I wouldn’t consider myself a particularly sentimental person, and I am not a mother (just to furbabies), but I can appreciate that the job of being a mom is really tough.
My own mother struggled with it. She was a wonderful parent, but she had some mental health issues to deal with while raising four kids, so she had a lot to navigate. So on Mother’s Day, I can’t help myself. I want to get all hearts and flowers-y and appreciate all the hard work my mom did. I miss her everyday. So this blog post is a little tribute to her – and the things she would want to make her feel special.
Mom’s choice
My mother loved salmon. I mean she really loved salmon. Unfortunately, no one else in the family did until we were much older, so mom didn’t get a lot of it. I made her this dish for her 75th birthday dinner, and the whole family thought it sounded odd – ginger, scallions, nectarines – but the result was delicious. I know this is exactly what she would want for Mother’s Day brunch. It is just as tasty at room temp, so it is easy to put together ahead of time, and it looks pretty on a plate.
Tasty treat
Before the salmon, a starter of granola parfait would be perfect for mom. I have an easy and delicious recipe for a not-too-sweet granola, and I keep a batch in the pantry at all times. It is full of nuts and seeds and all kinds of good, healthy stuff. When I want to make it more special, I serve it over this delicious vanilla creme fraiche from Whole Foods, and top it with berries. Give me a shout if you’d like to have a copy of the recipe!
Bringing out the pretty
The china, silver, and champagne coupes passed down from my grandmother, to my mother, make the perfect table setting for the day. It looks best when you mix it up – vintage linens and china with modern Juliska glassware and green wine glasses by Mario Luca Guisti (they are actually plastic, and so cool!). Gold and silver, pinks, apricots and green. I bring in a few things from the garden or decorative items from around the house to fill out the table. More is more fun in my opinion. Anyway, this is the day to go for the very prettiest you have.
She deserves it
I know – the right answer to “what do you want for Mother’s Day?” is time with the kids or grandkids. I truly hope everyone is going to get that this year. But mom deserves a little treat, doesn’t she? What Patience (my mother’s name, and something of a misnomer) always loved was being spoiled with a mani-pedi. She was a classic and always went for a good, blood-red polish. Even so, I still like a wrapped little something at the brunch table, and I’m a huge fan of the Diptyque line of candles and room sprays. I would choose the Gingembre or Ambre sprays–clean, elegant scents.
She would want everyone to have fun
There were many Mother’s Days when we wanted to celebrate, but didn’t have the time to pull it off at home. And my mom loved to go out for a fancy meal. She would always include a little sparkle in her outfit – a jacket with some silver embroidery, a sequin here and there, or maybe her much adored Mariquita Masterson pearl and blown glass “jewels”. It is a great opportunity to choose a prettier spot, someplace where pinkies are lifted when sipping tea.
Here in Houston, I can’t wait to try Common Bond’s Brasserie & Bakery. Pink mirrors and velvet chairs? Yes, please.
I can’t wait to hear how you make your own mom feel special on her day…or how you like to be treated!
