Last night I made soy-scallion flank steak on the grill Rockford and the kids gave me for Mother’s Day. I didn’t marinate it as long as I usually do, and the cherry wood chips I tossed in overpowered the marinade. It was a delicious learning experience.

It was also the first chance I’d had to use the grill, other than seasoning the grates and making some s’mores with it. Most of the kids’ evening activities ended last week, though, which frees my evenings up for grilling a variety of meats in the backyard.

Monday: Cheeseburgers

I didn’t quite get flame-broiled grill marks, but the burgers were the juiciest I’ve made in quite awhile.

Tuesday: Grilled chicken

I generally use my sister-in-law Chloe Poppins’ grilled chicken recipe, which calls for a brief soak in Italian dressing before hitting the grill. Rockford was in charge of the grocery this week, though, and he opted for a sesame marinade. I’m sure it will do the job.

Wednesday: Peanuts? Cracker Jacks?

We might be going to a baseball game.

Thursday: Spaghetti

Can you grill meatballs? I wasn’t really planning to try, but if you tell me it’s possible I might give it a shot.

Friday: Grilled pizza

I have been wanting to grill some pizza for years. My research suggests that the pizza stone I use in the oven will crack at the temperatures I’ll be using in the grill, so I need to get a grill-happy stone. It’s on my to-do list for the week.

I’m hoping to do a low-and-slow smoked something on it soon, but for now I’m still working to learn to keep the temperature steady. Do you have a go-to grill meal? If it’s not a top-secret recipe, share it with me! I’d love to try it out.