Annual Pig Roast Cookout

This has been a whirlwind two weeks, y'all! My mother came in for a visit which became extended, almost doubled in fact. That left us with only two days to finish getting everything ready for our annual Pig Roast cookout. Several of us get together and host a big cookout / family reunion of sorts, each year around this time. Turn out is usually between 100 and 200 people, so it's a pretty big deal! Heck, we even had T-shirts made up for it this year. 

We've been doing this cookout for about 20 years or so now, and the crowds just keep growing. We have people of all ages that come out, from a few months old, to 90 + years. I am always amazed at how much everyone has changed over the year, especially the kids!! And it's really wonderful to see people of all generations, connecting face to face. - A rarity this day and age. 

With so much to do, there's something for everyone! There's a jumpolene for the kiddos (which also seems to get bigger every year). And around the corner, the 'big kids' have their cornhole games. There are footballs and frisbees, and of course a bonfire. There are four-wheelers and dirt bikes, and sometimes we shoot skeet. (It is South Mississippi, you know) 

And let's not forget about the FOOD!!! We always do two whole pigs on a couple of homemade rotisseries. (That's where the name Pig Roast came from.) They even did a rotisserie goat one year! There is always a pot of Gumbo, a pot of Jambalaya, and a variety of sausages on the grill, maybe even a beer-butt chicken or two. A lot of the people that come bring a side dish of some sort, like deviled eggs, corn salad, baked beans, etc. - Oh, and the sweets; banana pudding, brownies, cakes, and pies!! It's really just one big pot luck. Nobody ever leaves hungry, that's for sure!  

The pig Roast is an all day affair! For some of us, an all weekend affair! Set up begins on Friday. Cleanup is on Sunday. And it's just one big party in between! 

We were worried about the weather this year, but it turned out really nice! The past few days were cold and rainy & the next week or so is supposed to be more of the same. It's like the good Lord just smiled upon us with perfect weather for the cookout! We were truly blessed.

The time that we spend with family and friends is precious, and may not happen as often as we might like.  I hope that after reading this, you feel inspired to reach out to loved ones, and make a little more time for those special people in your life. Sometimes they are gone before we get the chance to tell them just what they mean to us.  A cookout can be such a simple thing, but the time spent together is truly priceless!

And if you're ever in South Mississippi around the end of February, or the beginning of March - Look us up! We'll be glad to have you!

Until next time...