Varmint's Pig Pickin'

[hjshorter]

Looks good, V.  I will wait on buying the paper goods until closer to pig time.  We will also bring a large cooler and plenty of trash bags.

We're planning on arriving Friday noon, so Scott will be around that night to help with the pig.

Just promise me he won't come in Dungeons and Dragons garb!

No D&D garb, promise.

[Marlene]

If we bring the RV, I won't need to borrow a kitchen to make the butter tarts.

[Varmint]

Here's the current list of confirmed eGullet attendees:

=Mark (2)

Hjshorter (4 + 2 kids)

Jaymes (1)

Marlene (2)

Mummer (1)

Malawry (1)

Ladybug (2 + 3 kids)

ZebA (2)

Perlow (2)

Helenas (2)

Varmint (2 + 4 kids)

Tarka (2) (England!)

Holly Moore (1)

Weka (3-4)

Blondie (2)

Edemuth (1)

Maggiethecat (1)

Ditsydine (2)

Tommy (2)

Joler (4)

Aurora (1)

Ditsydine (2)

Timothy Davis

Dave the Cook

Hungry Chris (2)

Katie Loeb (1)

Lissome (1)

Guajolote (1)

[hjshorter]

You've got Ditsydine down twice.

PS thanks for the reminder. I still need to make hotel reservations.

Edited September 5, 2003 by hjshorter (log)

[Rachel Perlow]

I still need to make hotel reservations.

That reminds me, hotel reservation deadline is coming up, did we reserve enough rooms?

[Varmint]

You've got Ditsydine down twice.

That's because she's a local! Thanks for the catch.

=Mark (2)

Hjshorter (4 + 2 kids)

Jaymes (1)

Marlene (2)

Mummer (1)

Malawry (1)

Ladybug (2 + 3 kids)

ZebA (2)

Perlow (2)

Helenas (2)

Varmint (2 + 4 kids)

Tarka (2) (England!)

Holly Moore (1)

Weka (3-4)

Blondie (2)

Edemuth (1)

Maggiethecat (1)

Ditsydine (2)

Tommy (2)

Joler (4)

Aurora (1)

Timothy Davis (2)

Dave the Cook

Hungry Chris (2)

Katie Loeb (1)

Lissome (1)

Guajolote (1)

We'll get an equal number of non-eGullet folks. I assure you that most of them are far more fun than me, which ain't saying a whole lot.

As far as the hotel rooms are concerned, I think we're OK. Jaymes???

[Sweet Willie]

edited to add: nevermind, just saw the pinned FAQ's

Edited September 7, 2003 by Sweet Willie (log)

[maggiethecat]

I have just ordered a copy of Ms. Whites's Brown Sugar, and will look for a good source for bubble wrap.

I've navigated O'Hare with more fractious burdens than dozens of cookies!

[Suzi Edwards]

i think this topic should be at the top of this forum to drive us all into a pig pickin frenzy....

we booked our flights from london this morning and i am now deeply excited. the only thing to do now is buy mrs varmint's biscuits....

Edited September 16, 2003 by tarka (log)

[Jaymes]

I think we've only got three left in the standard block. But several folks have reserved suites which are 'first come first served.'

I'll check with the hotel and see how the rest of their bookings look. If they have more space, I'll see if we can block a few more rooms.

[Varmint]

Anyone else want to come? We'll have food for you!!!

[Al_Dente]

Anyone else want to come?  We'll have food for you!!!

I'm doing my ding-dangedest to see if I can get down there. My grandfolks will be in town sometime around the time of your pickin so I'm not sure yet.

I'm hoping to know SOON. I want some of that!

BTW, I flew into Raleigh last week for a meeting then had to drive to a conference in Charlotte. I stopped in China Grove NC at a place called Gary's BBQ, and had some great stuff. For $6 I got about 1/2 lb or pulled pork, hush puppies, slaw, and fries. Was so good, I had to stop on the way back too.

[Mummer]

Dunno if Varmint's still in negotiations with Southern Culture on the Skids, but somewhere on this thread is talk of making music. Martin or Fender was the issue, as I recall. Still coming?

A musical contribution would be much better than anything coming from my kitchen. Unless Katie convinces me to bring the roadster, I'll have a keyboard and a fake book or two.

Subject to Varmint's approval, of course. (SCOTS are booked in FL.)

[herbacidal]

A musical contribution would be much better than anything coming from my kitchen.  Unless Katie convinces me to bring the roadster, I'll have a keyboard and a fake book or two.

Subject to Varmint's approval, of course.  (SCOTS are booked in FL.)

what's a fake book?

[Dave the Cook]

Definitely a Martin event (Varmint has neighbors), but a low-volume keyboard wouldn't be amiss. I wonder if tommy will bring a set of congas?

A fake book (a big, thick compendium of popular songs, usually written in musical shorthand) is definitely in order.

Yes, all subject to Varmint's approval.

[herbacidal]

i did get the impression it was a songbook of some sort, just couldn't figure out why.

why's it called a fake book?

b/c it's in shorthand, and not the full shebang?

[Dave the Cook]

No, because it gives you enough infomation to let you fake your way through just about any song in it. It's for those times when the drunk at the bar stuffs a tenner in the glass on top of your piano and requests One More for the Road. You can make him happy and feel like you earned it.

[Varmint]

Still working on some music options, but please bring the acoustic instruments. We might need it for entertainment during the all night pig cooking.

[Marlene]

Yes, we'll need something to keep us awake How's it going with the weather there Dean?

[Varmint]

I'm home. Winds are gusting up to 50 mph.

[hwilson41]

Varmint;

Anyone else want to come?  We'll have food for you!!!

I'm a rank newbie, but am trying to work the schedule out. Motel rooms, etc., are not an issue, because my daughter and son-in-law live in Chapel Hill. If it all comes together, I'll be there, and will be glad to work the night shift if you're short of help . This is a really neat thing you're doing. Many, many thanks for your generosity.

THW

[Varmint]

hwilson-

Bring the whole family!

Here's the current plan:

I will be cooking the pig on one large cooker. Wood has not been delivered yet, but we're trying for a mix of hickory and apple. I'm also getting another cooker, which will have pork shoulders and chickens. All brining will be done in a bathtub! Any pickling (i.e., inebriation) will be done on the tennis court! The pig will start Friday night. The shoulders will start Saturday morning. I'll make the sauce, which will be my personal bastardization of eastern and western styles.

Dave the Cook is developing Brunswick Stew. We'll cook a large pot the day of the event.

Malawry is in charge of hush puppies. We'll be using a large turkey fryer for that.

Lots of people are doing desserts and a couple are doing sides. We'll also need slaw, taters, and, if they're available, collards. I'll assign someone to make these. Any volunteers.

One of my partners is bringing a keg of (cheap) beer, but we'll need more. We can work that out later, but a decent keg would be good.

We'll need some sweet tea. We can make it here.

Most of the cooking will be going on at my house and at my in-laws' place. I have a crappy kitchen, but my in-laws, which is about a mile and a half away, has an awesome kitchen.

For those of you driving, if any of you have very large bowls or sheet pans, please bring them.

Mark, I can't recall what you said you might be doing.

I really am trying to keep the items we're making limited to the above. That way, everyone gets to have a reasonably authentic pig pickin' meal, with the appropriate sides. Plus, we needn't worry about everyone just getting a teeaspoon of each item. Desserts will be wide open, of course!!!

I'm not nearly as organized as Rachel, but I think we'll pull this off.

[Marlene]

Where does one pick up a keg of beer near your place? We'll get one if you direct us to the spot!

[=Mark]

Varmint, I'm planning on bringing a Grilled Chicken & Pasta Salad with Cashews and a Saffron Dressing that I stole from my Bro. Made it for a recent eG potluck and even "Pasta Salad Hatin'" SuzanneF was impressed.

[Zeb A]

Marlene:

I would suggest the Peace Street Market (used to be 7-Even -- not a typo). Probably 5 minutes from Dean's house. Head south on Wade toward downtown. Turn right on St. Mary's. Turn left on Peace Street, and its on your left at the corner.