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

Bites of My Life

It finally feels like fall in my neck of the woods. Work is busy because we are opening a new restaurant!! I can’t think of what else to say and I don’t have time to think. That is all. Bye!!

-Part 1 of convincing Peter that curry is a diet staple complete. Eased him in with this easy crock-pot curry recipe I have on the blog.
-Pumpkins posing all cute all around the neighborhood I take my walks in.
-Tried the Tik Tok salmon & rice and can confirm the hype. Great way to use leftover salmon.
-Decaf almond milk latte delivery was just what I needed late Friday afternoon after a doozy of a work day.
-Tried a new to me pilates studio. I haven’t take a studio class in about a year and half. I miss reformer pilates!!
-Big time in Denton celebrating the Shorts!!
-Buncha plus ones!
-A stop in historic downtown Denton for post-wedding fuel before the drive back to OKC.
-Got to OKC for a week of work, but first some fall festival cuteness with my nieces.

Annie

Bites of My Life

Happy two years in Dallas to me! Can you believe? I actually can. I feels like it’s been 5+. I mean that in a good way. I feel rooted and established in Dallas, something I really strived to feel after initially moving.

It’s also mid June already. How? It is summer, like summer summer. And the temperatures are to show for it. I felt like this weekend was a constant state of sweat, shower, sweat, shower, sweat, shower. I went on a walk with two newer friends that I adore, on Sunday. We stopped for ice coffee first, then walked the Katy Trail in Dallas. By the end of the walk we were 1. sweaty messes and 2. famished. We stopped for lunch and I think everyone in the restaurant thought we had just jumped in a pool! Dog days are here.

-One of my go-to dinners in the ole single girl recipe bag. Just a Trader Joe’s Turkey burger salad. Pretty crave worth in the summer.
-I’ve been in a routine of buying a rotisserie chicken at the store to start the week to have for meals. I decided to try my hand at making homemade bone broth with the leftover chicken carcass. It’s so easy to make, and it yielded about a week’s worth of broth that I sipped on mid-morning. Bone broth has some great health benefits, but it really just made me feel like I was doing something good and healthy for myself!
-700 printed photos later and my photo albums are now up to date to document the past two years.
-Ventured to work outside on Friday, and was quickly reminded that it’s officially the dead heat of the summer. I lasted about 10 minutes working in the 95 degree heat.
-Bestie Taylor drove down from OKC for a quick 24 hour trip. We had dinner at Encina in the bishop Arts district and had the most delicious “Mokonuts” cocktail.
-Ordered about every app on the menu at Encina. The vibes, the food, the drinks were all good.
-Our favorite visitor!
-Prettier the cheeseboard, the easier it is to play mah jongg…or so they say!
-Spent Saturday afternoon learning the game of Mah Jongg from one of my good friend’s moms. What was supposed to be a 2-4pm lesson turned into hours of playing the game, talking, eating copious amounts of chocolate-covered almonds, and just an overall great day.

Annie

Bites of My Life

Quick wellness update: I had a sinus congestions for about the past two weeks that turned into a bacterial infection that then lead to the most miserable sinus pressure and migraine I’ve ever experienced. I thought I was on the mend, but went in for a steroid shot on Friday to really kick it out of my system and that’s when things went downhill. The pain lingered in my forehead, in my nose, in my teeth, behind my neck, and ears, it was awful. A lot of tears, hot showers and baths, frozen vegetables on my head, naps, Advil, and peppermint oil. I’m trying acupuncture for the first time this morning and praying to God that it helps relieve some of the dull pain I’m still feeling. Fingers crossed I get back to feeling like myself again. This allergy/sinus mess going around is no joke. It’s also my birthday on Thursday, and sister is not trying to have a migraine on her bday!

-Threw together this random assortment of pantry ingredients for Monday night dinner that ended up lasting me for multiple meals during the week. I used this recipe as a guide and I highly recommend it.
-Packed up a very lunch box looking lunch and it sparked a weird amount of joy.
-Step aside Agolde Parker shorts (which I own and do not like), I have found my jean shorts of the summer. And they are $50!!
-Got a surprise visit from my parents on Thursday as they were driving en route to Austin to see my sister and BIL’s new place! They came bearing hammy-downs from their recent move, lunch, and an early birthday gift, addressed to Ann…hey mom it’s Anne or Annie? LOL
-One of the better drinks I’ve had in a minute. This passionfruit gimlet from Beverly’s was so good for Friday happy hour.
-Friday happy hour lasted longer than an hour as two of my girlfriends and I bumped into some friends from college and then finished the night with the best chips and salsa (and butter) in Dallas.
-My migraine and sinus pain kind of swept me off my feet this weekend. Saturday and Sunday looked a lot like this.
-Left the house to pick up more advil and an antibiotic and swung by Pressed Juicery for a Pressed Freeze too. I forgot how good these are!
-I’m addicted to the oat milk latte’s at my neighborhood bakery and I don’t care that I spend almost $6 on them.

Annie

Bites of My Life

Look how colorful these bites are! Last week was low key, but fun. Had time to cook healthy dinners, play tennis, and enjoy the beautiful weather. Kicked off the weekend by doing dinner with my bestie and her husband who were in town Friday. Las Palmas is always a winner. If you are in Dallas and haven’t been, add it to your list. The weekend included two engagements for two great couples and a fun Mother’s day celebrash with Peter’s fam. The pit of the weekend is a nasty cough I caught that has carried into the week ☹️

-Pickled red onions are the best use of leftover onion. Here’s my quickie recipe.
-Cinco de Mayo fajitas cooked on the flat top!
-A meal straight from the freezer. Mustard marinated salmon and roasted frozen broccoli (I used Liz Moody’s method).
-Walter workout! Been back on my strength grind with Walter on Obe!
-Cava is it! I love this Mediterranean fast-casual spot. Started in DC and hadn’t had it much since I lived there. I try to eat lunch at home during the week, but when I splurge I crave Cava.
-Pretty patterns spotted while doing some shopping on Friday after selling the near entirety of my spring/summer wardrobe.
-Saturday oat milk latte with stolen bites of Peter’s jalapeño, bacon, and cheddar croissant from my favorite neighborhood spot!
-A necessary walk through the amazing new RH Restoration Hardware that just opened in Dallas. It’s massive and beautiful and I’m counting down until I treat myself to a meal at the rooftop restaurant.
-Mother’s Day shrimp and grits. Wasn’t with my momma this year, but she assured me she still had a great day!

Annie