By Michele D. Baker
June has finally arrived, and with it, the first official day of Summer. Despite the fact that we here in the Deep South have been blessed with summery weather for months now, it’s still nice to celebrate the summer solstice on June 22.
It seems appropriate to celebrate fathers – and grandfathers – everywhere just as the weather is beginning to heat up. When my brother and I were kids, we loved those looong summer days! Dad worked two jobs, but it was still light when he got home about seven, and there was still time to play outside.
At that time, we all played soccer – my position was right wing forward and my brother was a fullback or the goalie – my dad was the coach. At the end of the season, our “Orange Crushers” (complete with terrible fluorescent orange shorts and a white shirt with orange stripes) had lost all nine games, but my teammates all chipped in for a potted cactus which sat on dad’s desk for many years, happier and healthier than his career as a soccer coach.
Related: Mother’s Day Memories
If you’re not playing outside with the (grand)kids, Father’s Day on June 15 is also the perfect excuse to fire up the grill and grab a few steaks (see the recipe for Steak Diane). There’s also lots of fresh produce to be had (see the delicious Banana Cake recipe), so go wild with the dessert, too.
If yours is the kind of (grand)dad who loves gifts, the best things we’ve seen lately are monogrammed ice cube molds (available on Amazon and Etsy); a stainless steel grill wok ($40, Sur la Table) or stainless steel roasting basket ($45, Sur la Table); or perhaps splurge on a bottle of Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old Bourbon (about $50, available at many liquor stores), which scored an impressive 92/100 on VinePair.
If you’d prefer a handmade gift, try completing and framing a pretty pedigree chart – FamilyTree.com has a lovely version that looks like an antique tree with leaves. Bonus points if you use a fountain pen or write in calligraphy!
However you choose to spend your Father’s Day, I wish you fair skies, cool breezes, and hot coals. Enjoy!
