Wow, I blinked, and it’s June. Unbelievable. I’m finding out the truth about “the older you get, the faster time goes.” I don’t know where the weeks or months go. I am feeling guilty lately for how busy we have been. Do you ever feel like your weeks just constantly fill up so fast?
I love to cook, and I love to have people over for dinner. Not this winter, but last winter, we had different friends or family over once a weekend during the slower months. It was so nice to visit with people who we didn’t get to see very often. This winter, we had too much going on to do it each week like the winter before. (Between two surgeries, a full bedroom remodel and going to school, it’s no wonder.) I’m Andrea of Andrea’s Country Home Cookin and have hardly been able to have our parents over for a meal lately.
I had a brunch for Mother’s Day, which was so nice, and it makes me wish I could do it more often. We just get so caught up in everyday life, and it never seems to slow down.
The Mother’s Day brunch was so nice, though. We had such a wonderful time, and I couldn’t wait to hand out gifts. My mother-in-law, Marlene McElroy Rook, has the most gorgeous flowers you have ever seen. She can take care of flowers like no one’s business! In fact, a year ago, a friend of mine was going to visit Africa and needed someone to watch her plants. She had so many of them that she asked anyone to help if they were able. I volunteered thinking, “How hard can it be to keep a houseplant?” I mean, my ferns always look top-notch outside all summer. After all, they are my favorite because it’s something I can keep alive and look stunning all summer long because they don’t need 24/7 round-the-clock care.
Well, this house plant gave me a run for my money. I even bought a little spritzer to spritz that baby, and after two weeks, it started turning yellow, and the leaves were wilting as if the plant was trying to say, “Someone help me!” I blamed our well water and asked myself why, for the love of God, did I volunteer to plant sit when I know I don’t have a green thumb. I put that sad plant the size of a small tree into our car and drove it over to my mother-in-law’s to save this puppy before my friend came home a few weeks later.
This was a feisty little plant, even my mother-in-law said it wasn’t easy, and she is Mrs. Green Thumb! The plant looked OK when it went back home, and my sweet momma-in-law did all she could for it.
I told my friend I would buy her a new one, but she said she would have it back to life in no time and just really appreciated me taking care of her plant. (Hey, at least it wasn’t dead! Haha) So for Mother’s Day, I got my momma-in-law a gift card to the Potting Bench over in South Williamsport.
Guys, I spoke of this in my column last fall, but I am giving them a shout-out again. Their flowers are gorgeous, the ice cream is to die for, and the family who owns it is so sweet. In fact, tonight we are going for ice cream after my daughter’s dance recital practice! I’m going to get me a Fluffernutter sundae. It’s my fav. Vanilla ice cream with drizzled peanut butter and marshmallow topped with crumbs of graham cracker and Nutter Butter cookies on top with whipped topping. Anyone need a drool cup!? Go check them out! Amazing business in our area. I was excited that the gift card could be used for not only flowers but ice cream, frozen drinks, and even cute crafts. They have it all!
Long story short, for one of my momma’s gifts, the week of Mother’s Day, I talked to her about going shopping and teased her about going to the Harley shop because I have a pile of gift cards for Horsepower from Christmas. She laughed. I told her maybe they would have a shirt that says MOMMA OF BIKERS since my brother and I both ride. She said she would love that, but what she really wanted was a Momma of Andrea’s Country Home Cookin shirt.
A light bulb went off, and Mother’s Day was in four days. I quickly called up my bestie, Lindsay Mertes, because she makes all kinds of stuff with her Cricut. I went down to Hobby Lobby the next day to get a shirt, dropped it off to Linds, and had a shirt that evening. This adorable light pink shirt that reads ‘Momma of Andrea’s Country Home Cookin.’
When she opened it, you knew she was excited. She couldn’t wait to wear it proudly, but I asked her to wait. Why? Well, I thought it would be fun for a little contest. My momma hasn’t worn it out in public yet, but the very FIRST person to see her in it and say something will get one of my cookbooks and one of my cookie jars! Hint: A few of her hot spots are Sam’s Club, Aldi, Wegmans, thrift shops, and anywhere that sells a good coke slushy. (Tania Lee, I know you are cracking up at the coke slush remark right now!) Momma loves her coke slushies, and she is super friendly.
Happy hunting and good luck!
Frozen Strawberry Lemonade
Ingredients:
• 1 bag of frozen strawberries
• 2 Tbsp. of frozen lemonade concentrate
• 2 cups of sprite
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
Directions:
Add ingredients to a blender and mix well.
Serve in a glass, garnish with a slice of lemon, take a sip and feel instantly cold this summer!
