Friday Favorites - June 19, 2026

 My picture of the month, so far:

Our annual Father's Day picture, taken a bit early this year.  That is good, though, because I now have it ready-to-go for Sunday :). This is something that just "kind of happened" at some point and a few years in I noticed it, printed what I had, and now have made it mandatory each summer.  So thankful to still have these summers together!

They are displayed on our stairwell, going upstairs:

I think this is the earliest one. . .

As I've remembered, I've put the years on them.

I always figure I need to grab the picture when I can - this year one of the kids won't make it out with us this weekend so glad to already have it done.

Anyway, Happy Father's Day Weekend - we have the lake planned for tomorrow and then dinner for Tom's father on Sunday (hopefully Tom won't have too much work to do for it).  Anyway, on to my Friday Favorites so far into this month of June!  Linking up with Andrea and Erika - thank you ladies for hosting!

I have read/listened to/am reading some GREAT books this summer!!  I'm still reading The Summer We Ran, and enjoying it, and would HIGHLY recommend any of the other three.  I've also passed Broken Country onto several people - after such a tough year of finding things to listen to/read last year, this has been a great couple of months of reading.  I even snuck a Danielle Steele book into my reading/listening time - Amazing Grace.  She's always one I pick up if I just can't concentrate on anything else - they rarely disappoint.

We had a wedding shower for the sweet girl in white last Sunday - my daughter next to her will be standing up with her on her big day next month :). It was such a sweet day for the bride.

My "decide once" (The Lazy Genius) gift for most brides these last two years has been a Our Place Griddle Pan.  It's always a hit - something that's hard to splurge on for yourself if you're not a "cook" but something that is a quality item that will never not be used unless someone simply doesn't ever prepare meals for themselves.

If you know me, it's hard to have a conversation with me about television shows and/or movies because I see/watch so few of them.  Mostly it's because I always have other things I'd rather do but also because Tom and I rarely find something that we both enjoy.  I forget how we found Four Seasons last year but it is something we really liked - another season has come out and we finished it last night.  SO GOOD.  You probably have to be in this {our} season of life (or passed it) to enjoy it, but if you are mid-life, been with the same people for decades. . .this might be for you :)

Our Treager (and online friends to influence - ha!)

Two years ago for Father's Day the kids came to me and said that they wanted to get Tom a Treager to replace his grill.  I didn't understand the concept (it's a smoker that can be used as a grill) and didn't really think this was something that he'd love for the money we'd spend.  My youngest was born a salesman and, long story short, I collected from them what they could afford, got some $$ from Tom's parents, and came up with the difference.  And it's been one of our best purchases/gifts ever!

He even bought a cover for it so he can use is year-round. . .it keeps the unit insulated in the cold weather so we can keep grilling/smoking all winter long :). Amazing meals have been made on it:

Here it is, smoking away - could be bacon (one of my favorite things that the guys do for me on the Treager), could be Stephen's AMAZING ribs. . .it really is one of our best purchases ever - well worth the expense if you love grilled/smoked food.  My Sunday night meal:   The corn was done on the Treager, the broccoli in the oven (we also had steak and fish on the grill - only so much room!).

A favorite?  Getting to Clarksville last Saturday morning and being greeted by this girl in her TN gear - ABSOLUTELY!  Is "moving home" a favorite for her?  I'm not sure, but I love that she's here :). All of her stuff was packed in Tom's truck 

and her car and we made the trek back to Knoxville.  She is in campus ministry with Chi Alpha and just finished serving two years at Austin Peay.  She's here for a bit to fundraise for where she believes the Lord is calling her - to go to Brooklyn.  The plan is to start a chapter there with the friend above whose bridal shower we attended and her soon-to-be-husband.  If you'd like to know more about what she does, she's always eager to share; her e-mail is laura00bell@gmail.com

We had a fun Saturday at Dollywood recently with the newlyweds :). Tom's company generously sets up a day most years for their employees and families to enjoy a day at the park together.  We've been in Europe the last few years on the day the set aside for it, but not this year!  None of the other kiddos could join us so we had a great time with these two.  

I skipped this ride - Tom had to sit by himself :(. This was one they did twice - it was a good one for them!!

The three of them did this one - NOT me. . .but I DID do this ride with them all: 

We were soaked.  Luckily it was a pretty warm day and we did it early enough that we dried out.

I was looking back. . .below was 2019 - we ended up getting rained out and the park gave everyone tickets to come back another time that summer!

This was 2022 - everyone indulged me on this ride this year also :)  Looks like we took his parents that year too!  

As I've been looking back through photos for this post, I came across this, from two years ago - appropriate for the Hallmark Holiday this weekend:

Three generations. . .only two are dads so far. . .

And three years ago I got to spend Father's Day with my dad:

Last weekend my sister got to see him:

And a rare picture of me and my bonus dad who will forever be missed:

I know not everyone gets to know/love their fathers like I have and my children have been blessed to do in this lifetime. . .I'm grateful for the family I was born into and the family created by marriages through the decades.  I hope you find joy in your weekend with your people!

Love,

Jenni