I'm continuing to catch up on my spring posts and today I'm covering Mother's Day. We hosted my husband's side of the family this year and while my sweet husband insisted that I not work too much on Mother's Day, I assured him that getting to set a feminine table for the ladies would not be work at all but, on the contrary, would bring me great pleasure! I set up the dining room for the ladies so we could have a frilly table and the men had the kitchen table set just for them so they wouldn't have to endure the pink and fluff, haha! I've had this April Cornell tablecloth for so many years and I've always called it my "Mother's Day tablecloth" because the floral pattern and soft ... Read more
For My Friends Who Aren’t Moms
Happy Saturday, friends! I'd like to say a little something today to my dear friends who aren't mothers. I am blessed to have several friends who aren't married and don't have children. I say I'm blessed because friendship with these ladies has so much to offer such as their time and their perspective. I was having a lovely tea lunch with two such friends a little over a year ago. I had a lot going on with my children at the time including planning a wedding for my oldest daughter. Because neither of these sweet women are married and neither have children, I'd purposed in my mind ahead of time not to talk constantly about my children's activities because I didn't want to make them feel ... Read more
You’re a Gooood Mama!
I was a new mama to a sweet baby girl and wanted to be the very best mommy I could be. I wasn't ever looking for compliments, just maybe a little encouragement. I remember walking into church one evening with a blanket wrapped around my baby when an approaching woman wearing a concerned expression commented, "Honey, you've got that baby too warm in that blanket!" I slid the blanket off my little one, tucked it into the diaper bag, and walked into the auditorium. As I was making my way to a pew, I started to pass another lady, this one displaying a warm smile. 'Ahh, a friendly face. This will be encouraging!", I thought to myself. As we exchanged pleasantries, she wrapped her hand around ... Read more
Italian Cream Cake
One evening last week, the mothers and daughters from our small group got together to celebrate the upcoming arrival of the baby of our friend Rivers. This family has been such a blessing to our group so we ladies wanted to celebrate with Rivers and her two sweet girls. We planned a meal of salads, followed by a few desserts: Italian cream cake, raspberry white chocolate almond bars, brownies, and coffee. This Italian cream cake is my most requested cake by my family or when I'm asked to bring a dessert to a special occasion. It suits any holiday or celebration any time of the year! It's unique from most other Italian cream cakes in that it doesn't call for pecans or coconut, so ... Read more
Flourless Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache
Mother's Day is coming up and there's not a more decadent dessert for pampering mom with than a flourless chocolate cake smothered with chocolate ganache! Last month, yours truly had a birthday. My husband and kids took me to a favorite local restaurant for a delicious dinner of shrimp and grits, and then back home for dessert and a movie. That afternoon, my sweet baker girl offered to make a birthday dessert of my choosing. She's the best! At the time, I was on week six of avoiding sugar, so, needless to say, I was more than ready to indulge in a rich, chocolately treat for my special day. This cake has always been one of my favorites when it comes to splurging! Since there was a ... Read more