A Hidden Treasure!

Our Father's Day started with two cuddly kiddos itching for Daddy to wake from his slumber.  Unfortunately, night shift is upon us, so they had to wait extra long to smother daddy with hugs, kisses and giggles.  While we waited for Daddy to wake, we prepared a yummy brunch!

The Reporter mixed up some Monkey Bread Mix. . .
(Thanks to an end of the year Teacher gift!)

I cooked up some fresh Sausage from our Friends at Quarter Creek Farm!

While the coffee was brewing and the monkey bread was rising, the Reporter snuck off and made a Father's Day gift of her own!  Be still my heart!

"Best Dad Award: Riding Speedy (our tractor/lawnmower) and watching TV"

Soon, Daddy was up, so we were able to shower him with kisses, a homemade card and a new popcorn popper! We made the card yesterday, along with one for my dad.  The inspiration came from here.

"We love you" is my dad's card (grandandy)
"We think U R" is the hubby's

We Love you. . . .

We think U R. . . .

After brunch, I got a crazy idea to explore more in our "old" house by pulling up the corner of the carpet in The Little Guy's room. . .

Yuck! Carpet!

And found this. . .

Our Hidden Treasure!!

We worked for a couple of hours--my poor hubby working hard on Father's day!--pulling up staples, rolling up carpet, vacuuming up dust, and mopping.  Just a few hours later, and. . .

We had this!  I found this rug on clearance at Lowe's last week and sent the hubby to get it before we left for the beach with plans to pull up the carpet at some point this summer! I am so pleased with the result.  Sure, the floors could use a little sanding, staining and a coat of sealer, but for now, they are lovely! I have already been pulling up carpet corners in other rooms and have spied some more hidden treasures--stay tuned!

After all that hard work, the hubby deserved a yummy treat. . . Ginger-Peach Crisp!  Yum!

 

This "healthy" dessert, baked in individual ramekins, includes flax seed, wheat germ, fresh organic peaches, Earth Balance butter, oats, Anna's ginger thins and whole wheat flour.  Topped with Coconut milk ice cream and it is an almost-vegan delight! I just hope I can remember how I made it so we can recreate it tomorrow night!

All in all, a fun-filled Father's Day to celebrate one of the best Dads around!!  

My Hero

Many bloggers are sitting in front of their monitors writing tributes to their Fathers today.  They may call their father a hero for a myriad of reasons.  Perhaps they reference their formative years and all of the things their father taught them—how to ride a bike, do a cannonball, tie a knot.  They may reflect on life decisions when their father offered advice that set them on the right path—choosing a college, a mate, the right car or job.  Wedding days and births of babies may be mentioned, as these lend themselves to great blog material as one walks down memory lane on Father’s Day.  

I could drone on and on about all of those things and more, as my daddy is a fixture in my life.  I could tell you about the hot August day when I learned to lay floors for the second story of the house that my father built for our family.  I could tell you about hiking along five miles of the Appalachian Trail together—five miles that would later change his life, as he hiked them again on his thru-hike from Maine to Georgia last summer.  I could tell you about my wedding day when he couldn’t take his sunglasses off until it was time to walk me down the aisle because of his red, weepy eyes.  And I could tell you about his “surprise” trip home from his epic Trail Journey, that he planned for months, so that he could be present for the birth of my son last year. 

Oh yes, I could certainly go on and on and on about my daddy.  He is an incredible man and I am lucky to call him mine and have him in my life.  But a few other people are lucky to have him around, as well. 

You see, a couple of weeks ago, my daddy saved a life.  Since I can’t relay the entire story as he can, you can read more about that here.  I have read this story a few times now, just to let it sink in.  Saved a life.  Yes.  Him.  He did.  But guess what.  It wasn’t the first time. 

You see, when I was a kid, my dad was on the local news for saving a young child from an apartment fire.  As a firefighter, he was often called upon to act quickly and in emergency situations.  He was a hero to many in his years of service, and I am sure there are a great many people who are thankful for his role in their lives, no matter how great or small.

We are certainly blessed, my brother and I, to have such a fine role model.  He is someone who gives to so many—he has been a teacher, a firefighter, a scoutmaster, a "grandandy".  He has overcome obstacles—a serious bicycle accident left him with 3 compressed vertebrae, but a helmet saved his life. He still rides. . .and runs. . .  and hikes. . . and  pushes a jog stroller like a pro!  The unconditional love that he shows for his family, especially his grandchildren, is an example that I strive to follow each day. 

My daddy IS a local hero to many, but he is my personal hero and I am so blessed to have him as part of my life.