I began this series of Life of Brian posts by asking a question; how can I keep my father’s memory alive and celebrate the many wonderful moments we have shared ?
By writing, and capturing special moments through our mutual love of storytelling !
Following in my father’s ‘pen’ and his playful spirit, I took to writing funny articles to amuse him. The following birthday menu was created to entertain him when he came to stay at our home three years ago for his 84th birthday.
This coming Monday, 3rd July 2023, we shall place a setting at our table as before, and toast to his life and birthday. In honour of my dear Papa and wonderful friend – SALUDE!
Greenbriar Towers B&B
Dindi, the Duchess of Greenbriar and her staff welcome you to the best B&B in Wheelers Hill. Congratulations! You have chosen a great weekend in July to enjoy a relaxing few days in the comfort of our most sought after guest-room – the ‘Mariposa Suite’.
Brian’s 84thCelebratory Dinner!!
Chef’s Special Menu – Homemade of course, with a side dish of engaging conversation.
Entree
Creamy Cauliflower & Leek Soup with Freshly Buttered Bread
All dead caterpillars have been carefully plucked from the cauliflower. The leek was personally selected from a neighbour’s garden in the middle of the night (best picked under a full moon). REAL butter from a REAL cow, not a margarine-cow, has been added to enhance the flavour of the otherwise tasteless rustic bread rolls – rustic because they were frozen a year ago but thanks to modern technology, they may be revived to microwave perfection.
Main
Experimental Mushroom Vol-au-vents with Non-Greek Salad.
Chef has gone to town with this one! So while we wait for her to return, sou-chef has hand-picked a packet of vol-au-vents sealed in modern plastic. She has harvested the mushrooms from the cow paddock at Jell’s Park. Then, stuffed the pastry shells with special ingredients. She has no idea what these are: she can’t see the labels. Personally tossed the non-Greek salad with olives hand-picked from Coles Deli bar. Chef even rinsed off the bugs (or was that rabbit droppings?) from the lettuce leaves. Anyway – bon appétit!
Dessert
Home-made Apple and Spice Crumble Drizzled with Thickened Cream
Really? You’re still game to eat dessert? OK – at your own risk…
‘Organic’ apples from Coles, straight off the back of the truck, lovingly checked over by the Duchess herself. Fragrant spices delicately crushed in the workshop vice; and thickened cream elegantly poured from the plastic bottle – nothing is too much trouble for you, daddy.
But wait – there’s more …
BONUS BREAKFAST MENU
Continental
A warmed bakery-fresh croissant, served with the best Seville Orange Marmalade (product of Australia but let’s not worry about false advertising, its not good for your blood pressure).
or, English Breakfast
2 poached or scrambled eggs especially sourced from the supermarket with a ration of bacon and anything else chef feels like getting rid of from the fridge. Served on your choice of coloured plate (blue, green or red).
Hot beverage
freshly brewed coffee or French Earl Grey tea brought to you in bed on a delightful IKEA tray.
The Duchess would like to offer you the opportunity to leave a small gratuity on any of your plates. Family tradition states that a little left over is good for the soul.
We trust you enjoy your stay and we are confident you will be eager to give Greenbriar Towers B&B a 6 star review on Tripover-Advisor. Do come again…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD – BRIAN – DADAN THE GREAT xxx
A Poignant find
As we were about to publish this story, I was sorting through more papers, and guess what I found – by accident, or could it be with guidance from my ‘invisible helper’?
Dad’s own view on how to celebrate the passing of a loved one;
‘There IS an interesting alternative to depositing tear-strewn anniversary flowers on someone’s grave or tiny rose tree plot in a crematorium garden: go out and enjoy yourself (within reasonable bounds) and take your loved one’s memory (and PHOTO) with you.’
Bless you, Dad, let’s take a stroll together down to the sea you loved …
Copyright © 2023 Maribel Steel
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And a handsome devil he was too. Can see where the family good looks come from Maribel!
Beautiful tribute from you. He would have loved it