What I want for Mother's Day.

A post I wrote a few years ago, but still relevant today: 

I bet you thought I was going to say "World Peace" or list my five favorite products, didn't you? My people keep asking me what I want for Mother's day and it reminded me of something that someone told me about "love languages". Apparently there is a book by Gary Chapman called The Five Love Languages. I just took a very basic quiz online and I'm still not sure what I am.  I'm in between Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, and Quality Time. For a girl who sells "stuff", I thought it was kind of funny. "Stuff" is usually the last thing that I want.

In the past, several times, I have spent mother's day in bed. No- I wasn't sick. I just remained in my bed all day long. My husband went along with it and brought me my meals... but about dinner time, I could tell he had grown tired of my bell ringing. (Just kidding, I didn't really have a bell)... At one point my daughter Maddy came and crawled into bed with me and we watched my 7th movie of the day. The guilt of laying in bed on a gorgeous day, where I could have been on a bike ride, or working in the yard, went away quickly as Devil wears Prada came on.. and then 50 First Dates... some Harry Potter... to name a few. Ahh, a little peace, and some me time, always nice.

If you are looking for a few ideas for the "mother" in your life, maybe my list will inspire some good ideas. And if none of these hit the mark, go for chocolate.

Top 5 Things that I want for Mother's Day. 

5. A clean house that I did not clean.

4. Laundry done, not by me, but by skilled launderers and completely put away into drawers. With no visible clothing showing or poking out of said drawers.

3. Meals cooked completely not by me, by skilled cooks who know what kind of meals that I enjoy (pizza is always safe).

2. Servants catering to my needs (skilled servants, with no sassy attitudes) that will not grow tired of serving me until at least 11pm on Mother's Day.

1. A happy loving family that makes me home-made cards, gives lots of kisses and does not fight at all for the entire day.

Is that too much to ask for?  

To all the women in my life who have or haven't given birth, I honor you and appreciate you more than you know. And I hope you enjoy the spirit of this day - I know the people you take care of, appreciate you endlessly. 

And when in doubt... Make her (or buy her) Chocolate: 
Chocolate Peanut Butter Torte

Ingredients

Cake
1	package (9 ounces) devil's food cake mix
2	tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2	tablespoons mayonnaise
1	egg
1/2	cup unsweetened applesauce
Glaze
1/3	cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
2	tablespoons heavy whipping cream
2	tablespoons caramel ice cream topping
2	tablespoons creamy peanut butter, divided
	Spanish peanuts (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. For cake, lightly spray Small Bar Pan with nonstick cooking spray. Cut a piece of Parchment Paper to cover bottom of pan. Line pan with Parchment Paper; lightly spray with cooking spray. In Classic Batter Bowl, whisk cake mix and cocoa powder using Stainless Whisk. Add mayonnaise, egg and applesauce; whisk until well blended. Pour batter into pan. Bake 22-25 minutes or until Cake Testerinserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven to Stackable Cooling Rack; cool 5 minutes. Remove from pan; cover with clean Kitchen Towel and cool completely.
2. For glaze, combine chocolate morsels, whipping cream, ice cream topping and 1 tablespoon of the peanut butter in Small Micro-Cooker®. Microwave on HIGH 15-30 seconds or until melted; stir until smooth. Set aside. Place remaining peanut butter inPrep Bowl. Microwave on HIGH 10-20 seconds or until melted and smooth; set aside.
3. To assemble torte, using Serrated Bread Knife, cut cake in half crosswise to form two equal layers. Carefully place one layer on top of the other and trim to match edges. Place one layer onto serving plate. Spread half of the glaze over bottom layer using Small Spreader, allowing glaze to drip down sides. Top with second cake layer. Repeat with remaining glaze. Drizzle with melted peanut butter and swirl into glaze using Quikut Paring Knife. If desired, sprinkle peanuts around bottom of torte. Slice using Utility Knife dipped in hot water.

Yield: 4 servings

Nutrients per serving: Calories 560, Total Fat 27 g, Saturated Fat 10 g, Cholesterol 105 mg, Carbohydrate 71 g, Protein 10 g, Sodium 660 mg, Fiber 4 g

Cook's Tips: If desired, half of a standard devil's food cake mix (9 ounces or 1 3/4 cups dry mix) can be substituted for the 9-ounce package of cake mix.

This recipe can be easily doubled and baked in the Medium Bar Pan using an 18.25-ounce package of devil's food cake mix. Bake at 350°F 28-32 minutes; proceed as recipe directs.

To easily drizzle peanut butter over top of torte, pour melted peanut butter into corner of resealable plastic food storage bag. Twist top of bag; secure. Cut a small tip off corner of bag to allow the peanut butter to flow through.