Mothering Sunday

The celebration of Mother's day began hundreds of year ago when on fourth Sunday of Lent families visited their Mother church, pausing from strict fasting to offer gifts and give thanks. It turned into Mothering sunday to show affection and gratitude to moms.

Also it is known as Laetare Sunday like Gaudete Sunday, taking a break. It is also known as Rose sunday or mothering sunday. We are reminded that salvation at hand, Christ will rise from dead to deliver us from sin and season of penance will be over soon. It is a time to visit their mother churches were you baptised or confirmed, or visit your own church. This is very impossible at the current situation, however you can pray for your church today.Epistle reading speaks not of Jews, those who come to Christ regardless of ancestry , are the inheritors of  Abraham's promise (Gal 4; 22-)

It is the spring equinox when Sun shines directly on equator, and the length of days and night are equal.

Spring bulb flowers like daffodils are given to mothers and making Simnel cake is a tradition to celebrate the Mothering Sunday though it is  of late Easter too.

          Simnel Cake

1 cup margarine, softened
1 cup light brown sugar
4 eggs
1 3/4 cups self-rising flour
1 1/3 cups golden raisins
1 cup dried currants
2/3 cup candied cherries, rinsed, dried and quartered
1/4 cup candied mixed fruit peel, chopped
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons mixed spice
1 pound almond paste
2 tablespoons apricot jam
1 egg, beaten

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Grease and flour an 8 inch springform pan. Line the bottom and sides of pan with greased parchment paper. In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Beat in the flour. Stir in the golden raisins, currants, candied cherries, mixed fruit, lemon zest and mixed spice. Pour 1/2 of batter into prepared pan.

Divide almond paste into 3 equal portions. Roll out 1/3 of the almond paste to an 8 inch circle. Place the circle of almond paste on the cake batter in pan. Cover with remaining cake batter. Bake in the preheated oven for 2 1/2 hours, or until evenly brown and firm to the touch. If the cake is browning too quickly, cover with foil after an hour of baking. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. Set oven to broil. When the cake has cooled, brush the top with warmed apricot jam. Roll out 1/3 of the almond paste into an 8 inch circle and place on top of cake.

Divide the remaining 1/3 of almond paste into 11 pieces and roll into balls. These represent the 12 Apostles minus Judas. Brush the almond paste on top of cake with beaten egg. Arrange the 11 balls around the outside edge on the top of cake. Brush the balls lightly with egg. Place cake under the broiler for 8 to 10 minutes, or until almond paste is golden brown.

Some ideas for children to make Cards for their mothers and provide them with some little treats when they get up.

Children made some cookies last night, just as a time pass .

  Happy Mothering Sunday.