Happy Mothers Day

A daughter is a mother's gender partner, her closest ally in the family confederacy, an extension of her self. And mothers are their daughters' role model, their biological and emotional road map, the arbiter of all their relationships. ~Victoria Secunda

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A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. ~Washington Irving

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Today I cooked a seafood dinner for my Mom-

I made Salmon,Shrimp Scampi and Linguini with Clam Sauce (of course Mom made the Clam Sauce because hers is always better!).


For dessert I made my first Gluten Free Cheesecake.


I found a great Gluten Free chocolate cookie (by Pamelas products)

that made the perfect crust for the bottom of the cake.

I used a cheesecake recipe from Pierre Franey's Cooking in America.

It is creamy and rich and seems to be a family favorite.

The base:

1 tablespoon of butter

1/2 cup of cookie crumbs

The Cheesecake:

3 packages of cream cheese (8 oz.each at room temp)

4 large eggs,separated

1 cup of sugar

1 teaspoon of pure GF vanilla extract

1 cup of heavy cream

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees

Butter the bottom of a 9 inch spring form and spread your cookie crumbs.

In the bowl of a mixer cream your cream cheese,add your eggs and blend for 15 seconds.

Add 3/4 cup of sugar and your vanilla. Keep beating for 5 seconds.

In another bowl,preferably copper- beat the eggs until soft peaks form.
Gradually add the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar- continue beating until stiff peaks form .

Using a large rubber spatula,fold the egg whites into the cream cheese mixture.

Pour into your spring form pan and place on a tray into the oven.

Bake for 1 hour...

then turn off the oven

and let it cool for 2 hours

with the oven door ajar!

I was so happy-

although it didn't look perfect and beautiful-

IT WAS DELICIOUS!


I hope everyone had a wonderful Mothers Day...

Mothers Day Dinner

Our little family gathering was perfect today....
Our Mothers Day celebration.

My Mothers Day gifts...
Spectacular!




My Mother-in-Law lives with us- my Mom came over as well as my Brother.

My Mother brought over some string beans and the favorite dish of hot peppers that my husband brother and I go crazy for!




I made some BBQ'd chicken legs
because as usual I am always afraid there isn't enough food!



I baked a small ham and glazed it with Teryaki sauce- it came delicious!



Of course the famous dandelion dish was on the table
and the Mothers really enjoyed the treat!



I tried a new Brussels Sprout and Wild Rice Casserole... as well as a Green Salad .
My Brother brought the wonderfully crusty Italian bread that is a must with the hot peppers!



For dessert I made coffee and put together a cookie tray.
I made Almond Biscotti and a Dried Cherry Biscotti- both were really good.
I also made Pizzelle and they were light and delicate. Everyone loved them.



Our day together was wonderful....
I am so grateful to have had both of our Moms at our table!

Happy Mothers Day Mom

I'm not sure who wrote this but I found it here- I thought it was perfect...

Before I was myself you made me, me
With love and patience, discipline and tears,
Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,

Allowing me to sail upon my sea,
Though well within the headlands of your fears.
Before I was myself you made me, me

With dreams enough of what I was to be
And hopes that would be sculpted by the years,
Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,

Relinquishing your powers gradually
To let me shape myself among my peers.
Before I was myself you made me, me,

And being good and wise, you gracefully
As dancers when the last sweet cadence nears
Bit by bit stepped back to set me free.

For love inspires learning naturally:
The mind assents to what the heart reveres.
And so it was through love you made me, me
By slowly stepping back to set me free.

Happy Mother's Day Mom

I LOVE YOU...