The Farmhouse Kitchen: Life doesn't come with a manual; it comes with a mom

I don’t remember much about Mother’s Day when I was a kid. I remember the year my dad got my mom one of those rings that had everybody’s birthstone in it. They were all the rage for a few years. My mom always wore hers. I keep it in my jewelry box now and pull it out every so often (along with the last bottle of her favorite perfume) just to remember. Then there was the year my dad got my mom a typewriter. I’m still not sure what that was all about, but I do remember her being thrilled with it.

As I was going through all her things after she passed away, I was amazed that she kept every card we’d ever gotten her. Some contained little drawings and were signed by tiny little hands belonging to her smallest treasures. And though I don’t think we ever honored her enough, I do know she worked hard at honoring HER mother. Alzheimer’s took my grandmother’s ‘self’ away when I was about 10. She lived in a nursing home for nine years. My mom never missed buying “pretties” for her and showering her with love in so many ways; my grandmother never knew. But we did.

I’ve loved going through mama’s things. I’m about done finally. She stashed recipes everywhere. Amazingly, I found a couple of recipes that I gave to her that I’d forgotten about. I’d wondered for years where my copy went. She would cut recipes out of newspapers and magazines, and in this age of technology, she’d even print them from the internet. I found the Cemetery Cake recipe in her stash. That recipe goes by lots of other names, but the premise is the economy behind it. Probably originating during the Great Depression/World War II era, it contains no eggs, no milk, and no butter. It is, however, a delicious little cake that’s simple enough for kids to make themselves.

Make one for Mother’s Day. And while you’re at it, surprise her with another simple but classic dish. Shirred Eggs are about as easy as it comes when it comes to breakfast — just ham and eggs, with a little cheese on top. Bake in the oven and serve with a side of grits. Or how about a nice after church brunch to celebrate the special women in your life? Paired with some sweet tea and chocolate cake, anyone would feel honored. And, regardless of who or what you are honoring or celebrating this month, I hope your May if filled with loads of springtime joy and plenty of good food!

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