Weekend Round-Up

May 9th, 1914 Mother's Day was first observed. The holiday did not receive official recognition until this day when Woodrow Wilson, president, signed a resolution proclaiming Mother's Day an annual observance the first Sunday in May.    

I thought this poem a fitting tribute to all moms. 

Best Poem Pick of the Week
Langston Hughes was a prominent writer during the Harlem Renaissance. In this poem, a mother uses the metaphor of life being like a staircase to give advice to her son. While there are difficult times, you must keep moving like you would while walking up a staircase.
Mother to Son
by Langston Hughes

Well, son, I’ll tell you:
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
It’s had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor—
Bare.
But all the time
I’se been a-climbin’ on,
And reachin’ landin’s,
And turnin’ corners,
And sometimes goin’ in the dark
Where there ain’t been no light.
So boy, don’t you turn back.
Don’t you set down on the steps
’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.
Don’t you fall now—
For I’se still goin’, honey,
I’se still climbin’,
And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

Best Photo of the Week
Sunday was a lovely day to sit outside and dine al fresco. Bella spied the egret and started barking. My husband was quick to snap a picture of the egret who flew to the tree for safety. We didn't know egrets found trees a safe haven.

Here's what we learned 
Nesting is usually in colonies in wetlands and wooded swamps, often with Great Blue Herons and Double-crested Cormorants. Occasionally, a pair will nest alone. The nest is a platform of sticks, twigs, and stems in a tree or tall shrub over water. The clutch is 1 to 6 (average 3) pale, greenish-blue eggs.

Food:Frogs, lizards, snakes, crayfish, fish, mice, birds, aquatic and other insects

Kentucky Derby Follow-Up

If you followed Saturday's blog posting on the Kentucky Derby this is what I posted
My best picks for today's race
Nyquist 3-1
Exaggerator 8-1
Mohaymen 10-1
Gunrunner 10-1and onion)
Creator 10-1
I did well as my money was on Nyquist who was favored 3-1! and my appetizer tray of spiral sandwiches were gone in less than an hour though I did overhear someone remark its easier to order a tray from Costco.

    Spiral Sandwich Appetizers

Cook's notes: This appetizer was really easy to assemble. You need to make it early in the day to chill the flatbread called flatout or tortilla logs for easier cutting. Be creative and alternate logs with different meats, cheeses and cream cheese spread. 

Ingredients:

• flatout (I used whole wheat and Italian Herb) or use tortilla e,g,, spinach or whole wheat
• soft flavored cream cheese ( I used garden vegetable and chive and onion)
• Dijon mustard
• romaine or Bibb lettuce
• ham, turkey, roast beef or a combination  
• swiss, colby jack or cheddar or a combination (use thin slices) 

Directions:

• Assemble all ingredients on counter. Begin with one piece of flatout or floured tortilla. Spread cream cheese on one side. Cover the cream cheese layer with meat and then add cheese, mustard, and lettuce. 
• Roll the flatout tight starting at short end keeping ingredients inside.  Wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Repeat process with another piece of flatout.  Place two plastic covered rolls in a zip loc bag. Refrigerate several hours. Use a serrated knife to cut the rolls. 

Best Drink of the Week for The Kentucky Derby
The Blush Lily

This is Bon Appetit magazine take on a favorite drink for Churchill Downs. On Friday race day some 40, 000 Lily Blush drinks are served.  

Fill a cocktail shaker with crushed ice. Add 6 tablespoons of cranberry juice, 3 tablespoons vodka, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice,  and a splash of Triple Sec. Cover and shake vigorously until chilled. Strain into a glass. 
Recipe makes one drink.