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I think pork chops are much more appetizing than blood sausage.

Pork chops and applesauce is a classic food pairing, going back to the 1890's. We roast the apples in the oven, and then mash two-thirds of them with the potato masher. The rest of the apples are added after. I think some recipes finish the chops by baking them in the oven, with the applesauce spooned over the top. The acid in the fruit keeps the meat tender and moist, so it doesn't dry out.

Pork chops marinated in honey mustard, with applesauce and roasted potatoes.

Cranberry juice helps, so I've heard. Caffeine can be a diuretic, unfortunately. I think I might gets subs for dinner tonight. Hey, Dugh, Mum, and Thistle. *scratches for Thistle* Hey, Albert. You're getting the Christmas stuff out even earlier than the department stores. Hey, Gary.

Cornbread....I haven't had cornbread in a long time.

We're having Salisbury steak and beet salad for dinner tonight.

Hey, Albert.

Well...I've mentioned this before, but I've known I was gay since I had a crush on Jeremy Sumpter when I was 10. But I never came out until I was about 13. I've hid a lot from my family and friends since then; some of it harmless, other bits not-so-nice. Looking at porn, trying sex with other kids, sneaking out to go to a friend's house....who hasn't done those kinds of things when they were a kid? I think I was about 12 when I first snuck out of the house to have a secret sleepover with a boy who lived down the road from my parents' house. Nothing naughty happened between us, but I loved spending time with him after his parents went to bed. I'd set an alarm on my watch, and sneak out of their house in the morning, so I could get home before my parents woke up to realize I was missing. I don't know if my 'rents ever noticed my absence, but a few times, my friend's mom got up super-early and made me oatmeal for breakfast. With hot chocolate to drink. So, I think he must have told his parents about our nightly visits, or maybe she was just a light sleeper. I won't mention everything I ever did, but it started to degenerate from there. Some stuff I did get into trouble for; other things, I received a free pass. If they didn't know about it, then it was never mentioned, but if they DID know, you can bet they at least commented on it. So, I assume there WERE some things that went unnoticed by my family.

A building that old holds onto its memories. Especially in a place where patients were, sadly, abused and mistreated for so long. It's almost like a physical stain. The old Chapel sometimes shows an apparition of the Priest who worked there; the tunnels, which connect the hospital complex through the basement level, hold something even worse.

There's rumored to be a few. Back before they started the renovation project, my older cousin took my brothers and I into one of the old buildings. We took some photos of the architectural details, and in one picture of, there's something strange. It looks like there could be cobwebs hanging from the rafters, but we all agreed there weren't any cobwebs in that area when we took the picture.

Morgan and I are doing well. We had biscuits and sausage gravy with scrambled eggs for dinner tonight. Mickey, Remy, and Rory are at their respective homes, and doing good in school. Mickey is going out for the soccer team again this year.

Hey, Xander, Dennis, Jordan, and Ash! *waves to the foster kids* In your dreams, perhaps.

Have you ever had Tiramisu? Holy $#@%, is that stuff good! Other than ice cream and hard candy, it's the only way to have coffee. Tea is good when it's hot, but I think it tastes best chilled or on ice.

Hey, Albert.

Hey, Dugh, Mum, and Thistle. *scratches Thistle behind the ears*

Another recipe that I enjoy https://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/blueberry-boy-bait/ It sure lives up to its name. I usually have to make two batches, or I'd never get a bite in, edgewise, before Mickey and his friends make it disappear.

Here's a recipe that I've enjoyed on a number of occasions. It's more of a breakfast cake than a "cake" cake. The story behind its origins is pretty funny. It certainly lives up to its name, because my young brother-in-law and his friends can't stay away from the stuff, lol. https://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/blueberry-boy-bait/

I've tried that before. It never tastes as fresh as it does on the day it was bought.

Until you figure out a way to keep those rustic loaves from going stale, I'm sticking with the factory-made bread.

It's what I bought at the store. It tastes just as good, and it won't spoil as fast as a bakery loaf.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich Ingredients: 8 slices of White or Sourdough bread* 1 1/2 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, freshly grated 1 cup Havarti Cheese with Dill, freshly grated Honey Mustard Sauce (recipe follows) 3 Tbsp Butter or Margarine *A split-top or Pullman loaf works best for this recipe. Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 450 F/ 232 C/ Gas Mark 8 2. Spread 1 tsp of butter or margarine evenly over one side of each bread slice. 3. Toss Cheddar and Havarti cheese together in a bowl. Add 2 Tbsp of cheese mixture to four slices of bread, buttered side down. 4. Spread 1 tsp of Honey Mustard Sauce on the unbuttered side of remaining bread slices. Place bread on top of the cheese mixture, mustard-side down. 5. Transfer assembled sandwiches to a baking sheet. Bake sandwiches in the oven for 5-6 minutes. Using a spatula, turn sandwiches over to the other side. Bake for 5-6 minutes more. 6. Let cool for several minutes. Serve and Enjoy!

Hey, Gary.

Sorry to hear that, Dugh. That's a dubious pleasure, to be sure. Incidentally, I can't remember if I got my b-day prezzie or not. You've been very busy, though, so no hard feelings.