Happy Monday, peeps. It is hard to believe that June is almost over, and we’ll soon be discussing prepping the snowblower and planning for Christmas. Time flies when we have fun, or at least when we hat a shitload of activities most weekends.
Having kids significantly keeps us busy, like any other family, since all the COVID nonsense has dwindled. But unfortunately, we have to live with this bastard virus, which is part of day-to-day living.
My 50th year of living is looking pretty sweet. I enjoy sitting outside in the evening with a glass of whiskey (or bourbon) while I wait for my cooking to finish. Alternatively, I’m spending more time in the garage to restore tools and build shit. Either way, life is good.
Listen, I’m not one of these Etsy dudes that build cool stuff, and my DIY skills are sometimes questionable. However, I like to tinker and learn how to use tools, and I created an excellent desk for my daughter that she loves. Like any good husband, I have a long list of house projects that take excessive time. I’m working on improving that.
Our week ended jam-packed. Our oldest daughter had her senior prom. My wife and I went on a date to see Bill Burr in action at the amazing Bethel Woods. The youngest offspring was excited and scared to be minding her brother alone for the first time. Everything went smoothly, and we all had a great time.
We were talking about Bethel Woods. The security for Bill Burr’s event was ridiculous. A few hours before the event, the venue posted on their Facebook page that phones and smart watches weren’t allowed; leave them in the cars or get a secure pouch that could only be opened by staff. We went through several paddle scanners, physical pad-down, and metal detectors. It is easier to get through TSA than security for a stand-up comedy event.
Father’s Day
It is nice to receive recognition from my kids. They share their love for me, hug me, help around the house, and sometimes make lunch for me. Breakfast is not an option when I’m the first one up daily. Getting attention for an entire day is fantastic, although my kids will show me their affection most days throughout the year.
From ready about Father’s Day, it is possible to link it back to the daughter of American Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, Sonora. The mother, unfortunately, passed away during child labor leaving the six kids with only one parent.
Sonora wanted to recognize her dad for his active role in the family and made a case in front of the Spokane Ministerial Alliance. To honor fathers worldwide, they decided to make June 5th Father’s Day, Mr. Smart’s birthday. However, it was later changed to the 3rd Sunday in June.
In 1972, US President Richard Nixon declared Father’s Day a national holiday in the United States. So another great thing happened 50 years ago!
Graduation and now what?
Our brilliant and beautiful daughter is graduating from High School this week. It is hard to believe that her journey as a “kid” is coming to an end and that she is stepping into the adult. But unfortunately, she has to make adult decisions now that will affect her future.
We are incredibly proud of her achievements and know it has been a harrowing journey. Honor and AP classes fill her days with a lot of homework, but she has matured immensely, and her grades have mostly been super high.
My academic achievements as a young, immature dude were not impressive. She got her intelligence from her beautiful mother.
The question is, what is she going to do in the future?
She has been accepted to three great colleges, but I’m not sure she will start this year. We want her to be better equipped to live independently, and it might be better to send her off to the old Viking land for 3-6-12 months as an exchange student.
A family meeting is to determine what’s best for her before we sign her up for a ridiculous student debt!
Fire up the Traeger. Ready your Dutch oven. Go shopping, and let’s start cooking—another Sunday in the Kitchen with music on the magical Demerbox and wonderful aromas filling the room.
| Lunch | Dinner | |
| Monday | No School – Juneteenth | Chicken thighs in a sweet n’ tangy onion sauce, with pasta |
| Tuesday | Caesar salad with grilled chicken | Spicy Korean pork with boiled rice |
| Wednesday | Breakfast Casserole | Honey marinaded chicken breasts in a creamy spinach and mushroom sauce |
| Thursday | Breakfast Casserole | Banh Mi burgers – third attempt |
| Friday | School is out | Graduation Dinner |
One day, I might get so organized that I will link the meals below to my recipes. We can only live in hope!
Have a fantastic week, my friends. I hope you enjoy these meal plans. It is much easier to make food in advance, although you must invest several hours preparing meals during the weekend.
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