I'm glad the memorial was good, David.

And congrats on the Art Nouveau piece. If it had been closer to me, I would have nabbed it and been in a similar "where do I put this now" situation. So I'm glad it went to a good home.

I'm glad Tim will be home soon, Steph.

I tried making pumpkin bread yesterday to serve to a friend who hates cloves and allspice (notable components of pumpkin pie spice mixes), and therefore misses out on many things pumpkin. It was ok, but I can definitely see why cloves are usually used. I think if I try it again, I'll up the ginger more and maybe the mace. Anyway, my friend loved it—ate 1/3 of the loaf and took a ginormous piece to go.

I tried making pumpkin bread yesterday to serve to a friend who hates cloves and allspice (notable components of pumpkin pie spice mixes), and therefore misses out on many things pumpkin. It was ok, but I can definitely see why cloves are usually used. I think if I try it again, I'll up the ginger more and maybe the mace. Anyway, my friend loved it—ate 1/3 of the loaf and took a ginormous piece to go.

I like cloves in pumpkin pie, but it hits kind of weird in pumpkin bread. When I make pumpkin bread I use cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. I should try mace, too.

Tep, I'm glad Tim will be coming home soon (if he's not home already). Fingers crossed for an easy recuperation for both of you.

Hec, I'm so sorry about your friend.

Much love to everyone.

I like cloves in pumpkin pie, but it hits kind of weird in pumpkin bread. When I make pumpkin bread I use cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. I should try mace, too.

I find cardamom gives a hint of the deeper note that cloves provide - combining cardamom and allspice or mace works really well in pumpkin cookies.

Cardamom + pumpkin = yum. A little black pepper is nice, as well.

Tim's chest x-ray looks good and the chest tube has been removed!

Right the fuck on, Tim's Chest Cavity!

All the beautiful home for you -ma, amyparker.

Mmmm, I do like pumpkin bread. I might prefer zucchini bread, and I had a great recipe I patched together myself that used olive oil and lots of fresh thyme and lemon zest. But not really baking these days.

I put some pix up of Matilda and her beau at Homecoming at the Buffista FB page. Very cute.

Tim asked for another chest x-ray now that the chest tube is out, because he’s having a little shortness of breath. Everything is almost certainly fine, but it’s better to check while he’s still here. So we’re waiting on that and he’s softly snoring in the recliner. Fingers crossed that it’s all good.

Tim asked for another chest x-ray now that the chest tube is out, because he’s having a little shortness of breath.

Feel something, say something. Good job, Tim!

Yep, let's confirm everything is fine!

Here's hoping it's a nothing-to-worry-about aftereffect and not anything to be concerned about, Steph.

Mom and I got to Las Vegas okay if flustered, found a very helpful cabbie to get us to the resort, loafed around the grounds and the pool yesterday and met family for a nice breakfast and dinner. In a few we're headed off to Red Rock Canyon for the wedding ceremony. Fingers crossed she feels rested and recovered enough to fully enjoy the occasion.

Everything checked out okay, and now we’re waiting for the discharge papers and to get his IV out.