Rhubarb Pie

“Things that were hard to bear were sweet to remember,” said Seneca. If you were to ask my sister, the Roman philosopher was clearly anticipating the challenges of making rhubarb pie in a friend’s kitchen without a food processor, pastry blender or rolling pin. But through adversity, there is redemption and Claire made the dough with a fork and rolled it out using a Bacardi bottle wrapped in Saran Wrap. The result? A spectacularly delicious rhubarb pie, one that we will be making all summer. Recipe via food52.com.

What Women Want

What is it that women most desire? Ask Chaucer’s protagonist in the Wife of Bath and the answer is sovereignty over their husbands. Me? I’ll settle for marital equality and the right to a good, hot bath. I’m married to a man who gets this—and really good presents. For Mother’s Day this year I unwrapped a gorgeous natural linen bath towel I’ve been coveting from Brahms Mount.

Along with some delicious Malin+Goetz Bergamot Body Wash, which foams up nicely in the bath and smells like Earl Grey tea.

In fact, maybe I’ll have a cup of that, too, tonight while soaking in the 1920s claw foot tub in our guest bathroom under the watchful eye of Julie Christie in a 1960s vintage poster from Darling—a movie about a woman who cannot ever be satisfied but wears really, really good clothes. Happy Mother’s Day!

Bergamot Black tea via gilttaste.com

Let’s Drink to Mother’s Day

Flowers, spa treatments, breakfast in bed—it’s all good. But after the kids are in bed, what better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than with a well-deserved drink? One of my favorites is The Lulu (above)—a delicious muddle of basil and strawberries topped with Prosecco, St. Germain elderflower liqueur and Aperol, created by friend and celebrity caterer Lulu Powers.

Also in the fruity family is the beloved Pimms Cup cocktail. Grab some blueberries, strawberries, oranges and fresh mint at the farmers market in the morning and make a pitcher in the afternoon. These taste even better when enjoyed with friends.

For something that packs a little more punch, try a refreshing Vodka Rosemary Lemon Fizz. The nonalcoholic version of this sophisticated drink is equally delicious for moms-to-be. Just skip the vodka and add more club soda.

Or, if we can’t wait until the kids are in bed, why not start the day with my friend Laurie’s perfect Bloody Mary?

Another entry in the morning cocktail category, a favorite riff on the bellini: Peach Tarragon Bellini, a recipe I developed for Bon Appétit magazine. Or just skip the peaches and tarragon and go directly to champagne. Cheers!