The day couldn’t have been more perfect! It was Father’s Day!
What the girls planned was a ‘recipe’ for delicious food and fun! Note, this is a recipe for ANY fun summer day!
Getting ready
Amy put up the badminton net. Meg brought the Corn Hole.
So many fun affordable yard games for all ages.
All the food was prepped Saturday night. Isn’t that a smart way to get ready for a celebration so you can enjoy the fun too?
ready for FOOD
The fresh peach and with feta crostini was ready for us to enjoy. A little secret, I wasn’t expecting to like it so much! Lightly sautéed fresh peaches with basil and balsamic spooned over the whipped feta spread on lightly toasted slices of baguettes were snarfed up until dinner was ready.
The menu was simple.
Grilled Salmon with toasted brioche buns and zesty cole slaw.
Homemade Fresh Cherry Sorbet was dessert. It was so summery and totally delicious! We have a cherry tree!
Amy grilled the salmon pieces and hot dogs. Not all of our family care for salmon. She took the extra step of browning the brioche buns. Simple, easy and delicious.
Around the casual table, we all enjoyed the summer menu for our Father’s Day dinner! The specialty Starbucks drinks Meg brought the adults was her special contribution to the meal.
The dill and mayo spread for the salmon sandwiches was so good. Note, we had salmon pieces, not salmon patties. There were small potato chip bags for the kids to enjoy with hot dogs. Avocado and lime dressing added extra punch to the cole slaw.
This zesty cole slaw was really good! A nice combination with the salmon. Doesn’t it look delicious?
Cole Slaw with Lime Avocado Dressing
Equipment
- sharp knife
- cutting board
- mixing bowl
- measuring cups
- blender
Ingredients
- 1 head head cabbage chopped in large bite sized pieces Option: -prechopped slaw mix
- 1 head purple cabbage chopped in large bite sized pieces
- 2-3 finely chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped cilantro optional
Lime Avocado Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayo substitute Greek yogurt
- 1 small avocado or 1/2 large
- 3 limes, juiced if using bottled, check lable for fresh lime juice converstion to bottled
- 1/2 teas sea salt
- fresh ground pepper to taste
Optional Ingredients
- 1/2 fresh  jalapeno seeded
Instructions
Cole Slaw
- Chop both cabbages into course pieces
- Peel and cut carrots into small pieces
- Toss together in large bowl leaving space to toss with dressing
Lime Avocado Dressing
- Measure mayo into blender
- Toss peeled avacado in blender
- Toss lime juice, salt and pepper
- Blend until smooth. If the dressing is to thick, add more lime juice
- Add optional ingredients to taste
ready for fun
The badminton was a hit even though no one was very good at it. The youngest ones just weren’t strong enough or tall enough to swing the rackets to hit the birdie over the net. Good on them to keep swinging. Next year! For our next time together I plan to have junior set for our younger grands.
Amy played corn hole some with her dad. Jim and Nathan pretty much took over the Corn Hole game for the rest of the afternoon.
Nathan also helped the kids with the cherry picking from our weeping cherry tree. Last year, we didn’t have any. This year the cherries are a beautiful red and tiny but tasty. Cor carried the strainer to catch all being plucked from the branches. Emma loves to climb it. She evidently picked one cherry at a time!
Not everyone climbs trees It’s a little scary but fun to still be light enough for Dad to lift this one up!
The hammock and tire swing are still favorites. It was cooler as the day became evening so the kids made a fire. That’s always fun.
Tips to host summer Outside gatherings
These are things we typically do when planning our time together.
- Chose limited dishes to serve.
- Include seasonally fresh fruit and produce
- A simple appetizer even veggies and dip is to start your time together.
- Try to have one extra special dish. It’s a good time to try something different. Family favorites are always good too.
- Have choices for your picky eater.
- Prep as much as possible the day before. Trust me! You will enjoy the time more.
- Grill for less clean up and
- Don’t worry if you don’t have a tablescape. When family or friends are together smiling faces are the best!
- Use melemine dishes or sturdy paper ones.
- Don’t worry if you don’t have a tablescape. When family or friends are together smiling faces are the best!
Fun times with yard games
These games are fun for adults and kids. Athletic ability is second to the fun to be had!
Bocce is fun and all ages can play. I’m not sure what happened to ours. Maybe one of our kids have it now.
Wiffle ball for all ages! There has been many a ballgame in the backyard. This year we left it in the shed. Yard games don’t have to be elaborate or expensive. These games are easy to play too.
Maybe croquet will make a come back this year. Remember 1963’s ‘Summer Magic’ with Hayley Mills? Pall Mall in ‘Bridgerton’? I remember enjoying that game as a child.
Enjoy summer Wrap up
Our Father’s Day was a kick start for our outside summer gatherings!
I have included links to purchase the games mentioned. While they are not the same brands, they are the same games! There are also links to ice cream makers. We prefer the traditional ones that use lots of ice for and have to set up outside but electric.
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I am an affilate so may recieve a commision at no extra cost to you! Thank you so much for any purchase you may make! I do appreciate it.
Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday, 595. Hope you are having a great week and hope to see you soon!
Miz Helen
Thanks Miz Helen!
What a wonderful event Linda! I’ll bet the dads felt extra-loved! 🙂 Thanks for the great party tips, and the recipe looks delish – can’t wait to try it. Happy Summer, my friend!
I think they did! Food was so good. Happy Summer to you to friend!