Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Luau 2010

I know it doesn't look like much fun, but it actually turned out pretty fabulous!
It had been blazing hot all day so we had set up the tents for shade. Turned out they were keeping off the rain instead! It started blowing and getting all blustery about 5:30 and rained pretty good for about 15 minutes. We all hustled to cover what we could and pick up the decorations that had blown off the tables. Then it stopped and the rest of the evening was perfectly pleasant!
I just have to say how grateful I was that Kellen and Camille were there to help get things ready for the Luau. They worked all day Friday getting the yard in shape ...trimmed and mowed the lawn, power washed all the cement, moved daddy's truck into the garage, moved heavy logs and then helped me shop for meat and other things for the dinner! Then on Saturday, helped put up the tents and tables and chairs and helped with some of the food I had to prepare... I would have really been sunk without their help. A million thanks!
Kelley had planned on being home on Friday to help, but things did not go well at work and he ended up having to stay there all day. Got home and started working on the meat. So much meat!!!! Don't look Candice!
He cuts up the pork, salts it and pours liquid smoke all over it, then double wraps it in foil packages.
Curtis came over about 8:30 with the marinade for the chicken. We put all the chicken in coolers, then pour that over the top to marinade overnight.
Saturday morning, Kelley is up at the crack of dawn starting the fire in the pit. I think Rick came over and helped him with that. They had Stacey's dad's funeral that day so that was nice of him to help out with what he could.
Once the fire has burned down and the lava rocks are super hot, then you put on all these layers of green produce trimmings...(Thanks Merrill!), burlap, a big metal basket with the meat in it, heavy tarps and then top it with dirt. Everything is sealed up so tight that no steam or smoke comes out at all. I was kind of paranoid all day thinking that the fire had gone out and the meat wasn't cooking...you can't really even smell anything till right before it's done. Then right before we eat, all the men gather around and they uncover the meat and take it out of the pit. They unwrap it and put it on trays. It's quite a process, but well worth it! Delicious!



Karen and Vickie came over earlier in the afternoon to set things up. The decorations were really cute....blow up beach balls and flamingos and other Hawaiian things. Then on the tables they had sand pails filled with brown sugar and sea shells.
Deslie came over earlier too with this amazing teke bar that he had just made! They made yummy drinks all night and everyone loved it!
We had a really good turn out, in spite of the rain....I think more than we have ever had before. It was great to see some of the people in our ward there that don't come out to church. Also, one of the guys that moved into Larsen's house came over when it was about over. I talked to him for quite a while and found out that he grew up in Murray and I think is a member of the church. He asked me what ward this was and I felt like a big jerk for not going over there before and talking to him. He said he has to travel a lot for work so he is not here that often. I have not made much of an effort to get to know the people that live there ... still harboring some resentment to anyone who lives there besides the Larsens. (now that's mature) I just assumed from the way it appeared that it was a house full of guys that liked to party. I guess that's what I get for judging. He was really nice and outgoing and made friends with several people that night.
The fire dancer showed up about 8;30. A lot of the people had left already. We didn't really know for sure if he was coming or not, so we didn't feel like we could tell people to stay. What can I say...the Polynesian people are pretty laid back...maybe it will happen...maybe not. Just have to wait and see.
Anyway, all in all it turned out to be a great night. Good food, entertainment, and a chance to visit and get better acauainted with good friends and neighbors!

1 comment:

Angie said...

That is super nice that you still put that on every year! I bet people start getting excited as soon as summer gets close. I am glad the rain didn't last and it was fun!