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!)

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.

A spinach Strawberry salad anyone make good beans?? I have to eat protein and less carbo's

i could do some beans, but how does everyone feel about boracho beans?

I love baracho beans. I was going to make beans in my big crock pot. Ese can bring some or cook them here or I can have the beans presoaked and he can just work his magic on the them.

if y'all want the beans to be edible, i'll have my mommy fix 'em up here and i'll transport them to the meet. just keep it on the down low about the cook so i can take full credit

I'm hungry!

I'm ready to strap some raw oysters on ya, baby!!

Keep away ....keep away, I say!!!

thanks, but i'm not really a professional. i've just been bearded clam diving since i was knee high to a grasshopper

So that is your bearded clam look?

I don't think so!