Another Christmas has come and gone, woohoo.  Lisa's sister didn't have her traditional Christmas Eve get together so the Glue decide to have a Christmas Eve Day get together.  I really liked having it in the afternoon instead of evening.  It was really enjoyable and fellow bocce champions Fred and Cathy stayed around after everyone had left which was real nice. 
We had our traditional Christmas breakfast which was also real nice.  Joe didn't show up for the breakfast but dropped in later so we got to see both kids and the grandtwins.
2020 is also drawing to a close.  2021 may not be any better but I'm ready for 2020 to be over.  I started off the year with a weeks work of the hershey squirts which was a harbinger of things to come.  I hurt my back and was down for two months with about a month of it spent practically bedridden.  While this was going on the covid-19 thing hit and changed everyones way of life.  Plus people started hording things such as TP, cleaners and some food products, stupid stupid stupid.  Our son also tested positive for it and while he only felt bad a day or so it was very worrisome.  Our Packer buddy Chuck also got it and he had it bad, he's finally getting somewhat back to normal.  Bocce was shutdown for most of the year and the one season we got to played wasn't as fun as before. 
In spite of the shut down we were able to try out several new places.  A few standouts included: Blue Fish, Feedmill, Riverhouse, Pheasant Hollow, Eagles Nest and Dew Drop Inn.  There were many other really good places we tried out and very few clunkers.  Several places we only had a beer and want to go back and eat there.  We also got to visit several of our long time favorites.
Additional our son found a place like he'd been wanting for a few years.  The twins are walking and talking a lot better. 
Not everything was bad in 2020 but overall it's been a dud.  One week to 2021.

On Friday we went back to the Freedom Bar to pick up some stuff that the Glue had won in a raffle.  After we left we went on a little drive then stopped in at Taqueria Pequena in Cobden and picked up some tamales to bring home.  Next we stopped at Old Route 51 BBQ and picked up some of their chili also to bring home.  While we were there the owner noticed us and stopped to talk which he always seems to do.  He's a really nice guy who does BBQ right but it's tough enough not having indoor dining there but with all the crap going on he may have a tough time staying open through the winter.
The tamales were disappointing.  It would have helped if they were hot but they seemed to be mainly masa and little filling.  Once again I liked a lot about the chili but the heat level was too high for me.  Chili needs to have some heat but this was too much at this point in my life.  I did manage to eat the whole bowl and was really worried about fiery butthole syndrome the next day but it stayed away.  The Glue is more of a chili fan than I am and she really didn't care for it.  She said it was ok but wasn't chili.
The next day I made pulled pork for the Packer game.  I got it on a little before 6am and cooked it at 225.  I also put on a pork hock we'd got at Big Muddy Hogs to put some smoke flavor in it.  I won't know how the hock turned out until we make ham and beans on New Years Day.  I basted the butt with Whickers once the rub set up.  Later I basted it with a mixture of Whickers and fresh pineapple juice.  Once it got to the color and an internal temp of 160ish I put it in an aluminum pan and poured the remaining Whickers/pineapple juice on top.  I also added a can of pineapple juice in the pan and covered it.  Later I had to up the temp to 250, then to 300 and finally 350 to get it done in the time frame I wanted.  It finally got close to an internal temp of 200 and I took it off the grill.  I took it out of the pan and let it rest for about a half hour.  I tried a little sample and I was very optimistic.  Once a pulled it I was shocked.  It was very good and moist.  Hope I can duplicate in the future.

Yesterday the twin terrors decided they want BBQ so we decided to pick up Kilby's.  We hadn't been in a while because we worried about getting burned out on it.  Always nice to talk to my old teammate/classmate Ronnie while I was there even if it was only briefly.  The twins got a regular BBQ and Brinley got fries.  The Glue got a plain BBQ with hot sauce on the side and I got a cuban.  The twins didn't each much for some reason that only they know.  The Glue's BBQ was big and it's always good.  My cuban was beyond big and it's always on point but cutting it in half is a must to make it easier to eat.  The Glue also picked up a bowl of chili and after looking at it she said she was probably one and done with it since it had a lot beans and was chunky but after trying it she said it was good and she'd get it again.

This past Thursday we went to T Street Pub in Christopher to try their fried chicken.  T Street is one of our favorite place and they only have the fried chicken on Thursdays.  Our plan was to split the four piece option with all white pieces.  When we got there they said they no longer do all white which sucks.  We each got a four piece with mashed potatoes and gravy and a  salad with house dressing.  They still had Sam Adams Octoberfest on draft so we each got a large mug of it.
The salads are so big we got a to go box for one of them and split the other.  It's also very good and so is the house dressing.  The fried chicken is great.  With the exception of Lisa's in Prairie du Rocher and possibly Broadway Grille in Sparta the fried chicken is the best around.  The mashed potatoes and gravy were solid but there's rarely and bad mashed potatoes or any that stand out.
The day before we went to Quatros because I had a $5 off coupon that was expiring.  We haven't been to Quatros as much as in the past because of no inside dining and I was getting a little burned out on it.  As always though when I have it the pizza is great.

 On Friday we had some errands to run and then went to Joe's Pizza in Herrin.  We went totally off the reservation and opted to split a sandwich and a salad.  We got the italian sandwich and italian salad with the house creamy italian dressing.  The sandwich was on a ciabiatta bun and was good and plenty big.  The salad was excellent and was also a big serving.  Of course we got it with no olives since I can't stand them.
On the way back we went by Big Muddy Hogs to pick up a few things.  They didn't have to cold smoke salami we like but I picked up some rub that I really like from Flying Swine.  We also picked up some salami from Sugar Creek.  They had a hot one that The Glue went for while I got regular.  We really need to take the grandtwins up there to see the hogs there.
I'd noticed a beer sign last time we were through Hurst so we stopped in to the Freedom Bar.  As we walked in I asked a guy up front if they smoked and he said he thought so but there was a chorus of no's from the back so we gave it a try.  When we sat down I looked over and there was a guy smoking.  I told the bartender they lied to us and she said they only do while the shutdown is in place.  I'm not sure I really believe her but she said she would have everyone stop if we wanted.  We were only going to have one so we said not to worry about it.  It's a nice small time hole in the wall type bar and had a decent amount of people for an afternoon.  The bartender brought a menu for us to check out.  It had a lot more items than I thought it would but doubt we go back because of the smoke.

Yesterday the Glue announced that she'd cooked every day this week and she was done.  As happens way too often I was thinking about going somewhere too.  I noticed that Broadway Grille had opened up again so we decided to go there.
I had cajun in mind while the Glue had fried chicken.  We decided to share etouffee and chicken wings since she normally just eats the wings anyway.  She wanted breaded wings but when they arrived they appeared to be naked, regardless they were on point and very good.  The etouffee was also outstanding and the cornbread that comes with it was good too.  They don't have drafts anymore but they had cold glasses and the Amberbock tasted great.
After we were done we had a nice conversation with what appeared to be the owner or his wife.  She was very nice and like everyone frustrated with the restaurant shut downs.
On the way home I spotted a beer sign in Percy so we checked it out.  It was called the Hideaway and when we walked I asked the bar tender if they were open.  He said they were and they weren't but they were and it was word of mouth to avoid anyone really noticing. The bartender was nice and easy to talk to and we had a several subjects in common.  No drafts there but once again the glasses were cold and the Busch tasted great.

In the past we've gone to Quatros the day before Thanksgiving but with it being carryout only we went to the Landmark instead.  They had an Irish Red on tap so we both got one of those and later got a growler of it to take home.  We split a bacon sandwich with chips and the Glue got a bowl of potato soup.  The bacon sandwich was real good and the chips were good too.  The Glue said her soup was good but she should have got a cup instead of a bowl.
Sunday was my birthday and also the Packers-bears game so we went out on Saturday for my birthday.  I decided on pizza but wanted something that we haven't had much.  I ended up deciding on Tower Square but wanted a hand tossed instead of the Chicago style we normally get there.  We got pepperoni, italian sausage and mushrooms.  I thought the pizza really hit the spot but the Glue was underwhelmed. 
Sunday we had our normal brats for the Packer-bear game and they were great.  The Packers made my birthday complete with a beat down of the bears.  It's probably the best game they've played all season.  Go Pack Go.