THANKSGIVING FROM AN IRISHMAN

OK I get it. I see why it's all about eating, drinking and eating more and drinking more (if you've any room left) and of course family and all that. For me it's the same as Christmas. I usually work for Thanksgiving 'cause well, it's an American holiday but this year I finally got to enjoy the festivities instead of working them. And you'd better believe I had seconds!
I'm sure you already know the history behind it all, well if you're from here you do, so I won't go into it as I'll probably mess it up anyway. We got the nod to go to a killer feast at my friends Kelly and Van's house. What a spread. There was 27 of us and I'd say the majority were from from the South and these southerners meant business in the kitchen. Everything was made from scratch. BTW Kelly's also a chef.
Let me tell you what we had: a 35lb. smoked sucking pig, deep fried and roasted turkey, oyster and cornbread dressing (that's stuffing if you're not from here, new to me too), homemade green bean casserole, rice consomme, creamed corn, stuffed mirlitons, potato yeast rolls w/ honey butter, gravy, cranberry sauce and other bits and pieces like a grape salad thing with brown sugar, not sure about that one. A lot of this was new to me but man was it good. Even down to the desserts--homemade pecan pie, pumpkin gooey bars, pumpkin banana torte, pumpkin cheesecake, choc. chip bundt cake, ginger pumpkin cake and as Kelly pointed out, a dreamwhip pie which I apparently shovelled in my mouth.Won't see that everyday!

Myself and Kelly
Great day-lots of food and drink, hit the scratcher early (that's bed for you who don't speak Irish!) I'm going to try one of these recipes soon so keep checking back!