Felicidades Monce

Monce invited me this Sunday to her family reunion in Saradella. We took a train to the town. It turns out that this family reunion was really a celebration of Monce's 60th birthday! 30 of her closest friends and family were all there and I felt honored to be invited. She really is a sweetheart. They had rented out a big room of this cafe and set up a long table for the big delicious meal.

The meal was five courses and took place over four hours. (accompanied by red wine and bottles of champagne)
There were baskets of fresh bread and olives.

We started the meal with this pizza like dish. It was a flat pita bread with tangy tomato sauce, melted goat cheese, and olives. Next came the salmon cooked with rosemary and a salad with a balsamic vinaigrette. The salmon was very good. I had two helpings. Next was a mediterranean salad with figs, walnuts, grapes, and chunks of goat cheese in a fruity vinaigrette. Next, the main course was a beef plate with caramelized onions, potatoes, and carrots. It was very tasty and I was very full. For desert you could choose between flan in a sweet blueberry reduction, a slice of apple cake, or sweet orange bread. I chose the apple cake it was yummy and came with a dab of homemade whip cream.

Then out came the birthday brownie dusted with powdered sugar and the champagne. We toasted to Monce and sang happy birthday.


Monce's brother then passed out a CD that had 60 songs on it. One for every year she has been alive with classic Spanish songs and all her favorites. He played pieces of the different songs and Monce got up and danced to them. Everyone sang and clapped and friends got up and took turns dancing with her. It was really special.

Every respective family or friends had gotten her a present. How they did it was she stood in the center of the room and the family would come up and and say nice things about her and then give her the present. It was cute. She got emotional a couple times. Later I was talking to Monce's sister and she told me that Monce really enjoys spending time with me. I was glad.


After that was over people finished up with coffee and milled around. Monce passed out flowers and people ended the night with kisses and goodbyes. Monce and I took the train home. I was exhausted and stuffed (no dinner for me tonight) and very happy. Like I said I felt honored to have been invited I really enjoyed being there. I have to make a nice thank you card.