Miller County Newsletters
Haley's Comment
Do Something Special for Mother’s Day
May 9, 2007
Yes, I will admit it: I love Mother’s Day. This is the one day I am sure to
tell my mother how important she was, and still is, to me. Let’s face it - she
didn’t have to run me all over town to softball practice and games, or search
for days for that perfect prom dress. But she did it proudly.
Mother’s Day is celebrated all around the world on different dates. As the
custom of Mother's Day spread in America, the emphasis shifted from the pacifism
and reform movements to a general appreciation of mothers. The first official
recognition of the holiday was by West Virginia in 1910. A proclamation
designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day was signed by President
Woodrow Wilson on May 14, 1914.
The official holiday became known for celebrating motherhood and thanking
mothers. Traditionally, roses or carnations are worn by mothers on this day—a
red one if one’s mother is alive and a white one if she has died.
Considering all that mothers do for their kids, remembering one day out of
the year is the least we can do in return. While it’s nice to remember Mom with
flowers, cards, or even a meal out, make it more personal and prepare lunch or
dinner for her.
- To make this meal go smoothly, make sure you have a menu
planned ahead of time. Go to the grocery store as soon as you can to
make certain all ingredients are available and to allow yourself
more time. If there are certain items, such as chocolates or
strawberries, that you want to keep secret, be sure to hide those
away until you need them to prepare the meal.
- Even if there are smaller children in the house, they will want
to be involved in this special meal. Allow them to help set the
table, pick flowers from outside for the table centerpiece, fold
napkins, or slice strawberries with a dull knife. Older children who
are responsible enough to use the stove or oven can prepare the
special meal – with adult supervision.
- The most important thing you can do on Mother's Day for your
mom is simple. Get everyone involved and clean up! Make sure you
leave a totally spotless kitchen behind after you cook for Mom. She
will appreciate that more than most gifts you could possibly give
her!
I hope you will take the time to remember your mother and let her know how
much you cherish all the times she patched you up from accidents, washed your
clothes, and served as a taxi service to get you where you needed to be.
Motherhood is a 365-days-a-year job. We should let Mom know on a regular basis
how much we appreciate her efforts. It's never the wrong time to wash the
dishes, make dinner, or just carry out the trash without being asked. Tell Mom
how much you appreciate all she does for you. If you think about it, I’ll bet
you can come up with many simple ways to show appreciation for Mom, not just on
Mother's Day, but throughout the year.
I plan on celebrating my mother this weekend with a special meal of Lemon
Chicken and Angel Food Strawberry Ice Cream Cake, a special meal for a special
mother. She will be so surprised!
Lemon Chicken
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary (1 tablespoon dried)
2 tablespoons margarine
1 tablespoon olive oil
2/3 cup lemon juice
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breast (thawed)
Salt and pepper to taste
In a heavy frying pan, melt margarine and oil together. Stir-fry garlic and
rosemary in the oil/butter mixture for two minutes. Add lemon juice and bring
the mixture to a boil.
Add chicken and fry until it becomes brown on all sides. Add salt and pepper
to taste.
Decrease heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 –30 minutes or until thermometer
reads 165 degrees. Serve on a platter with fresh rosemary and lemon slices as a
garnish.
Angel Food Strawberry Ice Cream Cake
10 inch angel food cake
6 cups strawberry ice cream, softened
2 cups chilled heavy cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Fresh, sliced strawberries for serving (optional)
Tightly wrap the angel food cake and freeze for two hours or until very firm.
Slice the angel food cake into four equal layers. Place the first layer of the
cake on a freezer-proof serving dish. Spread with a third of the strawberry ice
cream. Place the next layer of cake on top of the ice cream; repeat with the
remaining ice cream and cake layers.
Tightly wrap the cake and freeze for at least four hours or for up to two
days. Whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar together in a chilled bowl until
stiff peaks are formed. Remove the cake from the freezer and frost with the
whipped cream. Before serving, let the cake thaw in the refrigerator for an
hour. Use a sharp knife dipped into hot water to cut easily.
For more information on foods, contact me at the Miller County Extension Office
at 870-779-3609; 400 Laurel, Suite 215, Texarkana; e-mail
Chaley@uaex.edu; or
visit www.uaex.edu. The Cooperative Extension Service
is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.
We appreciate your feedback!
|
Back to Miller County
News and Newsletters
|
