#us black angus short rib

[houseofgerrard]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: SIGNET Grey Sweatshirt Hoodie Dress Size Medium.

[menuandprice]

Blue House Korean BBQ Menu & Prices – All The Info You’ll Need

The Korean BBQ trend is on! And you definitely have to hop on now.  If you’re in California, there’s no better place to grill your own meat in the AYCE (All-You-Can-Eat) session than the Blue House Korean BBQ Restaurant.  This joint has become the premier Korean restaurant in Sacramento, where diners can unleash their inner chef in an interactive dining experience. Add that unique element of sizzle to your evening from a variety of authentic Korean cuisines. For an adventurous dinner, choose a smokeless tabletop grill and opt for the signature marinade that includes perfectly cooked beef short rib, and sliced rib eye. Or you can enjoy the traditional spicy garlic-simmered block cod. Whatever your choice, Blue House Korean BBQ is a must-visit spot if you want a true culinary tour of mouth-watering Korean meals with a modern touch! Whether you’re headed to the Sacramento location or prefer to dine at the Roseville restaurant, here are the menus and prices. And by the way, keep an eye out for a new spot coming soon at Vacaville! Food Price Appetizers Kimchi Pancake Savory pan-fried flour batter with vegetables and house-made kimchi $14.00 Carpaccio  Slices of raw fish or beef with delicious-tasting sauce $21.00 Seafood Pancake Golden pan-fried flour with simple vegetable batter and an assortment of seafood $14.00 Japchae Stir-fried potato with onion, julienned carrots, mushroom, and beef $12.00 New Age Dduk Bokki Soft bar rice cake, seasoned with spicy red pepper sauce  $10.00 Fried Shrimp $11.00 Fried Dumplings  $7.00 Cajun Tuna $15.00 Blue House BBQ (A La Carte) Blue House Galbi  Marinated prime beef short rib $32.00 Kot Sal Prime beef with high-quality marbling $40.00 Spicy Grilled Chicken Marinated chicken thigh with spicy sauce $19.00 Saeng Galbi Non-marinated prime beef short ribs $40.00 Spicy Pork Bulgogi Thinly sliced marinated spicy pork (a non-spicy option also available) $22.00 Beef Bulgogi Thinly sliced beef marinated in-house $22.00 Black Angus Brisket  Non-marinated thinly sliced beef $25.00 Galbi Jumulluk Prime boneless beef finger short ribs marinated in-house $32.00 Soy-Marinated Pork Belly Pork belly marinated using in-house soy-based sauce $23.00 Rib Eye Steak Prime beef $38.00 Special Pork Belly $25.00 Prime Beef Tongue $25.00 Salmon, Lobster Tail, Scallop, Black Tiger Shrimp, and Squid  $40.00 Grilled Fish  Salmon Steak Tasty Korean char-broiled salmon $18.00 Char-Broiled Mackerel $17.00 Soup & Stew Galbi Tang Traditional slow braised beef short ribs and noodles made in beef broth soup  $16.00 Spicy Cod Stew Specially seasons cod stew with tofu and veggies  $18.00 Soft Tofu Stew Korean silken tofu stew prepared in a hot savory beef broth with vegetables, mushroom, dumplings, and seafood $13.00 Sun-Dried Cabbage Galbi Tang Slow braised beef short ribs with chopped garlic, green onions, and dried cabbage in a beef bone broth soybean soup  $15.00 Miso Stew Tofu and vegetables with soybean paste stew $13.00 Kimchi Stew Traditional Korean kimchi stew with beef, onion, and tofu $12.00 Pollock Stew Pollock with vegetables prepared in a hot stone pot $12.00 Soft Tofu Stew and Mackerel $18.00 Stuffed Tofu Soup with Seafood $14.00 Blue House Specials Stone Pot Octopus Spicy octopus stir-fried with vegetables  $26.00 Dongani Jjim Beef knuckle with red chili dressing and mixed greens $18.00 Chilean Sea Bass Perfectly broiled Chilean sea bass steak and teriyaki sauce  $37.00 Braised Cod A thick slice of Korean radish with well-steamed sea bass prepared in a warm sauce of spicy red pepper  $30.00 Braised Short Ribs Simmered short ribs and veggies in sweet soy $30.00 Braised Black Cod Simmered black cod with veggies in sweet soy sauce $30.00 Braised Spicy Monkfish $35.00 Lunch Specials Bibimbap Steaming white rice with sauteed bean sprouts, black mushroom, various vegetables, and traditionally fried egg using red pepper paste  $13.00 Stone Pot Bibimbap Crispy golden-white rice topped with sauteed zucchini, shredded carrots, kale, black mushroom, bean sprouts, and traditionally fried egg using red pepper paste and served in a hot stone pot  $13.00 Chicken Bulgogi  Marinated chicken thigh with salad $12.00 Sweet Bulgogi Soup Marinated tender beef (thinly sliced) with salad $15.00 Pollock Stew Fish roe with slated shrimp, vegetable, and tofu $12.00 Ugoji Galbi Tang Cabbage and prime short rib in soybean soup $12.00 Soft Tofu Stew Korean comfort stew in a hot savory beef broth with vegetables, silken tofu, and choice of dumpling, seafood, or tuna $10.00 Soft Tofu Stew Combo Hot savory stew made with beef broth, silken tofu, and vegetables with a serving of beef short ribs on the side $18.00 Shrimp Fried Rice $11.00 Deep Fried Pork Cutlet $12.00 Banto Box $12.00 Rice & Noodle Ojinguh Bokkum Sauteed squid with spicy chili pepper sauce and garlic  $17.00 Bibimbap  A bed of julienned carrots, spinach, bean sprout, and mushroom served over white rice and sesame oil topped with traditionally fried egg and choice squid, vegetable, or beef $13.00 Bibim – Naengmyun  Homemade noodle made using starch from sweet potato and served in a traditional sauce of chili pepper paste $13.00 Mool – Naengmeyun and La Galbi Homemade cold noodles with boiled beef, sliced cucumbers pickled radish served in chilled broth topped, and hard-boiled egg on top with choice of marinated beef or beef short ribs or on the side $20.00 Bibim – Naengmyun and La Galbi Marinated bone-in beef short rib with Bibim – naengmgyun $20.00 Stone Pot Bibimbap A bed of shredded carrots, black mushroom, kale, bean sprouts served over crispy golden-white rice topped with sauteed zucchini and fried egg in a hot stone pot and choice of squid, vegetable, or squid $15.00 Mul Naengmyeon $13.00 Stir Fry Kimchi Pork $14.00 Desserts Green Tea Ice Cream Creamy, sweet, and rich ice cream made from green tea and several flavored creams and milk products stirred to a smooth consistency $4.00 Mille-Feuille $8.00 Bean Ice Cream $4.00 Vanilla Red Ice Cream $4.00 Red Bean Ice Cream $4.00 Soft Drinks Non-Bottomless  $2.00 Hot Pot  (One pot is big enough for two persons) Beef Intestine Hot Pot Specially prepared beef intestine with udon $35.00 Seafood Hot Pot A choice selection of seafood $39.00 The post Blue House Korean BBQ Menu & Prices – All The Info You’ll Need appeared first on Fast Food Menu Prices. Read the full article

[buffetlicious]

Adding S$2 for Green Tea, Salad and Miso Soup was a no-brainer. The greens was crisp and the dressing refreshing for an appetizer.

Bunny turned carnivore today and opted for this animal protein based Foie Gras Truffle Yakiniku which smell real good. Pan-seared foie gras, US black angus short rib, onsen egg, truffle soy, black garlic brown butter over mixed rice. So sinfully good and yummy delicious. The three slices of pickled daikon is to remind her she is still a bunny no matter what she eats. :D

[perfectharmonyloveschaos]

what if whenever klaus is accidentally doing his telekinesis at first, everyone thinks it's vanya, including him. but when hes by himself or something and things keep happening he doesnt notice it or brushes it off by reasoning it. ben keeps trying to tell him that hes being dumb and it's klaus whos doing all of that

Sorry if you just wanted me to talk about this in bullet points or anything (i still might, god I love making those), this idea was just too good and immediately inspired me to write a small fic about it so hope you’re not mad anon! I wasn’t sure how much to go into, so I tried to keep it to your ask, but goddamn if it wasn’t fun. Klaus being an idiot and not realising that he can move things with his mind is so funny to me for some reason, hope you enjoy it!

The first time there had been anything out of the ordinary, it had been Ben who had noticed it. Field after field of wheat and corn and cotton stretched as far as Klaus could see, squinting his tired eyes against the glare of the sun that sat lazily on the horizon. If not for the aches left from his sudden fall into whatever time period they were in – little Five had said that the equations were a bitch to get exactly right – than Klaus may have paid more attention.

Ben, however, didn’t get sore from falls out of the space-time continuum or hours of blind walking, so it really had been no wonder that his deceased brother had far more focus.

“Great.” Klaus hissed; his brows knitted together tightly as he hugged his arms closer to his chest. A shiver ran through him, the irritable itch of his skin taking no time in setting over his body. “This is just peachy, huh? Fivey couldn’t have dropped us somewhere nice… like Vegas?”

Ben made a face, strolling leisurely by the medium’s side as he watched the cattle stare as they passed. “Fresh air is better for you than booze and slot machines.” Ben reasoned, his lip rising as he watched Klaus’ slug by, his legs dragging off the dirt countryside roads until anything else came into view. “Besides, all these,” He added, gesturing a hand to a black Angus calf ignorant to them as it suckled its mother. “-must belong to someone.”

“Little shit dropped us in the asshole to nowhere…”

“The others could have landed in the nearest town.”

“-and my ribs hurt.”

Ben sighed, leaning his head back as he let his arms flop down to his sizes, focusing on the swaying motion of them as they walked in silence. They’d be okay, they’d find the others – probably Diego in that stupid outfit scowling at Klaus for ‘wandering off’ – and then Klaus would smile and quip and everything would be okay.

The others weren’t in the nearest town.

They could only gather so much from their surroundings, but their deductions seemed sound and clean enough that Ben smiled at his brother as he peered at the newspaper over his shoulder. Klaus’ long, knobby fingers worked on straightening the wrinkles and skimmed over the weather-worn letters – people had thrown looks at the lanky man tearing paper from a nearby trashcan, but none of them said anything, thankfully – only to let out a tired groan.

Ben didn’t need to read through it to understand what his brother meant.

“Nothing.”

Without another word, the newspaper was crumpled up into a ball and dropped at his feet, worn trainers that scuffed off the concrete feebly kicked it aside. He could see the tension in his brother’s shoulders, bare against his torn army vest – Dave, would he have been able to lift Klaus’ hopes better than Ben, did Klaus want Dave there more than him? – as his withdrawal slithered back in to replace the time-travel nausea.

Ben grimaced at the slump of Klaus’s body, hunched meekly on the sidewalk.

A few moments of silence went by.

“What are we gonna do?”

“We should check around for the others, at least we know something.”

“Fine.” Klaus nodded but didn’t budge from the sidewalk as his hands covered his face. The fashion definitely struck them of being around the 1960s, at least giving them a when to base their next action on, the newspaper only confirming it as 1960 to be exact. It was early morning, so fewer people were around to see Klaus – who appeared to be talking to the air, Ben reminded him – but the oncoming morning rush meant a higher chance of standing out.

“The Commission is probably already on our asses.”

Klaus snorted, but didn’t release the tension in his shoulders. Pressing his arms tighter against his side, the skin of his hands pressed white off the sidewalk, pushing all his weight into his limbs and yet failing to move. Short nails clawed at the concrete. Ben stared down at him, brow wrinkled at the heaving breaths that passed through his thin form, shivering with each exhale.

Glancing up to take a look at their surroundings, Ben forced himself to stay put. Withdrawal was a bitch, that much was given at how many times he had seen Klaus go through it before in hospitals and rehab, only to dive back into the intoxication pool without hesitation. But time-travel? That was a whole other game, sensations that he couldn’t understand as he was.

Klaus exhaled a hard breath beside him, the muscles of his arms flexed between them and his teeth clenched down hard into his jaw. Breathe, Ben reminded him, repeating the word over and over until it sounded wrong and then kept going.

"Breathe”.

“I know.”

“We’ll be okay.”

Klaus groaned in reply.

“We’ll find the others, and everything will be-”

The newspaper shot away from them and all the way across to the other side of the street.

Ben blinked.

His mouth opened to speak, to question what had just occurred, only to let his mouth close once more. There had been no wind, no breeze that flapped at Klaus’ clothing or anything else on the street strong enough to do that, so how-

“Alright... I’m alright,” Klaus said slowly, letting out a groan as he shakily rose to his feet. Ben leapt to attention, adrenaline left over alerting him to the scuff of his brother’s foot off the road before he could help him to his feet, his eyes never leaving Klaus. That was… new. “Let’s go.”

                                                         (***)

“Klaus.”

“Ben, for the last time-!”

“It was floating!”

“I must’ve made some other ghost corporal by accident!” Klaus reasoned, waving his brother’s concern away as he shoved his arms back through his jacket sleeves. “Remember when you were able to hold stuff again? You knocked all kinds of shit over-”

“There were no other ghosts, I would’ve seen it.”

Klaus rolled his eyes, picking up the knocked over lamp and replacing it back on the motel bed table.  Blowing a raspberry after flicking the light switch on to make sure the bulb wasn’t damaged; Klaus hoisted his bag over his shoulder and gestured for Ben to follow. “Maybe being corporal makes it harder to see other ghosts, Benny-boy.”

Realising the other was heading out the motel room door rather than listening, Ben pursed his lips with a shake of his head as he followed Klaus. Watching Klaus tie his hair into a high bun – the tangled mess of curls on his head now reaching his chin – in order to help dry the sweat still coating his neck, Ben sighed.

Ghosts can’t knock over lamps, he frowned to himself as Klaus hopped into the driver seat, quickening his pace to slip in the passenger seat before the other had time to start the engine. But idiots who can move stuff without touching them having nightmares can.

                                                        (***)

“Lucky that the guy tripped, huh?”

“Yeah,” Ben sighed, rolling his eyes as Klaus swung his arms leisurely, going on his merry way as if he hadn’t almost been mugged and stabbed by some alley-thug five minutes before. “It’s our lucky day…”

Because men twice the size of Klaus just so happened to become clumsy despite being able to sneak up on a man and a literal ghost.

And that said thug had tripped so hard that he somehow flung himself back down the alleyway far enough that they could escape.

And that the man’s knife just so happened to fly out of his hand and straight into a wooden pallet leaning against a wall more then ten feet away.

Purely, undoubtedly, luck.

Shaking his head, Ben forced himself to only nod when Klaus suggested they get something to eat.

His brother was such an idiot.

                                                        (***)

Their whole family were idiots.

“Our first objective should be stopping the apocalypse─”

“We need to help Vanya─”

“Allison please, we don’t know what she’s capable─”

“She is trying to control them, Luther. Why can’t you─

Any attempt at conversation was muffled out as Luther shouted louder, only angering Allison who had stood in-between him and Vanya once their brother had shown a lack of resolve to control himself. Lingering off to the side of the room, Klaus could only chuckle as chaos erupted between his three siblings, earning a look from the remainder of his family.

Five took no time in trying to dismantle the tension, jumping back and forth between the living room and the kitchen counter in order to move his plans elsewhere. Neither Ben, Klaus or Diego could blame the fifty-year-old-teen for his lack of concern, arguments were as common in their family as game nights for other, more functional homes.

Earning an expectant look from Ben, Klaus sighed as he hoisted himself up from the couch and stepped cautiously over to their siblings. Diego, raising a brow, glanced over to Ben before giving his dead brother a small smile.

Good job.

Ben straightened his posture, lifting his weight from the settee arm and instead balancing it on his opposite hip. He pursed his lips, however, into a glare at the shift of Luther’s stance, using his bulbous shoulders to basically shove Klaus out of the argument without even hearing what the medium had to say.

Lifting his hands before him to show no harm, Klaus tried to draw attention back to Vanya and her own voice, rather than letting her be drowned out like always. Sharing a smile with his shorter sister, Vanya shifted to allow Klaus room, guiding Allison who could only smile at her growth in confidence.

The conversation, however, didn’t calm as Luther continued to protest despite the majority, besides Five who was too busy working out equations in the kitchen and trying to save the world to care, to the point where Diego rushed in at the mention of their childhood numbers.

Klaus groaned, smothering his face with his own hands once Diego unsheathed a knife. Not listening to either Allison or Vanya demanding them to stop, Ben stood back as the argument began to break down into a brawl between the two highest numbers.

That was, until, something pushed them.

Silence fell as a force of some kind knocked into both men, knocking Diego’s knife from his hand and sending both him and Luther further back from one another. Wide-eyed, the group grew silent.

Until Five jumped back into the room, pissed-off and snarling at the group to restrain themselves, rather than making the Commission’s job easier for them.

Ben sighed as the blame shifted to Vanya, furrowing his brows as he caught sight of Klaus stepping back from his sister in shock. None had noticed his hand, clenched tightly into a fist and still slightly glowing blue.

Sharing a look with his startled brother, Ben scowled at his dismissal and the attention on Vanya, ignoring their sister’s certainty that she hadn’t done anything. Klaus shook his hand out, letting the colour fade and acted to be simply stretching once Five and Diego looked at him at the collapse of the argument.

Shrugging of Diego’s concerns, Klaus was quick to console Vanya.

Ben frowned but pushed those thoughts away upon his siblings realising he was corporeal once more, attempting to ease tension within the bunker.

Idiots.

[blog-sliverofjade]

Of Doms & Subs 9: Rock and a Hard Place

Pairing: Angus Hopper x OFC

Summary:  What’s a submissive female to do when she fights her nature and goes on the run as a Lone wolf to avoid being assimilated into a pack?

Word count: 1905

Of Doms & Subs Master List

Getting slammed by four hundred pounds, give or take, is painful no matter who you are.  Being caught between this freight train of flesh and a stone wall, such as the one surrounding the grill setup, is taking the term “between a rock and a hard place” to its most agonizing extremes.  Once the tweety birds spiraling my head dissipated, Alan and Mickayla filled my gradually returning vision.  Angus stalked off to go bash some heads together, judging by his face.

“Anybody get the number o’ that Mac truck?” I groaned, my accent thick from the pain that was already setting in.  Where’s shock when you could really use it?

“Can’t be too bad if she’s making bad jokes,” Mickayla said to Alan.  Then to distract me from his poking and prodding, she said with a roll of her eyes towards where I assumed Ian and Gordon were.  “They’re just like teenage boys when they’re trying to show off.”

“There’re easier ways o’ getting’ my attention.  ‘Hey, you’ works fine.”  I hissed through clenched teeth when Alan inspected my shoulder.  “Dislocated, probably torn rotator.”

“Amongst other things,” he agreed mildly as he did something that should have been a violation of the Geneva Convention.  “Couple of cracked ribs, mild concussion.  Ever dislocated anything before?”

“Nope, but’s gonna hurt like a mother.”

Alan nodded to Mickayla and before I could react, they set the joint back in place with a sickening crunch.  The world swam in a nauseous haze, but I didn’t pass out.  Woo!

“Lemme know when I can return the favour,” I groaned.  “In spades.”

“The rotator’ll heal on its own in about a week.  Compared to months for a human.”  Let’s hear it for regeneration.  “But your scapula’s split, and even if your joint’s set, your shoulder’s still messed up.”

“That the medical term, doc?”

“Recovery will still take weeks.  If you shift, you’ll heal faster.”

“No.”  I shook my head too fast and the world wobbled.

“Tell me, is this normal?”  Alan carefully lifted my right, injured arm.  Around the blinding agony I dimly hard disturbing sounds that should be coming from a cereal bowl instead of a person.

“Fuck all ya’ll,” I panted when I could breathe again.

“No thanks,” he said blandly.  “Cute as you are, I don’t want to fight the others over you.  The longer you take to shift, the more you’ll heal wrong.”  We both knew that improperly healed rotator cuffs are a bitch and can take a year or more of PT to correct.  That’s not even taking into account complications from broken bones knitting without being set right.  Logic and experience said that he was right.  The only problem was that the wolf wanted to come out and play too much.  And there were too many humans.  Pain and panic, exacerbated by the wolf coming to the fore, paralyzed me till I could only shake my head faintly.

“Don’t make me use the Dommy voice,” Mickayla said sternly.  I opened my eyes to let her see the fear that chilled me.  Or maybe that was finally shock.  Could werewolves go into shock?

A pair of familiar suede loafers stood at the edge of my vision.  A moment later Angus crouched to fill my field of vision, which was threatening to narrow again.  “Ellie, stop this nonsense and shift.”  There was no power other than the natural force of his personality, but the order allowed me to stop worrying.  His casual tone of authority reminded me that they would keep me from gorging on a human buffet instead of potato salad and burgers.

“Come on, you don’t need an audience for this.”  Mickayla moved to help me up.  Angus beat her to it, scooping me up in his arms so that my shattered shoulder wasn’t pressed against him.  This unnatural strength still took me by surprise.  Of all the places, he took me inside the house and downstairs where he set me on the edge of a bed.  There were shining metal bars over the narrow windows set high in the wall.  Pretty comfy digs for a cage.

“My safeword’s ‘apples’,” I panted as my body settled into its new position with no small amount of complaints.

“Good to know.”  The dry bit of humour coming from Angus was so unexpected that I giggled and immediately regretted it when the motion rippled through my battered body.  Alan and Mickayla helped me undress while Angus stood over us, a statue of controlled rage.  I tried to protest the men’s presence, but was immediately shot down by all three.  Resoundingly so.

“Please be gentle, it’s my first time,” I said tightly as they drew off my pants and underwear.  You never realize how much you move any part of your body until it’s injured and you try to move it.  Once I was naked, that was when I freaked out.  “I can’t.”

“Sshh,” Angus said soothingly as he carefully held me against his chest.  It was like a warm brick wall, but far more comfortable than the one I’d just been introduced to.  My mind and hormones swung back and forth between embarrassment and pleasure at being naked in his arms until I sensed Alan crouching on the bed behind me.  Damn, he still had to set the shoulder blade.  I didn’t even have time to tense before his deft, quick hands crunched the pieces back into place.

After awhile I realized that Angus was saying my name and stroking my hair.  “To shift you have to let the wolf take over.  You’ll not likely have control, nor will you be able to change back for several hours.  We’re going to have to lock you in so you don’t hurt anyone, or yourself.”

So many things had been spinning out of my control I wasn’t ready to relinquish any of it.  But the wolf didn’t care.  She wanted to come out and meet Angus and the pack.  The instant I seriously thought about passing off the reins she seized the chance.  I quickly closed my eyes not only because it hurt like a bitch, even worse than my short lived career as a wrecking ball, but because I couldn’t stand watching my own flesh ripple as muscle and bone crunched and reformed.  I almost wondered if letting everything heal relatively slowly wouldn’t have been preferable.

They were making soothing noises and urging me to be quiet at first, then they realized I was cursing under my breath in between soft whimpers and whines.  “Son of a mother biscuit eating cracker” made them laugh.  You can’t curse in front of patients, even if they’re coding.  Instead you get creative with alternatives to four letter words.  At some point the torture ended and everything went black.

“What were you thinking?”  To an outsider, my voice would be deceptively soft.  Ian and Gordon, as did the rest of the pack, knew better.  The two males knelt with heads bowed and necks bared.  My wolf wanted to rend that soft flesh.  They were dirty and still battered from when they were separated with more force than was strictly necessary, but was entirely appropriate.  “I’ve known newly Changed wolves with better self-control than what you displayed today.  If you had hit Moira instead, she could’ve lost full use of that arm.”  They winced as my voice sharpened and cracked across them like a whip.

“Because of your stupidity, Ellie is undergoing her first intentional shift locked in the safe room after everything I’ve done to disprove the half-truths that crazy Lone fed her.”  I leaned in close and whispered, “If she chooses to leave because of your idiocy, I’ll take it very personally.”  Their already white faces blanched even further before I straightened.

“You will beg Ellie for forgiveness.  You are her slaves for the next week.  You are not to look her in the eye.  I don’t want to see her lift anything heavier than a glass of water.  If she asks you to jump, one asks how high and the other holds the hoop.  You will wash, dry, iron, fold her laundry, and shine her shoes.  You have one week to arrange for repairs to the barbecue.  For the rest of the weekend, the two of you are on cooking and dish duties.  The pack cars, Ellie’s Jeep, and my car could all use detailing.  Oh, and I expect the house and grounds to be spotless by the end of the weekend.”  They’d be so busy they wouldn’t have the time nor the energy to lose their heads again.  And by working their tails off, everyone would be reminded that this was a warning for anyone else who might do the same.

“If the rest of you find yourselves at the mercy of your instincts, you will take it elsewhere and handle it in the usual fashion.  If not, then you are a liability and will be dealt with accordingly.”  I glared expectantly at the two boys, who were old enough to know better.  They quickly muttered, “Yes, Alpha” before scrambling to their feet and scattering for one of the many tasks given.  I desperately wanted to give chase and slaughter them for injuring what was mine.

I gave a brief nod to Tom, who acknowledged with a bow from the neck before herding everyone inside.  Once everyone was gone, I stared at the broken bricks and patio stained with Ellie’s blood until Ian and Gordon approached hesitantly with a hose, soap, and stiff bristled brushes.  I snarled at them as I strode back towards the house.

Alan was sitting in the armchair outside the safe room.  A man with an impossibly large sword faced a dragon on the corner of the paperback he was reading.  Only the delusional would fight something like that with a melee weapon.  The alleged “hero” would be barbecue before he got close enough to swing that tool of overcompensation.

“Hey.”  He set down the book and sat up from his slouch.  “Passed out still, but she’ll be fine as long as she doesn’t hurt it again any time soon.”

“Thanks.  Go on up.  I’ll sit with her.”  I scrubbed a hand through my hair and touched my pocket to ensure that my phone was there.  Nervous habits that I’d never quite managed to shed.

“Sure thing.”  Alan looked like he would offer to stay until he saw my expression.  “Too bad they couldn’t spare the brain cells if you knocked their heads together.”

I smiled despite my murderous mood.  That was the magic of a submissive, although I never felt calm around Ellie.  Frustrated, annoyed, fiercely protective, half-crazed, yes.  At peace, no.  Then again, she had yet to feel entirely safe or comfortable since the Change.

“Alan.”  He paused on the stairs.  “Have Ian and Gordon bring down meat and water.”

“Aye, aye.”  He’d been spending far too much time with Mickayla.

I settled into the chair and picked up the dog-eared novel he left behind.  The main character had barely finished his backstory when Tweedledee and Tweedledumb placed their offerings in the safe room before locking it back up.  Ian set a cup of coffee, two cream, on the small table beside me before slinking away.  They stank of fear.  Good.

The handsome, virile Chosen One had just met the feisty ingénue, who was of course a princess in hiding, when Ellie woke up.

[rai-knightshade-art]

Macdalton Fic Prompt

Just a Fix it fic idea I had; Or, what CBS SHOULD do with the golden opportunity they have on their hands here by blatantly building up Desi as the love interest. Essentially an au of the season 3 finale/season 4 premiere (since no way is this how the premiere is gonna go are you kidding??)

So, season finale. Everyone's gathered minus Jack, they just pulled off an op by the skin of their teeth (as usual) and they're all winding down. Convo gets started when suddenly someone (Bozer or Riley maybe) blatantly asks if Mac and Desi are dating (presumably some pseudo-flirting went on during the op to push this idea). However, instead of the expected either confirmation or "wow we didn't even think about that but we're seeing this in a new light and liking it" routes, the two outright deny it and look at the rest of the crew strangely as if it should be obvious that they're not dating. Explanations on assumptions are made, there's a laugh, and then finally the bomb drops: someone else asks why Mac isn't into Desi ("she seems like the perfect gal for you Mac! Smart, badass, in the same line of work... What's not to like?"), To which Mac nonchalantly replies "oh yeah, Desi's great, but I'm just not interested. Besides, I have a boyfriend anyways." Chaos at THAT little tid bit ensues ("man why didn't you tell me you'd found somebody new?!?! I woulda backed off immediately!" "How is that the issue you have when apparently MAC'S BEEN INTO DUDES THIS WHOLE TIME?!?!" "Nah Riley I been knew Mac's bi since our early teens, dude had a HUGE crush on Leonardo DiCaprio--" "bOZER YOU SAID YOUD NEVER MENTION THAT AGAIN!" "That was before you hid being in a relationship from me man, I'm allowed to embarrass you now." Etc etc) end episode (or maybe bigger cliffhanger cut scene since not knowing Mac's bf isn't necessarily huge)

First episode of season 4, they're gathered together again, this time in the war room, presumably a few weeks after the previous episode. Everything seems normal, though there is some pointed ribbing at Mac; seems he still hasn't revealed who his secret bf is ("we're long distance, that's all I'm gonna say ok?"). Maybe there's a flashback to Mac in a phoenix corridor smiling happily while talking on the phone, presumably to the bf. I love yous are exchanged before hanging up. The voice on the other end can't be heard. At any rate, flashback concluded, Matty walks in with an uncharacteristic smile on her face. She reveals that today's mission will be including a special addition to the team. Camera is conspicuously away from the door and the windows are completely tinted as someone approaches. Matty describes their new operative when he decides to give a witty oneliner about being back at the door. Everyone jumps (except Matty and, curiously, Mac) and turns toward the door with a cry of "Jack!!!!" (Because of course it's fucking Jack what kinda girl do you take me for here?) Everyone immediately jumps up to greet him (except, again curiously, Mac, who sits with a growing but soft smile on his face; he's yet to even look at Jack). First is Riley, who barrels into him with a slightly emotional bear hug and a slug to the arm for not calling. Next is Desi, some light banter about idiot geniuses ensues, Jack hears about the volcano bit ("I've only been gone for a couple weeks y'all what the hell?!"). Bozer gets a fist bump and some best bro talk, Leanna and Matty get personal comments, and then... There's Mac. Mac has finally stood up at this point, partially hidden from view, and now stares at Jack with affection in his eyes. Jack stares right back. They exchange names softly as they slowly walk towards each other, as if pulled by one of Mac's electromagnets. ("Jack." "Mac. *Angus.*" "Wait, Angus?! Since when does Jack call him Angus?" *Cue first of several flashbacks to come, a short run down of times Jack has called Mac Angus, usually as a joke or out of frustration/seriousness. Culminates in a black screen and a very breathy cry of "Angus!" Or alternately ends with the afterglow cuddling and Mac saying "you can call me Angus... If you'd like"*) They embrace in a very close hug, the kind they didn't often do before Jack left. Riley in particular looks at them strangely, gears in her head turning, as Mac buries his face in Jack's neck. It's still just on the other side of plausibly platonic though since it's been months since they've seen each other. Slowly they part, and Jack slings an arm around Mac's shoulder and brings him in close. Everyone else looks at them weird, not used to this ultra touchy-feely behavior from the pair.

Thus we segue into part two, in which Mac and Jack ward off various questions about their closeness with answers that are technically correct and seem platonic, but are undercut with scenes from the day before Jack left, in which they fought, confessed to loving each other, kissed, and.... Well. Breathy words and moans abound. But also soft laughter and grins and also emotions and sadness and ignoring the inevitable for just one night. (Example: "Guys, clearly something fishy is going on here. (Riley)" "Yeah.... Jack knows who Mac's boyfriend is! (Bozer)" *Riley facepalms* *Jack looks offended* "Mac! Why didn't you tell me you had a boyfriend?? The nerve!" "I'm sorry, we were kinda busy before you left if you didn't notice!" (Supposedly meaning the mission) *Flashback to Mac being pushed against a wall in his apartment, being kissed within an inch of his life as he's lifted against the wall, and playing with Jack's shirt*)

This finally culminates in someone just exclaiming "No, guys, *Jack IS the boyfriend!*", Either Riley or possibly a returned Nikki who picked up on it immediately because she knows what Mac looks like when he's dating a team member and he's putting out all the same signs (though no one else is left from the og team who would know said signs except, obviously, Jack). If it's not Riley then Riley yells "I KNEW IT!!"

Anyways more chaos and discussion ensues cause half the crew can't wrap their head around this and the other half is like "how did you guys not pick up on the mutual pining I mean really", with at least one convo like this ensuing: "Wait, have you guys been dating this whole time?!?!?" "No! We had girlfriends, remember??" "Yeah man I ain't no cheat." "So, wait... When DID you guys get together?" *Sheepish shared look* "Well uh..." "Kinda.. sorta... The day before I shipped out?" "Wait, it took THAT LONG for you guys to get your heads out of your asses?!?!" "Well I'm sorry Mac here is a little slow on the uptake--" "Me?! Says the guy who's apparently been in love with me since the goddamn Sandbox!" "Hey man you weren't much better, falling in love when I followed you to LA." "So... You're both idiots." *Another shared look* *both* "Yes."

Should also mention those flashbacks went backwards, from Macdalton cuddling in the afterglow, to in-bed banter (with possible call backs to previous banter), to heavy making out in the hallway, and finally, to the fight that started it all ("Why do you care so much man?! I'll be back before you know it!" "Because I LOVE you Jack! I think I always have! And when you leave me behind it hurts cause I can't protect you the way you've protected me! And it hurts even more cause you don't feel the same!!" *Shocked silence* "What... Could possibly make you think I don't feel the same way?")

Ends with "So... Have you told James yet?" *Twin looks of terror*

[estherprogress]

All positions in Pecos Kitchen RANKED

I’d like to give more of a description and explanation of my job and what I do all day. Of course it matters how busy we are and who I’m working with, but a large indicator to whether I’ve had a good day or not is what positions I’ve been. So here they all are in order of my personal least fave to favorite!

14. Stocker 

Everyone hates stocker. If you’re on the 1-4 side it’s pretty slow but then sometimes you have to be anchor assist too and that sucks. Being on the 5-8 side is always awful. You’re constantly running around refilling all the items on line. People on line are always yelling out what they need and I have to admit it helps but it stresses me out so much.

13. Trash and Floors

Exactly what it sounds like. You are constantly taking all the trash and card board out of the kitchen downstairs. People hate closing trash and floors bc you might have to make a bail. You are supposed to be sweeping the floors too but you usually don’t have time bc you also have to deliver boxes of whatever the kitchen needs. You get a radio so kitchen can call to say what they need.

12. Taco Trios

In CDS this position is usually called broiler catcher (1-4) bc we almost never use that broiler. It’s easy...too easy and I hate it. I need some sense of urgency. Basically you’re taking playes that are divided in 3 and placing soft taco shells in each one so the people on line can fill them with meat. If you are making them to order you can just leave them there or deliver to line. If you are prepping for the next day you have to cover your stacks with plastic wrap.

11. Buns

Buns isn’t bad persay, it’s just boring. You are putting buns on trays for broiler to put in. Kids are easiest bc its just the buns but adults take some time bc you have to put 2 slices of bacon on each top bun. I often have the problem of making too many and then they get stale. If you already have a bunch made you can always make trios.

10. Broiler

Broiler is easiest when we’re green. You just keep putting as many patties in the broiler as possible and don’t stop till someone tells you. It gets harder the quieter we are and you can’t really tell how often you should be sending burgers. You can rely on Catcher to tell you but it’s still your fault if we have to hold on angus. Adult burgers can be put in 3 across at a time. A full set is 12 and a half set is 6. You have to put in kids burgers one at a time, and usually in sets of 6.

9. Broiler Catcher

This is the greasiest position. You’re catching everything that comes out of the broiler. You’re putting cheese on the buns and then assembling burgers. You also deliver the burgers to the lines. Generally it’s your job to tell broiler what type of sets, and how often since you can see the line. 

8. Anchor Assist

Chips! You’re taking one tram of chips at a time from fryer if you’re (5-8) or one container at a time if you’re (1-4). Then you put handfuls of chips in the small and large boats for the Anchor to grab. Some people do more but I like to generally have 3 trays of each on the tram for Anchor.

7. Fryer

Chips! That’s all your frying. At first this position stressed me out bc of how many chips we go through but it’s really not that bad. You are constantly frying batches of tortilla chips and they only take 30-45 seconds so it’s pretty fast paced. The goal is to have 2 full trams of chips but it’s ok if you have one full tram and are working on the other. I’ve been anchor assist and had to wait for fryer to make more chips but I’ve always had plenty while fryer so it’s never been a stressful position for me.

6. Anchor

The 1st position on line. It’s probably the most important position in the kitchen. They begin the orders so if your anchor is slow, everything else will be slow. They are taking tickets and arranging the plates, bowls, and boats on the trays. They grab salads, lettuce wraps, chip boats, and burgers and put them on the trays. They also add beef wherever needed on trays.

5. Middle

This is the 2nd position on line. They put chicken, pork, cauliflower, and rice wherever needed on trays. They’re responsible for keeping trays by the line for the anchor to grab. If there is no stocker the middle becomes stocker.

4. Window

This is the last (and best) position on line. They put black beans, queso, mac and cheese, squash, and onions wherever needed on trays. They also check over the trays to make sure everything is correct. They also communicate with the counter.

3. Salads

Ahh yes the position that made me cry on Day 2. I’ve gotten so much better at salads since then and now I think it’s so easy! Sometimes there’s 2 people there and one person does salads while the other does lettuce wraps but most often you’ll be by yourself. Basically, you make salads and lettuce wraps. 8 of either go on one tray and depending on how busy we are you should have 3-6 trays of each in the coolers. If we’re really busy you may only have 1-2 and that’s ok. Salads go 4,3,2,1. 4 ounces of lettuce, 3 tomatoes, 2 ounces of corn and bean salsa and 1 ounce of tortilla strips. Lettuce wraps are served in the taco trio plates and are just lettuce cups, jerk chicken, and coleslaw. 

2. Churros

This position is exactly what it sounds like. You’re baking trays of churros in the oven. They take 8 minutes so it’s a bit slower than other positions. Once you take churros out of the oven you dust them with cinnamon and sugar. Then you put them into boats with chocolate sauce (8 to a boat). The rule of thumb is to keep 2 trays in the warmer and it’s almost always crazy easy to manage! When it’s slow you can always plate more trays of frozen churros for the tram or help make trios.

1. Tortuga

I love her, you love her, TORTUGA! Tortuga Tavern is a quick service location in Adventureland. Over there the menu is quite small and never has as big of crowds as Pecos so I love it. The position there is called TT Anchor. Basically you’re putting hot dogs in buns, making short rib sandwiches, and putting turkey legs on trays. That’s it! Usually you are the only BOH person there. It can get stressed around lunch rush but it still isn’t as bad as Pecos!

[prettylittlelyres]

8, please!

Hey, thanks for the prompt! I’m going to fill it with a scene from This Still Happens rewritten from the point of view (and in first person present (the original is third person near-omniscient past)) of Angus McNicholas. Sorry it’s taken a while to answer, but I hope you like it!

8. Normally calm character lashing out at the thought oflosing their loved one

Trying to Smile

Through the window, I watch the sun sinking away behind theblack silhouettes of oaks and pines on the horizon. It’s dark in my room—asidefrom a few strings of golden-white fairy lights stretched across the wall by mybed—but I don’t need the main lamp on. Shadows wait for me on the duvet, sleepyshadows with open arms, and I long to join them, every second of even such atiny task as closing the curtains so we can doze together, the three of us: me,Gordon and Scott. I never thought… I never thought I’d… two? And yet…

They’re lying on my blankets, Gordon’s head in Scott’s lap,just as mine was in his until the bright amber street-light came on outside mywindow and started spilling its glow into my bedroom. Such is life.

But I can’t wait one more minute to hold them, to press mycheek against the soft flannel of Gordon’s shirt, to breathe in the crisp,citrus smell of Scott’s deodorant, to hold one of each of their hands tight inthe centre of my chest. I turn around, watching my own shadow shift on thecarpet, illuminating and darkening and illuminating again my darlings—oneblond, one brunet, both smiling at me and holding out their arms to me—as Imove. My darlings.

It’s Gordon’s fingers that reach me first, threadingthrough mine, callused tips brushing softly against the back of my right hand.Then Scott runs his thumb up my wrist and pushes back my sleeve, gently tuggingon my arm as I grin and pretend to put up a fight.

“You’re a cheeky lad, Scott Noon,” I say, shaking my head.

Gordon feigns offence. “And what am I, the Invisible Man?”

“No, not at all,” I say, crawling across the bed to snuggleup to both of them. “You’re just exemplary.”

“But what if I want to be a cheeky lad?” he says.

I don’t have time to answer that—or, for that matter, questionit—before the doorbell rings.

Well, I can’t rely on my brother or my parents to answerit. Gordon, Scott and I are the only ones in the house, and whoever’s at thedoor probably knows my family. And probably doesn’t know that I have twoboyfriends. Whoever’s at the door might not even know I’m a guy. I kissGordon’s hand, kiss Scott’s hand, and smile sadly, bracing myself to be calledby my birth name. “I’ll go and see who’s there,” I whisper, “I’ll be back in aminute or two.”

“We’ll try not to miss you too much,” Gordon says, “Buthurry back. I crave cuddles.”

Char stands on the doorstep, eyes wide and red-rimmed, darkbrown hair windswept and olive skin pallid. She tries to smile, but I can tellsomething’s not quite right with her. But she’s trying to smile, so maybe…maybe it’s not that bad. Maybe she’ll feel better if I act like everything isOK.

“Hey,” I say, glancing behind her and spotting theothers—Tim and Stefan—sanding at the bottom of the drive with their bikes. Ican’t see their faces clearly enough from the doorstep to work out if they’reOK or not, so I go with the cheery side of things. Better not to assume theworst, after all. “Holy shit, a whole party! Come in, come in. What’s theoccasion?” I mean, I’m kind of desperately hoping they’ve just popped in for amoment to say hello, what with Gordon and Scott upstairs, but…

The three of them make their way into the living room andsit down.

“Do you want to maybe take a seat, too, Angus?” Char says,gesturing to an armchair.

I shake my head. “I’m fine,” I say, crossing my fingersbehind my back and hoping they don’t stay for long. Any other evening thisweek, or any other evening, generally, I’d have been happy to see Char, Stefand Tim, but, this evening, Gordon is craving cuddles, and, to be quite honest…so am I. And I dare say, so is Scott.

“Angus, mate,” Stef says, “You really probably should sitdown. It’s Sophie and Lena. Something’shappened in Chase Valley.”

The living room starts to spin around me, and I realise,scrabbling behind me with a frantic hand, trying to find the arm of the sofa,that Stef and char are exactly right. I tumble backwards, and feel cool leatheragainst my back as I sink to the floor. I’m about an inch short of landing onthe sofa, but at least the beige carpet catches me without, like… breakinganything important. “Tell me,” I mumble, hugging my folded-up legs.

Tim looks at the floor. “Sophie’s in the hospital,” he saysquietly, “They took her away in an ambulance. Um… They think Chris hit her withsomething. I don’t know… I don’t—” He shakes his head, and sighs as he rests isforehead on his hands. “I don’t know what happened to Lena,exactly. The police gave her a ride to hospital, but there was a bandage on herarm, and… she was limping… and… like… all her hair was gone.” He gestures atthe bottom of his ribs, to show where Lena’shair used to reach, and then lifts his hand up to beside his jaw. “Like… LikeChris had cut it off or something. I… I don’t know what happened to her,” hewhispers, his voice cracking away no nothing. “Chris has been arrested.”

“Oh, God,” I murmur, nausea rising in my throat. “This wastoday?”

Char nods, and gets up from her armchair to come and crouchnext to me. “Do you want a hug?”

“Get away from me,” I snap, shrugging her hand off myshoulder, and shuffling away. “I don’t want to fucking talk to any of you.”

Stefan stands up and crosses the room to kneel down next toChar, wrapping his arms around her as he stares at me. “Angus, none of us couldhave—” He shakes his head. “Any more than you could have—”

“Yes, we could,” I mutter, “We could all have been so muchmore careful, and none of us fucking were, and now look what’s fuckinghappened. So don’t offer me stupid shit like hugs when—” I’m shaking, but Idon’t want to be. I fight the trembling in my shoulders so hard it hurts,trying to keep my posture, trying to control my breathing, trying to keepstill. But it doesn’t work.

“I know,” Char whispers, “I know… and it’s not just Lena and Sophie, either. You know Ffion?”

I nod. She goes to the same school as everyone else, theschool over the border, with Gordon and Scott, with Char and Stef and Tim. ButI’ve never really met her. I don’t think I know what she looks like. I’ve heardGordon talk about her, though, heard him talk about how much he used to detesther, before all of this, before he found out that she’s basically from exactlythe same background as he is, but with more religion, and less money. “I knowFfion, yeah. What’s happened?”

“She’s been helping us, obviously, with spying on Chris andtrying to work out what he’s been planning,” Char says, “But she got grounded,and her Mum took away her phone, so when she did find out, she couldn’ttell anyone. But she managed to get out of the house, tried to warn people…”

“But she was too late,” I say, “Way too fucking late.”

Char nods. “And she’s been taken away by her Mum,”she says, “To God only knows what end. But she told us to go and find Gordonand Scott, and Scott’s Mum said they’d be here. So… are–”

Oh, shit.They know, don’t they? Char, Stef, Tim… Probably everyone in Chase Valleyknows by now. I know that village; it’s like mine, but even worse. Gossipspreads like piss downhill. I picture Char standing on the Noons’ doorstep,finding out that we’re all in the same place, and picture everyone else on thestreet overhearing, everyone else on the street drawing thesame—correct—conclusion. But at least, like this, I can pretend I’m lettingthem know on purpose, on my own terms. Because there really isn’t time for meto get upset now, not over something as trivial as being outed. Being outedwith good intentions, at least. I sigh, and put my head in my hands. “Iguess you may as well know. Wait here. I won’t be a minute.”

I runupstairs, shutting the living room door behind me, and press my head againstthe cool painted pine of the banister. How am I going to tell them?

Tell Gordon…that he’s not on his own anymore… that he’s got company in the worst possibleway…

Tell Scott…that his cousin and her girlfriend are in hospital.

I sink tomy knees on the first stair, legs weak, and crawl up to the landing, pushingopen my bedroom door with a pathetic hand.

“Lads,” Isay quietly, once I’m in my room, “The Valley lot’s downstairs. Something’shappened.”

[greenhornbbqbeer]

These @creekstone_farms Black Angus USDA prime beef short ribs I smoked on the iconic @webergrills kettle came out amazing. Using hardwood coal and post oak perfected the smoke delivery. @unclestevesshake made them taste even better than they already were from the farm. Be sure to watch the full #bbqpitmastersofyoutube video on March 24th and vote for us! . . . . #weberkettle #webergrills #weberkettleclub #webersmokefire #charcoalgrilling #beefribs #creekstonefarms #bbqfamily #bbqlovers #blackanguscattle #unclestevesshake #thermoproofficial #fireboard #backyardbbq #beefribs (at Oxnard, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMr4S1UhBwD/?igshid=3uej83rx904x

[houseofgerrard]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: MODCLOTH Striped Cream Crewneck Short Sleeve Sweater medium​.

[dakotaissorandom]

The Fundamentals Of Places to eat Montana

Gourmet hamburgers are notches above fast food burgers with their nondescript and sometimes unidentifiable meat, soggy bun, limp lettuce and unripe tomato. Gourmet hamburgers use freshly ground round or sirloin, grilled to a sizzling crust on the outside while still juicy on the inside. Toppings are seemingly endless. And where else would you find gourmet hamburger restaurants except New York City? Our website provides info on local hamburger restaurant.

Tiny but Tasty Tucked away in the corner of the Le Parker Meridien Hotel, The Burger Joint serves up grilled-to-order burgers. The restaurant is tiny with a limited menu -- just burgers and fries. That focus means the burgers have to be the best. Top yours with good old fashioned ketchup, mustard and mayo or keep it pristine so the full flavor of the meat comes through.

Retro Restaurant The Shake Shack started in New York City and has branched out to other locations. The original Shake Shack looks like it was lifted from a 1950's Elvis movie. You almost expect to see poodle skirts and bobby socks. While the vibe is retro the burgers are definitely updated. Seating is outside surrounding the shack. The other option is takeout. The Black Angus beef is all natural. Try the ShackBurger topped with American Cheese, tomato and lettuce. Beer and wine is served as are soft drinks, ice cream, fries and hotdogs.

Most Expensive If you think of a hamburger as a fast, filling and reasonably priced lunch you might want to think again. The Wall Street Burger Shop has what they say is the most expensive hamburger in the world at $175, 2011 prices. Kobe beef burgers bring the hamburger to whole other level, both taste wise and wallet wise. The burger served at The Wall Street Burger Shop is Kobe beef stuffed with black truffles, lots of black truffles, foie gras and garnished with gold leaf. It's only served during truffle season so don't expect to find it on the everyday all-day menu. Regular burgers start at $4 at the counter.

Second Most Expensive Not to be outdone, Daniel Boulud's DB Bistro Moderne serves the second most expensive burger. The db burger royale is a modest $75 without shaved black truffles, $150 with black truffles as of 2011. If that's still out of your price range, try the original db burger stuffed with the meat of braised short ribs, served on a toasted bun and a side of fries. It's touts a much budget friendlier price tag of $32.

Burgers go Glam New York doesn't want for restaurants and that goes for gourmet hamburger joints. Try Pop Burger, a classy sophisticated burger joint, with burgers at $12. Fries and onion rings are extra. Burgers are served at the counter and in the lounge area, along with a full dinner menu.

[walnuthollowranch]

BEEF BOX - SUPER SPECIAL Box Special This Week - 2 3/4 pound bone-in shoulder roast - 2 pounds short ribs - 1 pound round stew meat - 8 pounds 80% ground beef Recipe BBQ shoulder roast (weights are approximate) Feb. 21-22, 2020 This Weeks 14# Box Special = $109.00  *** Save over $47.00 *** Farm Store Open  Friday & Saturday 10-4pm Walnut Hollow Ranch 1100 Carter Cove Road Hayesville, NC 28904 828-389-8931 Follow Us For Next Weeks Box Special https://www.facebook.com/WalnutHollowRanch/ #beef #blackangus #angusbeef #premiumblackangusbeef #localbeef #steak #angussteak #naturalbeef #farmfresh #farmraised #qualitybeef #eatclean #ilovebeef #beefitswhatsfordinner #grilled #steaksonthegrill #ribeyesteak #wheresthebeef #farmstore #supportyourlocalrancher #exciteyoursenses #buylocal #walnuthollowranch #beefbox #beefspecial (at Walnut Hollow Ranch - Premium Black Angus Beef & RV Ranch) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8z0eXaAMTL/?igshid=s4v5ymnay5d4

[derek-fang]

Purchasing Meat and Game

Chosen animal and cut

Since I have always been a big fan of beef, the animal which I have chosen for this assignment is the Black Angus and the specific part or cut which I will be talking about is the Chuck Short rib.

As I have mentioned that I am a true beef lover but my knowledge about the product has always been limited to just burgers and steak. It was only after I came to Canada that I learnt about the broad characteristics of the protein.

Background

In general, cattle are segregated depending on their age, gender and weight.

·       Bull – A male cattle between the age of 3 to 10 years and weigh from 1100 to 2000 pounds. Instead of being used for its meat, bulls are used mainly for the purpose of breeding.

·       Steer – Male cattle between the age of 1 ½ to 2 ½ years and weigh from 1000 to 1250 pounds. Steers are used for slaughter and commercial purpose.

·       Heifer – Are basically young female cattle which have already reproduced. Heifers are used largely for milk production.

·       Heiferette – Are young females that have not yet reproduced.

·       Cow – Adult females between the age of 3 – 10 years.

 While being slaughtered the Steer is divided into 9 basic portions. These initial cuts are known has primal cut. Primal cuts consist of:

·       Chuck – which is the area from the upper chest right around the shoulder blade.

·       Fore Shank/ Shank – the front leg.

·       Brisket – the breast portion.

·       Plate – the portion from the lower chest till the stomach.

·       Flank – the abdominal part of the cattle.

·       Hip/Round – refers to the thigh portion or the hind of the cattle.

·       Ribs – bone cage of the upper back which connect to the loin.

·       Loin – tender muscle which runs down the spine till the hip.

The cut which I have chosen is the chuck short ribs. As the name suggest this cut is made from the chuck of the beef. It is cut out of the rib cage closer towards the chest on the inner side of the chuck.

Price and Productivity

For the purchase of the short ribs I had visited the St. Lawrence market. The specific cut of chuck short ribs was being sold for $ 14.99 per pound.

There was also another stall at which the same cut was being sold for a cheaper price which was at $ 12.99. After analysing it came to my notice that the reason for such difference in price for the same cut of beef being sold at the very same market was the quality of the product. The one which was listed at $ 14.99 had comparably lesser fat than that listed at $ 12.99. Generally, it would seem pointless for many to spend $ 2 dollars extra for the same cut of beef. But if we keep in consideration the quality of the product then the one which was listed at a cheaper price but contained more fat percentage would affect the quality of the dish if it was to be used for making clear stocks or jus. In order to get the final product it would require more time and work. Which means to get that perfect clear product it would require more skimming and longer time to get that result.

The short rib is one of the few parts of the beef which can have multiple uses. For example, along with the meat it can be used for making dishes such as braised short rib or barbequed ribs. Apart from that they can also be used for creating beef stock or even a flavourful jus.

 Preparation

Two of the most common methods of preparing short rib are braising (searing it to create the maillard reaction and then braising it in its stock and juices over medium heat for a long period of time), and stewing (adding liquid to any dish, bringing it to a boil and then cooking it on low simmer for long time).

Apart from these two basic methods, short ribs can also be prepared in several other ways. For example,

·       Smoking – oiled and marinated ribs smoked in a smoker at 225 degree Fahrenheit for at least 3 hours.

·       Steaming – this was a method which was used at Chinoiserie Chinese restaurant where I worked previously. In this method any tough protein (mostly red meat) was marinated with salt, crushed black pepper and baking soda and then cooked in a steamer on high steam for at least 1 ½ - 2 hours.

These methods are perfectly suitable for cooking short ribs as these are all slow cooking methods. Slow cooking methods take longer time and therefore, helps in tenderizing tough cuts of meat such as the short ribs.

 Recipe

Ingredients

·       Beef short ribs – 250 grams

·       Baking powder – 1 tablespoon

·       All purpose flour – 1 cup

·       Garlic minced – 2 cloves

·       Fresh red chilly (finely chopped) – 10 grams

·       Green onion leaf (chopped) – 20 grams

·       Light soya sauce – 1 tablespoon

·       Sesame oil – 1 teaspoon

·       Salt – ½ teaspoon

·       Crushed black pepper – a pinch

·       Cilantro(finely chopped) – 2 sprigs

 Method

·       Marinate the short ribs with flour and baking powder for 20 minutes.

·       After 20 minutes wash off the flour and baking powder from the ribs and drain of excessive water.

·       Add garlic, red chillies, green onions, light soya sauce, sesame oil, salt and crushed black pepper to the short ribs and marinate well.

·       Place short ribs into a deep dish or plate and transfer into a steamer.

·       Steam on high steam for at least 1 ½ - 2 hours.

·       Garnish with shopped cilantro and serve hot.

 Work cited:

·       Eatingrichly.com.

               N.p., 2020. Web.

               1 Feb. 2020.

·       "Smoked Beef Short Ribs -- The Ultimate Comfort Food."

                Vindulge. N.p., 2020.

                 Web. 1 Feb. 2020.

 ·       "Stewing." TheFreeDictionary.com.

                   N.p., 2020.

                   Web. 1 Feb. 2020.

[zoeygreensimblr]

Bad Blood (Episode 31)

Friday afternoon Angus is waiting out the front of the gym for us, dressed in shorts and singlet for the blazing hot day. I see a new addition to his body poking out from beneath his shorts.

"When did you get another tattoo?" I ask him

"about 2 months ago, I'd show it to you here but it kinda wraps around my thigh and ends on my ass" He tells me with a cheeky smile

"So Zoey's the only one who will most likely see the whole thing" Tess blurts out and I give her my most fiercest death stare, I told her that he made it clear to me that we are not getting back together, how he said I should move on.

"Let's go warm up" Angus orders us, ignoring Tess' comments. If his last break up is represented on him as birds being set free then how am I represented?

When our session is over Angus tells the others he has something to show me in his office, which just spurs Tess on that he's taking me in there to show me the whole tattoo when in reality he's showing off her art. He opens the door and all along the side wall is a beautiful mural, she painted the lighthouse from Brindleton Bay at one end and the city skyline of San Myshuno at the other end with the bay in between, stand near the foot of the lighthouse there a girl, looking across the bay at the city, she has brown hair and a red mini skirt with black top.

"That's me, she painted me on your wall" I exclaim

"This whole thing is you Zoey, I love it, she's amazing and I want her to paint more of them around the gym" He says

"You loved it even when you hated me?" I question him

"Princess I never hated you, I was hurt and angry but I never felt hate for you, I love you Zoey" He says taking me into his arms

"Do you love me enough to show me your tattoo?" I joke. He pulls back from me and looks me in the eye. Shit, I went too far, stupid Zoey.

"My door doesn't lock here but I will show you, when the time is right" He promises and I blush and put my head down, "And she blushes at the thought of seeing me naked" He teases me.

"I have to go, I've got work early tomorrow and we are going to Sulani in the afternoon, I have to go" I panic and run from the office, he chases after me, catching me before I reach the others.

"Zoey please don't leave, not like this, not when I'm not going to see you for a whole week and I'll be thinking you're never going to talk to me again because of some stupid joke"He pleads with me.

"Angus I'm not leaving you, we are still friends, I was leaving that situation" I tell him

"The situation?" He asks

"The flirting that's never going to go anywhere." I explain, "I will see again next Friday though when we come home"

"Can I call you while you're away?" He asks desperately

"Of course you can" I laugh, hugging him, "How else am I going to tell you about all the sexy island boys I meet?" I tease him

"You're still so cheeky my girl" He laughs, "Stay at my place tonight? I'll drive you home in the morning for work and I'll even help you pack" He begs me

"Only if we can have burgers from that street stall again?" I bargain

"Deal" He smiles at me, knowing he won

We walk to the food stalls and order burgers and fries, get our food and walk to the apartment. Angus opens the front door and does his usual throwing of his keys onto the bar, I can hear noises coming from upstairs, loud noises that sound like mating time at the zoo.

"Fuck" Angus says in frustration

"Imogen and Justin?" I ask

"Yep" He confirms, "Great, I'm guessing they're in the lounge room too which means we can't get up to my room or the dinning table"

"We could eat out in the garden?" I suggest

"I kinda wanna eat my dinner without the porno soundtrack of my sister and her boyfriend." He laughs

"We could go to my house?" I offer

"Ruth and Don would be cool with you and I sleeping in the same bed under their roof?" He asks

"Angus they love you and they know we sleep in the same bed, they're not clueless" I laugh

"OK, we go back to the food stalls and eat at the tables and then to your house" He says

We get back to my house to find Tess and Declan are in the basement watching a horror movie, Tess pauses it when we walk down the stairs

"Why are you here?" She questions us, considering an hour ago I was telling her I'm staying over at Angus' for the night

"Imogen and Justin were getting it on in the lounge room so we left" I explain

"That's hot" Declan blurts out, copping him a poke in the ribs from Tess

"We just started this movie, come watch it with us" Tess says and we take a seat on the other lounge.

I hate horror movies, they make me jumpy and the really scary ones keep me awake after watching them, Tess on the other hand gets a kick out of them, she loves watching me jump.

"Lay down with me Princess, I'll protect you when it gets scary" Angus says and I lay on the couch with his arms wrapped around me.

"Why do they always throw in a sex scene in horror movies?" I question as we see the two main characters getting hot and steamy, "It's not romantic and one of them is usually the killer or they die so there's no point"

"But it's so hot to watch" Declan muses, grabbing Tess and pulling her in for a kiss.

"I'm with Zoey on this, if you're being hunted by a maniac killer you're not really going to be thinking about getting it on, you're going to be finding the safest place to hide or a weapon" Tess explains

"If i knew my days were numbered I'd be taking every opportunity I could to get it on" Angus tells her

"Says the boy who hasn't had sex in almost 4 months" Tess laughs at him and he throws a cushion at her, I turn myself around on the couch so I can look at him and smile.

"See Zoey? No one else" He confirms, kissing my forehead.

"Can you two just get back together already?" Tess yells at us and I turn back around to glare at her, my sister really has no filter, she just says whatever pops into her head regardless of who she offends, I ignore her comment and turn back to Angus

"Wanna go sit by the water on the docks?" I ask him

"I'd love that" he replies

"I'm sorry about Tess" I apologise for my sisters behaviour,  as we dangle our legs over the docks and watch the sunsetting, "She just loves to stir me up"

"That wasn't about stirring you Zoey, she's angry at me after Tuesday night and is being protective of you" He explains, hanging his head low.

"Which is my fault because I told her what happened" I say, feeling guilty that he's in the firing line of Tess

"You know how you said you felt like there were three people in our relationship? I felt that way too and never said anything but for me the third person wasn't Steph, it was Tess. I felt like we had to run every thing by her and get her permission, we even had to get her approval to have sex" He exclaims and the guilt builds in me

"She's my best friend Angus and my twin sister, she just doesn't want to see me get hurt" I cry

"I know but there comes a point when she needs to back off a bit and give me some breathing room because between her and Imogen I'm feeling a lot of pressure" He says angrily

"Pressure to do what?" I ask confused

"To jump back into a relationship with you, every time I'm with you they both feel this need to push it and when I say I can't then I'm the bad guy who is breaking the heart of the most beautiful girl" He says with shame on his face.

"I'll stop talking to Tess about us" I promise

"Oh Zoey no, you need to have someone you can confide in and I don't want to be that person who drives a wedge between you and your sister" He comforts me

"Then I don't know what to do because if I tell her anything about us then she will be involved but if I don't tell her then I'm keeping a secret from my sister" I feel caught in the middle

"I'm the problem here Zoey, I'm the person who is causing all this drama all because I'm in love with a girl I can't bring myself to be with out of fear. I should just walk away, you're life would be easier then" He says, standing up to leave

"My life wouldn't be easier without you, who would take me dancing and to trampoline parks? And who would I make fun of for their lack of cooking skills?" I laugh, tugging at his hand to sit back down and gives in and sits, "You're my best friend Angus, I've shared more with you than any one else I've ever known. I'll talk to Tess and get her to back off. No more pressure." I smile at him and he smiles back.

"I wouldn't really be able to walk away anyway, I'd miss you too much" He tells me

"Angus and Zoey friend rule number one, neither one of us is allowed to walk away from the other ever again, it just causes heartache and we are ultimately hurting ourselves. Rule number two, we block out pressure from others and just enjoy being friends" I tell him, setting our boundaries.

"Rule number three, no more secrets, ever again, I will tell you everything and we will talk it through" He promises

"Rule number four, Steph is part of our lives, she is your friend and I accept that" I continue

"She's your friend too now Zoey" He reminds me

We walk back up to my house and find Tess, alone in the kitchen making toast.

"I'm sorry about my comment" She apologises to Angus and he nods, "I just don't want to see Zoey get strung along like she did on Tuesday night"

"Tess I need to feel that I can trust you when I confide in you and that you're not going to use it against Angus" I yell at her

"Zoey open your fucking eyes, he keeps telling you that he doesn't want to be with you, that you need to move on yet he won't let that happen, not while he's hugging you and calling you cutesy names and asking you to sleep over." Tess fires back at me before turning to Angus, "What happens when she starts going on dates with other boys and she realises they're not assholes who punish her for their own wrong doings? You kept secrets Angus and you're acting like she's the worst person in the world because she didn't want to be lied to anymore, you fucked up the best relationship you will ever have and you did that all on your own but you're a coward who wants to share the blame with her. I've bitten my tongue long enough and I'm tired of it. You had 3 months to come and explain to her what was going on, 3 fucking months and I spent that time picking Zoey up off the floor. You're either in or you're out, there's no in-between." Tess screams at Angus before grabbing her toast and storming off to her room.

Angus turns to look at me, his face is full of anger and his breathing is rapid.

"I'll see you at training on Friday Zoey" He says coldly and he walks out of my house, slamming the door behind him

[anachef]

Menu Updates At Disney World’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts (Including a NEW Shipwreck Burger!)

The Yacht and Beach Club Resorts have so much to offer for the Disney Food Fan from ice cream sundaes and casual eats to a steakhouse! We’ve got all the menu updates for these two resorts here!

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

What’s New at Hurricane Hanna’s at Disney World’s Stormalong Bay Pool

Stormalong Bay stalwart Hurricane Hanna’s has had a recent menu update and we couldn’t wait to share it with you!

Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar & Grill

Hurricane Hanna’s Menu

Here’s what you’ll now find here! 

A new Shipwreck Angus Bacon Cheeseburger featuring ground short rib, brisket, and fried shrimp with cajun remoulade sauce (we’ll have a review for you SOON!)

Waffle Fries have replaced regular fries

Hanna’s Bacon Angus Cheeseburger come with barbecue sauce instead of steak sauce

Grilled Chicken Sandwich is served on a pretzel roll with cheddar and mustard instead of being served with arugula and sun-dried tomato goat cheese

Grilled Vegetable and Quinoa Wrap comes with basil aioli instead of goat cheese

Hurricane Hanna’s Turkey Salad comes with shredded cheddar instead of monterey jack cheese

Hurricane Hanna’s Menu

With most menu changes we wind up saying goodbye to removed items, and at Hurricane Hanna’s the Chopped Field Greens Salad, Vegetarian Falafel Flatbread, and Chef Salad have been removed from the menu.

We also spotted some changes to the drinks menu as well.

Sunshine Margarita has replaced the Grand Margarita

Bourbon Breeze replaced the Bourbon and Strawberry Sour

Cucumber and Mint Vojito is new to the menu

Poolside Iced Tea replaced the Big Island Iced Tea

Hurricane Hanna’s Menu

Hurricane Hanna’s Menu

When you are relaxing at Hurricane Hanna’s do you have a go-to drink? Is it still on the menu? Let us know in the comments below!

Hurricane Hanna’s Menu

What’s New in the Beach Club Marketplace and Yacht Club’s Market at Ale and Compass

The Beach Club Marketplace and The Market at Ale and Compass have some fun cupcakes with character. Minnie has a Pink Velvet Cupcake, and the rest of the gang is also represented.

Minnie Pink Velvet Cupcake

Mickey has a Vanilla Cupcake that represents his yellow shoes quite well with all of that yellow frosting!

Mickey Vanilla Cupcake

Mickey Vanilla Cupcake

The Goofy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcake was found in the Beach Club Marketplace (and has actually replaced the previous chocolate peanut butter cupcake in this location) on our visit, but was not found in the Yacht Club Market.

Goofy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcake

Goofy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcake

We found the Mickey-topped Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake in both the Beach Club Marketplace and The Market at Ale and Compass. Which character treat will you choose?

Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake

Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake

Not to be left out of the Purple Takeover of Disney, these two locations are offering a Purple Potion Black Raspberry Lemon Tart — and it is wearing the Purple Potion Minnie Ears!

Black Raspberry Lemon Tart

Black Raspberry Lemon Tart

What’s New at The Yacht and Beach Clubs’ Beaches & Cream Restaurant

As we prepare to say goodbye to Beaches & Cream for a few months this August while it undergoes refurbishments we can drown our sorrows in a Minnie-style Mini Kitchen Sink Sundae. Yep, those cute Minnie Kitchen Sink bowls are at Beaches & Cream and the Magic Kingdom now!

Minnie Kitchen Sink Sundae Bowls

Minnie Kitchen Sink Sundae

The Beaches & Cream Over-the-Top Milkshakes were unavailable the day we visited since the souvenir cups they are served in were out of stock. The cast member we spoke with was uncertain on when the shakes will be back on the menu.

Beaches and Cream Shakes

What’s New at The Yacht Club’s Crew’s Cup Lounge and Yachtsman Steakhouse

Crew’s Cup Lounge has seen some changes to their menu recently. You can now enjoy Prime Rib Sliders, a Captain’s Platter, or Lobster Bisque in a Bread Bowl as additions to the appetizer options.

If you’re looking for an entree, the Bell & Evans Chicken and Herb Marinated Skirt Steak have been added to the menu as well.

Crew’s Cup Lounge

Recent updates to the menu at Yachtsman Steakhouse include some new appetizers, sides, and entrees. You’ll now find a Prime Beef Raviolo as an appetizer.

Yachtsman Steakhouse Menu

New entrees include a Beef Short Rib Wellington and Black Grouper. When choosing side dishes you now have two new side options, Brussels and Bacon, and Parisienne Gnocchi.

Yachtsman Steakhouse Menu

Do you have a favorite Yacht or Beach Club restaurant? Let us know in the comments below!

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

Check out our video 20 Hidden Secrets in Walt Disney World Resorts — including some from the Yacht and Beach Clubs! When you’re done – check out all of our Videos on You Tube!

Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!

The 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is now available!

With more than 750 pages, the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs!

With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2019 to save 25% today!

Use code WDW2019 at check-out for a 25% off the cover price!

Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose.

Related posts:

News: Disney World Testing Smart Speakers in Guest Rooms at Yacht and Beach Club Resorts

Disney World’s Beach Club Resort Debuts Premium Coffee Bar

Is Disney World’s Beaches and Cream Still Worth The Reservation?

from the disney food blog http://bit.ly/2V4ysKP via http://bit.ly/LNvO3e

[andyangus]

Wednesday 10th February

Recognisable faces paraded before me, worn down by a tumultuous decade of drink and drugs in search of ‘the one’. They hovered above the youth of today expectantly. And when I say youth, I do mean youth.

‘How old are some of these kids?’ I asked Ryan as he returned from CC’s bar.

‘It’s the knock-on effect from the equalisation of the age of consent, my friend. This place can seem like a damn Tolkien novel sometimes. Out of my way hobbits!’ he nipped as he pushed past a group of teenagers to gain the perfect vantage point of the dance floor.

I can’t really blame the boys and girls for feeling free and liberated by the change in the law, it’s what we fought for after all. Thanks to this, there’s a now a pile of support available that wasn’t when I came out. And it allows sexual health education more freedom too. I just wish they didn’t make me feel so ancient.

‘Some things have changed for the better though,’ added Tony, who had just elbowed a guy in the ribs to get through the crowd. ‘The lesbians have got prettier.’

‘Who’s the drag on the pole?’ I asked, pointing towards three pole-dancers on podiums. Two fit lads wearing nothing but white pants and boots cavorted and contorted either side of a girl kitted out in a black corset and fishnets as she moved slickly to Mein Herr from Cabaret.

Ryan laughed, almost choking on his pint, ‘That isn’t a drag queen. That is Ms Sally Knowles, all-round entertainer and close friend of Miss Molasses Brown. A bit of an enigma, if you ask me. Appeared on the scene a few years ago. She causes quite a stir with her performances.

‘Even though she’s obviously getting on a bit, the poor thing,’ chirped in Tony.

Ryan continued, ‘The jury’s still out if she swings both ways or is just a boring straight. She doesn’t give much away, but the girls and boys love her, and she most definitely is a she! Just wait and see, she’ll be popping her tits out soon enough for you. One of those new girls that do a stint of fake drag, which takes some balls, if you ask me. You’ll meet the biggest fag hag in town sooner or later if you take the job at the café.’

‘She waits on tables there to subsidise her waning career,’ added Tony, as if he’d just swallowed vinegar.

Her toned frame glistened with beads of sweat as the lights reflected on her mocha coloured skin. Slight in frame, she sported a black bobbed wig, wide eyes caked in thick dark makeup, and knee-high, kinky boots that Emma Peel would be proud of. I watched her routine, mesmerised by her total command of the crowd and flexibility, ignoring the muscular boys next to her. Within minutes, the show was over, and she was gone. I thought it was a damn fine performance and suspect Tony is a tad envious. Even so, could I really work in a place that employs a stripper? What kind of establishment would do that? A place that isn’t as boring as a corner shop, I imagine. You know what? I think I really could.

Beer after beer, cocktail after cocktail: the night danced on. Before long, I lost myself in the entity of the seething masses while alcohol coursed through my blood and detached my brain from the complications in life, sliding me towards the dawn through a smoky haze and the rhythm of the night.

Sheer bliss.

******

Later, after at least ten selfies in which I looked consistently drunk, we returned home hungrily forking our chips and buzzing from a great night. Ryan suggested taking a walk after Tony decided to head to bed. I figured that an early morning stroll would be just the tonic. I needed to sober up a little. So, at 4 a.m., we climbed Calton Hill and gazed down on Edinburgh as she ebbed and flowed. As any city, she’s a feisty creature that sings her own lullaby but is never able to fall asleep. Ryan chose to sit on the north edge of the hill and asked, ‘Do you remember when we’d come up here together at the end of the night if neither of us had pulled?’

‘I remember. Which was pretty often, as we rarely pulled,’ I laughed.

‘I didn’t mind,’ he said. He turned to face me and smiled that beautiful toothy grin. He held my gaze and bit his lower lip. It was as if he’d rattled some old emotions and was fighting to keep them boxed in. He looked away. ‘I sometimes forfeited a shag just to come up here with you. I needed our time together. There’s a stillness about you, Mr, that I’ve always loved. Your calmness at the end of the night helped me wind down.’

‘Thanks. That calmness didn’t stop Steve pulling every single night,’ I joked. I sat next to him, the ground was cold and damp, but that didn’t bother me now we were alone again.

‘No, it didn’t. But then, there were nights he’d take anything.’

We chuckled and then went quiet for a time. In our own thoughts. Faint traffic could be heard making its way down Leith Walk. The occasional ladette’s drunken yelps echoed through the night as the amber lamps twinkled along the streets. Lights of the tenements on Leith Walk randomly glimmered into life for a short time and then died. Below our feet, just along the steps, the last pieces of trade wandered up and down the gravel steps in the safe anonymity of darkness, occasionally stopping to inspect a possible opportunity or to rest against the wall and wait on something better coming along.

‘Cruising doesn’t turn me on,’ I interjected. ‘I like the chase. The intimacy and sheer bliss of unhurried sex in the comfort of a potential lover’s home. Learning who they are by scanning their CD collection and bookshelves. Where’s the fun in cruising?’

‘But cruising’s a part of life that’s always existed. It demands to be included.’

‘True,’ I agreed. And here it was, keeping our feet firmly on the grit and dirt of this fairytale city. ‘Steve never had a problem with it.’

‘Totally!’ nodded Ryan. ‘Brazen hussy, that he was.’ We laughed, and then he asked, ‘Hey, do you remember, when he was really drunk, he’d shout loud over the dance floor, “Ryan! Andy! I just want ma’ hole! Is that too much to ask? I want ma’ hole!” ?’

I cringed, ‘Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. Bloody outrageous.’

‘Totally inappropriate,’ agreed Ryan.

‘And he’d leave us high and dry if an opportunity caught his eye. Do you know, he once left me on a train to Glasgow?

‘No way!’

Yes, way! We were heading for a night out. He buggered off to shag a ticket collector in the station toilets? There I was, doors closed, train moving, thinking he’d just nipped to the loo in the carriage, and I only realised when I was well out of the city. I got off at Croy and turned about. I was the only queen at Croy. In a bloody glittery Kylie tee-shirt, damn it.’

‘He was a selfish idiot at times, but great fun.’

We burst out laughing. A guy called from the steps, ‘Hey! Keep the noise down! Some of us are trying to get some down here.’

‘Sorry!’ we called back, toning down to a giggle. We fell silent and huddled together to keep warm. Ryan rested his lovely head on mine. It was perfection. We didn’t really need to talk about the gap years, we just needed to start again – a second chance. I’m bloody thankful for that. Sat there with him, watching tiny lives stumbling around before dawn. Stumbling through life like the rest of us. Getting up and going at it again, just as Ryan and I could. It felt like it was us against the world once more. I basked in the tranquillity of the moment. A little pocket of time and space just for us. Ships sailed quietly on the Firth of Forth as lighthouses pulsated their reassuring beacons. The water melded with the star-speckled sky. So much darkness and yet, reassuringly, tiny glimmers of hope, guiding us safely through the dark.

‘Look at this,’ he said. ‘Where in the world do you get all of this? A city, with a castle, built on a volcano, with bridges buried under buildings, with a loch that’s now a park, and a palace, and all sitting on this gorgeous coastline. It’s a sort of fairytale.’ A rush of pride came over me, and I nodded in agreement. I felt his hand grip my arm through the thickness of my coat as he pulled me even closer. His eyes were steadfast. ‘Come back,’ he whispered.

Forget the dancing, the men, the city … that was all I really needed. With two little words, he’d managed to turn back time.