I covet

It's WAY out of my price range, but a girl can dream, right? My hunt for a (much less expensive) dress for three weddings in July begins!

via

P-Town for M Day

This weekend I went down to Portland to visit my sister for Mother's Day. My folks and Kam went down on Friday, but I had plans Saturday morning (running over 17 miles!) so I took the train down in the afternoon. (Awesome train story to come.)

On Mother's Day, my dad and I took on brunch for a dozen. On the menu? Swedish pancakes with lingonberries or homemade syrup, scrambled eggs, riblets, fruit, coffee and juice.

Dad and I took turns manning the stove. He's really the pro at Swedish pancakes though. (Well, actually, my Grandma Pete is the pro. I don't know what it is, but there must be some magical ingredient in her pancakes.)

After brunch, Kam wanted to show off his AMAZING reading skills to his Mom. Such a smart kiddo. (P.S. Doesn't Richelle look beautiful?!)

My amazing, talented and beautiful Mom. I love you, Mom!

Little Letters, Friday Edition

Dear Martha,
How can it be possible that your cookbook does not have a single bad recipe? Last night, we made the Mini Greek Lamb burgers and they boggled my mind. The extra stop it took to find the ground lamb was WELL worth it.

Dear Joe,
Thank you for understanding that I like to take pictures of things for the sole purpose of posting on my blog, even if it means confiscating your food. I appreciate your suggestion of putting the cookbook in the set-up. Nice touch.

Dear Friday lunch,
I love leftovers, especially from Martha's recipes.

Dear Starbucks Frappy Hour,
Uhh, half price frappuccinos from 3-5pm? Yes, please. Combine a little frappuccino + fun people + sun + patio = Fab Friday Fun.

TGIF.

Mini Greek Lamb Burgers

Ingredients
FOR TZATZIKI
1/2 English cucumber, peeled, seeded, and grated (3/4 cup)
1/2 cup plain yogurt, preferably whole milk yogurt
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons chopped fresh mint (Erika's note: we skipped the mint)
1 small garlic clove, minced (Erika's note: we added more garlic)
Salt and pepper

FOR LAMB BURGERS
1 1/2 pounds ground lamb
1/2 small onion, minced (1/4 cup)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano, or 1 teaspoon dried
Salt and pepper
4 pieces pita bread (6 inches each)
Iceberg lettuce, for serving
2 medium beefsteak tomatoes, sliced, for serving
Feta cheese (Erika's note: The recipe didn't call for this, but I think it completes the burger. Definitely add.)

Directions
Heat grill or grill pan to high. Make tzatziki: In a medium bowl, combine cucumber, yogurt, lemon juice, mint and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.

Make burgers: In a medium bowl, use a fork to gently combine lamb, onion, parsley, and oregano; season with salt and pepper. Gently form mixture into 16 small patties, about 3/4 inch thick. Grill until medium-rare, 2 to 3 minutes per side.

To serve, warm pitas on the grill or directly over a gas burner, turning occasionally. Halve pitas, and fill with lettuce, burgers, tomato, and tzatziki.

Cinco de Mayo

Yes, yes, I realize that it's no longer Cinco de Mayo. But I wanted to share with you why I like the holiday. It's because:

• At work we decided to have a lunch fiesta with homemade pico de gallo, soy chorizo and other tasty stuff. Umm, who knew soy chorizo would be so good?
• It's a holiday where a margarita is pretty much mandatory. (Which Stephers, Maddie and I got at Red Robin because every Mexican restaurant was packed!)
• A pat-on-the-back moment, Maddie and I can run 8 miles and THEN go drink that said margarita.
• Pinatas. What's not to like about swinging a bat, blindfolded at a festive animal that explodes with candy?
• Autumn and RyRy's DTR: 5/5/06. I'm glad that that I was a part of that magical moment.
• Sombreros are cool. I wish I wore one yesterday. (Why is everyone is looking at me funny for wearing one today?)

If this doesn't make you smile, I don't know what will.

I really love his lyrics. It's like he and I are one in the same.

Bachy Party

Last Saturday, we took on Seattle for Laura's bachelorette party. Laura has left us in Seattle and now lives all the way over in Philly. She'll be there awhile since she just got into PENN STATE to get her Masters in Public Health (congrats!!).

The evening was filled with many twists and turns, but here's a sampling...

A stop at Cowgirls so the bride could ride the bull.

Laura's sister, Sara, planned a fabulous prix fixe meal at Barolo. (Advice: Order the gnocchi. Fantastic. I closed my eyes and found myself in Italy for each bite.)

Some ladies of the evening.

More ladies of the evening.

Overall, good times!

oops.

I thought I had found the perfect 15 mile run for us today.

Turns out I was wrong.

I found the perfect 16.6 mile run.

Oops.

(Autumn and Maddie are going to ban me from mapping future runs.)