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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, May 5, 2010 · 22 Show Mom how much you love her! Holiday Inn Oakville Centre @ Trafalgar Happy Mother's Day Long distance Mother's Day gifts (NC)--She's your number one cheerleader for life, though you don't know why, since you don't always give her a spot on your priority list. Your mother has loved you through countless tantrums, lies, and tired mornings. And since you've been away from home, she's never failed to tell you how much you're missed. This Mother's Day, show your mother how much her support has meant to you ­ even if you can't physically be there with her. Here are several gift suggestions: Send flowers. Find out what your mother's favourite flowers are and send a bouquet to her. Dad would (hopefully) be a good person to contact for this information. Be sure to follow-up with a phone call to your mom so she knows how much you care. Gift baskets. A variety of gift basket delivery options are available through the Internet. If your mom is on a health kick, send her a fruit basket. If she loves coffee, send her a basket of gourmet coffee beans and a fancy tumbler. If she is a multi-tasking businesswoman, get her an at-home spa basket with slippers and relaxing bath oils. Pre-paid phone cards. Your mother always looks forward to your weekly updates. Make it more convenient for her by purchasing pre-paid phone cards to tell her that you look forward to the chats too. Create a photo book. Upload your mother's favourite photos to an online photo book site and mail it to her house. She will appreciate the time you took to preserve her memories. Donate in your mother's name. Your mother is one of the most generous people you know and is passionate about helping others. Show that you have learned from her generosity by giving a gift in her name to an international children's charity like Christian Children's Fund of Canada, www.ccfcanada.ca. You will have the option of either sending an e-card or mailing a card to your mother. You. If you can manage a break away from exams or work, being physically present and spending time with your mom is the best gift of all. Try to rearrange your schedule or work extra hours to make this happen. She will be overjoyed to see one of her most favourite people at her front door. Our Mother's Day Brunch Features: Made to order Omelets Carving Station Atlantic Salmon Chilled Prawns Decadent Dessert Table May 9, 2010 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Adults $26.95 Seniors $19.95 Kids (12 & under) $14.95 Kids (4 & under) FREE For Reservations Please call A meal fit for a Mom Sundays are synonymous with brunch -- the traditional Mother's Day brunch. Instead of reserving a table at your favorite haunt, you and your mom can avoid the brunch crowds this Mother's Day if you treat her to a fabulous meal right at home. Instead of serving the traditional brunch fare of omelettes, muffins or pancakes, let mom know how much you care by going the extra mile to make something more extravagant. For example, she will find it hard to resist this "Chocolate French Toast with Salted Apples" from "Serena, Food and Stories" (Stewart, Tabori & Chang) by Serena Bass, because it tastes just like a warm chocolate croissant, but it's topped with apples sauteed in butter and sprinkled with salt for a more delectable treat. Chocolate French Toast with Salted Apples Serves 4 You can get everything ready the day before with this recipe. Try to get Gala apples, which are fragrant and retain their shape. When choosing a bread, go for a plain white one. That way, the recipe won't get too sweet. Look for a loaf with a fairly even crumb so the chocolate doesn't run out through any holes when it melts. 2 extra-large eggs 1/4 cup half-and-half 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 4 1-inch-thick slices day-old bread 4 tablespoons chocolate chips 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 2 Gala apples at room temperature, quartered, cored and cut into 12 wedges each 2 to 3 tablespoons vegetable oil Kosher or Maldon salt to taste Directions: Preheat the oven to 250 F. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half and vanilla. Pour the egg wash into a shallow dish that can hold the 4 slices of bread laid flat. Using a very sharp straight-bladed knife, trim the crusts off the bread. Carefully cut a horizontal pocket in each bread slice big enough for the chocolate chips to spread out a bit, and not sit in a big lump. Fill each bread pocket with 1 tablespoon of chocolate chips and lay the bread slices in the egg wash. Let them soak for a minute, then turn them over and leave in the dish while you saute the apples. Heat a saute pan over medium heat for three minutes, and then add the butter. When the butter has stoped sizzling, turn the heat to high, add the apples and saute until they are translucent and caramelized, about five minutes. If the heat isn't high enough, the apples will sweat and steam and will never brown at the edges. Transfer the apples to the oven in an oven-safe dish while you cook the French toast. Heat the oil in a heavy saute pan over medium-high heat and add two slices of bread. Cook for two to three minutes per side to a crisp golden brown, adding more oil if needed. To serve, cut the slices diagonally and set one half on the other so the melted chocolate shows. Place the apples on top and scatter with a little salt. (905) 842-5000 OAKVILLE CENTRE 590 Argus Road, Oakville www.hioakville.com Choose from some of your favourites, Artisan Cheese Selection, Sushi Platter, Jumbo Black Tiger Shrimp Cocktail, Oyster Bar, Mediterranean Seafood Salad, Roasted New York Striploin, Maple Glazed Ham, Roasted Leg of Lamb, Custom made Omelets and French Toast, Eggs Benedict, Foie Gras Terrine, Apple Wood Smoked Atlantic Salmon, Organic Salad Selection, Belgian Chocolate Fountain and Decadent Dessert Creations from the Pastry Chef. Served 10am-2:30pm. $38/person, $17/kids under 12. Jonathans Annual Gourmet Mother's Day Brunch Join us on MOTHER'S DAY SUNDAY MAY 9 Oakville Florist Shop Beautiful selection of arrangements, plants & bouquets of flowers for all your special occasions. Remember Mother's Day May 9th 905 120 Thomas St., Oakville 905.842.4200 www.jonathansofoakville.com 849-8885 511 Maple Grove Dr., Oakville www.oakvillefloristshop.com email: oakvilleflorist@allstream.net Serving Oakville for 23 Years