To all our wonderful Mom’s out there…Happy Mother’s Day! I’ll have to settle for a virtual hugs, with the family up in Ohio. But I’m lucky enough to talk with my Mom must about everyday so we can tease each other about who has the better weather, and keep trying to figure out just when spring will finally arrive in Cleveland. Best estimate now is sometime in August! Congratulations to the winners of the Big Book of Cupcakes who knew the correct answer to the official declaration establishing Mother's Day as an official holiday came in 1914-Susan Byham and Nancy Lillo!

What will you and your kids be doing in the kitchen to surprise Mom for Mother’s Day? I’d love to hear about your family traditions, and if you’d like to share some recipes that would be great. One of my favorite websites has this incredibly rich and delicious recipe for Banana Bread that would be a great dish to surprise Mom with for brunch on Sunday; check it out! Please let me know what you think, and I would especially like to know how you might tweak the recipe to lighten it up, or make it even more decadent!

Why not have the kids try making something from Lauren Chattman, the author of “Bread Making; Crafting the Perfect Loaf From Crumb to Crust.” (Click here to listen to my interview with her.) If baking your own bread feels intimidating, or just too much work, think again! This is one of the ultimate how-to’s when it comes to learning how to fill your home with the aroma of freshly baked bread, with recipes I especially enjoy for my bread maker.  And for all our Moms, we’ll have the chance for you to win your very own copy of Lauren’s book too. Send me your favorite Mother’s Day memory to 949comments@coxtampa.com and we’ll select two to win this wonderful book.

Thanks for stopping by Kelly’s Kitchen, and Happy Mother’s Day!

Ann Kelly