OK. I'm back on Sunday. I'll try to make this one longer to catch you all up with our life.
1. We had a fabulous Memorial weekend. It was so nice to just stay home and hang out. There was no agenda - just whatever sounded good to us. No softball games, no soccer games, minimal swim practices. Sweet.
2. I did manage to squeeze in shooting my wedding. Of course it rained. That's twice in a row. I feel like I'm a jinx. Seriously. What's up with the rain? Of course we managed to work around the rain and a full wedding post is coming up. But I have about a bajilion images to edit first - so it may take a little while longer than normal! For now, here is your sneak peak. Hint: Darcy's flowers were GORGEOUS!

3. The last two weekends have been filled with this:

It's been great. This weekend both the grandparents ended up being in town on the same night. The hubby's folks were traveling through KC on their way home from Hilton Head and my folks were traveling through KC on their way to vacation in Arkansas. We decided to join forces and we had a FABULOUS evening at the pool and back at my sister's homestead eating pizza. Yesterday was a day that definitely filled my bucket.
4. I've managed to squeeze in long runs the past two weekends. I really like getting my run in early Saturday morning. It just sets such a great tone to my weekend. Last weekend I suckered the hubby into 8 with me and this weekend I suckered my friend, Carmen, into 6 with me. (I may have run a few more miles afterward.) All in all, I just love it. I'm not training for anything but I still enjoy the long runs.
5. #1 and #2 both had their last day of school. I think I was just as excited as they were because the last day of school means SUMMER has arrived!
6. I've tried out new recipes in the last few weeks and they have both been SUCCESSES! The first was a family favorite. In a family of six people it's difficult - if not impossible - to come up with something new that all six of us enjoy. This was one of those meals. I found this somewhere on the internet but I can't remember exactly where. Therefore, I do not take credit for this DELICIOUSNESS.



Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce (serves 4 or six if there are four kids!)
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
16 oz. plain greek yogurt, drained
1 cucumber, peeled and seeded
2-3 large garlic cloves, crushed with a garlic press
1 tsp white wine vinegar
salt and pepper
juice of 1 lemon (about 2 Tbsp)
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
For the chicken:
4 cloves garlic, crushed with a garlic press
juice of 1 lemon
2 tsp red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 heaping Tbsp plain yogurt
1 Tbsp oregano
salt and pepper
1 1/4 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed and butterflied
To assemble:
Pita bread or Mediterranean flatbread
Fresh tomatoes, diced or sliced
Cucumbers, thinly sliced
Red onion, thinly sliced
Romaine lettuce, shredded
Feta, crumbled
Prepare Chicken:
1. In a shallow baking dish, combine all ingredients except chicken, mix well
2. Spread seasoning mixture evenly over chicken, cover entire dish and refrigerate for an hour
Prepare tzatziki sauce:
1. In a food processor or blender on the pulse setting, chop cucumber until finely chopped. Squeeze excess liquid from the chopped cuke with paper towels (there is a LOT of extra liquid) - you want to remove as much of the water as possible.
2. Add all other tzatziki ingredients to the food processor and pulse until well combined.
3. Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate for an hour or more to let the flavors meld.
Grill Chicken:
1. Grill chicken on medium heat or cook under a broiler until cooked through.
Assemble Gyros:
Spread tzatziki sauce on half of one pita, add chicken, lettuce, cucumbers, red onion, tomatoes, and crumbled feta. Top with more tzatziki if desired.
Chow down!
The hubby and I also tried out a steak recipe that we LOVED. The chimichurri sauce is so good that you can even dip your broccoli into. Does it get any more perfect than that? I think not.
Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri
12 oz flank, skirt, or sirloin steak
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1 bunch scallions
3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp water
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dried red-pepper flakes
1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
How to Make it:
1. To make the chimichurri sauce, mix the vinegar, water, garlic, salt, pepper flakes, and black pepper. Whisk in the olive oil. When everything's blended, whisk in the parsley
2. Preheat a grill or grill pan on high. Season the steak with salt and pepper and place it on the hot grill. For medium rare, cook it for 3-4 minutes on each side. Trim the roots from the scallions and add the entire bunch to the grill just after you've flipped the steak. Cook the scallions until they're lightly charred, about 4 - 5 minutes.
3. Drizzle the steak wit the chimichurri sauce and serve it with the grilled scallions.
I tore this recipe out of the hubby's Men's Health two years ago. I don't know why it took me two years to try this - it was great and super easy!
7. Last weekend we took a family bike ride to Einstein Brothers for bagels and then on to Deanna Rose. The girls had a great time. And it feels wonderful to be able to get out on bikes - all six of us! Mind you, we get quite a few stares. (I think we may resemble a circus act.) But it was totally worth it.
Here are the girls at bagels.

These were all shot at Deanna Rose. Love that place.




8. I started to refinish my mid-century dresser. It really wasn't terribly difficult to sand all the drawers. They are now waiting in the garage for their first coat of stain. I can't wait. I think they are going to look terrific when I'm done. Of course I'll post it on here!
9. Today was #1's last soccer game. It was a beautiful morning for a soccer game. If only her team would have come out victorious.


10. I've mentioned it before, but #4 is finally talking. She's still a little hard to understand, but we get most of it. For example, she has to have her to bunny when she takes a nap or goes to bed. She always asks for her "wunny". She adores her flip-flops and always tells us "ee-dops" when she puts them on. (Her sisters had to translate that one for me!) She calls each of them by name, but of course none of them sound completely accurate. I don't care. I just love how much she is talking!
And there you have it. I gave you 10 on Sunday to make up for my lackluster posting last week. Have a good one!