Gefeliciteerd!

Gefeliciteerd: a Dutch word, meaning congratulations, spoken to the birthday person and all of the birthday person's immediate family members.

Gerda's (Hair-duh), Luuk's mom, official day of birth was last Thursday; however, we continued her 50th birthday celebrations on Zaterdag with a large party. The Vrenkens rented two huge tents, which spanned the entire backyard. Everyone helped decorate the tents with part lights, streamers, and balloons, on Friday. Also, we borrowed several sets of plastic chairs from various different friends and family members. Gerda and Gertjan pre-ordered a whole bunch of BBQ for the party, which was delivered on Zaterdag. 

Side note: Dutchies LOVE BBQs! It's a big deal around here. My theory is that most people do not own a large gas grill, like many Americans own, so it's a big deal to bust out the grill and cook. haha- My friend Veerle said "We don't cook in a parking lot, either." She was talking about the time she got to attend a tailgate, before a TCU football game. Also, the "BBQ" they cook is not like Texas BBQ at all. Instead, they put chicken, a meat called "speklas," sis-ca-bob , etc. Lots of different meat! Usually lots of bread is served, along with delicious spread for the bread.  Some BBQs I have attended pretty much only served meat, but others have a variety of random sides. The reason I say that Dutchies LOVE BBQs is because whenever anyone is about to attend a BBQ they announce they have a BBQ to attend or it's a decided event with friends that they are going to BBQ together. It's like a significant event in their lives at that moment. 

When someone turns 50 in the Netherlands, they are called Sarah or Abraham. It's really similar how Americans joke that the person is now "Over the Hill."It is also common for family members to put a funny Sarah doll in front of the house of the birthday woman. Tom's brother secretly borrowed the body of mannequin from one of his friends who works in a sporting store. Then, he and I dressed the mannequin in Gerda's clothes, created a head out of a creepy mask Tom owned, placed a wig and hat on top, and hid the doll in Luuk's closet until the party on Saturday. When it was finally placed in the front yard on Saturday, it totally creeped me out, because I would forget it was out front while walking by the front window and spot the doll out of the corner of my eye, almost peeing myself. 

Luuk also rented a big blow-up Sarah doll and placed it on the roof for the party. 

About 26 people came to the party on Saturday and I think Gerda really enjoyed herself. An old family friend of the Vrenkens, at one point, lead everyone in singing a birthday song he wrote to the tune of a certain Dutch song. He passed out slips of paper with lyrics and everything. It was enlightening to see the reaction on Gerda's face as everyone sang to her. 

Eating Dutch pie is a birthday tradition that I love the most! Instead of a birthday cake with candles, many Dutch people purchase pies for their birthdays, or in Gerda's case, bake pies. They are the most delicious deserts ever. Sure, there is the classic apple pie, but then other pies have a creamy consistency and have flavors such as strawberry or raspberry. Since I assisted in baking two of the pies, I'm hoping I can one day re-create a Dutchie pie when away from Dutchland. 

Happy 50th Birthday, Gerda! Van harte proficiat!!!

WLPNL