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Antwerp, Belgium
Welcome to the new, and improved version of Heaven in Belgium. I am Jientje. "Jientje", like the boys name Gene, followed by "chu"? "Gene-chu", that's how you pronounce my name. Yes!!!!That's it!! So now you know huh? I am an addicted blogger. I was born and raised and am still living in Belgium. Yeah, the "this-is- Tuesday-so-this-must-be-Brussels" kind of Belgium .. There, you see? Maybe you couldn't find it on the map, but at least I'm trying to change that a little by sharing lots of pictures. I really love to cook and create new things, like this blog for instance. I am a mother,a grandmothe and a wife too! They say I'm a traveler, and a photographer. Well that's just what they say, I love to make pictures, but I am far from professional ... If my English is not perfect, that would be because it's my second language. I do hope you'll forgive me any possible misspellings or strange vocabulary ... Now, as a result of all of the above, I get way too little sleep and my days are always much too short!

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Heaven is in Belgium

Friday, August 7, 2009

Friday’s Fave Five, the Birthday Party

friday fave five 12

For this Friday’s Fave Five I want to share the surprise party our daughter Patsy threw for her husband’s forty first birthday. It was a complete success, because …


1. The birthday boy was completely flabbergasted!  Patsy had managed to do all the preparations without him knowing or even suspecting a thing! She had sent him out of the house with some excuse he needed to help one of his friends and when he came back, the house was filled with guests, friends and family!  

2. The weather gods were kind to us. Or was that me, playing the weather witch again? There had been some serious showers the previous day, and it rained all morning. ( pouring sounds more like it!) But two hours before the guests were due to arrive, the sky cleared, and the sun came out.
We were able to have the party outside until late in the evening   ummmm, night!

3. Everybody helped where they could. Before the party, there was Patsy, Carol the caterer, and me doing the preparations together. And when the party started, everybody gave a hand where they could. That spontaneous help was just wonderful.
Even when it came to washing the dishes, everything was being done with a little help from the friends!

4. Now, you did not think we would have a party without food, now did you? And I’m sure you did not expect me to write about it, and not make you drool, right? Look at that, the fruits of or joined efforts. There were all kinds of appetizers made by Carol but I have only few pictures of them, because I was too busy lending a hand in the kitchen. And then caterer Carol and I made the huge paella together. All the desserts had been made by Patsy the previous day, and needed the last minute finishing touch and presentation.
If I look at it now, I’m so proud of our daughter, because this looks like a professional party banquet. Doesn’t it?

5. Over forty people were invited and everybody ( even the kids) had a wonderful time. It was good to meet them, or to see them some of them again. It was a wonderful party, and it lasted until well after midnight.

Look for more Fave Five posts at Susanne’s Living to Tell the Story.

27 comments:

Loree said...

Oh those desserts look so delicious. It looks like it was a wonderful party and I am so glad that you all had a good time.

Nicole said...

Oh - so much fun :D!
There's always something going on with you guys, no?
The food looks delicious!

moneythoughts said...

Why should we surprised that it stopped raining (pouring) just two hours before the party? If Heaven is in Belgium, which it is, there is not surprise. The food looks great, as are all the pictures. The more I read your blog, the more certain I am that the stork dropped me in the wrong country.

Wanda..... said...

I'm sure everyone enjoyed themselves...the food looked too pretty to disturb...but, too tempting not to...works of art they were!

P-TER said...

Het water komt in mijn mond
bij het zien van zoveel lekker schoonheid!
Proficiat aan de jarige.
Gr.
P-TER

Hazel said...

I'm dropping by from FFF to say hello.
That's a fabulous party! I loved looking at all the people.

Gattina said...

I had to hold back myself otherwise I would have jumped in the screen and eat all the delicious things you showed in your collage ! you are a sadist ! Looks like a great party and at what big cooking pot you stand there !
Remember the prices for mussels when I was with you in Antwerp, here we only payed 12 € !! and it's really a very beautiful restaurant, we always go there when Dario is here, because he always wants to eat a steak. He says in Holland they are not as good !

Heidi said...

I bounced over to see the food I knew would be extravagant and lovely displayed here. I was not disappointed! If I ever have a serious party over here across the ocean, I want you, Jientje, to come and cater it for me! In fact, I'd like to book you right now to do the photography and food for my son's wedding. He is not engaged, but I'm sure he will be someday. Is this possible? (Do you think my future daughter-in-law, whoever she might be, will mind if I plan this in advance for her? Ha!)

I'll send her to your blog, then it will be a sealed deal!

Heidi

ellen b said...

Oh my goodness! That was one fabulous party. Look at all that great food and the presentation. I am so impressed. Do you think you and Carol and Carol and Patsy could come help at my next party?! Well done ladies.

Susanne said...

Wow, that looks like quite the party she threw. The food looks incredible!

Robynn's Ravings said...

What incredible photos of the most amazing food! You ALWAYS make me hungry. Great party and lots of fun!!!!!

Lisa notes... said...

That's an incredible party! Everyone looks like they were having such a great time. You have some wonderful pictures.

Brenda said...

Its so much fun to pull off a succesful surprise party. All that food looks amazing!

Willow said...

The best part must have been the total surprise!

I KNEW you would photograph the food! As I was scrolling down, reading, I thought, "The next one will be about FOOD!"

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad that it was such a huge success and that the weather cooperated. That food...I'm telling you it looks like it's made for kings and queens. Excellent my Belgian Bombshell. The photos are wonderful. It's so hard to pull off a successful surprise party. Glad this one workd :) There's a little something for you on my blog :)

moneythoughts said...

I answered your comment on MONEYTHOUGHTS.

I told you the stork dropped me in the wrong country!!!

Carleen said...

I don't think I can more than WOOT and YUM! Woot because the weather cooperated for such a splendid event and yum because all of the food looks so good that I swear I can smell it all the way over here in California!

mom2triplets04 said...

Wow what a great surprise party and that food wow! Love the way you presented all your photos and told the story. Enjoyed reading it. Happy Birthday.

quilly said...

I am starving! I should learn not to come here before I've eaten! This party looks fantastic! I am so glad the surprise came off without a hitch.

Now, I have my plate. Feel free to pile it high and don't forget the shimp!

Barbara said...

Looks like a great celebration. I see alot of smiles and of coarse the food looks yummy.
Have a great weekend.
Smiles
Barbara

Dr.John said...

Great celebration and truly great pictures. Thanks for sharing with us.

Unknown said...

Fabulous party - fabulous photos.

Jientje said...

@ Loree: It was a great party. And she did a terrific job on those desserts!
@ Nicole: We enjoy life, yes. We do.
@ Moneythoughts: The more I read yours, the more I'm beginning to understand why!
@ Wanda: It looked pretty, and it tasted delicious!
@ P-ter: Heb ik je "waterachtig" gemaakt? Hihihi!
@ Hazel: Nice meeting you Hazel!
@ Gattina: 12€ ! That's cheap! Maybe we should do that one day?
@ 2Thinks: LOL! You can count on me Heidi!
@ ellenb: Why not?
@ Susanne: Yes, it was wonderful she did a great job!
@ Robynn: I'm proud of it myself. Everything looked perfect!
@ Lisa: They did.
@ Brenda: Well, she did it!
@ Willow: The surprise on his face was priceless!
@ Thom: The weather was the one thing we could not command. But we were lucky.
@ moneythoughts: Sue him!
@ Carleen: Across the ocean? WOOT!
@ mom2tripletsO4: I can't access your site. Thanks for visiting me!
@ Quilly: Hang on, I'll give you two, okay?
@ Barbara: It was.
@ Dr John: You're welcome.
@ Lou: Thank you, it was a wonderful party.

Suburban Girl said...

Wow, what an amazing party the food looks awesome and so glad everyone had a great time.

Melli said...

Ohhhhhhhh WOW! Ugh... I am just NOT cooking while you are here! We are eating OUT every meal! I would be ashamed to cook for you!

SECRET AGENT MAMA said...

Now that's a party!!

Jientje said...

@ Rebecca: It was, everybody had a great time!
@ Melli: Don't you START!!! That won't be nessecary!!
@ Mishelle Lane: It was!

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