It has been three years since having a family and friends Thanksgiving meal at the Porter home mainly due to the stroke my bride aka Joyce had in 2006 which has taken a toll on her physically.  However, this year with her physical condition improving, she felt she was up to having another family "get together".  Different family members were contacted and they let us know what they should bring of which didn't place too much of a burden on any single person....the old timey style covered dish dinner but not "pot luck" in this case.  There were fifteen (15) that attended and my bride was stoked since our son called her the day before from Southern California to wish her an early Happy Thanksgiving along with the rest of the family and friends.  All the food was wonderful and nothing beats good ole Southern style cuisine prepared and seasoned just the way you like it.  Additional narrative and pixs:

We gave thanks to our Lord and Savior for his many blessings and certainly do miss our family members and friends that have gone on before us and in due time,  we will follow their steps as well.  In the meantime, "Live today the best that you can, tomorrow is promised to no one."

A brief history of our Thanksgiving Holiday (United States) from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:  Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is a holiday celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday in November.  It has officially been an annual tradition since 1863, when, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens", to be celebrated on Thursday, November 26.  As a federal and popular holiday in the U.S., Thanksgiving is one of the major holidays of the year. Together with Christmas and New Year, Thanksgiving is a part of the broader holiday season. The event that some Americans commonly call the "First Thanksgiving" was celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World in 1621. The first Thanksgiving feast lasted three days, and was attended by 53 Pilgrims and 90 Native Americans.  The New England colonists were accustomed to regularly celebrating "thanksgivings"—days of prayer thanking God for blessings such as military victory or the end of a drought, though the 1621 events were likely not a religious observation.

Our Thanksgiving meal consisted of:  Cajun Style Deep Fried Turkey, Baked Spiral Cut Ham, Cornbread Dressing, Giblet Gravy, Fried Okra, Collard Greens, Fat Back, Green Bean Casserole, Broccoli Rice Casserole, Old Fashioned Potato Salad, Deviled Eggs, Sweet Potato Soufflé, Corn, Cranberry Chutney, Cranberry Sauce, Sweet Potato Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Strawberry Banana Cream Trifle, Fruit Cocktail Dessert, Cornbread, Brown and Serve Rolls, Tea and various Soft Drinks.  A few pixs of the island/work station about ready for self-service buffet style:

After the Deep Fried Turkey was removed from the hot oil, allowed to cool and then carved by yours truly, Wink Myers stripped the carcass of any remaining editable portions too small to carve and plate:

Here is what the 15 lb. golden brown deep fried turkey looked like before carving and and Wink got through with it: 

Click on the following thumbnail pixs for a larger screen view:

We had a great time and glad that Chris and Shane Hough was able to join us.  As soon as I got my plate filled, the camera was put aside and got down to some serious vittles consumption...grin if you must!.  My bride stated that she could still see my Mom and Pop bringing in those huge assortments of baked goods and other specialty foods like Collard Greens at our Holiday family meals.  We both miss our parents dearly, especially at these special times of the year.  Love is Eternal!

Praise be to God for his many blessings through out our lives through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  AMEN!

Two of the greatest ships that ever sailed:  Friendship and Fellowship!

Web published by Bill aka Mickey Porter 11-23-12 and updated on 10-19-18.  Lisa Gonzales proved the last ten thumbnail pictures posted.

LEAVING ON A SPIRITUAL NOTE