My mom’s the best! So, here at Mother’s Day, I’ve posted a few of her favorites, from books to trips to what her perfect day would look like.
She’s a woman over fifty who is a fabulous example of remaining actively engaged with life. You can’t believe what all she’s done and is doing.
I’m not exaggerating when I sing her praises. She has a strong faith, has overcome major difficulties, and manages to keep a positive attitude no matter what. (Okay, she occasionally stops smiling–but only for a hot minute.) She is extraordinarily gifted as an artist–her portrait work is amazing. She is funny, smart, encouraging, enthusiastic, kind, and insightful. I’ve always thought she was beautiful. And she makes a mean loaf of sourdough bread.
Lest you think I don’t have a clear view of her, I’ll tell you something she’s not good at. She cannot sing. It’s painful. Hey, just keeping it real.
Now, wouldn’t you like to know her?
I thought so!
I give a lot of weight to what my mom likes, because as I mentioned, she’s smart and insightful. So, I asked her what some of her favorite things are.
She very cooperatively (she can be stubborn and has the occasional smart mouth–forgot to mention that with her singing skills) answered all of my questions.
Some of Her Favorite Books
Mom’s all-time favorite book is War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. She admits she utilized a cheat sheet to keep up with the names. So many alike!
When she was young, her favorites were Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand and Exodus by Leon Uris.
She loves any book by Charles Spurgeon. (Did I mention she attended seminary a few years ago so she could continue counseling at her church? Oh, did I not say she’s a retired psychologist? Yep.)
Her two favorite art books are Sorolla: The Masterwork and any book featuring Celia Beaux’s work.
Her (fairly) contemporary favorite books are Educated, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Water for Elephants, and Peace Like a River.
With a little prompting, she realized she LOVES my first novel, Toward the Corner of Mercy and Peace just as much as she loves War and Peace. Well, she didn’t actually say that, but…
Favorite Trips
- Paris! I can vouch for that because KB1 and I went with her and Dad. It was perfect. Except for that part when I almost killed them by marching them up Montmartre. But, they lived, so…
We loved the food in Paris. As for the notoriously rude waiters, we found them friendly. And flirty. - Italy. They went on to travel through Italy after being in Paris with us for ten days. (We had to go home. Wah-wah.)
- Our 40-60-80 trip to San Francisco. My grandmother, Mom, and I flew to that beautiful city to celebrate our milestone birthdays. What a treasured memory! In 2020, we tried to take a 60-80 trip but the stupid Pandemic spoiled our plans.
- Nova Scotia
- Alaskan cruise
- The National Parks in Utah (Bryce Canyon especially!)
- A train ride through the Rocky Mountains that included the Calgary Stampede, Jasper, and Vancouver.
- Wales and England
- Hawaii
- California coast then across Mohave desert to Las Vegas. (90 miles an hour all the way, according to Dad.)
- Cozumel and Yukatan Mexico
Her favorite day
A perfect day for my mom would look like this…
- It’s rainy (although she doesn’t look too miserable in this picture.)
- She paints, reads, AND watches movies.
- She talks to her kids
- Her meals are all delivered & she doesn’t have to make the decision about from where or what to order.
- Tulie, her beloved schih tzu, is by her side looking adorably ornery. It’s not lost on me that she wants the dog by her side, but will settle for just talking to me and my brother. 😉
Her Favorite Recipes
- Sourdough Bread
- Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
- Raisin-Cinnamon Sourdough Bread
- Cranberry-Orange Sourdough Bread
- Eight-Seed Sourdough Bread
Are you getting the picture? She hates to cook, but loves breadmaking! Stay tuned, because she gave me permission to share her favorite sourdough bread recipe in a future post!
I could go on and on, but you get the picture. My mother is pretty special. I’m sure yours is, too.
So, what are some of your mom’s favorites?
Diane Duke Lee
Loved this! Your mom and dad were pretty special to me waaayy back in the Singles Class at church. So glad to hear they’re doing well.
Tracey Buchanan
Thanks, Diane! Great to hear from you! Hope all’s well.
Linda Hart
I didn’t know her but now I do!!🤗
Tracey Buchanan
She’s a blessing!
Connie Smith
Thank you for sharing about your mom.
Connie
Tracey Buchanan
My pleasure! Thank you for reading!
Julie Kleet
No wonder you’re much fun. You learned from your mom.
Tracey Buchanan
I sure did! ❤️
Brenda McElroy Mcelroy
My favorite artwork are portraits she did for me. She’s amazing! And I’ve never seen her without a smile!
Tracey Buchanan
I think she’s amazing too!! Thank you!
Susan Reinhardt
I loved this!! She is absolutely adorable and so talented like you!! Happy Mother’s Day to you both💕
Robbin Cox
Can’t wait for the bread recipe. Thanks Mrs. Dodson for sharing.
Tracey Buchanan
You’re going to love it! Makes your house smell good too!
Donna Libby
I feel like you already know my thoughts. When you started this, your mom was the 1st one I thought you should write about. I think she’s pretty spectacular as well.
Thanks for always keeping it real.
Tracey Buchanan
She’s pretty special!!
Lynda
Yes she is the BEST! AND the cranberry-orange bread is my favorite. I’ve tested them all. However as hard as I’ve tried my bread is never as good as hers. I’m blaming it on baking at sea level. Something about elevation but I can’t figure out what. 🥰
Tracey Buchanan
I love ALL the variations, but the cinnamon rolls are beyond words!
Karen Dodson
This has to be your best blog EVER!!!!! Thank you so much for being such a wonderful writer and making me look so great! And thank you for being the kind of daughter that makes it possible for us to laugh so hard over nothing!!! (you must have inherited the exclamation gene!!!)
Tracey Buchanan
Thank YOU for being the best mom ever! XO