Gift Guide for Dads who are Artists.

Shopping for my husband has always been a challenge. He doesn't want "stuff" so concert tickets and a replacement to-go coffee mug have always been my go-tos. When I stumbled up on the site Kindling Quarterly, I knew an annual subscription would be the perfect present. Here's what the magazine is all about:

Kindling Quarterly is an exploration of fatherhood. Through essays, interviews, editorials, art, and photography we highlights creative individuals whose work and lives are inseparable from their role as a parent...Men who are active caregivers are not a novelty and we do not depict them as such. 

My husband is a stay-at-home-work-at-home dad. His life, passion and profession blend together and this publication celebrates this in a sincere, realistic and humbling way. Highly recommended for anyone with a creative significant other.

The Dad slash artist in your life might also like:

• For those who love the great outdoors -  cologne distilled from plants, moss and mushrooms.
• A book to help breakthrough those creative blocks.
• When in doubt, Paddle Your Own Canoe. 

Happy gifting and giving! 

Father's Day

Cheesy as it may sound, I dig Father's Day. I loved cooking blueberry pancakes and packing little snacks for our big day-trip to the Lakefront Festival of the Arts (see proof of attendance below). 

Dan was drawn to the printmakers. Ingrid was memorized by this: 

And although these faces would lead you to believe otherwise, 

we all had a really good day. 

My hope is that Ingrid absorbs many of Dan's good traits (including sun-squinting, see above). 

I hope she grows up to be patient, kind, and independent. With a great sense of humor.  

Watching Dan play, read and snuggle with Ingrid warms and expands my heart. 

It's such a simple, true and profound love to observe. 

I'm thankful for them both and can't wait to celebrate Dan as Dad for years to come.