My Big Fat Greek Obsession

I'm a mut. An American mut. I have German-English-Scottish-Irish-Indian-Texas White Trash blood. And not that I'm displeased with my heritage. Quite the contrary. I'm proud of my roots. My dad's family is traced back the the 1600s in Germany. I've been to the town in Germany from which we, well, sprung. There was a church with WWI and WWII POW and MIA and my maiden name was listed at least 8 times. His family also built most of Kendall County, Texas and were Texas Rangers, sheriffs - cool stuff. I just wish there was a little Greek in there.

*pause while my ancestors turn in their graves*

I'd make a great Greek girl.

I'm curvy, loud, outspoken, boisterous - everything I know Greeks to be. But I'm quite pale, and blond. There's no Greek there.

Greeks have great food. And huge families. They love to celebrate. And they eat lots of feta. I'm in!

TV Joe and I have become quite obsessed with Greek salads. We love a good Greek salad. Cucumber, onion, tomatoes, olives, Greek dressing topped with feta. We could eat this every night. We pretty much do! We like to eat it with chicken, some pita and hummus. So good.

I found this recipe last week and I just had to try it. It's from one of Paula Deen's shows. Tracie's Couscous Salad Recipe. I don't know who Tracie is but I now love her. It's freak show good. I mean amazing! I love everything about it. Except the lime. Don't add too much lime. Just one lime to kinda brighten it a bit. My word this was a good salad. I added some shrimp and we chowed. I beg you to try it soon!

Tracie's Couscous Salad

Recipe courtesy Tracie Farmer, via Paula Deen

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 5 min

Serves: 6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 box flavored couscous (garlic or Parmesan), cooked (I used Parmesan)
  
• 1 can chickpeas (drain and rinse those bad boys - you don't want 'em tasting like can!)
  
• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1/2 Vidalia onion, chopped
• 1 English cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped (I think this could use 2 cukes - but I'm obsessed with cucumber right now)
  
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped
  
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (I add this to the top - feta breaks down after time if you have leftovers they taste better if you add the feta right before devouring)
  
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 to 3 limes, juiced (I did one lime, then tasted - did not want to make it too citrusy)
  

Directions

In a large bowl, toss all the ingredients with the olive oil and lime juice, to taste. Season to taste.

Prepare to love this - it's that good!

Let's start at the very begining

Where oh where have I been?
I know you have been lost without me. hahaha - my reader is wondering where I am.

I've been knee deep in the month of May. Does anyone else find the month of May to be almost as busy as December? Seriously. With baseball, birthday parties, Joe traveling (and traveling, and traveling) and end of school stuff, I've just been swamped!

So my dilemma is...catch you up, or start from here. I'm lazy, so I'm leaning on start from here. Here's a quick rundown of May.

Costa Rica

One of our best friends turned 40 and took a group to Costa Rica to celebrate. It was amazing. They rented a pimped out house and we did some really cool excursions - many of which were way out of my comfort zone. We did a little jungle cruise - made some new monkey and croc friends. *shudder*

That croc is looking for chicken. It totally freaked me out. I had no escape plan. And I always have an escape plan. But I was also totally talking myself out of touching the thing. I know, weirdo. The monkey...well...they were cute. All 8 of them that got on our boat. But have you seen OUTBREAK??? I have. Bring me a copy of your shot records and I'll gladly feed you a banana. It was a once in a lifetime boat ride. Really fun.

We also did a little zip line. Back in high school and college I was fearless. But then I think you have kids and fearlessness goes out the window. I was convinced I would die on the zip line. I researched and asked a 1000 questions. I was told "oh Amy, you don't have to do this" and there were people in our group that didn't go, but I knew I would hate myself if I didn't.

So here it is...

It was pretty fun. And scary. And I didn't die. I really didn't ever feel like I was going to die. I did take a benedryl to take the edge off. Poor man's tranquilizer? The rest of the trip we sat around and read. That's more like it! Shout out the the Netzer's for the great trip.

I don't want to blow all my material at once, so I'll save Mother's Day, Preston's BAPTISM!!, his 2nd Grade awards and our trip to Childress for another post. That will give you some time to digest that awesome picture of me zip lining. I know you're gonna frame that one.