Thanksgiving 2010 – First Thanksgiving on the Road

(Melbourne, FL) - There is so much to be thankful for this year.  We were able to get on the road two years earlier than we originally planned.  We have been safe in our travels and we give thanks daily to God for all He’s done for us. The older you get the more you know you’re not alone in this world.  We are thankful for all the people we’ve met along the way.  I hope everyone gives thanks for everything you have, look on the positive side of things, and make your coming days the best they can be. 

We did our morning routine then left at 12:00 to spend Thanksgiving with Jim’s cousin Andy, and his wife Dee.  They live about 20 miles out in the country.  The weather was great at 82 degrees with a few clouds.

Our hosts for the day, Andy and Dee.

About 20 family members showed up, kids, grand kids, and in-laws.  It was so nice meeting some for the first time, and getting re-acquainted with others.  The food was really good and plentiful.

These are little turkeys made from Oreo cookies, malted milk balls, and candy corn.  (Click on the pictures to enlarge).

Along with a roasted turkey, there were wild pig and deer hams smoked in a homemade smoker for 14 hours at 225 degrees.

The long tables are decorated and ready.

The pork on the right and the deer on the left, and the 30-lb turkey.

 

Andy carving the turkey

On the buffet line was rutabagas, mashed potatoes, green beans, broccoli rice casserole, sweet potatoes, apple salad, pasta salad, corn, dressing,  and coleslaw.  I hope I didn’t miss anything. 

Then in another room were all the desserts.

 

When the meal was over they played a kick ball game, which is a family tradition.  It’s the adults vs. the kids.  It was so much fun watching them.

 

It was well after dark when we got back to the park, and in order to get to the campground we had to follow the traffic through the festival of lights.  They charge $10 a car to go through, but we have a sticker  so we don’t have to pay. Jim took a couple of pictures of the Christmas lights.

Jim was the photographer today.

 

I hope everyone had a great day of food and family.  For us, it was a fantastic day in paradise!