It Came and Went

Since I conceived the idea in May my 60th birthday party was prevalent in my mind. The closer it got, the more ubiquitous it got. I had a green Manila folder with my guest list and contact info, my RSVP list, my caterer, the rental place, etc., etc., anything that had to do with the Luau I carried in there.

My friend Angel came on Saturday, July 20. I was happy he came from Mexico because he is truly an Angel. He is a wonderful cook and just a genuinely sweet person. He helped me with the new shed I had built a couple of weeks before and with other sundry things like painting, fixing, etc. He was the perfect friend to help with the Luau. His great epicurean sensibilities and his excellent design taste were perfect traits for a party planner!

Angel’s arrival officially marked the beginning of the event. He was my first guest. Sadly, he had to leave on Sunday, the 29th to do some work in Oakland. He was coming back.

My friend Robin arrived from Phoenix Wednesday night, August 1st; she was officially my second guest. Angel finished his work in Oakland so he came back on Thursday and I had to pick him up at the Greyhound station on Pacific Ave. This was the chicken skewering night so we picked up some Pizzas at Kianti’s. Geo and Cherie came and helped skewer 30 pounds of chicken thighs. It was great fun; they brought good wine so it made the job a breeze.

Count down, Friday, August 3, 2007. I took the day off. Today was decorating, house cleaning and yard prep day. I had put together a project plan assigning jobs to different people. My daughter Isa and her beau Sean had brought over the tents and camping accoutrements which they had picked up at UCSC.

My sister Eileen, her husband Jules, daughters Tricia and Penny, and daughter Alessia and cousin arrived from San Diego on Friday also. They pitched their tents in the upper deck. Robin and Angel moved to the apartment downstairs since Joe, my tenant was out of town and told us we could use it. Now I have a full house and 9 additional tents pitched in the back yard, Camp Solyo, I named it.

We went grocery shopping and that night Patricia bought dinner for everyone from Chopstix in Felton.

Eileen made French toast and bacon Saturday morning. This was the boost we needed. We are now full bore. Jen the caterer/chef came to deliver the Asian Slaw and Rice and to make sure that everything in the kitchen was prepped for the preparation of the Shrimp Mango Basil sauté and the grilling of the chicken. In lightning speed my kitchen got converted to the food staging and Eileen started mincing 30 cloves of garlic.

Everything seemed in order so I was going to make it a point to stop working at 2:00 pm and take a nap. I did.

Lucia and Melinda arrived around 3:30 with bags and bags of ice and they quickly put all the water, beer and soda into the coolers and ice in each of the bars.

Kristy and Rachel went to pick up the appetizers in Scott Valley.

Kathleen picked up the 60 pound Lechon (roast pig) from South San Francisco Filipino restaurant, Ongpin’s and delivered it to my house at about 5:00pm. What a beauty! This was her birthday present to me, thanks again Kathleen!

At 6:00 people started arriving. Isa and Sean greeted them with Leis, and later Alessia and cousin helped. The blenders started whirring, the drinks started pouring. The appetizers were served, the guests yummed and hmmd about them.

My Tita Nena (Aunt Grace) came with my cousin Paul and later my other cousin, her son Henry and wife Cynthia and her two adorable Pugs, Taz and Zeus. Speaking of which other four-legged party goers, Oso, Lilly and my two: Angus and Abby were there as well. "Oh my God, there were so many dogs."

The pig was brought out for all to see and was quickly brought back to the kitchen for carving and plating by Eileen as the hungry yellow jackets dove into it. A can of cat food and commercial attractants lost to the biggest magnet of all, the roast pig! Jen started grilling the chicken and sautéing the shrimp. At 7:30 dinner was served.

The food was great! Jen and Rose did a great job! Rumble Fish Sushi and Jia Tella’s Vietnamese Rolls did not disappoint. Ongin's Lechon was the best. By the way my brother-in-law says that these pigs are lipo suctioned. I think someone was pulling his leg :)

Notes on the reaction to the Roast Pig:

-Sighs. "Oh my God!"

-Picking of the skin from around the tail area as well as the pulling off the meat from within.

-Jen shoed everyone out of the kitchen who were picking on it. I had to tell her to chill as picking on it was part of the whole Lechon thing.

-"I wish I hadn’t seen that."

-Ate the whole thing!

AD, the DJ came at 8:00 and after dinner dancing promptly began. My neighbors, Henri and Joy as well as Wendy and Maryanne started it off. Before you knew it, the oak dance floor was full. You know you make me want to SHOUT, Oogie oogie ‘til you just can’t boogie no more…the music played. Everyone loved AD’s play list, she was getting kudos all night.

At 9:00 Angel set off the Piñatas. Of course unless someone made them by hand, you cannot purchase good Piñatas commercially. So although the fish Piñata was not so difficult to smash, the Tiki one was and Angel and I finally tore it apart in frustration. Miguel was in charge of tugging on the rope to bring it up and down, he was on the roof of my shed doing this.

After the Piñata we danced some more until the Birthday Cake blowing and dessert was served. Angel’s Piña Colada cake and Eileen’s flan were first to go! Henry and Cynthia brought a Mango Cake, and we had a Chocolate Macadamia Cake and a Pineapple Upside Down Cake.

After dessert, the dancing really livened up and we danced with AD until 11:00 pm. What a fun night! I think that fun was had by all.

Those who stayed at Camp Solyo sat around the campfires before retiring. Thanks everyone for helping thanks everyone for coming and making the party the success that it was. I am now 60!

To see pictures of the Luau and my birthday weekend, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/9406780@N03/sets/72157601308110718/