It's Not About the Food

Days are going by much faster now that I'm retired.  We had planned to spend Thanksgiving week at Frank Jackson State Park in Opp, Alabama, several months ago. Bubba's brother Joe lives close to the park so it is always a good place to visit. Our original plan was to go on Tuesday, but after watching the weather we decided to speed up our preparations and travel up on Monday.  Thankfully we did the right thing.  It started raining and blowing Monday evening and this foul weather continued on through Tuesday when it started turning cold.

I usually make the comment that it is not all about the food, but this time was certainly centered around the food.  Tuesday afternoon I watched Judy make three cakes - chocolate, German chocolate, and carrot.  She says that I helped, but I only stirred one time.

By the time we got to their house on Wednesday morning, Judy had already made a coconut pie, a pecan pie, dressing, dumplings and sweet potato casserole.  You may be wondering how many people were going to devour this feast - probably thirty right?  No, just seven.

The cold weather continued and made it seem like the perfect Thanksgiving.  Joe and Judy's son Jody, his wife Melissa, and son John came to join us for dinner.  Everything was delicious and you can rest assured that I did my part in sampling all this delicious food.

That evening Jody and Melissa went home leaving John with his grandparents for the rest of the week which made us all happy.  He is a sweet little boy and is a pleasure to have around.

On Friday Joe got Bubba to go with him over close to Birmingham to buy a boat he had seen advertised.  Of course they had to have a flat tire on the trailer on the way back, but eventually they made it.  Judy and I visited and enjoyed John and I have to admit that I returned to the trailer for a much needed nap.

Saturday included a little shopping in Opp and watching the Auburn/Alabama football game.  Even though I'm not a football fan, I  recognized that last play that won the game as being one that would be talked about for a long time afterwards.  We were with Auburn fans and they were very excited about the win. 

After the game we went to the Old Barn Restaurant in Goshen, Alabama, to celebrate my 65th birthday.  I had a delicious fork tender ribeye steak.  This is a great restaurant, but it is about a 45 minute drive from Opp.  By the time the football game was over and we drove there and ate it was pretty late especially for Bubba and me.  We haven't quite given up our early bedtime yet although we are working on it.  After all you're only 65 once.

It was a good week.  We enjoyed our time with family.  It was good to be off without having to worry about who I could get to take my place at work.  By the way, Bubba has retired from his one day a week job so we are both free and it feels great.

Meanwhile back in Baton Rouge, Darryl, Amy and Amelia celebrated Thanksgiving with their friends, Damien and Rebecca.  Amelia considers Damien and Rebecca part of her family and she had made Pilgrim and Indian "hats" to commemorate the first Thanksgiving.  Damien and Rebecca were good sports.  We missed seeing them for the holiday, but we have another coming soon and we're looking forward to it.