Memorial Day Barbecue

When my cousin said she was going to make a fruit salad for cousin Q's family's barbecue, I wasn't expecting this!


When I first walked by, I thought, "How nice. Someone bought an Edible Arrangements bouquet."

When I found out the oldest 87's middle sister and the older '88 made it, I thought, "How niiice!!! So fancy!!!"

They made it by using a head of iceberg lettuce to hold the base and cutting fruit with cookie cutters and a ridged knife.


My contribution was two pitchers of Sangria and a pitcher of Strawberry Lemonade.

Of course, I started on the grilled steak first. The middle '87 said she had been chopping, mincing, and slicing all day. She made the salsa and chicken.

"The chicken is so good," said the oldest '87's middle sister. "Where did you get the recipe? From Martha Stewart?"

From Wandering Chopsticks, said cousin Q's little sister, who often cooks from the blog. She had told me she planned to make my recipe for Ga Nuong Xa (Vietnamese Grilled Lemongrass Chicken).

Ha! As if Martha cooks with fish sauce.


I had half a cheeseburger and a sausage.


And one piece of shrimp. How come I was so full then? No room for grilled corn or pork chops.


My youngest uncle's cereus was still blooming. The blooms of the yellow and pink varieties last for several days, unlike the white Dutchman's Pipe Cactus which wilts in the morning.


Then it was time for an ice cream break.


The older '88 made more of her famous pumpkin crunch. I had three pieces. Three little pieces. Although, I could have eaten more.


Grilled oysters. I had a lot of these.


And look! A teeny tiny pearl inside my oyster.


Cousin Q's older brother's sister-in-law's fiance remarked that it seems like we keep multiplying.

Are you referring to the food or the family? I asked. Because the answer is both! :P

*****
1 year ago today, Tacos al Pastor (Mexican Sheperd-style Tacos).
2 years ago today, the first appearance of geraniums in flowerpots.