Day with Dad

My dad and I don't always get to spend a lot of time together when it's just the two of us. Since I'm in Houston this summer, we'll get to do that more often. I have already been able to see him twice and we have set up a weekly lunch date.

On his birthday, we went to his house for a birthday dinner of ribs, corn on the cob, and yummy salad. I had a great (last minute) idea for a birthday/father's day gift for him, but of course I didn't have it in time for the dinner, so I got him a funny card and wrote his name in big bubble letters on it. As I was watching TV, killing time before leaving for dinner, I started doodling... I drew little pictures of things that make me think of my dad or memories of him.

Needless to say, he loved it! I knew he would; he loves sentimental, homemade stuff. He even said I gave "the best gifts" AFTER opening a new iPad2. Score!

Yesterday we went to lunch at Pappas and we split a greek salad and seared scallops. Delicious! We had good conversations and ventured into the kitchen a bit and visited with some of his coworkers. We talked about other things we could do while I'm in town: museums, the underground downtown tunnels, and possibly a restaurant supply store.

We then ventured to a little magazine shop and bought some of his favorite cooking magazines for me that we had talked about at lunch. Afterwards, I followed him to the downtown YMCA where he added me to his membership so I can enjoy the Y down the street from E's house. It is new with great equipment and 2 outdoor pools! Yessssss.

After a great afternoon with my dad, I went home to make some rosemary bread from scratch.

My all time favorite picture of my dad and me :)

Summer Reading List Post 1

My first book of the summer, Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by the Pioneer Woman, has been read. Check! My brother pre-ordered it for me as a Christmas present and it came a few months ago. Since it was a gift, I tried to read it when I got it, but I have a hard time making the time and focusing to read during the school year. This weekend, however, the US Open was on for a solid 3 days and we don't have easy access to a pool so we spend a great amount of time on the couch (in the AC). E watched golf, baseball... anything on any of the many ESPN channels involving a ball. I read and watched the replays of the good parts of the US Open when E would snap me out of my book and back to real life.

The Pioneer's Woman's writing is light and funny in this book and I have always enjoyed reading her blog for that reason. That, and looking at her gorgeous pictures of her (very unhealthy) cooking and ranch life.  This book was just what I needed to start summer reading since it's simple and entertaining.  I enjoyed that it was a witty yet inspirational love story about the beginning of a marriage, but in my next book I need a little more depth. Several people have recommended Water for Elephants and Hunger Games. I also have Same Kind of Different as Me with me that I've started twice and gotten distracted. Hmmm....

Now I'm not a total hypocrite when I tell my students to read over the summer!

You, Me, and Dupree

As I before mentioned, E and I are not alone in our H & H summer. Long story short - E had a roommate, roommate moved out, E lived alone, E and I have an idea = we live together for the summer, old roommate found a replacement..... and then there were 3. Remember this movie?

Watch a clip!

Our real life "Dupree" is actually quite the opposite of Owen Wilson. He is very insecure and nervous.
Our Dupree likes to keep to himself. Our Dupree loves milk. Our Dupree has a dog who is just as squeamish as him. Our Dupree has some interesting habits. Our Dupree has an iPad and is constantly playing games on it and forcing us to watch. Our Dupree likes approximately 3 songs and plays them repeatedly. Our Dupree paces... a lot.

He seems like a kind person, he just admittedly has no faith in himself. It's hard to watch and understand, but we're trying to be friends.

Tonight, E is grillin' steaks for 3...

Summer 2011 of H & H

I have been in Houston for one week today. I have settled in to my new surroundings (as best as I can now that I live with 2 boys and a dog) and summer lifestyle (no work!) so it is time to blog again. When E and I decided to live together for the summer I said, "let's be healthy this summer." E has been on the health train for the past month or two so he was more than happy to pull me aboard. We (more like me, but we'll call it "we") dubbed this summer, the summer of H & H. Happiness and Health. Insert "awwwww" or "cough/gag/spit" - whichever moves you.

Brief update - what I've been up to "in a nut shell"...

- Attended Girls' Weekend Summer 2011 with old and great friends in Liz's beautiful new home
- I have given up Diet Coke cold turkey for 1 week and 1 day. Yes; this is worth the dramatic statements and facebook posts.
- I started power walking with hand weights (I giggle off and on all the way around the trail)
- I've seen both of my parents, grandparents, aunt and uncle, sisters, cousins and E's parents, brother and sister-in-law
- I've tried tofu noodles
- I started reading a book!
- I read a lot of blogs I used to read religiously

Somethings I hope to do this summer:
- Read a couple books
- Work out
- Cook
- Organize my recipes
- Start a Pinterest page
- Figure out my Mac
- Play... a lot!
- Explore new restaurants and places in Houston

That's about it. It feels a little foreign to write for fun and not for work but I'm excited to get back in to it. At one brief, fleeting moment in my life I wanted to be a journalist, so this will scratch that little itch I once had. Can't wait to use some creative juices on the blog as well as with all this spare time I (gratefully) have for a short time every year. Stay tuned :)