Hallmark Holidays

Today is Mother's Day. We aren't big on "Hallmark" holidays. Eunice and I have a tradition for Valentine's Day and our anniversary of going to a card store, picking cards from the rack, giving the cards to each other, and then returning them to the rack. Ann is coming home tonight and Dallas will be home next Saturday so we've put off celebrating Mother's Day for Eunice until next weekend - she's their mother, not mine. And what a great mother she is.

Ann graduated yesterday. It was very nice. Every speaker said something about how the graduates would remember this day for their rest of their lives. I realized I have virtually no memory of my college graduation. Perhaps commencemnt speakers think too highly of themselves.

We went out to dinner and I realized it isn't as hard as I thought it might be. I had a plain hamburger and french fries. Ordering something to drink caught me by surprise. My concerns over eating out were always about the food not the drink. Diet drinks give me a headache, can't have a beer, caffeine is out, I rarely have soft drinks, so I had water.

Took a snooze in the car on the way home.

Graduation

Ann graduates from the College of St. Benedict tomorrow. She majored in French and History. Last summer one of our neighbors was lamenting that her daughter was starting Junior High School - which is a big deal. Sarah asked why everyone kept asking her if she was ready. I told her they ask because they aren't. I think I'm ready for Ann's graduation but it's a big deal. She is good at figuring things out and I'm pretty good living with ambiguity and that seems to work for us. Eunice told me last night she was accepted for a summer internship with Wilderness Inquiry. Their mission is to make adventure travel accessible to everyone, regardless of age, background or ability. It sounds like a good fit for Ann and gives her a chance to try outdoor leadership on for a summer. She and Dallas have always made good choices and decisions. I am very proud of her.

My parents in-law, Ken and Alice will be arriving for dinner. Paul's Jane and Ben too. We'll all go to Ann's graduation tomorrow. It will be fun to have them and we can also celebrate Mother's Day with them on Sunday. Tomorrow after Ann's graduation I will eat out for the first time. We are going to eat at a family run diner rather than a more traditional restaurant. The food is simple and fresh. I'm looking forward to it.

Last night I made Chicken Fried Chicken with White Gravy for dinner. Eunice went to St. Joseph to pick up some of Ann's things and have dinner with her.

Eat Good Food, Be Kind, Tell the Truth

Click below for the collection of recipes or for an easy to print copy of a single recipe.

Collection of Recipes

Chicken Fried Chicken with White Gravy: I modified this recipe from one on the Migraine-Free Cooking blog by Heidi Gunderson.

4 Steps to Healthy Frying: That may sound like an oxymoron but I borrowed these tips from Cooking Light. They worked well and little oil was absorbed by the chicken.