My Mother's Day of Perfection

I was feeling a little sorry for myself because Mother's Day is coming and half of my kids are scattered all over the map. See this story.

For us Cubans, as is true for most Hispanic cultures, Mother's Day is like a High Holy Day. Am I right?

Either way, I was still going to celebrate with the 2 that are still here and of course, I'll be spending the afternoon with my own mom and wearing the mandatory Red Carnation, of course.

I was still kind of day dreaming about how wonderful it would be if we could have one big dinner together. Wouldn't it be awesome if they could all be here for Mother's Day? 

It was more of a fantasy than an actual prayer, however...

Through some miracle of work scheduling and life events, it turns out that I'm going to have them all with me on Sunday, May 10th for Mother's Day. BEST. GIFT. EVER!

*does the happy dance*

Because Amy and Adam are traveling here and have other commitments and I want to spend as much time with them as possible, I'm going to be making a very simple dinner. Technically, they have no reason to object since Mami's doing the cooking anyway, but that's not important right now.

You know how much I love to cook for my family. I'm just so crazy happy to have them all here. My goal is to get the most out of the weekend and spend every last possible minute I can with them. 

I'm proud to say that I have parnered with Barilla® Pasta to make a simple and memorable Mother's Day feast. I had to keep from making myself crazy with creating an elaborate menu. And I think we have achieved simplicity here.

I got the following recipe from Barilla® Pasta. It's simple and delicious and I'm oh-so-grateful that this is a wonderful start to a winning menu. I ran over to Walmart and picked up all the ingredients pretty easily. 

I'm making spaghetti, people! *everyone cheers*

I only made one substitution - the crushed tomatoes for the whole ones.

Barilla® Spaghetti with San Marzano Tomato Meat Sauce

Preparation Time: 20 minutes - Servings:  8

Ingredients:

• 1 box Barilla® Spaghetti
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 small carrot, chopped
• 1 stem celery, chopped
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup White wine (optional)
• 1 28-ounce can San Marzano Tomatoes*
• 2 tablespoons basil* 
• 1 cup water
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, shaved

 * NOTE - I substituted 28 oz. can of Cento Crushed Tomatoes because that's what my people prefer, and added two tablespoons of basil so I could get the same flavor because the San Marzano Tomatoes have basil already added.

Directions:

1) PLACE a pot of water to boil.

2) MEANWHILE, in a large skillet, sauté the onion, carrot and celery with the extra virgin olive oil. ADD the meat and cook until browned well.

3) INCORPORATE the tomatoes and 1 cup of water, season with salt and pepper to taste and bring to a simmer. 

4) COOK pasta in the boiling water according to the package directions. DRAIN pasta and toss with sauce. TOP with cheese. 

5) OPTIONAL: After the meat is browned, you can deglaze the sauce by adding the wine and let it reduce all the way. 

There you have a simple, crowd-pleasing, absolutely delicious meal that everyone loves. Also, I'm not going to be spending hours in the kitchen, I'm going to be spending lots of time with the ones I love best. 

And isn't that what we all really want for Mother's Day?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Barilla. The opinions and text are all mine.

 

Mother Ring Winner

Do you know what makes me smile?

I read each of your comments, particularly the ones from those of you who entered my recent giveaway for the beautiful Mother Ring Charm Holder. And what I read was the pride in those few lines. "These are the names of the people I love most." I love that. 

And I get it. As a mother, I think I take the most pride in the four lives I've brought into the world. So, thank you all for sharing your loves and I wish every one of you could win. 

Sadly, I could only choose one winner. The rest of you may want to consider ordering the commemorative jewelry from my friend, Pam. You can contact her through her Facebook page, Pandora Lee Originals. 

To choose a winner, I went to the site, Random.org and plugged in the number of comments into the True Random Number Generator. Whatever random number it picked was the winner. In this case, it was Jackie.

Congratulations! Please send me an email with all  with HEY, MARTA I WON STUFF ON YOUR BLOG! in the subject line (so I don't accidentally delete you) with your contact information and I will connect you directly to Pam so she can get started on your beautiful Mother's Day creation.

I'm so delighted all of you played along. Thank you so much! 

SALE! Get Mami a Cuban Food Poster For Mother's Day

I first want to thank all of you who have supported my Cuban food poster.

I love every time one of you sends me a photo of your framed poster and when you tell me how much you're enjoying it.

It makes me feel like I'm right in your kitchen with you. (Not in a weird way, of course.)

I've been hearing from many of you that the 16 x 20 size is a little too big for your kitchen, so I'm excited today to announce that you can get this really fun poster for your Cuban kitchen in different sizes. (Yay!)

Here are the new sizes available today:

• 5 x 7 - $9.99
• 8 x 10 - 12.99
• 11 x 14 - $15.99
• 16 x 20 - $21.00

Here's the link: Cuban Food Poster on Etsy

Order now if you're thinking you may want to get one for Mami for Mother's Day. If you shop now, I can definitely guarantee delivery BEFORE Mother's Day on May 10th. 

Or maybe Tia Cuca is still waiting for hers. What are you waiting for?

Gracias! Have fun shopping.

Hospitality 101

Yesterday (Mother's Day) morning, I came downstairs and found this:

I'm glad they opted for the sit-down-in-the-dining-room breakfast because I'm so not the breakfast-in-bed type. Happily, my children learned this about me many, many Mother's Days ago. Don't get me wrong, I love breakfast. It's The Most Important Meal of the Day and all that. But in bed? Not so much. 

So my family made a Mother's Day Breakfast/Brunch for me yesterday. What I loved most (besides that they got up early and decorated and made that cool sign and set the table and that there were fresh flowers) was that when I saw all that they had done, I realized that they had learned it from me. 

I'm the one who has always insisted we use real plates and real napkins. That there be fresh flowers and serving dishes. That everyone has a place and that there be plenty of food.

I learned all of this, of course, from my own mother. And from the other amazing women in my family who are so skilled at the Art of Hospitality. Truthfully, I think hospitality is part of our Cuban DNA. Which is why it makes me so happy that my family stepped up in this way.

(The "hanging in space" letters, however, are mine. I used them to decorate back in December, see this post: Finding Joy. It was made with my Silhouette Machine, which was hijacked by Lucy to make this particular sign, but that's not important right now.)

I'm the one who usually does all these things. The Best Mother's Day Gift for me was that they had done it just like I would have. In this case, imitation truly was the best form of flattery.

There was the Cuban coffee, perfectly brewed and served by Amy. (Here's her video: How to Make Cuban Coffee With Killer Espuma. You're Welcome.)

Lucy made The Monkey Bread, which was, as always, a big hit. Here's the recipe: About the Monkey Bread or Rule Breaking 101.

Which left me free to enjoy all their efforts and bask in their love and feeling like maybe this motherhood thing was something I'd done pretty well.

And the Cuban Hospitality? Well, I am understanding that, like most life lessons, is something more caught than taught.

Good job, people. I think my job here is done.

Also, I love you, too.

Where in the world is Marta today?

I realize I haven't been posting as often as I like and I apologize, but that doesn't mean I'm not around. In fact, I seem to be all over the web today. I'm guest posting in a couple of places:

I have an essay about Mother's Day over at the Tiki Tiki. I tell you a lot about Luza. It's titled "My Mother. My Inspiration."  Or as I like to call it: Not your typical Mother's Day tribute. (But that's not important right now.) Click on over and leave some comment love. I think you'll enjoy it.

I also have a homeschooling article about how I taught both my boys to read over at Mommy Maestra. It's called "Tintin and the Reluctant Reader." Please click on the link if you're interested (or at least curious).

Thanks for your patience. I'll be back in my own neighborhood very soon. And have I got stuff to tell you!

Besos,
Marta

A Big, Fat, Cuban Family Mother's Day

My big, fat, Cuban family is made up of dozens of amazing women that I am blessed to be related to. I know many of you feel the same.

And because I consider (our readers) as family, I thought Mother's Day would be a great day to pay tribute to your special moms right here.

Thank you for the privilege of including us as you celebrate the lives of these special women.

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From Angela Garcia (and the grandkids) to her mother-in-law:

Happy Mother's Day Mamasan! 
We are so lucky to have such a beautiful and smart Grandmother.  
Your smile, the sound of your laughter, and the tastes and smells from you kitchen
 will always be in our hearts no matter where we are.
We love you,
Alexis, Rachel, Billy, Charley, Andie & Matthew

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From Chantel Acevedo to her mother, Marta Quinn:

The most important thing a person can know is that she is loved, and my Mami gave me that gift every day.

Abrazos,

Chantel

 

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From Magy to her mother, Irma Navarro:

Hi! My name is Magy and I am sending this picture of my beloved and most cherished mom of last year's Mother's Day.  Mami passed away Dec 7th of last year.  Here she is in this picture with our dad, Julio, my nephew Jonathan, mu sister Jackie, Mami, Me (Magy), my brother Juli and my niece Jeanette.
 
My mother was blessed in so many ways and in retrospect, I would say last year was one of the most memorable years.  I guess it was the Lord's gift to us in preparation of what was ineveitable.
 
Our Mom was an Alzheimer's victim for 12 years and at almost 77 yrs of age, Jesus came and, while still sleeping, took her back to her eternal home.
 
I thank you God for having blessed with such a beautiful, sweet, simple and sensitive mother, my madrecita querida, Irma Navarro, may she rest in eternal peace.  Thank you, mami, thank you for everything.
 
I'll love you through eternity. 

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From Maria E. Prieto to her mother, Pilar Dieguez:

My mother, Pilar Dieguez, is 91 years old and is the best mom anyone could ask for.  She always has a smile and gives the best hugs in the world.  It is from her that I got my love of cooking!  She is a great example of what a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother should be!

Maria E. Prieto
"Orgullosa de ser Cubana"

 

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Anne Marie Fields to her mom, Angie:

My mami is an amazing woman. She loves her family like you wouldn't believe. Whatever life sends her way, she overcomes. What I love about her is her spirit - that she can love God with reckless abandon, hug whomever needs to be loved, and strike up a conversation with a wall. It helps that she's the greatest person to have at my side when I'm cooking. Hats off to the greatest sous-chef and nurse and counselor I've ever known! <3

 

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From Carice & Chelsey Marie Fabregas to their Mom, Ody:

Dear Mommy,
Thank you for your love and kindness all the time, not just when things are good, but when things are tough too. Happy Mothers Day! I love you very much,
Te quiero,
Chelsey Marie

Mommy,
Thank you for being such an amazing mother. You are an example to me everyday. Thank you for everything you do for me and the family. When I grow up i pray that i have the same grace and attributes that you have.

Happy Mothers Day! I love you!
Carice

 

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From Matt Atkinson to his Mom, Penny:

My mother is so cool.  She's one of the only mother's I know who dyes her hair unnatural colors, gets tattoos, and performs in college plays. I can't count the number of times people my age have come up to me saying: "Your mom is so awesome!"  My mother really is a character, and she's comfortable with being herself.  Sometimes she may be a little embarrassing, but it seems like I'm the only one who ever thinks so, everyone loves her.  Including me.  I can't thank her enough for all sh e does for me. 

Thanks mom. Thanks for being cool.

Matt

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From Mary Zonneveld to her mom (My BFF), Pam Pensiero:

What can be said about a Mom as amazing as mine? She is always trying her best to put the needs of others above herself! She did an amazing job raising us. She had to sacrifice a lot to raise Godly kids, but her efforts paid off! I have so many fun memories of my life growing up and it's all because of her and all the hard work she did for us! Now that I am a mom I can only hope to be as good of a mother as she was to me. She is the best "Coco" (Grandma) I could have ever wanted for my daughter! I thank God every day that He allowed her to be my Mother!
All I can say is "Thank you Mom. I am so thankful for everything you have done in my life!"

"I love you more, Mom!"

MARY (& CJ)

 

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Thank you so much for letting us be a part of your lives. I am richer for knowing you all.

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day Blog Shout Out

Kikita here.

In case you didn't know (because you've been so busy getting ready for "Kikko de Mayo") Mother's day is THIS SUNDAY.

I know what you're thinking: "¡Ay Kikita! I'm not ready! I don't know what to get her!"

Never fear! Kikita is here!

(Ok, I really can't take the credit for this because it was Mami's idea, but that's not important right now.)

What should you get YOUR Mami for Mother's Day you ask yourself? What about some face time on your favorite blog? Send us a few lines about how cool your Mami is and attach a picture of you together and we'll post them over the weekend. (Yes, you will definitely still need to send her flowers, but what a fun gesture to be on a blog that you love!)

Here's an example for your reading pleasure:

I have the coolest Mami in the whole world. She is my favorite traveling buddy. She taught me how to be smart and funny and the most beautiful Cubana ever! She is a magnificent cook and I am lucky that she lets me hijack on her blog sometimes. My Mami is so cool. She wrote the book on coolness. I only hope that I am half as cool as she is. Happy Mother's Day, Mami!

Got that?

So, grab your favorite picture of you and your Mami and then email it (and the couple of lines) HERE.

Do it.

Now. =D