Cochon de Lait

We had faaaabulous weekend!  Scott and I were invited to Lafayette to celebrate the annual Cochon de Lait Party at the Ancelet's home. Lafayette is in the heart of Acadiana (south central Louisiana) where Cajun culture reigns and many families still speak French.  It is quite possibly our second favorite place in Louisiana - full of culture, plenty of character and amazing food.  The Ancelet's home is a beautiful old farm house which they have added onto as their family has grown over the years.  They have made it a very warm and inviting place - somewhere you instantly feel welcome and comfortable.
Yesterday afternoon was spent preparing for the party with the family, while the pigs were smoking away in the giant smoker.

Two pigs were purchased from the slaughter house and nearly every part of them was used - Francios even made hogs head cheese (minus the brains) yesterday.  Delicious!

Shucking Oysters while waiting for the pig

Some were eaten raw, on the half shell, and others were charbroiled on the grill with lots of butter and Parmesan cheese - MMMM!

In the kitchen preparing food.

As the evening went on, more and more people came until the house was SO packed you could barely get anywhere.  There were more food dishes than could be tried and we ate for 12 hours straight as people brought their dishes and took away the empty ones.    

We were amazed at how many people spoke French!  I knew Francios grew up with his parents and the rest of his family speaking it in the home, but we didn't realize how many other people in the area were so comfortable mixing it into their everyday conversations.  I was completely lost, but loved hearing it all around me.  We cheered on the Saints, and momentarily mourned their loss as the musicians took over the living room following the game.  For the rest of the night there was Cajun music and singing that could be heard throughout the house.

There was a base and many fiddle players, accordions, numerous guitars, and of course the triangle.

     Apparently it was the who's-who of Cajun music, and there were several musicians and singers there who have won Grammy's for their amazing talents.  I especially loved seeing that the art of it all is being passed along to the next generation as there were younger musicians there, playing along with the older, accomplished musicians.  When we left at 12:30am the music was still going strong.

     This morning we came back for the Sunday morning, milder continuation of the party.  Folk music was being played/sung in the kitchen (in English this time, with mostly 'spirituals' being sung) and there was even more food being prepared.  We sat in the sunshine and enjoyed Gumbo and Pork Back stew and I can't even believe I am hungry again still tonight.  I feel like we feasted on enough food for a week!  We had a blast though and are so glad we were able to go.  

Francios, Katy, us, & Etienne

Bedlam!

     We are two-weeks postop and Scott is slowly improving each day.  He is progressively needing fewer and fewer pain meds, and we're now slowly starting to work on physical therapy for his neck which is pretty stiff and sore.  As long as he gets his daily nap in and has a couch or bigger chair to sit in for the majority of the time he's good to go.  After sitting in a regular chair or standing for a while, his neck still starts to get pretty sore and tired from holding his big head up.
     Scott did pretty well on our trip to and from Oklahoma this weekend and although we were hesitant about going and had our doubts, we're glad we did now.  It was great to see everyone and a nice change of scenery.  We flew into Tulsa on Thursday and got to spend some time with Scott's family and see some other friends.  On Friday evening we drove up to Stillwater and spent the night there with friends.  Saturday afternoon we headed out to tailgate.  It was COLD!  We are so glad the rain passed through in the morning and didn't stick around for the big festivities!

All bundled up at the tailgate

So fun to see good friends!

     The Oklahoma State victory made our trip up there even more worth-while and it was great to watch the game with everyone!  We stayed outside at the tailgate with several others and didn't go into the stadium, as Scott would have been miserable in the bleachers or standing for that long.  We were much happier in our giant chairs and wrapped in blankets outside under the tent watching the game on TV.

Yes - both of us fit into that one chair quite comfortably.  No I am not that tiny - the chair really was just giant.

     We drove back to Tulsa on Sunday morning and were able to do brunch with some of our besties in town that we never seem to be able to get enough time in with.  We got to meet the newest addition to the group, two-week old Levi, and had such a great time catching up on all the latest!

    Our trip home was uneventful and it was pretty exciting to come back to our fabulous house which we are still thoroughly enjoying!  Scott's follow-up appointment is tomorrow, along with lab draws to make sure his thyroid and calcium blood levels are behaving.  We should have more news regarding pathology from the surgery after all this, so stay tuned.