Triple Birthday Celebrations

I started planning Hubby's birthday weeks ago. I wanted to have it in a restaurant that can accommodate our families and his friends and will allow us to spend as much time with them. I was thinking that having it in a restaurant would allow us to relax and spend more time talking with our loved ones. When I discussed this with Hubby, he wanted it differently. He wanted to celebrate his birthday in our home and he would plan the menu! It's his birthday and so we will celebrate it exactly the way he wants it! We planned for three occasions so that everyone can be accommodated and we can spend a lot of time with each of our guests.

Birthday Part 1 -September 7, After-dinner cocktails

The first celebration was with his college barkada. Not in the picture are BM and wife TM who left a bit earlier. (Can you see my birthday gift to him in the background?) We had grilled sausages with Hubby's special dipping sauce, cold cuts and cheese (from Santi's), and salad (courtesy of AA and CA) which tasted exactly like Italianni's Sicilian Chicken Salad. Of course, with overflowing chips, nuts, wine (a bottle courtesy of RC and CC) and beer. The party ended around 3AM, but Hubby and I slept at 3:30AM after cleaning up and washing the dishes:-)


Birthday Part 2- September 8, Lunch

The next celebration was lunch on his birthday with our families. Our families have spent a lot of time together over the years of our marriage, and it feels like we are just one family. We have already spent two Christmas Eves together, checked in at the Linden Hotel. That is how close our families have gotten to be. Our menu: Ebi tempura, grilled pork belly, grilled tuna, stuffed chicken (courtesy of CO and AM), coleslaw and russian salads (courtesy of our parents). Also three cakes, courtesy of my parents and my brother-in-law and wife.

Birthday Part 3- September 8, Dinner

Hubby's good friends from work came for dinner. For dinner, we decided to use our new Bodum Fondue set (shown here), cooking the beef tenderloin cubes right on the dining table. Hubby prepared three kinds of dipping sauce for the beef cubes. We also had bruschetta with pesto,mozarella and pepper spread, pasta with pesto sauce, pasta with hungarian sausage and garlic, and tossed vegetable salad with kani and ham slices. Desserts were Strawberry and Walnut Cake from Mom and Tina (courtesy of MB) and Brazo de Mercedes from a private home in Dasmarinas Village (courtesy of DO). Everything was perfect! Of course we had wine (two bottles courtesy of AB and SP) and beer until late that night.

To everyone who celebrated with us, thank you very much! Hubby was very very happy to have spent his birthday with all of you.