Mom's 65th Birthday

February 02 was supposedly my mom's 65th birthday. She passed away 5 months ago. The pain we felt losing her hasn't lightened or changed a bit. It was too difficult to handle because it happened too fast, we were all in shocked. It hit us BIG TIME. God knows how much I try to suppress my emotions everytime I miss my beloved mom. God knows too how much I try to look at the brighter side of things. I know there's a reason for everything.

As her birthday draws near, I waited  for my brother to give me a go signal to order  catered food and even made a list of visitors to invite. However, I felt my brother is not fond of the idea. He just wanted a simple celebration, invite the sister of my mom and her cousin who were really close to our mom.

I thought of the birthday food that my mom would usually cook whenever member of the family is having a birthday. She will cook them whether you like it or not. Unfortunately, I did not learn her technique/s in cooking roastbeef. Good thing, my hubby and my sister were supportive of my idea and sent me the ingredients and directions in cooking a delicious and well tendered roast beef.

Our househelper is great at cooking pancit guisado and springrolls so I let her do that. I cooked the sipo egg effortlessly. But we fumbled a bit when it comes to roastbeef. Our househelper threw away the water used to boil the sirloin, that was needed in making the sauce or the gravy. There was no point of arguing and it was almost dinner time. I just thought of other way to make the gravy. I boiled 3 cups of water and threw in beef boullion, when it was already boiling, I added the sliced mushrooms to make it a little tender, afterwards, I added the cream of mushroom and voila! Perfected Roastbeef was served on the table right on time!!!

Main Course: Sipo egg, Roastbeef, Pancit Guisado, Spring Rolls

for dessert: brownies and Ube Cake from Red Ribbon

From the morning I clocked out of the office (GY shift), I attended the mass dedicated for mom, bought flowers, went home and checked what else is needed. I then went to supermarket to buy sirloin, got back to the house and slept for 2 hours. When I woke up, I went to La Pieta memorial to visit mom, then went straight to the mall to buy cake.

I was dead tired after the short celebration but I don't mind at all. I'm sure mom was happy with what I did for her birthday. She's happy at the thought I learned to master her food specialties. I know I can't thank her enough, no words can express how much I miss and love her.
 

Me & Mom, Jan. 2011 during my brother and his wife wedding anniversary celebration