There is a special day coming up in your life in 10 days that happens every year. Father’s Day this year is June 19th. If you have struggled in the past on what to give the man who supposedly has everything then maybe I can help. I am writing this from the perspective of being a father of 5 great kids from 13 to 27 years old. As a father it is always nice to receive anything from my kids but I will tell you the neatest gifts are the ones that they have taken the time to personalize themselves. Above all and I know I speak for a majority of fathers the best gift is the gift of your time. There isn’t a dad that I know that won’t drop everything he has going on to spend time with his kids. If your dad enjoys fishing or hunting then give him a gift card of time that he can redeem for a day or a weekend on the water or in the woods. Maybe he enjoys tying his own fishing tackle. How about telling him that you would like to spend some time with him and learn how to tie trout flies or walleye tackle. I would be willing to bet that your creations will be the first one he uses the next time he hits the water.
All dads like to eat and being the barbeque king of the house he usually has a good idea on what he likes to eat. Well this year why not cook him something that he probably would never think of cooking himself, but includes some of his favorite things. Like a Mac and cheese stuffed meatloaf that is wrapped in a bacon weave. If dad has a smoker then it will work even better in cooking this masterpiece. Mix 2lbs of hamburger or elk burger if you have it with 2 eggs and whatever seasonings you want like seasoned salt, garlic and pepper. Add 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, to hold it together better. Spread the meat mixture on wax paper. Don’t spread it too thin, as you might have an issue with getting it rolled properly when loaded with pasta.
Add al dente cooked macaroni elbows, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Roll it up like a burrito and pinch the ends closed. Roll bacon weave around the loaf (Google it there is a video on you tube) and place in the smoker at 225 -250 degrees for 3-4 hours (or until internal temperature is 160 degrees.) I would be willing to bet that your dad would love to spend time with you preparing this unique dish on father’s day. During the cooking time schedule some activities that you can do together with your dad around the house like cleaning the garage or reorganizing the shop.
The gift of your time will be so appreciated that you won’t be able to wipe the smile off your dad’s face. If you really want to a make his day, then return the cooler, lawn chair, electric drill, trailer hitch stinger, and various items that you borrowed from him that he probably forgot you even had
If you are set on wrapping up a present, how about a shirt with lots of pockets the more the better or you could give him another tie of his favorite NFL football team?
After all, he probably threw the last one you gave him away after his team lost a playoff game because of a last minute missed field goal in January.
(Written by the Captain – aka Mark Ward)
