Another Treat

I am writing this post as I sample the pleasures of my favorite candy bar: a Symphony with almonds and toffee chips. Don't know why, but this one just does it for me.

Anyway, I had the sheer pleasure of enjoying a music concert at Rochester's Lilac Festival last night. Granted, I haven't been to many musical concerts since I had children. We saw Bill Cosby at the Seneca Niagara casino last year, thanks to my sister-in-law, who scored us some free tickets. Man, my cheeks hurt from laughing so hard, but I don't really count that as a music concert.

Rickie Lee Jones put on an amazing show, albeit far too short. We were afraid we might get rained out, and of course, it was an outdoor concert. As luck would have it, the skies were partly cloudy and there was a stiff wind, but no precipitation during Rickie's act.

She started with Weasel and the White Boys Cool. She sang some songs from her yet to be released album, and her newest one, The Sermon on Exposition Blvd. Half way through the concert, I shut my eyes, leaned back in my fold-up camping chair, and just listened to her sing to me like I was the only person in the world. I felt the sun warm my face and the wind brush my hair.

Rickie was singing Horses from the Flying Cowboys album, one of my favorites. She sang it for her daughter and in honor of Mother's Day. As I was listening to her lyrics, I felt this rush of hope and love. She sang, "That's the way it's gonna' be little darlin'. We'll go riding on the horses in the end. Way up in the sky little darlin'. And if you fall, I'll pick you up, I'll pick you up."

I thought, "Man, isn't that something a mom would say?"

I want so much to protect my girls from anything harmful or negative. I want to shield them from pain and make their lives easier than mine was. But I can't. I can't live someone else's life or soak up all of the badness for them. The only thing I can do is be a model for them of a loving, caring person who stands up for what she believes in and takes care of her own.

Sometimes I feel like too much of a nervous Nellie. I'm always saying, "Don't do this. Don't do that, you might hurt yourself." Rickie was a wild one but can still express her affection for her daughter without being overprotective. Maybe there is something for me to learn here. Maybe I can just trust that my daughters have decent judgement and can pick themselves up once in awhile. Maybe I can just concentrate on enjoying their fleeting childhood years and celebrate them for who they are, and not who I want them to be.

Maybe . . . .

Rebecca Wolf

Happy Mother's Day!

I just had to share with you what my daughter (with the help of my husband) wrote on our "Magic Chalk Board":

"Dear Dr. Who,

My mom wants you to come visit her.

Love, Arianna
P.S. Can you take her for a ride in your time machine?"

FYI, Arianna writes to her favorite characters on the chalk board and over night, they magically write back to her. So far, she's written to: Morgan le Fay (from the Magic Tree House books), Yoda, Obi Wan, Zunar J5 and Cerberus, the 3-headed dog that guarded entrance to Hades in Greek mythology ...

Anyways, her message was supposed to be my Mother's Day gift (that and the roses, candy, and pancake breakfast). We'll see if Tom Baker shows up on my doorstep anytime soon.

Hope you enjoyed your special day (even if it was just created as a ploy by the card companies to get us to buy more cards)!
Rebecca

Mother's Day Brunch Ideas

I run a Montessori-inspired preschool program (see http://SibleyCenter.com) and our class created a Mother's Day Tea together for all our wonderful and supportive moms. Here is an easy recipe you can use if you'd like to create a Mother's Day Brunch for your special mama!

BASIC QUICHE

Ingredients:

* 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (it's usually Havarti or Swiss in most recipes, but I have used cheddar and monterey jack with success)
* 4 large eggs
* 1 1/2 cups milk (low-fat works well but half and half makes it richer)
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
* dash nutmeg

Creative Additions (base your choices on mom's favorite foods, of course):
* asparagus or broccoli or even dandelion greens
* mushrooms or tofu or chunks of ham/turkey
* tomatoes and onions
* I've even made a Polynesian quiche with rice, water chestnuts, pineapple and chicken in it!

Preparation:
Steam, saute or cook your veggies and other additions, as desired.

You can make a pastry crust, buy one, or go crustless.

Arrange vegetables and shredded cheese in pie dish.

Whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Pour mixture over the vegetables. Place the filled pie shell/dish on a large cookie sheet to catch any drips.

Place in the oven and cook for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Serves 6 to 8.

Add coffee, tea, or orange juice (mimosas are extravagant too).
Consider adding a fruit cup or baked good.
Place on a serving tray with a flower in a vase and surprise mom with breakfast in bed!

Enjoy,
Rebecca Wolf