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Hi Reader,

Are you doing anything special for Father's Day with any important men in your life? Some years we've gone on a hike to a place Brian has chosen (though it hasn't always gone well - there was one year he ran over a squirrel in a parking area which put a pall over the day...), and some years we just hang out.

But the last few years our extended family has had a BBQ for all the dads at my sister's house that's been a fun way to celebrate.

I haven't decided yet what I'm bringing, but I thought I'd share a few favorite foods that I know my dad and Brian both like, which I'm pretty sure other dads would enjoy, too!

Father's Favorites

​Smashed Garlic Pub Burgers​ Brian makes some rendition of these burgers a couple times a month, most of the time topped with pickled jalapẽno peppers (or fermented jalapẽnos).

​Caesar Salad​ This is actually popular with almost anyone I serve it to. Easy homemade dressing and toasted croutons you actually want to eat!

​Foolproof Chocolate Chip Cheesecake​ I've been making this for Brian for years! ​

​Whole Grain Chocolate Chip Cookies​ Really the only cookie Brian prefers. Also this multigrain version with ground oats for a wonderful texture (most don't know there are oats at all). ​ ​

Fermenting Lids

While I ferment things like sauerkraut and corn relish all year long, the summer season ramps up fermenting with kefir water, jalapẽnos, and lots of seasonal veggies.

Which brought Easy Fermenter lids to mind to share with you again since they are what made fermenting pretty much foolproof for me! I've never had to deal with mold or burping lids when I use these easy lids. I bought a set of 4 lids (actually 2!) years ago and they're still going strong. It's been a great investment.

Not sure about fermenting? I wasn't either! I started with these simple vegetables after I realized that fermenting was just a natural way of pickling (vs. using vinegar), with the added benefit of gut probiotics. I hope you give it a try - it's a delicious way to add a bit of healthy foods to our diets.

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From The Blog

​Simple Homemade Pickling Spice Here's a spice recipe to use in any pickle/ferment that you'd like to add some unique flavor to! Super easy to customize to just what YOU like. ​ RECIPE HERE! ​

​DIY Natural Insect Spray That Really Works!​ Don't forget about this easy garlic-mint bug spray if you have leaves being eaten! Just 1-2 applications is usually all I need for the plants to get big enough to handle the bugs. I made a batch for this year this last week. 😀 ​ DIY RECIPE HERE! ​

A Few More Things

Over the last few months I've been reminded again that this sheet set from Threshold really is a great all-cotton sheet set! If you've ever had a set that came out of the dryer so wrinkly and then fit tighter and tighter after every washing, you know what it is to find a set that fits over big mattresses every single time. Not only that, they are satiny-soft and dry up nicely. I've had one set (a lovely dark sage color) for more than a year and they still look as good as when I first bought them. Highly recommend.

Brian and I just finished watching the 9-episode Department Q on Netflix and we're still talking about it! It's SO good - a cop show/mystery set in Scotland, so full of lovely accents (and yes, turn on the captions, lol). It was twisty and emotional and immersive. Pretty sure they're going to do a second season and we will be here for that!

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Thanks for reading - hit reply with any thoughts or questions - I read every email.😀

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