5.19. A Labor of Love

@annierose (19755)
Philippines
May 19, 2024 6:31am CST
Today, I busied myself in the kitchen, crafting a medley of dishes in anticipation of my mother's upcoming birthday. Rising early, we embarked on a journey to the market after attending mass, gathering the freshest ingredients for my culinary creations. Despite the discomfort brought by dysmenorrhea, I pressed on, driven by the joy of preparing a feast for my beloved mother. Tomorrow, despite having work commitments, I am determined to make it home early to celebrate my mother's birthday. As I reflect on the day's endeavors, a sense of accomplishment washes over me. Despite the physical challenges, I successfully completed the preparations for my mother's birthday celebration. Tomorrow promises to be a day filled with love, laughter, and delicious food, as we gather to honor the woman who means so much to us. How do you celebrate the special occasions of loved ones?
9 people like this
8 responses
@HaruLoid (1302)
• Philippines
19 May
You're such a sweet daughter. The way we celebrate special occasions is just simple. We either eat out or order food theough an app and eat together.
@annierose (19755)
• Philippines
20 May
That sounds like a lovely way to celebrate and enjoy each other's company. Do you have a favorite app that you use to order food?
1 person likes this
@annierose (19755)
• Philippines
20 May
@HaruLoid Absolutely! Grab and Foodpanda are convenient choices for ordering food, aren't they? They make it so easy to enjoy delicious meals without the hassle of cooking.
1 person likes this
@HaruLoid (1302)
• Philippines
20 May
@annierose We just use Grab and Foodpanda.
1 person likes this
@Shavkat (137313)
• Philippines
19 May
We just celebrate in a simple way. It is not that extravagant.
2 people like this
@annierose (19755)
• Philippines
20 May
Simple celebrations can be the most meaningful, focusing on being together and enjoying the moment. Do you have any special traditions or dishes that are a must-have for these celebrations?
1 person likes this
@Shavkat (137313)
• Philippines
20 May
@annierose We need to have some "pancit canton" and the like. It means having a long life.
1 person likes this
@annierose (19755)
• Philippines
20 May
@Shavkat Noodles symbolize longevity and are believed to bring good luck and a long life according to Filipino tradition. It's great that you incorporate cultural symbolism into your meals! Do you have any special occasions coming up where you plan to enjoy "Pancit Canton"?
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (461941)
• Switzerland
19 May
You are a good and sweet daughters. I wish Happy Birthday to your mother. We also celebrate with a nice dinner and a cake.
1 person likes this
@annierose (19755)
• Philippines
20 May
Thank you for your kind wishes! It sounds like you have wonderful birthday traditions as well. Do you have a favorite type of cake or any specific flavor that you prefer for these celebrations?
1 person likes this
@annierose (19755)
• Philippines
20 May
@LadyDuck It sounds like you both have different tastes when it comes to cakes! Have you ever tried making a compromise cake that combines elements of both, like a sponge cake with chocolate layers and whipped cream, topped with cherries? It might be a fun experiment to try in the kitchen!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (461941)
• Switzerland
20 May
@annierose My husband likes all kind of sponge cakes layered with whipped cream. My favorite cake is the Black Forest cake.
@sallypup (58557)
• Centralia, Washington
20 May
You are a loving daughter. One of my sisters is turning 80 in August. Her daughters are inviting family to celebrate.
1 person likes this
@annierose (19755)
• Philippines
20 May
Thank you so much! It sounds like your sister's 80th birthday celebration will be a wonderful family gathering. It's such a special milestone, and I'm sure she'll feel surrounded by love and warmth from all her family members. Do you have any plans or ideas for how you'd like to celebrate this momentous occasion?
1 person likes this
@annierose (19755)
• Philippines
21 May
@sallypup Hi Lenore, it's understandable that distance makes it challenging to visit. Maybe you could send a heartfelt card or video message to be played during the celebration? Sometimes, a thoughtful gesture from afar can still make a big impact and let her know how much she means to you.
@sallypup (58557)
• Centralia, Washington
20 May
@annierose I don't have any ideas. Sister lives too far from me for me to visit her.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (76635)
• Germany
19 May
Happy birthday to your mother. You are a good daughter. We celebrated my husbands’ birthday last Thursday at home with just our son and his girlfriend. We don’t celebrate with our many friends anymore. It’s a lot of work for me to cope.
1 person likes this
@annierose (19755)
• Philippines
20 May
Thank you for the kind wishes! It sounds like you had a cozy and intimate celebration. Sometimes smaller gatherings with close family can be the most enjoyable. Did you make any special dishes or have a particular theme for your husband's birthday?
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@annierose (19755)
• Philippines
23 May
@thelme55 Thelma, your husband's birthday celebration sounds absolutely delightful! There's something so heartwarming about reminiscing over old photos and sharing homemade dishes with loved ones. Lasagna and hazelnut cake sound like a perfect combination for a special day. Wishing you both many more wonderful moments together!
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (76635)
• Germany
23 May
@annierose You are very welcome. Yes, it was. We talked a lot and looked at the old photos from our old albums. I made Lasagna and hazelnut cake for his birthday.
1 person likes this
@dya80dya (34617)
19 May
Happy birthday to your mother! My mom doesn't celebrate her birthday because of religion.
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@annierose (19755)
• Philippines
20 May
Thank you for sharing that. It's important to respect and honor our family's traditions and beliefs. Do you have any other special ways you connect with and honor your mother, given that she doesn't celebrate her birthday?
1 person likes this
@dya80dya (34617)
21 May
@annierose I am trying to help her when she needs it. And I eat a cake with her. In this way, we celebrate different events.
1 person likes this
@annierose (19755)
• Philippines
22 May
@dya80dya That's beautiful, Diana. Helping your mother when she needs it and sharing a cake with her to mark different occasions is such a thoughtful way to connect and honor her. It's those simple yet meaningful gestures that truly make a difference in our relationships. Keep cherishing those moments together—they're precious!
@noni1959 (9922)
• United States
20 May
Your celebrations sounds lovely. We no longer do the big birthday dinner parties at home. We go somewhere the loved one has been wanting to go to. A museum, beach, new restaurant or other.
1 person likes this
@annierose (19755)
• Philippines
20 May
That sounds like a fantastic way to celebrate birthdays! Exploring new places and experiences together can create lasting memories and add an extra layer of joy to the celebration. Plus, it's a wonderful opportunity to bond and share special moments with your loved ones in unique settings.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (19146)
• United States
21 May
Happy Belated Birthday to your mom. For my best friend's son's birthday (which next week), I send him a card (lately I make him a card) with some money in it. For my boyfriend's birthday (Christmas Day), I get him a cake. Last year I got him a whiskey cake. This year I will get him a carrot cake.
1 person likes this
@annierose (19755)
• Philippines
22 May
That's so thoughtful of you, Jessica! Making personalized cards and including some money for your best friend's son's birthday is a sweet gesture. And switching up the birthday cake flavors for your boyfriend sounds like a fun tradition! A whiskey cake one year and a carrot cake the next—variety keeps things exciting. I'm sure your loved ones appreciate the effort you put into celebrating their special days!
1 person likes this