Bites of My Life

Lots of fall cooking and recipes and an uninvited kitchen injury to pair. Last week was busy yet passed by slow. With this being the last week of the month I have an inkling it will buzz by. Here's to hoping so, yet also holding on to time as the best time of the year arrives. 

-Love my days when I work from home. I get my space all set up with work materials, drink essentials (TJ's matcha mix), and visual inspiration like The Scout Guide that just made it's launch in OKC.
-It's pumpkin bread season and I shared my family's recipe last week.
-Also shared this family favorite of Sausage Tortellini Soup which I happily enjoyed all week!
-Fig jam, prosciutto, parmesan and apple open face sammy. Unfortunately this lunch turned into this...
-One swipe of the apple on the mandoline, led to a swipe of my thumb on the mandoline. It was a bloody Thursday to say the least. 
-Picked this seasoning up on a whim and I'm putting it on everything!
-My dad and I have been going to a local chili cook-off together for the past 3 years. It's one of my favorite events of the fall. We decided next year is the year I enter!
-Cheers to brandy ices and being the youngest at the bar by 40 years.
-Dressed like a pig and ran (walked) a 5K. Just your average Saturday.
-Sunday got off to a lazy start while staying in bed then enjoying a pumpkin green smoothie bowl for a late breakfast. 
-Sunday prep for this week's dinner. Keeping on my soup game with this butternut squash soup. 
-When dad smokes ribs, I (and Gabe) come running. 

Annie

Bites of My Life

Winding down from a weekend I don't want to end. Nothing crazy happened and that's exactly why it was so great. Started with a solo sesh dinner, just me, my book and my you-pick-two then joined some friends for Girl on The Train. I didn't read the book which consensus says was a good thing; left for more suspense during the movie. 

Saturday woke up for breakfast and barre with Lindsay then football and bowling with friends. Ended the day making loaves of pumpkin bread and settling into the couch for a triple feature of You've Got Mail, Friends With Benefits and A Walk to Remember. 

Today consisted of the new season of Barefoot Contessa starting, a neighborhood kitchen tour, trip to Trader Joe's, walk with my mom, and a delicious dinner cooked not by me, but for me. A weekend of r&r that I want to repeat ASAP!

-New fav snack: handful of TJ's semi-dried frozen figs microwaved for 20 seconds with AB and CB drizzled on top.
-Celebrated the amazing company I work for with killer views and tasty treats. 
-Cheers to The Social Order Dining Collective being offish!
-I love sneaking over to my parent's house for lunch. Even when my mom thinks there is nothing in the fridge I feel like it's always full with the best goods. 
-Shared my go to work week lunch last week, did you catch the post? Another one of last week's posts here.
-Recipe test round one of Carrot Pecan Muffins. First round came out good, but I'm still perfecting the recipe.
-A perfect delivery of Perfect Bars. I'm a Perfect Bar virgin and can't wait to try these! 
-I hadn't had Panera in about a year and the craving came on strong. Pulled up a table for one before joining my friends at Girl on The Train. 
-Saturday gameday went from football to bowling with a gameday brat on the side. 
-No better smell than loaves of pumpkin bread baking in the oven. Made a huge batch of my mom's pumpkin bread this weekend, recipe will be shared this week!
-The dreamiest pantry in one of the houses on the Nichols Hills Kitchen Tour.
-When you and your UT roommate make a bet on the OU/Texas game and you come out the winner! Bet was if Texas lost, Lindsay had to make me dinner, if OU lost...well we don't need to go there. 

Annie

Bites of My Life

Gilmore Girls, cookies, happy hour, work, workout, eat repeat all led up to head out of town to the big D for OU/Texas weekend. Once in Texas it was shopping, eating, friends, late nights and a not so average gameday. We won, but I lost a bit. I love a weekend away, but nothing feels better than walking in your front door after a few days out of town.  

-Protein packed Monday with this round up of protein bars I got at the store. 
-I see matcha and I'm intrigued. I tried Trader Joe's matcha mix and it is as good as it gets. Highly recommend!
-Monday's work from home included lunch al fresco instead of al desko.
-Kathleen and I thought we were the only true Gilmore Girls fans who would wake up at 7am for #HappyBirthdayGilmore. Got to our local #LukesDiner (Cuppies and Joe) and were about 250 in line...turns out we aren't the only GG freaks. Skipped the line and opted for coffee at Hank's down the street. This all while wearing flannels and backward baseball caps...
-A friendly game of kickball happens every Wednesday this fall. I may not be the best player, but I provide the halftime snacks!
-Cauliflower fried rice made authentic by being served in a leftover take out box.
-First comes the dough, then comes the best cookies ever. Recipe posted last week. 
-Double the tikka c/o TJ's. Both are take a bite approved!
-Roommates by day, college rivals on Saturdays.
-My gameday turned out a little different and I sadly had to swap my fair corny dog for crackers and ginger ale. 
-Still easing a queasy stomach with the #1 comfort food and a lazy Sunday on the couch. 
-Testing out making my own coconut milk coffee creamer, taste TBD.

Annie

Bites of My Life

I think October may rival to be one of my favorite months. The season really starts to set in, the weather actually starts to change and the month kicks off the holiday season. In saying that, this weekend indeed kicked off what is to be some good weeks ahead...I can feel it. 

My dearest sweetest best girl Katie got married and I was lucky to have a small part in her day. A gorgeous (unheard of) night, weather wise, set the tone for her big day. We drank, ate and danced the night away. The next day I spent lounging, lounging and some more lounging on the couch with family, friends, football and Chinese food. Then ended the weekend with a homemade pizza party. Let's go October!

-Crushing so hard on this salad right now. I've eaten it five times in the past week. You have to try it!
-My favorite lunch that keeps making an appearance.
-New BA and BC on the TV. Perfect afternoon!
-When you wear a royal blue jumper thinking you'll be "different." I guess great minds think alike!
-The day finally came for KG's wedding. She, it and everything was perfect! #Katiegotbax
-I've waited years for Starbucks almond milk. It's here and it's everything. 
-Obligatory pumpkin patch picture. 
-Whipping my front porch into shape for October. 
-It was a grilled pizza showdown for Sunday supper! Kathleen and John, Mom and Dad and myself were all responsible for our own pizza toppings. I think mom and dad won...

Annie

Bites of My Life

I'm freezing. In regards to weather I haven't said that since probably last February. Woke up this morning for a Barre3 class and my usual walk. I had a sweatshirt on, but still had to make a stop at Starbucks for some tea to warm my insides up. It was so cold (57 degrees <--- I'll be laughing in a few months at this) and I loved it! 

-Been making this loaded salad like crazy lately. Full with seasonal produce like sweet potatoes, beets, avocado and honey crisp apples. Tossed with homemade pumpkin dressing (recipe)!
-Tuesday night lights watching sis's cheer girls and BIL's 8th grade footballers. They pride themselves on being the real life Tammy and Coach Taylor. 
-Post game froyo. Seasonal choices of PSL, snickerdoodle and pistachio.
-10 things I already love and 10 things I'm trying now that OKC's Trader Joe's is open. Did you see my post? 
-Get me out of the office and in to a coffee shop if you want me to really be productive. Lucky for me, my job allows that. 
-The sweetest little package, with the best surprise inside! I get to be a bridesmaid for for my Madeline and I can't wait!
-Geeked out when I saw this superfood turmeric, ginger and beet Larabar, but it kind of tasted like grass...
-How gorg is Nancy's version of my Pumpkin Green Smoothie? She is a smoothie bowl queen!
-Put a dent in my wallet, but couldn't be more excited to spend it on TJ goods!
-Beer tasting and my besties for a perfect Friday night. 
-Fair food should always come jumbo size and should always leave you with a stomach ache. This Indian Taco did just that. 
-Came for the Eli Young concert, stayed for the rodeo and silver bullets. 

Annie