Dell Days is back again and it will be an anniversary year as Dell turns 30 years old!!  If you’re looking for a great notebook, tablet, all-in-on computer, or desktop pc --- look no further!  

For the entire month of May, Dell will be taking over the QVC airwaves showcasing our newest lineup of products and I could not be more excited!! And did I mention we’re celebrating Dell Days by offering 5 Easy Payments or more and Free Shipping and handling?!?!  PLUS, you can take advantage of Event Prices on select models al month long!!! I will be your on-air guest assisting you along the way to answer questions, show you the newest features of Windows 8.1, and so much more. I will guide you to the perfect device that fits into YOUR everyday lifestyle.  

If you have any questions along the way, friend me on Facebook at Nathan Matatall – Dell Spokesman for QVC and I will get you the answers you need! 

Join me on May 4^th for an exciting Today’s Special Value show which will be our first featured airing for the month!   Cheers! 

- Nate

Every year, about this time, we take a virtual Road Trip on ITKWD. We make “virtual stops” in different cities around the country and get inspiration from all the local dishes. Then we put a “David-spin” on each of our favorites. Last year, we went to Ypsilanti, Michigan and we had a blast getting to know the great people, sample the amazing food, and we got to meet YOU (the BEST part).

This year, we are adding in a special element: we’re making stops at military bases across the country. We received your suggestions via e-mail (thank you!) and we have planned out our route! It is my honor to be a part of honoring our Veterans this month on In the Kitchen with David. I was raised in a military family. My Dad was an Army helicopter pilot, his Dad was in the Army, his Mom was a WAC nurse in WWII (pictured below), and his brother, Fred, was an Army helicopter pilot. My Mom was no stranger to service herself—she was raised in a Navy family. Her Dad was a Navy officer, and for a time, was the Superintendent at the Maine Maritime Academy. I’ll go into my family history more, later on this month!

Our first virtual stop this month? Heading to the West Coast to “visit” the joint-base Lewis-McChord! Big thanks to Carrie for writing to us, and congratulations to her for being our first finalist! ONE of the finalists in May will receive a visit from David and me – can’t wait to see where we go! I did some research on Lewis-McChord, since it’s not one of the bases I’ve ever lived on (surprised face). Looks like U.S. Army base, Fort Lewis, and the U.S. Air Force’s McChord Air Force base combined in 2010 to form the Joint-Garrison Lewis McChord. The base is home to I-Corps, the 62^nd Airlift Wing, and they put a lot of focus on making sure families are taken care of while soldiers are being trained.

Every town outside of a base is connected to the soldiers and the military families they are near.  The strength of that community bond is like no other and it’s unmatched in its strength, care, and generosity. The nearby town of Tillicum, WA, is no different, as Carrie let us know. One example of this community support can be seen through the yellow ribbons placed on Freedom Bridge (the bridge that links the base to nearby Camp Murray. Yellow ribbons have become a symbol of remembering a soldier while they are deployed. Hundreds of yellow ribbons were tied to Freedom Bridge, signifying the remembrance of hundreds of deployed soldiers. There’s a group of local residents that go out on the weekends to pick up trash in the area and re-attach any detached ribbons, making sure the remembrance is the focus.

I love public displays of honoring our Veterans. Are there any in or near your town? I sure would love to hear about them. Also, if you are on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, I would love to see them too. Please feel free to post a photo on any of those platforms – I’m Mary QVCon all of them.

Thank you, to all the soldiers and families at Lewis-McChord. We appreciate what each of you does, every day, for all of us. You'll be hearing me saying that a lot this month. 

Happy May, everyone!

I’m so excited that spring is finally here. We will hopefully be saying goodbye to April showers and “hello, I’m so happy to see you!” to those beautiful May flowers. I’m looking forward to spending time outside and to being in my garden. Speaking of gardening, did you see last week’s season premiere of You’re Home with Jill? I showed you how to create a DIY Herb Garden using Mason jars—a perfect way to garden even if you don’t have a large outdoor space.  If you missed last weeks episode, you can always catch up and watch it here.

You all know that I love any excuse to repurpose a mason jar, and today I have another great example of how to use them. One of the reasons I use them so often is because they are simple, small, and inexpensive additions for any room that add so much. I’m making my DIY Mason Jason Jar Sewing Kits next week on the show, and even if sewing isn’t your thing, we all have at least one or two of those mini sewing kits stuffed in our junk drawers. Inevitably, when we actually need it to reattach a button or fix a small tear in our favorite pants, we can’t find it! Or if we do find it, we’re missing the needle or the right color thread. I know I can’t be the only one with this problem, so I’m sharing with you an adorable way to keep all those little pieces together. These are not only functional, but they allow you to add a small pop of color or pattern to any room with the piece of fabric you choose. These would make such a great small gift for mom, your best friend, or anyone who needs a little organization in their life!

Here’s what you’ll need:

One mason jar

Two small scraps of pretty fabric

Scissors

A few cotton balls

hot glue/glue gun

pen or pencil

Start by placing the flat part of your mason jar lid on top of the plain side of the fabric, then trace a circle around it.

Using your scissors, cut out a circle of fabric, leaving about an inch between the circle and the cutting edge.

Place a few cotton balls between the lid and the piece of fabric. Wrap the fabric over the back of the top and secure it with a few crop of hot glue.

Glue the other piece of fabric over the back of the lid, so that it’s entirely covered with fabric on both sides.  

Push the puffed-out flat lid securely inside the lip of the lid. Fill the jar with your sewing supplies, then close the lid and fill the pouf with your straight pins.

I also added some twine and a cute little button to mine—feel free to use ribbon or yarn for yours!

Aren’t those cute? Mason jars are so versatile, and their rustic design works well with so many different styles. What other ideas do you have for those handy jars?

Don’t forget to tune into to QVC Plus for our second great episode of YHJ next Wednesday at 7pm ET—check your channel line-up to see if you get the channel. Not to worry if you don’t—watch it online! Go to QVC.com, Watch Live TV, then click on the QVC Plus tab.

From my home to yours,

—Jill

HAPPY ROAD TRIP MONTH, FOODIES!

I’ve mentioned it before, and it’s finally here. May is the month where In the Kitchen with David goes on a virtual trip around the country, visiting with fellow foodies and the towns they love. This year, we asked everyone to nominate your local military base and send us a recipe that really represents the region where the base is located. We received SO many great stories, and we were all practically drooling over the amazing recipes, restaurants, and signature dishes that represent the towns where our soldiers and military families call home. It was a tough choice, but we picked 8 finalists from all over the United States. These 8 submissions represent all of the branches of the military and a huge variety in local cuisines. At the end of the month, we’ll choose one winner of the contest, and Mary and I will pay them a real-life visit! The best part? You can all follow along with us on our virtual road map on the ITKWD page on QVC.com! Of course, I had to play with the recipes and make them my own “David-ized” version, and I couldn’t be prouder of the dishes we are bringing to you this month or more grateful to the wonderful people who proudly submitted their local base. Honoring the sacrifices that our military families make for all of us is so important, and this year’s Road Trip is our way of saying thank you to them all.  

And a special thank you to Carrie C. who submitted her local base—joint base Lewis-McChord in Fort Lewis, Washington. To learn more about the base, be sure to read Mary’s Blog. Carrie told us about a local restaurant outside of Lewis-McChord that supports all of the soldiers and families of that community called Galloping Gerdies in the town of Tillicum. Carrie, we so appreciate you and your contribution to this month’s ITKWD Road Trip. Sending a big Happy Dance your way!

Now, what is the most quintessential military dish? S.O.S.! For those of you who aren’t familiar with this term for Creamed Chipped Beef, well, I don’t think this is the time or place to tell you—go ask someone in the military! With inspiration from Galloping Gerdie's menu, I came up with a version that’s just a bit different and I call it: S.O.S. Waffle Style! This recipe combines two breakfast favorites, and transforms them into something that’s stick-to-your-ribs yummy. Instead of the biscuits that typically get covered in the gravy of thinly-sliced beef, I created a potato-cheddar waffle. Yes, you read that right—beef, waffles, cheese, potatoes, and GRAVY. The first ever version of this dish was published in the "Manual for Army Cooks" in 1910, so we knew if we’re highly the military—we HAD to include a good S.O.S. recipe.

S.O.S. Waffle Style

Ingredients:

Waffles:

• 2-1/4 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1-1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 2 cups refrigerated shredded hash brown potatoes
• 2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 2 cups shredded extra sharp Cheddar cheese

Creamed Chipped Beef:

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup small diced onion
• 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp flour
• 2-1/2 cups milk
• 6 oz dried beef, torn into small to medium-size pieces
• 1 tsp chopped thyme leaves
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• Pinch of nutmeg

Preparation:

1. To prepare the waffles, preheat the waffle iron according to the manufacturer's directions.
2. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and onion powder in a large bowl. Add the hash browns and toss to coat. Combine the milk, oil, butter, and eggs in another small bowl. Add the liquid ingredient to the dry ingredients and mix until they're fully combined. Fold in the cheese.
3. Add just over 1 cup of the mixture to the waffle iron and cook according to the manufacturer's directions, or until golden brown. Serve the waffles immediately or hold them in a 200°F oven until you're ready to serve.
4. To prepare the creamed chipped beef, melt the butter over medium heat in a medium-size saucepan. Add the onions and sauté until translucent. Add the flour and stir until smooth, cooking for about 5 minutes. Add the milk and bring the mixture to a simmer while continuing to stir. Add the dried beef and cook until heated through. Serve the beef gravy over the waffles.

This recipe is prepared using the KitchenAid Set of 3 Non-Slip Mixing Bowls (K34993).

Go to David's Recipe Item Page for the full list of items that David has used in his recipes.

Now that’s a meal that will get you through a long day! I’m so excited for you to try it. Both the gravy and the waffle recipes can stand on their own, too Try the gravy over biscuits or even French fries! What’s your favorite hearty breakfast? Is S.O.S. your plate of choice? Do you order waffles, pancakes, or French toast? In the south, we love our biscuits and sausage gravy. Tell me what starts your day!

See you this Sunday at 12pm ET as we begin our In the Kitchen with David Road Trip month and give a big salute to our troops all over the country!

Keep it Flavorful,

—David

If you are a mom, I don't have to tell you how having children changes everything.  It happens the moment we hold our babies for the very first time. 

Suddenly we go from working women to working moms. Everything changes, especially our values and priorities in life.  We have a new passion – being a mom.  That's what happened to me after having my sons Ben, 7 and Larry, 3. 

Don't get me wrong, it didn't happen at the flip of a switch, but slowly over time, as I started to miss out on the little things that mattered most to them: tucking them into bed, waking up with them in the morning, baseball practice, swim lessons and fourth of July fireworks.  Prior to having kids, I missed out on so many simple things people do with friends and family.  It was a sacrifice I was willing to make when I chose to start a career as a broadcast journalist almost 20 years ago. 

Since then, I missed happy hours with my girlfriends, Thanksgiving dinners with my family, birthday parties, baby showers and friends' weddings.  I was okay with it because "the news" was my baby, one I gave all my time and attention.  The 12-14 hour days, week in and week out, were worth it to help realize my dream of being an Anchor/Reporter in Philadelphia.  I loved my job, worked hard to get there and was proud of my accomplishments.  But sometimes, God has other plans than the ones we make for ourselves.  And I realized, as I watched my children's disappointment night after night, for having to tuck me into bed instead of me tucking them in, that my life was not just about me and what I want anymore.  I owed it to my family to find a better work/life balance, to give my boys more of myself.  So, I left my job and a very successful career, just like that.  I shocked everyone, my friends, parents, and quite frankly, myself.  I stayed home with the kids and enjoyed my first Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve off in more than a decade.  It felt great! 

The kids were happy, my husband was happy, I was happy, and it stayed that way…. for all of about six months.  You see, I have worked since I was 14 years old, holding part time jobs through high school and college.  Call it a sound work ethic installed by my parents.  Fortunately one day, unbeknownst to me, God set me on a new path, one I could never have dreamed.  I do pilates, and my instructor, who happens to model part time for QVC, knew I was struggling to figure out a new career and I would be prefect hosting at the Q.  I thought she was crazy.  Sure, I knew how to talk in front of a camera and how to have a conversation on live television, but talk six minutes about cotton sheets? Eight minutes about a flameless candle?  I knew nothing about retail.  Give me a crippling snowstorm, raging fire, corruption at city hall - now those I can talk about!  But clothes, makeup, cookware and computers?  No way! Then my husband told me to give it a shot.  Now I thought HE was crazy.  But, he was quick to point out my LOVE LOVE LOVE of shopping and how I buy and use everything I feared having to speak about.  So, when QVC announced an open casting call last summer, I heeded his advice.  I made the trip to New York City to audition and gave it my best shot.  If anything, I thought the adventure of just being in the big apple and doing something completely foreign to me, would be a great memory-making experience.  I could have never predicted that 10,000 applicants and two more auditions later, QVC would choose ME to be one of its two new hosts.  FUNNY WHERE LIFE CAN TAKE YOU. 

Sure, being a working mom still has its sacrifices. I am now "the new kid on the block" having so much to learn and to prove myself all over again.  And, like news, QVC is a 24-hour, seven day a week operation, which also calls for working crazy overnight hours and holidays (but not Christmas!!! Huge for the kiddos!).  However, the difference with QVC is I was able to be up front about my desires to put my family first and not one single manager looked at me as if my head was blue and turning 360 degrees.  I no longer work 14 hour days standing in snowstorms or hurricanes in far off places.  I can stick close to home, working out of the same studio, and never have to worry about Susan Graver's fashions catching fire and putting an entire city block in danger the minute I am about to walk out the door (breaking news almost always happens just when your shift is about to end).  Now, I can get home to my kids and make good on my promises that Mommy will be there.  For that I am so thankful and I am so looking forward to the privilege of proving myself to you and growing as a host here at QVC!

I will still be working late night/early morning hours, but I’m excited to be filling in as the Social Host and chatting duringAM Style with Leah Williams on Saturday mornings at 8AM. Please join us and also join me on my facebook page; www.facebook.com/StaceyStaufferQVC

-Stacey       

Have a question for the tarte team? Comment below! They'll be answering your questions between 9-11pm ET tonight!

I’m always shopping. I like to call it “research”. But the truth is, I do it because I never know what treasure I’m going to find. Even when I’m browsing, I keep my eyes open for things I might like. Which is how I stumbled upon a sweater that looked familiar to me.

Crochet on the department store rack circa 2014

I was in a well-known department store when I saw a sweater hanging on a rack. There was something about the sweater that I liked but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. It was crochet with a retro look. I wasn’t sure I liked the sweater enough to buy it, so I took a picture of it and thought I would come back later once I decided.

Fast forward -- I keep a kind of digital “look book” with pictures of outfits that I like; would like to buy; or would like to recreate for my own wardrobe. I had forgotten about that crochet sweater until I uncovered a picture of myself from 1972. There it was -- the same crochet pattern that I had seen in the high-end department store in 2014!

Me as a pre-teen in 1972 in my crochet vest. Note the vinyl albums in the background, and (gasp) the Larks (not mine of course) on the coffee table.

Part of the fun of fashion is seeing how styles are reinvented and reinterpreted over the years. The wrap dress gets and update, the skinny pant finds a new fabric, polka dots get bigger, then smaller. Everything old is new! 

I’ll see you Saturday for the Summer Fashion Day edition of AM Style!

Leah :-)

Here is where this sweeps will live

The U.S. Navy is known as “America’s Navy, A Global Force for Good”. I know because my cousin Tim, my Uncle Pete, and my granddad Kelvin were all Navy men. As a matter of fact, if you stop by the Maine Maritime Academy, stop by the library: it is still named after their former Superintendent, my grandpa. That means my mom grew up as a Navy dependent and got to spend some time in some incredible places. She even spent some of her childhood in China! This is a photo of my mom when they moved back to Washington State. She is SO CUTE.

For our second stop on the In the Kitchen with David Road Trip, we’re headed to Newport Naval Base in Rhode Island. The mission of Naval Station Newport is to “fulfill the diverse requirements of its tenant commands by providing the facilities and infrastructure that are essential to their optimum performance.” From my research, it looks like the Newport base is home to 50 Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and US Army Reserve commands and activities. They also employ about 5,800 folks in the area, making it the definition of a community “hub” if I’ve ever heard one.

Newport Naval Base also houses the Naval War College. While there are numerous military educational facilities, the Naval War College is the oldest. Around 600 graduates walk out its doors every year with a top-notch education and joint professional military education credit!

As I mentioned above, my granddad was in the Navy and his wife (AKA: Granny) was an amazing cook. She was a DC graduate of the Cordon Bleu School of Cooking. My granddaddy’s FAVORITE dish was her Beef Stroganoff. Great stick-to-your-ribs comfort food, perfect for days away from home. He did not have too many glowing reports for MRE’s but he sure did love his home cooking! He is the second one in the photo below.

Do you have any Navy friends or family? What are their favorite dishes? Sure would love to hear about them. Please take a moment to let me know! ~ Mary QVC

Hi, everyone!

I'm so excited to be sharing the CHI Smart technology with all of you on Saturday, May 10th! As a professional stylist, I know it is important to have the right tool that is versatile, easy to use, and is salon quality, helping to leave your hair shiny, and beautiful. With this in mind, we stylists at CHI created the CHI Smart Titanium Ceramic Styling Iron for you to make styling at home easier with salon-quality results. CHI Smart has also included a hot iron holster, which is a safe and convenient solution for storing the styling iron during heat up, styling and cool down. We have you covered with this Today’s Special Value collection. Every day will be a great hair day with CHI Smart!

Have a question about the CHI Smart Titanium Ceramic Digital Hairstyling Iron & Holster Silicone Iron Holder, Ask now by posting your questions below, and don't forget to check back throughout the TSV day on 5/10 for our answers!

-Lisa Marie Garcia

Hi All! Danny Randell here, LOGO by Lori Goldstein's Brand Ambassador, sharing the LOGO Love. I'm here to give you an inside view on Lori's whirlwind fashion world. I'm blessed to work day-to-day on the line, her life, and all of her special projects. It's a gift to be a part of it all and she generously shares her fashion magic with me.

It's beyond inspiring to work with such a passionate force of fashion nature! Which reminds me...

Mothers day is fast approaching and we love to hear from you about all things warm and motherly. 

What does Mothers day mean to you?

For me it's honoring all the strong women in my life. It can be about so much more than a literal mother. Growing up with my father in a single parent home, I didn't have a traditional mom. Because of that, I had the fortune and openness of many influential super women who have come into my world.

Now, I am beyond grateful to get to work with my mentor, one of the strongest women I have ever met. Lori Goldstein shares her vision with me and so many more women of LOGO. To me, she shares an unparalleled warmth and a wisdom that's beyond motherly. It's tough love and tenderness, and I get to experience it day to day. I can't imagine a more gratifying and enriching experience. It truly is a unique love.

We love to hear from each and every one who gets to share, express and play in our world. How do you share the love with your mother figures? 

Listening to all the voices like a symphony, Logo fans have reached out to we've collected those who have recommended some of our pieces for their mothers!  LOVE THAT!!!! Here are some looks that we have put together with those pieces, picked for you BY YOU!  We've paired pieces in the colors we love and totally encourage you to be your very own stylist, mix and match away...

Check out all of these pieces in our brand shop, and feel free to share the motherly love! 

xx Danny

Hello PM Stylers! As I write this I am flying over Knoxville and on my way back to Philly. Oh what a wonderful trip it was.  There is nothing better than being around family and friends and I wish it were like that all the time.  It has been the most amazing week for me and I can’t wait to tell you all about it!

{:::Last Week:::}

            QVC, Aaron, and I have something really BIG to Announce.  At the end of July we are launching something called “Courtney Says I Do” where you will follow Aaron and me along for our journey to getting married; Everything from picking out food, to flowers, to honeymoon destinations, and so much more.   It’s general theme is Bride on a Budget and we are so excited to share the tips and learning’s we have found on the way to planning our wedding.   

This past week was really exciting because one of the last things I had to do was pick out my wedding dress.  I’m not sure why I put that last on my to-do list, but I think I was very scared that I was going to be alone in the process of picking it out.  I know you hear me say I miss home a lot, but really it’s my family that I miss.  I love my job, I love our home in Philadelphia… but I really miss being able to see the people I love most in this world at the drop of a hat. Add all of that into wedding dress shopping and my work schedule... I would have rather just not thought about it. 

You see, when my momma and step-dad were up visiting during Thanksgiving, I wanted to have a one-of-a kind dress shopping experience.   After living down South my entire life, there was one place I really wanted to go to find my special dress and that was Kleinfeld.  When my momma and I went into the store, it was a fairytale.  Everything was just beyond gorgeous… but at the same time I felt really overwhelmed.  I had no venue, no clue the style of wedding I wanted, no idea of what type of wedding dress I wanted, and most importantly what my budget was going to be.  I just knew I only had a few hours with my mom and that was that.  I really wanted to find a dress.  And boy did I ever find a dress.  I said yes to about eleven of them.  I loved everything!  Seriously there was just not one dress I tried on that I didn’t love… It was the most fun I had ever had playing dress-up. Period. 

            Then came time to make a decision.  “You’re kidding right?!” I thought to myself.  How could I possibly make a decision?  I decided to leave Kleinfeld with my pictures in hand and mull over which dress I wanted.  That was all fine and well… but I forgot to think about it.  Cue everyone starting to ask me “Have you found your dress?” 

Here’s some other big news, after getting “Courtney Says I do” off and running my producer and friend, Venita and I submitted myself to “Say Yes to the Dress” And they said “Yes” to helping me find a dress once and for all!  I brought along some of my closest friends, my Mom, Lisa, Aimee, and Brandon to help me pick out a dress and it was one of the best most memorable days of my life.   I knew going back to Kleinfeld that with my budget in mind, I wanted to splurge.  I wanted my wedding dress to be a gift that would be the best gift I’ve ever given myself.  I wanted this dress to be separate from my wedding budget and I didn’t want to say no to any dress because of a price tag.

Which do you want first, Good News or Bad News?

Good News: I have a very special Dress and it came in under my gift-to-myself/ once-in-a-lifetime budget .

Bad News: I have no idea when the air date is but I will let you know leading up to it .

            Kentucky Derby + Engagement Photos + Engagement Party

What you may not know about Aaron is that he truly is the life of the party.  One of the things that most attracted me to him was that when you’re in the room with him, He lights it up.  He’s the one that’s having the best time and everyone gravitates towards him… me included.  He’s very funny… but I like to tell him that I’m funnier just to get on his nerves.  That being said… I think you can tell by the pictures, we had a really good time, together. 

PM Style

            One of my favorite tops from Renee Greenstein is back and in new colors for Spring and Summer.  Grab a look at the news colors here and I will see you on the Runway for PM Style!

XO, CC

Last week I visited our distribution center in Rocky Mount, N.C. to honor our Shining Star Award recipients. These are folks who, over the course of the year, have done such an outstanding job that it just screamed to be recognized. But before I go on about themJ, let me tell you about the place. Rocky Mount is our largest of five distribution centers. It is 1.5 million square feet, and can hold about 12 million pieces at once. During peak season, these address machines (lower right hand corner) can process about 1,000 packages an hour! This is a “hard goods” facility, so things like electronics, kitchen products, and exercise equipment all come out of here.

As long as I was there, I decided to get to work , I helped Clementine box up an Emeril’s 4-pc. Seasoning Set for Dennis. Hey Dennis if you’re reading this, let me know that the package arrived safely !

I often buy lots of stuff at once (how about you??), and Gloria is one of the folks who makes sure that whatever can be shipped together will be.

If you’ve ever selected to have your package gift-wrapped, Sylvia might have done the job 

Sometimes, things don’t go according to plan, but this is where it gets fixed… quickly and efficiently. These ladies handle various stages of returns, replacements, and repackaging (are you aware of our “as is” shop on our website???).

While it looks like we’re standing in front of a wall of product, we’re not. This is a truck that Willie has loaded to the brim 

Getting the product out to you, that’s the mission, and that brings me back to the reason for my visit. 21 people were honored at the Shining Star banquet (not all pictured).

And it was my pleasure to say “thank you” in person. While I say on television “the item you ordered will be at your door in 7-10 days,” these award recipients, and everyone at the facility, are the folks who make it happen! I’m giving them a standing ovation, how about you?

In Honor or Mother's Day we asked a few of our friends at the Q to tell us, "What is the Best Advice Your Mother Ever Gave You?" Share your advice in the comments below!

Mally:

“The best advice my mother gave me is to treat EVERYONE like a superstar. Whether you are meeting someone for the first time, or you've known that person your entire life, everyone deserves to be treated with respect and kindness.”

Joan Rivers:

“Family is the most important thing you’ll ever have in your life. Hold them dear to your heart always”

Lori Goldstein:

"The best advice my mother ever shared with me, was the importance of manners. I take that wisdom with me always and forever..."

Renee Greenstein:

"Mother’s Day always brings me fond memories of my father.  He fulfilled the role of both mother and father in my life, and it’s him who immediately comes to mind this time of year. He was a chef who taught me how to make blackberry deep dish, and how to carve a turkey and put it back together. He made me feel like Cinderella; like Daddy’s princess who could do anything she set her mind to. I was actually blessed to have another mother figure enter my life, my mother-in-law Bea. After my father’s passing, she provided the kind of love and support that only a mother could provide. To this day, she is my largest cheerleader! Sometimes motherhood comes to us in non-traditional ways. On Mother’s Day, let’s remember to also celebrate those who fulfill the role of Mom even though that may not be what we call them."

Tara McConnell:

“As much as my mom has inspired so many of my recipes -- and even the idea behind temp-tations itself -- the best advice she ever gave me actually has nothing to do with cooking. But it has everything to do with life. From the time I was little, my mom always told me: In everything you do, act as if someone is watching you. That way, you'll make choices you can stand up for and live a life you can be proud of. It's a simple thought, but harder than it sounds! Still, it's served me well for my whole life. Love you, mom!”

Judith Ripka:

“I often remember the walks my mother and I would take around the neighborhood when I was a young girl. She taught me to see the beauty in all the little things around us, no matter how ordinary they might appear to be.   Even recognizing the details of the buildings we walked past was a result of her unique way of observing her surroundings, and her influence can be seen throughout my collections even today.  Consistent with her outlook on life, one of my mother’s favorite expressions was “You can look back, but don’t stare.”   It reminds me to stay in the solution rather than dwelling on the past, and that has turned out to be great advice, both personally and professionally.

Hello, foodies…

Happy Cinco de Mayo! If you're hungry for a tasty Mexican dish, check out the blog I wrote last week with our top 20 best Mexican recipes.

It was an honor to tell you about our virtual road trip month on In the Kitchen with Davidyesterday. If you missed it, you're in for a treat. For the month of May, we’re recognizing military men and women and the communities they call home, as well as the foods that represent the region where the base is located.

Our first "stop" was Lewis-McChord in Washington State. This Wednesday, we're headed to Newport Naval Base—home of the U.S. Naval War College. I encourage you to read a little more about the base in Mary’s blog today. We’d like to thank all the soldiers who serve and have proudly served there. And, we'd like to give Gail from Rhode Island a shout out for bringing the Newport base to our attention. Say, “hi” to Gail!

Gail also invited us to come have Tomato Cheese Tarts with her at Bouchard, her favorite French restaurant in Newport. We may just do that, Gail. But even if Newport doesn't end up being our winning destination at the end of this month, it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a little French cuisine in the meantime. How does Butterscotch Crème Brûlée sound? Delicious? It is. Complicated—think again. Just watch!

Butterscotch Crème Brûlée

Ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar, divided
• 9 large egg yolks
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 Tbsp dark spiced rum
• White sugar (2-1/2 tsp for 5-oz ramekins or 1-1/2 tsp for 3-oz ramekins)

Preparation:

1. Bring the heavy cream and 1/2 cup of the sugar to a simmer in a 2-qt saucepan.
2. Lightly whisk together the egg yolks and 1/4 cup of the sugar in a medium-size mixing bowl. Temper the egg mixture by slowly pouring the cream mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Add the vanilla and the rum and continue whisking until fully incorporated. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl. Place the bowl with the brûlée mixture into an ice water bath and let cool completely.
3. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
4. Place the ramekins in a large baking dish, and then divide the brûlée mixture evenly between the ramekins, filling them 3/4 of the way full. Place the baking dish in the middle rack of the oven, and then fill it with hot tap water to 2/3 of the way up the ramekin sides. If you're using 7 (3-oz) ramekins bake for 25-35 minutes or 35-45 minutes for 4 (5-oz) ramekins, until a there's a light jiggle in the centers. Remove the ramekins from the oven and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
5. Just before serving, sprinkle the white sugar over each cooled crème brûlée and torch until all of the sugar is melted and golden brown. Serve immediately.

This recipe is prepared using the BonJour Chef's Tools Crème Brulee Set Torch with 4 Oval Ramekins (K128802).

Go to David's Recipe Item Page for the full list of items that David has used in his recipes.

I’ll see you Wednesday for In the Kitchen with David at 8pm ET—we’ve got four big hours together because it’s QVC’s Cooking on Q – Summer Cooking. In the meantime, why not noodle over this blog question: what’s your favorite French food?Do you like ratatouille? Quiche? Croissants? All of the above?

Don’t forget—if you have family members or friends that are—or ever were—in the military, we'd love to have their photos! We’ll add them to our collage in our QVC kitchen and we’ll be highlighting a few of those incredible people each and every show, if you have time to share their story. Send those to davidsroadtrip@qvc.com.

Keep it flavorful!
—David

Hi, ladies! 

Happy May! I hope everyone had a great month. And I hope everyone is enjoying their Denim & Co TSV from last week. Let us know how you like it... 

We also have a great show today. So now that we are well into the spring season and summer is right around  the corner, what fabrics are your favorite for warmer weather? Today we have some Perfect Jersey knit, rib knit, woven seersucker gingham, How Timeless denim & twill and some gauze for bottoms, and more.

A212970 Denim & Co. Perfect Jersey 3/4 Sleeve Top with Woven Collar

A59526 Denim & Co. Seersucker Gingham 3/4 Sleeve Ruffle Shirt

A223826 Denim & Co. "How Timeless" Side Pocket Capri Pants with Knots

If you have any questions about any items in the show or just want to chat, just let me know. 

Talk to you soon!

Heather

Check out the complete Denim & Co. collection on QVC.com.

We're looking to hear from you, QVC Community! Did you already vote on the Community Poll this week?  What's your favorite type of beauty advice that you get in the QVC Forums?  Are you looking for Hair Care, DIY Treatments, Skin Care Solutions, Nail Care, how to use Argan Oils, or anything and everything about Color Cosmetics?

Please share your comments below, after you vote and tell us why that type of advice is your favorite.

MOTHER’S DAY ADVICE SWEEPSTAKES

OFFICIAL RULES

SPONSOR: This Sweepstakes is sponsored by QVC, 1200 Wilson Drive, West Chester, PA 19380 (“Sponsor”).

ELIGIBILITY: No purchase necessary. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the United States and the District of Columbia, excluding Rhode Island, who are 18 years or older at the time of Submission and have submitted a valid Submission prior to the end of the Sweepstakes. Any person who submits any information to Sponsor or any other party in connection with the Sweepstakes is a “Participant”.  Any references to “you” or forms of “you” shall mean the Participant.

Employees, officers and directors of QVC or its affiliates, and their immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of each, their agents, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, and those involved in the production, development, implementation or handling of the Sweepstakes are ineligible to enter the Sweepstakes or win a Prize.

Without limiting any other provision of these Sweepstakes Rules, any winner may be required to sign and return a Release as a condition to receipt of a prize under this Sweepstakes.

SWEEPSTAKES PERIOD: The Sweepstakes begins on May 9, 2014 and ends at 11:59 pm (ET) on May 11, 2014 (the "Sweepstakes Period"). 

HOW TO ENTER: There are two (2) ways to enter the Sweepstakes, online via www.qvc.com or by mail.

To enter online, you must have access to the QVC Community.  To gain access to the QVC Community, you must open a QVC account.  No purchase is necessary to open an account.  Creating a QVC account requires providing a title (i.e., Mr., Mrs.), first name, last name, email address, physical address, and phone number.  You then submit your “Story” within the comments section of the Blog on www.qvc.com.  Follow the submissions guidelines listed in these Sweepstakes Rules and submit your Submission ("Submission").  A Submission includes any story, text or any other information or data in any form that a Participant submits in any manner, directly or indirectly, to Sponsor in connection with the Sweepstakes.  Sweepstakes is limited to one (1) Submission per Participant.  Duplicate Submissions will be removed.  In the event Participants exceed the stated limit, only the earliest Submission will be reviewed. No e-mail or fax Submissions will be accepted.

To enter the Sweepstakes by mail, send your name, address, and daytime telephone number and Submission Story on a standard 4 inch by 6 inch postcard addressed to Mother’s Day Advice Sweepstakes, 1200 Wilson Drive MC – 202, West Chester, PA 19380. (“Mail Entry”).

Online Entries must be submitted by 11:59 AM ET on May 11, 2014. All Mail Entries must be postmarked by May 11, 2014, and received by May 13, 2014.

Limit of one (1) entry per person during the entry period either by mail or online. Any person who attempts to participate with entries in excess of these entry limitations will be disqualified.Any other attempted form of Sweepstakes entry is void. Any person who attempts to participate under multiple identities or uses any device or artifice to enter in excess of this entry limitation will be disqualified; use of programmed, automated or like means of entry is prohibited. All duplicate entries will be discarded. All Mail Entries are the non-returnable property of Sponsors.

Sponsors are not responsible for lost, misdirected or late entries caused by hardware or software errors or other technological malfunctions or failure of any kind or invalid/non-operational device, or lost, late, mutilated, misdirected or postage-due mail. Sponsors are not responsible for the failure of the delivery carrier responsible for delivery of any entry.

DRAWING:  Each eligible submission will be entered once in a random prize drawing to be held on or about May 13, 2014. QVC, Inc. retains the right to delay the prize drawing. Winner will be chosen at random from the pool of eligible entries received. Odds of winning are determined by the number of eligible entries received. Winning entry is subject to validation.

PRIZE: Three (3) First Prize Winners will be randomly selected to receive:

(1) IT Cosmetics Gift Bag - Retail Value: $352

(1) Peter Thomas Roth Gift Bag – Retail Value: $528

(1) Honora Pearls – Retail Value: $129

(1) Emma & Sofia Saffiano Leather Addison Zip Top Tote – Retail Value: $100

Total Approximate Retail Value of all Four (4) Prizes Combined: $1,109.00

Prizing is limited to one prize per person per household. Prize is limited to what is listed in these official rules. Prize winner (“Winner”) is not entitled to any surplus between actual value of prize and stated retail value. In the event Sponsor is unable to award prize as stated, Winner will receive a substitute prize of equal or greater value, at Sponsor’s discretion. Any costs or fees not specifically listed herein are the responsibility of the Winner.

If a potential Winner is unable or unwilling to accept the prize for any reason, he/she will be disqualified and the entire prize forfeited; and, in such event, an alternate Winner shall be selected from among all remaining eligible Submissions received.  Prizes cannot be substituted or transferred by Winner. If a Prize must be forfeited, Winner will not be given the cash value of the prize or any component of the prize.  Winner is solely responsible for all expenses not expressly included. All taxes are the responsibility of the Winner. Winner may be required to sign an IRS Form 1099, Form W-9, or the equivalent for all prizes valued at $600 or greater, or for any prize as to which Sponsor, in its sole discretion, believes it is warranted.  PRIZES PROVIDED BY QVC.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:  Within the comments section of the blog or on a postcard, tell us the best advice your mom ever gave you. The Winner will be selected randomly from all eligible Submissions.

ONCE TRANSMITTED ALL SUBMISSIONS BECOME PART OF THE SWEEPSTAKES AND MAY NOT BE REMOVED BY THE Participant, EVEN IF Participant CEASES OR WITHDRAWS FROM SWEEPSTAKES CONSIDERATION. Any Submission may be posted on Sponsor’s website and/or any other website specified by Sponsor and may be available to be viewed by anyone with access to the Internet.  All Submissions may remain on any website specified by Sponsor in perpetuity or for as long as Sponsor deems appropriate to archive.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. By entering the Sweepstakes and making any Submission, a Participant hereby represents and warrants to Sponsor and its affiliated entities that (a) the Participant has obtained all permissions necessary to post publicly the Submission and any portion thereof; (b) the Submission is an original work of authorship, created by Participant, has not been previously published or won any award, and there are no conflicting rights in the Submission, including but not limited to copyright, rights of publicity or privacy, or other intellectual property rights; (c) the Submission will not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of any third party, including by way of example and not by limitation, any copyright, trademark or patent rights or rights of publicity or privacy belonging to any third party; (d) the Participant is a legal resident of the United States or the District of Columbia, excluding Rhode Island, and is at the time of Submission, at least 18 years of age; (e) the Participant has the right to agree to, and fully perform the Participant’s obligations under these Sweepstakes Rules; and (f) the Participant has the consent of any third parties as required to grant the rights and licenses granted by Participant hereunder, including without limitation all licenses, rights, assignments of rights, waivers of non-transferable rights, consents and permissions to any portion of the Submission or performance contained in such Submission, and to all underlying elements or other works incorporated into the Submission (including without limitation any dialog/monologue, music, lyrics, voices, statements, photos and likeness releases for any person who appears in or is identifiable in the Submission).

Participant hereby agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Sponsor, and its respective parents, successors, assigns and licensees, harmless from and against any losses or expenses incurred by Sponsor relating to any right or license granted, or any breach of any representation, warranty or covenant made, by Participant under these Sweepstakes Rules.

PUBLICITY RELEASE. Subject to applicable law, Participant irrevocably grants Sponsor the right to use the Submission and the Participant’s name, voice, likeness and/or biographical material, and has obtained identical rights of any third parties depicted in the Submission for advertising, promotional and/or publicity purposes in connection with the Sweepstakes, in all forms of media (now and hereafter known), worldwide in perpetuity, without any obligation or consideration of Sponsor, or its affiliated entities.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

Participant must have express written consent of any individual featured in the Submission. Please do not submit duplicate Submissions. Any Submissions that violate the Sweepstakes Rules will be removed. Any Submission using the likeness of others or uses or displays copyrighted material without permission will be removed.

Submissions may not portray the Sponsor in a negative light.  Submissions may not contain offensive, defamatory, inappropriate, or obscene material, in the sole discretion of Sponsor. In the event the Submission contains photographic images or likenesses of individuals, those individuals must have provided the Participant with adequate written permission to use the image, and must not be under contract or have any guild or association affiliations that would limit the right of Sponsors to use the Submission for any purpose for which a license or right is granted to Sponsors under these Sweepstakes Rules.

Sponsor is not responsible for legal protection or clearance of Submissions in any form. Sponsor reserves the right to request evidence of permission or original work and further reserves the right to disqualify any Submission it deems infringing or inappropriate in any form, according to these Sweepstakes Rules.  Except where expressly prohibited by law, once transmitted all submissions become part of the Sweepstakes and may not be removed by the Participant, even if Participant ceases membership or withdraws from Sweepstakes consideration.

Sponsor grants a limited license to use its proprietary text, logos, and trademarks provided and necessary to create a Submission.  Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, no rights in the Sponsor Content are granted to Contestant for any other purpose.  “Sponsor Content” means Sponsor’s name, proprietary text, logos, trademarks, trade names, service names and any other intellectual property of Sponsor.

WINNER NOTIFICATION: The potential Winner will be notified on or about May 13, 2014. The potential Winner will be required to respond (as directed) to the phone and/or e-mail notification within the time period specified in the notification (“Notification”). The failure to respond timely to the notification may result in forfeiture of the prizes; and, in such case, Sponsor may choose an alternate Winner from the remaining eligible submissions. The potential Winner also will be sent an affidavit of eligibility / liability / publicity release ("Release"); and together with the Notification and any other release or document required to be executed by Sponsor, the (“Prize Acceptance Documents”). Unless restricted by law, the potential Winner will be required to complete and return the Release within the time period specified therein. As a condition of receiving a prize, potential Winner shall, in the form specified by Sponsor, provide a perpetual non-exclusive license to Sponsor to use the Submission in any and all media throughout the world, in perpetuity, for any purpose whatsoever, without any additional compensation, the term of which shall be the entire life of the copyright. Should potential Winner be unwilling or otherwise unable to enter into the license, or provide such permissions and/or releases or otherwise cannot accept or receive the prize for any reason, an alternate Winner will be selected by Sponsor from the remaining eligible Submissions until one who is able to meet all requirements can be selected. Potential winner must provide Sponsor with all signatures on the Release and return all documents in a timely manner as required pursuant to these Sweepstakes Rules in order to be eligible to receive any prize.

USE OF SUBMISSIONS: LICENSE. Participant, by entering the Sweepstakes or making any Submission to or for the benefit of Sponsor, hereby irrevocably grants to Sponsor a non-exclusive, sub-licensable, royalty-free, fully paid license and right to use, distribute, make derivative works from and otherwise exploit the Submission, in any manner and in any medium now known or hereafter devised, throughout the world in perpetuity, including without limitation the right to use the Submission in whole or in part in merchandising, advertising, marketing or promotion or for any other commercial or non-commercial purpose related to the Sweepstakes or not related to the Sweepstakes. Participant hereby forever waives and relinquishes all so-called "moral rights (droit moral)" now or hereafter recognized.  Participant agrees that Sponsor shall have sole discretion in determining the extent and manner of use of Submission and is not obligated to use any Submission.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Sponsor shall not be liable to Participants for, and each Participant releases Sponsor from, any failure to supply any prize or any part thereof, by reason of any acts of God, any action(s), regulation(s), order(s) or request(s) by any governmental or quasi-governmental entity (whether or not the action(s), regulations(s), order(s) or request(s) prove(s) to be invalid), equipment failure, threatened terrorist acts, terrorist acts, air raid, blackout, act of public enemy, earthquake, war (declared or undeclared), fire, flood, epidemic, explosion, unusually severe weather, hurricane, embargo, labor dispute or strike (whether legal or illegal), labor or material shortage, transportation interruption of any kind, work slow-down, civil disturbance, insurrection, riot, or any other similar or dissimilar cause beyond any of the Sponsor’s control. Sponsor is not responsible for, and each Participant hereby releases Sponsor from any claim with respect to, any: (a) lost, late, misdirected, undeliverable, incomplete or indecipherable Submissions due to system errors or failures, or faulty transmissions or other telecommunications malfunctions and/or Submissions; (b) technical failures of any kinds; (c) failures of any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Sweepstakes; (d) unauthorized human and/or mechanical intervention in any part of the submission process or the Sweepstakes; (e) technical or human error which may occur in the administration of the Sweepstakes or the processing of Submissions; or (f) any injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from any Participant’s participation in the Sweepstakes or receipt or use of any prize.

Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any Participant it finds to be violating these Sweepstakes Rules. Sponsor reserves the right to require any Winner to submit to a confidential background check to confirm eligibility and help ensure that the use of any Submission will not bring Sponsor into public disrepute, contempt, scandal or ridicule or reflect unfavorably on the Sweepstakes as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right to cancel or suspend the Sweepstakes for any reason.  Sponsor has the right, but not the obligation, to use any Submission. Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, cancel, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes should a virus, bug, computer problem, unauthorized intervention or other causes beyond Sponsor’s control, corrupt the administration, security or proper play of the Sweepstakes. Sponsor may prohibit a Participant from participating in the Sweepstakes or winning a prize if, in its sole discretion, it determines such Participant is attempting to undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes by cheating, plagiarizing, engaging in any deception, or any other unfair playing practices of intending to annoy, abuse, threaten, undermine or harass any other players or Sponsor representatives. The internal laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will govern the Sweepstakes, these Sweepstakes Rules, and any disputes regarding these Sweepstakes Rules and/or this Sweepstakes. Any attempt to deliberately damage or undermine the legitimate operation or fair play of the Sweepstakes may be in violation of criminal and civil laws and will result in disqualification of the Participant from participation in the Sweepstakes. Should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek remedies and damages (including attorney fees) to the fullest extent of the law, including criminal prosecution.

PRIVACY: Information collected from Participant is subject to QVC’s privacy statement located at www.qvc.com (“Privacy Policy”).  By entering the Sweepstakes, you accept Sponsor’s Privacy Policy.  In the event of a conflict between these Sweepstakes Rules and Sponsor’s Privacy Policy, Sponsor’s Privacy Policy will govern.

GOVERNING LAW / LIMITATION OF LIABILITY:

BY ENTERING THE SWEEPSTAKES, Participant AGREES THAT: (1) ANY AND ALL DISPUTES, CLAIMS AND CAUSES OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR CONNECTED WITH THE SWEEPSTAKES, OR ANY PRIZE AWARDED, WILL BE RESOLVED INDIVIDUALLY, WITHOUT RESORT TO ANY FORM OF CLASS ACTION; (2) ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, JUDGMENTS AND AWARDS WILL BE LIMITED TO ACTUAL THIRD-PARTY, OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS INCURRED, (IF ANY), NOT TO EXCEED TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS ($250.00), BUT IN NO EVENT WILL ATTORNEYS’ FEES BE AWARDED OR RECOVERABLE; (3) UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL ANY Participant BE PERMITTED TO OBTAIN ANY AWARD FOR, AND Participant HEREBY KNOWINGLY AND EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO (I) HAVE DAMAGES MULTIPLIED OR OTHERWISE INCREASED RIGHTS AND (II) SEEK, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, LOST PROFITS AND/OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES, OTHER THAN ACTUAL OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES NOT TO EXCEED TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS ($250.00); AND (4) Participant’S REMEDIES ARE LIMITED TO A CLAIM FOR MONEY DAMAGES (IF ANY) AND Participant IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO SEEK INJUNCTIVE OR EQUITABLE RELIEF.  SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. 

MISCELLANEOUS:

The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Sweepstakes Rules or the Prize Acceptance Documents will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.  In the event that any provision of the Sweepstakes Rules or the Prize Acceptance Documents is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable or illegal, the other provisions will remain in effect and will be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or illegal provision were not contained herein.  Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Sweepstakes Rules or any Prize Acceptance Documents will not constitute a waiver of that provision.  Participants agree to waive any rights to claim ambiguity of these Sweepstakes Rules.  Headings are solely for convenience of reference and will not be deemed to affect in any manner the meaning or intent of the documents or any provision hereof.

DIGITAL MILLENNIUM COPYRIGHT ACT: Sponsor’s policy is to respond to notices of alleged infringement that comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA").

WINNER’S LIST: For the names of prize winners, mail a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Mother’s Day Advice Sweepstakes, QVC Studio Park Mail Code 201, West Chester, PA 19380.

Have you seen the video about the job interviews American Greetings conducted for their “Director of Operations” position?  If not, when you have 4 minutes watch it at: Facebook.com/valerieparrhill, then join us back here….

Did you reach for a tissue?  I sure did.

When I think about how sacrificially my Mother has cared for my Dad, my brothers and me and now that circle of love includes the “Grands and the Great-grands”.  By the decisions she’s made, she taught me the importance of "family first”.  She is always there for us, a wonderful home-maker, marvelous cook, gifted gardener, a truly amazing Mother!  

When I watched the video the second time, with a greater appreciation for what the job really was, I chuckled when they said the job is 24/7 and requires degrees in medicine, finance and the culinary arts.  So true!   From boo-boos to full blown fevers, from allowances to balancing the household checking account, from school lunches to delicious, hot, holiday meals for 18 - all with a smile!  My mother has done all of this with grace and made it look effortless.  Now….I know better!  It’s not effortless, with careful planning and preparation she just made it look easy.  

Mother has not only showered us with love, she has also shared with us her love for the Lord and has encouraged us in our walk with Him.  Her daily prayers mean so much to all of us.  The words “Thank you Mother” seem so inadequate, but are nonetheless, heartfelt!  

Happy Mother’s Day! 

Valerie

Please share your thoughts on motherhood or a Mother Tribute in the comment section below.

In honor of May being Salsa Month and today being all about Cooking on Q, I wanted to share with you one of my favorite summer recipes. 

Straight from my recipe book at home, here is how to make a refreshing AND delicious Pineapple Avocado Salsa.

Ingridients:

- 1 cup fresh pineapple

- 2 plum tomatoes 

- 1 firm, ripe, California avocado (diced into 4 pieces)

- 1/2 cup of Sweet White Onion

- 1 1/2 t. Fresh Japlepenos 

- 1/4 Cup Chopped Cilantro 

- 3T Fresh lime juice 

- 3T Fresh Orange Juice 

- 2T Extra-Virgin Olive Oil