Thursday, May 6, 2010

How to Have a Happy Mother's Day!


A Happy Mother's Day! This scenario is sneakily elusive. While I have had the best mother's day for the past two years, many of my friends have had terrible ones. I used to, too. Until, I discovered...

The Power of Ordering! Yes, just like ordering a room service breakfast in advance, I tell my husband all the things I would like to do on Mother's Day. So, about a week prior to the actual day, I'll say something like:

"Hey, sweetie. You know Mother's Day is next week. I was thinking I'd like to...."

For this year, it was have breakfast in bed (more on that, below), take a walk out to the beach, go to Home Depot with the family and pick out kitchen herbs, plant the herbs in pots on the deck when we get back, have Hubby set up an automatic watering system for said herbs, and have dinner outside on our freshly prettied-up deck. This is really my perfect day scenario - activities that the whole family can do. And, I'm sure to mention the itinerary a few times before the actual day.


For BREAKFAST, I set out everything needed the night before (napkins, tray, waffle maker, batter, etc.) so I don't have to yell down the hall from my room - has anyone else had to do this? I have made extra muffins or scones and frozen them to be warmed up in the oven on the big morning. Even a bagel with fresh juice is fabulous! This year I'm asking for waffles (recipe, below), yogurt with blueberries and fresh squeezed orange juice (that's already been squeezed and waiting in the fridge). Heating directions and list of what to do is helpful, too.

So, my opinion is don't be afraid to let him/them know what you want. I know my hubby doesn't spend any time thinking about this day (as he's proven in the past), and I know my children really like to treat mom with some special care on this day. I have to say MY mother abhorred Mother's Day and said I should treat her specially every day of the year. Now, while I can see her point, I'm happy to have one special day....

Hope you all have a wonderful day on Sunday!



Raised Waffle Recipe
from Marion Cunningham's The Breafast Book

yield: About 8 Waffles

This is the best waffle I know. The mixing is done the night before and all you have to do in the morning is add a couple of eggs and some baking soda. They are crisp on the outside and delicate on the inside

1/2 cup warm water
1 package dry yeast
2 cups warm milk
1/2 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 eggs
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Use a rather large mixing bowl — the batter will rise to double its original volume. Put the water in the mixing bowl and sprinkle in the yeast. Let stand to dissolve for 5 minutes. Add the milk, butter, salt, sugar, and flour to the yeast mixture and beat until smooth and blended. (I often use a hand rotary beater to get rid of the lumps.) Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let stand overnight at room temperature. Just before cooking the waffles, beat in the eggs, add the baking soda, and stir until well mixed. The batter will be very thin. Pour about 1/2 to 3/4 cup batter into a very hot waffle iron. Bake the waffles until they are golden and crisp. This batter will keep well for several days in the refrigerator.