When celebrating a birthday (or 4 - like my extended family did this past weekend), a long-standing Filipino tradition is to serve Pancit, a rice noodle dish that represents long life and good health...
Celebrants turned, were turning or were about to turn 9, 43, 45 and 70 (separately of course!) But for some reason (I'll blame it on the near 105 degree heat and humidity) no one remembered to bring candles! No big deal for the older folks, but for my niece turning 9, it would've been a big disappoint not to have candles to blow out. Lucky for us our resident Heloise, Jill, cleverly thought to use wooden toothpicks! Have you ever faced this birthday cake dilemma? I'd love to know how you improvised...
And if you happen to be in the July birthday club, a very Joyeux Anniversaire to you!
Happy Birthday! You are so cute.. hoping you're having a wonderful day!:-)
ReplyDeleteI wasn't one of the celebrants Valentina,... but I'll take your very kind wishes, thank you very much! Enjoy your weekend :)
DeleteCelebrate! The food looks scrumptious and especially the cake!
ReplyDeleteThe food was delicious Alexa! Filipino cuisine will always top my list of favorite foods ;)
DeleteHappy happy birthday(s)! The photos are gorgeous and everything looks so delicious. I love that first shot especially - takes me back to childhood potlucks in Hawaii! (Lots of diverse cultures and cuisines to gorge on at the picnic table, including the most delicious Filipino dishes! Haven't had pancit in ages, mmmm.)
ReplyDeleteThank you LondonLulu! I'm so delighted you've had pancit (you're quite the global citizen). Perhaps you can share your favorite Filipino dishes some day, I'm curious! Guess you've also had lechon (roasted pig - another favorite) in Hawaii, ... but that's another post, right ;)
DeleteMabuhay, Catherine! The pancit and lumpia look masarap:) Love this set and happy birthday to your loved ones! What a great idea for the toothpick candles. I will have to try that, as I have also faced that dilemma. Our solution was a long taper candle. Of course, this happened more than once, so we have used tealights and votives. Now I just always try to keep a box of birthday candles handy in the kitchen drawer;)
ReplyDeleteMasarap indeed Charmaine! Lumpia and pancit are such a treat... can't have them often enough really. Thank you for the candle dilemma suggestions - tapers and tea lights, love it!! I don't know where my birthday candles go. I even buy the kind that come 10 in a box and use very few - do the rest just disappear?? ... must be the little munchkins ;)
DeleteI just have to say that I love your pics. You have the ability to make even normal things look gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteAww thank you so much Diane, you're very kind... I really appreciate the compliment! Bon week-end :)
DeleteGreat and inspiring post - I'll make sure to steal the candle surrogate idea in the future! Last time we were faced with the candle dilemma we just decided we would have to celebrate the b-day...twice. And we did! Celebrations make for the greatest excuses, or so I find. It is very interesting to learn about the dishes from your homeland, a real discovery for me. Take care and I'll be looking forward to your next posts :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a fantastic idea Daydreamer! (which might explain the disappearing candles). My older son would LOVE to have a second - and third! - celebration ;) Thank you for stopping by, I'll be sure to share more Filipino dishes and desserts (my favorites!) Bon week-end xo
DeleteHappy Birthday to everyone in your family! Yes, we've had the same "birthday candle" issues in the past. It was a birthday celebrated on vacation & we didn't have enough candles for the cake. Problem was solved by making trips to "7-11" & the pharmacy & buying an assortment of candles. Nice photos of the food here. Thanks for sharing your story.
ReplyDeleteI'll extend your birthday wishes Elizabeth, thank you so much! And very much appreciate your candle dilemma suggestions, problem is the little ones had no patience to wait, they were practically salivating on the cake(s) - Yes! there were two and both were candleless :( Next time, as you mentioned, I'll make a stop to buy candles if I don't have any on hand JUST IN CASE ;) ...
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