I love Father’s Day because it gives us a chance to put our dads in the spotlight – a place they’d normally not choose to be. I have three different men in my life who have the roll of a father figure. One being my amazing dad, Lee Perry, who was and has always been a big a part of my life and has taught me so much. My father in law, Bob Rook, who is a man who you just can’t help but love, and is wonderful to me. Then, there is my step dad, Mark Metzger, who is a hard working farmer and would literally do anything for his step kids. On paper, these three men couldn’t be more different. My father in law being a huge golfer, my step dad loving his International Harvesters, and my dad, the Harley biker guy. But every day I realize how similar their approaches to fatherhood are, and why I just love them so dearly. They would do anything for their children or grandchildren. Absolutely anything! How did a girl get so lucky?

My dad has been a big influence on who I am today. Growing up he taught me self worth and to always be who I am. Don’t try to please others. I never tried to be someone I’m not. “Be a leader, not a follower,” he’d say. That molded me!

He taught me to change oil in a vehicle when I got my first car. I thought I was so cool out in my bathing suit at the age of 16 changing oil in my car when it didn’t even need it just because I COULD. Who the heck changes oil in a bathing suit!? (Insert head smack here) Guess dad left that part out of what I should be wearin, haha! But he always taught me, NO, crammed it into my brother and I’s brain that you never ride a motorcycle in shorts. Always jeans, and you best have on boots and a helmet or we met the wrath! We knew better. At the age of 3 on my first dirt bike, I knew baby, but he taught me how to ride and the right rules of how to do it. The age of 19, I was on my first street bike and he taught me the ropes of the open road. Riding motorcycles is just in my brother and I’s blood, it came natural to us. Dad also tried to teach me to water ski, but I never succeeded in that department. Don’t think I ever drank so much river water in my life those weekends! Guess maybe that didn’t come natural, and I even grew up on the river but he never gave up on teaching me. From fishing, to working on cars, riding a bicycle, to standing up to bullies, driving standard, changing a flat tire, and learning to work hard for what you want helped make me into the independent woman I am today. My dad is always there no matter what. One of the hardest working men I know. Always has a smile on his face and loves his kids with all his heart. Dad’s 100% deserve their own day, To be loved and spoiled a little extra. Father’s day I make my dad some of his favorites for lunch, and him and I take the motorcycles out and go for a ride, just the two of us! Knowing he is right behind me on the bike, and in life, makes me feel like one of the luckiest girls. Having a dad who has taught me so much, and has always had faith in me is a pretty neat thing. “You can do anything you set your mind too.”

Thanks dad, for always believing in me.

Country Fried Chicken

Ingredients:
• 6 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast cut into strips
• Salt and Pepper
• McCormick’s Chicken Seasoning

Directions:

Place the chicken in a ziplock bag, and put as much seasoning on it as you would like. Shake bag around good to make sure chicken is seasoned well. Place in refrigerator at least 4 hours or more. The longer the better.

Heat iron skillet with vegetable oil, then start to prepare chicken while the oil is heating up.

Get a large bowl with a cup of flour. Place 3 to 4 pieces at a time and coat well with flour, and place chicken in skillet, but don’t crowd.

Fry until golden brown, and center of chicken is done.

About 10-15 minutes, depending on how thick your pieces are cut.

Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Icing

Ingredients:
• Chocolate Cake
• 2 cup flour
• 1 ¾ cup sugar
• 1 tsp. Salt
• 1 tsp. soda
• 1 tsp. Baking powder
• 4 Tbsp. cocoa
• 2/3 cup veggie oil
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup milk plus 1 Tbsp vinegar, mix together
• 2/3 cup water
• 1 tsp. Vanilla

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a large bowl and mix together with electric mixer for 4 minutes then pour in greased and floured 9 by 13 pan. Bake at 350 for 38 minutes.

Simple Peanut Butter Icing

Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup Crisco
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 to 1 1/2 lb confectioners sugar
• Milk
• Few dashes of salt

Directions:
Cream Crisco and peanut butter together. Add confectioners sugar, then add milk to desired consistency and few dashes of salt. (Top on cooled cake.)