Father’s Day Ideas

Stumped for what to do for dear old dad this Father’s Day?  Try these ideas: (some taken from our book Homespun Memories for the Heart :-))

~ If you are able to be with your own father one-on-one, take him out for something you remember doing with him as a child. (I’m calling my dad to see if we can go for a hearty game of put-put golf this week and to hit a bucket of balls at the driving range when we’re done, just the two of us! I’m sure I’ll get all kinds of lectures about interlocking my grip and keeping my head down…etc, just like old times!!)

~ If you are married with kids or step-kids, let them make and serve a Father’s Day Brunch (recipes to follow). After the meal, settle him in his favorite chair to watch the ‘big game’. This will actually be a pre-recorded home dvd or YouTube upload of all the kids playing a game of baseball or football.

Be sure to have breaks in the game to record funny commercials for dad’s favorite products, shots of the cheerleaders  cheering “Daddy, daddy, heart of gold. Too bad, he is, (clap, clap) so old! (Okay….or something more encouraging! :-)) You can also interview the spectators & players asking them what they most love about him.

The rest of the day belongs to Dad, who decides if the family will take a walk or a nap, depending on his particular whim!

~Give your husband a GREAT gift for Father’s Day and “Let Dad Be Dad!”  Join us my dear friend Mary Steinke and me this Thursday at 2 PM EST as I discuss this with Tara McClenahan of Mommy Missions on her radio program! Click here for info.

~Finally, if you know a single father, please consider kidnapping his children to take them shopping for him or to make him a yummy treat. One of our close friends was in this boat for a few years and it broke my heart to think that, although he’d be with his kids on Father’s Day, I wasn’t sure if anyone in the children’s lives would make sure they got him a gift.

~ These recipes make a great menu that Dad, a single father and your guests will love:

Make-Ahead Brunch Casserole

1 pound cooked meat (ground sausage, ham, bacon, or cut-up links)
10 slices of white bread, cubed (remove crust, if desired)
6 large eggs, beaten
11/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
11/2 cups of milk
salt and pepper to taste

Cook meat and drain, if necessary. Place bread in the bottom of a greased 9-by-13-inch pan. Place meat on top of the bread. Mix the eggs, milk, cheese, salt, and pepper together and pour over the top of the meat and bread. Use a large spoon or spatula to press down slightly, making sure all the bread has been soaked with the egg mixture.

Cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, bake uncovered at 350 degrees until center is set and top is nicely browned, about 35 to 45 minutes.

Simple Cinnamon Rolls

2 1/2 teaspoons yeast (one package)
1/4 cup warm water (110-115 degrees)
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup shortening
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, beaten
4 or more cups bread flour
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
5 tablespoons melted butter
ICING:
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
3/4 teaspoon vanilla or orange extract
milk or cream, as needed

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. In a large saucepan, heat milk over high heat until it just begins to boil. Remove from heat. Add shortening, sugar, and salt. Let cool until still slightly warm. Add yeast mixture and egg, and mix well. Add four cups or more bread flour, mixing well, until you have a soft but firm dough. Turn out onto a well-floured counter. Knead for 5 minutes. Place in a well-oiled bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise until doubled, about 11/2 hours.

Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a rectangle about 10 x 14 inches. Brush with melted butter. Sprinkle on mixed brown sugar & cinnamon. Roll up, beginning with the short side and place seem down on the counter. Cut into 9 rolls. Place them in a greased 8 -inch round pan with one in the center and the other 8 spaced evenly around. Cover loosely with plastic wrap that has been sprayed with cooking spray to keep from sticking. Let rise 45-minutes- 1 hour.

Bake at 350 degrees for 13-18 minutes. do NOT overbake. Cool. Blend icing ingredients together and spread over rolls. Yum!

3 Comments

  1. Thanks for the recipe! We are going to try it for our dad. Since usually we are just rushing around to get to church, this is make ahead so it won’t be so time consuming in the am. :)

  2. Two comments: PLEASE if you know a single dad make sure his kids have the opportunity to do something special for him. I was an alone mom for four years, and one year a friend took my daughter shopping for me. It was so amazing that somebody would think to do that! It was the only Mother’s Day gift I received during those four years. AND I can’t wait to try these cinnamon rolls. Just a few weeks ago, my husband said that he was craving cinnamon rolls. I am going to put this on my “have to do” list for Sunday. :) He will be so excited. Thanks, Karen.

  3. Our girls wanted to do a scavenger hunt for daddy this year. So mommy (that’s me) is in charge of getting everything together & the girls gave me lots of ideas for gifts. With each clue he’ll get a small gift & where to go next. We’re going to end the scavenger hunt across town at his moms house. Should be an interesting fathers day!!

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