For me, Mother’s Day is about honoring the mothers in my life, including my mom, stepmother, my two grandmothers, my aunts, my sisters-in-law, and my closest friends. Each year, I enjoy sending the individuals who are still with us a handwritten card letting them know that I am thinking of them—and that I get it, that being a mom is hard work (and there are often not enough thank yous involved in the job!). I certainly cannot forget those women in my life that are not mothers, either by choice or by circumstance, and I have compassion for them, knowing that Mother’s Day can be challenging. 

On Mother’s Day, I will spend time with my girls, Haly and Lily, and my husband, Steve. We’ll all go to brunch at one of my favorite restaurants locally. Of course, mimosas will be served.  We will spend the day together telling stories, reminiscing, and dreaming about our next trip or meal. Our discussions always come back to food. I recently returned from a trip to New York, and I am hoping our next trip will be back to the city where we can return and check off more restaurants from my ever-growing list.  

When we are all together, which is not often enough, I want to pack in as much time with the girls as I possibly can. After brunch, we will make our way to the museum and take in one of the extraordinary exhibits, and, if the weather cooperates, walk through the museum gardens. Taking time to pause and take in the beauty of art and Mother Nature is a gift.  

In the Curious Kitchen is a celebration of the women in my family. My grandmothers had a total of seven children and my mother had four. All three women were strong, independent, women who adored their children and who were great examples to me of how to be a great mother. I will always cherish the beautiful blankets my mom made for my girls before they were born and how much joy it gave my mom to share in the process of putting together their nurseries and to welcome them both into the world. She would be so proud of them today. 

Mother’s Day is bittersweet as I reminisce about all the memories of my mom and how much love she gave to me and my siblings. She is missed everyday. It is in her and my grandmothers’ honor that we work so hard to share our Southern-inspired gourmet foods. From our Pimento Cheese to our Strawberry Jalapeño Jam, each product tells a story of these strong, confident mothers, who not only shaped me into how to be a mom but also touched so many other women throughout their lives. 

Need some Mother’s Day cooking inspiration? Below, you’ll find just a few of the many recipes that remind me of the special women in my life—I’m sure your loved ones will appreciate these dishes, too! Make one or all and treat the hardworking moms in your life to a well-deserved home-cooked meal. 

• Easy Chicken Casserole (my mom always took this to her work potlucks!) 

• Summer Vegetable Salad (this one comes from a special, handwritten recipe book my mom created for me in 1995) 

• Potato Salad (this is my mom’s recipe, and I love how it’s so simple yet so memorable) 

• Sweet Tea Brined Turkey Breast (the use of sweet tea here is in honor of my grandmother!) 

• Caramel Pecan Cake (this is a recipe my grandmother used; I always loved baking with her in her kitchen in North Carolina when I was growing up)