The Cook for Your Mom Campaign encourages us to skip the crowded restaurants this year and make our mothers a home-cooked meal. If I could, I would, because it shows that your mom is really worth the time. By saying, “thank you, Mom,” you’ll also be teaching your children, passing down the gift of hospitality to them.

When I think of my mom, three words come to mind: hospitable, warm, and loving.

I wrote about her in my book, The Reluctant Entertainer, of which I’m giving away a signed copy today, a perfect gift idea for Mother’s Day. I was fortunate growing up, because my mother passed on to me the gift of loving people through hospitality. My mom didn’t get caught up in over-commitments or impressing others with over-the-top entertaining. In fact, she didn’t rely on TV, magazines, or the internet for entertaining ideas. She just used her beautiful elegant China, a few favorite cook books and aprons, and a closet with starched linens ready to be spread for her dinner guests. Mom just knew the heart of hospitality and she didn’t overcomplicate it: simplicity and love.

She was my role model years ago. And then when I was in my early 30s, breast cancer attacked my mom, and then ovarian cancer, eventually taking her life. I had 3 small children and it was a hard time in my life. (Mom passed away 9 months after this picture was taken.)

I’m thankful for many gifts that my mother passed down to me, and since “cancer” hit our family, twice, I appreciate that KitchenAid has supported the Susan G. Komen for the Cure with their Cook for the Cure Project by making donations off every pink appliance sold, and inspiring us to join the fight against breast cancer, for our moms, and for us all.

Today one lucky winner will win all 3 of these items:

-A pink 5-speed KitchenAid blender, which each one sold provides a donation to aid the fight against breast cancer.
-A Hip Hostess pink cafe apron (you can buy with a discount, details below)
-A signed copy of, The Reluctant Entertainer

The Hip Hostess is offering 20% off everything in The Hip Hostess Etsy Shop, or 20% off an entire order from The Hip Hostess website. What a deal to surprise our mom with a brand new beautiful apron! (Use promo code: PINKRE at the check out for both.)

You can purchase The Reluctant Entertainer for mom on Amazon, here, or if you want a “signed copy,” click, here.

How to enter to win the above 3 items:

Leave a comment describing who in your life has taught you the most about hospitality?

For additional entries:

Follow KitchenAid on Facebook and/or Twitter.
Follow The Hip Hostess on Facebook and/or Twitter.
Follow Reluctant Entertainer by: Email, RSS, Facebook, Pinterst and/or Twitter (@SandyCoughlinRE)
Pin on Pinterest
Share on Facebook (with a link)
Tweet This:

Win this lovely @KitchenAidUSA blender & @TheHipHostess apron on @SandyCoughlinRE #CookForMom Enter Here: http://su.pr/2SSJm4

Leave a separate comment for each entry ~ 12 possible entries per person!

*** CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED ***

This giveaway will close on May 9, 2012 at midnight. Winner announced on May 10 2012 on RE. US residents only.

KitchenAid provided the blender for this post, but all opinions are my own.