31 Calm before Storm - Giselle's party

It is a beautiful Sunday morning with pleasant weather appealing to its audience.

A perfect day to celebrate living and relish the atmosphere for its natural beauty.

..

At Giselle's residence:

The mother was already up and busy in the kitchen. Lia woke up a little later and then joined in helping her mom.

Giselle requested her to blow balloons and tie them up instead of loitering in the kitchen. Their apartment was already glowing without the party props because Giselle made sure to clean the apartment before Sunday. Listening to her mother, Lia helped to blow balloons and tie them with a thread as instructed by Giselle with a few samples.

The balloons are to go with the 'Welcome Home' signboard.

Therefore, Lia worked diligently.

Giselle, on the other hand, was busy preparing the dishes. She planned to make the cake first. After that, she can design the living room with the balloons that Lia prepared and hung it over the wall and ceilings.

..

For lunch, Giselle went out with Lia to get some food. Due to the party preparations, the duo planned to eat out. Plus, Giselle needed some fresh greens, bread, and Cheese to prepare the salad.

Their lunch, decided by Lia. Giselle gave her the freedom to pick whatever she craves because Lia worked so hard without any complaint.

For a kid at that age, Lia was already mature and understanding. As they kept walking, Lia noticed a food truck named 'cravings.' The design was attractive, and it had many people. Lia thought that it might be interesting to try food from those trucks. She called for her mother and signaled the place, where the two decided to have their lunch.

They stood in the line waiting patiently. The line had comprised of 10-12 people, Giselle and Lia were behind the 7th. Lia carefully studied the menu board, for she was confused about what to order. Looking at her restless face, the person in front of her noticed.

It was a young woman in her 20's. She turned around and faced the little girl.

"You don't know what to order, do you? If I may recommend some dishes?" the woman asked Lia. Giselle smiled as she permitted to continue the conversation.

The seventh person, also the nice woman, ordered her food, and before leaving, she signaled Lia to go ahead and order, assuring that her recommendation will impress the little girl.

When it came to Lia's turn, she ordered two Grilled cheese sandwiches, Buffalo wings, and a strawberry shake for herself. Giselle ordered a classic mojito for her.

The two waited and bought their lunch and went back home to eat.

Lia took a small nap after having lunch, just like that woman said both grilled cheese sandwich and buffalo wings were delicious. Even their drinks tasted good. While Lia rested, Giselle did the prep work for cooking. The curry dish includes a lot of vegetables and spices which should be roasted and grounded together for preparing the 'masala.' Once all of the prep work got over, Giselle returned to the living room to get some rest. She watched television for like an hour, or so, while she decorated the living room with balloons and remaining party props. Scented candles decorated the dining room and living room for providing pleasing appeal to the guests.

However, her mind got preoccupied with the cooking, and she went back in-between to start the process. The first dish was to prepare the curry and then steamed rice. Next was roasted chicken in the oven, nicely marinated and cooked with fillings inside. Mash potatoes got done side by side, and the bread from the bakery is still fresh and crisp with moist inside.

The roasted chicken was done and safely resided in the oven for keeping it hot. The curry was ready along with the rice. Meanwhile, Lia had woken up from her slumber and was helping her mom in cutting vegetables for the salad. Simple Greek salad with red onions, tomatoes, black olives, cucumbers, bell peppers, and finally feta cheese. Lia helped in dressing the salad. After finishing her work, she went to get groomed nicely for the evening. Giselle finished preparing the drinks for the guests. The cake was the first one to get done and is kept inside the refrigerator for the icing to get set. All of the other preparations got completed on time.

It was now already 5 PM, and the guests should be arriving soon.

Having done with all preparations, Giselle joined Lia in getting dressed up.

Lia wore her pretty red dress with French braided hair, styled by Giselle. Meanwhile, the mother appeared graceful in her olive color maxi dress with floral designs.

Both the ladies appeared gorgeous to welcome the night of celebration, which is soon to get commenced.