In the last week, I’ve had some serious recipe fails.  My hand got a little too heavy with the balsamic vinegar one night, I completely overcooked some salmon, and in a ‘let’s see if I can make ice cream out of almond milk & fruit blended together’ -esque experiment, I ended up with frozen purple mush.  In moments like these, I think of my Mom.

For as long as I can remember; she’s been a natural in the kitchen.  She creates these perfectly complex, flavorful, extremely healthy meals and makes it look easy.  Her timing is impeccable.  She appreciates every last ingredient.  Every meal matters.  Her food is a gift and a treat all wrapped into one.  I’m not even joking when I say that I used to fly across the country with her homemade lasagna so my college roommates could indulge.  (And the one time my luggage got lost, it wasn’t pretty.)

As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that although she always asked for it, my Mom never really needed my help in the kitchen.  And while I’ve always hoped her culinary skills would magically rub off on me, I see now that she’s been teaching me valuable life lessons that don’t just apply to cooking all along.

Patience.  Avoiding the shortcuts.  Challenging yourself to try something new.  Putting a personal touch on everything you do.  Knowing that things don’t always turn out the way you hoped, but seeing it through to the end is the most important part.

I hope, for both my sake & Ryan’s, that one day I’ll be as skilled and talented in the kitchen as my Mom is.  But for now, I’m simply thankful for the lessons.

Happy Mother’s Day in advance to you, Mom, & to all of the beautiful mothers teaching their daughters lessons everyday.