The most beautiful word on the lips of mankind is the word "Mother,"
and the most beautiful call is the call of "My mother."
It is a word full of hope and love,
A sweet and kind word coming from the depths of the heart.
The mother is everything
She is our consolation in sorrow,
Our hope in misery,
And our strength in weakness.
She is the source of love, mercy, sympathy, and forgiveness...
-Khalil Gibran
We only changed the tag between the two pictures, one says "Mom" and the other says "Mama"
Mothers day is definitely a day that should be celebrated everyday. I know for my mom, every year we ask her what she wants for mothers day and her response is always the same "I just want you to continue to be good to me." Although, a gift here and there never hurt, but moms want to feel appreciation more than anything. And they don't want to feel appreciation just once a year. From before a woman is even a mother, she's dealing with morning sickness, and back pain, nausea and labor. Sleepless nights are the norm and constantly being consumed with the well being of her child and family is what a mother does. It is all consuming and even if she gets a break from the physical challenges of being a mother her mind and heart are still consumed with concern and worry.
This year, I thought it would be fun to celebrate Mothers day with other mothers in addition to celebrating with family of course. I personally feel that if I didn't have other mother friends I don't know how I would've been able to get through. So many times I felt like the worst mother because of this or that, then I would consult with my mother friends and they instantly made me feel like I wasn't on my own, like I wasn't the only one going through this. I too would survive the stages of motherhood. I love my mother friends for all the support and guidance I get from them. They make me a better mother.
I collaborated with a few amazingly talented individuals who I'm lucky to call friends. We put together a spread of a Middle Eastern inspired brunch which included Muhammara deviled eggs and Cucumber rose Lebne plate. I HIGHLY recommend that everyone get together with their mother friends and do something special for each other! Appreciate each other in each others lives and continue to give each other the love and support that makes you a better mother, a better wife, a better daughter, a better sister, and a better friend. If you're not a mother that doesn't mean you cannot celebrate! Get together with your mother friends and mothers, aunts, grandmas, and mother in laws and celebrate motherhood.
The cake was designed by an amazingly talented mother friend who constantly amazes me with the ability to produces works of art and take care of her 3 children (which include a set of twins!) She beautifully meshed together an arabesque pattern together with shabby chic designs for the ultimate middle eastern inspired cake. She can be found on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jfcakegram/
The cookies were made by my friends mother who raised 6 beautiful children all the while baking master pieces in her home. She effortlessly put together rose cookies by combining date and traditional semolina cookie.
The menu was designed by the talented Maece Seirafi, a calligraphy graphic designer that brings together Arabic calligraphy and graphics. Her work can be found on her site http://www.maeceseirafi.com.
The rest of it all came together by my good friend, Deana, a creative genius that collaborated with me endless hours as we talked about all the cute fun Middle Eastern things we would put together.
Granted, I'll take any excuse to get friends together and have a themed event but this was extra special because of how important I think motherhood is. Mothers raise the children of our future and I genuinly believe they should be celebrated every day. I hope this spread inspires you and please share if it does!
I sliced cucumbers paper thin and then rolled them to form roses
spells "Mama" in arabic
This fruit is a staple in Damascus during the summertime. The beautiful thing about Damascus is its pretty much all farm to table. Everything is local and in season. Seasons are marked by the fruits that are consumed. Early summer is marked by this fruit which is called "sour plum" served with a little bowl of salt on the side so one can dip in the salt first and then bite into.
Muhammara deviled eggs
Semolina date mamool cookies
http://www.maeceseirafi.com