Family Fiesta

I'm excited to start participating more often in the Tablescape Thursdays at Susan's amazing "Between Naps on the Porch" blog. So, I'll be double posting my parties and tablescapes here on the cooking blog from now on. If you've never checked out Susan's blog, it's a must see!

We were pretty well-fed last night at our siblings dinner... fed in food, fed in laughs, wisdom and experience. Doug said, afterward,"Thanks, Babe. Each dinner just gets better and better." I agreed. I'd been pretty nervous about the meal coming together because I wasn't sure, logistically,how it would work with so many cooks in the kitchen. But, it was like clockwork! I asked everyone to bring their share of the goods for sizzling fajitas. As soon as everyone arrived, we got busy. We had two large frypans on the stovetop, an electric griddle and two electric frypans. So, everyone was stirring up something from the mushrooms to the onions and peppers to the chicken and steak. The meal came off perfectly and oh, my, it was wonderful! We ate ourselves silly! I really enjoyed the time in the kitchen together. It was just plain fun. The teasing and tasting was great...I may never look at mushrooms, one of my favorites, the same again. Somehow, eating fungi, something that grows on your feet, doesn't sound near as tasty as eating sauteed mushrooms. The time in the kitchen was also the "activity" for the evening because it did take a while to get everything hot and sizzling. No games, just tabletalk before dessert. And dessert. .. Oh. My. Gosh! I made Tres Leches from scratch. This is not a quick and easy recipe and it cost an arm and a leg to make, but, OH. MY! It is a must try recipe!

Our table talk questions were a little deeper this time and I was touched by some of the comments made about parenthood. We discussed everything from hair care to housecleaning to loving our children so much it hurts. Doug's family are very reserved, for the most part, and I know that these questions sometimes, can mean exposing yourself a bit. However, I feel that we've grown to know more about each other in the past year and half during these dinners than we have our entire adult lives. When Doug and I decided to do this almost two years ago, our purpose was to bond more with each other as siblings. He has this magnificent family and we want to have friendship with his siblings, not just family ties. We've learned much about each other during tabletalk. It's always my favorite part of the evening. A few others have said the same. And one sibling's reaction when the table talk questions come out is always the biggest laugh of the night! At one point during table talk, I thought about how much I love and appreciate every one of Doug's siblings and their spouses. It was a touching moment for me to think about how lucky I am to be married into and a part of this awesome group of people! I think that of all the entertaining I do, sibling dinners has become my favorite! I've already started planning our next one!

The menu:
Steak or chicken fajitas with peppers, onions, mushrooms and fresh CilantroSpanish RiceGuacomoleSpanish BeansPepper Jack and Sharp Cheddar CheeseSour CreamSalsaChipsPina Colada SlushCitrus WaterTres Leche with fresh strawberries
One other thought about the table... I asked a bartender how they frost the glasses the last time I did this and thought I'd share. Dip the rim of the glass into pineapple juice and then dip it in a bowl of sugar. JUST the rim. Hold it upside down for afew seconds to keep the juice and sugar from sliding down the sides of the glass. This can be done hours in advance.

Table talk questions:
What would you say is the most important material "thing" in your life right now?
What's a typical day in your life right now?
If you could, what would you change in your life right now?
What's the first thing you think about in the morning?
What do you think is your most valuable role in your life at this moment?
If you could be someone else for a day, who would that be? Why?
What do you do every day that you would love to hire someone else to do for you?
What rituals do you go through every day for the sake of your good looks?
What are your favorite words to live by?
Who do you talk on the phone to more than anyone else?
Aside from the temple or the ranch, Is there a place you've been that made you feel closer to heaven?
Can you pinpoint any one moment in life that you'd call a "turning point"?
What mannerisms would you say that you have that are strikingly similar to one of your parents?
Aside from Christ, who in your life have you tried to pattern yourself after more than anyone else?
What one experience would you count as the highlight of the last five years?
What has been your greatest success and what did you learn from it?
Do you feel that you are a better parent than your parents were and why or why not?
What is the happiest memory of your childhood?
What song did you sing as a child that you've taught your children to sing as well?
What prejudices have you overcome that you once had? How?
What are you teaching your children about life that you did not know as a child?
What character traits do you think that you have passed on to your children?
How is your life different today than you pictured it being ten years ago?
Aside from the Sunday School answers (pray & study scriptures), what's something that you do every single day that you could not go a day without doing?
What would you say is the most important material "thing" in your life right now?
What's a typical day in your life right now?
If you could, what would you change in your life right now?
What's the first thing you think about in the morning?
What do you think is your most valuable role in your life at this moment?
If you could be someone else for a day, who would that be? Why?
What do you do every day that you would love to hire someone else to do for you?
What rituals do you go through every day for the sake of your good looks?
What are your favorite words to live by?
Who do you talk on the phone to more than anyone else?
Aside from the temple or the ranch, Is there a place you've been that made you feel closer to heaven?
Can you pinpoint any one moment in life that you'd call a "turning point"?
What mannerisms would you say that you have that are strikingly similar to one of your parents?
Aside from Christ, who in your life have you tried to pattern yourself after more than anyone else?
What one experience would you count as the highlight of the last five years?

What has been your greatest success and what did you learn from it?
Do you feel that you are a better parent than your parents were and why or why not?
What is the happiest memory of your childhood?
What song did you sing as a child that you've taught your children to sing as well?
What prejudices have you overcome that you once had? How?
What are you teaching your children about life that you did not know as a child?
What character traits do you think that you have passed on to your children?
How is your life different today than you pictured it being ten years ago?
Aside from the Sunday School answers (pray & study scriptures), what's something that you do every single day that you could not go a day without doing?

Our most basic instinct is not for survival but for family. Most of us would give our own life for the survival of a family member, yet we lead our daily life too often as if we take our family for granted.