Wow! The weather doesn’t seem to change at all does it? Hot, dry days…and then some more hot and dry days! Our temperatures are hovering at 100ºF and we still have until Saturday for the first official day of summer. Thank goodness the nights are a little cooler. So far, I’ve managed to keep cool with fans, but it’s not going to be long before I have to give in and turn on the AC. If I had a central unit, it probably would already be on, but since I have window units, I am managing fine, with fans.
It’s time once again to honor our fathers! Sunday June 19 is Father’s Day and this is the perfect time to try to do something special to honor them.
The celebration began with Mrs. John B. Dodd, of Washington who first proposed the idea in 1909. She was looking for a special way to honor her father, Mr. William Smart. He was a Civil War veteran who was widowed when his wife died in childbirth with their sixth child. Mr. Smart raised all six children by himself. They lived on a farm in eastern Washington State. After Mrs. Dodd was grown, she realized how much strength and selflessness he had shown in raising them as a single parent in that day and time.
In 1909, Mrs. Dodd approached the minister of her church and others in Spokane about having a service dedicated to fathers on June 5, her father’s birthday. The minister was unable to prepare for the service that quickly, so he spoke a few weeks later on June 19th.
From that time on, the state of Washington celebrated the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. At this same time, various towns and cities across America were beginning to celebrate a day especially for fathers. States and various organizations began lobbying Congress to declare an annual Father’s Day. President Woodrow Wilson approved of this. President Calvin Coolidge was in firm support of the idea of a national Father’s Day and in 1924 made it a national event to “establish more intimate relations between fathers and their children and to impress upon fathers the full measure of their obligations”. However, it took until 1966, when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday in June as Father’s Day and put the official stamp of approval on a celebration that had been ongoing for almost half a century.
In early times, wearing flowers was a traditional way of celebrating Father’s Day. Mrs. Dodd suggested a red rose to honor a living father, and a white rose for a deceased dad. (This is similar to the fact that we wear red carnations if our Mother is living and white ones if she is deceased, when we celebrate Mother’s Day). Mr. J. H. Berringer, who attended Father’s Day celebrations in Washing State as early as 1912, chose a white lilac as the Father’s Day Flower.
Dad, Father, Pop, Daddy, Papa, or Padre, whatever you call him, Father’s Day is a day for pampering him if he’ll let you! Breakfast in bed would be a good step. Muffins, cereal, pancakes/waffles are all simple, (especially if you use the frozen, re-heat in the toaster or microwave type).
For a noon meal, how about chicken fried steak, steak, burgers or chicken cooked on the grill, or if he has something else that is his favorite make that; serve with boiled new potatoes with butter and onions, mashed potatoes or potato salad if that is what he prefers. You will need a green salad to go with this and a vegetable. Corn on the cob is great, and is something that is readily available right now, as are green beans, zucchini, yellow squash and fresh tomatoes.
Baked Brisket
1 brisket (6-8 pounds)
1 bottle liquid smoke
Salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder (if desired)
Thoroughly season meat well on both sides. Place in a roasting pan and bake at 250ºF to 300ºF, uncovered, for 4 to 5 hours. Pour ½ bottle of liquid smoke over meat, turn meat over and pour remaining liquid smoke over meat. Cook, covered for an additional 1½ to 2 hours. Remove from oven, let stand for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Be sure to slice across the grain of the meat. When the grain changes, give the brisket a one-quarter turn and continue slicing.
Spinach Salad
1 package fresh spinach
6 green onions, thinly sliced
6 slices (thin sliced) bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 sliced, hard cooked eggs (optional)
Make the dressing and set aside at room temperature.
Tear spinach into bite-sized pieces, slice onions and add to spinach. Add bacon. (For ease in crumbling bacon, slice crosswise into narrow strips and fry; remove from pan, drain well). Toss to mix. Add the following dressing just before serving.
Dressing for Spinach Salad
1 cup vegetable oil
½ cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon dry mustard
6 cloves peeled garlic
Mix all ingredients in a pint jar and allow to marinate for 3 to 4 hours. Remove garlic cloves before serving on salad. If you prefer, use any type of bottled oil/vinegar dressing. (It would probably taste good with ranch dressing also if that’s what he likes!).
Happy Father’s Day to all. Stay safe my friends wear a mask when required and follow the rules. Yes, they’re uncomfortable, especially when worn with glasses and hearing aids!