Culver City Observer -

French Toast for The World’s Best Mom

As kids navigate their way through the annual celebration this Sunday making mom “belle of the ball,” one of the best gifts she can get is a well-deserved day off from her usual routine.

This Sunday the world stops to say “Happy Mother’s Day.” It’s the day in which mom is honored and showered with extra doses of love, gratitude and probably some much needed rest.

The 99-year old official observance of Mother’s Day began in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson signed a congressional measure establishing the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.

But the origins of Mother’s Day can be traced back to ancient Greek festivals during springtime celebrating Rhea, the mother of Greek Gods, Zeus, Poseidon and Hades.

Precedent for Mother’s Day was set when early Christians in England first celebrated a Mother’s festival on the fourth Sunday of Lent in honor of Virgin Mary.

Better known today in England as “Mothering Sunday,” which is still celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent, the centuries old tradition celebrates all mothers, honoring them on this special day with a token of appreciation.

The modern American version of Mother’s Day began in 1858 when an Appalachian housemother, Anna Reeves Jarvis organized a day called “Mother’s Work Days,” with the hope of improving living conditions for all citizens.

After Jarvis died in Philadelphia in May 1905, her daughter, also named Anna, carried on her mother’s activism and petitioned for an official holiday honoring all mothers and is today, credited with originating the official first celebration in Grafton, West Virginia.

Today, the mom-centric day is celebrated in more than 46 countries and is recognized universally as the day to pamper mom.

As the major force in a person’s life and responsible for shaping values, teaching right from wrong and as caregiver number one, the most meaningful gift is family time spent together, which can last longer than any kind of material gift.

So, after letting mom sleep-in, start her day off by preparing a special homemade breakfast, served in bed on a nice tray with a bud vase and her favorite cup of coffee and of course, with a sprinkle or two of love.

With a little help in the kitchen from dad, this irresistible and easy recipe for Vanilla French Toast will sure to bring a smile to mom’s face.

What better way to say, “Mom, you rock!”

Vanilla French Toast

4 eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup half and half

2 tsp. sugar

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. each ground cinnamon and nutmeg

8 slices medium to thick sliced challah bread

Butter for the pan

Maple syrup

Sliced bananas or sliced berries (optional)

In a shallow bowl, beat together eggs, half and half, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Dip the bread slices into the mixture and coat well on both sides. In a large skillet or on a griddle, melt one tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add a few of the bread slices and cook 4 to 6 minutes until golden brown, turning once. Repeat with the remaining bread slices and adding more butter to the pan. Serve with maple syrup and sliced bananas.

Makes 4 servings.

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