Happy New Year!!!

Here's a toast to 2009 and hoping that this year is a safe and good one for everyone. New President, new outlook, time for change...whatever. I hope and pray he is up to the job and does well. We certainly could use some help down here in the trenches.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and from the sounds of everything when we spoke you all did. We sure missed Joan and Jay here in Birmingham this year but I know they had to stay in FL. The important thing is Mom is feeling much better and we are all thankful for that. Here's hoping she continues to improve. Besides it may be time to start planing the return to the Cape. You know it is never to early to start that planning. Just don't forget the canvas cooler bag.

So, how was your fall? We sure had a busy one here. I am going to share some photos of some of the high spots starting with Thanksgiving. Jason, our resident butcher, chef and food experimenter fried his first turkey this Thanksgiving. In word it was excellent. He did his research and had everything planned out, well look for yourself.

No Thanksgiving in the Roche household can not start until the first batch of Bloody May's is made. Jackie actually saved this Thanksgiving by finding an open package store since we forgot to check our supply of Vodka beforehand.

There is no other place to fry your turkey in Alabama then in the front yard. You want to make the neighbors envious of your good food. Notice the safety goggles and fire extinguisher in the back ground. Jason certainly made me feel good that our house would be left standing after all of this was done.

The turkey goes in the oil and it doesn't take too long to cook and I have to tell you it is excellent.
No turkey frying is complete with out the peanut gallery. From left to right Jillian, Jackie (Jason's girlfriend), Jackie, and Roz (Jackie's sister). As you might notice we graduated from Bloodies to Whiskey Sours. Jill is drinking Sparkling Grape Juice. She drank the whole bottle and she swore never to do that again as she was, in her words, loopy. Go figure. We had a great day, not too cold nor too hot.

Time to check the temperature. It looks done to me but what do I know? I'm not the cook.

It was done and then Jason put in some potatoes to fry up some homemade chips and they were excellent as well.

The three kids, excuse me, young adults, after the successful turkey and potato frying. I must say Jason did a great job and the food was so good.

Now, below is Jill at one of her football games in the fall. She finished up her senior year in the band and had a great time. This spring she will be traveling with the band to Virginia beach for her spring trip.

Always the clown. I'm not really sure where she might get that from.

Cathy and I have continued to run. Here we are after The Race For The Cure in Birmingham with Jason, the two Jackie's and our friend Pat Perry. This was a 5K (3.1 miles) Pat and Cathy's first one. We did another one the first week of December too!

It was on to Christmas and even though we missed Mom and Dad, we soldiered on. I guess in my case it would be Marined on. Any way here are some photos from our celebration. Mom, you will notice the new vest and how well it fits.

Already to rush to the presents and see what Santa brought. Above everyone gets a funny hat. The funny thing is everyone forgets they have it on and continue to wear them the rest of the night. Silly people.

Well I guess that is it for now. Oh, how could I forget, below is two more pictures of a dinner Jason had last night for some friends. He actually paid for this pig's head and cooked it for us and about 12 of his friends. Surprisingly, they all ate it. Everyone was very curous about this pig. It was actually more biology class than culinary arts. Even I ate part of the tongue. Talk about cultivating your taste buds. I was amazed how much it tasted like pork. Go figure. Talk to you all soon.

Love,

Mike

Wouldn't you love to see the faces of the customers as he parades this thing through his market in a clear plastic bag? Yum!