{"id":13733,"date":"2013-05-06T12:46:47","date_gmt":"2013-05-06T17:46:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/crankymouse.com\/?p=13733"},"modified":"2013-05-06T12:47:18","modified_gmt":"2013-05-06T17:47:18","slug":"mothers-day-menu-brunch-and-a-fair-trade-giveaway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crankymouse.com\/index.php\/2013\/05\/06\/mothers-day-menu-brunch-and-a-fair-trade-giveaway\/","title":{"rendered":"Mother’s Day Menu: Brunch and a Fair Trade Giveaway"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ideas for your Mother’s Day brunch, plus a fun Fair Trade Certified giveaway and a few gift ideas for Mom.<\/em>
\n\"\"
\nI am guilty of ruminating. I spend a lot of time inside my own head weighing words and thoughts and ideas, forming opinions. Sometimes I get lost in there with all of those bits and baubles. Today, however, I am just going to share them. (Truth: There is a list of things that I wrote out sitting on the floor next to my bed so that I would remember to share, so this is not spontaneous in the least. \/\/confession)
\n
First, Mother’s Day is on the horizon. I am terrible at Mother’s Day. (Hi, Mom!) I don’t really want anything special like gifts, or a table adorned with flowers. Special would be someone else picking up and deep cleaning my house. I’m not joking in the slightest. This is the only thing I want: Mother’s Day, birthday, anniversary, Christmas, whatever. If you aren’t getting someone to do that, just don’t bother. Still, it seems customary to offer some sort of brunch-like fare for mom. Traditional.
\n
If I were planning a brunch for Mother’s Day, which I am not, I would go this route, serving up a bit of sweet, plenty of savory, a massive bowl of fruit right in between, with a side of espresso. There is never enough espresso, nor enough fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice. <\/p>\n


Savory Dishes \u2013 <\/strong>Creamy Cheesy Grits Casserole<\/a>, Baked Pesto and Prosciutto Egg Crepes<\/a>
\n
Sweet Treats \u2013 <\/strong>Basic Cinnamon Rolls<\/a> or Brioche Apple Cinnamon Rolls<\/a>
\n
On the Side \u2013 <\/strong>Strawberry-Arugula Salad with Ricotta Topping<\/a>
\n
*Looking for a do-ahead? I am a big fan of French toast casseroles like this apple pie French toast bake<\/a>.<\/em>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When I am dreaming up gifts for giving to the mothers in my life, I tend to look for gifts with a purpose. I’m practical, so purpose can mean something I know will be used and appreciated, but it can also mean that it in some way benefits others. Here are three gift ideas that range from practical to purposeful for Mother’s Day.
\n\"\"
\nFor the gardening mom, I had the pleasure of trying out these wellies from Kaufmann Merchantile<\/a>, which are durable and extremely lightweight, making them perfect for summer gardening projects. You can get a $7 gift card when you sign up for their newsletter<\/a>, and they have a great selection of gardening tools, fun outdoor gear (perfect for summer or for Father’s Day if we’re thinking ahead), and specialty products like small batch tonic or a triangle dinner bell.
\n\"\"
\nWhile I was at Big Traveling Potluck<\/a> I had the pleasure of meeting Jeannine Harvey with ONE Campaign<\/a> (remember the sweet potato biscuits<\/a> I did to raise awareness for ONE?) and Barrett Ward with FashionABLE<\/a>. FashionABLE has several different scarf styles, including lightweight that are perfect for cool summer nights. Together they have partnered to bring the Genet scarf to the market, helping Ethiopian women get off the street and into a trade to support themselves. Both are wonderful and worth supporting.
\n\"\"
\nIf you’re looking to shower your mom by feeding her more than just brunch, consider seeking out a few of these Fair Trade Certified<\/a> products to show her how “Moms Make a World of Difference” by celebrating her and moms across the globe. The Fair Trade Certified label signifies that these products are not just quality products, but ones that make a difference by improving the lives of the people that create them and help to protect the environment. The money we all spend on day-to-day goods can make a big difference in the lives of Fair Trade women around the world, such as providing education for their children, keeping food on their tables, and healthcare for their families.
\n
I’m giving away a box of treats, too, that includes:<\/p>\n