Mellie Dee ♥

Spaghetti Casserole

July 11, 2019 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

Work went swimmingly well. The nerd in me was excited to make flow charts all day today and not have to really worry about other things.

After work I stopped by and picked up some cookies for Mallory as a suprised. She made a very delicious spaghetti casserole and although it’s not the healthiest, it’s pretty damn delicious.

Afterward we played the Switch then watched Big Brother. She has a strong love for reality television and it’s been years since I’ve watched this show.

I’m off tomorrow but will be working a little bit in the morning. Then it’s a jam packed weekend. I’m happy to be seeing so many individuals but know I will need downtime to recharge.

I’m ready for cuddles with Rizzo and bedtime. Night, world!

Making Headway

July 10, 2019 by Mellie Dee 2 Comments

This is me all the time except I do text back.

I haven’t had time to update the blog these past few days due to my workload BUT! my hard work paid off. This post isn’t to show off or anything. I’m just very happy that this is the first time since I started on this team, I feel like I was of use and not dead weight.

After weeks of putting together an initiative I deemed would be useful for one of the subteams I support, we got a sign off to proceed with the prototyping phase yesterday. This is a huge accomplishment in a world where people are not fond of changes nor spending time to make those changes to better efficiency and data quality.

One hour before a quarterly business meeting with the boss’s boss, I was tasked to run our team meeting since my boss, Maria, was going to be late. I chased after every team member for their parts and slapped it together in a presentation. It was a whirlwind but we got it done. I always knew I could work under pressure but that was really pushing it.

But the real validation came from seeing a product I put together in use the way it’s intended because they’re starting to trust the data. Seeing them constantly referring to the tool during their meeting made my heart happy because months spent on this product did not go to waste.

I’m on a high that this week, though it’s been crazy, has been one of the best ones I’ve had since I started on this team. I’m hoping that things stay this high for a while, at least until way after my vacation that’s coming up is over. That shouldn’t be too hard, right?

Recipe | Korean Beef & Tofu Zucchini Noodles

July 7, 2019 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

I got to see Ann, Tony, Ryland, and Colsen today. It’s been less than a year since I’ve seen them and it’s been a long time coming. I loved seeing Ryland so lovingly attentive to Colsen. He’s such a great big brother!

Ann made some delicious chorizo breakfast tacos for brunch and I got to catch up with her. Tony woke up later from being drunk the night before and it was nice getting to catch up with him as well. I found out I liked Mexican Hot Chocolate Ice Cream. The punch of cinnamon really reminds me of winter time.

Korean Beef & Tofu Zucchini Noodle Stir Fry Ingredients

After a while, I left and headed to H-Mart for some goodies. Then it was a nap and Marvel movies until I started on my meal prep.

Korean Beef & Tofu Zucchini Noodle Stir Fry

I have no clue what to call it so I went with Korean Beef & Tofu Zucchini Noodles. You can pretty much add whatever you’d like as long as you keep the marinade the same – give or take the bone broth depending on the consistency you want. I’m super excited for lunch tomorrow!

Korean Beef & Tofu Zucchini Noodles

Prep Time

20 d

Cook Time

10 d

Total Time

30 d

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Asian, Korean

Ingredients

Marinade

1/3 c brown sugar, packed
1/3 c reduced sodium soy sauce
1 Tbsp ginger, freshly grated
1 Tbsp sesame chili oil, regular sesame oil is fine
1 tsp Sriracha, or more to taste
a dash bone broth

Ingredients

4 oz rib eye steak, sliced into thin strips
1 pack medium firm tofu
1 Tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small yellow onion, sliced
1 pack button mushrooms, sliced
1 1/2 lbs zucchini (4 medium-sized), spiralized
1 can water chestnuts, optional

Preparations

Mix marinade ingredients together and add in rib eye steak and tofu. Let sit for at least 5 minutes.
Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium high heat. Add in tofu slices and cook both sides until a hint of brown, about 3-5 minutes. Take out and set aside.
Heat up garlic and add in beef. Cook until slightly finished, about 1-2 minutes. Take out and set aside.
Add in onion and mushrooms and a dash of marinade. Cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
Stir in everything until well combined. Allow it to simmer and heat through, about 2-3 minutes.

Notes

You can add or omit any vegetables or meat.
You can omit the bone broth. I just wanted it a little watery.
Add in a bit of slurry (cornstarch and water mixture) for a thicker consistency.

Houston Cousins Day

July 6, 2019 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

Started off the day watching the first Avenger movie before Timothy came to pick me up to go to Grandma’s. Sissy, BIL, Sarah, and Jacky died up as well. We picked up some Vietnamese food as well and chowed down with them and talked a bit before heading back home.

Soon enough I was out the door again picking up Timothy for game night at Sarah and Jacky’s with Sissy and BIL. Family Guy Clue and some Escape Curse if the Temple. Everyone was pretty competitive but was fun overall.

Canyon Creek Cafe | Houston, Texas — Old Fashioned, Moscow Mule, Texas Wang’s Sweet and Spicy, Chicken Fried Steak, Frijoles Burger, Barbacoa Hash

Then we headed to dinner at Canyon Creek Cafe. The best out of it all is the Barbacoa Hash. I really want to order one to go so I have it for tomorrow or something. It was THAT good.

We are currently chilling and will either call it a night or play more games. I’m sleepy and rest to relax with some Marvel movies.

Spider-Man & Hawaiian Food

July 4, 2019 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

Alamo Drafthouse | Spider-Man: Far from Home with June

I woke up with Emmy laughter and was able to get some playtime before she had to leave to get back with her parents. A few hours later, June and I headed out to watch Spider-Man: Far from Home. This was a super cute movie. I cried from happiness and sadness. It’s crazy how much technology has advanced and will continue to advance!

I never watched Endgame but I knew the ending so what they showed, in the beginning, wasn’t much of a surprise but it’s made me want to go back and watch and re-watch all of them in the correct timeline starting with Captain America which I’m doing right now. Eep!

Afterward, June and I went to L&L Hawaiian Barbecue. This has been on my list for years! But no one’s ever wanted to join me until today. They closed their other location and moved here.

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue | Katy, Texas | Grilled Spam, Chicken Katsu, Hawaiian BBQ Chicken, and Portuguese Sausage Musubi — Chicken Katsu Musubi | $2.95; Grilled Spam Musubi | $2.85; Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Musubi | $2.95; Portuguese Sausage Musubi | $2.85

We ordered one of each Musubi they offered. I have wanted to try these since forever. I will say that the meat to rice ratio is off but that’s because rice isn’t really my favourite and because I wish for more sauce in the rice. The two I’d order again is the Hawaiian BBQ Chicken and the Portuguese Sausage. June’s favourite was the Hawaiian BBQ Chicken as well and the Chicken Katsu.

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue | Katy, Texas | BBQ Mix Plate — BBQ Mix Plate [Hawaiian BBQ beef, chicken, and short ribs with rice, macaroni salad, and cabbage] | $12.45

We didn’t know the Musubis would be that big so we had ordered the BBQ Mix Plate as well. We tried a little bit of everything and packed the rest up. We agreed that the Musubis would be the best bet in the future since it’s pretty cheap and filling even with sharing! I guess I need to come back a few more times before deciding my final thoughts.

We went to HMart to walk off the food and headed home to relax. One day of working tomorrow and it’s the weekend! Luckily I get to work at home.

Happy Fourth everyone!