A delicious non-traditional Thanksgiving meal We arrived in Florida at Faith a week before Thanksgiving, which gave us time to catch up on some work around the church before heading to the west coast of the state to spend Thanksgiving with Dave’s sister Wendy and her family.
Thanksgiving Dinner . . . 1 , 2, 3, 4
Before leaving Faith to visit with Dave’s sister, we celebrated Thanksgiving twice. First after the Sunday service with a potluck dinner. And then again on Tuesday, we were invited to share in a Thanksgiving Potluck held by the English language class that meets each week. This 2nd meal was not your average Thanksgiving menu, but the dishes were as delicious as they were varied, and the tables were groaning with all of the food being shared. Those were Thanksgiving meals number 1 and 2.
Before leaving Faith to visit with Dave’s sister, we celebrated Thanksgiving twice. First after the Sunday service with a potluck dinner. And then again on Tuesday, we were invited to share in a Thanksgiving Potluck held by the English language class that meets each week. This 2nd meal was not your average Thanksgiving menu, but the dishes were as delicious as they were varied, and the tables were groaning with all of the food being shared. Those were Thanksgiving meals number 1 and 2.
Place of some delicious BBQ near Ocala On Wednesday, we made a leisurely trip across Florida from Jacksonville to Bradenton, where we would join Dave’s sister’s family for a Thanksgiving celebration. The gathering would take place on Friday as Dave and Wendy made a similar trip in the opposite direction on Thanksgiving Day to celebrate with their son’s family in Melbourne. This day’s highlight was an amazing BBQ meal at a small roadside stand called Southern Style Farmshack BBQ near Ocala.
Butch and Cheri Waking up north of Tampa on Thanksgiving Day, we had few plans until evening, but a text message from our friend Cheri changed all that. She and Butch were volunteering in Tampa and had no dinner plans until late afternoon. And they were only 45 minutes away in the direction of our travel. We had missed seeing them last year as he was getting treatments for cancer, so it was fun to see them both and especially to see him in good health.
Garbage Can turkey They were in charge of the turkey and dressing for their shared meal. And Butch had a unique way of cooking their turkey. He placed in under a metal trash can with briquets on top and around the base. Less than 2 hours later, it was cooked and ready to eat. So, as they made ready to join their host for Thanksgiving dinner, we moved on south over the Skyway bridge toward Bradenton.
View of Tampa Bay from the Skyway bridge We knew that there would not be many restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day, so we checked Google to get a list of which ones might be open. Along route 70 near I75, there are dozens of restaurants within a few miles on either side of the interstate. Of all of those restaurants, despite what Google told us, only 1 was open. That was Bob Evans. Their usual menu was greatly simplified on this day. Other than breakfast, the choices were a turkey dinner, a ham dinner, or a combination turkey and ham dinner. We chose the latter and split it between us. That was Thanksgiving dinner number 3.
Thanksgiving meal We met up with Wendy and Dave at their house a little later. Our next Thanksgiving celebration would take place the next day at our niece Janelle’s house. This meal was an amazing feast, and the meal was only part of the day’s festivities. There were games after dinner, including some nerf gun warfare outside with nephew Jack and his friend. That was Thanksgiving dinner number 4.
Cathy and Jack taking aim with nerf guns Before heading out on Friday for Janelle’s, Wendy and Dave’s neighbor invited themselves over for a Friendsgiving dinner on Saturday. They were supplying all the food, but since their kitchen was under construction, they needed Wendy to reheat it. So, Saturday afternoon, we gathered to enjoy Thanksgiving meal number 5.
On Sunday, we joined Wendy and Dave at church but spent the morning with Wendy and Jack at Sunday school. The kids were making Advent wreaths, and we were responsible for cutting out over 70 advent candles for them to glue onto their wreaths. By the time we were done, the class was almost over. But Wendy was given 5 minutes to do a run through of the Christmas pageant with the kids. And she was able to do just that. So, we had a little time to share a meal of – what else? --turkey and stuffing leftovers before heading out for Faith. All kidding aside, we had a great time together.
Dave moves the ethernet cable around Asbury. Back at Faith
We had about a little more than a week at Faith before Thanksgiving, and we tried to make the most of it. An ethernet cable in the Asbury Hall had been broken off in the wall over the summer. While there was plenty of slack on the opposite wall to make up the difference, this excess would have to be moved around the outside of the building down one side around the back and up the other side on a particularly hot day. Once the wire had enough slack restored, Cathy put a new end on it and the internet was restored in the building and for the campground in time for the Nomads arrival in January.
We had about a little more than a week at Faith before Thanksgiving, and we tried to make the most of it. An ethernet cable in the Asbury Hall had been broken off in the wall over the summer. While there was plenty of slack on the opposite wall to make up the difference, this excess would have to be moved around the outside of the building down one side around the back and up the other side on a particularly hot day. Once the wire had enough slack restored, Cathy put a new end on it and the internet was restored in the building and for the campground in time for the Nomads arrival in January.
In addition to the usual computer updates and internet problems, we were around to help with the Christmas decorations in the sanctuary as well. Dave took Adriana on a tour of the campground to help her understand the layout as requests are made for stays throughout the year. And we were asked to do some research into selling some of the work vehicles that were no longer needed.
Our presence in Jacksonville allowed us some in-person time to work with Pastor Jacop on securing the funding for his roof. And we could spend an afternoon with Beverly to address some of her computer issues while catching up. We also were in position to help Leslie with some of the preparations for the Nomads projects as the demands on her time were making this task difficult for her.
Parting Shot
These Sandhill Cranes were making their distinctive call as we took a walk around the lakes in Lakewood Ranch.
These Sandhill Cranes were making their distinctive call as we took a walk around the lakes in Lakewood Ranch.
