Whew! I am finally home, only for a few days as I have to fly to FL on Saturday again for a family reunion. My mom is turning 95 next week and we decided to celebrate it by all of us siblings and their respective families from all over the states flying there to join her. She is in Illinois with my sister so she is flying there too.
I had just returned from a back to back trip from Utah and Canada when I received a text from my friend here. She said we are invited to a swimming party the next day....at our house, lol. How can I say "NO" to that? Besides, I love challenges. I know they miss me since I have been gone and I miss them too. I told her I might not have time to cook because I was still unpacking and cleaning, after all, I left John here by himself and you know what that does to our home.
They decided to bring all the entrees and I cooked rice and "palitaw", a Filipino delilcacy and I made Boba tea drinks.
Then, I got busy setting the table outside. I decided on mostly white plates to make it easy for me, anchored by green and white placemats printed with palm tree leaves.
I did not even change the centerpiece. It's what has been there on the table.
I used 2 sets of white plates. Here is a close up of the design of one of them, a paisley. The other one has a basket weave edging.
Boba tea I made with coconut flavor and large tapioca pearls. I like to order this whenever we eat at Vietnamese restaurants and then I saw the bubble tea powder mix in Canada so I bought and tried it. Yum! I emailed my College classmate from there to buy me some more to ship to FL so we can use them at our reunion. My kids and grandkids love that drink and I know my mom and sisters will too.
You will see the palitaw (cooked white rice flour sprinkled with sugar and coconut) and the brownies my friend baked, here.
Brenda gave me a set of 3 in various sizes of this basket. I think they are actually candle holders but I decided to repurpose one to serve my napkins.
We had more then enough food: pancit, venison adobo (did not try it, I still have to be exposed more to deer meat), green beans casserole, pasta salad, chicken pot pie, cucumber salad, fried chicken steak, pinakbet (another Filipino dish), blueberry cheesecake, etc.
We sure had a lot of fun. Everybody was texting me afterwards, thanking me and saying how much fun they had.
Now, I am back to packing for my next trip. 3 trips to different places in July is a little bit too tiring but I love it! I am also excited to see all my brothers and sisters and their families and all my kids and grandkids. We are all staying in our 2nd home in FL, my daughter's home next door and the German's home next to hers who are in Germany right now and my brother and his family rented another 4 bedroom house nearby for them to stay in.
It's been a while since I posted so I hope you enjoyed viewing this. Thanks for your visit, always appreciate them and I appreciate all the hostesses. A BIG "thank you" to you all!
If you have time, please visit my College group's blog. I have a new post there. Thanks!
http://foreverspooks.blogspot.com/
If you have time, please visit my College group's blog. I have a new post there. Thanks!
http://foreverspooks.blogspot.com/
Centerpiece
Wed
Kathleen's Let's Dish
Outdoor Wed.
Watery Wed
Susan's Tablescape Thursday
Kathy's Home and Garden Thursday
Sarah's Homemaking Weekend Link Up party
Foodie Friday
22 comments:
I miss you and your posts too! Yummy feast! I miss palitaw!
Oh my goodness, so much wonderful food and everyone does look like they are having fun. Happy Birthday to your mom, she is totally amazing. Hugs, Marty
Oh My Christine what beautiful tables!! You really did a great job on such short notice...but it is not surprising!! Hurry up and get some rest...you're making me tired! Lol!
Lovingly,
Loretta
You've been busy! The food looks delish! I love the design on the white plates. The reunion sounds like it's going to be so fun!
You really are getting around! I love to travel but even I like a little time at home in between. I've always wondered about that bubble tea. I have seen it in restaurants but wasn't really sure what those black beads were in it. Tapioca? Isn't that white?
You have been busy! All the food looks delicious! Happy Birthday to your Mom!
I have no idea what to write, except you are totally amazing!! I could not pulled that together in a week! Love the way everything looks and the food looks great. Please have a safe trip to your mother's birthday celebration and tell her, "Happy Birthday" from me!!
You have been busy - makes me tired just reading this. :D The food looks yummy. Have a safe trip and Happy Birthday to your Mother.
Congratulations, your table is butifull, best regard from Belgium
Christine, I do marvel at your enthusiasm for entertaining. I don't think I could have done this coming off of two back to back trips. But you always entertain with grace and style. Looks like a lovely party. I know your friends appreciate you!
Saft travels and happy birthday to your mom.
What a feast and fun time for you. You certainly go with the flow graciously. Enjoy your next trip. Happy Birthday to your mother. "95" is a special milestone.
your energy level is amazing. You've certainly had some beautiful trips this summer. I know your family reunion will be good for the soul and for the family. I love your pretty setting and i know you had to enjoy that everyone brought the dishes. I think I'll make pancit this weekend. I LOVE that dish. xo marlis
You are such a wonderful world traveler, and I think it's great that you are off on so many wonderful adventures this summer!!!!
ALL THIS FOOD!!!! It's terrific!!! I should have been able to taste test the blueberry cheesecake! One of my very favorites!!!
Wonderful as always, Christine!!! There's no way someone could avoid having a good time at one of your parties!!! Have a great weekend!
What a nice party table you prepared. Looks welcoming and "bright."
You have such fantastic get together's. I love that you always show the food.
Have a fabulous time at your family reunion!
Christine, looking at this table, filled with beautiful dishes and beautiful food, it is hard to believe this was an impromptu party. You are amazing! Looks like fun. Wishing your amazing mother a very happy birthday. Have fun with the family. laurie
Christine, ..... I think of you as the 'energizer bunny' always going and doing and everything always looks beautiful, delicious and inviting!!
Such a fun post Christine.Once a while we need to treat our-self this way.So refreshing.Wishing your mom a very many happy birth day..Love..sujatha..:):)
Christine, I so admire your ease with hostessing. It is something I aspire to have. Your tables are always fantastic; what talent to be able to pull this together so beautifully especially after being gone. You rock!
Oh, my word, Christine! What a feast! You always put together such lovely tablescapes and gatherings - LOVE white dishes - the paisley are exquisite - I am delighted that you shared with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy
You are amazing! All the travel and still the stamina to put together a feast. It looks wonderful!
wow what a spread, i'm really hungry now, how do I get a cyber sample of everything?
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