another wonderful iteration!

I never make sausage; girlz don't like it. I think I will grill some tonite, thx!

Mmm, it sounds wonderful!

We had fun with these party favors for my Dad’s 80th a couple of weeks ago. Good, cheesy fun … everyone mugged for pictures with them, and the kids loved them.

Ours, but there are lots of other package sets:

We had cupcakes and I liked the little staies for them.

Sounds delicious to me! Nephew makes a mean kebab and everybody wants seconds and thirds.

Your Mexican choices were delicious sounding as well. I don't really remember the Greek choices. Maybe it would be interesting to link both threads on here? In case others are hoping it for ideas.. Or simply wanting to have some of this and some of that. :-).

Love the menu, loved all the menus. You are such a good daughter, suffering with brunch to test out the cake. Have a wonderful celebration!

I am not big on sausage either, Mtn-- but i love some of the locally made poultry sausages. I also enjoy an appetizer of hot sausage in honey. Actually, would be a good addition to our appetizer list.

Jinx, I've loved your updates on your dad's 80th birthday! It sounds like it was a wonderful day for him!

We won't go too far with decorations-- the outdoor space already has a number of plants, torches, lights, etc. Sister uses a purple tapestry from my niece's old college apt as a tablecloth and uses a lot of armetale serving pieces. I thought about getting some chinese lanterns but there isn't really a great spot for them. I guess maybe I should try to think of some kind of actual decorations.. but it may be limited to a few bouquets of hydrangeas (blue, deep purple, white and green) on the various tables.

The butterfly release will decorate the patio for a few minutes :)

I forgot about the butterfly release! 😍

LOL Jill.. This week has definitely challenged my focus on healthy eating!

Yeonassky .. I will link the other menus later today. There were many great suggestions and links to recipes in each of them.

these are really good...

I have read through your other planning threads… nothing I could add and it all sounds really good and like my kind of family food / get-together. If I could come, I would definitely bring desserts. :)

You have made my day! This was the best story. Your mother appears to be feeling quite well.

I have nothing useful to add to your lovely menu. I am just so tickled your mother is engaged and happy and thank goodness you took the hint! She might have worried about your mental state pretty soon.

LOL @Zalco/bring back Sophie! I am glad I finally picked up on it! She might have had to stab me with a skewer!

@mtnrdredux_gw I bet they are good-- they don't sell them near me but I'll check them out the next time I get to a WF! I would like to try some of their other flavors also.

@party_music50 I wish you all could come!

Oh my! You are such a wonderful daughter! The menu sounds marvelous and congrats on being a cake tester/taster!

@yeonassky here are the previous links.. everyone shared a wide range of wonderful recipes and ideas on the threads.

• Circling back on Birthday Menu (now Mexican/Southwest Menu) (houzz.com)
• Birthday Celebration Menu - any thoughts/additions? (houzz.com) (Greek Menu)

Best one yet...I'm sure it'll be terrific. And my sympathies for having to do the cake testing.... NOT!

Deeppeep,y colored hydrangeas are so pretty. I’m glad you are able to roll with a menu that your Mom will love. Hope it’s a wonderful day, especially the Butterfly-fly!

You all are creating such a nice day for your mom! And it sounds like she is really getting excited about it. It will be wonderful, Funky!!

Sounds SO good. If you have a chance, would you mind sharing the recipe for "Grandma's Swedish/Ukranian Potato Salad (a no-mayo family recipe)," please?

(I understand if it's a secret family recipe and you're not allowed! LOL)

Thank you, Ruby-- i think she really is getting excited for it. She went from "I don't need a party" and sticking her nose up at all food suggestions to making sure she gets her kebabs! lol. I still don't expect her to eat much.. but she'll love the effort and having all her kids together.

Gracefully, I will try to pull the recipe out tomorrow-- just finished a late movie and I need to get to bed. I am 90% sure I have a printed version.

Your new direction menu sounds wonderful and glad your mom weighed in. Your family is great to be so supportive and helpful in planning everything andnit sounds like so much fun.

Sounds like a great menu and a fun day!

The menu will make everyone happy-- not unique or fun to plan -- but beloved family tradition. I totally get why this is what she wants. We've gathered for 20+ years to assemble skewers, tend the grill and sit around the table. It gives her comfort and brings back fond memories. We did not even propose it initially because we wanted something special-- and this is the meal we made the night after my dad's delayed funeral in the peak of covid, summer 2020.

I am glad we found a plan she is happy with and that will bring her joy.

Gracefully, i didn't forget you. I am headed out for a few hours soon .. had I known my 20something niece would be 3 hr late, I'd have gone for the recipe sooner!

Both sister and I ended up working late yesterday-- got together and started prepping. This was the easiest prep! Cut all the meat and vegetables for kebabs, dressed the potato salad (celery, onions, oil and vinegar, pepper). wrapped the gifts... then sat outside with a glass of wine!

Today we have only to pick up the cake, assemble kebabs, make pilaf and salad! Sister is putting champagne, beer and vodka on ice this morning .. will dress tables and add hydrangeas early afternoon. Will let one of the nieces assemble the appetizers (already prepped) Easiest party ever!

Butterflies are sitting comfortably in a chilled box-- I am so very excited for the release. Mom is going to be so delighted! In addition to her very cozy lounge outfit (and the butterflies), i was thrilled to have found these two cool gifts.. I share because Christmas is coming and I was really pleased with the price/quality of each.

Sticker Anthology - didn't know what to expect of this but it is a beautiful hardcover thick book with decorated pages and lots of beautiful high quality stickers. I don't know how she will use it but it is lovely and i imagine finding these stickers on notes, cards, etc.

European wooden puzzle - mom hasn't done any of the 96 puzzles I have given her the last few years but she DID love one of these european wooden puzzles a friend gave her-- it's the type where all the pieces are in the shape of animals and other things. I think she'll love this one.

Looking forward to a beautiful day .. it's overcast now but it is supposed to be partially sunny and 82 deg.

Thanks for all your suggestions and support! It is not the meal I envisioned but mom is looking forward to it and I think they whole day will be special and stick with her for years to come!

Happy Birthday to your mom! ❤️

It’s going to be a wonderful party. :)

Sounds lovely Funky! Have a wonderful time with your family and friends! Your mom is going to love her party! ❤️

And for the sweets lovers.. the cake I ordered is from a small italian bakery. Sponge cake drizzled with a champagne (or prosecco) simple syrup layered with whipped cream and custard. I asked for a design similar to the one below (from their website).. but cutting back on the kiwi to just accent the berry flower.

All of their cakes are beautiful.. and I love that they have the look of homemade but a little neater (at least neater than I would make!).

lovely, Funky! YUM

What a special day this will be for your mom and your family! It all sounds just perfect.

What a wonderful day ahead. It's always wonderful when the prep is as enjoyable as the party.

I can feel your excitement and anticipation! What a special day. And it proves that special celebrations don't require an expansive menu or elaborate gifts, but rather thoughtfulness. Such a lovingly prepared event for your mother--enjoy it.

Take lots of pictures! Share a few here. HBD Funky’s Mom!

Happy Birthday to your mother! She is sure to love her celebration.

So excited for you all! I know it will be such a special day and that cake is beautiful. Happy Birthday to your dear Mother.

Everything looks and sounds perfect. Enjoy the day!!

Funky, it all looks and sounds so wonderful! Thank you for inviting us along; I admit to getting a bit teary reading your update. ❤️

Also — your mom has beautiful hair!

So happy it was a great day.

Exactly what Jinx said. Thank you, funky.

It all looks lovely! She is lucky to have such loving family and obviously her family feels the same about her.

Your mother's hands are beautiful. There is something about a woman's hands that age so gracefully to me. I'm so glad she had a wonderful day. Congratulations on making it happen.

It sounds wonderful. I am so glad all of your hard work was so richly rewarded, for you and your family.

LOL Jinx.. my mom does have beautiful hair but she was overly excited and distracted yesterday afternoon and her hair needed some help. We had my niece fix up her hair.

(removed photo to protect the innocent!)

Both of my sisters were ill yesterday-- one still recovering from a severe allergic reaction and the other an upset stomach. We all had tough work weeks so the simple menu turned out to be a godsend -- and everyone enjoyed it. IMO the standouts were the grilled shrimp, pink pineapple and brussels sprouts (all on kebabs) and the fresh garden marinated tomato, cucumber and onion salad... but the beauty of a mixed grill meal is that everyone loves something.

Hmm. Funky never told us her mom is a movie star! 😍

I love kebabs, but have never had brussels sprouts on them, will have to try that.

I hope your sisters feel better soon!

What a wonderful thing you and your sisters did for your Mom. She looks lovely--as others said her hair and hands are beautiful. My sister and I gave our Mom an 80th party--I think it was probably the first big celebration she'd ever have. It was a lot of work, at a very busy time in our lives but I'm so glad we did it. You created a beautiful family memory that will live on!

What a lovely day - and your mom looks wonderful! Hope everyone feels better, got some rest and are soaking up the memories.

Thanks for sharing your fun celebration celebration. Your Mom looks lovely with her cozy new sweater. The butterfly release looks perfect and so special, especially with the ones hanging around your Mom. Such a sweet moment. I’m so glad the simplicity made everything easy on everyone.

So sweet!

Wow, everything turned out perfectly! Good job!!! and now I need to check out that barefoot dreams sweater. :)

Everything (and everyone ) looks wonderful. It truly was so thoughtful- every single detail.

What a perfect memory to last . Happy Birthday Mom~ you raised some good ones.

Thank you all-- yes, it was a lovely day and thankfully both sisters are feeling much better.

I should be so lucky as to get her beautiful white hair, huh? It is gorgeous!

@party_music50 here is the sweater.. i show in the almond color so you can see the detail. I bought this color for my sister for christmas 2 yr ago so I already knew how thick and very soft it is.. mom much prefers grays

Boucle Hooded Cardi

We also got these equally soft joggers.. I fell in love with them and bought a pair for each of my sisters also. They are not "ultra light" but they are ultra soft and warm. Note: They are in the Outlet so very limited sizes. Amazon had them in other sizes last week.

Cozychic Ultra Light Ribbed Jogger

The other set I purchased (and previously shared here) was awful.. not all that soft and cozy so I will be returning it.

I commented earlier today to say how beautiful everything looked and how beautiful your Mom is but I now I don’t see it. You are a very thoughtful and caring daughter Funky.

Thank you @Irish2!