Chickpea Tuna Salad

 

 

 

I know that I have mentioned many times my love for Skinnytaste recipes. Eating healthy is important to me, but I must have flavor as well. The Skinnytaste recipes always deliver on flavor, are easy to prepare and don't require a long list of ingredients. I especially love that she has many lunch options.

This quick to put together Chickpea Tuna Salad is such a great alternative to a sandwich, filling and tastes even better made in advance. It is also the perfect blend of protein and carbs; the holy grail for a diabetic. For those of you that need to take a lunch on the go, this would hold up really well in a lunchbox, since there is no mayo or salad dressing.

I made one change that to me, had no bearing on the taste. Because of the capers and caper brine, I didn't think the addition of vinegar was warranted. I also added salt and pepper to taste. From now on, my pantry will hold chickpeas, tuna and capers for this delicious and fresh lunch option.

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

{ Linking with these friends}

Savvy Southern Style

Between Naps on the Porch

21 Rosemary Lane

Stonegable

My Daughter's Wedding {Part 3}

 

 

 

When we first began talking about Megan and Adam's wedding, Megan had some definite ideas about what she wanted. Simple, modern, elegant and not too big. Neutral colors, greenery and nothing over the top. The florist even had a name for the look - modern botanical. Quality vendors, good food, plated service and a venue that wasn't the typical hotel ballroom. I got really teary eyed only once and it was when I walked into the venue space and saw that everything had come together exactly like she had hoped.

The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is an urban venue with a first floor food market open to the public and a reception space on the second floor. There is a rooftop greenhouse where we were able to hold our cocktail hour and a ballroom filled with light from floor to ceiling windows and wrap around terraces overlooking the city. Our guests couldn't stop raving about what a great space it was. We were able to acheive our goal of an elegant reception, but also far from stuffy. The dance floor was full all night and our guests were able to enjoy the terrace, since we were lucky to have beautiful Michigan weather.

Again, the photos are ones that family and friends were kind enough to take and share with us. There are many details I wish I could show you, but those will have to wait for the professional shots from our photographer. I don't have a photo of the wedding cake or the cookie table, but it looked amazing and brought the cookie table tradition (the tradition is for family to bake dozens of cookies, but we got ours from a bakery) straight from Megan and Adam's home in Pittsburgh. The mixture of farm tables and round tables were perfect for the space and the simplicity of the greenery fit beautifully with the wood on the tables and the accent walls.

I hope you can see, through these photos, the love, fun and joy that our family and friends felt on a night we will never forget.

 

Cocktail Hour in a rooftop greenhouse - Grand Rapids Downtown Market

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ballroom - Grand Rapids Downtown Market

 

 

 

Family

 

 

Good Friends

 

FOB and MOB

 

Dancing Grandpa

 

 

 

 

 

After Party at The B.O.B.

 

 

Packing up our cars the morning after the wedding.

Still smiling.

 

As I write this post, almost two weeks have gone by, the newlyweds are back from their honeymoon in St. Lucia and normal life resumes. Look for the professional photos from our photographer in a few months.

Thank you for all your sweet comments and have a wonderful weekend!

 

 

My Daughter's Wedding {Part 2}

 

 

 

From the beautiful church, to the happy and so in love bride and groom, the ceremony was everything we had hoped and dreamed. When planning a wedding, it is easy to get caught up in the reception details, but it is just as important, to make sure the ceremony is equally as meaningful.

The wedding took place at The Basilica of St. Adalbert in Grand Rapids, one of only two basilicas in Michigan and it was the perfect choice for a Catholic mass. The priest, a family friend, who has known Megan since first grade, traveled from the Detroit archdiocese to perform the ceremony and none of us can imagine the day without him. We needed very little floral decor; just a few bunches of greenery tied to the pews, because the church is so ornate. It was a magical setting on a lovely summer day.

The day started early with hair and makeup at the hotel, mimosas and sweet bridesmaids keeping Megan calm. I know all brides are beautiful, but we think she looked stunning and her dress, veil, hair and makeup all came together just right. She was more than ready to get in the car with me, her dad and sister to drive the short distance to the church and finally see her husband to be.

The ceremony was so personal, with family members doing the readings, godparents bringing up the gifts of bread and wine and Father Brian speaking so eloquently of the relationship he has had with our family over the years. It was truly a joyous celebration as Megan and Adam walked back down the aisle, finally married.

The professional photos from our photographer will not be a available for some time, but luckily a few friends and family snapped some candid shots from the ceremony . Some are a little blurry, eyes may be closed, but they still show the emotion of the day.

 

 

 

 

Her dress was new, her shoes were blue and the florist attached something old (grandpa's cuff link) and something borrowed (my cross pendant) in the bridal bouquet.

 

 

 

 

 

Happy parents popping some champagne!

 

Next post: the unique reception venue and so much fun with family and friends.

Happy Tuesday!