Yesterday was Mother’s Day. I had a wondrerful day. My kids made me homemade cards, gave me my favorite candy (Sees – personally selected), a massage, and few other thoughtful gifts. After the gift giving and all the hugs, we met both mom’s for brunch. The kids “kind-of” behaved, while we munched on organic eggs, delicious coffee, and killer fench toast.
We stayed out ALL day. We went to a part of the city that we don’t normally go to and for at least 7 hours, none of us were on our “screens”. Imagine that. It was so refreshing and so nice to walk away from all of the jibber-jabber, that I am now, officially labeling Sunday’s, NO SCREENS DAY. Let’s see how long it lasts!
We pretty much ate our way through the day. So, when we got home, we were not very hungry. I had some homemade salsa in the fridge and some grilled chicken breasts. I also had two avocados that were needing some attention. I made a batch of guacamole, grilled some corn tortillas, shredded some lettuce, and made a help-yourself taco bar. No one complained.
It was a perfect day. Here are 10 reasons why I love being a Mommy:
1. I love seeing their eyes light up when I pull up to school at the end of the day. Regardless of what kind of day I have had – seeing their smiles makes everything a-okay.
2. Levi’s little 5 year old voice telling me, “you’re a good cook-er, mommy”.
3. Our neighborhood is filled with kids. Whenever anyone of my three boys return from playing at someones house, they always bring me flowers that they’ve picked along the way.
4. Everytime I end a phone call with my kids, they never fail to say “I love you”.
5. Before bed each night, individually I ask my kids “what was the best part of your day” and “what was the worst part of you day”. This always ingnites wonderful conversation.
6. At the dinner table each night, each of my kids have to talk about one event that happened during the day. Again – makes great conversatoin and lots of laughter.
7. Friday night game night! My favorite.
8. I am always told by other families how polite my kids are and how kind they are.
9. I love how each one of my boys can articulate their feelings. It has forced me to be a better listener.
10. I love that each morning, my boys (13, 10, and 5), still kiss me as they go off to school.
Roasted Tomato Salsa
Ingredients
5 large Roma tomatoes, whole, not cored or cut in any way
3 chile peppers from the jar (see photo)
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup minced white onion
1 teaspoon sea salt or to taste
Instructions
• make sure your kitchen is well ventilated.
• Put a piece of aluminum foil in a heavy sauté pan (i used my big le creuset) and set it over medium-high heat.
• place the whole tomatoes, chile, and garlic cloves in the pan and dry-roast them on all sides until well charred and soft. the garlic and chiles will be done quickly; the tomatoes may take 10-20 minutes.
• stem the chile. remove the seeds from the peppers if you want a more mild salsa.
• place the tomatoes, garlic, and chile in a food processor with the onion, and salt ( I added a touch of the juice from the chile jar). pulse until the salsa is smooth and taste for seasoning. the salsa will keep, refrigerated, for several days.
note: this has become such a household favorite. I make it at least once a week!
gucamole recipe to follow!
The Urban Baker / SusanSalzman.com
More Salsa inspiration:
Salsa Verde – Every Food Fits
Roasted Tomatillo Salsa – Pink Parsley
Bacon Guacamole Salsa – Family Fresh Cooking
Grilled Salsa Trio – Sippitysup
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Leave a Comment
I wish I could start dipping right now!
I’m not a mom yet… probably soon and what you just wrote really tuched me… It is so true that being a mother looks wonderful for all sorts of little pleasures… Your salsa looks really good Susan… I like reading your posts!
SOOOOOO glad you had a wonderful day! Cant wait to try this beautiful recipe!
I like the idea of No Screens Day!
Roasted salsa is my all time favorite “dressing”for everything. Thanks for a great recipe. Glad to hear you had a wonderful Mother’s Day 🙂
Love your blog. Where did you have the killer french toast? It’s one of my husband’s favorites…
Hi Susie – killer french toast was at Thyme Cafe and Restaurant in Santa Monica. Super cute place! Enjoy!!
ok, kind of non related. Did you ever get the EatSmart digital food scale? still haven’t invested in one and want to find out if a) you got one and b)you like it!
thanks Susan!
Hi Lesli! I did not get the scale because I got my old favorite revitalized! Let me know if you get it.
Sounds like a wonderful Mother’s Day and what a nice family you have. The salsa and chips … yep, reminds me of Mexico as well and I wish I was there RIGHT NOW with everyone!!
Fran – I know-right! We need another get-together, ASAP!
Your house sounds very cheerful, just by reading about it.
With a teenage boy did YOU get to enjoy any of that awesome salsa? Or do you only get to eat when you’re at Food Blogger Camp? 🙂
Believe it or not, Maggie – I am enjoying the salsa. It is so good! This, like my new homemade ketchup, will be a fridge staple. Thanks so much for the compliment. We have our cheerful moments and our not so cheerful moments!
I love roasted salsa. I’m wondering, do you ever reconstitute dried chilis instead of using the canned ones? I like to add anchos.