I Have Joined the Ranks

I MUST blog about Mother's Day before the month of May runs out.

Last year, I was one of the speakers in church on Mother's Day, and Tessa was a mere blastula at the time. So this year marked the first official Mother's Day, and I'll just say now, I was not disappointed.

The day before Mother's Day, I received several cards and well-wishes. It was so nice to be recognized by friends and family - my mom even bought me a dozen red roses to celebrate. My sister and I planned the dinner and she argued that I shouldn't have anything to do with making food, but I knew she'd go overboard, and besides - I wanted to contribute for my own mother, too! I decided to make Prosciutto-Wrapped Tilapia Filets (featured here) and Caramelized Butternut Squash, but those were eclipsed, eclipsed I say! by my sister's Marionberry Scones. I also busted out a Chocolate Pate recipe I've been wanting to try, and we topped that with raspberry sorbet and fresh raspberries. Yuuuuuummmmmm. But back to how the actual day began.



Perhaps due to my not-so-subtle comment to the choir, Ted planned to make breakfast for me. If he originally intended for it to be breakfast in bed, let next year's lesson be to get up before I do. In any case, I didn't go anywhere near the kitchen, and eventually smelled the heavenly odor of a certain cured pig product emanating from there. Could it be?!? YES!!






Nothin' like Crepes 'n' Bacon. Ted had two nonstick pans going on the stove with delectable crepe after crepe coming off them. He filled some with strawberries and bananas, some with homemade raspberry jam, and I oohed and aahed over it. We were almost late to church though, so I had strips of swine hanging out of my mouth between yanking on my skirt and stuffing my feet into some heels. Quite the image, I know. Welcome to Sunday mornings at our house.



The speakers, Karen M and Steve S, were fabulous. Both talks were exactly what any Mother's Day talk should be, only made better by watching the Primary kids sing (and wave and laugh) to their young moms. And THEN came the worst part of the day.

I haven't heard of any bishopric that doesn't give some sort of memento or treat in recognition of the women in the ward. Some are more elaborate or sentimental than others, but I thought our ward had made it clear that all we really want is chocolate. Unfortunately, when bishoprics change, they have to be retrained.

Our first counselor got up to ask all the women to stand and remain standing until we got what they were giving, and he totally stumbled over his decision-making process in settling on our gift: a plant. Not only that, but he tells us that it was voted on in some meeting where only two women voted (the only two, apparently, who hate sugar), therefore, his decision was the "right one." I looked around at various faces right when he said that and witnessed several mental scoffs. To top it off, he then said, "Oh, and you'll need to water these. They've been sitting in the office for a few days...they're pretty dry by now." Over the pulpit! Ha! I turned to Ted and said, "Happy Mother's Day, ladies - here's a dead plant! We really appreciate you, so here's another thing you have to take care of. " Come on!

Good thing dinner was so tasty.

We spent the afternoon cooing over what made me a mother in the first place. She was so darn cute in all her frills, and her smiles make me feel like a million bucks every time. Ted got me not only the Microplane grater and zester I desired, but the 1st season of 30 Rock as well. And my sister got me a replacement tablecloth for the one she burned. I'm still vying for that uninterrupted 8 hours of sleep, but overall, this mom is one happy lady.