None other than your mother

There were gifts and cards for all of us girls

We had an extraordinarily wonderful Mother's Day.

Truly perfect in every way. Beautiful weather and lots of togetherness.

Also we ate a lot.

Much to all of our regret, we did not get to see Brittany and Andrew for the day.

They are expecting a son in late August. Chad and Erica are expecting their second child in early October. Tomorrow they will find out the baby's gender.

Chad gave Erica beautiful roses from himself and Rhett

So we are at a heightened state of excitement in our family this year, when it comes to mothering and all mother issues.

We began our celebrations on Saturday afternoon with an extended party at Erica's house.

I arrived first with Dagny, who had been at our house that morning, helping TG with yard work.

She earned ten dollars and added to that some money she already had, and we went shopping for her mother's Mother's Day gift.

Our Mother's Day party at Erica's house was on the day before

We found just what Dagny wanted to give her mother, along with an appropriately sentimental card featuring butterflies, at TJ Maxx.

That task completed, we headed out to Erica's and got there in the mid afternoon.

She had Honeyjubu on a loop on the TV and I relaxed and watched it mesmerized, for at least an hour.

Don't judge until you have binge-watched a homemaker in Seoul, South Korea, make food you'd probably never eat and relentlessly clean her already-immaculate house.

There were hamburgers and chicken done on the grill

There are a number of these types of channels and somehow these ladies make housework soul-soothing. I'm in because domesticity is basically my middle name.

(Another of Erica's favorite channels to stream on YouTube throughout the day is Bread Story. Yeah. Your mouth will water watching Japanese bakers do their thing but it will be enjoyable.)

In due time Audrey arrived, followed by Chad and then TG, and we started thinking about having supper.

There were chicken breasts and hamburgers cooked by Chad on the grill, plus a huge green salad and potato salad and corn on the cob.

Erica had made a lavish green salad, plus potato salad

I had again created my from-scratch vanilla pound cake with amaretto icing, and Erica had whipped up Lime Dessert from a legacy recipe made in decades past by TG's mother.

The only difference in the way Grandma (and Erica) made it from the original recipe of Grandma's old friend Anna Funk, was that they both used graham cracker crumbs for the crust, instead of chocolate wafer crumbs.

(Erica had contacted her Aunt Ruthie, TG's sister, to acquire said recipe, which Ruth provided in a text of a picture of Grandma's actual recipe card.)

There were fresh strawberries to put atop your slice of pound cake, if you desired.

Erica's sideboard was laden with gifts

Along with a dress given to me for Christmas by Erica, I wore my mother's diamond earrings and one of the two Ginger Snaps necklaces I had given her over the years, which she loved.

The meal was divine and when it was over all except for the dessert, none of us could yet face dessert.

Chad and TG went out front to sit on the porch and watch Rhett play in the yard.

We ladies lounged in the living room and chatted while the Japanese bakers on TV made enough bread and rolls and cakes and donuts to feed the Spanish Armada.

I have made a habit of making this vanilla pound cake

In due time the men came back inside and we decided it was time for presents.

We girls all give and get presents on Mother's Day. Do they do that in your family?

In my version of events, this whole thing was started by my late mother. I don't remember the year, but I do remember being touched the first time my mother gave me a present on Mother's Day.

None of my daughters were married or mothers at that time.

Since I love buying and giving presents, I knew that henceforth and forever, when my daughters did become mothers, I would buy them gifts on Mother's Day.

We will use just about any excuse to give presents to one another

And I have always done so.

A few weeks ago, TG went on his annual golf trip at Hermitage Golf Course in Nashville, where he and some longtime friends have a four-day tournament named after one of their members who has passed on.

They stay in the cottages at Hermitage, where a herd of Scottish black-faced sheep roam the golf course at will.

He left home late on a Tuesday and traveled to Knoxville, where he played a pre-golf tournament game of golf with our Andrew, and then had dinner with him and Brittany and Ember.

I had prepared Brittany's Mother's Day gift and sent it along with him. I also sent fresh-baked bread.

Erica provided fresh strawberries to put on your cake or eat by themselves

For my girls I typically buy kitchen-themed gifts, since we all love dishes. Audrey got a necklace and a mug.

In fact, so that I and each of my three daughters could have one, I bought a set of Calamity Ware Things Could Be Worse mugs.

To remind all of us that as bad as things are on any given day, they could always be ... you guessed it. Worse.

Everyone (except Stephanie, who hasn't got hers yet and I hope she's not reading this) thought those were really funny and useful.

My gift from Andrew and Brittany was in this pretty bag ... the hot-pink mailer was from Stephanie

The idea for that gift was hatched when, in mid-April, we had gathered at Cracker Barrel in Fort Mill, South Carolina, right on the North Carolina line, for Allissa's fifteenth birthday party.

(I have yet to tell you all about that party, but I will do so.)

A few of us were served our meals on Cracker Barrel's classic Blue Willow plates.

Audrey commented on how much she loves blue and white dishes and Blue Willow in particular.

Our friend Andrea from church was smiling by the time services were over

It was only a few days later when my consciousness was raised (hint: if you have something to sell, Instagram advertising works) to the existence of Calamity Ware.

It's a particularly meaningful gift coming from me, because I do (ahem) tend to envision the worst-case scenario first, before relaxing and considering a better-case outcome.

(I mean, I'm pretty sure it behooves a pirate to see the blackest angle to begin with, so that everything after that looks rosier. And there IS a pirate ship on the Things Could Be Worse mugs. I figure it's coming to the rescue.)

Four cards: one from each of my four babies

As they are every year, my children were especially generous to and thoughtful of me. I am a fortunate mother.

Then it really was time for dessert. I enjoyed a thin slice of vanilla pound cake with strawberries, as well as a square of Grandma's Lime Dessert.

Scrumptious.

We didn't want the party to break up, but eventually it did and we all went home to get a good sleep in preparation for Mother's Day.

From the Kitchen of Anna F, who was a dear friend to TG's family: TG's mom's decades-old recipe card

At our church there is a lavish breakfast for ladies only, during the Sunday School hour on Mother's Day.

We were all there and sat at a table together with our friend Andrea, whose mother was not with her.

(It takes some effort to cheer Andrea up on Mother's Day every year because she longs for her mom to join her, and there were some tears, and she refused to eat, but Dagny got her some chocolate milk and she drank that and perked up.)

Then we had a church service in which, as every year since 1986, the Mother of the Year was recognized and given a beautiful commemorative plaque and other gifts.

Cousins: Dagny and Rhett

This year, the Mother of the Year was the daughter of our church's first-ever Mother of the Year thirty-seven years ago. I thought that was special.

Other mothers were recognized as well, and then there was a sermon and it was over.

We took some pictures in the parking lot before going home to change into more casual clothes.

Little Mama: One in her arms and another on board

Then we all met at Waffle House.

I know! Two breakfasts in four hours! But we managed it, and it was super fun.

(We did it for Chad and TG, who had not eaten yet that day. We weren't about to cook for them, haha.)

My sister, Kay, was never far from my mind on Mother's Day. She would be starting chemo the very next day.

When I was in Greenville the week before, we had gone to the store for fake flowers and then visited our mother's grave.

Mother's Day 2023: Me with two of my three daughters and one of my four granddaughters

I'm glad my mom isn't alive to see Kay, her firstborn, go through cancer treatments again.

She would have been devastated.

But my sister is a trouper and if I know her at all, she will weather this storm with grace and aplomb as she has done before.

I'm in touch with her every day and so far, she is hanging in there.

She needs your continued prayers and I covet them for her.

Kay and I placed flowers at our mother's grave last week

Now it's on to the next event, which for me is in a few weeks and I cannot WAIT to tell you about it, once it has taken place.

But you will have to wait because it's still in the future and even the Pirate cannot write about what has yet to happen.

Meanwhile, how was your Mother's Day?

I'm anxious for the details.

And that is all for now.

=0=0=0=

Happy Thursday

Comments

[Ginny Hartzler]

I'm so sorry about Kay, I will be praying for her! I never heard of ginger Snaps, but I love the jewelry and the prices are reasonable! Did Dagny cut her hair? You remain the PARTY QUEEN!!

[Diana]

Hello, my friend! I've missed a lot here in the weeks... er, months... since I've last roamed the web to visit the blogs I love so much. Yes, that's you. 💕 Alas, I'm one of those whose family (maybe I should use the plural families since I include my ex's family in this count) never did anything for Mother's Day... or Father's Day. Or anniversaries. Well, one anniversary, but that was my stepmom's parents when they reached 70 (or maybe it was 75) years marriage. I know my dad always gave my mama (who died of stage IV breast cancer when I was 14) cards all the time because I have all of them in my big keepsake box. Other than that, I think I've received a handful of birthday and/or Mother's Day cards over the years. Nowadays, the kids and grandkids just text. I know, that's sad. But it is what it is and I'm okay with it. We're all in the same small rural town anyway. // I know when I come visit you, there will be food. Haha! My mama, bless her soul, made orange dessert! Same recipe! I miss some of the things she made, that ONLY she could make to perfection. We were poor but she made it all work. I would LOVE to have one of her lemon meringue pies right now! *slurp* Sorry for the drool. 😆 // Anyway, I love everything you girls did for Mother's Day! You and your family always make everything so extra special and so filled with love. I'm so glad you all got to be together and share such a wonderful day and included your friend, Andrea. // Please know that I have added your dear sister, Kay, to my prayer list. God is always present in every moment of our lives, and He is right there with your sister! Sending you lotsa hugs and love and blessings! 🩷

[Jennifer]

@Ginny ... Haaahahaha I gladly accept that crown! Nooooo Dagny Clare would never cut her hair (well, maybe a wee trim) ... it was in a ponytail down her back! Hope you had a lovely Mother's Day with your family. xoxo

@Diana ... Good to see you! I guess however your family does it is great as long as everyone is okay with it! I would be very nervous if a Mother's Day or Father's Day or birthday (anyone's!) went by without us all making a big deal out of it. I'm not quite sure why but it's necessary for me to celebrate endlessly, haaaha! That lime dessert was excellent and tasted exactly as it did when TG's mom made it ... it's been twenty years at least since we had it. So I was happy that Erica kept that recipe alive. Thank you so much for your prayers for Kay. She is feeling pretty poorly now, three days since the start of chemo. I hate to think of her in pain but I am going to believe she's in good hands and their only objective is to make her well. xoxo

[Mari]

I've been here for a while, had to check out all those links! The baking links are truly fun and soothing to watch. I like that jewelry, and I think it's so special that you gave it to your mom and now can wear it and remember her.
Your gatherings are always so lovely. You really are the party queen.
I love that you give your girls gifts for Mothers Day. I think that's a splendid tradition. I gave my girls something that I still have to blog about, involving their kids handprints. But the cups you gave!!! I love them! I can just picture people using them and noting all the possible calamities.
I am praying for Kay. Praying for effective treatment with minimal side effects - and peace as she goes through this.
You know what? I have something most exciting happening in a few weeks too! :)

[Jennifer]

@Mari ... Those mugs are great ... you see something new each time you look at it! It's funny about the Ginger Snaps jewelry ... Mom was petite and they have a petite line which is what I bought for her. I took a chance when I bought her the first necklace along with maybe three snaps, and she loved it so much that I got her a second necklace and before it was over, she had a snap in every color. She wore those necklaces constantly and I get nostalgic when I wear one of them. I can't wait to see what you did for your girls with their babies' handprints. And I wonder what exciting thing you have coming up?!? Just have to wait and see I guess ... xoxo

[Donna]

HoneyJuBu took up about 30 minutes of my time this morning!! Girlfriend!! Lololol
You little stinker! You KNOW I'm 'gonna watch the videos you link! lolol
I Always buy Crystal a Mother's Day gift and mail her a card...And I mailed granddaughter Samantha her First Mother's Day card, as well.
Those Things Could be Worse dishes are too cute! And True...
Awww...I'm with Andrea. My Mother passed away one day away from Mother's Day in '96. It's still hard for me to get enthused...but I do for my girls.
I'm praying for your sister Kay...I hate that her cancer has come back on her...Sending prayer and bunches of love to her and you, sweetheart...
Happy weekend!
hugs
Donna

[Lori]

Hello my friend!! I loved reading all about your Mother's Day together. The way your family celebrates is so heart warming. Thank you for sharing all of the links, I will be checking them out soon. I did already look at the necklaces and I LOVE them. I see one in my very near future. I can't wait to hear about your next adventures. I loved seeing all of your beautiful smiling faces as always.
Prayers for peace of mind and healing for you and Kay!

[Jennifer]

@Donna ... hahaha I know! Honeyjubu has a way of drawing you in, and all she's doing is cooking and cleaning! It's the CALM. Also I love her little dress and apron. I love to be at home wearing a dress and apron. For Mother's Day Audrey gave me TWO new pinafore aprons! I am wearing one right now. I am sorry that your mom passed away on Mother's Day weekend. That is so hard and I can imagine that it's a tough day to face each year. Speaking of tough, Kay is very fortunate that this cancer is a primary cancer, not a metastasis from her breast cancer. A whole new thing and therefore given its type and the stage they caught it in, very treatable. But she is suffering. Thank you for your prayers xoxo

@Lori ... Oh yay! The great thing about Ginger Snaps jewelry is how affordable it is. I have a few of the Miasol bracelets with several snaps and I enjoy those so much. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes to Kay. xoxo

[Gayla]

What lovely parties and celebrations! I think all your events are always just wonderful. We really are soul sisters...or should I say Seoul sisters! I binge watch several of those channels from Korea and Japan and China.. I love to watch them cook and clean. My son was in the room one day when they washed the bath tub, Which was sparkling, before their bath! That was enough for him! Lol...
I have to Check out those Calamity mugs. They sound interesting.
I will be praying for your sister and her health and spirit. And for you!

Take care.

[NanaDiana]

First of all, prayers for your sister's continued progress with treatments. It is so hard to see a sibling suffer. Loved all the pictures and what a wonderful family! We do exchange Mother's Day gifts but this year was a bit different. I was in Disney World with my sweet grandgirl and celebrated a bit differently. I hope you have a wonderful upcoming week, my pirate friend. xo Diana

[Jennifer]

@Gayla ... Well, when Honeyjubu took her perfectly clean -- SPARKLING -- pots and pans out and made a project of cleaning them, I said, now not only does that make no sense at all, but it's bordering on an unhealthy obsession. I figure, there are better uses of one's time. But who am I to judge? Those accounts are relaxing to watch. xoxo

@NanaDiana ... I hope your Mother's Day was brilliant no matter what the circumstances. xoxo

[Carla TePaske]

Hello Jenny,
As always I love reading your posts. The love of family and friends comes right out of the computer and I love it.
This year I received several emails from companies asking me if I wanted to opt out of Mother's Day promotions because in fear of hurting my feelings. As this world continues to be hijacked by lunatics, we need to celebrate Mother's Day even if they decide to take it away from us.

I mean... honestly, if I do not like the music on the radio station I simply turn to another station... I do not need to make a big deal out of things and demand that we cancel that music.

Here is to celebrating BIG always... for Mother's Day, Father's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.... you name it!!

[Jennifer]

@Carla ... really? Companies asked if they were going to hurt your feelings? I cannot imagine that but like you, if I don't like something, I don't do it or buy it or listen to it or whatever! It's called free agency and it's a gift from God, our creator! We will all go to Him with what we have done (and not done) with the life and responsibilities He has given us. And yes! Let's always celebrate big, so as to remember and be grateful! Love you friend xoxo