multi-colored scarf

I can't wait for my hair to grow and braid a multi-colored long scarf into my hair --- just like the girl above.

What do you think?

Miss E, your hair is long enough... why don't you see how it is =))) I think it'll look pretty - no?

*just a thought =)

recent Culinary Highlights

As my taster said, "these things had to be tasted to be believed. A chef can sometimes unwittingly create jaw-dropping versions of well-known standards and this was one of those times."

1) Arugula, carrots, red bell peppers, sliced pear, topped with Parmesan. Dressed in my own artisanal vinaigrette.

2) I have been craving this for ages.

Tuna Melt in toasted multi grain bread.

Ingredients: Wild caught, hand-packed, dolphin safe yellowfin tuna, balsamic vinegar, dill pickle (but I used chopped French Cornichons), mayonnaise, and old style dijon mustard. The original recipe [that I found online] called for shredded sharp cheddar cheese; I used sliced sharp cheddar cheese and pepper jack.

3) Allura's Asian Stir Fry --- small florets of Broccoli and firm tofu, stir fried in garlic chili oil.

4) Orzo, Asparagus, and Black Winter Truffle Butter.

This was heavenly.

The slightly sweet crunch of fresh asparagus. A hint of smokey black truffle. Mixed with al dente Orzo, topped with creamy parmesan and salty Pecorino.

Bon appetite!

Appalachian Trail with Bryson and Katz

Mikey-Ike recommended this book.

Quite a surprise. I think you'll like this one. It's non-fiction.

It's a about a man who sort of hiked the Appalachian Trail, which is approximately 2,178 miles, extending from Georgia to Maine.

This book will give you a nice taste of "America".

Nicely written, and it made me laugh out loud quite a few times.

Highly recommend this book.

I'm looking into his other books...

Hemingway

“That night at the hotel, in our room with the long empty hall outside and our shoes outside the door, a thick carpet on the floor of the room, outside the windows the rain falling and in the room light and pleasant and cheerful, then the light out and it exciting with smooth sheets and the bed comfortable, feeling that we had come home, feeling no longer alone, waking in the night to the other one there, and not gone away; all other things were unreal. We slept when we were tired and if we woke the other woke too so one was not alone. Often a man wishes to be alone and a girl wishes to be alone too and if they love each other they are jealous of that in each, but I can truly say we never felt that. We could feel alone when we were together, alone against the others. It has only happened to me like that once. I have been alone while I was with many girls and that is the way that you can be most lonely. But we were never lonely and never afraid when we were together. I know that the night is not the same as the day: that all the things are different, that the things of the night cannot be explained in the day, because they do not then exist, and the night can be dreadful time for lonely people once their loneliness has started. But with Catherine there was almost no difference in the night except that it was an even better time. If people bring so much courage to this world the world has to kill them to break them, so of course it kills them. The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry.”

--- A Farewell to Arms (by: Ernest Hemingway)

I almost gave up on this book. Good thing I didn't; it was one of those books you'll never forget.

An amazing story, even if the characters are a bit old world.

Ernest Hemingway never disappoints.

Old legs, new flowers and an aching throat.

After some compulsory yogic bending and surfing this morning
I finally made my way to the house and just died on the couch.
Three hours later I wake up still the same me but with a bleeding
ache in my throat. Fine I thought while pressing some lemons,
here you go you little mean bug you have no idea who you are
messing with. Then i shadow boxed a little while downing the
stuff followed by some pain killers.
And yeah after about half a day I still have a funny feeling throat
but at least I was able to show you my new garden and some new
shoes I bought for very little money the other day.


What I am trying to show here is my ever growing
lions mane filled with lovely sea salt crystals.
Possible fail.

Then the shoes. How good? Goldilocks needs her goldie shoes.




My garden! I am ever so proud of my green babies.

And here a little Friday hello before I head out
for some curing in the form of an Irish coffee.

Love,
E

Moving house.

I am currently moving house. To a very nice one.
It is not only about moving to a better neighbourhood
but actually moving from a tiny beach flat
to a real house.
It feels incredible!
All this space. Light.
And quietness.

Sometimes I wake up at night
and the silence makes me
miss the highway.

Love, E

Image source unknown. Please tell me if it is yours.

Insatiable cravings --- cake run!

When Mikey-ike arrived, he told me about this particular cake.

As he was describing it to me, I was salivating and my head was screaming, "I want it now!"

I grabbed my canvas bag and off I went.

I only had 15 mins left before our grocery store closed.

I walked fast.

When I got to there, I immediately went straight to the pastry case.

I asked for it and I didn't care if it wasn't perfect (the side of the cake was brushed off, just a little bit).

I took the cake.

Just to make sure, I checked my bag if my wallet was in it...

... wah! Wallet? NOT inside! =/// Major headache coming on...

I looked at my phone, and I only had about 8 mins left, before they closed.

I thought for a sec.. and I decided that I could make it.

So, I ran and ran --- 8 sets of stairs!

I was huffing and puffing by the time I reached the apt.

I grabbed my bloody wallet and ran back to the store.

Running back to the store was much easier, but still... all for a cake?!

And to top it all off, at the same time, I was having major cramps...

But victory was MINE! I got there just in time! Lol!

Still had 3 mins left!

Phew!

Here is my PRIZE...

Once a month I have these mad cravings.

This time, it was this Strawberry Chiffon Cake.

I was huffing and puffing just to get a taste of this goodness.

Light, creamy icing--not-too-sweet.

White chiffon cake--airy but moist.

Fresh strawberries---sweet and succulent.

I patted myself on the back for my efforts and ate my cake.

It was worth it (until my next craving).

My pile of books and I : the February edition.

This months book for the book club is The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. It is my pick for the month and I just wanted the club to continue with classics for a bit. I just chose something that I had heard much about but never read myself. I have not started on it yet though. Must scramble though this pile a bit first.
Lot's of Murakami (I am trapped) and some old favorites mixed with something new like the Guernsey Potato Peel Society. Oh and a heap of interior design magazines as we are just about to move house. And into a real house! Not a flat or a rundown unit but a house. With four whole rooms to fill with finds and love. Can't wait.
Love, E