LOCALLY SOURCED AND DELIVERED FLOWERS
Flowers and Mother’s Day go hand-in-hand, not to mention, it doesn’t get more locally sourced or delivered than this.
Organically grown at Farm Lot 59 by farmer Sasha Kanno, you can have these Long Beach flowers delivered straight to mom’s door by a Maritime Bicycle Courier, another Long Beach homegrown business. Offerings include one full bouquet for $20, plus a small delivery fee.
Make sure if you’re wanting these delivered on Sunday to leave a note in the delivery instructions when ordering. Visit martimecourier.com to order.
HOMEMADE BATH BOMBS
https://abeautifulmess.com/2015/03/homemade-bath-bombs.html?jwsource=cl
Since scented hand-sanitizer wasn’t enough to keep Bath and Body Works open, and Amazon shipping estimates are backed-up farther than what Friday traffic on the 405 used to be, this may just be the perfect time to make a gift for your matriarch this Mother’s Day. And, given all that extra time you suddenly have on your hands, why not soak it up with a bit of bubble-shaped alchemy: homemade bath bombs.
They’re actually quite simple to make. You need about eight ingredients, all of which you can, hopefully, still find in a grocery store. No baking or gluing necessary, and while you’re crafting, your house is going to smell like the apothecary section at Whole Foods.
What’s more, this gift fits right into the whole “self-care” phenomenon, a lifestyle that encourages people to spend a little more time doing things that de-stress and improve their overall happiness. Something we could all benefit from these days.
It’s also something your mom has likely been doing for decades; ever wondered why she spent inordinate amounts of time in the bath when you were growing up? Yes, she was hiding from you. You, specifically.
But also, self-care.
We’ve linked a tutorial that includes a video you can check out in detail, but for those interested in the short version, here’s the gist:
Ingredients:
- 4 oz baking soda
- 2 oz corn starch
- 2 oz Epsom salt
- 2 oz citric acid (find this in the baking aisle)
- An essential oil of your choice
- 5-10 drops of an essential oil you like
- 1 1/4 teaspoon of coconut or olive oil
- 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons of water
Method:
1. Mix your dry ingredients.
2. Mix your wet ingredients.
3. Mix the wet and dry ingredients together in increments until you have a crumbly consistency.
4. Put the mix in a round mold or tin.
5. Leave to dry.
6. Impress your mom.
MEXICAN-THEMED MACARON DELIVERED TO HER DOOR
Bruna Palis is new to Long Beach, but not to the art of making perfect French macarons.
“I’ve always loved to bake for family and friends’ parties, but now, during these trying times, I decided to sell my macarons to help my family,” Palis said.
One of her Mother’s Day boxes are an ode to Mexican cuisine: Flaky, light shells are filled with creams, offering tasters the flavors of elote, mango chile lime, raspberry habañero, jalapeño limeade, churros and Mexican chocolate.
Another, which includes eight macarons and an assortment of flowers for $30, includes sea salt caramel, tiramisu, pistachio, raspberry rose, Earl Grey lavender and peach bellini flavors.
Orders are $25 for a dozen or $15 for a half dozen—and include free and safe delivery for Long Beach.
The deadline for ordering is Friday, May 8, at 2 p.m. For all the other orders delivery will be made Wednesdays and Fridays. Text 424-245-9453 to order.
HIRE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Musicians are bringing their talents outdoors, many times in front of peoples’ homes, performing concerts for people as a means to make a little extra cash.
If you’re unable to be with your mom this Mother’s Day, consider hiring a local musician to play for her on her day, or a few days before or after.
Violinist Jordan Busa, who plays porch-side shows for $10, says he is completely booked for Mother’s Day, but there’s little doubt your mom would complain about a belated concert. If you’d like to book Busa, you can message him on Instagram, here.
Still, if you’re looking to find a local musician to perform on the big day, scour the Long Beach Music Council’s musician database, which has hundreds of different bands and musicians listed with their contact information.
STEAL SOMETHING NICE
Pablo Picasso is credited with saying “Good artists copy, great artists steal.” As with so much involving Mr. P, we’re not certain what he meant, but we did want to point out that it’s perfectly fine for you to lift other things other people have written about their moms and call them your own.
See, when you come down to it, all your mom really wants from you on Mother’s Day is a card she can read, shed a tear and store in that drawer where she keeps your baby teeth… oh crap, did we just ruin the Tooth Fairy for you?
Anyway, nothing so quickly activates writer’s block as knowing whatever you write in the margins of a 4×6-inch card to communicate all your feelings toward the person who gave you life, will be saved by the person forever. If you find yourself struggling with this, we’d like to suggest plagiarism.
There are plenty of mother-positive poems that have been written by some heavyweight poets that if you borrowed a line or eight, you can pretty much be assured, no one will be the wiser. And if the sentiment directly says what you’re feeling (and why wouldn’t it; that’s what poets do) then everyone is happy.
If you’re looking for something that encompasses the maternal long view, with its recognition of the ups and downs inherent in parenting, may we suggest Maya Angelou’s “Mother, a cradle to hold me.”
If you want to thank the woman for molding your character, perhaps John Greenleaf Whittier’s “Tribute to My Mother.”
Now, if you decide to go the popular song route, say lift some of the lyrics from “Wind Beneath My Wings” or “You Raise Me Up,” we suggest not using the chorus, because that’s usually the only part of the song everyone knows. Instead of using “You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains,” which is just a complete giveaway, think of using: “When I am down, and, oh, my soul, so weary/When troubles come, and my heart burdened be/Then, I am still and wait here in the silence/Until you come and sit awhile with me.”
See? Still good.
PRE-MADE PICNIC BASKETS THROUGH ELLIE’S
The best thing about picnicking is that you can easily do it while social distancing—and it’s a safe and easy way for your mother to be able to see you.
For $28 per person, Chef Jason Witzl of Ellie’s—one of Long Beach’s best restaurants—is offering a picnic pack that comes with grilled tri-tip, potato salad with pickled mustard seeds, wood-fired “everything” carrots—a veggie wonder utilizing the seasoning concoction found on Everything bagels—and a side of blueberry buttermilk coffee cake.
You can also add as many bottles of bubbly or rosé to your order for $20 apiece.
Find an open spot in your backyard or outside and voila: Picnic gone social distancing.
Order Friday, May 8, by 5 p.m. through [email protected]
TAKE A SCENIC STROLL
If you’re lucky enough to be able to spend time in the presence of your mom on Sunday, consider taking her on a scenic walk in your neighborhood using one of these route cards from Walk Long Beach. The nonprofit’s Walking Loop Program has created more than 35 of the cards, featuring routes with details of what to see along those routes in neighborhoods from Belmont Shore to Wrigley. You can download them straight from WLB’s website, or have them mailed straight to your door. Visit walklongbeach.org for more info.
Walk Long Beach takes you on safe, scenic strolls in your neighborhood