THE LAST MEAL

The fire has been summoned. The year goes up in ashes.

Last Meal is a personal holy day. And this year we went out in style.

The back of the grill was set up with wet sticks of black walnut and Italian prune, as well as a few sprigs of cedar, to get some smoke into the meat. The fire was provided by charcoal briquets and cowboy charcoal.

The Last Meal for Troy's Work Table: steak that was simultaneously smoked and grilled, seasoned with alder wood smoked sea salt, and then served with a cranberry-rosemary reduction sauce. Heavenly! Paired with Brouwerij St. Bernardus Abt 12 Quadrupel Ale, which was likewise spectacular.

The Last Meal for The Wife: massive legs of Alaskan king crab.

The Last Meal for The Child: homemade carrots-and-peas, pasta-and-cheese "casserole."

Then we played games of Poetry for Neanderthals, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, and Qwixx.

Nine o'clock New Year was observed.

Then albums were spun on the old turntable.

Farewell to 2020!