6th Annual Dysfunctional Family Picnic UYE

This was our second year going to the DFP. As soon as we arrived Clyde and I were welcomed by Michelle. She gave me a hug and a Jell-​O shot. What a nice way to start a picnic.
There were plenty of picnic tables. Each table was laden with food. There were several coolers with drinks. The head table was next to the grill, so it was always loaded with hot foods that had just been cooked. Hot dogs, sausages, pork roasts, a whole turkey were just a few of the items that came off the grill.
One thing I love about this event is the chance to try ethnic foods that I haven’t had before. Some was homemade, some was store bought, all was a treat for me to try.
I especially liked the spicy Ethiopian stew like dish with the chickpeas. It was delicious. I also couldn’t stop eating the Cuban guava desserts that Sergio brought. I must learn how to make the creamy Margaritas on a stick and the spiked gummy bears. I want more of those.
The turnout was a little lower then last year. Several of my Unilocal friends wanted to go but couldn’t, because they already had plans for Passover or Easter.
Thank you Michelle for a great picnic. Thank you to everyone who worked at the grill. I wish we could have a DFP more then just once a year. How about the spring DFP and the fall DFP?

take a deep breath… aaaannnd
Come next year to see what you missed this year
Loosers

Our 6^th year for the DFP! Wow has it come far. What started out as a small group of us being Dysfunctional has turned into two community’s sharing great food, amazing booze, and always such a fun time.
What is to love about the DFP?
The sheer volume of such fabulous food.
The crazy drinks, jello and pudding shots, shots straight from the bottle, fabulous beers, alcohol infused gummy worms, life savers, margarita creamy frozen Popsicles. Oh my the amount of alcohol is never ending… Hence why it’s always on a Saturday so we can recoup Sunday, LOL
There is a lot of preparation to have this fabulous UYE every year. My absolute favorite thing about this picnic is seeing so many friends that we may not see often. Everyone comes together in a laid back fun atmosphere where we are all just ourselves. Everyone is so generous with all the wonderful delights to share with everyone.
George and Jenny got the shelter this year and planned it. Huge thank you! Chris came with his newly purchased China Box to cook a citrus twenty pound Turkey, Jorge M, always brings huge amounts of Grazianos famous sausage. Gina had her marinated chicken, Marisol made from what Danielle told me some awesome rice and beans. Danielle and Samantha made two different types of delicious pasta salad. Paul W. Brought some heavenly looking meat for the grill. Mary Ann made the most amazing frozen creamy margarita pops. She had me hooked, Gina and I think Glenn and Marisol brought infused Gummy worms and lifesavers. Oh my I might hit my 5000 word limit. Jeanne brought the most beautiful key lime cake. Edwin, Stuart, Alex, and so many others brought plenty of beer and other food items. Andy walked in with a huge tray of baked pasta. Lena, and so many others probably around 50 – 60 people who came all brought so much food and alcohol.
Then the lovely new couple that just moved down a month ago Don and Yamin brought a load of Tamales. They were so awesome and friendly and we all so enjoyed meeting them.
There were many friends that could not make it this year due to the holiday and you were all very missed. But there is always next year to make up for it.
Let’s not forget Patrick and Stephanie with the huge punch they made. Cid with those delicious croquettes, Sergio, Kevin, Meesh Adrienne, Adriana and Sylvia and Carlos love you guys!!! Too many awesome people
That made this event so wonderful. Roberto muah! And praise Jesus on the side of us!
Julio, nappy time. Haha
This event is all about being yourself, everyone having fun and all getting along. This is where we all gather this once a year to appreciate each other, mingle, drink, eat, repeat. Yeah, who am I kidding some of the most amazing food ever at this event and I am too busy socializing to eat. I LOVE greeting everyone, introducing people to each other and just making sure everyone is having a grand time. Blame my mother! LOL
Again I will mention how much I enjoyed seeing so many awesome friends, including Tom (originator of the DFP) Vanessa and they brought baby Jackson. OMG, he will be Unilocaling before you know it. And so so many other’s.
I will end this long review with a final note. I finally met the beautiful SAMANTHA and ZACH!!! Words can’t describe this fun lovely couple. For days I have talked about them to other’s. Besides having a fun time hanging out together it was decided yes Samantha could be my daughter. Shoot she looks more like me then my own daughter… Not sure my daughter would like to hear this even though she did, LOL I have officially made Samantha my daughter, loved her so much!!! Zach her husband is so much fun as well. They are just so perfect together. Ok I know I could go on forever but you know what… IDC…this event always brings about meeting great people.
Thank you to all who came, contributed and until next year!!! We have a full year for liver prepping.

What a better way to spend Easter weekend than with my Unilocal family, amirite?
I absolutely love the DFP. This year I was worried I wouldn’t be able to make it, but alas, I was with pasta in hand ready to throw down some good food and chat with great people.
The weather was amazing. Big ups to Lena for bringing the tent for us to sit under.
I had given up alcohol for lent so no gummy bears or Jell-​O shots for me. They looked amazing. Thank you God for rising so I shall drink again!
Props to all of the chefs out there who brought amazing homemade dishes. Everything I tried I loved and probably had gone back for seconds and thirds.
The sausage was amazing (not a dirty joke, it was delicious), Jeff G’s sweet potatoes were great, I loved lena’s raisin bread pudding! Jeanne’s cake– to die for. You wouldn’t know I was on a diet with all the food I devoured.
Marisol didn’t get into a fight with train conductor this year did she?
I wish I could have stayed until the end to steal all of the leftovers!
I can wait for next year. Hopefully Easter won’t get in the way of the next DFP. I know it kept some people away but the turnout this year was still great. So good to see so many great people and literally sit down and break bread with each other. This truly is the best Unilocal event of the year.
See you all next year.

There’s only one word for the DFP — WOW!
This was our second year for this amazing event. We got an early start on the eating with the totally awesome tamales from Don and Yvelin. As a tamale lover, these were not what I was expecting. I LOVED THEM. I didn’t know what a Salvadoran style tamale was going to be like, as I’m used to the Mexican and Cuban varieties. Wrapped in banana leaves, these were much more moist. They had a wonderful combination of flavorful ingredients, including big chunks of tender chicken. I could have taken a bag of them and had nothing else all day.
Following that was a variety of goodies. I loved the pasta salads, the chicken, Dom’s delicious porketta, the yummy fried cheese, ribs, chicken and all kinds of things. I wish I had been able to try everything, but it just couldn’t be done.
Naturally, one can’t ignore the «electric» part of the offerings. From a variety of delicious punches and creamy margarita popsicles, to Gina and Glenn’s soaked gummies. I loved them both. Those gummies that Gina made were lethal. We noticed that everyone who tried them got the same look of shock, LOL. We only had a few, since one of us had to drive home. :)
I wish we had been able to stay longer, but had to be at another event. It wasn’t nearly as much fun. Next year, I’m going to be sure that we have the whole day.
Thank you to Michelle and her comrades who made this possible. We certainly appreciate you time and enthusiasm. Can’t wait for the next one!

This is just one of them things where you just had to be there. This was only my second one. Last year was my first. There will be others.
#DFP2016

While each and every one of the DFPs since the inception of this most holy and cherished of annual Unilocal events has been outstanding, for some reason it seemed that Saturday’s was one of the better ones IMO. True, many people who would’ve liked to have joined in the fun weren’t able to due to travel or religious obligations with the Passover/​Easter holiday, and we didn’t get into some of the usual antics like large scale drinking games or competitive rounds of «flip cup» as is normally the case each year, but as far as picnics go, this one was solid.
As always there was plenty of food and drink, but there didn’t seem to be a gluttonous amount of leftover food as there’s been in years’ past. Also, while the crowd was a little smaller than it’s maybe been in former years, it was the «core group» of awesome peeps who showed up and really made it a fun time with lots of great conversation and laughs. We also had a few of the next generation of DFPers show up when some Unilocal regulars brought their children, and I got to meet a few newbies and also some people like the former KT Kapers (sp?) who I’ve been friends with on Unilocal and interacted with in the talk threads a bunch of times, but had never met face to face until this past weekend. The 3 doggies in attendance were also a welcome addition and got plenty of attention as well.
For those who weren’t able to get to church that day due to the picnic or the after effects, we had plenty of holy music and Jesus speak from the holy rollers in the shelter next door, so even that base was covered! Julio and Cid both got their naps in (and Sergio got some quick zzzs in as well while sitting AT one of the dining tables), though there seems to be more photographic evidence of Julio’s nap than anyone.
As always, Dom, Jorge and Chris did an incredible job at the grill, there were plenty of yummy sides, and even a few desserts to feast on. Beyond that, lots of great drink, plenty of Jell-​O shots compliments of our very own Wine Goddess, and some yummy frozen creamy margarita popsicles from Mary Ann as well! Gina and Glenn nearly killed a few people with their drunken gummies! Lol
This was a great DFP, sorry to the peeps who had to miss out, but as I think everyone who did show up can attest, it was an awesome time in the company of some incredible people. Thanks to everyone who participated, who stayed up late the night before or got up early that morning to prepare food or drink, definitely looking forward to the 7^th annual DFP!

A Dominating– Fierce– Palooza also known as the DFP picnic that words can not explain. You simply MUST attend this picnic that is held annually by some of the best Unilocalers around! Taken place at the Amelia Earhart Park in Hialeah (parking is $ 7 with entry) a perfect beautifully sunny day and spot for the picnic to take place.
The Booze! My favorite! There was an abundant going around including Jell-​O shots– Drunken Gummy Bear Pie– Life Saver Gummy «Shots” — Hawaiian Fire Pudding Shots– Margarita Popsicles– Ginger Beer Cocktails– Peppermint Martinis– Tequlia Shots for ALL– Craft Beer– and coolers among coolers full of beer! Nobody went thirsty and what a great spread for any taste of alcohol you desire! I’ve gotta say the Life Saver Gummy Shots were such a great idea bursting with flavor and SOAKED in booze!
The Grub! WOW! I mean talk about a full out thrown picnic! On the grill there was everything from huge slabs of Pork to Chicken Kabobs– Chicken Wings– Brats– Whole Chicken Legs– Plus More! Sides included and were not limited to Pasta Salads– Fried Cheese Platter– Delicious Tamale Creation– Red Sauce Pasta– Bruschetta– Lobster Mac n Cheese– and a large range of Cuban treats that are tasty but I can not name! There was so much food to choose from with lots not even being mentioned above! Everyone really did a great job of bringing a delicious dish big enough for everyone and more! The Dessert! One simply can not avoid indulging at an event like this that offered Dandee’s Donuts– Churros! (The best I’ve ever had!) — Boozy Cake– Bread Pudding and More!
Since this was my first DFP I thought it was the best yet! Ha! I always leave Unilocal parties with so much love for Unilocal and everyone I always meet. You truly can not ask to be around better company and conversations. I always adore these kind of events and think they are the best! What other way to get to know your fellow Unilocalers but in a laid back over the top fun environment! Everyone got to mingle, chat, and meet new faces which is always my favorite part. I have never felt so welcome especially since this was a Miami UYE everyone was invited to so there was a nice mix of Dade & Broward~ers there! I was over the top excited to meet the famous Michelle aka Wine Goddess! This palooza would of not been the same without her! We declared that Yes!, Michelle is my long lost Mother! Lol just look at those pictures! :) Our Easter weekend was made by this DFP and I can NOT wait to attend again next year!
If you don’t know; now you know! A MUST attend Event of the Year!!!

Yet another great DFP in the books.
Thanks to the Yibbies Jennifer and George Milan for getting the shelter and Domenico Colombo for helping me cook. Even though it wasn’t a big turnout as other years we managed to have a great time with plenty of food and drinks for all. It was hot and the sun was brutal. Thanks everyone who came to make this an Epic Event. We made some new friends and lasting memories. Looking forward to the next DFP!

Daleeee. First of all I have to mention how awesome it was seeing everyone in Hialeah (the best city in the whole world). For me the DFP was organic and locally sourced, since my contributions were from Hialeah businesses
and
This year was a little more intimate than years past, which I’d argue makes it better because it gave everyone a chance to chat a little more and take embarrassing sleeping selfies as umm someone I know did their best «Chef Tony» impressions.
Our family gourmets (emphasis on FAMILY since without getting overly mushy we are one big family and not just bits and bytes on Unilocal’s server) brought some of their best culinary creations. Personal favorites were the two pasta salads (gnochhi and bruschetta), the BBQ chicken and pulled pork fresh off the grill and with a spicy BBQ sauce, and the Dandee Doughnut someone brought channeling my dessert snobbishness. Drinkies included wine jello shots and Flor de Cana gummy bears Glenn & Michelle brought, as well as Patrick’s bourbon iced tea. Thanks to those, someone became sleep selfie famous. Since the picnic wasn’t held on Hialeah time, it seems I missed some dishes.
Besides the grubbing and catching up with old friends, it was great meeting Donald O and Kim C (née Ktcapers :) Huge shout to the Yibbies for keeping this tradition going, I’m already looking forward to the next one!

I wasn’t gonna bother writing a review for yet another Dysfunctional Family Picnic (better known as the DFP) but considering every year there are plenty of new Unilocalers that have no clue what this event is, I figure keep it up to date to know what they are in for and more importantly a record of our stupidity…
This year was a bit different (but excellent nonetheless) only because it was a considerably smaller group this time around… most likely attributed to the fact that «we» schedule this years DFP right smack in the middle of a DOUBLE HOLIDAY WEEKEND… yeah, we be geniuses… Friday being Good Friday, then Passover on Friday night thru Saturday night and Sunday being Easter Sunday… a noticeable amount of «regular» Unilocalers were Missing In Action (most likely spending time with family at church and/​or temple and searching for eggs in the neighbors yard)…
The basics for the newbies… Biggest UYE thrown every year by some of the oldest Miami Community Unilocalers but open to EVERYONE from the Miami Unilocal Community and the Broward/​Palm Beach Unilocal Community plus their friends and family… and while you’re at it, bring your dog too… The event is basically a HUGE Pot Luck… You wanna come, BRING SOMETHING…
The rules are:
HAVE FUN
GIVE or YOU CAN’T RECEIVE (bring something to share)
HAVE FUN
Some highlights of this years event:
I made a Gummy Bear Pie that looked like Cherries (makes sense since the gummy bears were spiked with Cherry Vodka) but Gina made spiked Gummy Lifesavers with Lifesavers Vodka… her’s tasted WAY BETTER but mine was WAY PRETTIER… Next year we plan to combine our culinary magic to make a Gummy Whatever that is PRETTY and TASTY…
Domenic is a KING of Generosity… Seriously Domenic, I was speechless by not only your generosity of 20+ of pork (as a jew I say thanks for the pork on Passover… keeping it kosher, LOL)… Not to mention some other faces that not only contributed but also worked their magic on the grills once again… Jorge and Chris… and EVERYONE else that either contributed time on the grills or made any contribution (as we all should have done)…
I loved that plenty of people took pictures of a napping Julio… including me and my favorite selfie to date. Thanks Julio…
Thanks to all the beer geeks that brought bottles to share… Krys, Patrick, Tom, Julio, Stuart and others
Marisol needs to take lessons from Andy… she made what I thought was A LOT of beans and rice but that stuff was eaten fast… really fast… but Andy brought a tin that was like 3 times the size of Marisol’s tin… that sir was A LOT of pasta… job well done with your dishes plus all the other stand out dishes that I feasted on.
Granted this year Marisol did not drink enough to hi-​jack a train… something that Paul made clear that he was very unhappy with… next year Marisol will be back as «drunk» Marisol.
THANKS ALL THAT CAME AND ALL THAT SHARED…
SEE YOU ALL AT THE 2016 DyFuncTionAL FAmilY pICniC ! ! !