Wondering what Marcella is up to?

"I wonder what Piglet is doing," thought Pooh.

"I wish I were there to be doing it, too."

Winnie the Pooh

Isn't she a cutie pie?  David & Melissa's daughter, Marcella spent the afternoon with me today.  She was a joy to be around.  We played with her toys, read books, made pretend calls to her cat Mingus, splished splashed in the sink, wrote with crayons, and watched neighbors walk their dogs outside. It was a fun-filled lazy afternoon which called Marcella for a nice nap.  What a beautiful little being she is;  (Tito Pat & Tita Shell are so blessed to be a special part of you and your Mommy & Daddy's lives.) and what a perfect way to spend my free time, taking care of our dearest friends' little one.        

Marcella says, 'Hoo, Hoo'.

Marcella waves 'Bye, Bye!'.

Happy Summertime!

Aloha!

Summer has arrived and today we celebrated Christina & Nicolas’ baby shower. Since they are fond of the islands and vacationed in Polynésie française not too long ago, we thought it would be fun to honor them with a lū‘au and it was…

Christina and I made fresh flower leis (shell necklaces for the men), cocktail umbrellas for the sangria, laid out banana leaves, sea shells, and pineapples to welcome our guests.

Although our lū‘au did not feature the traditional dishes such as poi, kalua pig, poke, etc., we managed to put together an island spread which highlighted, sugar cane skewered shrimp, plantain chips, lumpia (beef springrolls), yellow rice, pulled barbeque pork, and much more. Did I say we didn’t have kalua pig? What we did have is lechón! Thanks to the determination and hard work of the Whitteaker Home Chef, Kuya Scott. It was his first attempt and boy was it perfect and delish! Its arrival brought so much excitement to the crowd.

The lū‘au began outdoors at lunchtime, ran through dinnertime, until the wee hours of the morning. Among the other highlights were the very cute gifts Christina and Nicolas received, thanks to very thoughtful friends, the fabulous Buki Buki Room music courtesy of David, and the games which surprisingly were enjoyed by the men too. (Poopy Diaper game was a hit.) Not to mention the other unexpected favorite, our late night snack - turron which are sweetened banana and jack fruit wrapped in a springroll wrapper, fried to order. (Heather- hope you and Chris will enjoy cooking turrons!) The ‘Band’ (Matthew, Darren, Patrick, minus David) even played some tunes by the end of the festivities.

Patrick and I had so much fun hosting this for our dear friends. It was a joy seeing them so happy with the friends they’ve made here in the U.S. and their excitement for the arrival of their first baby. Our only wish is that their families and friends in France were also here to enjoy the festivities with all of us. They will visit soon enough as baby Emma is due to arrive on July 22nd!

Mahalo to all who came to celebrate with us.

Love,
Michelle & Patrick
(a.k.a. Poulette et M. Smiley to our French friends)

P.S.
Barbara: Thank you for your e-mail, that was very thoughtful of you. We hope to meet you too in our next visit to France. Until then, best regards to you, your husband, and your children.

Bruno (Farmer Nono): We loved your little greeting card. You are so sweet. We really miss you, Christophe, and Aurélie. Keep in touch with us again.

Laetitia et Gérald: Your note was perfectly written! We know if you could travel you would be here too to celebrate baby Emma’s arrival, but we understand you have your own celebration to do being that you’re expecting your first baby too! Congratulations again. As you can see I made sure to take care of your best friend. She misses you too very much. In the meantime, always hugs and kisses to you from all of us.

Tante Faty et Oncle Christian: We received your card in the mail. What a lovely and sunny greeting! We're looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks. I know Christina is counting the days… Have a safe travel and kisses to Katia & Sebastien too.

Joyeux Été (traduit par Christina)

Aloha!

L'ete est arrive et aujourd'hui nous avons celebre la baby shower de Christina et Nicolas. Comme il ont beaucoup aime leurs vacances et la Polynesie il n'y a pas si longtemps nous avons pense qu'il serait sympas de les honorer avec un lū‘au et nous l'avons fait....

Christina et moi meme avons fait des colliers de fleurs (pour les homes, c’etait des colliers de coquillages), Sangria avec parapluie cocktail, feuilles de bananes pour les plats, colliers de coquillage et ananas pour accueillir nos invites.

Bien que notre lū‘au ne represente pas les traditionnels plats tels que le poi, kalua pig , poke, … Nous avons essaye de mettre ensemble differents plats exotiques tels que des crevettes au sucre de canne, chips, rouleau de boeuf, riz jaune, porc sauce barbecue, et bien d’autre chose! Est que j’ai dit que nous n’avions pas de kalua Pig? Ce que nous avons eu etait un Lechón! Merci pour la determination et le dur travail du chef de la famille Whitteaker, Kuya Scott. C’etait sa premiere tentative et c’etait parfait et delicieux! Cet arrive a sussite de l’engouement aupres des invites.

Le lū‘au a commence a l’exterieur a l’heure du dejeuner, en passant par l’heure du dinner, jusqu’au milieu de la nuit. Les meilleurs moments ont ete lorsque Christina et Nicolas on recu de tres jolis cadeaux de la part de tous leurs amis, le fabuleux buki buki music de David, et les jeux qui les hommes ontavec surprise adore. Le jeu des Couches a ete le mieux. Sans oublier de mentionner notre en-cas de fin de soiree, qui n’etait pas prevu, le Turron qui est un en-cas sucre de banane et jack fruit enroule dans une feuille de brick, (Heather – j’espere que chris et toi allez apprecie cuisiner les turrons !) Le “Groupe “ (Matthew, Darren, Patrick, sans David) ont meme joue quelques morceaux a la fin de la soiree.

Patrick et moi avons eu beaucoup de plaisir a etre les hotes de nos chers amis. Ce fut une joie de les voir heureux avec les amis qu’ils se sont fait aux US and leur joie pour l’arrivee de leur 1er bebe. Notre seul souhait est que leurs familles et amis de France soit aussi la pour profiter des festivities avec nous. Ils viendront nous rendre visite sitot qu’Emma sera la!

Mahalo a tous ceux qui sont venus celebre cette evenement avec nous.

Amities,
Michelle & Patrick
(plus connu sous le nom de poulette et Mr sourire pour nos amis francais)

P.S.
Barbara : Merci pour ton e-mail, c’etait tres gentil de ta part. Nous esperons te rencontrer a notre prochaine visite en France. D’ici la, mes amities a toi, ton mari et tes enfants.

Buno (Fermier nono) : Nous avons adore ta petite carte, T’es trop sympas! Tu nous manque vraiment, Christophe et Aurélie on reste en contact!

Laetitia et Gérald : Votre mot etait parfaitement ecrit en anglais! Nous savons que si vous aviez pu voyager vous seriez venu ici aussi pour celebrer l’arrivee d’Emma mais nous comprenons que vous avez votre propre celebration vu que vous attendez votre 1er bebe aussi! Toutes nos felicitations. Comme tu peux voir je fais tout pour m’occuper de ta meilleure amie. Tu lui manqué aussi enormement. Nous vous embrassons.

Tatie Faty et Oncle Christian : Nous avons recu votre carte. Une jolie carte ensoleillee! Nous sommes impatient de vous voir dans quelques semaines et je sais que Christina compte les jours… Bon voyage et bisous a Katia et Sebastien.

Baby Shower Lū‘au

Happy family-to-be: Nicolas, Christina, and baby.

Let the Games Begin!

Game hostesses Jennifer, Carla, and little helper Sophie.

Pass the Poopy Diaper

Guess what kind of chocolate candy bar (melted) fills the dirty diapper?

Using their senses:









sight, taste, touch, and smell.

'One for you, Two for me...' Sweet-tooth winners, Matthew & Heather!

Games go on...

Happy Mommy-to-be

Place the Baby on the Mommy

(a version of Pin the tail on the Donkey)

Guess the Mommy's Tummy Size?

(It's 110 cm / 43 1/2 in!)

Marek, our cutest audience.

Lechón

Scott, barbeque master.

Dessert Tree

Lovely Chef Courtney from Cake Nouveau made these delightful cupcakes.

Pineapple Wild Strawberry

Chocolate Truffle

(I thought of my old friend Chona when I posted this;

she is in love with cupcakes. )

Merci Beaucoup!

For our thoughtful and loving guests.

Favors filled with European candies.

Lovelies & Favorites

Lovely things that caught my eye today...

French sponge cake

A favorite of Dad Danny.  Also called 'mamon' when baked in individual brioche pans. Today, I baked this one in an angel food cake pan in celebration of Father's Day.  Serve with fresh berries and creme fraiche, it's perfect for summer days.

Laundry basket

A favorite of mine, wicker baskets not laundry day.  Just the right size and weight to carry a large load of clothes comfortably.  As mentioned, doing laundry is not a favorite so having this lovely carrier makes doing the chore a little nicer to bear. This one is woven from Cambodia. 

Hydrangeas

A favorite of Jean.  I tend to pick these up when ever I'm at the market not just for it's obvious beauty, but because they are long lasting.  I think this one is called Mme. Emile Mouillere, a hydrangea macrophylla.

Classic glassware

A favorite of Melissa. Delicate low-stemmed glasses.  I have a weakness for glassware. I insisted on purchasing Melissa's little set from the Met in New York when she sold them in her garage sale.  These, made in Poland were a find at HomeGoods. We enjoy filling them with sangria and bubbly refreshments.  They make every sip feel very special.

Vintage tea towels

Another favorite of mine.  It's an obsession really.  I began collecting French vintage tea towels not too long ago. The recent package sent to me by aunt, Mama Cely from her shop contained a couple of monogramed ones.  These are from La Belle Maison, Pear tree, and Saint-Ouen, the antiques flea market in Paris.  I use them everywhere in the home.

Speaking of Paris, it's now past midnight (EST).  Father's Day is here and Papa Willie is there vacationing.  Sending him loving wishes of "Jour de Pere Heureux!" Greetings not only to him but Papa Fidel and to all my uncles and friends who are Dads, may your children honor you today and always.

Wet Skies

Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:8

This morning we woke up to another rainy day. It was delightful. The rain has always been my friend and today I got to thinking… What is it about my friend's company that I enjoy so much?

The past many days have been fixed on my work project; in an office space surrounded by an atmosphere of unpleasant politics currently at play. Although home provides a refuge from it all, regrettably it has been invaded by work. Take-outs have replaced home-cooked meals and gardening postponed. Even though prayers have been lifted more often than usual, they have become concise.

So it came to me…

My friend, the rain reminded me of this.

That is the reason I enjoy rainy days so much. It requires me to be still and listen. There is nothing more relaxing than hearing the water fall from the sky and watching the ground become refreshed by it. It has the same impact on me. My mind is renewed and once again open to embrace God’s grace. I think. I re-examine. I pray. I thank God for bringing the rain and restoring my soul.

There will be no assignments to take home tonight and no talks about affairs of work. Instead, there will be: 

cooking supper (preparing chicken adobo),

weeding the yard,

 harvesting of strawberries, 

extended prayers above; 

and if I'm lucky, all be will accompanied by a little fall of rain.

Notice

When you are asked if you can do a job, tell
'em, 'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and
find out how to do it.
Theodore Roosevelt

Normally, when I'm busy tending to life outside of my workplace I turn on the automated "Out of the Office" notice in my e-mail. Since I've been absent from my blog space, I thought it would be appropriate to do the same. I've been busy tending to work and have put many personal tasks aside. So this message goes out to you whom I have not forgotten about... Belated Happy Birthday greetings to Andre on May 31st and to Vince on June 1st!  Also, thank you Mama Cely for the lovely package I received over the weekend.  Lastly, Brian- I'm thrilled to have heard from you and look forward to talking with you.  For now, I'm off to the State Capitol for my Medicaid project. I'll be back soon.