First Birthday, Portuguese Style

This afternoon, went to Ermelinda and Cecílio's grandson's first birthday celebration. We got there "late", as I'd been making mini scones to take, but were almost the first there. Began at 5pm; the cake was eventually cut and Happy Birthday sung about four hours later, at which point we left.

As per usual, several tables laden with food, which kept emerging from the kitchen, including, at one point, two huge pots of garden snails, which folk tucked into enthusiastically, including tiny kids. And then, the main courses - bacalhau (a sort of fish pie), salads, and carne alentejana (pork with clams).

The dessert table had about twenty options - huge bowls of chocolate or lemon mousse, fruit salads, a massive creme caramel, tarts, cakes...

In one corner, a telly for the men to watch two football matches at once. Mats and toys and balloons for the kids. Two barrels, of beer and tinto verano, and a table full of gins, wines, tonics, ice, pop, and so on.

Anyway, chose this phone photo because of the two parts - the birthday boy is being kissed by his great-grandmother; meanwhile, a small girl is doing her best to steal a teddy off the cake. In spite of repeatedly being taken away, she didn't give up, and eventually managed to get one. So amusing to watch her persistence.

Gratefuls:
- stocking up at the market this morning
- shelling broad beans to have with other fresh veggies and cheese and eggs
- being included in Ermelinda's family

PS Via Kendall's last Blip, and Melisseus' comment, this from Michael Rosen re Starmer's comment on immigrants, exactly, Mr Rosen! Choked me up, reading it to Mike. When I had carpal tunnel surgery, the only white person who attended me, including consultant, anesthetist, and surgeon, was the guy who brought me toast and sweet tea afterwards.