Love Ya Mom!

First and foremost, Happy Mother's Day to all of the Moms out there! I hope each of you has had a lovely day.

My mom: stylin'

I wasn't able to spend today with my mom because she lives in Texas and I live in Oregon, but I was with her in spirit. And we managed to talk on the phone about six times, because I was making her favorite cake and kept forgetting various details in the recipe. Thank you for always answering, Mom. The cake turned out great.

I know a lot of people say this, but I seriously have the best mom in the world. A single parent since I was in elementary school, she has sacrificed so much for my siblings and I, and has been an exceptional role model as someone who works extremely hard, shows compassion to others, enjoys the small things in life, and follows her dreams. She is my favorite person to talk to about design and decor, recipes and gardening, and she supports me 100% in everything I do. Except the idea I had about a solo backpacking trip through Central America, but that's a story for another day.

a wide-eyed cutie

When I was little, my mom taught me how to ride a horse Western-style, how to watch out for poison ivy, and to always tell the truth no matter what (and now I'm the worst liar you'll ever meet). When I was a teenager she taught me how to cook fried chicken and gravy, how to drive a stick-shift, and what the word "demitasse" meant. More recently, she taught me how to play tetris with a moving box, how to make a mean sangria, and how to refinish furniture in my kitchen.

She's also taught me to truly believe in what I am capable of.

I am so thankful for her. 

a tomboy at heart

As I get older, I see more and more of my mom in myself, which can be a little freaky, but overall it's a great thing. Mannerisms, looks, interests ... if only I could develop her savviness with (saving) money, but I'm pretty sure I just didn't get that gene. Just kidding, Mom. I promise I'm getting better!

in Jamaica 

when I was a baby!

and the whole fam at my sister's medical school graduation a year ago

For this Mother's Day, I decided to celebrate my mom by making one of her favorite desserts: a strawberry and whipped cream angel food cake. It's delicious and so simple, because it falls into the semi-homemade with Sandra Lee category. And it's the perfect dessert for this hotter-than-heck heat wave we're having in Portland right now (and my mom will be having in Texas for the next four months). I'll be sure to share this recipe in a post later this week!

Happy Mother's Day! I love you so much, Mom!