Thursday, May 10, 2018

A MOTHER IS ALWAYS A MOTHER – SHE WILL LOVE YOU NO MATTER...






When Thumper first encountered the young Bambi, he commented, “He’s kinda wobbly!”  Thumper’s wise mother gently reproved him by saying, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.”  (Poetic licence allowed in the use of the double negative).  There was nothing negative about the friendship formed between Thumper and Bambi, though. Thumper heeded his Mum’s words of wisdom. 

At the age of four years I went with my mother to view Disney’s “Bambi” movie.  My tears flowed like monsoonal rain when Bambi’s mother died.  

At that point in my life I didn’t care about double negatives; I’d not a clue what they were; but the thought of losing one’s mother I understood.

I’ve read “Little Women” (and its sequels) numerous times; similar applies to the movie.  June Allyson’s portrayal of “Jo March” remains my favourite film characterisation.  “Marmee”, the patient mother of the four March sisters was the quintessential mother – an embodiment of hope and love.

 
Faced with adversity, the tough determination of Francie’s mother in “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” inspired. 

The bond, respect and love between Lorelai and her daughter, Rory, in the “Gilmore Girls” made for pleasurable viewing. 

M’Lynn and her daughter, Shelby, from “Steel Magnolias” offered no apology for their behaviour. They just went ahead and ripped out our hearts, leaving us distraught in the meantime. 

The three mothers in “Big Little Lies” made us want to join their coffee circle. 
Dorothy’s mother, Sicilian Sophia, in TV’s, “The Golden Girls” frequently caused Dorothy, Blanche and Rose to wish they could send her back to Sicily. 

Imagine living across the road from meddling Marie Barone, Ray’s mother in “Everybody Loves Raymond”.  Although irritatingly intrusive, she did make us laugh.

Indomitable “Roseanne”...so charismatic and always right...just ask her!

Let’s not forget Mrs. Bennett, the mother from “Pride and Prejudice”.  She may have wanted the best for her daughters, but she was enough to scare the most ardent of admirers away. 

It’s all very well to tell someone to “get stuffed”, but to actually take it to the literal extent like Norman Bates did with his domineering mother, Norma, is really going overboard. 

Stepping into modern day, while taking myriad paces back in time to a fantasy world of ancient dynasties vying for what looks like a very uncomfortable throne, the violent, no holds barred game played in “Game of Thrones” by the vicious, conniving, game-playing, evil mother, Cersei Lannister, who constantly schemes, tossing principles aside, not caring who gets hurt, or killed takes the cake.

The above are just a few of the fictional mothers who have kept us entertained through the years.  However, let’s pay homage to the real mothers; our real-life mothers - without whom you and I wouldn’t exist!

Agatha Christie wrote: “A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity.  It dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.”

Jackie Kennedy said: “If you bungle raising your children, I don’t think whatever else you do well matters very much.”  

Happy Mother’s Day to all Mums, grand and great...Sunday, 13th May....

Make every day a Happy Mother's Day.....

Almond Berry French Toast: Spray 9x13 dish. Cut 1 whole wheat baguette into 1-inch cubes; arrange in single layer in dish. Whisk 8 large eggs, 8 large egg whites, 2c milk, 1tsp vanilla, 1/2tsp cinnamon and 1/3c pure maple syrup. Pour over bread; make sure liquid saturates the bread. Scatter 2c fresh blueberries or berries of choice on top; sprinkle with 1/3c sliced almonds and 2tbs brown sugar; cover; chill overnight. Place, uncovered, in 175C oven; bake 40-50mins.  

Mamma Mia Quiche: Grease bottom of 9-inch pie dish.  Peel 2 medium kumara; slice into 1/8th inch rounds. Layer dish with rounds, base and sides to form “crust”; halve slices for sides of dish, if needed; spray slices with oil; season. Bake 20mins in 190C oven. In pan over med-high heat, add 1tsp olive oil; add 1 small chopped onion. Sauté 1min; add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1c halved cherry tomatoes. Cook 2mins. Add 4c spinach; cook until fully wilted. Remove from heat; set aside. Tofu filling; blend 374g tofu, 3tbs nutritional yeast, 1tbs olive oil, 1 garlic clove and ground sage in a food processor/blender; season. Blend until smooth. Add filling to vegies; mix gently. Once crust is cooked, add filling; smooth out top. Bake 30mins, or until filling starts to brown.

Mum’s Muffins: Spray muffin pan. Heat 1tbs x-virgin olive oil in saucepan; add 1-1/4c raw quinoa; sauté 3-5mins; stir often; add 1-1/4c water and 1tsp salt. Bring to boil; cover; simmer15-20mins until water is absorbed and quinoa tender, but not mushy. Set aside.  Cook 240g sliced mushrooms and 3 shredded zucchini in pan with olive oil, salt, pepper and crushed garlic. Sauté 10-12mins until liquid is gone; set aside. In bowl, combine 6 large beaten eggs, salt; add 1c shredded cheddar; add vegetables and quinoa; mix well. Fill muffin pans about 3/4 of the way. Sprinkle crumbled feta on top of each muffin. Bake in 190C oven 20mins, or until eggs are cooked.  Makes 18. 

 
My Late Mother at the age of 18 years - Always in my heart...

My Nana...Mum's Mother...at age of 16 years...Always in my heart


32 comments:

  1. Your post is a fine tribute to all mothers, literary and real.
    The picture of your Mom is priceless!
    Thanks for sharing some wonderful recipes suitable on a Mother's Day.

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    1. Hey there, DUTA....My mother had beautiful rich auburn hair, and Nana's was a deep chestnut. They both raised my now late older brother, Graham and me, at time when such a position to be in wasn't as common as it is nowadays.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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    2. Missed the picture of you Nana. She's beautiful!

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    3. Thanks,DUTA. Nana had a calmness about her...she dealt with a lot, and she stood by our mother, and my brother and me, without complaint....with love and wisdom. :)

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    4. You look like your Nana :)

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    5. Yes, in certain ways I do, River. Nana had blue eyes, though...and mine are hazel. :)

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  2. Anonymous7:47 PM

    You do have some lovely old photos. It would quite inappropriate for me to say, I can't wait to get my hands on my mother's photos. The women of that vintage were an uncomplaining lot. They had their roles and their ideas but you rarely knew what they were thinking. I guess I am talking more about your grandmother's time.

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    1. Hi Andrew. Both my grandmother and mother didn't fit the usual moulds of those of their respective eras. Each were quite unique. I'm pretty sure I knew what they were thinking...as much as anyone can know what another thinks.

      Long story...bits of which I've written about previously...and, no doubt, will again.

      Thanks for coming by....I hope your Mum enjoys her Mother's Day. :)

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  3. I tell you what - we miss our mothers when they are gone.

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    1. That is true, Sandie. :)

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  4. How lovely your mother and grandmother were.
    I do like Bates Motel, Norman was certainly was attached to his mother..
    Not having watched most of those films/shows I can't pass my opinion on them - but you wrote a nice tribute to Mothers :)

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    1. Hi, Margaret. I enjoyed watching "Bates Motel", too. I thought Freddie Highmore portrayal of Norman Bates was terrific. He's a good young actor.

      'Tis all a bit of fun... :)

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  5. Most mothers. Some, like some fathers, don't deserve the title.
    And Andrew is right. You have some glorious photos - to match the memories.

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    Replies
    1. What you say is true, EC...but I'm trying to keep on the bright side of things; on the sunny side of the street, as it were.....there is too much gloom and doom around.

      I've all our old family photos. I've not gone through the box of them for a long time...I guess I should one of these days. When I'm no longer terrorising the place they will disappear along with me...there is no one who wants them.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  6. I'm not a mother, but I do have a couple of friends that I "mother." :) And I'll be visiting my supermom and grandmom sister in Florida this weekend. Thanks for this lovely post.

    Just read your comment to EC - I have the same thing with photos. I have a project in mind to put them in albums, so at least they can flip through and look at them when they clear out my place (a long time from now, hopefully.) :)

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    1. Hey, Lynn...I, too, am not a mother....other than a mother to my two furry rascals! I hinted they serve me breakfast in bed on Sunday...but they just smirked at me and purred! :)

      Thanks for coming by - and I hope you have a lovely time with your supermom and grandmom sister on Sunday. :)

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  7. I read "Little Women" numerous times and loved it always, but "Marmee" drove me batty. Couldn't they have said Mama, or Mother instead?
    I couldn't watch The Gilmore Girls, ever, they spoke so fast, I had no hope of understanding anything they said.

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    1. G'day, River...I think there are a lot of families that have special, unique names for their parents and grandparents. A very good friend's two grand-children call her "Grammy".

      I can see nothing wrong with "Marmee"...the mother is such an integral part of the beautiful story of the March family...to me it is heartwarming. But, as with everything...we all have our own individual likes and dislikes.

      You probably don't watch "Scandal", either...there's some fast-paced talking in that, too. :)

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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    2. By the way....I hope you have a Happy Mother's Day, tomorrow...Sunday. Enjoy your special day! :)

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  8. Make everyday a perfect Mother's Day...what wondrous wishes.
    Hope your day is as special as you are.

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    1. G'day Sandra....I never had children of my own, unfortunately. I did drop a lot of hints to my two furry rascals for them to serve me breakfast in bed yesterday, but they just smirked, twitched their whiskers and purred, before snuggling up and going back to sleep! But that was okay, I snuggled up beside them and leisurely read the Sunday paper...it was a chilly morning, just right for doing so. :)

      A Happy Mother's Day, Sandra...thanks for coming by. :)

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  9. We had Mother’s Day in March. You weren’t to know that.

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    1. I did know that the UK celebrated Mother's Day in March, Terry. But, here in Australia, and in the US, too, Mother's Day was celebrated on Sunday, 13th May...and seeing I am an Aussie, living in the wonderful Land of Oz I wrote my post mainly in memory of my late mother and grandmother.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  10. Terry is right. Mother's Day in England was on March 11th but I didn't buy my mother a card or chocolates or flowers as she died in 2007. She was the best mum in the world. No other mother cold compare with her - not even Wilma Flintstone.

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    1. Read my above response to Terry, Yorkie...it applies to you as well, it appears.

      Mother's Day in Australia is celebrated on 13th May...hence my post....


      I'm glad you felt and still feel that way about your late mother.

      I feel similar about my own late mother and grandmother....comparisons don't come into play.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  11. wow look at your mom in that dress, lovely, I could use some of the Momma Mia Quiche right now

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    1. Hi, Linda...Yes, that dress was lavender and white. Mum had it for years...and eventually she ended up making pillow cases out of it.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  12. Your mother was a beauty. As was your nana. You take after them.

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    1. Hi Sandra....my mother did quite a bit of modelling (in those days when she was a young woman the word "mannequin" was used more than "models"). She carried herself well...with poise. She had many years of dancing classes when she was a girl, too, which held her in good stead through the years.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  13. Lovely to see your photographs, thank you so much for sharing them here.
    Although my Dear Mum is no longer with us, she is always in my heart.

    All the best Jan

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    1. My late mother, grandmother and brother are permanently in my heart. I'm the last of the Mohicans.

      Thanks for coming by, Jan. :)

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    ReplyDelete