Treat your mum or wife to breakfast in bed or cocktails on the back porch this Mother’s Day. Here are some recipes to get you started in planning the day.
I always knew I was going to have boys. In fact, a needle on a thread told me so when I was seventeen. Come on, some of you have played that game at a baby shower or during a high school sleepover, right? Needle prophecies aside, I always had a deep-seated feeling that I was going to spend my time engaged in Nerf gun wars rather than cutting out paper dolls, and memorizing lines from Star Wars (“Luke, I am your father.”) rather than acting out scenes from Disney princess movies.
There are some days when I feel like I should be wearing a black and white striped shirt and wielding a whistle to keep control of the wrestling bouts that spontaneously break out in various rooms of our home. What the heck is that all about anyways? Is it not possible to play with another person without experiencing the need to sit on top of them while twisting their arm around their back? For 7- and 10-year old boys, the answer is clearly a resounding “No!”
One of the endearing things about boys is that they can turn from wild banshees to cuddly teddy bears within mere minutes. Even as they grow older, they still humor me when I ask them to snuggle in beside me on the couch or to give me a big hug before heading off to school. I’ll take hours of chaos just to be able to capture those moments of tenderness. As tall as they may grow, as deep as their voices may become, they will always be my little boys. I am truly blessed.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers. And, especially, Happy Mother’s Day to my mum and mother-in-law (see my tribute to them).
Breakfast:
Whether you take your mum/wife breakfast in bed or set a pretty table (hint: a few flowers always do the trick), these breakfast ideas are a wonderful way to kick off her day.
Clockwise from top left:
Make-Ahead Eggs with Bacon, Mushrooms & Sage
Glazed Pink Grapefruit Quick Bread
Whole Wheat Waffles with Blueberry Maple Syrup
Southwestern Eggs Benedict with Black Bean Spread, Avocado & Salsa
Beverages:
Any of these drinks can be served at brunch or later in the day. What mother doesn’t enjoy a special drink, with alcohol or not, brought to her while she lounges under a shady tree in the backyard?
Left to right:
The Caesar Cocktail (a.k.a. The Canadian Bloody Mary)
Mocha Brandy Frappe (recipe from Smith Bites)
Green Tea, Berry & Yogurt Smoothie
Lunch:
Whip up a flavorful pasta salad or sandwich wrap, pack it all in a picnic basket and head to the park. Make sure to pack a blanket so that your mum/wife can spread it out on the grass for a little nap while everyone else plays.
Clockwise from top left:
Whole Wheat Pasta Salad with Salmon, Tomatoes & Herb Dressing
Salad Cups with Quinoa, Shrimp & Lemon Dressing
Healthy Shrimp Wrap with Curry Yogurt & Spinach
Creamy Asparagus Soup with Lemon & Thyme
Desserts:
As much as we are all trying to eat healthfully, I think most mums would agree that Mother’s Day is the perfect time to splurge on a little treat.
Clockwise from top left:
Lime Squares with Gingersnap Crust
Chewy Nutella & Oatmeal Bars
Lemonade Layer Cake
Peach Crumb Bars with Hazelnut Streusel
Happy Mother’s Day to all of the mums out there.
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch
Such a beautiful round-up, Dara. I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day!
Rachel Cooks
Happy Mother’s Day, Dara! Great round-up of recipes…I’m officially hungry.
Emilie @ Emilie's Enjoyables
Happy Mother’s day Dara! and great roundup π
Laura @ Family Spice
Happy Mother’s Day from one mom with two boys to another! I’m so glad I was finally able to get to know you at camp. You are as lovely in person as you are on your blog!
Shawn @ I Wash...You Dry
Happy Mother’s Day! Your boys are too cute! I bet my son would love getting in on the Star Wars action (he is stuck with 3 sisters). And I love the round-up! Everything looks soooo good!
Maria
Happy Mother’s Day Dara!
Stephanie
Very nice selection. Happy Mother’s Day!
Ashley
Happy Mother’s Day!!! Such a nice selection. I have my eye on a few of those recipes. Very lovely family picture.
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
Delicious list of recipes Dara! Have a wonderful Mother’s Day π
Cathy @ She Paused 4 Thought
Happy Mother’s Day. Your food is so good and your family is very lucky… will you adopt me? π
Georgia, The Comfort of Cooking
What a yummy collection of Mother’s Day recipes! These all look wonderful. Have a very Happy Mother’s Day with your family!
Barbara | Creative Culinary
Have a great day and a great birthday…I know it’s your son’s but really, I’m betting you remember the day of giving birth better than he does right?
I’ll order one of each please. Yum is the word.
Jen at The Three Little Piglets
What a gorgeous round-up! Hope you have a great day celebrating with your family!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
I hope you have a fantastic Mother’s Day! This is a great roundup and that lemonade cake looks amazing. π
Krista
Of course everything you said is completely true. Somehow boys just fit my style too. Your round up is sure to please any mom! Happy Mother’s Day Dara!
Jamie | My Baking Addiction
Great roundup, Dara. Such beautiful and inspired creations. Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Jennifer
These recipes all look great! I can’t wait to try the southwestern eggs benedict. Happy Mother’s Day!
Heidi @foodiecrush
What a round-up! I don’t think anyone needs to go anywhere else for any ideas, you have them ALL right here. Happy Mum’s Day!
Holly
Mmmm.. everything looks divine! Hope you have a terrific Mothers Day Dara! I absolutely adore your blog!
Linda Wright
Happy Mother’s Day, Dara! Printed out several of these, but I’ll have to make them another time. No cooking for me this Sunday! π
Roxana GreenGirl { A little bit of everything}
A delicious round-up Dara! Happy Mother’s day!
Kara
Hope you had a good one!!