Making (Or Breaking) Traditions on Mother’s Day 2015

With Mother’s Day this Sunday, it’s time to start seriously considering how we can honor mom on her big day. Whether you’re looking to stick to a family tradition or not, there are a few great ways to treat our lucky ladies this year. For example, there are plenty of events going on around the island this weekend. If you typically stay in and repeat a past tradition or routine, shake things up a bit by heading out of the house. Or, if your mom always seems to be on the go, try staying in and pampering her by giving her the day off or taking charge of chores and cooking instead.

Events Around the Island

There are some ladies, like my mom, who just can’t stand to sleep past the sun. If this is the case with your mom, maybe an early start to the day is best suited for your family this year. Try taking mom out to one of these events:

1. If you didn’t know already, yesterday marked the first day of the 2015 Chocolate Festival at the Fairmont Orchid…who doesn’t love chocolate? I know my mom does! Treat mom to a day, or more, of decadence! Tickets may still be available!
2. Or, if mom likes flowers but you don’t think the typical grocery store arrangement is going to cut it this year, you can head on over to the Old Airport Pavilion for Kona Orchid Society’s Orchid Show & Plant Sale 9am-6pm Friday, May 8th, or 8am-5pm Saturday, May 9th. There will be several island orchid vendors selling their plants as well as a nice selection of craft vendors offering jewelry, scarves, and lavapots for purchase. This event is free to the public.
3. May 9th from 10:00am-1:00pm get out to the lei making event in Honaunau where you’ll learn the basic forms of the Hawaiian lei. Cost of this event is $10 (or $8 for SKEA members). If you have a lei needle of your own, please bring it!
4. Maybe mom is a book lover? This weekend is a great time for her to stock up on summer reading. The Kailua-Kona Public Library is hosting a folk book sale Saturday, May 9th from 9am-1pm. All proceeds from sales help support the needs of the Kona libraries.
5. Also on Saturday, May 9th is the Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk at Fairmont Orchid Hotel in South Kohala. Registration for the 3 mile Charity Walk will be at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel from 5:30am-7am. Due to safety reasons, those who would like to run will have a different start time than those who’d like to walk. The run starts at 6:30am and the walk at 7am. Those participating under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult and walkers under the age of 18 must have their application signed by a parent or guardian. A minimum donation is required to participate, and includes a T-shirt and the Beach Party. The Beach Party following the Walk will include a brunch, games, and top-notch live entertainment. Registration forms can be requested at Charity Walk Hawaii.
6. And last but not least, Sunday, May 10th from 2-3pm will be Grateful: A Mother’s Day Concert featuring Justin John Moniz in Kailua-Kona. His unique style and versatility have afforded him an active career in concert, opera, and musical theatre. Tickets are $40/person.

Did You Say Breakfast in Bed?

But…if your mom is the type to revel in late nights and later mornings, why not treat her to something like a nice warm breakfast in bed delivered by those who make celebrating Mother’s Day possible – the kids!

Hawaii News Now says, “there’s no better place than the kitchen to honor your special bond with a woman who has taught you all you know about cooking and baking.” I thought that instead of waking mom up and getting her in the kitchen like any other day, why not give her the morning off, let her sleep in, and impress her with the skills we have acquired all thanks to her by whipping up some scrumptious cinnamon rolls with caramel glaze?

Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Glaze

Here’s the recipe:

Rolls:

• 1 1/3 cups warm milk (105°F)
• 2 packages (1/4-ounce each) active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar, divided
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon Wilton Pure Vanilla Extract
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups bread flour, plus more for dusting

Filling:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons bread flour
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. For rolls, stir together warm milk, yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in large bowl. Let stand 5-10 minutes or until foamy. Add butter, remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, egg yolks, vanilla, and salt. Mix with electric mixer using dough hook on medium speed until combined. Gradually add flour, 1 cup at a time, and mix on medium speed until smooth, elastic dough forms, about 5 minutes.

2. Spray large bowl with vegetable pan spray. Form dough into ball, place into bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Let stand in warm place for 45 minutes or until doubled in size.

3. For filling, stir together butter, sugar, flour, and cinnamon in medium bowl until well-combined.

4. Prepare 13-by-9-inch pan with vegetable pan spray.

5. Punch dough down and roll out to 18-by-14-inch rectangle on floured surface. Spread filling onto dough and roll up from long end, like a jelly roll. Pinch seam to seal, trim ends, and cut into 12 equally-sized pieces.

6. Place rolls into prepared pan; cover with plastic wrap and let rise 25-30 minutes or until doubled in size.

7. Meanwhile, heat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove plastic wrap from rolls and bake 25-29 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack while preparing glaze.

8. For glaze, melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and cream. Cook over medium-high heat until mixture reaches a simmer; cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt. Whisk in confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Pour glaze over warm rolls. Serve warm.