Chinese water torture is a method of torture in which water is slowly dripped onto a person’s forehead, allegedly driving the victim insane (source: Wikipedia) The rain has been epic in Vancouver this spring. The love-child of Vancouver’s coastal mountains and La Nina has made for a particularly endless winter. April showers have brought May showers this year and according to the Old Farmers Almanac, there will be no reprieve until September. While I wait for Expedia’s engine’s to find me a good deal to somewhere warm, I will try to warm your heart with my lovely Mothers Day Off.

My Mothers Day began on Saturday. We drove up to Whistler with a truckload of bikes, kayaks, rugs, and art. And then instead of being relegated to cleaning and unpacking, my husband sent me straight to the Scandinave Spa, a Nordic (read: outdoor) spa retreat for a massage with instructions to steam, soak and sauna “for as long as I’d like.” One fabulous massage, two big chapters and three hours later, I came home to a clean house, hubby’s famous BBQ’d ribs and the Canucks playoff hockey!

Sunday morning I was woken gently by my smiling boys and a gluten-free, low carb (!) breakfast in bed. The breakfast tray was festooned with lovely handmade cards that I will cherish forever. My oldest gave me a jar of statements that all begin with “I love you when…” that he told me to read whenever I get upset with him. Precious!

Soon after we hopped on our bikes for our first bike ride of the year. We found ourselves at the lovely Nita Lake Lodge that was holding a brunch to end all brunches – have you ever had grilled sunchokes and fried kale? YUM! Apparently, Nita Lake Lodge has stolen the sous-chef and half the staff from the acclaimed Bearfoot Bistro and it really shows! Well done!

After filling our bellies with omelets and mimosas, we jumped back on our bikes for a big ride that ended too abruptly when my 7 year old took a corner too quickly and had his bike skid out from under him, knocking his front tooth on the handlebars on the way down. We searched for 30 minutes, looking for a little tooth amongst the pea gravel, in vain. Unable to convince him to get back on his two wheeled horse, we headed back home.

The sun shone and the younger children napped, while my husband and oldest son took the kayaks out for their maiden voyage. I had one hour of complete peace and quiet and did some reading. Bliss!

Family hottub. And still no fighting amongst the boys. I’m not sure if they planned it that way, but that was the best present ever!

And then when I thought things couldn’t get any better, they took me to dinner at the RimRock Cafe. My favourite! I had the Wild Mushroom Risotto with fresh Grilled Vegetables with tomato, basil beurre blanc and I’m still salivating at the mere thought of it.

I share this not to brag though I guess it can’t be denied that I am a little. I share this to give my family their props and to let them know that I am grateful for the love and the appreciation they showed me on my Mothers Day Off. I know I’m a lucky mom. Indeed, some women get a sinkful of dirty dishes for Mother’s Day.

When I ask men what their getting their wives for Mother’s Day, some have the audacity to say, “She’s not my mother!” Agreed, but you still need to show your wife that you appreciate her for being your kids’ mother. You’d want that kind of husband for your daughter.

I love the saying, “the best gift a man can give to his children is to love their mother.”

And don’t forget, a happy wife is a happy life.

I’m so happy!
Love Lucie