I haven't heard anymore about other locations so I think things are shaping up this way.

People will start showing up at the Manvel Best Western Inn and Suites on Friday afternoon.

I will start BBQing sometime Friday. I can put some things on that will be ready Friday evening but the big stuff won't be ready till Saturday morning.

Since I CAN'T LEAVE, the group can filter over to my place for the Friday evening gathering.

I always overcook so there will be lots of leftovers and different cut's of meat Saturday morning. We can meet back at my place (the ones that actually left) and have breakfast and talk about the Strawberry Festival.

Afterwards, we can clean up and go to Pasadena to Fest. I have never been so I would recommend those that want more information can go to their website.

The main part of the BBQ (Brisket and Pork butt) will be waiting so there well be plenty of food for Saturday evening. If some just want to eat something else, the hotel is next to Manvel Seafood which has the best fried catfish in the world and all the dishes are very good.

Also next to the Hotel is the "Burger Barn" which has great burgers and Mexican food. The only Mexican food I have had there is the crispy tacos but they were as good as I have ever had.

Houston is a food city. If someone not from the area wants to venture out and have something really good that they can't get in Booger Butt, Texas, I know many good places for Greek, Italian, etc.

There is a Kolache shop in Manvel that makes great kolaches but the variety is extremely limited. A few miles away in Pearland is the Kolache Factory that has a huge selection of some of the best kolaches you can get anywhere.

There are two huge shopping malls a few miles North of Manvel so don't think you are completely out of civilization even if my house is.

The hotel has a swimming pool and there is a large lake across the road from the hotel that has many swimming platforms (see Carold's web link).

Obviously, you don't need to follow my suggestions about anything and I don't know everything, but I have been here almost forever and know Houston pretty well.

I am looking forward to seeing you all. The mingle meet we had at my sister's house two years ago was a lot of fun.

Someone kick Krupa's skinny azz and drag him down here.

Mo, do you cook?

Joe all sounds great to me think Carol even checked on the prices as well at that motel... I need to touch base with Tami to make sure she is going...

And I need to know who all is going to share a room so we can figure out the cost ect....

If correct they have rooms with two king size beds which I would opt for plenty of room that way.... price was like $10 more a night that way no biggie... The pool is a indoor pool so no matter the weather some can swim if they like....

We need to also decide if we need to bring a dish or something to add to the BBQ.

Some of us already know that when Joe cooks there will be plenty meat so we don't need to add to that...

Joe we can pitch in on the cost of the meat as well..

Sounds like a plan to me.....if anyone needs a different motel or can get a better deal on one in the area let us know... We are still open on that if we can get discounts... Myself I have no options on discounts...

There are some other hotels within several miles but I doubt if they will be any cheaper than a Best Western. I'll see what there is next to the malls a few miles North.

We'll worry about side dishes a little farther down the road. I was thinking about digging out some recipes and ya'll could help make them Friday evening as we drink and BBQ. I'll post them for discussion. Maybe Carold or Mo have favorites since they live here but bringing fruit salad 250 miles doesn't seem to make sense to me.

Your right Joe....if there are things that some want to make and bring they are welcome...Other wise we can make them there on friday and visit that is what this is all about...We can all pitch in on the cost of food since we all will be eating...

Most likely we will opt to stay at the Best Western it seems to be the best option and close to everything...


So those that are sharing the room speak up....so we will know...

I will still bring a queen size blow up mattress in case it is needed either at the motel or at Joe's for those staying there...with all the bedding...

Sounds like it's all coming together. Looking forward to seeing people!

It would be helpful to have a head count and approximate time of arrival.

Ya'll need to promise Krupa a flash or whatever it takes to get him to come.

The menu so far is

Friday evening BBQed something - don't know yet. Maybe I will invent something. Appetizers, snacks, and something sweet.

Saturday Morning: The big stuff that cooked all night should be ready. So we could make pork butt and brisket breakfast tacos.

Saturday Lunch: Pasadena Strawberry Festival

Saturday Evening: Brisket, pulled pork, jalapeno potato salad, beans, something green, something fruity, something sweet, ...

Sunday morning: In honor of Vivian (who seems to be playing with Tiny Tornado again this weekend) maybe a brand new dish {Crab and Grits!!!)
or raw oysters and grits.

Vivian is going to meet me at my house...Friday not sure yet I was going to work till about 10:30am so I could get the payroll done I may just ask for the day off instead and see if they will let me do the payroll on Thursday instead... since that is what we did this last week for they were not there on Friday...

Tami said she was taking the day off and coming to my house so the latest we will leave here is around 11:30am if I end up working... it is between 4-5 hour drive for us.. So we should be there by 5pm actually a little earlier...

As far as Krupa he is getting his plane ticket first to see his honey then will let us know if he can make it or not...

We know you will be there, Carol, Glenda, hippie & ese so far..

So 7 for sure...think Maureen is coming as well so 8 at this time if Tami makes if for sure it will be 9....

Ohhh and Joe the menu sounds great to me well except that Sunday morning thing lmao

Yeah I can't wait either.... will be fun to see everyone again......

But you can guarantee one thing I will not take shot to shot with Joe again lmao...

I don't remember a thing!

MightyMo said he was coming too. He lives about thirty minutes from here.

Would you like me to bring the jalapeno potato salad? Or something else?

The potato salad would be great! It will be one less thing to make.

Great. I will plan on that.

I also got this groovy little pie-maker gadget in San Fran that I am anxious to try out. If I have time to master it, I could bring some little pies for desserts/snacks. Otherwise I would be happy to come up with a plan B for a sweet. (Although if Vivian is bringing/making her amazing fudge we may all be in a sugar coma and not CARE about pie!)

The restaurant next door to the Manvel Best Western has great Frog Legs! If anyone gets tired of BBQ.

i can.. but whether yall eat it or not is another question...

Fair enough! Just checking to see if you had some special dish you wanted to show off.

I LOVE FROG LEGS!!!!!