Mother's Day - 2020

2020 Mother’s Day

Clermont, Brown and Adams Counties

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Mother’s Day May 10th, 2020 "A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dates all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path."

Agatha Christie

Make Mother’s Day special • Make mom a breakfast in bed with her favorite morning treats.

• Enjoy a movie at home with mom. Let her pick the flick and share her favorite film with you.

• Agree to not bicker for the entire day, especially if you are prone to getting into arguments with siblings.

• Put together a collage of photos from moments you have shared with mom or your family.

• Cook a meal together and learn about everyone’s favorite recipes or the family history.

• Treat mom to a day off from her chores.

Tackle all of the jobs she normally does for the family.

• Bake a delicious dessert that mom will absolutely devour.

• Pamper mom with a gift card for her favorite nail salon or massage therapy location.

• Prepare a jar of mom’s favorite candies wrapped in pieces of paper that have loving sentiments written on them.

• Compile a playlist of songs and artists mom prefers and download them to her phone.

• Begin a charm bracelet tradition by purchas-

ing a charm bracelet and a new charm each year that represents a meaningful memory you both shared.

• Write a new email each day with an inspirational quote or special words of love for mom.

• Tackle a task that she may not want to do herself, such as washing the exterior of her car and vacuuming the interior.

Mother’s Day gift ideas should come from the heart and can show mothers near and far how much they are appreciated and loved.

2020 Mother’s Day

Clermont, Brown and Adams Counties

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The 411 on Mother’s Day flowers Mother’s Day is an annual holiday that honors motherhood and provides an opportunity for men, women and children to show their mothers how much they appreciate them.

The tradition of Mother’s Day in the United States dates back more than a century to 1908, when West Vir-

ginia native Anna Jarvis held a memorial service to honor her mother, who had passed away three years earlier, and all mothers in Grafton, West Virginia. Mother’s Day would ultimately become a national holiday in the United States in 1914, thanks in large part to Jarvis’ campaigning. As Jarvis, who

never married and never had children of her own, grew old, she criticized Mother’s Day as overly commercial, even trying to have it removed from the calendar. Those efforts failed, and Mother’s Day remains popular now, more than 100 years after the idea for it was conceived.

While Mother’s Day traditions have changed since Jarvis first proposed the holiday, many people feel it’s customary to give mothers gifts on Mother’s Day, when moms take the day off from chores and relax with their families.

Flowers make for popular Mother’s Day gifts, and well-wishers who

want to give the special women in their lives flowers this year can consider a host of varieties.

Carnations - Carnations are popular Mother’s Day flowers, perhaps because they are available in a number of colors. That means it’s highly likely sons, daughters, husbands and others gifting moms this Mother’s Day can find some carnations in Mom’s favorite color.

Ask your florist about what each carnation color symbolizes, as each has its own unique meaning. Pink carnations, for example, are believed to symbolize a mother’s love.

Roses - Few mothers can resist roses, making them one of the more popular flowers come Mother’s Day. Roses are symbolic of love and make the perfect floral gift for mothers who like traditional flowers. If you want to spice things up, order a bouquet made up of roses of various colors.

Daffodils - Yellow is synonymous with spring, and daffodils can highlight the season in which Mother’s Day takes place while also providing a cheerful look that’s perfect for Mother’s Day floral bouquets. Daffodils can be given on their own or added to mixed bou-

quets. Daffodils also last quite a while when cared for correctly, giving moms more than just a few days to enjoy their bouquets.

Freesia - Like daffodils, freesia are longlasting, meaning mothers will still be enjoying them long after Mother’s Day has come and gone. The inviting fragrance of freesia makes bouquets of these flowers popular choices for Mother’s Day gifts.

Freesia also come in many colors, proving Mother’s Day gift givers a greater chance of finding flowers their mothers will love.

2020 Mother’s Day

Clermont, Brown and Adams Counties

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Unique Mother’s Day gift ideas Mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, and many more remarkable women often work tirelessly and without fanfare to provide for their families. Even though they may deserve to be recognized throughout the year, moms enjoy a special day nestled within the month of May when children, spouses and others celebrate Mother’s Day. Many people give heartfelt gifts on Mother’s Day to express their love for the mothers in their lives. The perfect gift may focus on Mom’s interests and the things that make her truly happy. With that in mind, the following shopping tips can help anyone find the perfect

Mother’s Day gift.

• Explore spa packages. What mother won’t benefit from some rest and relaxation with a little pampering thrown in? Salons and massage therapists typically put together Mother’s Day packages that cater to mothers.

Packages may include massages, facials, hair treatments, manicures, and pedicures. Giftgivers can customize the services depending on their budgets.

• Dining out can be a treat. A meal at a favorite restaurant can be a welcome change from kitchen duty. Mother’s Day is a busy day for restaurants, many of which have limited menus to better handle

the crowds. As a result, if dining out on Mother’s Day, Mom

Mother’s Day and then choose another day of the week to enjoy a

may not get the full menu she desires. To ensure mothers have full menus at their disposal, gift givers can cook a meal at home on

meal in an upscale restaurant.

• Schedule a paint and sip. A paint and sip session is a unique gift.

A session is typically

two hours and includes step-by-step instructions. Patrons are encouraged to bring snacks and their favorite beverages. With the right planning, well-intentioned children can turn the evening into a “ladies night out” and encourage other moms to join in the fun. Or the entire family can paint masterpieces together.

• Give tickets to a show or sporting event.

Whether Mom is a sports fan or she prefers the theater or live music, event tickets can make a wonderful gift.

Unique gift ideas include tickets to Cirque du Soleil, Shen Yun or a Broadway play.

• Give the gift of wine tasting. Wineries can be

found across the country and frequently open their doors to wine tastings and wine pairing events. A Mother’s Day wine tasting can be special for the entire family and support local businesses. Check the vineyard’s rules on guests.

Many times those under 21 can attend but will not be permitted to consume wine, though other refreshments may be available.

Mother’s Day offers the perfect opportunity to lavish attention on special women. Gifts that cater to Mom’s interests will make the biggest splash.

Mother’s Day Recipe - Avocado Toast Ingredients 2 slices sliced bread, toasted 2 teaspoons butter 1/2 medium ripe avocado, peeled and thinly sliced 4 thin slices tomato 2 thin slices red onion 2 large eggs

1/8 teaspoon seasoned salt 2 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese 2 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

The Image in the Mirror To Mother on Mother’s Day 1993

I looked in the mirror this morning and was surprised to see, my mother’s little girl was grownup-not tall and didn’t look much like her little girl at all.

Sometime during the night, baby crows had stamped their feet near her eyes, and there were gray hairs and meandering lines.

The face in the mirror was blank as it stared back at me, while my mind rolled back through the years to days when I was in my mother’s care.

Now I was able to understand her quick temper, her frustration, her trials, and tribulations.

There are days when I long for her gentle hand tickling my small face, or her happy smile, loving me the best way she knew how.

Every daughter swears it on one day or another; “I’ll not be like her when I become the mother.”

But as time passes quickly through the years, and daughters rear babes of their own, every daughter realizes - and only then that the best mother is probably their own.

Now, I graciously see more clearly, as I never did before, that the image in the mirror looks like a mother more and more.

Love, Sherry Phillips Mitchell 1993.

Directions Spread each slice of toast with butter; place on a plate. Top with avocado; mash gently with a fork. Top with tomato and onion.

To poach each egg, place 1/2 cup water in a small microwave-safe bowl or glass measuring cup; break an egg into

the water. Microwave, covered, on high 1 minute. Microwave in 10-second intervals until white is set and yolk begins to thicken; let stand 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, place egg over sandwich.

Sprinkle eggs with seasoned salt. Top with cheese and bacon.

What child, or adult alike, doesn’t like to give mother something for the ever-popular national holiday, Mother’s Day? Anna Jarvis campaigned her whole life for this event in honor of her own mother. Finally, the first celebration was held in 1908 in the Methodist church in Grafton, West Virginia, though her mother had already passed. Anna sent five hundred white carnations to be pinned on the event's 407 attendees. President Woodrow Wilson eventually declared the national celebration of mothers as a holiday in 1914, to be celebrated on the second Sunday of May is Mother's Day. I remember as a youngster attending Greenbush Elementary, attending my first ever flower sale, 1970. Every teacher I had had, since first grade at Buford, 1964, had taken the time to

help us children make construction paper Mother’s Day Cards in our own handwriting, copied from a verse on the blackboard. It was tedious for new writers SHERRY MITCHELL TAKE JOY, A FARMHOUSE JOURNAL

but received well.

Never before had I had the privilege to shop a “flower sale" on the school grounds.

My mother, Irene Phillips, being the PTA president at the time, along with her good friend Helen Lodwick, organized and implemented the event. Students were able to purchase a small cell pack flower to take home to their mom. I remember my mother saying she and Helen had a conversation after returning home from the greenhouse with their cars loaded down with small cell pack flats of

flowers. “Irene, what if we don’t sell all these flowers?” My mother thought for a second and quick-wittingly replied, “Then, Helen, we’ll have the best looking yards in all of Brown County.”

The day of the sale, each child, having previously taken the slip of paper home telling of the event, and like me, held tightly to a twenty-five cent piece or more to make our purchases.

All kinds of flowers with tiny little blooms were on display. It was so very exciting.

Our flower was placed in a brown paper bag to transport home.

The flower along with the handmade card was given immediately and thus my mother's Mother’s Day began on Friday after school that year and her endeavor was a success, nearly every flower sold.

Fast forward, in 1993, many years later, and now a

mother of three children myself, I was planning a Sunday Mother's Day celebration. This year, I didn’t know what gift I would give my mother.

She had everything.

And her four other children would probably bring flowers or such. As I stood looking at myself in the mirror combing through my hair, now being a mother myself, my mind rolled back through the years. I realized, then, of the better understanding, I had of my own mother as I stared at the image in the mirror. This poem came to mind unexpectedly and I hurried to write it down. It was the gift I gave her that year along with, of course, a flower! The poem has since been published in the Arcadia Poetry Anthology Summer 1994 and she proudly hung the original on her wall where its' been ever since.

Did you know?

More phone calls are made on Mother’s Day than any other day of the year. These holiday chats with Mom often cause phone traffic to spike by as much as 37 percent.

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2020 Mother’s Day

Clermont, Brown and Adams Counties

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Mother’s Day ideas for moms from all walks of life Mother’s Day is a celebration of women who devote so much of their effort and energy to their families. Celebrating Mom on Mother’s Day lets her know all of her efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.

Mothers may perform similar tasks, but no two moms are the same.

Finding ways to celebrate Mom’s uniqueness can make the day that much more meaningful and memorable.

The Crafter - Mothers who are avid crafters

may enjoy a craftthemed Mother’s Day. A family crafting project can make for a fun afternoon and produce mementos that Mom will cherish for years to come. Dads and kids can plan the project in advance without Mom’s knowledge, arranging all of the materials ahead of time and setting up the crafting station the night before or while Mom is relaxing on Mother’s Day morning. Kids can even get a head start on the day by

making their own craft for Mom and giving it to her as a Mother’s Day present. Dads can keep the craft theme going at dinner and get a laugh out of Mom by pouring her a craft beer when dinner is served.

The Reader - A 2017 survey from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that women read more than men.

Women read an average of 19.8 minutes per day, which can make a Mother’s Day focused on Mom’s love of books

an ideal and unique way to spend the day. Kids can write Mom their own books, and Dad can help put them together.

Dads can visit rare bookstores and look for original copies of Mom’s favorite books that she might not find elsewhere.

The Nature Lover Fishing and other outdoor activities might have a reputation as predominantly male hobbies, but studies show that’s not really the case.

A 2016 report from the

Mother’s Day Recipe - Mixed Berry Trifle Ingredients: 1 (12 ounce) bag mixed frozen berries 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest 2 cups heavy cream, chilled 1 tablespoon white sugar 1 (12 ounce) loaf prepared pound cake

1/2 cup toasted coconut 1/4 cup cream sherry

Directions Combine the berries, sherry, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a bowl; toss to blend. Set aside.

Beat the heavy cream in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually

beat in the sugar until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate cream until needed.

Cut pound cake into slices 1/3 inch wide, discarding cake ends.

Assemble the trifle by placing a layer of cake slices in the bottom of a glass serving bowl.

Spoon half the berry mixture with juice over

the cake slices. Cover with half of the whipped cream, and sprinkle with half the coconut. Repeat layering with the remaining cake slices, berries and juice, whipped cream, and coconut. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

Outdoor Foundation found that 46 percent of people who participated in outdoor activities were women. If Mom is a nature enthusiast, families can plan a Mother’s Day enjoying the great outdoors, even giving Mom a new fishing pole, hiking gear or other items that align with her favorite nature activity.

The Relaxation Specialist - Of course, some mothers may want to simply unwind with a relaxing morning at the

spa on Mother’s Day. In fact, the 2018 U.S. Spa Industry Study found that the spa industry has enjoyed seven consecutive years of consistent growth, with more than 187 billion spa visits in 2017 alone. A relaxing morning at the spa can be the perfect way for moms to begin Mother’s Day before they enjoy a brunch of dinner out with their families.

Mother’s Day celebrations can be as unique as the women being celebrated.