Mother’s Day, Surprises + Chili

With Mother’s Day just four weeks away, I’m kind of impressed that I’ve got all my ducks in a row. We’re planning an excursion to the zoo — again, because it has become Jemma’s happy place. And what is Mother’s Day if it isn’t about making your babies extra happy. I mean, this day wouldn’t be special if it wasn’t for them!
Anyways, I’m hoping for a few extra zzz’s, a sweet card from my hubby and a no rain day at the zoo. I’m pretty positive two of those three will happen. Darn Washington. 
For my Mom, even though I want it to be a surprise, I can’t help but spill the beans on what I ordered for her for Mother’s Day this year. It’s pretty fabulous and if you’re looking for something sentimental – this will be right up your alley.
So, if you’re reading this Mom, click away. This post isn’t for you … unless you’re interested in an early surprise.
Have you clicked away yet?
Ok. Last chance!

Lindsay from Small Home Design specializes in personalized clothing and household accessories and we connected a few weeks ago about my Mom’s surprise. Ever since my Grammy passed away I know Mother’s Day has been bittersweet for my Mom. It’s hard to celebrate holidays when someone is so obviously missing. But, we usually make a point to acknowledge how we all miss Grammy and reminisce about some of our favorite stories. Many of those stories revolve around the farm my Mom grew up on and the meals my Grammy prepared for their family. So, it was a match made in heaven when I stumbled across Small Home Design’s personalized kitchen towels.
These aren’t just any kitchen towels – they have your grandma’s exact recipe card and handwriting printed on them! I’ve written before about how much I cherish real handwriting. Words just seem different when they are handwritten – more special. The hardest part about this gift was choosing which recipe to have printed. In the end, I opted for Uncle Sid’s Quick Chili. No doubt it is a family favorite and you can see the splashes and splatters from many pots of chili reprinted on the towel, exactly how they appear on the original recipe card!

And, in case any of you are interested in a mega-old, mega-wonderful chili recipe here it is, in my Grammy’s words …

Uncle Sid’s Quick Chili
 
large onion chopped
# or more hamburger
clove garlic
can Campbell Tomatoe soup
T. chili powder
tsp. cumin
can pinto beans or kidney beans

Brown meat in a little oil – Add chopped onions + garlic
cook slightly – add 1 can soup plus 1 1/2 cans water + seasonings –
Cook some more – add 1 can beans – cook longer.

Can you tell she jotted it down from memory? A bit of this, a bit of that. Cook it, stir it. Done! Oh, and if you’re wondering, Uncle Sid was my Grammy’s brother-in-law. Sweet that although this is definitely my Grammy’s chili that she has always given him credit!

What do you have up your sleeve for your Mom this year? 
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I was not compensated for this post, but I was gifted a set of personalized kitchen towels from Small Home Design in exchange for sharing about this lovely gift option. Please take a peek at Lindsay’s shop, I know you’ll find something you love!
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Comments

  1. Breenah says

    I think I might have to add the zoo to our plans, maybe I can talk Grandma and Nana into coming too, it just sounds like fun.

  2. Bianca T says

    1) The zoo is also on my wish list! I have also asked for an annual pass to Woodland Park for my birthday, I'm hoping to take Penny at least twice a month during the summer :)2) Leave it to you to always find super awesome Etsy shops. I am in love with this idea! Now to think of what I would want to have transcribed..3) Is the recipe screen printed, or is it actual ink? How exactly does it feel on the cloth? Do you worry about the print to rub or wash away?

  3. ThatMamaGretchen says

    I'm not sure how it is printed … I'm guessing a screen print, but I'm not 100%. It doesn't feel funny on the cloth and I'm not anticipating any bleeding issues. It seems colorfast.

  4. ThatMamaGretchen says

    Yay! We're going to drive to a little farther one because they have "zebbies" and Jemma loves zebras :)

  5. Breenah says

    That's adorable! We're pretty lucky that our zoo is pretty awesome, especially because the two other big zoos are each three hours away.