Celebrating the roles your personal chef, assistant, attorney, therapist, doctor, accountant, seamstress, taxi driver, and tutor play in your life by offering gifts and attention in one day? That’s wonderful!

Of course, I’m referring to Mother’s Day. Although it is just one day out of three hundred and sixty five, it is important to take the time to let mom know how much she means to you.
There are literally thousands of ways this could be done. But the most memorable ones are made with thought and effort, not credit cards. Something potted or wrapped up in shiny paper will do the trick, but handmade gifts speak volumes for how much you want your mom to feel special.

Relaxation is a foreign concept to most mothers. While trying to maintain a household and keeping track of an infinite to-do list, there is very little time for her to take care of herself. Giving her bath salts personalized to her favorite scent would allow her to turn a simple bath into a spa.

Bath salts recipe

1 Cup of body oil
(avoid mineral oil)

2 Cups Epsom or sea salts

Scent of preference (such as
lavender, mint, orange zest,
etc.)
Combine all of the above and store in three 8oz jars with airtight lids.
Give her a break
If your mother needs a break from the kitchen, here are some recipes simple enough for even the most basic cook to prepare a delicious dinner on Mother’s Day.
Just like ma’s spaghetti
1 package of pasta

2 cans of tomato paste

12 Roma tomatoes

½ Yellow onion, finely
chopped

1 Pound of ground beef

1 Tablespoon of oil

Basil, to taste

Oregano, to taste

Salt, to taste

Pepper, to taste

Make a small X on the bottom of each tomato and place in boiling water. Once the skin begins to peel back slightly, remove from water and place in a bowl full of ice water. Once cool enough to handle, take each tomato and, using a small paring knife, peel back the skin on each one. Discard the skin. Place the roma tomatoes in a large pot. Make a slurry with the tomato paste and one can of water. Add the slurry to the tomatoes. Mash up the tomatoes and season to taste with herbs and spices. Remove sauce and set aside. Fill the pot with water, add a generous tablespoon of salt and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and a splash of vegetable oil to keep the noodles from sticking together. Return to heat and boil for 10 minutes. While the pasta is boiling, heat a tablespoon of oil in a pan over medium heat and, once it is hot, add the onion. Cook until it is translucent. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Strain the noodles and return them to the pot. Pour the sauce and meat over the noodles and place over gentle heat until it is warm enough to eat.

Yummy garlic bread

1 Loaf of french bread or a
baguette

1 Cup of butter

Garlic salt

Preheat oven broiler. Heat the butter up until it is warm enough to stir easily (should resemble mayonnaise). Be careful, though, if you heat it too much it will melt and separate. Season the butter with garlic salt. Cut the bread in half lengthwise and spread on the butter evenly. Place under broiler for 4-5 minutes then rotate the bread. Cook until the bread is crunchy and lightly browned. Let sit outside of the oven until cool, otherwise it will be difficult to cut.

Strawberry shortcake
1 1/2 Pound of strawberries,
quartered

5 Tablespoons of sugar
2 Cups of all-purpose flour

2 Teaspoons of baking
powder

1/4 Teaspoon of baking soda

2 Tablespoons of sugar

3/4 Teaspoon of salt

1 1/2 Cups of heavy cream

Ingredients for whipped cream:
1 1/2 Cups of heavy cream

Tablespoons of sugar

1 1/2 Teaspoons of vanilla
extract
1 Teaspoon of lemon zest

Whip all ingredients for whipped cream together for 1-2 minutes until it forms soft peaks. Place in a bowl and chill. Coat the strawberries with 2 tablespoons of the sugar. Place in the refrigerator and allow to soak for about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 400F. Combine flour, remaining tablespoons of sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Using a whisk, stir together making sure there are no lumps. Add heavy cream and mix just until combined. Press into 8inch baking dish and bake for approximately 18-20 minutes. Remove from pan and cool. Cut into 6 squares and slice each in half horizontally. Place some strawberries on each biscuit and top with whipped cream. Place other half of biscuit on top like a sandwich.