Want to really make a mark this Mother’s Day? Take it from this mama, it’s about the memories. Here’s a look at my adventures with mine: Napa Valley Moms Trip.
Thank you to JCPenney for sponsoring this post and the reminder to tell all the mamas, “you’re #SOWORTHIT!”
Being a mom is a lot like fine wine….the older you get the better you get.
…But take it from me, don’t wait to savor her, appreciate her as much as you can, when you can.
They always say that one day you’ll really appreciate your mom. Like REALLY appreciate her.
In a way that you really can truly understand when you become one yourself.
At that time you get it. And man does it hit you like a big bag of bricks.
Thankfully, while my mother doesn’t live near, she lives close enough if I need something she’s there.
Especially since I’ve had children, she’s there in no time flat.
Without her, there are so many times I wouldn’t have been able to get to a meeting, get my hair done, give birth, go on my dream vacation, cry in the bathroom in peace and quiet. She’s made it happen – whatever, whenever I needed.
And when she goes to leave, to return home to my dad who’s fended for himself while she “Gigis,” the kids and I both walk her out to the car, give her hugs, share kisses, and then the tears begin. All of us.
A few years ago I had a chance to do something with my mama and escape together.
Off to Napa we went for a week of fun and fancy free to inhale as much as Napa Valley we could – and over my birthday at that.
During our drive from San Francisco to Napa and then on to Calistoga (a drive that everyone should take – it’s SO WORTH IT), we talked, we laughed, and plotted out our week. I had arranged for a few hot spots, but we left our schedule open to make sure we didn’t squeeze the joy out of our relaxing week trying to get all my hot spots on the itinerary (I do that.)
Funny enough – we hit almost everything including some that I didn’t think that were possible including Bouchon. One of the items on my list I was able to secure was a tour and tasting at Cliff Lede. A vineyard and winery devoted to classic rock music, the mood of the place rocked (and so did the wine.)
Really whole trip was like that. One experience after another, we found a beautiful space, drank beautiful wine, enjoyed some beautiful meat, cheese and other accoutrements, and just enjoyed the space, the moment and our company.
However, it really was just lots of picnics we were having all of Northern California!
Since our getaway, we haven’t had a chance to escape like that again, but we do reminisce about it all the time. And the last time the kids went to visit her, she mentioned she’d love to have a picnic with the kids but she didn’t have a “proper picnic basket.”
I wasn’t sure exactly what a proper basket was but I was sure I would know it when I saw it.
Sitting in my head, that statement took me back to our “picnics” in Napa, so when Mother’s Day rolled around this year, it was obvious that I was on the search for the right picnic basket for her.
So off to JCPenney I went and discovered a vast selection of picnic baskets. From old school baskets to insulated ones, with straps with or without plates, there was a basket for everyone.
And then I found it – a proper picnic basket. Beautiful and picturesque, just looking at it reminding me of all the moments we had in Napa picnicking with our pinots.
But there was one thing missing…a bottle of Cliff Lede that I had picked up from the winery on our trip.
The perfect pairing. Just like us.
And just the way to say “YOU’RE SO WORTH IT, MOM” this Mother’s Day.
Looking for something for your mama this Mother’s Day or looking for a proper picnic basket of your own, head to JCPenney. Take a look at these baskets AND enter to win $25 JCPenney Gift Card Giveaway.
ENTER TO WIN $25 JCPENNEY GIFT CARD
My favorite memories are spending Mother’s day with my kids and enjoying breakfast in bed.
I love spending time with my son as a young boy, on Mother’s Day we would have a picnic at the park.
My favorite memory of Mother’s Day is celebrating with my mom and siblings at the local water park!
my favorite memory was taking the kids to the local grocery store so they could “bake” (Decorate) Mothers day cakes. They each got to decorate their own for me, but the catch was they got to eat them LOL it was so much fun
just spending time with my mom means alot
My favorite memory was enjoying my first mother’s day with my son in 2003.
My favorite memory was spending Mother’s day with my mom and 2 kids last year.
My favorite Mother’s Day was my first one as a mother.
Favorite Mother’s Day memory is when we spent the day at the park with mom.
My favorite memory is celebrating on a cruise with my Mom
Visiting my grandmother’s and having a small celebration dinner for the family
My favorite Mother’s Day memories are the years my daughters were younger and used to make me homemade cards with a written note inside. Such sweet keepsakes!
My favorite Mother’s Day memory was running the 5k Race for the Cure with my mom 5 years ago.
I always enjoy mother day. I get to spend the day with my mom and my sisters too. The guys feed us, watch the kids, and clean up.
My favorite memory was my mom and I going on a long-weekend beach trip when I was a teenager. It was nice to be able to spend some quality time with her!
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Spending the day with my Mom and my daughter the first year that my daughter was born .
I think THIS year will be the best! I usually don’t get to spend mother’s day with my mother, but she is visiting this year!
My favorite Mother’s Day was my first mothers day after my daughter was born
My favorite Mother’s Day memory – the year I received a mother’s ring!
thank you
Mother / daughter supper at Cracker Barrel.
My favorite Mother’s Day memory was taking my daughter to visit the children’s museum and seeing her ride the big kid slide for the first time.
I once bought my mom a subscription to a local playhouse, and she was really excited 🙂
When we were younger my dad gave us money to get my mom a present, and we ended up getting her .25 candy that tasted horrible! My mom, being amazing as always, still cracks up about it today!
My favorite memory was spending Mother’s day with my mom and 2 kids last year.
All of my favorite Mother’s Day memories are when my daughter was younger and her face would light up when she gave me the gift she had made for me at school.
Taking my mom and grandma to dinner at bennihana’s when I got my first paycheck. We had a great time and I felt so proud finally being able to treat them.
Having high tea at the botanic gardens with my mother.
Thanks for the contest.
My favorite Mother’s Day was when I made her a quilt and she loved it.
My favorite memory of Mothers Day, was saving extra money as a child and buying her a peridot pendant because peridot is her birthstone!
My favorite memory is the year we took our mom out to a really fancy steakhouse that was on her bucket list of restaurants to visit.
I always enjoyed picking flowers for my mom.
I love all moments I have had on mothers day! I love when the kids bring home school projects and write about me! They always are so sweet and funny!
My fav memory is cooking with mommy
My first mother’s day was pretty special.
My favorite Mother’s day memory is when my daughter made me my first homemade card. 🙂
I remember planning a surprise party for all of the moms on the block and we made hors devours made with pickles, cheese, and mustard.
I don’t really have a favorite memory. This year my mom, sister and I had a girls day at the spa for Mother’s Day.
Taking Mom out to eat.
Surprising my mom with this particular bird bath she had wanted! She was super excited!
My favorite Mother’s day memory is when i was a kid getting together with my whole family having cookout for Mother’s day now my family is all spread out and my Grandma passed away 3 years ago:(
My favorite Mothers Day was when we had a cookout with a bunch of family over.
My favorite memory is when the kids made breakfast for me.
My favorite mother’s day memory is getting free kisses tickets from my kids.
My favorite Mother’s Day memory was my first Mother’s Day.
Going to dollywood!
My favorite mother’s day memory was this last mother’s day when my kids actually got along! It doesn’t happen very often!
I had money on my table for grocery shopping and it disappeared. I looked all over for it and was in a panic before I thought to ask my then 4 year old daughter if she had seen it. She said ‘Yes, mommy, I can get you a good gift for Mother;s Day!’ At least she was thinking of me.
Oh I have to say my favorite was when the kids “tried” to make me breakfast in bed. 🙂 Oh boy…it was so funny…but so special! I will never forget! 🙂
Just spending the day with my mom is always so great
All the women in my family did a big mothers day tea a couple years ago with big hats. It was such a good memory
Going to the rose garden’s with my mom
My favorite mother’s day memories are getting a sweet handwritten card from my kids.
My favorite Mother’s Day memory is going to a diner 3 years ago. It was our whole family and we had a great time.
Spending time with my mom and kids at the park.
My favorite memories are of my husband and kids making me cards. I treasure them so much.
My favorite Mother’s day was my first mother’s day.
One of my favorite memories was the year my daughter made me truffles when she was in kindergarten. She was so excited to give them to me….and to eat some.
Anytime I get to spend time with both of my daughters at the same time it’s a special memory. As they have gotten older those times are fewer and fewer. Mother’s Day is a time that usually I do get to thetefore a great memory.
My favorite Mother’s Day memory is receiving a homemade card from my youngest son 17 years ago.
When the kids were young- I always cherished their little handmade cards and presents.
I love remembering all the Mothers Days that my children took me out to dinner…after giving me flowers & candles & chocolates earlier in the day!
My favorite Mother’s Day memory was that the first time I became a mother, my son was born just a few days before Mother’s Day.
My favorite memory is receiving a personalized photo album.
My favorite Mother’s Day memory was when I took my husband, my dad, and two children to the coast for the day. The weather was amazing, and the company outstanding!
My wife loves J.C.Penny i would give it to her as a late B-Day present!
spending time with her
My favorite memory was my first Mother’s Day. I felt so awesome being a first time mother and to celebrate it.
My favorite Mother’s Day memories are all the Mother’s Days before my 22 year old daughter died by suicide 🙁
my favorite is my Lo making me a cake
My favorite mother’s day memory is the last one I had with my mom before she passed.
I honestly don’t have any favorite memories.
MY FAVORITE MOTHER’S DAY MEMORY WAS THE BIRTH OF MY SON. HE WAS BORN ON MOTHER’S DAY 🙂
I treasure the Mother’s Days my family all spent together with my grandmother before she passed away. It’s been several years, but I still miss her.
We took my wife and mom to the Amish greenhouse and bought them each a really nice hanging plant.
Feeling my baby kick in me!
My favorite Mother’s Day memory was telling my mom how much I love her!
I loved when my boys were young and made gifts they were so proud of!
I loved the mother daughter dinners the church had when I was little. My favorite ones were the ones that happened on my birthday, it was like a celebration of both mom and me.
taking my mom out for dinner and having her enjoy being waited on she raised 8 of us with very little money and a lot of love
My favorite memories are just my mom’s smiles when seeing everyone.
My favorite Mother’s Day memory is when I went up north for the weekend with my mom, sister and grandma. We stayed in a sweet cabin, went hiking, shopping and ate at a unique restaurant.
When I was little visiting my grandmother with my mom. At church they gave carnation buttoners. There 2 colors, which one color represented living moms and the other those who passed away.
My favorite Mother’s Day is the first one I had spending it with my husband and my three week old son.
I love spending time with my kids. I think my favorite Mother’s day memory was before I became a mom. My husband (18 years married now) proposed to me on mother’s day.
My favorite Mother’s Day memory was when my middle daughter took me out to eat at my favorite restaurant before she passed away.
I’m afraid I have no good mother’s day memories .
My favorite memory is being able to spend time with my family and my mom and going out for dinner together.
My favorite memory with my mom is all our family vacations especially the trip to London.
I just like hanging out with the kids – snuggles and going to church.
Fishing with my mom
My favorite Mother’s Day memory is spending the day cooking with my mom!
Spending the first Mother’s Day with my daughter after she was born.
I love all the little presents my children make for Mother’s Day – such a snapshot in time!
This Mother’s Day, my daughters got me a necklace and also my oldest daughter & son in law got me a sweet card and a oil fragrance burner.
Mothers day for me usually includes going to church and dinner out.
going over to my nana’s and helping her plant flowers
I remember gathering the family to care for mom. I miss those heartwarming moments
My favorite Mother’s Day memory was definitely having a family brunch for my Mama and my Nana. It was a great time with great food!
My favorite memories are when my boys were in grade school and would give me homemade gifts they made in school. They would be so proud and happy. I have a box up in the closet with all of these goodies saved.
Spending time with my Mother going on short trips.
My fave mothers day memory was talking a trip to Galveston with my mom.
My favorite Mother’s Day is my first Mother’s Day.
My first mothers day will always be my fav.
I remember spending mother’s day with my mom and grandma every year. It was a great tradition!
Spending time with my mom means a lot to me.
I love spending time with my girls and family
Mine would be shopping and having lunch with my mom.
Favorite Mother’s Day was when my Uncle came to surprise my Grandma!
My favorite memory is just lounging around not really doing anything but reminiscing about great times. ?
I love the special gifts my kids have made for me for Mother’s Day.
Sadly I love my mom this year, this past March 🙁 so every Mother’s Day I was able to celebrate her from as far back as I can remember are all my favorite memories of Mother’s Day
I lost my mom, that’s what I meant to write but of course, I love her and will always love her 🙁