When Mother’s Day came around did you ever ask your father, ‘When’s kid’s day?’ (He, by the way, said, ‘Well, she’s not my mother!’)
The answer is, ‘Everyday.’
Time to pony-up to the woman who went through some happy agony to bring you into this world. It is kind of ironic that Julia Ward Howe, who initiated Mother’s Day for Peace in the United States in 1870, also penned ‘The Battle Hymn of the Republic’ which has many variations on children’s playgrounds.
My personal favorite:
‘Glory, glory Hallelujah Teacher hit me with a ruler, Hit her in the butt, with a green coconut And boy did she turn mean.’
What can I say, I’m from Hawaii.
But here in the Truckee/Tahoe district there are other options besides the coconut deal. Here are several nicer ways to tell your mother, ‘You are Queen for the Day.’
Welcome to Terry’s world. Actually it is called Infinite Nails, but I call it Terry’s world because this is one of the most beautiful places to get ready for summer. Pamper your feet – come on, we are talking sandal season! But before you get to your down low, you are greeted by the aromatherapy scent of lavender and then welcomed into the sanctuary complete with oriental rugs, a gauze-draped ceiling, small tea lights and art by local talent. The nail treatment here is a wonderful combination of indulgence and practicality, specifically designed to combat the hasher elements of our Sierra climate. The manicure and pedicure begin with an exfoliating process and then progress to the local favorite: the paraffin treatment. For especially dry skin and nail cracks Terry has special formulas designed to repair.
It is hard to get a seat at Infinite Nails due its superb reputation and repeat business. In fact, most bookings are the direct result of word-of-mouth and reservations are recommended. Terry does not take credit cards and operates on a cash-only basis. Her prices are extremely reasonable and she has gift certificates on-hand as well as a generous supply of quarters for parking. Infinite Nails’ suite is located in the Truckee Train Depot and it is worth your while to get there early and enjoy watching Frank Rossbach work his magic at Glasforms next store. Infinite Nails: 530-277-2514.
Julie McGinley, owner of Cooking from the Inside Out, is known by family, friends and clients as ‘The Rachel Ray’ of Truckee. This in-home personal meal preparation service is designed to provide you gourmet, balanced and nutritional meals using primarily inventory already found in your own kitchen. ‘I’m a pantry chef,’ says Julie as she assembles asparagus lasagna in her beautiful Glenshire home/studio.
In this day and age, with the price of food sky-rocketing, her business is soaring due to clients (many of whom started as friends and fans of her cuisine) have realized they can actually save money by subscribing to Cooking from the Inside Out. There are several packages to choose from, beginning with the basic three-hour consultation and expanding to ten-hour meal preparation on a weekly basis. While many of her customers agree that the money can actually be a savings in the end, it’s the time they gain that initially drew brought them to her door. ‘Now moms have time for their families and for themselves. Be it the gym, or yoga or work,’ Julie said. This is a great way to give mom a respite form hot stove duty this Mother’s Day and hey, you’re going to love the food as well. Cooking from the Inside Out: 530-582-0203.
Earthly Delights Deli, Bakery and Grocery at Northstar is a great place to go and assemble Mom a killer picnic basket for brunch, lunch or dinner. This gourmet deli offers menu selections right out of Bon Appetit including cold chili shrimp, flank steak salad, polenta stacks and Tuscan pasta salad just to name a few of more than a dozen selections. They also offer a wide variety of pastries, imported cheeses and impressive wines. Or you could go with the made-to-order sandwiches and some items from their gourmet market-place. For dessert, the key-lime tarts and chocolate decadent tortes are a perfect finish to mom’s goodie-basket and be sure to throw in some of the pumpkin spice cookies for yourself. Earthly Delights Deli, Bakery and Grocery: 530-587-7793.
For Mother’s Day brunch on the town, Moody’s Bistro in Truckee’s historic Truckee Hotel and Jake’s on the Lake in the Boatworks Mall in Tahoe City are both celebrating the family matriarch with aplomb. Moody’s has become renowned for its interactive buffet, allowing Mom to pander to her own cravings and not the pitter-patter of little feet looking for the blue box of mac and cheese. The eggs benedict station alone features half a dozen selections including a Tomato and Avocado Benedict, Blackened Shrimp Benedict, Chorizo Benedict and a Crab Benedict. The open kitchen allows you to watch master chef Mark Estee at work, so there might even be some spill-over benefit if mom takes home some moves. At Jake’s the doors open early at 10 a.m. giving mom ample time to enjoy the scenic lakefront setting and a leisurely dining experience (children attention span permitting). If the weather cooperates, there will seating on the deck and Executive Chef Scott Yorkey has created Mother’s Day Brunch specials including Seafood Crepes, Jake’s Omelet, and Chicken Apple Sausage with Cheddar Scrambled Eggs, to name a few. Jake’s full dinner menu will be available after 5:30 p.m. Moody’s Bistro: 530-587-8688; Jake’s on the Lake: 530-583-0188.
Sue Waters’ Lather & Fizz Bath Boutique has such an impressive following they recently expanded their Squaw Valley location and opened a second store in Northstar. They offer natural shampoos, conditioners and lotions which contain no alcohol or perfumes, making them ideal for mom’s delicate skin. All the products use natural oils and many are made locally. Lather and Fizz is the second largest dealer in the nation of the popular Bedhead Pajamas line and also has a huge selection of bath bombs – both perfect mother’s ‘little helpers’ to unwind after a hard-days work. They have a selection of pre-made gift baskets or you can choose your own products and they will assemble it for you. Popular items include the oatmeal, milk and honey-scented lines and the BalmShelter lip glosses, SPF 17. Lather & Fizz at Squaw Valley: 530-584-6000; and at Northstar: 530-562-1163.
For a full-day of pampering, the Spa at Squaw Creek in Squaw Valley has an extensive array of services fit for a queen. Having recently undergone a complete, multi-million-dollar renovation, the facility provides the ultimate California day-spa experience in a setting radiating with natural colors, materials and textures. Water features soothe with the sound of a gentle brrok and birch tree trunks emerge from river-rock bases and branch out toward the ceiling to create privacy and solitude. Flooring of green slate, soft floral carpeting and wood creates pathways leading to the sanctuary and treatment rooms, where restful seating and muted lighting will send mom into a Mother’s day nirvana she won’t soon forget. The spa offers facials, various massage options, and manicures and pedicures just for starters. There are 10 treatment rooms with treatment beds of memory foam; the Sanctaury offering hot tea before and after your treatment; dry saunas and steam rooms; outdoor whirlpools and year-round heated swimming pools. There is also a fitness center just in case mom thinks she really is underworked (ha!). Spa at Squaw Creek: 530-583-6300, squawcreek.com.
