It's strange to think that on Sunday, I'll be celebrating my first Mother's Day as a mother. Strange because the more I think about it, the more I'm certain that moms are superheroes... and, I haven't checked the mail today, but no one has sent me my cape just yet.
Sure, giving birth to a child automatically throws you into the category of "mother", but the truth is there's so much more to the role that isn't related to biology. While some women become mothers through the physical act of labor {already a superhuman feat, in my opinion}, others adopt the role when they take children into their homes and hearts without so much as a second thought. The method by which one steps into the part is not nearly as important as what follows -- the exhibiting of those "super powers."
Because what follows is a fine balancing act of love and learning. Tenderness and toughness. Self esteem developing and character building. It's a task that requires enough sacrifice to better the life of another while maintaining a sense of self. It requires forgiveness even when you're angry, patience even when you're frazzled, strength even when you're fragile and confidence even when you're uncertain. All without the help of a handbook! Imagine.
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| My superhero mother after giving birth to all nearly-ten-pounds of me. |
Only a mom can get everything done with very little time... so they must be able to freeze the clock when we're not looking. Moms can take a little bit of love and divide it among each of the people in their lives... and never run out. Magic. Not all moms are doctors...but they can heal wounds, mend broken hearts and stitch us together when we feel broken. Amazing.
Our mind-reading moms know when to step in and when to let us figure it out on our own; they can often tell when we need words of encouragement or when we need to be taken down a notch. Wise. They fly to our side when we call for help and assist us when there are villains who are trying to take us down. Daring.
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| Me & my older sister with my superhero aunt. |
The truth is, moms aren't perfect...they're perfectly human, though you'd never guess it by their daily actions. Now that I'm one myself, I know for a fact that they don't have all the answers, and that quite often, they're struggling with the questions themselves. But somehow -- whether they know a little or a lot -- they have the ability to make us feel like they've got it all under control.
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| "Superhero" Abuela & my son, Cole. |
I've got a hard act to follow as I learn the ropes, but I can only hope that some of the "super powers" I've witnessed in my own mom and in the amazing women in my life rub off on me so I can keep the tradition going.
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| Practicing for my future role! |
In the meantime, I'll wear my apron while I wait for my cape to arrive! 🙂
This sumptuous dish is surprisingly uncomplicated and so rich and decadent, perfect for celebrating some of the ladies that we admire!
Whether you are a mom earning your cape, or are feasting in honor of those who have played an important role in your life, I hope your Mother's Day is filled with all things wonderful, including this sumptuous pasta dish!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Barilla. The opinions and text are all mine.
Barilla® Penne with Pancetta, Peas and Parmesan Sauce
Ingredients
- 8 oz. Barilla® Penne Pasta
- 1 oz. diced pancetta
- 1-2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup half & half
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 3 ounces shredded parmesan plus extra for garnish
- 1 cup frozen peas
- ½ teaspoon dried mint or 1 teaspoon fresh mint
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, heat a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add pancetta and cook until browned and crisp. Once cooked, remove pancetta with a slotted spoon and place onto a paper-lined plate to drain, keeping rendered fat in the skillet. {You may want to reserve a tiny bit for garnish.}
- Reduce heat. To the fat in the skillet, add garlic and cook for just under a minute until fragrant. Add 2 tablespoons of flour and whisk until smooth; cook for about a minute. Pour in half & half while whisking to avoid lumps. Pour in chicken broth and whisk until mixture is mostly smooth, and allow to simmer and thicken slightly {about a minute}. Add Parmesan and whisk until mixture is smooth and cheese is melted.
- Add frozen peas and mint to the cheese sauce -- the heat of the sauce will thaw out the peas and should only take a few minutes to heat them all the way through. Stir in cooked pancetta. When pasta is cooked, drain and add directly to the sauce, stirring gently to coat pasta.
- Garnish with extra pancetta and cheese and serve hot!