Life is hard and sometimes you need a little help. My friend Tami is a wife and mother to 5 great kids. She found out 2 weeks ago that her mom had terminal liver cancer and blood clots in her lungs. Her mom died on Monday. To lighten her load, some friends decided to arrange meals for her and her family. Thursday was my turn and I decided to make a Taco Bar.
I made the complete spread...seasoned ground beef, Santa Fe rice, refried beans and Sweet Corn Cake-YUM! There were even brownies for dessert.
I put all of the "big stuff" in containers I got at Smart n' Final.
I made labels for each item with a cute sombrero.
I also bought the pre-made taco shells and some flowers.
I didn't want her to clean anything up or remember to return something to me.
I supplied disposable tablecloth, plates, napkins, forks and cups. Even the flowers were in festive red plastic cups so there are no vases to clean and return.
I got this cute divided tray at the 99 cent store for Tami to keep.
When I delivered the meal, I set the table for her. Her youngest daughter Kylee, age 5, immediately marked her territory by writing her name on her cup and napkin. I told her that she could do the same for the rest of her family and be my "party helper". She giggled with excitement. I was so glad I could lighten the load for my friend.
Do you know some one who could use your help?
Someone who is recovering from an illness?
Lost their job? Lost a loved one? Lost their home?
The best feeling in the world is to make a difference in someone's life
and we could all use some help.
I put all of the "big stuff" in containers I got at Smart n' Final.I made labels for each item with a cute sombrero.
I also bought the pre-made taco shells and some flowers.
I didn't want her to clean anything up or remember to return something to me.I supplied disposable tablecloth, plates, napkins, forks and cups. Even the flowers were in festive red plastic cups so there are no vases to clean and return.
I got this cute divided tray at the 99 cent store for Tami to keep.When I delivered the meal, I set the table for her. Her youngest daughter Kylee, age 5, immediately marked her territory by writing her name on her cup and napkin. I told her that she could do the same for the rest of her family and be my "party helper". She giggled with excitement. I was so glad I could lighten the load for my friend.
Do you know some one who could use your help?
Someone who is recovering from an illness?
Lost their job? Lost a loved one? Lost their home?
The best feeling in the world is to make a difference in someone's life
and we could all use some help.
good on you!
ReplyDeletelovely idea...and so much more fun for the kids than the ubiquitous casserole and German chocolate cake!
Oh how hard for your friend- life does throw us for a loop once in awhile-
ReplyDeleteLove how you assembled the meal- great idea-
She is lucky to have a friend like you-
She certainly is lucky to have a friend like you. What a wonderful idea. So thoughtful.
ReplyDeleteHow sad for your friend. I'm sure the last thing she wants to think about is cooking dinner for her family. I think it's wonderful you all pitched in to lighten the load.
ReplyDeleteYour idea of the Taco bar is a great one!
Hugs,
Joanne
wow, that is so special and heartfelt. what a sweet friend you are!
ReplyDeletewhat a great idea and i love that you thought of everything! you're a sweet friend. i'm so sorry for her loss, and so fast too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful person and friend you are! A thoughtful gesture for a family going through such a difficult time.
ReplyDeletedonna -you have such a great heart! how sweet was it to do this for your friend - i'm sure she will always remember your kindness!
ReplyDeletejen :)
ps - thanks for the penguin!
That is so sad for your friend's mom. Your taco bar is fabulous and I know she appreciated it. We all need some help sometimes and it is so good to help also. Hope you have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteHey Donna; What a great loving and giving thing. I have done that when some one had a baby.. It is a small thing, but the thought is so very huge. i love how you put it all together, for them and made it so easy to clean up.. Donna you are just a great person.... I will keep them in my Prayers...
ReplyDeleteHugs;
Alaura
You are such a great friend, Donna. I know Tami appreciated the kindness extended to her and her family by your group of lovely buddies.
ReplyDeleteYour taco dinner was thoughtful in every detail. I imagine the kids were thrilled with the menu, too!
We just attended the funeral of a dear friend yesterday--also a death caused by cancer. AND after we returned from the cemetery, a lunch was prepared for the family and friends by the local police and fire depts of the little town where our friend lived (her hubby had been the C of Police for years) and it was also a Mexican theme---homemade and delicious.
Hope you're having a good weekend. L, Dana
Wow! You are a great friend! She is so lucky to have all of you! I love the taco bar, looks yummy!
ReplyDelete--Jodi Marie
JM Fotos
http://www.jmfotos.net
This is awesome! When my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer, our neighbors brought us dinner almost every night. I remember how nice it was to feel like people were out there thinking about us and I especially know how thankful my mom was for all the extra help.
ReplyDeleteThis is the absolute perfect way to send a friend a meal. I will never again deliver a dish wrapped in foil. Well done!
ReplyDeleteamazing! what a good friend.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely thing to do. All your thoughtful touches are sure to be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely idea. We have done various things before like lasagna but this taco bar is a great solution!
ReplyDeletethis post honestly choked me up a bit. The biggest reason I think is because you took the time to think of the little things (like a table cloth for easy cleanup) and cute printed cards for the menu selections. Those things, while certainly not necessary, are the things that take a little extra time and effort but are so touching. In times of loss and sadness, we want to know what else we can do to help our friends. Often there is not much except for "being there". It wont necessarily be the meal itself that your dear friend remembers years from now; it will be how touched she felt by the gift of your time. That, my creative friend, is love and friendship. Everyone should be so blessed to have a friend like you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely friend you are. This is such a great idea. Keeping your friend and her family in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteHugs.
Donna,
ReplyDeleteWhat everyone else said. It's not only the big things, but all the little things you did to make this meal representative of the fact that you were thinking of her. The sweet little touches will no doubt be remembered.
This post is so inspiring! Thank you for encouraging us all to be better people!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
I will keep this idea in my mind because it is a really sweet thoughtful thing to do for someone that is down or going through a tough time.. great idea and wonderful thing to pass on to others and encourage them!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful gesture coming straight from the heart. I'm so sorry to hear about her loss, but I know she was comforted in some way by having friends like you around to help ease her pain.
ReplyDelete