Calrose

I've never started a "what's cooking?" thread, so I thought I would today, since I'm off. I took today off because family is starting to arrive today for our family reunion this weekend (mom's side of the family). We've got four generations coming together, and we're expecting around 150 people. Many are fairly local, so it's a good chance that a majority of them will show up.

It's the first time we've all been together; lately we've just been seeing each other at funerals (that was a clue that we should get together before most of the elders are gone). My mom is part of the first generation and there are only 20 left from that group. She had 9 siblings and a lot of cousins, so I've got a ton of cousins and most of them have children.

The reunion's a potluck picnic, so there will be a lot of filipino goodies like BBQed lechon (pork), chicken, duck, and shrimp, pancit (chow mein), and lumpia (egg rolls). I've done a lot of the planning and prep so I'm cooking easy--fruit platters. I did make handouts for everyone of typical Ilocano (family region and dialect) dishes, body language and superstitions, and words and phrases (for the non-speakers like me). It's funny, I can speak 5 languages, but I can't speak my mom's native tongue (my dad was from a different region, so he spoke visayan). We've got a lot of games and activities planned, but I think most of the time will be spent just reconnecting. Should be a fun, and BUSY, day!

Oh yeah, what am I cooking today? Clam chowder sounds good, so maybe that and shrimp salad on the side.

Foodgoddess

Your reunion sounds like fun Calrose. I hope you have a great time.


Whew well I have had the scariest worst two days of my life. My older daughter (she's nine) woke up Wendesday morning throwing up had the runs too. Took into ER later that morning and they told me she must have a virus or something and to keep giving her fluids etc...WELL she just kept getting worse and worse to the point where she was throwing up every 10 minutes for 8 hours straight. Her eyes were so sunken and dark and she was sooooo pale. She couldn't even keep down a sip of water. We took her back to the ER and she was kept there for 8 hours on an IV because she was sooooo dehydrated and they also found she had a bladder infection.

Today she is a little better, but she is so weak and too scared to eat. She's been nibbling on crackers and sipping water. I just pray my 6 year old dosen't get it or me or my husband. (Please keep your fingers crossed).

Anyway it is chicken soup tonight for the whole family. Also making panini sandwhiches for everyone except my patient....who will only be sipping broth.

kathyn2

Rose your family reunion sounds wonderful. I wish I could attend! Let us know how it all goes and about all the wondeful food that will be served. I have a little fillapino market right near my house but I don't have a clue about the dishes or food that is from your country.

Foodgoddess, I am sorry to hear about your daughter. I hope that virus is over. Sounds like she had it really bad. I absolutely hate that worse than anything and I feel really sorry for your little girl. Chicken soup sounds right like the doctor ordered. I bet it gets her feeling better again. Be sure to have plenty of salt in it. Maybe she got food poisoning somewhere???? (not at your house of course!!). All this said, I have no idea what I am doing for dinner. Tomorrow nite is my neighborhood pot luck and I have to bring something. I have no idea what. And my dog is in the pooch parade. He has a little striped t shirt and a little light blue denim harley hat he is wearing in the parade. He looks like Butch.

Lizzyap

Hey all!

Rose, your family reunion sounds like a good time, usually way too much food

FG, that is terribly scarey! That is the worst when your child is sick I always feel so helpless! Lotsa babyens for sure

Hey, I have good news though, my baby, not even 3 full days into kindergarten got raisaed a color level on the kindergarten chart and a treat for being so good and following instructions, she remembers her please and thank yous, I am so proud of her

We are haivng quesadillas made with grilled chicken, rice and black beans, my daughter wants taco salad.

jogirl5

Oh F.G!! Your sweet baby!!! I'm sending a ton of prayers! (Poor baby angel!) I know she will be up and her old self soon! Auntie Jo-Jo sends hugs & prayers!!!

Well Lizzy, a whole new color for your baby darlin! Auntie Jo-Jo is proud to burstin!! :P

And Calrose, If wishes were horses I would be riding on over to your place for some of that pancit!! Have'nt had me pancit in years!!

And Kathy, I want a picture of you baby in his hat!! haha! Nothin funnier or as cute than pets in clothes!!

Tonight Mr. wonderful will be making his 5 star turkey hotdogs with canned turkey chili. (Well at least I won't be cooking!!)

texasmesquite

Rose - I love pansit and make it. I got the recipe from a friend that was stationed in Guam. Your reunion sounds like a blast. Enjoy yourself and try not to get to tired.

FG - I hope your child is better. Geez, nothing worse than little ones and animals when they are sick. They really can't tell you what is wrong. Keep feeding her fluids.

Hubby took me out for a nice gourmet dinner. This is the first in a long time. We have three boxers that think I am their Mother and not allowed away from them. lol I had Crab Cakes with Chipolte sauce, the soup was a tomato basil and delicious, Lobster Thermidor (which is my first time) with green beans and almonds. I felt like Rachael Ray with all the food goodies. And, no desert for this diabetic.

Foodgoddess

Thanks everybody. She is feeling a litle bit better. The doctor said this flu could last 7-9 days. At least we are past the worst of it. She has been eating dry toast, arrowroot cookies, jello and soup. She is so scared to eat though.

The poor thing is so skinny to begin with and I'm sure she's lost about 6 pounds these past 3 days.When she gets better I am feeding her the most fattening foods I can think of.

kathyn2

Poor little thing. I can really sympathize with her. I used to be that way too not wanting to eat. But 7 to 9 days sounds just awful. Saying a little prayer it is over much sooner than that.

Calrose

Hey, all! The reunion was a huge success, and Lizzy, there was WAY TOO MUCH food (tons of egg rolls and 5 different types of pancit, a lot of filipino desserts, and BBQ galore). Everyone got yummy leftovers!

The kids had a great time with the games, and the scavenger hunt I put together was a hit! The hunt had the usual items to collect (pennies, business cards, coupons), but I had the kids collect information from attendees too, like find 5 people who were born in the Philippines and the city where they were born, find one person born in each season, find a person in each grade (K-5, 5-7, 9-12, college) and their school, etc.; everyone got prizes--they didn't know that and the competition was pretty fierce!

My cousins busted out the karaoke, and I found that many of my cousins can sing very well. I can cook, but I can't sing! One of my sisters THINKS she can sing, thank goodness she didn't get a hold of the microphone. My mom and her sister sang a duet of an Ilocano song; that was a very memorable moment. It was great seeing everyone.

One of the families was MIA, but another family couldn't come because they were all leaving for Florida on Saturday...my cousin's 3-year old son had an accident and died from severe head trauma. I don't know all the details, but it was extremely sad to hear. I watched Marisa (my cousin, the mom) grow up and she is a very sweet girl. They're all in our prayers...

I'm exhausted from the reunion, but my out of town sister is still here with her family, and the gatherings will continue this week until they leave (Wednesday). Maybe I'll get some rest at work! Family can be pretty tiring, huh?