In what is quickly becoming an annual tradition, we hosted a family Father’s Day brunch / lunch over the weekend.  And, as has been the case in the last two years (2012, 2013), we were blessed with perfect Spring weather and sunshine.

This year, my inspiration for lunch came in the form of dessert. For I have been wanting to make baklava for a while now. So, working backwards, a ‘Turkish theme’ began to emerge.

We aimed to to eat lunch around midday – given the little one’s nap time (she ended up falling asleep at the dinner table shortly after 1!). And, in the end, we didn’t worry about serving starters and mains separately, just loaded up the dinner table with everything when it came time to eat and “dug in”!

There were homemade dips (carrot, beetroot, hummus) with the most delicious freshly baked bread from our local bakery. There were marinated olives, and a rather rustic attempt at spinach and feta borek.

For main, Mr BBB worked his magic on the BBQ, grilling some meat we had marinated overnight (sis tavuk, kofte and lamb cutlets), served with buttery pilav rice and a chopped salad).

But for dessert – it was all about baklava. And I was pretty happy with my first attempt (for working with filo is new to me). Layer upon layer of buttery, sweet goodness – and jam packed with pistachios and walnuts.

Overall – it was a beautiful day,  blessed with great family and great company. And to celebrate the Father’s in our lives nonetheless! And while sadly I could not spend the day with my Dad (we are catching up with my family in a few weeks time) it was wonderful to spend the day with my ‘adopted’ Canberra family – with the surprise addition of Mr BBB’s niece and her husband who travelled here from interstate.

It’s hard to believe that this time next year we will have a 7 month old and be a family of four!

What about you? How did you celebrate Fathers Day?