We can hardly believe that when we first started this blog, we used to publish four to six posts a week. Now it is easy to go weeks without getting a post published. We can assure you, it is not because we are not staying busy, but the days just seem to get away from us.
Anyway – we did celebrate Easter!
For a few years now we have purchased a half leg of pork and soaked it in brine and herbs for eight to ten days to cure an Easter ham. We did not do that this year, opting instead to smoke turkey breasts and thighs and invite fewer friends over for dinner.
Mary still went all out and worked for several days preparing stuffing, pickled beets, cole slaw salad, home fried potatoes, steamed carrots, cranberry sauce, shrimp dip appetizers, fresh rolls, two kinds of pie and lots of Easter chocolates. I helped on most of these dishes, but did most of my contribution outdoors by my smoker.
We got three large turkey breasts and four thighs and I fired up the side smoker using our normal hardwood carbon and hickory chips for the smoke pan. Here is what the meat looked like right after the first turning about one hour into the five hour smoking process.
I kept the heat at 220 – 240 for two more hours and then wrapped the meat in tin foil packets with a bit of apple juice and let that stew for one more hour. After verifying that everything was up to fully cooked internal temperature, I unwrapped the meat for a bit more time to let the parts crisp up for serving.
Meanwhile our guests arrived. This year we invited Javier – our friend from Argentina who helps maintain our yard.
And two of our long-time friends, Jeanne and Rich.
Rich made a bunch of deviled eggs and we had that for appetizers along with Mary’s famous shrimp dip and crackers. In truth, that could have been enough for me, but we knew what else was coming, so we limited ourselves to just a plate full.
I announced that the meat was ready and while I sliced up the turkey pieces, Mary went to work spreading the meal out on our large dinning room table.
After grace was offered by Mary and another in Spanish from Javier it was time to eat! Dig in ladies.
The weather was absolutely beautiful with temperatures in the low eighties and a nice ocean breeze was blowing, so we ate with our friends on our patio until we could eat no more.
Our stomachs were filled and most of our guests opted for taking their dessert home for later eating. But, our spirits were equally sated after spending a day with good friends sharing in the bounties of this great life we live knowing that it is just a precursor to a life eternal made possible thanks to the sacrifice, atonement, death and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ!
Yesterday also marked the one year anniversary of the devastating earthquake that hit this area last April 16th. We spent some time in reverent silence and prayers remembering that event made less traumatic with the celebration of new life that comes with Easter.
Sometimes life is especially good here where…
Life is good in Ec—-
Oh wait, one minute. I’ll bet I spent some time on this Easter Sunday doing something that none of our readers did. While tending the smokers I spent some quality time observing dung beetles roll balls of dung to suitable nesting spots. More on that in a future post.
Life is good in Ecuador!
Looks delicious! Happy Easter!
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Happy Easter to you too. We wish you all could have been here to share the meal. Give our love to the kids (and Mark)! JandM
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your easter gathering was surely very special, and yes, dessert to go! It was great seeing Jeanne – who looks as lovely as ever! Miss Mary also looks lovely, happy and well, gracias A-Dios!
It’s been a full two days here, and I told friends thismoring that for me – it seems that remembering this day would be even more emotional.. remembering what it was like to awaken and see the damage the quake did.. dealing with the reality of loved ones lost or injured, and trying to find a neutral spot emotionally…. ‘what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger’ – and the people along ecuador’s coast have proven that they’re strong and resilient….
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Thanks for your comment. We had a great Easter dinner with friends. Would have been great to have you visit, eat, and stay the night. Our guest rooms is finished and ready.
You are right about growing stronger. The Ecuadorian people have shown us how to rebound from tragedy. Stay well.
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There were many ‘events’ and the most important for me was attending the misas for friends who died.. and for others I know who lost loved ones. I missed two, but attended two as well.
It has been a very busy , emotional-yet healing weekend… had encebollado mid morning and didn’t stop until 10 last night to eat – after the mass ended!
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We continue to thank God that San Clemente was spared much damage and had no deaths. Gracias a Dios vivamos en San Clemente!
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Yes, those words belong in an anthem!
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Sounds yummy! Seems like forever since we saw y’all! Glad you had a good Easter.
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It has been too long! Maybe your next trip down will work out for our schedule to come down and see you. Love to you and Bob!
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Happy Easter to all of you! The feast of food looks heavenly!
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Thank you, JoAnn. We hope you had a great Easter as well. You are right about the food, it was Great!
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look slike a great holiday! and I would love to try those deviled eggs…
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Yes, that is what I told Mary when she told me that Rich was bringing deviled eggs – I said I love trying other people’s deviled eggs, because they are always so different, but so good. These were not spicy (Rich knows that Mary does not like picante foods), but tasted very good. We had a great meal and great fellowship.
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oh what nice fellowship it sounds like too – and you are right about the deviled eggs being so different….
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John and Kristine are our good friends and they gave us your blog site. I love it. Our daughter will be coming to your area in Ecuador in a few months. Hopefully she’ll be able to meet both of you.
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We are glad you are enjoying the blog. We are sure your daughter will enjoy here stay in Ecuador.
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That looks amazing!
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It was great! Thanks for your comment!
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