I am a fan of good people, and you are one of those good people. I'm also an "every week therapy" gal. Love my Therapy Thursdays. (This is jumping around so much!) I just want people to be good to each other, holiday or not. And as Jonah put it so well in his handwritten note, "You always forgive me." This day (today), my daughter is graduating from college. The sun is supposed to shine. The college is live streaming it, so my parents will be able to watch it, and I will just soak in the love I feel for my daughter. That is a good day. Holly, as always, you have put everything so well and from the heart.
May 14, 2023·edited May 14, 2023Liked by Holly Rabalais
Great post, Holly - thought-provoking, inspiring and mouthwatering in equal measure!
Mothering Sunday always falls three Sundays before Easter, and that's our Mothers' Day here in UK. Our family has never called it Mother's Day, and I struggle more every year to find a card with the greeting 'Happy Mothering Sunday'!
Mothering Sunday was always the one day of the year when Dad would have breakfast in bed - all the other days of the year it was Mum's turn for the treat! Eccentric, yes, but we rather liked our strange ritual! We've never actually celebrated Father's Day - I'm afraid we labelled that 'just a Hallmark holiday' when it first became a 'thing' over here. Dad knows we love him all year round.
I remember being out for a walk one Mothering Sunday, and a smiley little lad - probably about six - who was out with his family shouted out to me as he passed: 'HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!' I was absolutely delighted. I'm not a mother, nor will I become one. But I was so thrilled that he shared that love for his mum - and that joy - with me, just in that moment. 🌸
I’m not a fan of Mother’s Day either. In fact, it came up the other day and one of my kids said, “We don’t really celebrate Mother’s Day. Why?” So many possible answers to give. For now, I stuck with the explanation that it’s a card company holiday- Just an excuse to make people spend money. Showing love and appreciation can be done all year long through the littlest of actions (like emptying the dishwasher without being asked 😉). I’m so glad to know I’m not alone in my feelings about this particular holiday.
Easy crock pot meal: Pork shoulder roast or some kind of beef roast + jar of sliced pepperoncinis, dump into a crockpot, shred when cooked, serve as tacos or as sliders. Easy and delicious! I’ve even started from a frozen pork roast because I forgot to thaw it.
I’ve had to make it very clear over the years that certain things are not fun for me on Mother’s Day. For instance: taking two toddlers to a busy restaurant for brunch where we have to wait an hour before getting a table. Or waking up at seven and schlepping to breakfast when the restaurant opens.
In general I prefer to be left alone on Mother’s Day! 😂 It’s different now that the kids are grown - they’re actually thoughtful and don’t throw temper tantrums. 😂
Thank you for this post, Holly. I have a complicated relationship with my mother so it does make me uncomfortable when this day comes. For a one pot meal, I make adobo lentils. It’s a Filipino dish usually cooked with chicken or pork. Since I transitioned to plant-based eating, I’ve used French green lentils instead. Black lentils work well too. The recipe is simple: equal parts of water, vinegar and soy sauce to cover the lentils. Add tons of garlic, one or two bay leaves and black pepper to the pot. Cook until lentils are soft. Before serving, throw out the bay leaves. Good with rice or salad.
Always an enjoyable read. The book you mentioned reading sounds interesting. As always I am behind in reading, but being sick this week has opened the door to catch up. I’m reading Garrison Keillor’s new book Cheerfulness. It has brought me some cheer.
I like your thoughts on Mother’s Day. My first experience with it was disappointing, as I had a baby & therefore had an expectation that my hubby would do something..& then didn’t 😅…I’ve come a ways since then! Yesterday he surprised me with a cake..& I think for me I felt like it was more about what that meant (“I love your mom”) to our girls. Later they each made a cute card w some friends…but like you, I’d also rather have a spontaneous gift from the heart than one given out of obligation ❤️
Great collection, Holly. While I'm not likely to get to any of the reading, it's meaningful even to read a review, and Javier's story in particular needs to have more exposure. No one would undertake such a dislocation for trivial reasons. As for Mom's day: I just wish those who have made moms into some sort of fetish would show equal interest in actually making moms' lives easier.
I love every bit of this post…so much wisdom. Thank you for sharing the books your reading..will add them to my list. I just started reading Breath by James Nestor and 1/2 way through Sarah Wilson’s book this one wild and precious life. Both thought provoking and powerful. Thanks again Holly. You are a blessing.
You'll have to forgive the terrible photos, but this site doesn't have a paywall. https://www.food.com/recipe/french-chicken-in-a-pot-americas-test-kitchen-349883 I love French chicken in a pot. I've made it with coconut oil before (was out of olive) and the jus was incredible. Going to try avocado oil next time. I also add in sliced Yukon gold potatoes. So good! Not reading right now (editing a book for a friend), but really enjoyed Call Me Kate on Netflix, a doc about Katharine Hepburn. And today's a day where I get to tell well-wishers, yeah, thanks, not a mom (when they mention kids...if they're just wishing me a HMD, I simply say thanks). And, yes, you deserve to be celebrated on the reg, not just when Hallmark says to. Another wonderful post, Holly. Thank you. (Now, grab some downtime!) xo
I am a fan of good people, and you are one of those good people. I'm also an "every week therapy" gal. Love my Therapy Thursdays. (This is jumping around so much!) I just want people to be good to each other, holiday or not. And as Jonah put it so well in his handwritten note, "You always forgive me." This day (today), my daughter is graduating from college. The sun is supposed to shine. The college is live streaming it, so my parents will be able to watch it, and I will just soak in the love I feel for my daughter. That is a good day. Holly, as always, you have put everything so well and from the heart.
Great post, Holly - thought-provoking, inspiring and mouthwatering in equal measure!
Mothering Sunday always falls three Sundays before Easter, and that's our Mothers' Day here in UK. Our family has never called it Mother's Day, and I struggle more every year to find a card with the greeting 'Happy Mothering Sunday'!
Mothering Sunday was always the one day of the year when Dad would have breakfast in bed - all the other days of the year it was Mum's turn for the treat! Eccentric, yes, but we rather liked our strange ritual! We've never actually celebrated Father's Day - I'm afraid we labelled that 'just a Hallmark holiday' when it first became a 'thing' over here. Dad knows we love him all year round.
I remember being out for a walk one Mothering Sunday, and a smiley little lad - probably about six - who was out with his family shouted out to me as he passed: 'HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!' I was absolutely delighted. I'm not a mother, nor will I become one. But I was so thrilled that he shared that love for his mum - and that joy - with me, just in that moment. 🌸
I can’t wait to try those recipes!
I’m not a fan of Mother’s Day either. In fact, it came up the other day and one of my kids said, “We don’t really celebrate Mother’s Day. Why?” So many possible answers to give. For now, I stuck with the explanation that it’s a card company holiday- Just an excuse to make people spend money. Showing love and appreciation can be done all year long through the littlest of actions (like emptying the dishwasher without being asked 😉). I’m so glad to know I’m not alone in my feelings about this particular holiday.
Easy crock pot meal: Pork shoulder roast or some kind of beef roast + jar of sliced pepperoncinis, dump into a crockpot, shred when cooked, serve as tacos or as sliders. Easy and delicious! I’ve even started from a frozen pork roast because I forgot to thaw it.
I’ve had to make it very clear over the years that certain things are not fun for me on Mother’s Day. For instance: taking two toddlers to a busy restaurant for brunch where we have to wait an hour before getting a table. Or waking up at seven and schlepping to breakfast when the restaurant opens.
In general I prefer to be left alone on Mother’s Day! 😂 It’s different now that the kids are grown - they’re actually thoughtful and don’t throw temper tantrums. 😂
Happy...Sunday!
Thank you for this post, Holly. I have a complicated relationship with my mother so it does make me uncomfortable when this day comes. For a one pot meal, I make adobo lentils. It’s a Filipino dish usually cooked with chicken or pork. Since I transitioned to plant-based eating, I’ve used French green lentils instead. Black lentils work well too. The recipe is simple: equal parts of water, vinegar and soy sauce to cover the lentils. Add tons of garlic, one or two bay leaves and black pepper to the pot. Cook until lentils are soft. Before serving, throw out the bay leaves. Good with rice or salad.
Hope you are doing well. Just checking in!
Always an enjoyable read. The book you mentioned reading sounds interesting. As always I am behind in reading, but being sick this week has opened the door to catch up. I’m reading Garrison Keillor’s new book Cheerfulness. It has brought me some cheer.
I like your thoughts on Mother’s Day. My first experience with it was disappointing, as I had a baby & therefore had an expectation that my hubby would do something..& then didn’t 😅…I’ve come a ways since then! Yesterday he surprised me with a cake..& I think for me I felt like it was more about what that meant (“I love your mom”) to our girls. Later they each made a cute card w some friends…but like you, I’d also rather have a spontaneous gift from the heart than one given out of obligation ❤️
Great collection, Holly. While I'm not likely to get to any of the reading, it's meaningful even to read a review, and Javier's story in particular needs to have more exposure. No one would undertake such a dislocation for trivial reasons. As for Mom's day: I just wish those who have made moms into some sort of fetish would show equal interest in actually making moms' lives easier.
I love every bit of this post…so much wisdom. Thank you for sharing the books your reading..will add them to my list. I just started reading Breath by James Nestor and 1/2 way through Sarah Wilson’s book this one wild and precious life. Both thought provoking and powerful. Thanks again Holly. You are a blessing.
Maybe I've mentioned it before, but the novel Last Night at the Lobster is on a short list of books that broke the mold for me.
Today, I'm reflecting on mothers-in-law, grief, and infertility.
You'll have to forgive the terrible photos, but this site doesn't have a paywall. https://www.food.com/recipe/french-chicken-in-a-pot-americas-test-kitchen-349883 I love French chicken in a pot. I've made it with coconut oil before (was out of olive) and the jus was incredible. Going to try avocado oil next time. I also add in sliced Yukon gold potatoes. So good! Not reading right now (editing a book for a friend), but really enjoyed Call Me Kate on Netflix, a doc about Katharine Hepburn. And today's a day where I get to tell well-wishers, yeah, thanks, not a mom (when they mention kids...if they're just wishing me a HMD, I simply say thanks). And, yes, you deserve to be celebrated on the reg, not just when Hallmark says to. Another wonderful post, Holly. Thank you. (Now, grab some downtime!) xo