Wednesday, August 17th - it was a party in spite of the rain

The whole past week was spent getting ready for our pig roast. Planning, organizing, shopping, etc, etc all took place before the big day.

We had sent out and/or delivered invitations to approximately 45 people and we prepared accordingly.
Our good friend Stephan arrived on Thursday to help out with the event.

Saturday morning they picked up the pig at the butcher's and coated it in a generous layer of marinade before putting it on ice in the bath tub until show time on Sunday.

We have enjoyed glorious weather for countless weeks and were hoping for the same this weekend. Unfortunately that was not to be the case. All week they told us it was going to be chilly and rainy for the day and this was the ONE time they had the forecast bang on accurate.

Getting the wood burned down to coals

Ready to start turning, and turning, and turning

Rain required an improvised roof over the spit

But we were not going to let that stop a party. The fire was lit in the newly constructed pit and the pig was loaded onto the spit. After some adjustments it was there for the day. Bernie,  Stephan and Lloyd spent the day looking after it. Brenda came over after church and was a huge help. She did a lot of work and we never could have pulled it off without her capable assistance.  For that I am truly grateful. Not to mention the help that she recruited after the meal to help wash up.  You girls know who you are and we're very grateful for the help.

Because the weather wasn't exactly ideal, to say the least, we ended up with only 27 people in attendance but by all accounts, they all had a grand time. Food, music, friends, really who can ask for any more than that (okay, a bit of sun would have made a world of difference). But it was an experience for sure. Some things we would do again, some not, some differently but it's always good to learn new things and have new experiences.

The only sun we saw all day, provided by Bernie

Like they say, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade and that's precisely what we did.

A big thanks to the VanGaals for extreme help in all areas, Stephan for BBQ guidance, and general help as well as sharing his vocal talents, Ian for supplying the initial inspiration and for entertaining  us, Margie for assisting with the entertainment,  Sharyn for the wonderful assortment of salad materials fresh from her garden,  Jackie for the delicious clams and oysters,  and everyone else who helped bring stuff into the house when we were done our meal. If I've forgotten to thank anyone, you can be sure your help was much appreciated.

Stephen was here until Wednesday morning. Tuesday evening, we had only leftovers to feed him - chowder made from the leftover clams and some mackeral he had caught earlier in the day, and the left over oysters.  But he really didn't mind that at all!