Fatherless Daughter

Happy Father's Day to my Angel Daddy.  On Sunday, February 4th, 2018 my father' homage on earth ended.  It is hard to realize that two years have slipped away since I have seen his smiling face and blue eyes.  For me it was both a relief and blessing to not witness the loss of his strength, wit and wisdom confined by dementia.  Oftentimes when visiting him at the nursing home I would be granted a glimpse of my dad-calling me by name, antics of putting his hand to his mouth like a megaphone and his smile with those blue eyes.

My father and I didn’t always see eye to eye on several occasions, perhaps because we were both strong in our convictions. But that doesn’t mean we didn’t love one another.  We were always there for one another-to help and encourage.

We shared a lot of great memories over the years.  Dad was very athletic-a game of touch football or basketball was always played on a Sunday afternoon.  One Christmas a metal roller rink appeared in the back yard with skates for everyone! And we had lots of fun on the water-boating, skiing, swimming, fishing and target practicing.

Dad loved to garden and was known in the towns he lived in for the abundant and delicious fruits of his labor.  One year he graced the local newspaper for his two pound tomato.  He also prided himself on a well manicured yard ~ he loved to plant zoysia grass so it looked like a green carpet.. He came by all of this naturally growing up on a small rural farm.

In the two years that he resided in a care facility, I always counted it a privilege to drive three hours round trip to check on him and show him love and compassion. I always tried to share a meal with him so I could better gage his abilities and have some conversation with him.   It was difficult to witness his demise, but I knew that he would one day be at peace and that I will meet him again at Jesus' feet.  I had the honor to be with him and lovingly walk him to the river of eternal life.

My father was a strong male role model - and there are days that I wish I could lay my head on his chest while his strong arms comforted - like he did when I would wake in the night and was scared.  I am grateful for how he taught me to be a strong and independent woman, capable of taking care of the small things to my vehicle or home.  I am grateful for the love of the earth that he shared with me and how I find solace and peace surrounded by nature.  But most of all I am eternally thankful for his unwavering faith in God our Father and being a strong Christian male role model.  

                                         God be with you until we meet again at Jesus feet! 

                                              I love you much and miss you more❤🙏

Tahini Sauce

Tahini is a condiment made from toasted ground hulled sesame.  The sesame seeds are soaked in salt water to separate the bran from the kernels.  The kernels are toasted and ground to produce an oily paste.  The paste can either be served by itself as a dip, or as an ingredient in hummus or other Eastern Mediterranean recipes.

Tahini Sauce

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 6 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

• Place the tahini, garlic, salt, olive oil, lemon juice and water in a medium bowl. Whisk with a hand whisk until smooth.
• Use a rubber spatula to mix in the parsley.
• Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Stir again before serving, and add more water if the sauce has thickened in the fridge, a tablespoon at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
• Tahini sauce will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.

The sauce can be used as a condiment for meat or as a dipping sauce for vegetables or bread.  Or continue adding water for a tasty salad dressing.