If I Have to Stop This Car…..

These seven little words instantly evoke a crystal clear memory of my mother, Mary Kilpatrick, who passed away in 2014. It may have been the most often uttered phrase of my childhood. We moved from city to city every couple of years and took road long trips to Lake Kezar Maine every summer.

In many ways, the phrase perfectly illustrates my mom. She was quick, funny, adventurous ….and often impatient (I can only hope I inherited the former along with the latter!)

We embarked on our annual ten-hour Maine journeys in a wood-paneled station wagon packed with four fighting kids, two dogs and a boat motor. We were well versed in the hierarchy of the shotgun seat (very little hope for the middle sister), drawing backseat property lines, flipping coins for the way back and keeping our eyes peeled for the half-way Howard Johnson’s. (I can still taste that clam roll and Jamoca Almond Fudge cone)

On the plus side, we had an unlimited supply of dried apricots (The snack least likely to require a rest stop). Mom also created hours of fun in the car playing the Alphabet Game, Car Bingo (don’t ask my sisters about my famous pig sighting) and endless verses of “You are my Sunshine” and “I’ll be working on the railroad” – To this day I can sing every word.

Sunday is Mother’s Day and an excellent opportunity to celebrate and/or remember our mothers along with all the women in our lives who helped shape our personalities – Our wives, sisters, aunties, cousins and girlfriends. As a “should have been” President once said – It takes a Village.

And because your favorite women deserve a lovely meal, I highly recommend this Sausage and Spinach Torta – it makes for a marvelous Mother’s Day Brunch.

I invite you to gather in your kitchen this weekend and enjoy this savory, delicious and easy dish together.