In this issue:

1.  Books of Late: Our favorite books for mothers
2.  Tips: Give something unique to your mother
3.  Food for Thought: Some of our favorite recipes from mom
4.  Etc.: The best and the worst gifts for Mother's Day

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1.  Books of Late

Anita Brookner adds yet another divine novel to her enormous oeuvre of literary perfection. This latest work tells the story of a unique but universal mother-daughter relationship, every page and every word crisp with Brookner's evocative and unmistakable touch.

Although some would call the quiet life that Zoe Cunningham shares with her widowed mother in London less than exhilarating, Zoe cherishes her mother Anne as both the perfect companion for everyday life and as the unsung heroine of a fairy tale yet to be written. When a dashing, if elderly, stranger comes to sweep Anne away into a new life, Zoe is pleased to think that her mother's enduring patience is finally being rewarded in the manner dictated by her favorite childhood reading. It is only in the aftermath of the wedding that Zoe begins to realize that fairy tales fail to tell you what happens after the kiss at sunset and the ringing of the church bells.

As Zoe trades roles with her mother, she starts to appreciate the full implications of growing up and taking charge. Like her mother before her, Zoe learns what it is to make sacrifices in the service of love. This is novel #20 for Ms. Brookner. Like its captivating predecessors, it wields an uncanny power over the heart even as it seduces the mind.

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Durban’s provocative novel gives us an amazing perspective on how family members from the past can influence our lives today. Through the 1837 diary of Eliza Hilliard, we learn about the Hilliard family —- a venerable Charleston clan whose family tree stretches back 250 years.

Past and present and black and white clash and dance back and forth as Louisa (the last of the family and the discoverer of Eliza’s journal) struggles to understand how her own family could have justified slavery.

This haunting story bears some resemblance to Toni Morrison’s Beloved in the way it examines America’s deepest collective wound (and, like Beloved , it’s beautiful and wrenching at the same time). While there’s lots to think about and lots to talk about, Durban tells the story without hitting us over the head with a political agenda. So what shines through some of the darkest events of our nation are the all-too-human moments.

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2.  Tips

Ask each member of your group to choose a book that he or she would most like to share with his or her mother. This could be a book that a member wants his mother to read, or a book that reminds a member of her mother in some way.

* Each member can then write a two-to-three sentence description of the book and why he or she wants to dedicate it to the mother in question.

* Have the group secretary compile the list, print it out in an attractive or creative manner, and then send the list to all the members' mothers.

* You could also do this for fathers, of course, or grandparents, or children, or siblings, or mentors. Even if your mother or loved one isn't a big reader, she'll still get a kick out of the consideration and seeing her name in print.

Don't have a secretary for your book group? You might want to think about choosing one, or even two.

* The first could be in charge of keeping a record of your monthly book choices and meeting dates, book title, author, host or hostess, attending members, and so forth.

* The second might be responsible for writing a brief report on the discussion itself -- just a few lines describing the group's reaction to the book, major points of agreement or debate, perhaps a few fun and memorable quotes from particular members.

* In years to come, you'll enjoy looking back on many of these moments, and may find the information helpful in choosing books for upcoming meetings.

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3.  Food for Thought

Try some of these recipes from mom's cookbook.

My Mother's Recipe for Apple Goody

We found this recipe on 1st Traveler's Choice Internet Cookbook and thought it was the perfect cozy recipe for our Mother's Day issue. Here's a quick note from Sharon Irvin, who submitted the recipe:

"My mother made this recipe quite often when I was growing up, and it was one of my favorites. I believe that it was my grandmother's recipe also. I found this recipe in a blank book that my mother wrote recipes in during the 1930s. She also wrote her memories of the dust storms that Eastern Colorado had during the 1930s in the same book."

Ingredients:
4 cups apples
1 Tablespoon flour
1 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon butter


Directions:
1. Mix apples, 1 Tablespoon flour, sugar, and butter and place in a buttered 2-quart baking pan.
> 2. Mix dough ingredients together and put enough water in to make a heavy batter.
3. Pour over apple mixture.
4. Bake in oven at 350 degrees until apples are cooked through or top is golden brown.
5. Serve with whipped cream.

Mother's Moon Cookies

We found this recipe in the Mother's Day section at www.theholidayspot.com, which is a great place to look when you want to find a recipe for any holiday.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup chopped nuts


Directions:
1. Sift together flour, 1/2 cup powdered sugar and salt.
2. Stir in condensed milk, vanilla and soft butter. Blend well and fold in chopped nuts. Chill well.
3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with foil.
4. Roll the dough pencil thin and form in crescent shape. Arrange cookies on the cookie sheet.
5. Bake on top rack of the oven for 12 minutes until set, do not brown. Let the cookies cool on pan. While still warm roll the cookies in leftover powdered sugar.

Click here for a printable version of the recipes.

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4.  Etc.

We went to www.everythingmothersday.com and found the results of an interesting survey. If you've ever wondered what to get your mom for Mother's Day, you may want to keep these results in mind. If you're a mom, you'll probably cringe at some of the worst Mother's Day gifts ever:

"The survey shows what mom really 'doesn't' want for Mother's Day: give household and garden items to mom this Mother's Day at your own risk! That's the message in a new poll. The poll, sponsored by the leading online personal gift service, WishClick, reveals that moms want to be showered with jewelry and flowers, a day off from household chores and quality time with their family. WishClick asked 500 U.S. moms to name their best and worst Mother's Day gifts ever, and also indicate the gift they most wish for this year."

Worst Mother's Day Gifts Ever

The poll reveals insensitive and badly thought-out gifts that have made moms cringe, including carpet cleaner, a thigh-master, a night out at a husband's favorite restaurant and a card that read, "reupholster the chair in the master bedroom." Worst gifts ever, according to U.S. moms, were:

1. Kitchen appliances, garden tools and cleaning supplies -- 12%
2. Dead and poorly arranged flowers -- 5%
3. Cookie, candy and cakes -- 4%

According to the poll, moms care most that loved ones remember their special day. Fifteen percent of moms said that their worst gift ever was when their families forgot Mother's Day altogether. And the poll demonstrates that moms will appreciate most gifts -- a reassuring 46% said that anything their kids give them is a good gift.

Best Mother's Day Gifts Ever

Apparently surprising things can make moms happy. Tickets to a Cleveland Indians game and a ride-on lawn mower were highlighted by two moms as their best gifts ever. One mother was delighted when her family gave her a monetary tip one year. According to the poll, best gifts ever were:

1. Jewelry -- 24%
2. Home and school-made cards -- 18%, and gifts -- 17%
3. Help with chores, or a day of rest -- 5%
4. Spa trips and beauty products -- 4%

Mother's Day Wish List

Moms were wishing for many different things this Mother's Day, from hugs and kisses to furniture, but the most popular wishes were for a little luxury and pampering, to escape the housework and for quality time.

Some moms aimed high. Four percent would have loved a new car, others a mansion or a cruise. One mom wanted to be "Queen for a day." And others dreamed of less conventional gifts -- a shredder, a son's report card with "A's" and "B's" on it, and sex. Top of this year's Mother's Day Wish List were:

1. Help with chores -- 14%
2. Jewelry -- 11%
3. Quality family time -- 8%
4. Dinner out, or breakfast in bed -- 7%
5. Flowers -- 5%
6. A trip -- 5%
7. Spa and perfume products -- 4%

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