Hi everyone, I'm writing this post mostly for me and my family, but I would like to share some memories about my dad with all of you.
Henry C. Keizer
March 28, 1937
November 12, 2009
My dad as a young boy in Chicago.
The ultimate Marine. The Marines were a HUGE part of his life even until his death.
He was a very active in the Illinois Jaycees, held several offices, and won numerous awards.
My parents Christmas 2001
My dad always had a big garden. (I don't have a picture of his garden, so I had to find one on the web)
He enjoyed listening to Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Marty Robbins - I specifically remember this album from my dad's collection.
I remember watching Hee Haw and All in the Family with my dad. He would lay on the living room floor and we would pile around him and usually end up falling asleep and when asked if we were awake, we would use the excuse that we were "resting our eyes".
He also liked to lift weights and stay in shape. He enjoyed reading, pickled hearing, licorice, cutting wood (maybe not, but he was always outside getting wood ready to heat our house for the coming winter), and two of his best friends, Peanut and Little Bit. Click here to see a picture of my dad with the "step-sisters".
One thing that my family can agree on is that my dad loved garlic, and I mean he loved it.
Whenever we were sick, he would say "take some garlic" and usually would put garlic cloves in socks and make us wear them overnight. Now when one of us is sick we (jokingly) tell each other to "take some garlic".
So, in honor of my dad, I would like to share some garlic facts and a recipe with you:
* Not only is it antibiotic, it is also directly effective against viruses. It is also anti-fungal and anti-parasitic as well among many other things. It's important for colds AND flus.
* It helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol counts.
* While elephant garlic has larger cloves, it is more closely related to the leek and therefore does not offer the full health benefits of regular garlic.
* Did you know that National Garlic Day is April 19, 2010?
* If your rose garden is being attacked by aphids, an excellent home remedy to get rid of them is to spritz the leaves and blooms with a mixture of crushed garlic and water (I don't think my dad knew about this tip).
Did you know that you could buy garlic in a container this large? Three pounds of garlic! I had to include this picture in my post because I know my dad would have it in his home if he knew it existed. This was actually purchased from Sam's Club by a friend.
Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic
Ingredients:
40 cloves of garlic (3 to 4 heads), unpeeled
1 whole chicken ( 3.5 to 4 pounds), rinsed and patted dry
2 tblsp butter
salt and pepper
6 sprigs of thyme
Directions:
Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Place garlic in a medium bowl; cover with another same-size bowl, creating a dome. Hold bowls together tightly, and shake vigorously until skins are loosened, about 30 seconds. Remove and discard skins; set garlic aside.
Place chicken in a large ovenproof skillet or roasting pan. Rub all over with 1 tablespoon butter; season with salt and pepper. Add thyme, garlic, and remaining tablespoon butter to skillet.
Roast, basting occasionally with juices and stirring garlic, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in thickest part of a thigh (avoiding bone) registers 165 degrees, 45 to 60 minutes. Transfer to a platter, and let rest 10 minutes. Carve chicken, and serve with garlic and pan juices.
Well, these are just some of the many memories that we have of my dad. I hope you enjoyed this post even if you didn't know my dad. Take time to enjoy moments spent with loved ones and keep those memories close to your heart.
8 comments:
What a sweet and touching tribute to your Dad! I can tell by your words how much he meant to you. You just made him proud, girlfriend, and I'm sure he's smiling down at you right this very minute! Hope you have a wonderful week!
Hugs,
Donna
That was wonderful to read, Pam! I did not know he was a Marine. My nephew is a Marine, and I have learned so much about how special Marines really are. Great tribute to a wonderful daddy! I had to laugh about Hee Haw. Used to watch that with my parents, too. LOL. Love you.
Pam, This was very special of you to do this. Dad was born in 1937 not 1936. The picture of him in his Marine uniform with a smile - he told me that when you had your picture taken with your dress blues on you were not supposed to smile. Not all of the pictures have down loaded so I will check back later again. Curious as to the one from Christmas 2001. Love, MOM
Pam--What a great tribute to your dad..we loved your dad...his special smile..especially when he thought he was getting your goat..the way he smile when he spoke of his family and he alway had a cute saying for everything in life.like its not a good day unless you start a little s t with someone...we are all better people for having had him in our life. AND WE THANK YOU for sharing memories that make our hearts smile...love john and peg
Dad was not only involved in the Jaycees but when we lived in Tinley Park he was a Volunteer Fireman, in Lowell he was President of the Lake Prairie PTA and President of the Band Boosters at Lowell High School. In Tinley Park he helped get fellow Jaycees elected to town offices. Most of all his children were so important to him - he tho't of you all always and loved you all to the utmost.
Hi Pam:
Your mom told me about your blog tribute to you dad. I enjoyed reading it and seeing the pics. He was sure a handsome Marine. And that garden. Looks like something straight out of Southern Living. And I think I might have to try that recipe. I love garlic too. Thanks again for sharing. --Susan @ Blackberry Creek
that was beautiful, Pam. When we visited your parents a few years back, your Dad was playing gospel music, Statlin Bros? I just remember he couldn't decide which VCR tape to play for us next, he loved them all. It was an enjoyable evening. Love, Arlys
On another note, my son was down in bed with a spinal injury post surgery. He lives in San Francisco, so for 2 separate weeks I went up to help him(his wife was a teacher) He faithfully watched Martha Stewart and her recipe one day was 3 garlic pasta, so off to the store to get the ingredients..I remember we baked one garlic in the toaster oven for 45 min; diced and fried one batch and I don't remeember the third When my daughter-in-law came home, she actually step back..she could hardly breath because og all the garlic smell, went around opening windows!! I'm sending your recipe to my daughter, so I hope 40 garlics are right! Arlys
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