A (good) reason to entertain!

Yesterday we celebrated Mother's day with my husbands grandmother, mom, and sister. It was a great day (other than the random rain shower...grr) to spend with family.  My sister-in-law's kids are absolutely adorable and wore my husband out by the end of the day.  Here are some of the goodies I made.

Mmm...Oreo truffles...so good.

I added some homemade oatmeal cookies--Granny's favorite!

All packaged up and pretty.  Aren't they cute?

Yum! I tried out a new decorating technique. I loved the the way it turned out!

This was a vanilla cake with butter cream frosting.

This one was a chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting. I LOVED this cake.

Delicious!

The only thing that would have made yesterday better was if my own mom and dad were with us to celebrate.

I hope everyone had a great weekend.
Kc

Mothers Day

Dear Mom,

Everyday I'm thankful for all my blessings and you can bet your bottom dollar, you're always getting a special shout out for being so wonderful.

I don't know how you do it, but you have a knack for always saying the right thing. I'm amazed how you know when we need a phone call, or a hug, or a sounding board, or even a batch of your delicious granola bars. Those are things that only a mom knows.

I know I wasn't always the easiest child to raise. In those teenage years, I was stubborn and argumentative and maybe even sometimes a little moody. Even in those time Especially in those times, you loved me unconditionally and you guided me to be the best person I could be.

I admire you for your character, the life you lead, the sacrifices you've made and the abundant love you show to all of us everyday. Love you a bushel and a peck!

Kate

Check out last year's letter to my mom here!

Thank you Mom

I saw this video on the news this morning and it made me tear up a little. For anyone who was an athlete growing up this will probably resonate for you. I know it did for me.

Thanks Mom for all the early morning practices, long weekend tournaments, and boring games that you had to endure.  It made me a better person and I owe a lot of that to you.

Happy Mother's day!
Kc

Im glad whenever I can share her laughter...

I’m just finishing up a lovely mother’s day with one of the very BEST people in the world- my mom. As our regular readers know, I live with my mom in the house I grew up in, her roomie since my dad passed away in August 2006. Mother’s Day was always a great big holiday in our family, almost bigger than Easter! My dad took the entire family out to brunch at this wonderful restaurant called Groff’s Farm in Mt. Joy, PA. We would get dressed up and take photos together and just enjoy the leisurely drive through the Pennsylvania country side. Unfortunately, Groff’s closed a couple of years before my dad died, but he always put in extra effort to let my mom know just how much he appreciated her giving him the gift of four children and taking care of our family. We’ve kept up the tradition to the best of our ability- this year I had lunch with my mom, sister Chris, brother Jim and nephew Ryan. It’s an extra tough weekend for my mom and me because yesterday would have been my dad’s 65^th birthday, the golden age to enter retirement. Although he’s not here to celebrate with us, I know he is looking down with pride. My mom is the most giving person I’ve ever met, she is always there when I need her (even to pick through the trash, just like Kate’s mom, haha) and she has such a great sense of humor! She is just as beautiful inside as she is on the outside, and I could never be making the changes in my life that I have the past two years without her love and support.

Thank you mom for all that you do for me. Even when I act REALLY mad at you when you let your car run out of gas and I have to rescue you AGAIN, I’m actually glad for the opportunity to give back just a tiny bit of help to the woman who’s gone above and beyond the call of duty for 28 years. Love you mom- I want to be just like you when I grow up J

Dancing at a wedding

Dinner on vacation in Mexico

On a boat on vacation

Happy Mother's Day to all those we need to celebrate!
~M
*post title from "slipping through my fingers" by ABBA

To my best friend

I’m a very lucky person.  I’m reminded of that in little ways every day.

I am very fortunate to be able to say that my mom is my best friend.  I know my mom is always there for me.  I’m lucky that I look forward to her visits. I’m lucky that I want her opinion.  I’m lucky that she cares. I’m lucky that she listens.

Last weekend she drove all the way from PA to NC so we could watch the Royal Wedding together.  My husband rolled his eyes as we spent the night before decorating our regal hats that we’d wear while watching.  We woke up at 4 am the next day and sat in our hats and pjs while eating scones and English muffins. (Yes, there are pictures but they will forever remain locked away from public view).

Mom, thank you for listening to me cry, vent, laugh, complain and talk (and I talk a lot)!

I love you more than all the cupcakes in the world.

Strawberry cupcakes and strawberry cream cheese frosting

I hope all the mothers out there have a wonderful weekend!

~Kc