For a happy Mother’s Day, we’ll tell you how you can create a happy, fun beginning and ending to your Mother’s Day celebration meal.

Assemble an easy but elegant centerpiece for Mom’s table and a mouthwatering cake she will love. 

Pineapple Centerpiece

Use a fresh pineapple for the base of your centerpiece. Stand it on a tray whole and cover it with chunks cut from another pineapple and maraschino cherries speared with toothpicks. Garnish the tray with other fruits as desired. As your meal progresses, pull out the toothpicks and eat the pineapple and cherries. Then bring out the cutting board and knife. Cut the whole pineapple into wedges and eat that, too! 

No-Fuss Banana Cake

Ingredients:

• • 2 ripe bananas
  • 2 eggs (slightly beaten)
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 package yellow cake mix
  • 1 cup chopped nuts

Lemon Frosting:

• • • 1/3 cup butter or margarine (softened)
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mash bananas with fork. Add eggs, oil, vinegar and vanilla. Beat with a fork. Stir in baking soda. Stir in cake mix and nuts. Pour into bundt or angel food cake pan. Bake about 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on rack 10 to 15 minutes.

Mix ingredients for frosting until smooth. Frost cake while it’s still warm. Serves 8 to 10.