Mother's Day in the garden

Monday, May 11, 2009







We spread a sweet table under the shade of the Mulberry Tree. A feast was prepared, a feast fit for a table of mothers. Women who love children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, sisters, mothers, and puppies all gathered.


The table was set with vintage linens. Recycled bottles held small bouquets of mint, jasmine, purple pansies and miniature red roses from the garden. A fire roared to ward off the chill of the morning.

The feast was served. Creme Brulee French Toast, Apple Smoked Bacon, Scrambled Eggs with Swiss Chard, Dill, Oregano, Thyme and Parmesan Cheese; the eggs were from my sister's chicken ranch and all but the cheese was from the garden. Enamel bowls were piled high with blueberries, boysenberries, raspberries and strawberries with fresh mint. There was also a bowl of Mulberries, gathered earlier in the morning. To top the berries, a bowl of Creme Fraiche flavored with Vanilla Beans, Coconut and Organic Agave Nectar was set upon the table. Fresh Melon from the Farmer's Market was sliced and topped with Raw Almonds.  There were fresh biscuits piled high in a vintage cast iron bundt pan, served with Strawberry-Rhubarb jam and organic butter. Small pitchers were filled with fresh Mulberry Syrup and Maple Syrup. There was organic cream and raw honey to sweeten the Fresh Mint Tea and Creamy Caramel Rooibos. An old Fiesta Ware pitcher, thrifted at a HALF OFF sale at the local thrift store(love half off sales) held Sweet Mango Lassi made with Organic Yogurt, Organic Turbinado Sugar and Rose Water. I also whipped up a small batch of Haupia for my mother and aunty as a reminder of their days as girls, growing up in Hawaii. There was a pitcher of fresh mint water and green bottles of San Pellegrino dotted the table.

The morning was cool, but my heart was filled to be surrounded by women I love, and who love me. The sun began to peak out as the meal winded down, our bellies satisfied. The garden danced in the background, happy to be part of the celebration. As people finished eating, we switched seats, here and there, to visit with those across the table. My mother had to be shooed out of the kitchen several times by my daughter. When we finally made it into the house when the sun grew too strong, the kitchen had been cleaned by my love. 

A Happy Mother's Day it was, surrounded by happy hearts that have grown from the love and loving of children and family. May the love of this day steel your souls in the arduous day by day happenings, the ones that challenge us and scare us, that fill our hearts so, that we feel they may burst. 

5 comments:

Mel said...

Oh, how very lovely! What a gorgeous setting for Mother's Day! I love all your things! Right down to the doily on the Fiestaware Pitcher!

I had to stop reading the center section for now; I'm TOO HUNGRY!
Will come back to read the food descriptons more after lunch... !

I like the idea of switching seats... Good ole Mulberry Tree...

I'm glad you had a happy, special one.

Circe

Christopher Guilfoil said...

Lovely, lovely! When my mother was last here we went on a Fiesta Ware bonanza. She had a whole batch shipped to Australia.

Enamelware is my favorite not only for such events, but to use for painting palettes and pots. I also have it at the studio sink for a big bar of soap for washing brushes. You can find it at antique/thrift stores in abundance.

It would be nice to see some faces at that table if they are willing. The hands were a treat.

All the best,
Chris

Alberta Art Classes said...

I adore enamel ware. I have tons. I left a large pan in a thrift store once because finances were tight. It would have been perfect for soaking paper. There is another one out there, I will find it!

Terry Gallina said...

Glad you had a great mother's day. I especially agree with the last paragraph of your post. The pictures look nice.

Anonymous said...

That table is just perfect and after all my years of entertaining, I can't believe I never thought to turn the plates over until just before. Why didn't I think of that?! I hope you had a special day!