Community

DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend comes from an abusive background. He has experienced a lot of terrible things, such as sexual, physical and mental abuse.

The final weeks of winter, and even the first few weeks of spring, are still chilly in many parts of the world.

When I moved from my parents' home to begin my life as a young adult, I made sure I sat down with my mother and recorded signature recipes from her kitchen that had been a constant part of our family's weekly meals. One was this simple casserole that still brings back such wonderful memories. Daddy had a customer that paid his bill each month with pork from his processing plant. I'm sure that sounds strange in today's world, but it is a pure reflection of the wonderful businessman my daddy was. And because my mom is a master at not only stretching a dollar but making every penny count, she developed recipes that were cost-effective yet tasty and filling. This Sausage Casserole is exactly that and has become not only a lasting tribute to my parents, but a favorite of my husband as well.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend won’t stop making comments about my weight gain. I know that I’ve gained weight. I’m probably about 20 pounds heavier since the start of the pandemic, but I’m taking the necessary steps to lose the weight now. Even when I feel a bit healthier and smaller, she will still find a way to sneak in an uncalled-for remark. She’s someone who has always been on the thinner side, so she has no perception of how hurtful those comments can be. Even when she means her comments as compliments, they make me uncomfortable and insecure for the rest of the day. I’m growing to resent her. Do you think it’s worth addressing, or should I cut her off ? My other friends think I need to kick her to the curb, but I’m unsure.