THE BEAT GOES ON

I hope that all is well with you and yours. All is great at this end!

I’m pretty much acclimated to the time change, but I’ll say it gets tougher each year. I really dislike waking up in the dark, which I do because Maddie and Sophia are ready for their first “potty break” at 6:30 every morning. I still must grab the flashlight to keep track of my pups as they roam around the yard. And, in Sophie’s case, the woods. It drives me crazy, but I can’t bring myself to leash her. Sweet Maddie is always by my side.

March has flown by, the last 7 years have. I traveled home with my mom and Sophie from Florida just before the shut down due to covid. Literally landed on Friday, the Bistro closed on Tuesday. Mom turned 90 on March 13th, the last day to be open. What a time. To manipulate the close-down Sharon and I cooked our butts off for the next 18 months with a pick-up business, Let Mary and Sharon Cook, that was incredibly successful. It was a challenge but more than that an accomplishment that we “kept the doors open.” And, we had fun learning “the ropes” of the new-to-us way of doing business. I never slept better.

I’ve had 2 amazing birthdays to celebrate this month. My mom and her sister, Aunt Bea, are the only living siblings from 10. My sisters Liz, Josephine, Isabelle and Marjorie met in Buffalo for my aunt’s 100th birthday. It was amazing. 20 cousins were in attendance, many of whom we hadn’t seen in decades. And, for the most part, we remembered each other. We had a blast and to think there were another 20 that couldn’t come! I, of course, had to visit the Anchor Bar, home of the original Buffalo wings, and they have breaded ones now too. The Bistro’s are 10x’s better.

The following weekend was my mom’s 97th birthday with a small gathering in her assisted living facility. She had her in-state grandchildren, co-workers from Schoolcraft College, golf league friends and of course my sister-in-law Deb and sisters Liz and Jo with their husbands. Mom loves Buddy’s pizza so that was the main course. Her favorite was Cannoli Cake. But anything sweet is her go-to.

Both parties brought back fond memories and some great re-connecting with family and friends.

My friend Patty VanRollins and I have for years had a Lenten “pack” of what we would give up for the 7 weeks leading up to Easter. We always agree to make it more than not eating sweets, or not imbibing in alcohol or… One thing we do agree on is to be more cognizant of “giving up” on being negatively judgmental towards others or ourselves. It is a hard habit to break. Then there must be one or two other meaningful goals to reach for. We go back and forth and then just decide to go our own ways with personal choices. Mine was to assist with the Friday fish fries put on by the Knights of Columbus at my church. I have met many super women and men that are incredible to work next to. It’s spiritually inspiring. I feel so good walking out and appreciative of those willing to put in the time and effort to raise money to uplift those in our community that are in need. Yes, it is truly in giving that you receive.

The Pain Perdu recipe following is great to assemble up to 3 days ahead of cooking and is one of the 60 in my Cookbook. It is on my Easter Brunch menu this year. Also, to make room for new designs and merchandise, for the next month all items in the on-line store are on sale so fill up those Easter Baskets and start thinking ahead for Mother’s Day.

As we enter the Easter and Passover weeks, I wish you all many million dollar days.
XXOO,
Mary, Maddie, Sophie

Happy Easter!

THE BEAT GOES ON

Pain Perdu