Last updated on July 20th, 2016
“M” is for the many times she beat me.
“O” is for the other times she beat me.
Just kidding!
My mother never beat me. Instead, she encouraged my culinary interests. When I was 8 years old, she taught me how to make pancakes and waffles from scratch. I loved the feel of the wire whisk in my hand as it turned flour, baking powder, eggs and milk into velvety batter.
A few years later, she let me plunder her cookbook cabinet. I can recall the time I made Oeufs a la Neige from a recipe that required every pot, pan, and measuring cup in our well-stocked kitchen. My mother loved the dessert so much that she asked me to make it for a dinner party to which only grownups were invited. This did wonders for my ego.
She tolerated my youthful attempts at interior design, too. One afternoon, when both she and my father were away, I re-arranged the furniture in the living room. Mercifully she liked the new lay-out. (As most of you know, I still like to decorate rooms.)
Well. Enough blathering. It’s time for you to meet my mother:
Here she is, the amazing Joyce Kippen Jacobs, standing beside my equally-awesome father, LeRoy Frederick Jacobs. They’ve been married for 177 years. Obviously they exfoliate and moisturize religiously.
Now, because my mother lives in Spokane, Washington, and I live 3,000 miles away in Upstate New York, I can’t personally deliver gifts for Mother’s Day. I have to send them. These two gifts have proven colossal hits:
Professionally-Arranged Flowers. Who doesn’t like to receive these? Over the years, I’ve ordered countless bouquets through 1-800-Flowers. The blooms are fresh and long-lasting. Pictured above is one of my favorite Mother’s Day arrangements — “Lavender Dreams.”
Restaurant Gift Certificates. Since my parents like to dine out, last year I called their favorite restaurant, and asked them to send my mama a $100 gift certificate. (I sent the same gift to my father for Father’s Day.) The gesture was a huge hit, for it enabled my mother to knock back countless cocktails at the bar, while she contemplated her favorite child. Who I suspect isn’t me.
Now, if your mother lives within easy driving distance, you can always surprise her by whipping up one of these screamingly delicious treats:
Petit Fours with White Chocolate Glaze. All you need is a frozen pound cake, some colorful jams, and some molten white chocolate. Here’s the recipe.
Fabulous Almond Butter Cookies (GF). These are beautifully perfumed, subtly sweet, and gluten-free. I can’t imagine anyone not liking them! The recipe.
Earl Grey Cookies. Tea leaves and a splash of rose water give these biscuits an irresistible scent. They are a cinch to make. The recipe.
Limoncello Cupcakes. Oh me oh my. These are gorgeous to behold, and sinfully delicious to eat. And just wait until you take a bite, and discover the orange marmalade that’s hidden inside. The recipe.
And speaking of marmalade…
Marmalade Cake. Make it, freeze it, deliver it. The moist texture and bright orange perfume will knock your mother off her feet. Hopefully she won’t break a hip. My step-by-step recipe.
Monkey Bread. This isn’t the cheap and tawdry dessert made with canned biscuits. It’s the traditional version, made with sweet roll dough. And it’s so delicious you won’t want to share it with anyone. Not even your mom. So you might as well send her flowers. Or the aforementioned gift certificate. The recipe.
Rhubarb Streusel Puffs. I made these the other day, and immediately wished my mother lived nearby so she could try them, too. They are sexy, seasonal, and scrumptious. To try them is to love them. Here’s the step-by-step.
And now I have a question for you. In the comments field below, say something about your mother. You can also tell me what, if anything, you are doing for Mother’s Day!
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Beverly, zone 6, eastern PA says
I am visiting Mom tomorrow, driving about an hour away, and already sent her a fancy home-made pop-up card.(My Dad will evaluate this craft project to determine how it was assembled.) My gift will be some snazzy new garden snippers to aid Mom in her pruning chores. For decades, she sacrificed selflessly for her 4 kids and is still a source of inspiration and admiration at age 81!
Hooray for Moms!
Linda S Hart says
WHAT A NICE TRIBUTE!
Lynda Kowalski says
My daughter lives in Salem Oregon and I live in the Genesee Valley of Western NY so gifts have always been a long distance issue. Last year she teamed up with a local son to pay for a family cruise to the Western Caribbean. I can’t expect that every year but I love gift cards to my favorite eateries, the garden store for plants that that remind me of them for years to come and of course a phone call.
Rhonda Strahler says
I surely wish my Mom was still here to talk to. She is just beautiful, and you are blessed to have such wonderful parents.
Sarah Crump says
Lovely to meet your parents, Kevin. I no longer have my mom, but I will have two of three children with me this Mother’s Day weekend.
Polly Husted says
Darling couple — happy together, and sooo proud of their son. Happy Everything!
eileen says
WOW how do you make a home made pop up card? Kevin sounds like we found you a new project !
Mary Ripma says
Good Friday was the 20th anniversary of the passing of my wonderful and courageous mother. She was widowed in her late 40’s when her eldest child was 18 and I, her youngest child of 4 children, was 6. She returned to teaching to support our family. She took me camping, gave me sewing and swimming lessons, and on school mornings waiting to drive me to school always asked “Etes vous pret?” These gifts all led to my lifelong interests and I think of her fondly often.For Mother’s Day I will be together with my husband of 38 years, my 2 sons and can trust that my daughter will call. Such a blessing to have had a competent MOM and to be a MOM year-round but especially on Mother’s Day!
Diane R. says
Nice to meet you Joyce and LeRoy. Happy Mother’s Day Joyce…your wonderful son is just so loved around here.
Barbara Zakrzewski says
A mash-up of those two gorgeous people created the wonderful you! A delightful article, so happy to meet them here on your page.
Martha C. says
Thanks to your Mom (and Dad) for creating the intelligent and entertaining person that you are who has shared so many wonderful recipes…not to mention great garden advice! I always look forward to your posts!
CynthiaJo says
What a lovely couple! I hope she has a wonderful Mother’s Day!
Jamie Smith says
Hi Kevin, I never thought about asking the restaurant to send a gift certificate…..My mom passed away in January, but I’m so blessed to have wonderful step mom! She & my dad are 3000 miles away too in central California. Btw your parents have awesome blue eyes
Peggy says
Au contraire, Kevin, I am sure your Mom (and Dad) are very proud of you! Parents, for the most part, try not to favor one child over another, so I wouldn’t think yours do either and love you and your sibs for who you are. Lovely photos and write-up – bet Mom and Dad thoroughly enjoy reading your posts and readers’ comments. Happy Mother’s Day, Joyce!
Susy b says
I have to visit my Mom in the cemetary. Shes been gone since 1974 at young age of 39,,,,,, so, its flowers every year for her.
Terry says
My Mom has been gone for many years, but I see her in the mirror every morning now. teehee! She was a great Mom to my three brothers and me. Hey, I grew up in the Spokane area. What a coincidence! 🙂
Sherri Gallant says
Thanks for a very useful and entertaining Mother’s Day post! It’s like getting a gift, which is how I feel about everything you post 🙂
My Mother is 92, still lives in her own place and cooks beautiful meals for herself every night, which is probably why she’s still in her own place and standing on her own two feet. It’s all the broccoli, I’m convinced. She gets extra points because I was adopted. My Mom (and Dad) poured all the love she (they) had and then some into me (and my adopted brother, too). When I was a wanker of a teenager, she hung in there. When I made horrendous errors in judgement and went to her for help, she never once hesitated to go above and beyond. She and my Dad have taught me the meaning of unconditional love. And they have shown me that family doesn’t have to mean people you share DNA with. Family are the people who are by your side even though they don’t have to be.
Love to you and yours this weekend and always!
Sandy says
I loved this post! Any mother would be happy to read it.
Janet says
My mother is Ann and she had 6 children in 8 yrs. She is 83 and still going strong!! Just spoke with her a few days ago and she bought 10 geraniums in pots to decorate her yard with which she does every year in Michigan. She says “chalk the money spent to my entertainment budget”
She loves gardening and even has a son named Kevin!!
Love reading your posts Kevin…
Tina says
Your parents look so sweet! You are lucky to still have both of them. I’m sure they’re both very proud of you!
Trudi says
I remember that mom could talk to anyone about anything. She was a librarian and artist . and If she didn’t know ,she was ready to learn . We had little in the way of material things .but she was an adventurous and awesome cook … and she loved to dance and find fun things to do on a rainy day. Our sons remember her as a really fun ,nice grandma. She was a great example for me to follow when i became a grandma Drat ,now i have tears in my eyes! Thanks for the recipes . I’m planning to make one of them for my DIL for her Mother ‘s day !
Here is an electronic hug for you mom who raised a great son. !
Cathy Matthews says
Hi, Kevin. I know your mom and dad are very proud of you. They must be fascinating people to have raised such a talented son. I am doing a painting of the house my mom was born in in 1932. The house was a two-story in Kannapolis, NC, and belonged to her grandmother. We rode by there a couple of months ago, and the house was GONE. They had torn it down and there was only grass. :'( In the past when we would ride by, she would tell the story of how the doctor came to the house to deliver her. They always told her the mill almost shut down when she was born. People used to hang around in the yard waiting to go to work at the mill. Grandma boarded people in the rooms upstairs, but would occasionally find a vagrant had decided to sleep there and mom would have to help her disinfect the room. I have actually painted that house twice before early in my art career, but never happy with either one. The first painting was lost somehow. She has asked me repeatedly to paint it, so that’s what I’m doing as a surprise to her. Luckily I have photo references, but I am trying to paint it as I think she may remember it in the 1940’s with Grandma sweeping the yard and a little mom in the yard. Wish me luck.
Sandy Avery says
Of course you are her favorite. You are all her favorites. My mother promised us that her favorite color was sunset – rather than agree with a single one of us that the best color in the world was pink, purple, orange, yellow or red.
Thanks for the fabulous website!
Julie B says
That’s a wonderful photo of your folks, Kevin, and a very thoughtful and loving tribute. I’m sure they’ll enjoy it even more than we, your readers, did. It’s a gift that keeps on giving!
Ann Honer says
Your mother must be very proud of you.
Robin Hudson says
She must be amazing judging how you turned out!
I got my mom a lavender plant from 1800flowers – it arrived this morning, looking good, but a little limp from being in a hot box over night. It’s in a sunny spot on the deck right now and I’m sure it’ll perk up by dinner time.
Phyllis McDaniel-Cook says
Your are truly blessed to have your parents alive and well! I to have both and cherish them everyday. I do feel for you for the miles between you and them, as I am only a couple of hours away from mine.
Being a mother of 6, I know, she will treasure your gifts dearly. Thank you for sharing them with us (your readers).
Linda says
My Mom loves wearing socks to bed and she loves Bernie Sanders. I sent her some Bernie “Feel the Bern” Sanders socks that I’m sure will keep her feet cozy and warm all night long! My Mom always loved to cook from the living room or outside in the yard and burned something almost every night for our dinner, but she made the BEST pies I’ve ever tasted! Always a flaky crust! “After you add the ice water, don’t handle the dough more than absolutely necessary”.
You look like your Mom! Happy Mother’s Day!
Helen H. says
My Mom is not here anymore, but I believe she is smiling at me from heaven.. She and my dad stayed with me every winter until Daddy passed away at age 98, then Mom was with me until she died a year later at 94. I miss both of them every day. You are so lucky to have both of your beautiful parents, Three of my five children will be taking me to lunch on Mother’s Day, Hope all your readers who are mothers have a wonderful day!!
despina says
she looks BEAUTIFUL! You look like her. what a great looking couple.
despina
Tina Knowlton says
Absolutely lovely tribute to her, Kevin. It’s hard to believe that she has been married that long!! And, sir, your recipes on this page have me heading for the KitchenAid mixer, butter and sugar in hand!
Ann says
What attractive parents you have
What attractive parents you have!! Love that floral arrangement too!! I lost my mom many year ago but fond memories of our high tea in beautiful floral tea cups that I have…..so enjoy you Kevin
Doris Gaumont says
Beautiful couple…..and so thoughtful and loving of you to introduce them,
Nancy Eldridge says
Oh, Kevin! I think you are so funny. I literally laugh out loud at my desk at work when I read your latest stories! I know your Mom and Dad must be sooo proud! Joyce and Leroy, we Love Kevin. Thanks for being such a great Mom (and Dad).
Marianne says
What a sweet post! Your parents look stupendous, and such wonderful gift ideas. I lost my Mom when I was 19 and she 46, an idiot decided it would be okay to get drunk and drive.
Diane Hinkle says
Your parents created and raised a delightful son. I am sure they are as proud of you as you are of them. I only wish my mother was still alive for another Mother’s Day. She loved being really special for a day but to me she was special every day. I will be at a ball game with my grand daughter this Mother’s Day. A nice treat for me.
Linda says
You , my dear are so Funny ! And such a good son! Keep up the good work.
Liz says
Happy Mother’s Day to all! I hope every one enjoys their day!
arlene s bice says
Bless you! Just in time for a Tea I’m hosting. Thank you for all your posts.
arlene s bice says
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Bless you! Just in time for a Tea I’m hosting. Thank you for all your posts.
Rebecca says
Happy Mothers Day Joyce, I bet your as sweet as the cupcakes Kevin ( when he said meet my Mom) posted. You have the same happy face Kevin does. Have a wonderful day.
Leia says
You have lovely parents. The recipes almost make me want to cook again. Almost.
Valerie C. says
Such a beautiful family! Happy Mother’s Day Mrs. J.!
Reena Bergstrom says
Thank You Kevin, Your parents look wonderful. You are so blessed to still have them both. Happy Mother’s Day to your Mom and Many, Many more! 🙂
Lisa says
I’m missing my mama who is probably in heaven preparing a beautifully appointed and sumptuous Mothers Day Tea with all the other Mamas that live near her. I suspect in fact she is making some of your recipes which will undoubtedly include the marmalade cake, as orange marmalade used to make her blissfully sigh.
anita says
Sounds like you have terrific parents. Wish I still had mine.
And of course, you are a terrific son.
Mary says
No one like our mothers! Whether they are still with you physically or just a memory in your heart celebrate them!
Mary Gene says
Happy Mother’s Day, Joyce.
I miss my Mother many days. Fortuantely, I have a daughter who makes Mother’s Day special and reminds me that my Mother lives on in the two of us.
Samantha Gray says
Enjoy your parents while you have them! Wish I could speak with mine, but I don’t have the number. Hereafter’s a long way off and the connection isn’t very clear. My kids make Mother’s Day wonderful for me. And I still have my bright and active 94 year old mother-in-law to celebrate, along with my 91 year old mentor who is my “foster mom” and still runs a full nursing practice.
Denise McInerney says
Happy Mother’s day to your mom! My own Mom was my best friend and I think of her and miss her every day.
I made your Petit Fours with White Chocolate Glaze and took them to a party. Everyone was astonished at how well they turned out–including me! I kept the bits left over from cutting out the shapes, froze them, and use them to make a trifle later on.
FYI, I just now tried to follow the link to the Petit Fours recipe and got the dreaded “404 no longer available” message. So something must still be a little wonky with the site.
Denise McInerney says
Now the link to the petit fours is working again! I think there must be a poltergeist roaming your blog today!
Julie R says
Kevin, you are so fortunate to still have your parents. I enjoyed reading about them, and what a nice photo of them. My my, don’t they still look so good considering you said that they have been married for 177 years = ) And what a smart and funny son they have.
I wish that I still had my parents, but I am so thankful for all of the great years that I did have them.
Thanks for all of the great Mother’s Day gift ideas, and yummy looking desserts.
Cindy Cox says
My 4 siblings and I are planting a mini orchard for our mother! She lives with my husband and I on our almost 2 acre lot in a small town in MO..This lot had nothing on it except the home when we bought it 2 years ago. Besides the orchard, we’re planting shade trees and flowers. I want my Mom to enjoy her golden years by having all the fruits, nuts, berries, flowers and trees that she could possibly want!
MJ Dailey says
My mom is 96 years old, lives by herself, and does water aerobics 3 times a week. I hope to live as long and healthy as her. I am blessed to have her in my life for so long. She lives on the other side of the country and I miss having the everyday closeness my sisters get to have with her.
Jerelyn Sehl says
My beautiful mom died in 1993 at the age of 74 from cancer. WAY too young! I miss her every day. I so wish we could share things together. I know it would be fun for her to read your blog and try your recipes. She was a fantastic cook. She loved to sew and made a lot of my clothes when I was at home. I remember the time we were shopping somewhere…I was now a real grown up with a leadership type job and was looking for some professional type outfits, so i was trying stuff on and then ask for her opinion. She started to cry and when I asked her why she said she felt so bad that I had to wear home made clothes when I was growing up! I hope I reassured her enough that I loved everything she ever made for me! I love you forever, Evelyn Margaret Otto Ryan!
Carol says
Hi Mom & Dad, it is such a “pleasure” to meet you! My Mom left us 3 days after my husband passed and I truly miss them both. What an honor it is to have such a “special” day dedicated to focus on our Moms! You are truly a blessing to us, Kevin, and though we have just met you, we feel you are a part of our family. Thank you for ALL your efforts and for the kindness in your heart to share what you do with others!!! God bless you always, Carol T. 🙂
Myrtle Miller says
My Mom lived to be eighty-one . When I miss her I see her in my dreams. Her favorite color was purple and she taught me the value of compassion. My youngest looks like her and reminds me of her.