I'm back thanks to my mama...

I have the best mother in the world, and today just happens to be her birthday.

So…… HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMACITA!

The one thing she asked for her birthday was for me to update my blog.

You know I would do anything for you, mom!

Linds had the brilliant idea to make strawberry crepes for a birthday brunch. My mom has been craving them since last summer and we finally delivered. Mom, they were so worth the wait, huh? Um yum!

Brenda tidbits in honor of the birthday girl:

• -My mom is the oldest of 5 who grew up on a dairy farm in Idaho
• -She was a cheerleader for the Beet Diggers…dig em up, dig em up, way up!
• -My mom rigged a date with my future dad at a preference ball at Ricks College because the girl who requested a date with Lewis was ‘just not cute enough for him!’
• -She just happened to be Miss Ricks
• -Mrs. Dudley taught Home Economics for a few years
• -Just about everything she touches turns into gold…she is so very talented!
• -My mom is slow to judge, quick to forgive and always finds the good
• -My mom was given the nickname “little mama” from my friends in high school who loved coming over to hang out with her for her listening ear, advice and warm sourdough cinnamon swirl bread…even when I wasn’t home! (I like Mamacita better, and ironically that is what Landon calls me!)
• -My mom let me live through my teen years (A miracle in itself)…the woman is the epitome of patience
• -She instilled in me a love of chocolate, although I have yet to become a fan of wrapping m&m’s in a slice of bread :)
• -The greatest gift she has ever given me is the knowledge that I am a child of God and with that divine heritage and a relationship with my savior anything is possible!

One of the gifts my dad treated her to was a night out with the girls…babysitting included so Mel, Linds and I could go! (I not only have the best mother in the world but my dad is second to none!) We didn’t tell her where we were going, but we arranged for her two sisters (Jan & Jodi), us girls, and our pretty much sister (Cyd) to attend a private 3 hour cooking class at the Viking Culinary school. We had a ball and learned so many new things. I even tried a bite of the Halibut…big step for me! Such yummy recipes. (I am so working out like a madwoman tomorrow.)

Our Menu:

Pomegranate Refresher

Caramelized Onion with White Bean Dip & Veggie Chips

Asian Greens with Shiitakes

Brown Sushi Rice

Avocado Temaki Rolls with Wasabi Miso Dipping Sauce

Maple Sweet Potato Fries

Seared Halibut with Kaffir Lime Coconut Broth

Rubbed pork with Strawberry Cilantro Salsa

Blueberry Lemon Crisp with Dark Chocolate Squares

Molten Chocolate Soufflé

Thanks for letting us celebrate with you, most wonderful mother!

I LOVE YOU!!!