IT’S because affairs dedicated to the family, different groups of friends, other social duties, and work just won’t fit in the days of the calendar. Either we hold other gatherings earlier or wait until the following year.
This is the case with me this week. Three gatherings filled up two days in the calendar. We can also call it welcome 2020 affairs.
First, a wine night. This small group of four hasn’t gathered in ages and scheduled catch-ups never happens for some reason. Finally, it did. Over wine, cheese, Dulong, Boquerones, shredded beef-kalabaw tapa and special pancit bihon, we chatted the evening away. The topics? Well, their kids and their kid’s work, love life, parties one or two of us missed, the price of gas, food for the night that never made it on the table, the recipe of caviar pie.
I didn’t have to wait for the caviar pie for too long. It was served the next day at another catch-up session with my “lunchies” group. It was usually spent in a new restaurant or a place where we can sate a food craving, but that particular Friday afternoon, it was fancy. One friend played hostess and spruced up her dining room for High Tea. The scent of freshly baked Quiche filled her kitchen and the dining table was elegantly styled with teacup sets and plates collected through years of traveling.
Over caviar pie, savories and sconces topped with homemade clotted cream and jams, a selection of teas and sweet bites, we exchanged stories. The topic? Netflix movie choices, family, and of course, the mommy tales, like what books they only allow their kids to read. They’re strict.
Tea time ended just about when the next date started. Luckily, it was in one of my favorite restaurants. The all-ladies Ateneo high school batch mates (I’m the only-male member. Elated to be with this fun-loving women) had an early Christmas party, but one classmate was home for the holidays and a meet-up was in order.
From the large group, only six confirmed, so noise level was abnormally below normal. The presence of one adorable, 4-month old grandchild with us made the oldies calmer than the usual. We didn’t want to scare the star of the night.
Unanimously selected dishes filled the table. It should fit the diet of everyone. Yes, health is always a topic, and the doctor always takes out her prescription pad. Unfortunately, doc is recuperating. Motherhood and grandparenthood were also a subject. The night’s affair was dictated by the sleepy little one.
Who said January is a good month to start the diet? I feel a few more gatherings over good food coming my way in the coming days. And before I can even finish this story, I confirmed my attendance to two more meet-ups over the weekend.
Three gatherings one after the other all easily came into place without a snag. It’s a good thing it did. It came at a time I needed to be with them. Thank you, Universe!
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