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Balsamic-glazed pork chops, roasted beet salad and burrata, and pan-fried potatoes.

We're on vacation in Saugatuck. Morgan, myself, Mickey, Remy, and a new friend of theirs named Rory. He's about the same age as your neighbor Riley, or maybe a bit younger. We're staying in a little bungalow-style house that's right on the water. Master suite on the first floor, with two bedrooms in the loft. The view of the lake is wonderful.

Hey, Cassie! Hey, Bertie!

Hey, Caz! How's the family?

This one is a favorite of mine, and I usually serve it when I want to balance a heavier, rich casserole or a meat dish. However, I use balsamic vinegar instead of lemon juice, for a personal touch. https://theviewfromgreatisland.com/roasted-beet-and-burrata-salad-recipe/

Cheesy Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs Serves 8, but you might want to make more after tasting one Prep Time: 5 Minutes Cook Time: 10 Minutes Total Time: 15 Minutes 8 hot dogs or Frankfurter-style sausages 16 strips of bacon, precooked* 8 hot dog buns 3 slices of American cheese, or another "melting" cheese of your choice *The bacon should still be pliable enough to wrap around the hot dogs 1. Preheat oven to 450 F /230 C /Gas Mark 8. 2. Slice each hot dog or sausage lengthwise, but don't cut all the way through. 3. Cut the cheese into small strips and stuff it into the opening of each hot dog. 4. Wrap two bacon strips around each hot dog, securing the ends with toothpicks or wooden skewers. 5. Place the hot dogs on a jelly roll pan, and bake for 10 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp. 6. Let the hot dogs cool for several minutes, then remove the skewers. Serve in buns with toppings of your choice.

Hey, Dugh and Thistle. *scratches Thistle behind the ears* Looking forward to a kilting story or two.

Can we have the recipe?

Ugh. They're using that old "video games are a gateway to violence" scapegoat again. It's actually the exact opposite. Violent video games lead to an increase in empathy in real-life situations, and help relieve aggression, like a punching bag of sorts. Ergo, video games can actually help control people's violent impulses.

Hey, Albert. We had BLTs for lunch today. Still have a half-pound of bacon in the fridge. I thought we might make campfire potato packs with bacon, cheese, and broccoli for dinner.

It was someone else's mom who ran our Scout troop. The irony is, maybe having a man to relate to and keep things organized would have actually made it fun.

Those both sound better than what I went through at Cub Scouts. Never went camping or did any "projects" with our Scout mistress, unless you count the Popcorn Drive. Yeah, you heard me right. Our BOY scout troop was led by a WOMAN. I'm not saying that a woman can't lead...it's just that boys would relate better to a man, and maybe they'd have more respect for someone who doesn't sound like a nagging mom. As for the Popcorn Drive, I'm not sure what the money went towards, because we never seemed to see much of anything besides the occasional merit badge for some small "deed". Then she and her family moved to Wyoming before 4th Grade. I think she was replaced by the Pastor for a year or so, and it kind of turned into more of a Bible study group. By the end of 4th Grade, I was completely burned out, and I quit the whole mess. I think I learned more responsibility and discipline by cooking in the kitchen than I ever learned from Scouts. Ahhh, the joys of $h***y private schools....

Even hot dogs taste better. I think a wood-burning fire gives them a smoky flavor. Smoked hot dogs...that would be something new to try.

Toasted cheese sandwiches are great with tomato soup. In the 50's or 60's, the American Board of Education realized that such a pairing would meet the basic nutritional requirements of a school lunch. Instant power couple.

Hey, Gary.

That reminds me, I haven't seen my friend Jesse since...Christmas, I think? He was adopted by a couple who lives down the road from my parents, and he loves taking care of horses. He has a very gentle soul, and he was great for cuddling when we were kids.

He should wear the glasses full-time, in my opinion.

Hey, Tea Bat.

Yeah, it is. After dining out for breakfast and lunch today, I thought we'd have dinner at the house tonight. Grilled pork chops with salt-and-pepper roasted potatoes. We even had mac and cheese baked in a disposable aluminum pan.

Yeah, the pictures on their website look delicious, but there's no menu available to peruse. Maybe we'll check it out some other day. Until the end of August.

Hey, Albert.

Glad to hear it, Dugh. As for your cousin, I'd wager he's probably in Grand Haven, which is a bit to the north of us, presently. We ate at The Butler for lunch today. I had the maple bacon burger. Cheddar cheese, bacon, and crispy onion straws, with a maple-bacon glaze. Served on a pearl-sugar waffle, of all things. It was very tasty. Morgan had the same as me, Remy had a pub burger (beer cheese spread, bacon, and beer-steamed onions), and Rory had a lobster grilled cheese sandwich. Mickey had the Horseradish Peppercorn burger: Pepper Jack cheese, A1 steak sauce, bacon, lettuce, tomato, crispy onions, and a horseradish peppercorn sauce. Served on a pretzel bun. Remy said "You're not kissing me until you've brushed your teeth AND used mouthwash!"

Hey, Dugh and Thistle. Hope you have a better time of it now.