An Easter Roast

If ever there was a perfect day to celebrate Easter Sunday I think this would be it.

I’m sure the pups would agree. They were in outdoor heaven all day.

This afternoon’s Easter celebration was a big success! There was great food, great drinks, and of course great friends and family to celebrate the holiday with.

My family is anything, but formal when it comes to celebrating holidays. Everyone is encouraged to bring a dish to share and everything is first come, first served. Basically. you snooze you lose. : -P

Determined not to be one to miss out on any of the yummy appetizers, I made a small plate of goodies right before people started arriving. I was hungry and knew I couldn’t last another couple of hours until the main meal.

The chips, cheese, cauliflower, and carrots all made great dippers for the black bean dip I had made earlier. For something I created on a whim, the dip was pretty kick ass if I do say so myself.

Today’s weather was much too pretty to stay inside for any extended period of time. Everyone was encouraged to stay outiside adn enjoy the sunshine while watching the pig roast.

Look who else was soaking up the sunshine!

I invited Katy and Lucas to our easter pig roast last week. I believe the phrase ‘pig roast’ really peaked their interests and they were curious to see what the whole ordeal was about.

They came bearing homemade brews and I couldn’t wait to sample one of Lucas’ Cherry Wheat brews.

It was a great, refreshing brew that was perfect for sipping in the beautiful spring sunshine.

*Warning* *Warning* *Warning*

Vegetarians and Vegans please continue reading at your own risk!

You know what’s coming next…

Time to carve the pig!

The pig roasted for 8 hours on the homemade rotisserie my Dad and uncles had built for the occasion.

The night before my Dad had marinated the pig with a secret blend of spices and sour orange juice by injecting the marinade directly into the pig. Throughout the 8 hour cooking time my Dad and brothers continuously basted the pig with the homemade sauce and monitored the heat closely. The results were nothing short of amazing.

I’m pretty sure all the dogs were in pig scrap heaven.

Unfortunately big family equate to long lines for food. Sadness… at least I knew it would be worth the wait.

Yep, totally worth it.

Good thing I ran that 50k yesterday.

I loaded my plate up with a little bit of everything and demolished it all.

If I had to pick a favorite it probably would be the cheesy rice casserole or the roasted carrots.

Have you ever seen anything as beautiful as this dessert table?!?!

The star of the table was my Grandma’s Red Velvet Cake. I’ve tried to replicate her recipe in the past and haven’t even come close to producing the same delicious cake. She only makes it every once in a blue moon, so when you see it on a dessert table you grab a slice and you grab it quick. Once it was cut into I doubt the cake lasted longer than 10 minutes before it was gone!

Luckily I was able to snag a thin piece, as well as a cupcake, angel food cake, and a piece of a chocolate haystack.

I also went back for a couple of bites of items that weren’t there my first time through. I am a sucker for good dessert, especially homemade dessert I only get on special occasions.

It wouldn’t be Easter without an Easter egg hunt!

Just ask these kids.

Ready. Set. Go!!

   

While the kids were finding the eggs in the front, my Dad was hiding the eggs for the adult easter hunt in the back. Instead of chocolates and change, my Dad filled the eggs with mini bottles of liquor.

There’s something about hunting for mini bottles of booze that brings out the kids in all of us.

  

What a perfect Easter Sunday.

I got to eat great food, I was able to catch up with friends and family, and I was reminded how truly blessed I am to lead the life I do. The perfect end to the perfect weekend. It doesn’t get much better than this.

Now it’s time to put on my sweats, chill in front of the TV, and mentally prepare for another work week.

Good night!