Mother’s Day is this weekend! Are you going to show your love with food? I really think you should. I’ve got inspiration for you.

I also have a fabulous giveaway for you! It’s a beautiful painting. A mothers day gift to you, from my own mama!

But first, some ideas on how to spoil the woman who raised you.

Thinking brunch? How about:

rustic potato & caramelized onion tart

portobello mushroom eggs benedict

dark chocolate ginger pear scones

strawberry mascarpone stuffed french toast

orange almond scones

banana pecan pancakes

Thinking dessert? How about:

chocolate raspberry upside down cakes

marbled lemon cheesecake

raspberry cream pie

my mom’s rhubarb cake

upside down banana toffee cake

I am blessed with an amazing mom. She is smart, free-spirited, wise, generous, an great listener, and always knows the answer to every one of my problems. She taught me kindness and independence and to believe in my dreams.

She is also a crazy talented artist. She finds beauty everywhere, like in flowers that are past their prime, a backyard fish pond, and baby toads.

She knows how much you, my friends and readers, mean to me. So while she was in Vancouver recently for a way-too-short visit, she decided to paint you a gift!

How to enter :

 
Simply leave a comment on this post with something nice about your mom (or another woman you love). Be sure to enter your email address in the right field, so that I am able to contact you if you win.

Bonus Entries (maximum 2):

1. Leave a separate comment on this post telling me you’ve sent the following as a tweet or facebook update:

“I just entered a Mother’s Day Giveaway on @foodessdotcom to win an original cake painting from @helenpaints! http://bit.ly/Lechsq”

If choosing Facebook, be sure to tag facebook.com/foodess so I can verify you’ve done it if you win!

2. Go say hi to my mom on her blog! Have a browse and leave a comment on any of her entries. Leave a separate comment on this post telling me you’ve done it!

Contest Rules & Details:

- Maximum of three (3) entries per person.
- Giveaway ends at 11:59pm (PST) Thursday, May 17th, 2012.
- The winner will be drawn randomly by comment number using a random number generator (www.random.org).
- Winner will receive an original painting by Helen Shideler (maximum retail value of prize = $300; to me it is utterly priceless).
- Winner will be contacted by email and must respond within 3 days or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be drawn.
- If the winning comment is for a “bonus entry”, the action will be verified.
- Prize may be shipped to any Canada or US address.