Feature chicken crepes with grapes and butter lettuce
Food,  Life,  Projects

How to Create a Memorable Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day has had a lot of ways to celebrate during my lifetime. Celebrating mothers and grandmothers and mothers in laws has ALWAYS been a part of my life. Yours, too?

As long as I can remember, we drove to my grandmother’s farm. The Mother’s Day celebration began with her preparation of that farmhouse meal that was memorable and soothing and comforting.

When I married, celebrations for Mother’s Day always began at my mother-in-law’s. She was a fabulous cook. She would have an amazing spread around a perfectly appointed dining room table for her mother and mother in law and children. Tables were added to that dining room table that extended well into the living room to hold all of us and our families. Glorious was the food. Always.

My husband always went to work at the family business immediately following that meal. But, for me, I traveled with my boys another 30 minutes to celebrate my mother.

This happened like clockwork for years.

Until it didn’t.

When the grandmothers passed away; and the mothers passed away; and my boys married; Mother’s Day looks a bit different now.

And life moved on.

Celebrations have taken a different role and look than my childhood days when everyone lived closer and celebrations for every holiday, including Mother’s Day, were placed in permanent ink in the calendars.

A new look for Mother’s Day may happen this year.

Last year, there were feet under my table for those whose mother was in Alaska or a mother was no longer with us.

Just Flowers coffee cup filled with coffee

This year, my table will be set for those and a few more added who don’t have children or mothers close by.

There are years that I have traveled to Los Angeles or Boise or Lexington or Atlanta for Mother’s Day with my boys and their families. Times that were precious.

But, most years are spent here. At home. Most of my family members are all busy with their children in celebration. I miss those celebrations of years past. Are you like that?

So, as I was rearranging china and pulling out tablescape ideas, it hit me.

Maybe there are others who are alone on Mother’s Day like me?

With children living far from moms and time from work doesn’t allow them to travel? Who just need a bit of time to celebrate motherhood and friendship and fellowship and laughter?

Party planning began.

I looked at dates on my calendar. Perhaps a different morning other than Mother’s Day would work.

A guest list was made of what sweet friends might want to join in the fun; and, if that list gets too long, maybe we do more than one?!

Invitation creating ensued.

Brunch? Lunch? Which menu would be best?

Mothers Day Blue dishes and hydrangea

A tablescape of dishes and linens and flowers and place settings and decorations began flowing.

Let’s look at the weather forecast to see if it can be moved to the screened porch…how fun would that be? The first meal of the season there.

With a screened porch came more hydrangea inspiration, bee glassware, rattan placemats and a new tablecloth. Simply shop my ideas at the end of the post!

swan centerpiece with fern for table setting

Can you tell I am in my happy place?

You see, there was a wonderful Sunday School teacher. She was the mother of a dear friend who truly shared with me about motherhood as a new mother. She was gracious and hospitable and full of life, laughter and joy. All of her children lived close by and they gathered often. This so reminded me of dinners on the farm with grandparents and the farm friends who became my family.

She was the one who “gifted” that precious cookbook that included the french muffins. That recipe that is also printed on my plate rack wall.

Plate rack muffins

Tucked into the pages of that tiny book is a wonderful recipe for those chicken crepes.

With that in mind, my menu planning took me to this recipe for Chicken Crepes.

They bring back memories of sharing them for special occasions.

So, why not bring them back for a great Mother’s Day menu with friends and family?

A Perfect Lunch Menu was created.

Spring lettuces, fresh fruit, House Tea and strawberry shortcake were added to the chicken crepes entree. Looking back over gatherings, these French muffins are perfect additions, as well.

With fresh mint gloriously up and ready for use…adding mint to the tea was the perfect choice.

9th street house tea for mother's day
Feature chicken crepes with grapes and butter lettuce

Chicken Crepes

A great choice for a brunch or lunch!
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 24 crepes

Equipment

  • oven
  • 7" nonstick skillet
  • baking dish
  • Mixing bowls
  • measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 4 eggs, beaten
  • 1/4 t salt
  • 2 C plain flour **gluten free- use Bob's Red Mill 1-1 gluten free flour
  • 2 1/2 C milk
  • 1/4 C butter, melted
  • 4 C cooked chicken breasts, chopped rotisserie chicken makes this easier
  • 2 pkgs. chopped broccoli, cooked & drained
  • 2 cans cream of mushroom soup can use lowfat, healthier version
  • 1/2 C sour cream can use lowfat version
  • 2/3 C Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2/3 C mayonnaise
  • 1/2 C sour cream
  • 1/2 C Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 C cheddar cheese, grated

Instructions
 

  • For the CREPE BATTER:
    Mix together the eggs, and salt. Stir in the melted butter.
  • Add the flour alternately with the milk.
    Mixing crepe batter for chicken crepes
  • Cover and refrigerate batter for one hour.
  • Using a 7" nonstick skillet, heat and add 1/4 C batter to center of the pan and move the pan to spread the batter evenly across the entire pan–cook for 30-40 seconds.
    crepe in pan
  • Remove the crepe from the pan and fill with 1/4 C filling down the center, fold over and place in the pan while the next crepe is cooking.
    chicken crepe filling added
  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
  • For the FILLING:
    Cut the cooked chicken into bite sized pieces.
  • Cook and drain broccoli and chop finely.
  • Mix together the chicken, broccoli, soup, 1/2 C sour cream and 2/3 C Parmesan cheese.
    chicken crepe filling
  • Fill all 24 crepes with an equal amount down the center and fold and add to a greased 9 x 13 baking dish.
    TIP: I found it easier to get an assembly line with making crepes and filling them one at a time as the next one was cooking. That prevented the crepes from sticking together if making them all at once.
  • For the TOPPING:
    Mix 2/3 C mayonnaise and 1/2 C sour cream together and spread over the top of the crepes.
  • Sprinkle with the 1/2 C Parmesan cheese and 1 C Cheddar cheese.
    topping for chicken crepes
  • Bake at 325 degrees for about 30 minutes, or until bubbly. Serve immediately.
    Allow 2 crepes per person.
    chicken crepes plated

Notes

This recipe is my version of one that was included in that little yellow book gifted to me by that hospitality genius Sunday School teacher many years ago. 
I made them often when newly married, but thought them a perfect selection for this celebration.
Perfect paired with a muffin and fruit for a brunch; or a salad or vegetable for lunch. 
Enjoy!
 
 
Keyword broccoli and chicken crepes, brunch, brunch crepes, chicken crepes, crepes, lunch, rotisserie chicken

Mother’s Day Lunch…

I’m always in for having more feet under my table. This seemed the perfect solution for so many who may feel a little lost on that day, as well.

Think of those around you who may be in that same boat of no kids around for time spent around a table. Perhaps, you could make someone else’s day a little brighter.

A time of celebration a little sweeter.

I’m so very thankful for my mother and other mothers who mentored me along the way. For those “children” who also had their feet under my table for a bit of “mothering”, too.

If you are celebrating with loved ones on Mother’s Day, or choosing to lift other friends and family up who may not have others to celebrate with…here’s a bit of inspiration that went in to my planning.

Planning made easier for you at no extra cost. See my disclosure policy. Simply click on the photo to find more great inspiration for feet under your table.

Happy Mother’s Day

To all who are mothers or celebrating your mother or others who have “mothered” you…may the celebrations bring joy to all!

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