my favorite go-to

More Vegetable Than Egg Frittata (serves 4)

2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 onion, sliced
4 C mixed vegetables (I've used sliced Swiss chard, cut-up asparagus, diced zucchini, and/or cut-up green beans)
*1 tsp salt
1/4 C fresh basil leaves (optional)
3 eggs
1/2 C freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

1. Put 1 tablespoon of the oil in 12" nonstick skillet over medium heat. When hot, add onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add vegetables and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. Raise heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes. Adjust heat as necessary so vegetables brown a little without scorching.
2. Turn heat to low when vegetables are nearly done and add basil, if using. Cook, stirring occasionally, until pan is almost dry, up to 5 minutes longer for wetter ingredients such as mushrooms.
3. Beat eggs and cheese (if using) in bowl while vegetables cook. Season with remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to pan. Pour in eggs, using a spoon if necessary to distribute them evenly. cook, undisturbed, until eggs are barely set, about 10 minutes. Run under the broiler for a minute or two to brown very slightly.
4. Cut into wedges and serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.

*I use my favorite Parmesan cheese from Central Market, which is already pretty salty (and SO good!!!!). I thought a teaspoon of salt made it waaaay too salty the first time I made it, so now I only use 1/4-1/2 teaspoon total.

If you're getting cheese (or really anything else delicious at Central Market), I would recommend grabbing a yummy loaf of bread there too. A slice of good bread, a salad, and a slice of frittata: delicious!!

I don't do bugs

If this sweet animal brings one more of these inside

she will be looking for a new home.

P.S.-The bug is a picture I found online; I did not take the time to snap a picture of any of them in the midst of trying to keep the cat away while I shoveled the giant things back outside.

God love him

I feel bad asking people to take a quick picture of Bobby and me...most of our friends who've been asked will take several and give up. Why, you ask? Well, this wonderfully handsome guy turns into a wrinkled, mentally challenged man who looks three sheets to the wind even though he's stone-cold sober (he has a sweet sunburn to boot in the most recent ones). Bless him.

(Mere tried giving him lessons...obviously those haven't paid off)

And thank goodness for professionals who use Photoshop.

yummy breakfast

Oh, baby, are these muffins g-o-o-d. And easy, which makes them taste even better. You can put everything together while the oven preheats!

healthy morning muffins (makes 12)
•Nonstick cooking spray
•1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
•1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
•1/2 teaspoon baking soda
•1/2 teaspoon baking powder
•1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
•1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
•1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
•1/2 cup raisins
•3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
•1 large egg
•1/3 cup skim milk
•4 medium carrots, shredded
•1 medium ripe banana, mashed

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt until there are no lumps. Stir in oats and raisins. Add oil, egg, milk, carrots, and banana and stir until blended.

Fill each muffin cup with 1/4 cup batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean, 23 to 25 minutes. Serve muffins warm or at room temperature. (To store, keep in an airtight container, up to 3 days.)

good listening

It's not really too difficult for me to become obsessed with a single CD. If I get one I really like, then I listen to it over and over again until I worry that I'll actually make myself tired of the songs. Enter darling Dave Barnes: Margaret and I saw him play a few years ago and not only was he flipping hilarious on stage...like really, really funny and charming, but his CD was muy bueno. He recently released the CD above and it has been on play constantly on my iTunes player and in my car. It might be the sweetest little CD I've heard. Ok, it is. He is so in love with his wife and has written the sweetest lyrics about her and their relationship and their future. Still not convinced? Read theses lyrics and then tell me that you don't agree and don't also want to hang out with him because he's probably really just that cool:

I’ve been a walking heartache
I’ve made a mess of me
The person that I’ve been lately
Ain’t who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me
Watch as the storm goes through
And I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

There’s more here than what were seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me
You’ll always be love’s great martyr
Ill be the flattered fool
and I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

On my own I’m only
Half of what I could be
I can’t do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I pray we never undo

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you, gave me you.
Gave me you.

Told you. :)

fireworks x2

It goes without saying: I. Love. Fireworks. So much so, in fact, that I've been known to sneak into the Cats' stadium at the end of the games to watch the fireworks show. Luckily this July 4th weekend, I did not have to do so. I got my fill on both the 3rd and 4th. Score.

July 3rd

We went with Bobby's parents and friends to the Concert in the Gardens. It was so nice out and we got to listen to the FW symphony play some sweet patriotic music...followed by even sweeter fireworks that lasted for forever. They had the best fireworks finale I've ever seen!!

You can't tell from this picture, but the conductor had on a serious American flag shirt.

I promise I really was having fun, it just wasn't captured in this picture.

July 4th

Grant, Bobby's bff (they might even have some sort of weird friendship bracelet to prove it), invited us to play out at his parents' house with lots of other folks. Um, it was GORGEOUS!!! I wish I had thought to take a picture of their actual house, but you'll just have to enjoy the amazing view they have.

We swam in the pool, ate lots of good food and sampled a ridiculous amount of desserts, played with lots of cute dogs, and watched multiple fireworks shows. We could see at least 6 or 7 from around the city and then of course, because it's Texas and we were in the semi-country, fireworks were set off about 10 feet from the house. Before most of this, Grant took us a death ride via Mule to show up the property and the stocked pond. He and CB caught a few cute bass, Ashley and I managed to spill our margaritas within about 3 minutes of the start of the death ride, Bobby acted like there was nothing abnormal about going 40 mph on a Mule, and I saw more grasshoppers than I ever have in my life. Fun times!

Much better picture-taking experience than the day before (just wait for that post, it will be worth it...promise).

This picture is only showing about half of the cute doggies that got to play and take part in the holiday festivities. I am in love with that big, white, sweet polar bear named Gabe. I want to steal him. Reaaaaal bad.

Grant probably made the firework salesman's year. I'm not sure I've ever seen so many different kinds of fireworks close up. Which is why I learned just how much I like being far away from the actual explosion. Below: I could not get my sparkler to burn out fast enough or get far enough away from those two clowns with their Roman candles.

What a great, great, great weekend with fun people!!