potatoes, beans, and big carrots.

Vegetable Soup

(recipe adapted from Ellie Krieger’s cookbook)

Ingredients

  • 1 (15-ounce) can canellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 large onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 carrots, diced (about 1/2 cup)
  • 2 stalks celery, diced, (about 1/2 cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Russet potato, peeled and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 32 ounces low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can  no salt added diced tomatoes (we subbed tomato sauce)
  • 2 cups chopped baby spinach leaves
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan, optional

Directions

  • In a small bowl mash half of the beans with a masher or the back of a spoon, and set aside.
  • Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and let saute for a few minutes.
  • Add carrots, garlic and celery and let saute a few minutes more.
  •  Add potato and herbs, salt and pepper and cook stirring occasionally until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the broth and tomatoes with the juice and bring to a boil. Add the mashed and whole beans and the spinach leaves and cook until the spinach is wilted, about 3 minutes more.
  • Let simmer for a few minutes, making sure carrots, celery and potato are fork tender, and then turn heat off and cover until ready to serve.
  • Serve topped with Parmesan, if desired.

Notes–you can add any vegetable you want–zucchini, squash, mushrooms, etc. I was just lucky to get the spinach and beans in this dish! Could also add pulled chicken and sub chicken stock instead of vegetable stock/broth.

Sorry for the blurred iPhone photo, I was too lazy to get the big camera out.

What do you cook for a simple but delicious one-pot Sunday night or weeknight dinner?

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