Yesterday was Micheal’s 21st birthday. He said he didn’t want a party, but Caroline knew better. So, she planned a surprise birthday party for him. She slaved in the kitchen all day, rolling fresh flour tortillas and making enchilada fillings.
The guests–several families–arrived sometime before 6 and enjoyed horseshoes and conversation in the yard and living room. Around 7 pm, we began the process of making the enchiladas. Caroline was pretty warm by then, so Jim, Rebekah, and I took over. Rebekah dipped the fresh tortillas in the enchilada sauce made of chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and water–then quickly warmed them in hot oil. Then Jim and I filled them with meat, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and lettuce–and rolled them up. Rebekah got tired of dipping and frying halfway through, so I switched over to the stove.
Once we had prepared a platter-full, we began serving. Pastor Pepe prayed for the meal and the party began eating. Jim and I continued dipping, frying, and rolling until the meat was gone–then we continued until the cheese was gone. Then we sat down to eat ourselves.
We enjoyed good conversation over the meal, and then Caroline got out the guitar. Pastor Pepe led the group in singing a birthday song–and then in (our) traditional (American) Happy Birthday song (except in Spanish!) After congratulating Michael, the party left–and the second party began.
Elizabeth and Luis took the van over to the rehabilitation center to pick up some guys to celebrate with Michael. Four guys came over and they and Michael enjoyed hanging out and eating chocolate cake with vanilla pudding on top.
Jim brought out his fossil and arrowhead collection and the two of us looked through them while the younger guys talked. It was a pretty fun (and full) evening.
Michael is sitting at the head of the table