Mother’s Day is upon us.
In this post, I wanted to share some of my family traditions that are special to me, and how I make those traditions even more special, with inexpensive thrifts and finds.
Come along with me, for an amalgamation of English, Mothering Sunday traditions- and American, Mother’s Day traditions.
~On Being A Mother-My Hope!~
When I was a little girl, if someone were to ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would have unreservedly told them that I wanted to be a mom.
It was always my dream.
It still is my dream.
I am so thankful to be a mom/mum to four precious children- for they are some of my biggest blessings. It is not an easy job, by any means, but I believe it is the best-most important- job God has given me.
In view of this fact, Mother’s Day is extremely special to me!
~Mothering Sunday verses Mother's Day~
Mother’s Day in America is similar to Mothering Sunday in England, but they do have different histories. (Generally, America celebrates Mother’s Day in mid-May. England, on the other hand, observes Mothering Sunday on the fourth Sunday of Lent).
As I understand it, England’s Mothering Sunday is a much older occasion. It was started as a Christian day, when people of the time would go away from their families to work. They would return to their “mother” churches, and incidentally-their families and mothers- where they would share a special time/meal together.
America started the Mother’s Day holiday in the early 1900s, as it was meant to recognize mothers and their work in the family. Mother’s Day has become quite commercialized in America and many other countries around the world.
Both Mother’s day and Mothering Sunday are now celebrated in similar ways.
~My First Mothering Sunday/Mother's Day~
With each new Mother’s Day, I am reminded of my very first Mothering Sunday.
Craig and I were living in England at the time, and I had just given birth to our first daughter in Oxford.
I remember waking that morning to a lovely cuppa tea, and two smiling faces beaming at me.
My husband, and my first daughter, were there to celebrate with me.
Oh, how I had dreamed of this day!
We spent the day together enjoying a lovely picnic lunch in Stratford (home of Shakespeare- and also where we got engaged), and I was given the most beautiful necklace to mark the occasion. How thankful I was that God had allowed me to be a mom/mum.
My first Mothering Sunday was naturally notable, but of course, every Mothering Sunday/Mother’s Day is special.
~Our English/American Traditions~
As I think back to my first Mothering Sunday, I wanted to share some of the ways my family and I like to spend Mother’s Day (now in America.) It is a special day for all of us, as each played a part in making me a mother.
My favorite Mother’s Day lunch is simply made up of sandwiches, chips (crisps in England), sparkling pink lemonade, and some sweet treats. If we can eat this on a picnic blanket outside, we do!
Craig and I have many memories as newlyweds, of packing a picnic lunch and going to Stratford or Warwick Castle in England- and just enjoying a lazy day out in a beautiful setting.
There is not much better than that in my opinion- good, simple food-lovely, outdoor surroundings- and being with those you love.
~An English-Inspired, Mother's Day Dessert~
Becoming a mother to four has made me realize just how resourceful I can be. As mothers, we know how to mend and make, and not let items go to waste.
In honor of resourceful mothers, and as a nod to England, I asked my English sisters-in-law (who are wonderful mother’s), what they thought of when they considered a Mother’s Day treat. One of the suggestions was bread-and-butter pudding. I thought this was a perfect idea as it points to a mother’s resourcefulness, because generally, it uses stale bread. There is no need to throw it out when it can be turned into a delicious, easy treat.
Bread-and-butter pudding is a tasty dessert, and easy to make.
Basically, it is made with stale bread (white bread, cinnamon raisin, brioche, leftover artisan bread, etc.) that is buttered on both sides, and with the addition of milk, cream, eggs, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and raisins, it is then baked until fragrant and crisp on the edges.
I like to soak my raisins in vanilla (about 15 minutes before to ensure they are nice and plump and flavorful), and I add a little honey to the top of the raisins for extra goodness.
This time I used stale, brioche bread (I didn’t know what brioche was until I moved to England, but it is everywhere in American grocery stores now).
I love serving my bread-and-butter pudding with a dusting of powdered sugar (icing sugar), and either a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a splash of heavy whipping cream and berries on top.
If you are still in need of a Mother’s Day treat, consider bread-and-butter pudding-an English inspired delight!
~A Mother's Day Craft~
I also could not resist this cute, Mother’s Day, homeschool art opportunity.
We got this sweet stepping stone, painting kit from Aldi for $4.99 (we love Aldi). If you never visit Aldi’s weekly isle of fabulous finds-you really should start. I don’t think you will be disappointed, and you will be hard pressed not to find something wonderfully useful- and, for a great price. Bargain!
The children and I enjoyed painting this sweet stepping stone together outside.
The time spent with my children is the true gift.
As I close this post, I would like to recognize my own mom… and all the wonderful moms out there, (and to the ones who long to be mothers or have lost mothers or children…we see you too), may you feel celebrated and cherished today.
I know that this day, while often filled with joy, can also be filled with pain for some.
I am so thankful for this day and my children, but I also want to always be empathetic to those around me.
May we see others and consider them.
Happy Mother’s Day.
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