#and last christmas was kind of eggy for me

[scifrey]

you requested more Keepsakes prompts, and I have to say, I LOVE the way you write Eleanor. perhaps some little scene from her married life with Hob? general domestic bliss? or something less blissful, like getting into their first bad argument and figuring out how to deal with it?

alternatively, Hob and Morpheus go on holiday and Morph is very bad at taking vacations...

xo @hardly-an-escape

Oooooooooh. What an excellent prompt. Thank you!

Keepsakes: A Kissing Bough

Fandom: The Sandman Series: Hob Adherent Series Rating: Slightly Spicy. Please curate your experience accordingly. Pairing: Hob/Eleanor

Hob and his wife have been charged with finishing the decorations before Christmas Morning and the start of the Twelvetide celebrations.

Eleanor's parents call her 'Nell' at home. It is a common enough diminutive for Eleanor, as common as 'Hob' had been in the mid 1400s, when it seemed that every Robert he met went by it.

The problem is, Hob didn't know that was her nickname. They'd been married eleven months, and he'd been calling her 'El' the whole time.

But how was he to know? The Giffords only ever called her Eleanor in public, and called him the full 'Sir Gadlen' or, 'my son-in-law', even after his marrying into the family.

No friendly "Robert-my-boy!"s from Master Gifford as Hob had secretly hoped for, as his own father had once chortled while thumping him playfully on the shoulder. The man still resented Hob for his lack of old-family connections, for all that he'd mellowed toward Hob after seeing how seriously Hob took his duties as Husband and Father. And where Master Gifford led, his wife dutifully, dolefully followed. 

Not even a nice cordial "Robb dear" from Mistress Gifford in all those months.

So it is quite a surprise when, after the elder Mistress Gifford's after-supper lamp had finally burned down, and she declares her old eyes too weary to continue her needlework by firelight alone, she calls Eleanor 'Nell'.

Her husband had gone straight to bed after their meager supper, grumbling heartily about the privations of the Advent fast and how a morning of eggy pies and the Twelvetide feasts could not come fast enough.

With no husband to chivvy along before her, Mistress Gifford rises from her stately chair by the hearth in the Great Hall, and bestows each of the three Gadlens arrayed on the piled furs on the floor before it a fond kiss on the forehead. One to Hob, who helps steady her with a gentle hand on her elbow as she stoops, her own hand on his shoulder, to offer the kindness. Then one for her daughter, sat opposite him. And the last to her grandson, dozing with all the abandon of a small creature who knows that it is utterly safe and utterly loved, in his moses basket beside Hob's knee.

 As she kisses them, she murmurs, "Happy Christmas Robb, Nell, my wee little Redbreast."

"Nell?" Hob asks, as soon as his mother-in-law has creaked her way out of the room. "Why have you not told me you are called Nell?"

"It is grim," she pouts. "It sounds very much like knell , wouldn't you say?" This is accompanied by a theatrical shudder that makes her bosom jiggle, and so burns its way into Hob's memories for that alone. "Death knell."

"Ah, never mind that. Death's a mug's game," Hob says, and cups her fire-warmed cheeks in his palms to bestow his own kisses on his wife. "I'm never going to die, so you shall never need ring out for me." Eleanor giggles as he digs his fingers into her hips for leverage, and scoots her closer to him, so he can bury his face against the pleasing softness of her neck. "Though you may keen in other ways for me, should you like."

"Hob!" El laughs. "Pray, do not leave a mark , we have to sit at the top table with my father in the morn—"

He had promised El that he would tell her his secret when they'd been married forty years, but here, sitting by the fire in the Great Hall, surrounded by warmth and plenty, the proof of his devotion to this life wheezing out the sweetest little snores a babe could make, he was tempted to break that oath and confess all.

There was something about the Twelvetide that encouraged confession, even now as a Protestant celebration, without a confessional to be had in a Catholic church.

"Enough," El gasps at length, pink-cheeked and panting prettily. "We have work to do, and if you wake Robyn I will be very cross with you."

The elder Giffords had left their daughter and son-in-law, with their youthful energy, to finish the kissing boughs before Christmas morning. It was well on midnight now, the feeble light from the rush-tapers dwindling and the fire in the big stone hearth beginning to fade to nothing but toasty-red coal. It was just the right sort of fire for toast.

Hob says as much.

"It is always one appetite or another with you," El huffs with a roll of her eyes, but rises. "I shall go to the kitchen, but I will share not a morsel with you when I return if these last boughs are not woven when I return. And do not throw the remaining greenery into the fire to make it look like you finished, Robert Gadlen," she scolds, catching him thinking that very thing. "There are to be twelve Crowns of Green, and I know how to count."

Hob plucks the hem of her skirt off the furs, and brings it to his lips for a revenant kiss. "As my Queen commands." 

She frees herself with a smirk and an imperious tug, and sways away to the kitchen.

"There, Robyn my lad," Hob says to his son, who has opened his dark eyes just long enough to take in the spectacle of Hob's oath. "That is how you keep your wife happy. Learn the art from me, my fine wee apprentice, and you will make of me a very indulgent and biddable grandfather in no time at all."

Robyn smacks his lips, clearly unimpressed with his father's training, and returns to sleep.

Hob is in the process of tying off the ribbons of the final garland when El returns with a napkin bundle consisting of a fresh bottle of wine, an old loaf of bread, and a tiny pot of new butter. 

Hob prefers old butter, likes the tangy burst of salt on his tongue, and his darling wife knows this. As such, she has also nicked one of the leftover bundles of sea salt that are meant to be gifts for her father's servants at his annual St. Stephan's feast, so Hob can powder his toast as he likes.

This is what love is, he muses, as he cuts them slices of bread with his belt-knife, and El retrieves the toasting forks from their hook by the hearth. Old bread, and stolen salt, a sneaky taste of butter before the advent fast is officially over, and a babe sleeping with his little milk-pout mouth gaping open like a little boor.

As Hob threads the bread onto the fork tines, and holds them carefully over the coals, El busies herself by tidying up the leftover sprigs of greenery. Bringing the winter growth indoors to remind the world that no winter lasts forever, that life persists and waited under the snow even now, is a tradition older than Hob himself.

He's seen Twelvetide traditions come and go, but this one persists, as immutable and comforting as knowing that in a year ending with eighty-nine, Hob's Stranger will be waiting for him.

It is nice to be younger than something.

El bundles her posy of leftover holly and mistletoe, finishing it with a crimson-red ribbon, then stands and dangles it over his head to coax a kiss out of Hob. He leans back against her legs, tips his chin up obligingly, and lets her fold down to meet him.

"If you continue to distract me, I will burn the toast, dearest wife," Hob murmurs into her mouth.

"That would be a waste," El agrees. She releases Hob to his duties, but does not relinquish the posy.

They eat toast, and brush away the crumbs and butter grease on the napkin, and share the bottle of wine between them, and laugh, and whisper in hushed voices. El holds the posy over the moses basket, and they kiss Robyn's fat cheeks. She dangles it over her head, and Hob kisses her eyelids, the tip of her nose, the dear swell of her chin. She loops the ribbon on his belt, and takes him in her mouth. When he has come to his pleasure with his fist jammed in his own mouth to prevent waking the baby, he hooks the posy on her belt and breaks his fast in the cool darkness before the dawn.

In all, they have quite a splendid Christmas morning indeed.

Like her mother before her, El chivvies her boys up to bed before the night grows too light. Robyn wakes long enough to whimper for his own break of fast, and Hob cuddles El up between his legs on the bed so he can hook his chin over her shoulder and watch Robyn's eyelashes flutter as he drinks his fill.

Morning will come soon enough.

The Christmas cake would be served to mark the official end of Advent, Hob's father-in-law would get his eggy pie, and they would all go to church so Eleanor could show off her new son to her old parish. The days of the Saints would be filled with acts of charity, feasting, dancing and delight. Someone would find the Bean in the Bread and be named the Lord of Misrule, and they would play silly games, and drink too much, and wrestle, and jest, and sing. On the Twelveth Night, Hob would gift his wife with the handsome leather-bound notation book he'd commissioned for her, a place for her to record her favorite composition. To Robyn, who was too young to know what presents and Twelvetide were, he would gift a handsome toy duck he'd spent the Advent carving. It had slappy leather feet attached to little wheels with hobnails, which clattered and flapped when one towed it along on a string.

And then the decorations will be removed from the house in order to preserve the good luck accrued through the Twelvetide, and the Gadlens would bid the Giffords a Happy New Year, and tromp home to their estate on the unfashionable south bank. Hob would review the profits for the year with Mr. Fletcher, his steward, and visit his warehouses with a gift of ale and an afternoon's leisure for his dockworkers, and come Candlemas, he'd join his groundsmen in rolling up their sleeves and readying the fields to feed the estate anew on Plough Monday.

But for now, Hob will keep his peace.

Christmas is not a time for such a confession as the one that teased at him.

"Dearest Nell," he says. "Darling Nell. My sweet call to ruination."

"No, no, you brute, stop calling me that," she gasps as he wriggled the three of them down into a comfortable nest of feathered pillows and thick wool blankets.

"My ruin?" Hob asks, mouth resting against her nape as Robyn stretched and unlatched, offering his fist to his father now that his tummy is full and he is ready to be spoiled in other ways.

Eleanor rolls over to hand the baby to Hob to wind.

"That name, you wretched, wretched man," she complains, burying herself into his side as he pats Robyn's bottom obligingly. "Call me Nell again and I shall really make you regret it."

"If that is your command, my queen, my wife, my Eleanor." He kisses her crown, her forehead, her shoulder with each oath. "Sweet El."

He expects her to reply to him with haughty teasing, but when she does not, he shifts Robyn out of the way to look at her face. She is already asleep.

"You see, my wee lad?" Hob whispers to his son. "That is how it is done."

Robyn spits up on his shoulder to show his appreciation for the lesson.

[my-friends-in-bantry]

Cory McBrown: Year 2 - Chapter 2

14th of December, 2002

The next morning, I go to Sam and John’s to find John busy baking.

“Whatcha up to?” I ask him.

“Since we only get four pre-Christmas days off from school, I’m getting a jump start on baking over the weekend,” he answers, stirring some batter.

“Which one is this?”

“Mousse.” John answers.

I make a face. I have never heard of a 14 year old who made mousse on their own. “Is it eggy?”

“Aye, so no taste until I finish it.” John warns.

“Is Sam around? We were gonna go skating on the pond.”

John gives me an injured look. “Skating? I wanna go.”

“What about your baking?”

John looks at his mousse. “Well… I can put it in the oven and ask the Conways to watch it.”

I nod. “Okay. Just meet us there.”

Sam comes downstairs. “Hey. Ready to go?”

“Aye, of course.”

We head out the door. The pond is a really nice, calm, peaceful place. There isn’t a lot of snow here, but the pond is frozen and the trees are frosty. It does get cold here.

Putting our skates on, I ask Sam: “You coming over to help decorate the tree tonight?”

“Can’t. Harry and I are going on a date.”

I sigh. There’s that word again. It’s starting to feel like a four-letter-word. “Tomorrow, then?”

Sam nods. “Aye, I should be able to do it tomorrow,” she says, standing up.

“Can I ask you what is so important about dating?” I ask as she helps me up.

“Well, besides the fact that the population would come to a screeching halt if nobody dated, it’s another way of making important connections with people,” she tells me.

I frown. “You’re making deep connections with Harry Barton? Doesn’t it seem like you could do better?” That sounded more judgmental once I said it out loud.

Sam gives me a look. “Well, at 14, I’m not actually mature enough for deep connections like that. So right now I just play the field- figure out what kinds of people I like. Harry Barton is a stepping stone to someone even better next time.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Stepping stone? Last year you said you’d tied him down.”

“I was 13. It’s normal for a 13 year old to have wholly unrealistic expectations of love.”

I decide I want to stop having this conversation, so I say: “Wanna have an ice-skate race?”

Sam perks up. “You know I do!”

We both stand up and get on the ice, lining up exactly with each other.

“On your mark, get set, go!” I say.

We both start skating as fast as we can, being careful not to fall or bump into each other. We both learned in 4th class that if we tried to check each other, there’s no guarantee that only one of us falls down, so what’s the point?

Pretty soon, Sam starts pulling ahead of me. She plays ice hockey, and I don’t, so her thighs are a bit stronger than mine. Still, I exert as much strength as I can to catch up to her. I’m totally winded, but I still try. Apparently she wasn’t using all her strength, because she starts skating faster.

“Three laps around?” she says.

I’m breathing heavily, exerting in the heavy, cold air. “Sure,” I say anyway.

We round the whole pond once. All told it probably took one whole minute, but it felt like five. Lap two felt like ten. By lap three it felt like my calves were on fire.

Just then, John shows up. “What are you guys doing?”

I lose my focus and end up skating right into Sam, which sends us both flying into a pile of snow on the side of the pond.

Sam sits up. “Are you okay?”

I spit out a mouthful of snow. “Aye, fine.”

“What were you guys doing?” John asks.

“Having an ice-skate race,” Sam says. “Three laps around the pond.”

“We still have at least ten feet,” I point out.

Sam notices this, and she scrambles up. However, I was already up, standing on the ice. With my last burst of energy and muscle ability, I make a bee line for the tree we used as our finish line. Then the worst happens! Both legs give out, and I fall forward. Sam skates on by.

“Victory is mine!” She says.

“I’m okay,” I say, a touch of snark in my voice.

Sam skates back over. “Sorry. Are you hurt?”

I stand up. “Not really. Just tired.”

“Um, I apologize, but I have a judge rule,” John says.

Sam gives him a look. “And that would be?”

“Technically, Cory’s hands and torso crossed the finish line as she fell, and she slid over the line before you crossed it.”

Sam looks at him in disbelief. John looks like he’s going to melt. “What? I’m just trying to be fair.”

Sam looks at me. Then she sighs. “Fine. You win. Congratulations.” We high five.

By that time it was starting to get dark, I was actually really cold, and Sam had to go get ready for her date.

So John called his girlfriend, Trudy, and asked if she wanted to hang out with us at my house.

Of course, she said yes. She seems pretty fond of John. I can understand why. John’s one of my favorite people in the world. He’s always there for you when you need him, but not at his own expense, and not for advice. But if silliness is what’s needed he always has some of it. He’s quirky and funny and cute.

Wait- did I just say cute? Is John cute to me? Does this mean I have a crush on John? I look over at him. The three of us are cutting snowflakes out of paper. Nah. That’d be like kissing my brother. Which, no!

John is just one of my very good friends, one I hope I have forever. We continue to make snowflakes and talk about various things: school, holidays, but not crushes. I told them both I’d like to steer clear of that topic.

15th of December, 2002

The next evening, we get all of our decorations out and start decorating the tree. John was very nice to make us some chocolate chip cookies, and I pour everyone eggnog. I sprinkle nutmeg into some, but not everyone’s. The one thing Edward and Bart seem to be able to agree on is they don’t like nutmeg in their eggnog. Bart told me one time he accidentally inhaled the spice and panicked because he read about how dangerous it is to eat straight cinnamon. I really don’t think choking on one piece of nutmeg one time did much to hurt him. He seems fine.

I take the eggnogs to everyone, while John hands out cookies.

“How did your date with Harry go, Sam?” Mum asks.

Sam blushes a little, which is unusual for her. “Good. We’re talking about going all the way.”

I almost choke on my eggnog. Bart actually does.

John goes beet red. “Why?” Edward asks. “You’re only 14.”

“And he’s 15. It’s not like I don’t know how to be prepared and safe. Brienna taught me all about that.” Sam defends.

Edward looks at Brienna. She gives him a look. “You knew I was open when you married me. I’ve never told these kids anything they didn’t ask about. And you guys should know these things. You’re reaching an age where this will start to become part of your life, and you’ll be miles ahead of everyone else if you know how to explore it safely.”

Yuck, I think. I don’t want that to be a part of my life. Not yet anyways. They may be right, that may change, but it’s not changing now.

“I’m still not sure 14 is a good age to start.” Edward says.

“Well, Sam’s right. He’s 15, and it sounds like they’re having respectful conversations about it, and if they’re safe and responsible, I don’t see the issue.” Mum argues.

Edward thinks for a moment. “It’s different for lads.”

Mum gives him another look. I know that look. Edward’s stepped in it. I laugh silently. “Exactly how is it different for lads?”

“Well… It’s safer for one thing.”

“That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard.” Mum says.

“Well, not because of any lad or girl thing, but I wasn’t ready at 14.” Bart says. “I didn’t do it until last month.”

Sam looks at Bart. “Really???” Now I turn beet red. I did not need to know that.

“Aye, I wasn’t ready.”

“You’ve been in a relationship since you were a 4th year.” Sam says.

“So what?”

“Look, everyone is ready at their own pace,” Mum says. “Everyone can say their piece, but ultimately, it’s Sam and Harry’s choice whether or not they’re ready.”

Well, this is one of the most excruciating conversations I’ve ever had, so I was relieved when we continued decorating the tree. As per the usual, one of the ornaments fell and broke. That’s happened to us every year since I was probably three. This time it’s Jenny who drops it. She has been officially initiated into our family tradition of breaking shiny glass ornaments.

[themetalvirus]

Geniiuineee3 genuine it genuine ^_^ what do you most want ever in the entire world ever!

oh!!! ok uhhh UH uh

this got long. i have so many daydreams about items i would enjoy having in my life srry

in terms of like, hopeful pipe dreams, i want a proper midline pc so i can play games on my computer without it absolutely Melting, but that kind of thing is prohibitively expensive. in terms of needs, i honestly just need more jammy pants and stuff like that since i've got a lot of worn out clothes i can't really afford to replace with anything but more clothes that'll wear out quickly. i just want quality stuff that'll last me more than a year or two... i also need more shampoo/conditioner/body wash im running out of all three

but in terms of smaller stuff, a silver the hedgehog plushie would be really nice. or a bunch of high-quality loose paper for using on my typewriter (all i have is sketchbooks and i don't like ripping them apart). maybe a proper dip pen, or a fountain pen with a flexible nib?? that would be really nice. i would also love to have a complete set of splatoon squid cushions, i have three but i would love to have all the colors in the original splatoon 1 run of them! or misc splatoon amiibo i don't have (octolings, squid sisters, the splatoon 3 amiibo)

lemme see. i'd love. fair trade milk chocolate and an actually good tasting alcoholic beverage of some kind.

OH SHIT WAIT, for sonic related stuff, i have a lot of wishes. the retail incentive covers of idw issue 50 i'm still missing from my collection, i'd also just love to own more of the metal virus arc physically, maybe one of the book collection thingies would be nice? i'd just love more physical sonic comics. i'd also love any figurines (not articulated toys though since the sonic franchise ones usually look really bad), a sonic or shadow plushie as well as a silver one, uhh MORE SONIC GAMES would be so cool!!! i'd love to check out the ds or gba sonics :) umm or just. art of my eggys. thats another thing i've been wanting to buy (er, commission) for a while now but art is a luxury and i need. clothes and body wash.

oh man, i've also been wanting a desk easel for a while since leaning down to draw is hell on my neck!! and i've wanted a neutral-to-cool temperature desk lamp so i can actually see yellow pigmented markers when i use them (and take better photos of my traditional art). these kinds of things are what i'm most likely to buy for myself

I CANNOT BELIEVE. I FORGOT. DOLLS. i love dolls of all kinds. barbie, monster high, ESPECIALLY rainbow high!!!, lol omgs.... i absolutely love doll collecting, it's one of my favorite hobbies. just seeing a bunch of cute dolls on my shelf makes me so happy, and considering most of them were gifts, it just reminds me that other people care. yknow? it's nice. i wanna get into doll customization but that ALSO kind of has a monetary gate to it, i'd need a lot of materials and need to practice a lot and i just. can't invest in that kind of thing.

actually scratch everything, if i could choose one (1) absolute miracle for christmas it'd be for my mom to get five million UNTAXED dollars. so she could buy a house and live comfortably for the rest of her life.

but uhh an actually achievable gift is to toss me five bucks on ko-fi so i can learn to drive once spring rolls around. adult driving lessons with accommodations for Brain Complications are expensive. money is honestly what i really need

[idontknowhowtodrawmyself]

When people ask me what I want for Christmas

December 23, 2017

The day before is not the right time to come out with a Christmas wishlist. I’ve just kind of resigned to not getting the presents I actually want… to the point of never even telling people what it is that I want.

[winterfluffs]

A Chance Meeting

Pairing: Bucky Barnes X Reader

Summary: All he wanted was a night alone but fate had other plans

Warnings: Fluff. Major fluff.

Word count: 1.9k

Author's notes: I have finally finished something! This has been a very long time coming, so I am super nervous and excited, even a little afraid as no one else has read a thing I've written in 7 years. Maybe longer. Hopefully this isn't too bad! Also, apologies for any improper punctuation. And also for not knowing how to do an undercut as this is kind of long. I'm still new with posting/using the app on my phone.

Bucky Barnes slid on his coat, placed a hat on his head and as quietly as possible, slipped out the front door into the frigid December night air.

It wasn’t that he wasn’t happy: he had his best friend, close friends who saw him for who he was and not what he was or what he had done, a nice warm place to stay, food in his stomach. Hell, he was an Avenger for Pete's sake. He had come so far from his time in the war, the time where he was brainwashed to be an evil assassin – he knew he should be grateful, and he was – there was just still something missing. How can one man have so much and it be like nothing at all?

The thoughts ran through his mind as he walked through the dark streets; the snow that had started light only minutes ago was now coming down heavier and faster. He had no idea of what time it was, nor did he care. He just had to get out. Clear his head. Maybe force his body to get some sleep after some much-needed fresh air.

Even though he hadn’t been a Russian assassin since Steve Rogers had found him and helped him get back his memory, he still had awful nightmares. Terrors that lasted long through the night and well into the next day. Some so bad they shook him for days on end resulting in him not being able to sleep.

Which was why it was in the middle of the night on December 24th and he was in the middle of the town square staring at the giant Christmas tree in an effort to shake the bad thoughts that crept through his mind.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” a quiet voice came from beside him. Bucky had no will or want to talk to anyone. Especially at whatever ridiculous hour it had been.

Bucky gave the person a slight nod wanting nothing more to be left alone.

That was a downfall of being an Avenger. People always knew who you were, wherever you went, always knew where you’d be, and had always wanted something of you. He loved attention back when he was a kid, even thrived off it, but now that he was older, colder he loved to be left alone.

“I’m so sorry, but – “

“Here it comes.” Bucky thought and turned to the person, ready to put on his act.

“– do you know where this is?” the woman pointed to a map she had out in front of her. “This street, that is.” She shook her head while looking at the map, heavy snowflakes resting in her hair.

“Oh.” He blinked and gave her a curious look. He waited a few more seconds for her to ask him if he was the Winter Soldier, if she could get a date with the Captain America, or have drinks with the Iron Man.  When none of those questions came, he was stunned.

The woman was so focused on her map that she had temporarily forgotten about the man standing next to her. Bucky coughed to get her attention. “I am really sorry. I know it is late, it is super cold, and you’re a stranger who probably doesn’t want to be bothered. It’s just I was supposed to be at my parents’ house hours ago. My cab left me stranded on the side of the road when he couldn’t find my house, it started to snow, the streets have been completely empty, and you are the first person I found to ask for directions.”

God she was beautiful Bucky thought to himself while trying to concentrate on her words. His eyes wandered over the women. Long dark hair framed her face perfectly, her cheeks and nose rosy from the cold, her eyes warm and inviting. His stomach tied in knots as she looked at him helplessly.

“This is turning into a really awful Christmas.” She sighed heavily packing the map back into her bag. “I am so, so sorry to have bothered you, sir. Merry Christmas.” She smiled at him within a troubled glance then began to walk away.

“Do, uh, d-do you like hot chocolate?” Bucky stammered calling out to her back. He kicked himself for being so awkward, so troubled that he doubted himself in his ability to communicate with people.

“Sorry?” the woman turned around unsure if she heard him correctly.

“Hot chocolate. It is freezing out here and from the sound of it, you’ve been walking around out here for a pretty long time. Would you…want to go get a hot chocolate? Warm up a little?”

“It’s 12:45 in the morning.”

“I know a great little diner that’s open 24 hours. Best hot cocoa in the surrounding area.”

She smiled thankfully unsure as to why she couldn’t get enough of the quiet dark-haired man. “I would absolutely love a hot chocolate. Possibly some pancakes, too.”

“I don’t know about pancakes, but they have the best French toast I have ever had.” Bucky smiled as he made his way over to her, needing more time with her.

“Even better.”

 -----

“Oh my God you weren’t kidding!” she moaned as she let the melted cinnamony, buttery, eggy goodness slide down her throat. Bucky laughed as she took another bit, moaning louder as she chewed. “These are to DIE for.”

Bucky smiled as he watched her eat, a calmness coming over him that he hadn’t felt in an exceedingly long time. Like he was supposed to be here. With her. Like tonight wasn’t just a chance meeting between two strangers. He thanked his lucky stars that she didn’t take him for a dangerous person, even though deep down he knew differently.

“Thank you.” She looked at him her eyes locking onto his. “For all of this. My parents and siblings only just moved here a few months ago and this is my first time to visit. Mom thought she gave good directions but….” She pointed around in reference to her being lost in a diner with a random stranger at some crazy time in the morning. “Anyway, I really appreciate it.”

“Glad to be of service.” He laughed, his eyes crinkling on the sides. Bucky couldn’t remember a time when he felt this relaxed, this calm, this happy. He and mystery woman spent over two hours in the diner talking; about anything, everything, and nothing at all. He was happy to be in her presence, to make her laugh, to make her forget her worries for a little. It was only then that Bucky realized she did the same for him, too.

Since he laid eyes on this woman, he felt lighter; forgetting his troubles, forgetting the reason why he was awake at 2:45 A.M. on Christmas morning instead of asleep in his bed. She made him laugh. Laugh like he hadn’t laughed since the 40's, before the war, before the training, before the brainwashing, before the fighting, before the blood.

And he felt free.

He didn’t have to be Steve Rogers’s best friend, he didn’t have to be the Winter Soldier, he didn’t have to be an Avenger, he didn’t have to put up a wall he did when people got too close.

He was just James Barnes. It was a feeling he never wanted to forget.

 -----

“Do you want me to call a taxi for you?” Bucky looked around. The snow was coming even faster now, a good four or five inches already on the ground with no looks of stopping any time soon.

“No…I’ll have to think of something.” She shrugged. “Can’t be too far off, right?”

“I know this is going to sound really crazy but hear me out: I live right around the corner. You could stay a little, warm up and dry off in front of the fire, maybe have some more hot cocoa, hot tea if you’d prefer. And if you’d like, once you’re ready, I can drive you to your parents’ house. Or call you a cab.”

“I don’t even know your name.” she laughed blushing slightly. Or maybe it was the cold. What Bucky knew was that it made her even more adorable than she already was.

“I go by Bucky…. but my first name is James.”

“James…” she smiled taking his hand in hers. “[name].”

“Now that we officially know each other, what do ya say?” God he would do anything to spend more time with her, to know her inside and out. To spend the rest of his life making her happy, knowing he was the reason behind her bright smile.

“Fine. But only because I am still frozen solid and would love another cup of something hot.” She smiled that bright smile again. The smile that Bucky couldn’t get enough of. The bright smile that was now aimed at him. He was the reason for that smile. The thought made Bucky’s stomach turn and his chest tighten; the need of wanting and not knowing of what could be lingered in the air.

“Bucky, I want to thank you.” He froze at the mention of his name, the sound going straight to his heart.

“If you hadn’t stop to help….” She trailed off with a distant look in her eye. Bucky pulled her in for a hug feeling her sigh into his embrace. He moved the hair from her face, him finding himself lost yet again in her eyes.

Without thinking, Bucky gently placed his lips on hers smiling into the kiss when she instantly kissed him back.

“Don’t think either of us thought this is how our Christmas would start.” She laughed making Bucky laugh as well.

“No. But I know I am definitely not complaining.” His eyes crinkled when he laughed, something [name] found adorable and charming; she knew she was teetering on dangerous territory, yet she couldn’t get enough. Didn’t ever want to get enough.

He pulled her in closer, his lips hovering above hers. “This might be way too soon, but I think I’m falling really hard for you.”

“Funny you should say that – I was just thinking the same thing.”

Bucky’s heart nearly jumped out of his chest.

Having gone from being utterly miserable to meeting the woman of his dreams in one night was a story that no one would believe. He wouldn’t even believe it if someone had said it to him. Yet, as he and [name] stood together in the falling snow, [name] happily in his arms, kissing him like he had never been kissed before, Bucky couldn’t get enough. For the first time in his life, he didn’t want to fight off the pure happiness he felt.

“Let’s get out of here before we freeze to death.” He gave her a crooked smile and held her tightly as they walked the short distance to his house.

---

“Still cold?”

[Name] nodded her head, scooting over into Bucky’s embrace when he motioned for her to come closer. She sighed at the warmth of his body really relaxing for the first time since her trip began. She knew she was crazy being in a stranger’s home, cuddled up in front of a fire with a man she barely knew. Her mom would surely go crazy if she ever found out. Yet, she didn’t care.

All that mattered was her and him.

Together.

And that’s the way she hoped it would be.

Forever.

[thewidowsghost]

The Unknown Muggleborn - Chapter 10

3rd Person POV

Quirrell, however, must have been braver than Harry, Ron, and Hermione had thought. In the weeks that follow he did seem to be getting paler and thinner, but it didn't look as though he had cracked it.

Every time they pass the third-floor corridor, Harry and Ron would press their ears to the door to check that Fluffy is growling inside.

Whenever Harry passes Quirrell he gives him a small smile, and Ron started telling people off for his stutter.

Hermione and (Y/n) had more on their minds than the Sorcerer's Stone. Hermione had started drawing up study schedules and the two had been color-coding all their notes. Ron and Harry watch in amazement as (Y/n) launches into some complicated Potions thing at Hermione's request and the brunette begins jotting down notes.

Harry and wouldn't have minded, but Hermione kept nagging them to do the same.

"Hermione, the exams are ages away."

"Ten weeks," Hermione snaps.

"That's not ages," (Y/n) pipes up, "that's like a second to Nicholas Flamel."

"But we're not six hundred years old," Ron reminds her. "Anyway, what are you four studying for, you all ready know it all!"

"What are we studying for?" (Y/n) exclaims. "Are you crazy? You realize we need to pass these exams to get into our second year? They're very important, we should have started studying a month ago."

"I don't know what's gotten into me," Hermione chimes in.

Unfortunately, the teachers seem to be thinking along the same lines as Hermione and (Y/n). They pile so much homework on them that the Easter holidays weren't nearly as much fun as the Christmas ones. It is hard to relax with Hermione and (Y/n) next to you reciting the twelve uses of dragon's blood or practicing wand movements. Moaning and yawning, Harry and Ron spent most of their free time in the library with them, trying to get through all their extra work.

"I'll never remember this," Ron bursts out one afternoon, throwing down his quill and looking longingly out of the library windows. It is the first really fine day they'd had in months. The sky is a clear, forget-me-not blue, and there is a feeling in the air of summer coming.

Harry, who is looking up "Dittany" in One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, didn't look up until he hears Ron says, "Hagrid! What are you doing in the library?"

Hagrid shuffles into view, hiding something behind his back. He looks very out of place in his moleskin overcoat.

"Jus' lookin'," he says, in a shifty voice that gets their interest at once. "An'what're you lot up ter?" He looks suddenly suspicious. "Yer not still lookin' fer Nicolas Flamel, are yeh?"

"Oh, we found out who he is ages ago," says Ron impressively. "And we know what that dog's guarding, it's a Sorcerer's St —"

"Shhhh!" Hagrid looks around quickly to see if anyone is listening."Don' go shoutin' about it, what's the matter with yeh?"

"There are a few things we wanted to ask you, as a matter of fact," says Harry, "about what's guarding the Stone, apart from Fluffy -"

"Don't rope me into this," (Y/n) says, not looking up from her potions notes.

"SHHH!" says Hagrid again. "Listen - come an' see me later, I'm not promisin' I'll tell yeh anythin', mind, but don' go rabbitin' about it in here, studens aren' s'pposed ter know. They'll think I've told yeh-"

"See you later, then," says Harry.

Hagrid shuffles off.

"What was he hiding behind his back?" says Hermione thoughtfully.

"Do you think it had anything to do with the Stone?" Harry wonders.

"I'm going to see what section he was in," says Ron, who'd had enough of working. He comes back a minute later with a pile of books in his arms and slams them down on the table. "Dragons!" he whispers. "Hagrid was looking up stuff about dragons!Look at these: Dragon Species of Great Britain and Ireland; From Egg to Inferno, A Dragon Keeper's Guide."

"Hagrid's always wanted a dragon, he told me so the first time I ever met him."

"But it's against our laws," (Y/n) comments, still gazing down at her notes, Snape had told her that he was giving her a more advanced exam than everyone else's. "Dragon breeding was outlawed by the Warlocks' Convention of 1709."

"Everyone knows that," Ron agrees. "It's hard to stop Muggles from noticing us if we're keeping dragons in the back garden - anyway, you can't tame dragons, it's dangerous. You should see the burns Charlie's got of wild ones in Romania."

"But there aren't wild dragons in Britain?" asks Harry.

"Of course there are," says Ron. "Common Welsh Green and Hebridean Blacks. The Ministry of Magic has a job hushing them up, I can tell you. Our kind have to keep putting spells on Muggles have spotted them, to make them forget."

"So what on earth is Hagrid up to?" wonders Hermione wonders aloud.

. . .

When they knock on the gamekeeper's hut an hour later, they are surprised to see that ll the curtains are closed. Hagrid calls, "Who is it?" before he had let them in, and then shuts the door quickly behind them.

It is stifling hot inside, and (Y/n) rolls up the sleeves of her shirt and Fang jumps into her lap.

"So - yeh wanted to ask me something?"

"Yes," says Harry, seeing no point in beating around the bush. "We were -"

"Not me, just to be clear," (Y/n) interjects and Hagrid glances gratefully at her.

"Wondering," Harry continues, "if you could tell us what's guarding eh Sorcerer's Stone apart from Fluffy."

Hagrid frowns at him. "O' course I can't," he says. "Number one, I don' know meself. Number two, yeh know too much already, so I wouldn' tell yeh if I could. That Stone's here fer a good reason. It was almost stolen outta Gringotts — Is'ppose yeh've worked that out an' all? Beats me how yeh even know abou' Fluffy."

"Oh, come on, Hagrid, you might want to tell us," Hermione begins."But you do know, you know everything that goes on around here," she finishes in a warm, flattering voice. Hagrid's beard twitches and they can tell he is smiling."We only wondered who had done the guarding, really," Hermione continues. "We wondered who Dumbledore had trusted enough to help him, apart from you."

Hagrid's chest swells at the last words and Harry and Ron beam at Hermione, (Y/n) scratching Fang behind the ears.

"Well, I don' s'pose it could hurt ter tell yeh that . . . let's see . . . he borrowed Fluffy from me . . . then some o' the teachers did enchantments . . .Professor Sprout — Professor Flitwick — Professor McGonagall —" he ticks them off on his fingers, "Professor Quirrell — an' Dumbledore himself did somethin', o' course. Hang on, I've forgotten someone. Oh yeah, Professor Snape."

"Snape?" Harry asks.

"Yeah — yer not still on abou' that, are yeh? Look, Snape helped protect the Stone, he's not about ter steal it."

Harry knows Ron and Hermione are thinking the same as he is. If Snape had been in on protecting the Stone, it must have been easy to find out how the other teachers had guarded it. He probably knew everything — except, it seemed, Quirrell's spell and how to get past Fluffy.

"You're the only one who knows how to get past Fluffy, aren't you, Hagrid?" asks Harry anxiously. "And you wouldn't tell anyone, would you? Not even one of the teachers?"

"Not a soul knows except me an' Dumbledore," says Hagrid proudly.

"Well, that's something," Harry mutters to the others, (Y/n) rolling her eyes. "Hagrid, can we have a window open? I'm boiling."

"Can't, Harry, sorry," says Hagrid. (Y/n) notices him glance at the fire, and she looks at it, too.

"Hagrid — what's that?" But she already knows what is. In the very heart of the fire, underneath the kettle, is a huge, black egg. She nudges Fang off her and crouches in front of the fire.

"Ah," says Hagrid, fiddling nervously with his beard, "That's — er . . ."

"Where did you get it, Hagrid?" (Y/n) asks, studying the black egg.

"It must've cost you a fortune," Ron pipes up, crouching beside (Y/n).

"Won it," answers Hagrid. "Las' night. I was down in the village havin' a few drinks an' got into a game o' cards with a stranger. Think he was quite glad ter get rid of it, ter be honest."

"But what are you going to do with it when it's hatched?" wonders Hermione.

"Well, I've bin doin' some readin'," says Hagrid, pulling a large book from under his pillow. "Got this outta the library — Dragon Breeding for Pleasure and Profit — it's a bit outta date, o' course, but it's all in here. Keep the eggi n the fire, 'cause their mothers breathe on 'em, see, an' when it hatches, feed it on a bucket o' brandy mixed with chicken blood every half hour. An' see here — how ter recognize diff'rent eggs — what I got there's a Norwegian Ridgeback. They're rare, them."

Hagrid looks very pleased with himself, but Hermione doesn't look pleased at all. "Hagrid," she exclaims, "you live in a wooden house!" But Hagrid isn't listening. He is humming merrily as he stokes the fire.

. . .

So now they have something else to worry about: what might happen to Hagrid if anyone found out he's hiding an illegal dragon in his hut.

"Wonder what it's like to have a peaceful life," Ron sighs, as evening after evening they struggle through all the extra homework they were getting. Hermione had started making study schedules for Harry and Ron, too. And it was driving them nuts.

Then, one breakfast time, Hedwig brings Harry a note from Hagrid. He had written only two words: It's hatching.

Ron wanted to skip Herbology and go straight down to the hut, but Hermione wouldn't hear of it.

"Hermione, how many times in our lives are we going to see a dragon hatching?" Ron asks.

"We've got lessons, we'll get into trouble, and that's nothing to what Hagrid's going to be in when someone finds out what he's doing -"

"Shut up!" Harry whispers.

Malfoy was only a few feet away and he had stopped dead to listen. (Y/n) turns to give him a glare and the blond scampers off, reminding (Y/n) of a little ferret.

Ron and Hermione argue all the way to Herbology and in the end, she agrees to run down Hagrid's with the other five during morning break. When the bell sounds from the castle at the end of their lesson, the three of them drop their trowels at once and hurry through the grounds to the edge of the forest. Hagrid greet them, looking flushed and excited.

"It's nearly out," Hagrid ushers them inside.

The egg is lying on the table. There are deep cracks in it. Something is moving inside; a funny clicking noise was coming from it.

The five draw their chairs up to the table and watch with bated breath.

All at once there is a scraping noise and the egg splits open. The baby dragon flops onto the table. It isn't exactly pretty, Harry thinks. It's spiny wings are huge compared to it's skinny jet body, it has a long snout with wide nostrils, the stubs of horns and bulging, orange eyes.

It sneezes, a couple of sparks flying out of it's snout.

"Isn't he beautiful?" Hagrid murmurs. He reaches out a hand to stroke the dragon's head. It snaps at his fingers, showing pointed fangs. "Bless him, look, he knows his mummy!" exclaims Hagrid.

"Hagrid," says Hermione, "how fast do Norwegian Ridgebacks grow, exactly?"

Hagrid is about to answer when the color suddenly drained from his face - he leaps to his feet and runs to the window.

"What's the matter?" (Y/n) asks.

"Someone was lookin' through the gap in the curtains - it's a kid - he's runnin' back up ter the school."

(Y/n) bolts to the door and looks out. Even at a distance there is no mistaking him.

Malfoy had seen the dragon.

. . .

Something about the smile lurking on Malfoy's face during the last week made Harry, Ron, Hermione and (Y/n) very nervous. They spend most of their free time in Hagrid's darkened hut, trying to reason with him.

"Just let him go," Harry urges.

"I can't he'll die," Hagrid says. "He's too little."

They look at the dragon. It had grown three times in length in just a week, smoke furling out of its nostrils. Hagrid hadn't been doing his gamekeeping duties because the dragon was keeping him so busy. There are empty brandy bottles and chicken feathers all over the floor.

"I've decided to call him Norbert," says Hagrid, looking at the dragon with misty eyes. "He really knows me now, watch. Norbert! Norbert! Where's Mummy?"

"He's lost his marbles," Ron mutters in Harry's ear.

"Hagrid," says Hermione loudly, "give it two weeks and Norbert's going to be as long as your house. Malfoy could go to Dumbledore at any moment."

Hagrid bites his lip. "I — I know I can't keep him forever, but I can't jus' dump him, I can't."

Harry suddenly turns to Ron."Charlie," he says.

"You're losing it, too," said Ron. "I'm Ron, remember?"

"No — Charlie — your brother, Charlie. In Romania. Studying dragons. We could send Norbert to him. Charlie can take care of him and then put him back in the wild!"

"Brilliant!" exclaims Ron. "How about it, Hagrid?"

And in the end, Hagrid agrees that they could send an owl to Charlie to ask him.

The following week drags by. Wednesday night found Hermione, Harry, and (Y/n) sitting alone in the common room, long after everyone else had gone to bed. The clock on the wall had just chimed midnight when the portrait hole burst open. Ron appears out of nowhere as he pulled off Harry's Invisibility Cloak. He had been down at Hagrid's hut, helping him feed Norbert, who was now eating dead rats by the crate.

"It bit me!" he says, showing them his hand, which was wrapped in a bloody handkerchief. "I'm not going to be able to hold a quill for a week. I tell you, that dragon's the most horrible animal I've ever met, but the way Hagrid goes on about it, you'd think it was a fluffy little bunny rabbit. When it bit me he told me off for frightening it. And when I left, he was singing it a lullaby."

There is a tap on the dark window.

"It's Hedwig!" (Y/n) says, hurrying to let her in. "She'll have Charlie's answer!"

The six of them put their heads together to read the note.

Dear Ron,

How are you? Thanks for the letter — I'd be glad to take the Norwegian Ridgeback, but it won't be easy getting him here. I think the best thing will be to send him over with some friends of mine who are coming to visit me next week. Trouble is, they mustn't be seen carrying an illegal dragon.

Could you get the Ridgeback up the tallest tower at midnight on Saturday? They can meet you there and take him away while it's till dark.

Send me an answer as soon as possible.

Love, Charlie

They look at one another.

"We've got the Invisibility Cloak," says Harry. "It shouldn't be too difficult - I think the cloak's big enough to cover three of us and Norbert."

It was a mark of how bad the last week had been that the other five agree with him. Anything to get rid of Norbert - and Malfoy.

There was a hitch. By the next morning, Ron's bitten hand had swollen to twice its usual size. He didn't know whether it was safe to go to Madam Pomfrey - would she recognize a dragon bite? By the afternoon, though, he had no choice. The cut had turned a nasty shade of green. It looked as if Norbert's fangs were poisonous.

Harry, Hermione, and (Y/n) rush up to the hospital wing at the end of the day to find Ron in a terrible state in bed.

"It's not just my hand," he whispers, "although that feels like it's about to fall off. Malfoy told Madam Pomfrey he wanted to borrow one of my books so he could come and have a good laugh at me. He kept threatening to tell her what really bit me — I've told her it was a dog, but I don't think she believes me — I shouldn't have hit him at the Quidditch match, that's why he's doing this."

The other three try to calm Ron down.

"It'll all be over at midnight on Saturday," says Iliana gently, but this didn't soothe Ron at all. On the contrary, he sits bolt upright and broke into a sweat.

"Midnight on Saturday!" he says in a hoarse voice. "Oh no — oh no —I've just remembered — Charlie's letter was in that book Malfoy took, he's going to know we're getting rid of Norbert."

The others didn't get a chance to answer. Madam Pomfrey came over at that moment and made them leave, saying Ron needed sleep.

. . .

"It's too late to change the plan now," (Y/n) murmurs to the others. "We haven't got time to send Charlie another owl."

"This could be our only chance to get rid of Norbert," Harry adds. "We'll have to risk it, and we have got the Invisibility Cloak, Malfoy doesn't know about that."

They find Fang sitting outside with a bandaged tail when they go to tell Hagrid, who opens a window to talk to them.

(Y/n) crouches beside the large boarhound, scratching behind Fang's ears.

"I won't let you in," Hagrid puffs. "Norbert's at a tricky stage — nothin' I can't handle."

When they tell him about Charlie's letter, his eyes fill with tears, although that might have just been because Norbert had just bitten him on the leg.

"Aargh! It's all right, he only got my boot — jus' playin'— he's only a baby, after all."

The 'baby' bangs its tail on the wall, making the windows rattle. Harry, Hermione, and (Y/n) walk back to the castle, feeling as though Saturday couldn't come quickly enough.

. . .

They would have felt sorry for Hagrid when the time came to say good-bye to Norbert if they hadn't been so worried about what they had to do.

It was a very dark, cloudy night, and they were a bit late arriving at Hagrid's hut because they'd have to wait for Peeves to get out of their way in the entrance hall, where he'd been playing tennis against teh wall.

Hagrid had Norbert packed and ready in a large crate.

"He's got lots o' rats an' some brandy fer the journey," says Hagrid in a muffled voice. "An' I've packed his teddy bear in case he gets lonely."

From inside the crate comes ripping noises that sound to (Y/n) as though the teddy is having his head torn off.

"Bye-bye, Norbert!" Hagrid sobs, as Harry, (Y/n), and Hermione cover the crate with the Invisibility Cloak and step underneath it themselves."Mummy will never forget you!"

How they managed to get the crate back up to the castle, they never knew.Midnight ticks nearer as they heave Norbert up the marble staircase in the entrance hall and along the dark corridors. Up another staircase, then another— even one of Harry's shortcuts didn't make the work much easier.

"Nearly there!" Harry pants as they reach the corridor beneath the tallest tower.

Then a sudden movement ahead of them makes them almost drop the crate. Forgetting that they were already invisible, they shrink into the shadows, staring at the dark outlines of two people grappling with each other, ten feet away.

A lamp flares.

Professor McGonagall, in a tartan bathrobe and a hair net, has Malfoy by the ear. "Detention!" she shouts. "And twenty points from Slytherin! Wandering around in the middle of the night, how dare you —"

"You don't understand, Professor. Harry Potter and (Y/n) (L/n) are coming — they've got a dragon!"

"What utter rubbish! How dare you tell such lies! Come on - I shall see Professor Snape about you, Malfoy!"

The steep spiral staircase up to the top of the tower seems the easiest thing in the world after that. Not until they'd stepped out into the cold night air, did they throw off the Cloak, glad to be able do breathe properly again. Hermione does a sort of jig.

"Malfoy's got detention! I could sing!"

"Don't," (Y/n) smiles warmly at her sister. "You know that's my thing."

Chuckling about Malfoy, they wait, Norbert thrashing about in his crate. About ten minutes later, four broomsticks come swooping down out of the darkness.

Charlie's friends were a cheery lot. They show Harry, Hermione, and (Y/n) the harness they'd rigged up, so they could suspend Norbert between them. They all help buckle Norbert safely into it and then Harry, (Y/n), and Hermione shake hands with the others and thank them very much.

At last, Norbert was going . . . going . . . gone.

Harry and Hermione slip back down the spiral staircase and (Y/n) grabs the Invisibility Cloak. She darts down the stairs when she hears a noise coming from the end of the hall and throws the Cloak over Harry and Hermione.

As the figure steps out, Filch's have looms suddenly out of the darkness. "Well, well, well," he leers at (Y/n). "You are in trouble, aren't you.

Harry and Hermione watch in shock and horror as Filch grabs (Y/n)'s upper arm and begins dragging her down the corridor.

Word Count: 3574 words

[courage-a-word-of-justice]

Iruma-kun 10 - 12 | Shinchou Yuusha 9 - 12 (FINAL) | Dr Stone 22 - 24 (FINAL) | BnHA 72 - 74 | Stars Align 9 - 12 (FINAL) | No Guns Life 10 - 12 (FINAL)

Iruma-kun 10

That mascot is still around to annoy poor Kalego, huh? (LOL) I also noticed the demonstration demons have horns like oni.

Oh no! This means Azz-Azz is a prime target for Iruma!

(I was going to write something. Then I got so engrossed in the action, I forgot to…)

LOL, Sabro’s too heavy for Team A to lift!

Oh, Iruma’s hair isn’t tied anymore…

“…pruning this cactus.” – Does Eggie-sensei like plants?

Ooh, the first double-parter ever for this show, I think it is.

Shinchou Yuusha 9

Apparently ep 10 got delayed…*sigh*

LOL, thre’s product placement for a certain ice cream brand in this episode, huh?

Can we not with the boob grope???

*Rista takes care of Mash and Elulu* - Rista’s such a mom sometimes…

Stars Align 9

This one scene with Nao looks really blue…it’s almost unsettling.

Oh dear…I understand the sentiment of an inferiority complex all too well.

Dr Stone 22

Now we’re back to good ol’ science vs. survival of the fittest philosophy clash. Now, see, that’s the Dr Stone I like best!

Torricelli’s law.

Why is mica like baumkuchen? Probably because it has a lot of layers…

Wow, for WSJ – which encouraged fangirls all over the world to make yaoi/shonen ai ships – they sure tossed out the yaoi/shonen ai option real fast…

Skarn. I’ve never heard of it until now.

Magma, staring at the product of magma…LOL.

I…don’t get it. Even after watching the bit again, I don’t understand why Magma was trying to save Senku.

So…as is said for most WSJ series, the treasure was the friends we made along the way…LOL, what a way to acknowledge a trope.

Lemme guess…surprise birthday party? (Sorry, when I was reading up on Magma earlier, I saw that Magma helps with a birthday surprise for Senku and I found out what it was.)

I wonder if Rei is still up there at this point…? (Who’s Rei? You’ll find out if you read the Byakuya reboot…)

Well, “Rock Day” only works in Japanese. The language would’ve drifted over thousands of years so it shouldn’t work in the year 5731 (or whatever year Dr Stone is set).

Dr Stone 23

One episode until the end…but I’m away over Christmas, so I’ll have quite a bit to catch up on when I’m back. Update: I never did end up going away over Christmas.

Senku is much more of a trickster hero than an action hero. That’s been pretty obvious all the way through, but here it’s at its most obvious.

Oh, so Kaseki made the village bridge? Is that a correct assumption…? Update: I think the answer was yes from the manga.

How much chemistry does Gen know, anyway? Assuming he’s a humanities person because of psychology and his tricks, it must only be basic, right?

Thse intense stares…I’ve been reading JJBA: DiU lately, so I’m expecting an 80s-style “!!” to appear over someone’s head at this point, LOL.

Ooh, hardware. In fact, it looks like the inside of a computer…or, more relevant to this case, a phone.

So it’s not “rules are rules” anymore? Now Kinro’s changed his words to reflect his faith in Senku…hmm! Interesting! (Update: A quick google says Kinro is 18. Senku is about 18 (+ 3700 years). Plus, after they start dragging Ginro away, Kinro says his trademark line.)

Wouldn’t the coal smoke alert Tsukasa of the village’s location, though…? Then again, thanks to Homura and Hyouga, Tsukasa already knows their location…oops.

Rochelle salt.  

I saw that one shot of the world from the 1st OP and I thought there was meant to be a post-credits segment…LOL, nope.

Dr Stone 24 (FINAL)

The “acquisition message” basically said “We didn’t (just) need one cell phone, (so) it was useless!” Notably, it uses the counter for large items (like computers) for the phone.

Having finished the Byakuya reboot now, I wanna cry every time I hear about the guy…

Oh! The eyecatch is a record!

Basically, what records do is that they recreate sounds by using vibrations created by the grooves of the disc. Sound is a set of vibrations.

“Astronauts are science elites…” – Except maybe Lillian Weinberg…

I like Shamil out of the guys from the Soyuz the most. He’s a cross between Tsukasa and Senku. Stoic yet skeptical, a voice of reason for Byakuya’s sillier outbursts.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the shield was made with CGI, tbh.

Byakuya’s humour here is betraying the emotional capacity of the scene…it’s gone from “100% tear-inducing” to “confusing”.

Please sing Tsubasa wo Kudasai, Lillian…*crosses fingers*

I didn’t get what I wanted, but oh well. This song is good too. (I wouldn’t be surprised if most of the record player was CGI too. It’s good CGI for sure.)

LOL, Puyo Puyo! Even Sherlock Holmes! Dragon Ball, Nintendo Switch, VR, Saiyuki! It’s like a treasure trove of references!

Normally the s2 announcement comes after the credits, so I was thrown for a loop when it was announced before the ED…anyways, this is the end of the s1 coverage. See you for s2!

BnHA 72

[no notes, sorry!]

Iruma-kun 11

Robin looks like Iruma…(this vaguely annoys me.)

I noticed Keroli (sp?) is in the back left, alone…that’s kinda sad.

Sabro is hella tall…even taller than Azz-kun, and that says something.

Ah…I love Eggie-sensei. He’s so funny!

Really? I thought Sullivan wrote them (the rules).

I wanna see an episode where Eggie-sensei can’t turn into his fuzzy form and has to do familiar activities with Iruma. That, or an episode where Eggie-sensei has some human parts and some familiar ones (although that would scare some little kids, I think…)

What a Machiavellian mindset Eggie-sensei has!

Iruma’s got wine, people! Underage drinking is a no-no! (partially joking)

Good on ya, Clara! Go kick those girls to the kerb!

The butterflies are so beautiful in this show!

So basically school clubs.

Hmm…it’s almost a Fordist approach. I mean, “freeing yourself up to do other things” is basically the entire ethos of that.

NGL 10

I was reading JJBA: DiU today and Colt seriously looks like a Jojo’s character…

“Your face is just like…”

N-No way! You mean, the Victor Mary’s wanted to see all along…is the other gunhead…?! Geesh, what a plot twist!

Stars Align 10

“We all play to win.” – That’s very Maki of you, Maki.

Shinjo/Oshimi???? That must be Ryoma…! By the way, what’s up with these Itsuse twins…?

Who’s Hatanooka? Update: That’s the team with Joy in it…and those fangirls who busted Mitsue up.

F*** it…Arashi, I wanna pummel you someday.

LOL, you can sell your temmates out with chanpuru, huh, Arashi?

Did Maki suggest something subliminally…?

*Maki and Toma run around* - LOL, this play is completely unorthodox, haha. I can tell even if I’m no expert.

Shinchou Yuusha 10

We’re back after another week’s break…

Come to think of it, how do fantasy worlds have concepts of “hours”?

LOL, how convenient it was that there just happened to be a dude needing healing walking past! (partially sarcastic, partially meaning it since the circumstances foreshadowed it)

“Talent”, eh? *stares at the camera, which is showing Rista’s boobs, with disapproval*

The Demon Spirit Orb is basically a monster cell from OPM 2, isn’t it…?

If Seiya came from our world…then I’m sorry, Wolks, but whoever told you is completely and utterly wrong. *gestures at all the conflicts around the world, including political turmoil*

“Are you calling…”  

No Guns Life 11

Second-last ep!

Oh great…another yandere?(I read JJBA: DiU hardcover vol. 2 yesterday, so I’m still thinking about Yukako Yamagishi…)

There’s a convertible in the OP, though…I wonder if that will come into play later. Update: Even if it does come into play in the future, it doesn’t happen in ths cour.

Stars Align 11

It was like Joy was showing off to the camera…LOL.

Apparently, Joy’s name is a weird reading for yorokobi (happiness).

This feels like a final episode…

Hmm. I thought Yonex sponsored this. Turns out that’s a parody logo after all (or at least, here it’s a parody).

One of the Itsuse bros looks exactly like Maki, so it’s confusing…

I’m still confused as to why Shijo Minami’s shirts say nantei on them. The minami might be nan in another way of reading it, but…the shi can only be read kokorozashi otherwise and while the jou can be read many, many ways, tei isn’t one of them.

Ume = plum blossom, so that purple-pink colour really suits them.

BnHA 73

Eri’s name means, literally, “to break reason”.

This scene with the stars and the dancefloor…that’s new.

Iruma-kun 12

Sometims you forget this dork *points at Azz* is more powerful than Iruma and Clara…

You can see Clara and Iruma in the shot of Azz-kun.

The reason why I like calling Kalego “Eggie-sensei” is because he doesn’t like it! 

I love how the narrator is even aware it’s been mentioned several times Iruma can’t decline requests.

New Magic is basically science…?

Oh, it would be hilarious if this character Iruma just bumped into and he (Iruma) would be in a Battler together…but I’ve read spoilers, so I know what Iruma will join…

Is this some kind of allegory for technology…?! *eyes sparkle* Yes, I want in! Iruma! Join this club!

Even this demon’s clip is a book! Amazing!

Clara! She dab! In a pot!

Come to think of it, in the basic premise, Iruma-kun (the show) is Kenja no Mago, right? The Wise Man’s Grandson…sort of.

Shinchou Yuusha 11

Almost at the end…I’ll sorely miss this show.

Is Tiana some former version of Rista…?

How old is Seiya again…? Update: Apparently he’s 17…and if he’s the same age as he used to be in this flashback, then…kinda squicky, no?

Stars Align 12 (FINAL)

I heard this show dropped the ball and that Nao’s mother got a rant, but otherwise I don’t quite know what happens here…so let’s finish what we started. Update: Nao’s mother’s rant was in a previous episode.

Oh hey! It’s that running thing Nao and Taiyo were doing…I think. (I don’t think I’ve grasped everyone’s names, even over 12 eps, so I had to check Taiyo’s name up.)

Oh, these gremlins…*sighs happily but also exasperatedly* No wonder this show took out a top 10 position for my 2019 list.

I’m worried now…there’s always a last minute thing to ruin an episode on this show.

I always thought Ryoma’s hair was pretty nice…(small LOL). That’s just my bias for bishonen showing though.

I’m…scared now…Maki’s dad must’ve come back and the red in the sky really sold that moment…

Maki…no!!!!!!!! Aw, f***, that’s the final seconds…geesh, way to end the series. If this were a 2 cour, I’d definitely watch the next one, but since I heard through ANN that this is all we have so far, really, the only thing I can do for a passion project is hope another cour gets funded and (maybe) purchase what I can to help out. Well, that’s it, folks, skedaddle out of here until next time.

No Guns Life 12 (FINAL)

This pendant reminds me of the mana compass I saw in Fate/Zero yesterday.

I bet Danny planted those footprints…or something like that. Update: Yup, he did.

Come to think of it, is Juzo still missing his arm from last time…?

“You weren’t my client, little lady.” – There’s one of two possible options here, I think: 1) the hands guy was or 2) Danny was.

I wonder, will the hand Extended ever become his (Juzo’s) left hand? Or will he get an Extension for it?

Wow, second huge end-of-season cliffhanger! Juzo got a new buddy, it seems…anyway, see you in spring!

Cautious Hero 12 (FINAL)

If the Valkyryja (sp?) isn’t magic…what is it???

That one guy lying on the side of the fountain, looking all drunk…LOL.

Geez, you make me wanna cry, show!!!

Even the alarm clock is dejected…geez…

This is…the best conclusion of the fall season in that Seiya defeated the Demon King and the story wrapped up properly, but the worst in that Seiya died. No one died in Stars Align, even if they failed a tonne! So…I dunno. I guess it should be happy it ended optimistically…anyways, enough of my moping. See you next time.

BnHA 74

Shin Nemoto = “the truth of the origin of the sound”, if you stuck the particle no between each character.

Tintin got scary, LOL.

Lemillion, making “no capes” go out of fashion again (LOL).

Wow, talk about a clip show…! This is really one.

Check the end of the episode, don’t forget to watch the post-credits segments, people.

[dollsome-does-tumblr]

giles/jenny + a new tradition??

Here on AO3! (I kind of cheated because I was writing it already, and then worked the prompt in … Subterfuge!!)

Giles, Jenny, and Buffy decorate the library for Christmas. Set during season 2. 1,400 words.

“So let me get this straight,” Jenny says as she hangs gold tinsel on the library’s banisters, “I was sick for three days, and in that time, you all got brainwashed by eggs with tentacles into slaving away for a giant parasite under the school?”

“And this surprises you because ...?” Giles says wryly from where he’s trying to untangle fairy lights.

Jenny shrugs. “Good point. It would have been weirder if things had stayed uneventful. Hey, thanks for still taking the time to bring me soup.”

“Well, you know. Priorities.”

“That, and he didn’t get eggy-brained until the last day,” Buffy adds. She’s sitting at the table, wearing a Santa hat and cutting out paper snowflakes. Beside her is a giant box of Christmas decorations, gathered by Jenny and now the property of Sunnydale High School. “So that soup was probably store-bought.”

“Would it kill you to let me retain some dignity for once?” Giles asks her.

“Probably,” Buffy chirps.

[blazehedgehog]

What’s Eggnog like? It’s not often stocked as a Christmas product in this country

I have a friend who refuses to try eggnog because “I don’t drink eggs” or something ridiculous, and once I tried to describe the taste to him. It’s not super easy to get specific. It’s kind of its own thing.

The problem is, often (not always, but often) my family ends up making eggnog milkshakes for Christmas, by blending it with vanilla ice cream. So every time I try to describe the flavor or texture of eggnog, I inevitably question whether or not I’m describing the actual eggnog itself, or the ice cream.

It’s thicker than milk, and sweet. A quick google suggests a lot of people describe its flavor sort of like custard, which makes some amount of sense, given I can’t remember the last time I had custard (meaning I’d never make that connection). I personally would describe it as maybe kind of caramel flavored?

Bustle suggests it does, in fact, taste kind of like melted ice cream:

The name suggests they might taste “eggy,” but in reality, its flavor profile is much more sweet than savory. In fact, a glass of eggnog tastes like the farthest thing from morning eggs or a warm dinner meal — a glass of eggnog actually literally tastes like melted ice cream in a glass that’s somehow hugging your throat as you drink it. There really is no equivalent to eggnog — it’s one-of-a-kind.

Which is to say it also goes well with ice cream itself. A few places out here have also just straight up started selling eggnog ice cream (I just had some a few weeks ago).

It just wouldn’t be the holidays for me without some eggnog. I usually have the most around New Years more than Christmas or Thanksgiving, though. I’ve even gone out of my way to hike two miles, in the snow, on foot, just to make sure we had some for New Years.

[weekendsabo]

Journal - Saturday, December 1st, 2018

Bob sent me the band Bonny Doon. Now I’m listening to Ricewine which is equally as chill as the Bonny Doon band. Big News! I found the missing piece to that stupid puzzle. I don’t know exactly where is came from, but it just appeared and I’m happy that puzzle doesn’t have a missing piece now. Pretty excited. but got in clean mode so I swept the entire house and cleaned that fan and mopped a little. Nice to have a clean house. If I just do a little everyday it won’t get bad.

Cont. on 11/22

I have to get a washer and dryer. Maybe that’s what I’ll get with my hopeful bonus. Mild orange was next on youtube and they are solid as well. I have plans to meet up at Dillinger with Tsvet and James and possibly more. I’ll definitely throw on a different shirt and.

I saw you in that chair a look and gaze

Lunch was fun with James and Tsvet as well as Dee and Dennis, and the lady in the corner. I like the Dillinger. I go the Ruben and it was solid and some patron. Man, tequila is so good. I’m going to get a bottle for home. I kind of hope Luna doesn’t come over, but with my luck, she probably will. So just got downtown. She’s going to be a little late so I’ll go get a drink at the bar and pee all . I hope it goes well!

Cont. on 11/21

I can’t believe Luna still won’t text me back. I feel bad for her situation. Like, she has the worst luck. I can’t believe he would just hit, Dalton, and while living together. ridiculous. I may- well if she ever texts me back, then maybe I would consider having her come live here. We could car pool and jam and I think it would be fun. Make some vegan food together and just chill all the time. I don’t think I would mind having her around all the time. I’ve tried and whenever I see her shes always super excited to see me. So maybe I just have to but upfront about it and just be like “Hey, I like you, and u was wandering if you wanted to go on a date some time if you’re interested. If not, no biggy. I’m stoked to just be your friend and I’d be 100% okay with keeping it that way. no hard feelings or anything like that. So yeah, I mean we already know each other. but this would be a way for use to get to know each other ore and on a more deeper level. we can talk about sex and stuff like that and see what we both like. Do drugs together and just have a lot of fun. Could be cool if she ever texted back...

Cont. on 11/20

What do I like about Luna?

She has this like nervous laugh that I find adorable. She’ just comfortable. The right height to fit under my arm. That might have been the highlight of my night. Cuddling right up to her. Only way it could have been better is if she put her arm around me. But the head nuzzle worked just as well. I feel she just seem me as a friend and that’s okay. There’s only one way to find out and it just to ask her. Tomorrow night. I’ll go chill at my folks or maybe find something free to do downtown or I can hit up Evan and see what he’s doing. Or maybe I’ll just go chill and walk around DT a little. Possibilities are almost endless. Definitely maybe won’t hit her up. Are you interested in dating at all. I know you might not be be interested and getting out of your relationship. So I completely understand if you’re not down, and this will be the last we talk about it. I just have developed feeling and I wanted to se if you felt to same way. Nothing to lose really. One of the reasons I went to the show last night was to see her. Mission accomplished. Well see, I probably won’t cause I don’t want to make things awkward. So, that's probably the better option.

Cont. on 11/19

Also, she doesn’t smoke cigs, shes open to drugs, she doesn’t drink much which I would be adamant that I won’t drink when she doesn’t drink. She’d fit right on the back of my bike. One that I’m getting with my bonus. I feel we would have a good relationship and would be happy together. I understand depression, and would want to have an open policy on communication cause that is very very important.

Cont. on 11/16

I don’t know if I’m going to  continue using this pen. It’s a little too much bleed through. It’s not to bad once you write. I thought maybe I would have a hard time reading but it looks okay. I’ll keep using the pen for now. Attempted to make pretzels with the pizza dough. I left and I turned out eggy. I think my water wasn’t hot enough or it was just not that great dough. Oh well. It’ll build a turd. I’ll probably make a BLT later for dinner. but really. I’ve eat plenty for today. Well see. I’ll get a wire brush and get the rest of that just out of there. Get a propane tank and itll be cool. I’ll boil those eggs tonight for sure and that’ll be my b-fast and lunch. Cook all that bacon. I’ll bake it so I don’t have to deal with is in a pan. and I’ll be able to get it nice and crispy! It’ll be delicious. AND she listened to music and likes to go to shows! I wold be the absolute best! So how do you think she sees me? Someone who drinks a ton. She knows all about my touring. I would also be 100% okay with her on tour. no problem with that at all.

Cont. on 11/15

I know I want someone that will help me learn or better me. Okay. Bonus equals home gym stuff and guitar. After this trip I’ll get a desk and get that stuff all set up. I’ll see if she has . I can drop her off in the morning and get her a coffee, then go to the gym to kill time. That does sound like a good plan. Then she can chill there or do something. I’d definitely let her take my car. I can get a ride gone from someone. If she wanted to go out. That might actually be good. Just to get that time alone. I’m down. If it gets. It’s not going to get awkward. It’s not like I’m asking her to be with me forever, I just feel like it could be fun. and if that happens, I will definitely get rid of FB. I feel once I do get a girl, I will just get rid of it and set up - I’ll wait till I get the band page going. Goal - Release 2 albums next year or EP’s whatever. I just want some music out there. I’ll make it happen. 2019 is going to be a good and productive year. No drink December starts now. I can do it. Yesterday I already knew that was happening before to deal to no drink to NYE!

Cont. on 11/14

Still not surprised that I spent $5600 on alcohol this year. I probably bumped it up to $5700 yesterday for sure. That ends now! That’s easily a trip to anywhere for a couple weeks. So bad. Cut down on food and booze and I will be doing great! I’ll find an easy recipe for something I can eat all week. Some chicken something. Make some perogies. It’ll be delicious. Invite James and Tsvet over. Find a good Perogie sauce. Keep it vegan hopefully. Id also be down to seriously cut down on my meat eating. I had a nice lunch with my sister today. I hope she quits that job and finds something else. And Zeb just sucks. I know why she doesn’t want to be with him and why she feels she can’t get a divorce. It’s scary. Especially for her. Be so hard to get Makayla over there unless all her rules just goes away. Cut his house, then she would just hate being over at Mel s. I think she will do it soon cause I wouldn’t deal with that for that long. Especially with his separate account. Not that having a separate account is bad, but it was kept secret. So crazy. That guy sucks.

Cont. on 11/13

Date with Gabby.

She was very nice and I did have a lot of fun. From Baltimore. Graduating next May from ASU. Lives with her folks. Has Type 1 diabetes which sucks. Net a natural red head but likes it. We started out at Artiface, we talked about her brothers show and how it went. she said it went really well. Told her about my tour life and stuff like that and stuff. She was super into horoscopes which is worrying. But really I’m not down. I’m pretty sure that I wont see her again. There was just no physical attraction. I don’t want to have to fake a whole aspect of a relationship just to save her feelings. Just it’s not happening. So, I’ll just have to break it of gently. Something like I had a lot of fun and you’re a cool person, but I don’t think we should continue to hang out anymore. I just didn’t feel anything and it’s not going to progress any more that it has so just do not waste your time or should just keep it like this and if we see each other by chance well say high and stuff. and keep if from getting awkward. Something like that should work! Next tie she ask about it I’ll bring in up and hope it goes good.

Cont. on 11/12

I think they are going to be alright. The eggs that is. I’m hard boiling 12 of them so that's 2 a day plus two days where I’ll get three. We can do Tuesday and Thursday. I’ll find a good recipe tomorrow. gotta take a break from pizza. I be I can lose 10 lbs by the christmas party. Especially if I’m not drinking. It’ll be easy. Work out stuff. Eggs are done. Bacon gets like 15 minutes. I may take a bath here shortly or tonight I should say. I’ll get all my shopping done on Sunday. Not drinking will cut the cost of this trip by a ton. I will have one with lunch but other than that no more. just tell them  I’m on a hiatus. They won’t care. It really is no big deal. Tomorrow I’ll take some week and call it good! Save my a ton on money and I won’t feel like garbage on Tuesday. Well, I guess I won’t be cooking tomorrow unless I just come home and leave for the show. I wonder how may extra miles that would be, but it doesn’t matter. Its’ only a couple bucks to not have to kill like 5 hours. So yeah, I’ll come home after work. Make some good and chill, then I’ll head out.

Cont. on 11/10-11/12

I’m more that likely going to roll after Beemaster. Probably watch a song or two of the touring guy to see how they are. Cool, I’ll stay. Not cool, I’m going to rolling after Beemaster. Sorry dude but I have to be up early and I don’t want to be out till the wee hours of the morning for some band. I’ve never heard of. I will ask Luna out and see how that goes before I figure out if I should ask Vivian. I still think I’m not “cool” enough to date her. I would definitely need to step up my wardrobe, or she does like who I am but I could be fun to get dressed up and stuff like that. Lint roller tomorrow so I can wear my blue sweater but tomorrow. Wake up at 5. No snooze go for a run. Shave and shower. Work a little early. Wrap up that stupid 945 west 8th. That job can suck it! Hopefully we’ll be slow this week. I’ll take this with me and get it filled up. I could have filled up so much if I had this at work. Oh well. Either way, I’m jamming music tomorrow and no one can stop me! Friday I will do perogies. Have Ty and Melka and Tsvet and James and I’ll see if Luna is down. Be Like a triple date! Tell the to bring a game!

Cont. on 11/9

BLT was good. I used ricotta instead of mayo since I didn’t have any. I was even at the store too. I could be having some good food, but I was lazy! I need to stop doing that. Tsvet last night just I mean. It’s awesome that they do enjoy it as well. I’ll see if Luna want to come and I’ll do the vegan pirogies. If not, I’ll do the regular ones. Make the. I’ll make the dough and filling the day before, or all of it before, then just boil and fry and they will be golden. Do Like a salad or get some hummus. Borrow their food processor and make some hummus. Slice up some veggies or find a polish side dish and see. What I can fins. Maybe there's some good stuff if not. Hummus it is. I can do two different kinds. Do traditional and tn maybe find a jalapeno hummus. Then cucumbers cherry tomato's, something. I’ll do a onion mushroom top for the perogies. If they're at the show tomorrow I’ll ask the. I’ll shoot them all a message tomorrow. Should be a good time. I know Ty will be down. Still want to have a variety of people over instead of same people all the time.

Cont. on 11/8

I wonder if I can convert the kitchen to gas if I bought this house. I would tear down this wall. Lift the ceiling and just open this house up! but I  do like the setup the way it is. It’s a pretty cute house but who knows. I may bot stay out here and go live in the bus and rent a warehouse or try and by a place with an apartment. I wander how much it'll cost? Maybe just being single is the way to go for a little while later. Maybe not try so hard. I’ll still talk to Luna though. but its just so easy to be myself. and, I took them for granite for sure. I’lI don’t know she wasn't’ right for me, but we had a lot of fun. Disney all the time, living together and working. I got over KC and Rainy. They were just way too much unfortunately. Their family is just way too much. I just wanted to stay home and play video games. I’m happy that is not a hobby anymore. Spent so much time playing games. They are really fond memories, but just doesn’t do it for me like it used too. Crazy how that have changed. I’ve changed a bunch these past couple years.

Cont. on 11/7

My blood pressure was like 14 over 92 with a heart rate of 102. I was just all high and probably because of how much I drank last night. 3 shots and 5 beers in 3.5hours on an empty stomach. I was pretty drunk unfortunately. At least I don’t have to worry about it. I’m so better at life sober so I don’t know why. I just want to feel something. Binging everything to take my mind off things. but I feel if I keep up with the writing I think I will be alright. I don’t need it, I just want it. Lately I’ve been not super happy with myself when I get super drunk. It’s just not fun anymore. I make bad decisions and just don’t do good. So I think I may just have to cut it out completely. It would be like changing my whole life. Bit I think I’m okay with it. I’ll be able to get a lot of things done and I can work more on music and other hobbies. I do want to get into wood working just because it seems fulfilling. We’ll see. I do have time to do these things I’m only 32 and I have a lot of years left to live!

Cont. on 11/6

I wonder if I can just get by with smoking weed and not drinking. I’m going to get some acid for sure. and just have some good trips. Doing it at NYE during the D could be really fun. I would be down to quit everything but psychedelics. They are by far the best. I will have acid parties. Find a girl that's down and just have fun with each other, explore each others body. I want to do that sober. Someone I’m actually attracted to. I still had fun, but it was what I needed at the time. I would sacrifice that physical attraction for being with someone. I went for what was there and easy. I have been good at not just being with someone. I’m so worried about not getting hard. I know when the time comes I will be upfront about it and let them know the deal. I also really need to lay off the porn so much and get some lube. dick is just getting beat up. Lets do a No Porn December with the no drinking and see how it goes. You can still jerk off, but without porn. I have to rewire my brain to stop thinking about porn, and it’s such a bad habit that it would definitely happen when I’m in a relationship.

[ice-creamforbreakfast]

I was tagged by @questforsims​ to do this ages ago, but I finally have time :D

DO YOU SLEEP WITH YOUR CLOSET DOORS OPEN OR CLOSED? Closed...unless it’s filled with so much crap that I can’t close it.

DO YOU TAKE THE SHAMPOOS AND CONDITIONER BOTTLES FROM HOTELS? The shampoo bottles in a hotel would do like 1/4 of my hair, so no lol.

DO YOU SLEEP WITH YOUR SHEETS TUCKED IN OR OUT? I burrito myself..

HAVE YOU STOLEN A STREET SIGN BEFORE? No, but I did steal an exit sign on my way out of highschool for the last time lol.

DO YOU LIKE TO USE POST-IT NOTES? I like stationary but don’t use as much of it as I hoard.

DO YOU CUT OUT COUPONS BUT THEN NEVER USE THEM? Nope.

WOULD YOU RATHER BE ATTACKED BY A BIG BEAR OR A SWARM OF BEES? Bees. Less disfiguring.

DO YOU HAVE FRECKLES? Very few. I think that they look adorable on other people, but I don’t like them on me, so I got rid and wear spf50 on a regular basis.

DO YOU ALWAYS SMILE FOR PICTURES? It depends on the photo and whether I want it to be taken.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PET PEEVE? People who believe anything they see on a Facebook or internet post.

DO YOU EVER COUNT YOUR STEPS WHEN YOU WALK? My phone does it for me.

HAVE YOU PEED IN THE WOODS? Probably when I was younger and my dad decided that he was outdoorsy for a week. This phase died.

HAVE YOU EVER POOPED IN THE WOODS? I don’t poop ;) .

DO YOU EVER DANCE EVEN IF THERE’S NO MUSIC PLAYING? Only to the music in my head.

DO YOU CHEW YOUR PENS AND PENCILS? Nope.

HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE YOU SLEPT WITH THIS WEEK? Don’t be silly, I’ve been married for almost five years. None :P .

WHAT SIZE IS YOUR BED? A queen sized with a king sized duvet :)

WHAT IS YOUR SONG OF THE WEEK? Marina and the Diamonds - True Colours (cover)

IS IT OK FOR GUYS TO WEAR PINK? Wear what you want.

DO YOU STILL WATCH CARTOONS? Of course :D

WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE MOVIE? Fall of the Titans was pretty shit.

WHERE WOULD YOU BURY HIDDEN TREASURE IF YOU HAD SOME? In my giant handbag.

WHAT DO YOU DRINK WITH DINNER? Sparkling water.

WHAT DO YOU DIP A CHICKEN NUGGET IN? Honey Mustard.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD? I like most foods as long as they don’t contain mushrooms or are super eggy (exception for French toast though).

WHAT MOVIES COULD YOU WATCH OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND STILL LOVE? Romy and Michele’s Highschool Reunion

LAST PERSON YOU KISSED/KISSED YOU? My dog. I’m that type of old lady.

WERE YOU EVER A BOY/GIRL SCOUT? Nope.

WOULD YOU EVER STRIP OR POSE NUDE IN A MAGAZINE? If I had the same body that I had just before I got married then hell yes. Funnily enough, I was too self conscious at the time though.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WROTE A LETTER TO SOMEONE ON PAPER? I write thank you cards for Christmas presents to send to my in-laws who live in England :)

CAN YOU CHANGE THE OIL ON A CAR? Lol.

EVER GOTTEN A SPEEDING TICKET? Nope.

EVER RAN OUT OF GAS? Nope.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE KIND OF SANDWICH? Oh god I love sandwiches! I eat a lot of peanut butter and jam sandwiches, but I also love grilled cheese sandwiches.

BEST THING TO EAT FOR BREAKFAST? I don’t often eat breakfast. I love French Toast though and always have Coco Pops in my house.

WHAT IS YOUR USUAL BEDTIME? Between 11pm and 2am.

ARE YOU LAZY? Of course!

WHEN YOU WERE A KID, WHAT DID YOU DRESS UP AS FOR HALLOWEEN? Werewolf, witch, wizard, Scream (it was the 90s...sue me), an alien, a viking, a pirate...probably some other things.

WHAT IS YOUR CHINESE ASTROLOGICAL SIGN? I’m a dragon, but my p4 teacher couldn’t count and had an argument with me because she was adamant that my sign was a snake...I mean I see her point and all, but no.

HOW MANY LANGUAGES CAN YOU SPEAK? English, Scots (shaky ground on the language definition haha!), conversational French, apparently I have a qualification in Spanish (and remember nothing) and hello, thank you, yes, no, goodbye and the JobCentre enquiry line in Polish.

DO YOU HAVE ANY MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS? I had a Graze subscription, but I had to cancel it because they arrived on the same day as Weight Watchers and I would eat them all when I got home. I used to have a Vogue subscription.

WHICH ARE BETTER: LEGOS OR LINCOLN LOGS? I had never heard of Lincoln Logs, but I grew up with Lego, so I’ll have to be pedantic and say Duplo.

ARE YOU STUBBORN? Yes.

WHO IS BETTER: LENO OR LETTERMAN? Who cares?

EVER WATCH SOAP OPERAS? I don’t need to, I have The Sims and I can see Tumblr drama every day if I want to lol.

ARE YOU AFRAID OF HEIGHTS? No more than average.

DO YOU SING IN THE CAR? No.

DO YOU SING IN THE SHOWER? No.

DO YOU DANCE IN THE CAR? No.

EVER USED A GUN? Yes, but only at a shooting range.

LAST TIME YOU GOT A PORTRAIT TAKEN BY A PHOTOGRAPHER? 2009

DO YOU THINK MUSICALS ARE CHEESY? Sometimes, marvelously so!

IS CHRISTMAS STRESSFUL? Only for my mum lol.

EVER EAT A PIEROGI? Oh god I love pierogi. I need to go buy some now.

FAVORITE TYPE OF FRUIT PIE? All fruit pies.

OCCUPATIONS YOU WANTED TO BE WHEN YOU WERE A KID? An artist.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN GHOSTS? I think so.

EVER HAVE A DEJA-VU FEELING? Yeah.

DO YOU TAKE A VITAMIN DAILY? Sometimes. Mostly hair vitamins when I regret getting a fringe.

DO YOU WEAR SLIPPERS? No, my socks are messed up.

DO YOU WEAR A BATHROBE? Nope.

WHAT DO YOU WEAR TO BED? Fleecy frigid old lady pyjamas.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CONCERT? Lana Del Rey when I was like twenty four lol. I refuse to acknowledge that time that Skooch played a gig at my primary school and everything was awful.

WALMART, TARGET, OR KMART? I’m in the UK, but I’ll say Target because they’re very pro LGBT rights from what I gather.

NIKE OR ADIDAS? Céline.

CHEETOS OR FRITOS? Fritos.

PEANUTS OR SUNFLOWER SEEDS? Preferably neither, but peanuts I guess.

EVER HEAR OF THE GROUP TRES BIEN? Nope.

EVER TAKE DANCE LESSONS? No.

IS THERE A PROFESSION YOU PICTURE YOUR FUTURE SPOUSE DOING? He’s a bar manager and I’ve been married to him for almost five years. Am tumblr old.

CAN YOU CURL YOUR TONGUE? Yes.

EVER WON A SPELLING BEE? No.

HAVE YOU EVER CRIED BECAUSE YOU WERE SO HAPPY? Yes, but not saying when.

OWN ANY RECORD ALBUMS? No.

OWN A RECORD PLAYER? No.

DO YOU REGULARLY BURN INCENSE? Sometimes.

EVER BEEN IN LOVE? Yes, twice for certain, possibly four times.

WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN CONCERT? I think that Kate Bush would be amazing, also t.A.T.u..

WHAT WAS THE LAST CONCERT YOU SAW? Some awful Boyband mega reunion shit that I sat through because I’m a good friend :P

HOT TEA OR COLD TEA? No tea, all shade.

TEA OR COFFEE? I like fancy teas.

SUGAR COOKIES OR SNICKERDOODLES? Both in large quantities.

CAN YOU SWIM WELL? Yes and now that I’m older, fat floats ;)

CAN YOU HOLD YOUR BREATH WITHOUT HOLDING YOUR NOSE? Yes.

ARE YOU PATIENT? Maybe not so much.

DJ OR BAND AT A WEDDING? I had a DJ at mine and I told him not to play the Proclaimers. He played the Proclaimers and I wasn’t pleased. I did tip him though, he was good otherwise.

EVER WON A CONTEST? I had a poem published when I was at primary school.

HAVE YOU EVER HAD PLASTIC SURGERY? Mole removal, botox to narrow my jawline, temporary lip injections, orthodontics, laser hair removal and GRS to resolve an intersex condition (not technically cosmetic I guess).

WHICH ARE BETTER: BLACK OR GREEN OLIVES? I like both.

CAN YOU KNIT OR CROCHET? Nope.

BEST ROOM FOR A FIREPLACE? Livingroom.

DO YOU WANT TO GET MARRIED? I am married and I’m happy :)

IF MARRIED, HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MARRIED? Almost five years.

WHO WAS YOUR HIGHSCHOOL CRUSH? So I had the biggest crush on my best friend. When we left school, things happened, we didn’t treat each other well and didn’t talk for five years. It was really hard. Looking back, it was closer to Stockholm Syndrome than love lol.

DO YOU CRY AND THROW A FIT UNTIL YOU GET YOUR OWN WAY? No.

DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Dogs.

DO YOU WANT KIDS? Infertility is a bit of an issue for me at the moment. I would love kids (that doesn’t mean I like other people’s haha!), but perhaps when I’m better off financially.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR? I like lots of colours. I wear a lot of black, also like purple, emerald green and yellow.

DO YOU MISS ANYONE RIGHT NOW? I miss my work friend who left in January, but we’re due a catch-up on Sunday :)

WHO ARE YOU GOING TO TAG TO DO THIS TAG NEXT?

I’m going to tag everyone, because I can.

[24hourchampagnediet-blog1]

What to see and do at The Big E when you only have a day - News - The Bulletin

New Post has been published on https://bestrawfoodrecipes.com/what-to-see-and-do-at-the-big-e-when-you-only-have-a-day-news-the-bulletin/

What to see and do at The Big E when you only have a day - News - The Bulletin

Most people in New England start thinking about pumpkin spice and apple picking as soon as the calendar flips to September. For me, Labor Day weekend and back to school means one thing: the Big E is almost here.

As a Western Mass. native, I grew up going to the Big E, otherwise known as The Eastern States Exposition, a huge 2-and-a-half week fair featuring everything from carnival rides and games to the latest and greatest gizmos, with a smattering of agricultural presentations, giant pumpkins, musical performances, a Mardi Gras parade and lots and lots of food. Like, a lot.

The Big E runs daily, Friday through Sept. 29. One day usually isn’t enough to take it all in, so if you aren’t making a weekend of it, let me tell you how I — a professional Big E attendee who has gone just about every year for the past 25 years or so – make my way through the fairgrounds so you can get the best Big E experience possible.

GETTING THERE

Be prepared. You will walk all day, so wear comfortable shoes. It’s often chilly in the morning and again when the sun goes down but is often blazing hot in between, so wear layers and bring sunblock. Leave your heavy purse at home. Instead, carry a light crossbody bag or a backpack. You’ll want something to carry your stuff in but you’ll want your hands free to juggle a drink in one hand, a cheese sample in the other. Or, you might get a free tote along the way in which to carry your sweater and purchases.

Leave early. Really early. Seriously. Traffic getting in as the morning progresses and after lunch is awful. I try to get there by 9 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. but most things don’t open until 10 a.m. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you how to spend that time in a bit.

Parking. I get there early and just park in the official main lot, at Gate 9. Cash only, $10. You’ll see unofficial parking leading up to, past and in the neighborhoods around Gate 9. Don’t park far away in the cheaper lots – you’ll regret it after you have to walk all the way back after being on your feet all day. Also, don’t get lured into a closer, pricier lot. If you get there as early as I suggest, you’ll get a spot close enough to the fairgrounds entrance in the main lot that paying double elsewhere isn’t worth it.

Tickets. Buy tickets online or at a Big Y supermarket for a couple dollars cheaper than at the gate, plus you skip what is sometimes a long ticket line at the gate. You can buy a pass if you plan on going a few times. At the gate, tickets cost $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 6-12, free for children 5 and younger.

YOU MADE IT! NOW WHAT?

Eat breakfast. If you entered through Gate 9, you’ll walk into a section with swimming pool sales and a wine barn that feeds into an intersection where every which way, all you see is food. Resist the urge; besides, these stands probably aren’t open yet. Head straight, past the food, past a music stage and coliseum, bear right onto Hampden Avenue and head to the fire station on the right. If you entered elsewhere, ask where to find the West Springfield Fire House. Here you will find a delicious breakfast platter, offering eggs the way you like them, bacon, toast, breakfast potatoes, coffee and juice. There are other options. The line will look long but moves pretty quickly. Plus, you get to sit while you eat. This may be the last time you sit all day. One of my goddaughters doesn’t like anything there and always runs over to The Donut Family stand to get mini doughnuts. She really likes their new cinn-a-roll mini doughnuts, covered in cinnamon cream cheese icing and topped with whipped cream. Yup, it’s going to be that kind of day. Check your Keto diet at the gate.

Get thee to the state buildings. The Avenue of States, as it is officially known, features buildings representing each of the six New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. To this day, I know if a state is in New England by remembering if it has a state building here. The Big E may happen in Mass., but the fair is very good about representing all of New England. Take a look at the calendar to find out which day your state will be celebrated. Anyway, the state buildings feature goods, services and tourist information from each state. And you’ll want to get there early because starting around lunchtime, it can feel like a cattle herd walking around there. I think technically you’re supposed to start in Rhode Island and make your way down, but I do it the opposite direction because New Hampshire is the first state building you hit after the fire station. Everyone has their favorite must-have food in each building. For me, it’s maple cream in a tiny ice cream cone from Vermont, a cup of perfect raspberries from Massachusetts (a friend can’t leave there without a piece of eggy Finnish pancake with syrup), kettle corn from either New Hampshire or Connecticut, depends on when I’m in the mood, and a potato from Danny’s Little Taste of Texas’ Smoke House Grill, between the Connecticut and New Hampshire buildings. Take it from me, this potato is superior to the one people wait hours in line for in the Maine building. I think Maine’s is smaller and the toppings aren’t as good as Danny’s. Only problem is, others have caught on and the lines have grown the past two years to the point where it probably needs to relocate. Worth it though.

Time to get your craft on. I like homemade, crafty, unique things. So after touring the state buildings, I head across the street to Storrowtown Village, which features some historical buildings and often has family-friendly performances on the common which draw a big crowd. Behind that area, I check out the Craft Common. I don’t often buy the crafty things I see at the Big E because sometimes they’re a bit overpriced, but I like to look. You can find all sorts of great gifts and things you won’t find anywhere else, so if you like to get your Christmas shopping out of the way, bring some cash or a credit card. Lots of vendors will hold your items, especially heavy, bigger ones, for you to pick up before you go. Otherwise, plan wisely. You don’t want to carry a big candle or an awkward lawn ornament around for 10 hours. The Craft Common also features an item I used to get every year but stopped a while back – a giant pickle out of a barrel. Try one if you need something salty by now.

Get your puff on. It’s hard to know if you’ll be hungry at this point; it depends on how much you ate through the state buildings. But if there’s room in your stomach, now is the time to try the Big E’s famous cream puff, found in the New England Center, just beyond the Craft Common. This year, they’ll even dip it in ganache. How this wasn’t a thing before is beyond me. You can find a whole list of new food offered this year here: https://www.thebige.com/p/food/newfoods.

THE REST OF THE FAIR

If you’re with kids. You’ll probably want to head to the back of the fairgrounds where the midway is, featuring tons of rides and games. There is a separate section for rides for small kids. At night, the midway looks like a Friday night at the mall, full of teens, so best to bring little kids earlier. You’ll also find a stand featuring all things battered and deep fried back here. I like the fried Oreos and Fluffernutter. Be sure you have a couple of people willing to share it with you though. You’ve been warned. After you’ve had your fill of rides or run out of ride tickets, there are lots of animals to check out. Head to the Mallary Complex in the corner of the fairgrounds to check out farm animals, a milking parlor and a big ol’ sculpture of something different every year made entirely out of – ready for this? – butter. Or across from the fried food stand you’ll find the Stroh Building, featuring Farm-A-Rama. People love to gather around a big closed-in area where baby chicks are hatching to see which one might pop out next. There’s a table in here that often offers apples for free. Sometimes I grab one to feel healthy. Marvel at the ginormous Clydesdale horses. If you don’t see them in their stall, you might catch them in the Mardi Gras parade that goes around the entire fairgrounds every day at 5 p.m. Be ready for that thing, because it closes down the streets for a little while. And watch out for strands of beads getting thrown from the floats.

If you’re not with kids. There are some years I don’t even walk through the midway because I’m not with children. Instead, I head over to the Better Living Center and the Young Building. Both feature booth after booth of random things, lots of them of the “As Seen on TV” persuasion. You’ll find the latest mop, vegetable peeler, Vitamix, you name it. There’s seasoning to make dips, powders to make frozen drinks, beef jerky and hot sauces. There’s clothes and stuff for the house. Bring your patience with you, because by now it will likely be busy in there. And hot.

Be a kid again. The Giant Slide is out the back of the Better Living Center, if you came in from the entrance facing the coliseum building (by the way, if you’re into horses or just want to get off your feet and out of the sun, then check out the shows inside the coliseum throughout the day). If you can walk up all the stairs, then go down the slide. It’s only a few bucks, the line moves pretty quickly and it’s the funnest 10 seconds of your life, especially if you’re holding hands with your bestie or your child. Take a selfie as you go.

TIME FOR DINNER

Get something meaty. Chances are, you’ve been nibbling all day, but by now, you’re probably hungry for something a little more substantial. There are lots of options around you, including a place in front of the Better Living Center that offers huge steak sandwiches that a friend of mine can’t leave the Big E without eating. In case you think you haven’t consumed enough calories yet, around the corner, at the Big E-Z Cafe, you can get a bacon cheeseburger between two halves of a glazed doughnut. I’ve had a bite; it’s better than you think. A family friend works at the corn dog stand – last year it was closer to the Mallary Complex – if you want one. Can you go to a fair without getting a corn dog? There’s also a beer garden over there. And if you didn’t get deep-fried-fill-in-the-blank before, now’s your chance.

WRAP IT UP

You’re exhausted. There’s still lots of things you can check out, and if you have the energy, by all means, explore. But chances are, it’s getting dark, it’s a little chilly, your feet are throbbing and your wallet is empty. Time to circle back and collect anything you bought and had held or to buy the things you weren’t sure about earlier but want to pull the trigger on now. Then you have to take that long walk back to your car. But you’ll remember that deep-fried pineapple upside down cake on a stick you just ate and will be grateful to get a few more steps in. You’ll have a mental list of all the things you’ll want to see and do again next year and what things you missed that you want to make sure you see next time. Then, start marking the calendar until next September.

Source link Keto Diet Drinks

[fuckyeahtattoogirls-blog1]

What to see and do at The Big E when you only have a day - News - The Bulletin

New Post has been published on https://bestrawfoodrecipes.com/what-to-see-and-do-at-the-big-e-when-you-only-have-a-day-news-the-bulletin/

What to see and do at The Big E when you only have a day - News - The Bulletin

Most people in New England start thinking about pumpkin spice and apple picking as soon as the calendar flips to September. For me, Labor Day weekend and back to school means one thing: the Big E is almost here.

As a Western Mass. native, I grew up going to the Big E, otherwise known as The Eastern States Exposition, a huge 2-and-a-half week fair featuring everything from carnival rides and games to the latest and greatest gizmos, with a smattering of agricultural presentations, giant pumpkins, musical performances, a Mardi Gras parade and lots and lots of food. Like, a lot.

The Big E runs daily, Friday through Sept. 29. One day usually isn’t enough to take it all in, so if you aren’t making a weekend of it, let me tell you how I — a professional Big E attendee who has gone just about every year for the past 25 years or so – make my way through the fairgrounds so you can get the best Big E experience possible.

GETTING THERE

Be prepared. You will walk all day, so wear comfortable shoes. It’s often chilly in the morning and again when the sun goes down but is often blazing hot in between, so wear layers and bring sunblock. Leave your heavy purse at home. Instead, carry a light crossbody bag or a backpack. You’ll want something to carry your stuff in but you’ll want your hands free to juggle a drink in one hand, a cheese sample in the other. Or, you might get a free tote along the way in which to carry your sweater and purchases.

Leave early. Really early. Seriously. Traffic getting in as the morning progresses and after lunch is awful. I try to get there by 9 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. but most things don’t open until 10 a.m. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you how to spend that time in a bit.

Parking. I get there early and just park in the official main lot, at Gate 9. Cash only, $10. You’ll see unofficial parking leading up to, past and in the neighborhoods around Gate 9. Don’t park far away in the cheaper lots – you’ll regret it after you have to walk all the way back after being on your feet all day. Also, don’t get lured into a closer, pricier lot. If you get there as early as I suggest, you’ll get a spot close enough to the fairgrounds entrance in the main lot that paying double elsewhere isn’t worth it.

Tickets. Buy tickets online or at a Big Y supermarket for a couple dollars cheaper than at the gate, plus you skip what is sometimes a long ticket line at the gate. You can buy a pass if you plan on going a few times. At the gate, tickets cost $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 6-12, free for children 5 and younger.

YOU MADE IT! NOW WHAT?

Eat breakfast. If you entered through Gate 9, you’ll walk into a section with swimming pool sales and a wine barn that feeds into an intersection where every which way, all you see is food. Resist the urge; besides, these stands probably aren’t open yet. Head straight, past the food, past a music stage and coliseum, bear right onto Hampden Avenue and head to the fire station on the right. If you entered elsewhere, ask where to find the West Springfield Fire House. Here you will find a delicious breakfast platter, offering eggs the way you like them, bacon, toast, breakfast potatoes, coffee and juice. There are other options. The line will look long but moves pretty quickly. Plus, you get to sit while you eat. This may be the last time you sit all day. One of my goddaughters doesn’t like anything there and always runs over to The Donut Family stand to get mini doughnuts. She really likes their new cinn-a-roll mini doughnuts, covered in cinnamon cream cheese icing and topped with whipped cream. Yup, it’s going to be that kind of day. Check your Keto diet at the gate.

Get thee to the state buildings. The Avenue of States, as it is officially known, features buildings representing each of the six New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. To this day, I know if a state is in New England by remembering if it has a state building here. The Big E may happen in Mass., but the fair is very good about representing all of New England. Take a look at the calendar to find out which day your state will be celebrated. Anyway, the state buildings feature goods, services and tourist information from each state. And you’ll want to get there early because starting around lunchtime, it can feel like a cattle herd walking around there. I think technically you’re supposed to start in Rhode Island and make your way down, but I do it the opposite direction because New Hampshire is the first state building you hit after the fire station. Everyone has their favorite must-have food in each building. For me, it’s maple cream in a tiny ice cream cone from Vermont, a cup of perfect raspberries from Massachusetts (a friend can’t leave there without a piece of eggy Finnish pancake with syrup), kettle corn from either New Hampshire or Connecticut, depends on when I’m in the mood, and a potato from Danny’s Little Taste of Texas’ Smoke House Grill, between the Connecticut and New Hampshire buildings. Take it from me, this potato is superior to the one people wait hours in line for in the Maine building. I think Maine’s is smaller and the toppings aren’t as good as Danny’s. Only problem is, others have caught on and the lines have grown the past two years to the point where it probably needs to relocate. Worth it though.

Time to get your craft on. I like homemade, crafty, unique things. So after touring the state buildings, I head across the street to Storrowtown Village, which features some historical buildings and often has family-friendly performances on the common which draw a big crowd. Behind that area, I check out the Craft Common. I don’t often buy the crafty things I see at the Big E because sometimes they’re a bit overpriced, but I like to look. You can find all sorts of great gifts and things you won’t find anywhere else, so if you like to get your Christmas shopping out of the way, bring some cash or a credit card. Lots of vendors will hold your items, especially heavy, bigger ones, for you to pick up before you go. Otherwise, plan wisely. You don’t want to carry a big candle or an awkward lawn ornament around for 10 hours. The Craft Common also features an item I used to get every year but stopped a while back – a giant pickle out of a barrel. Try one if you need something salty by now.

Get your puff on. It’s hard to know if you’ll be hungry at this point; it depends on how much you ate through the state buildings. But if there’s room in your stomach, now is the time to try the Big E’s famous cream puff, found in the New England Center, just beyond the Craft Common. This year, they’ll even dip it in ganache. How this wasn’t a thing before is beyond me. You can find a whole list of new food offered this year here: https://www.thebige.com/p/food/newfoods.

THE REST OF THE FAIR

If you’re with kids. You’ll probably want to head to the back of the fairgrounds where the midway is, featuring tons of rides and games. There is a separate section for rides for small kids. At night, the midway looks like a Friday night at the mall, full of teens, so best to bring little kids earlier. You’ll also find a stand featuring all things battered and deep fried back here. I like the fried Oreos and Fluffernutter. Be sure you have a couple of people willing to share it with you though. You’ve been warned. After you’ve had your fill of rides or run out of ride tickets, there are lots of animals to check out. Head to the Mallary Complex in the corner of the fairgrounds to check out farm animals, a milking parlor and a big ol’ sculpture of something different every year made entirely out of – ready for this? – butter. Or across from the fried food stand you’ll find the Stroh Building, featuring Farm-A-Rama. People love to gather around a big closed-in area where baby chicks are hatching to see which one might pop out next. There’s a table in here that often offers apples for free. Sometimes I grab one to feel healthy. Marvel at the ginormous Clydesdale horses. If you don’t see them in their stall, you might catch them in the Mardi Gras parade that goes around the entire fairgrounds every day at 5 p.m. Be ready for that thing, because it closes down the streets for a little while. And watch out for strands of beads getting thrown from the floats.

If you’re not with kids. There are some years I don’t even walk through the midway because I’m not with children. Instead, I head over to the Better Living Center and the Young Building. Both feature booth after booth of random things, lots of them of the “As Seen on TV” persuasion. You’ll find the latest mop, vegetable peeler, Vitamix, you name it. There’s seasoning to make dips, powders to make frozen drinks, beef jerky and hot sauces. There’s clothes and stuff for the house. Bring your patience with you, because by now it will likely be busy in there. And hot.

Be a kid again. The Giant Slide is out the back of the Better Living Center, if you came in from the entrance facing the coliseum building (by the way, if you’re into horses or just want to get off your feet and out of the sun, then check out the shows inside the coliseum throughout the day). If you can walk up all the stairs, then go down the slide. It’s only a few bucks, the line moves pretty quickly and it’s the funnest 10 seconds of your life, especially if you’re holding hands with your bestie or your child. Take a selfie as you go.

TIME FOR DINNER

Get something meaty. Chances are, you’ve been nibbling all day, but by now, you’re probably hungry for something a little more substantial. There are lots of options around you, including a place in front of the Better Living Center that offers huge steak sandwiches that a friend of mine can’t leave the Big E without eating. In case you think you haven’t consumed enough calories yet, around the corner, at the Big E-Z Cafe, you can get a bacon cheeseburger between two halves of a glazed doughnut. I’ve had a bite; it’s better than you think. A family friend works at the corn dog stand – last year it was closer to the Mallary Complex – if you want one. Can you go to a fair without getting a corn dog? There’s also a beer garden over there. And if you didn’t get deep-fried-fill-in-the-blank before, now’s your chance.

WRAP IT UP

You’re exhausted. There’s still lots of things you can check out, and if you have the energy, by all means, explore. But chances are, it’s getting dark, it’s a little chilly, your feet are throbbing and your wallet is empty. Time to circle back and collect anything you bought and had held or to buy the things you weren’t sure about earlier but want to pull the trigger on now. Then you have to take that long walk back to your car. But you’ll remember that deep-fried pineapple upside down cake on a stick you just ate and will be grateful to get a few more steps in. You’ll have a mental list of all the things you’ll want to see and do again next year and what things you missed that you want to make sure you see next time. Then, start marking the calendar until next September.

Source link Keto Diet Drinks

[turkeyfeet8-blog]

savory galette

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You don’t have to be vegetarian to fall in love with this savory galette recipe. It’s made with kale and beet greens cooked with garlic and sprinkled with feta, currants and pine nuts. It is baked in a free-form whole-wheat buttermilk pastry crust. You can use a combination of kale, chard or beet greens for this recipe.

I originally shared this Savory Galette recipe on June 18th, 2015. I have updated some of the text today.

Last week during our CSA pick-up we got a big bunch of Red Russian kale, rainbow chard and tender baby beet greens as well as a bag of mixed salad greens too! This is a lot, even for a green loving freak like me. Luckily when cooked, greens are not nearly as voluminous as when they are raw, so I knew that the kale, beet greens and chard were destined for the sautee pan.

I decided to make a savory galette, which is basically like a free-form pie. Galettes are made with flaky pastry crust that is wrapped around filling either sweet or savory. This one, loaded up with sauteed greens is decidedly savory (with a touch of sweetness from dried currants.)

How to Make Galette Crust

I made the crust with white whole-wheat flour with a tiny bit of cornmeal added for texture.

I barely cut in the butter, and used a technique called frisage to make the crust flakier. Don’t run away, frisage is no Big Thang! Frisage means smearing the butter into the dough to create little sheets of butter though the dough. When it bakes, the butter melts, creates steam and makes the crust crispy on the outside and flaky on the inside. It’s like cheater croissant dough. Sort of.

I also added in a tiny bit of baking powder to lighten this dough up slightly.

How to Make Savory Galette Filling

You can use any combination of greens you want to make this savory galette filling. I like the balance of earthy beet greens with the slightly bitter kale greens. But if you prefer you can use all kale or even spinach. 

The greens are cooked with garlic to wilt them down and to mellow the flavor of the garlic. You want to make sure they are not too wet. So they’ll need to be stirred pretty much continually while in the saute pan.

I love greens with dried fruit, so I added currants to this filling. I think you’ll be surprised by how the flavors go well together. If you are unable to find currants, sub in golden raisins. 

I also added in some pine nuts for added flavor and richness. If you prefer another nut, add those in, but chop them first.

I didn’t want it to seem eggy or like a quiche, so I only added in one egg to kind of hold it together, and then a touch more buttermilk for moisture. It set up really nicely after it was baked and sliced easily.

What To Serve With Savory Galette

This savory galette pairs well with dry hard cider. My favorite is Wit’s Up by Citizen Cider which is made here in Vermont. It is sugar free, so it is dry as a bone. I’d love to hear about the artisanal ciders in your area.

For a simple vegetarian supper pair this with Carrot Ginger Soup. 

For a festive holiday brunch, this makes a lovely vegetarian main course, but can be served with spiral cut ham and horseradish potato salad. 

You can also serve this with maple glazed carrots.

And for dessert, keep things simple and make one bowl brownies. 

For more on kale, be sure to check out this Ultimate Guide to Kale!

QUESTIONS:

What have you been making with all of the greens lately?

Have you heard of frisage before?

Have you made a savory galette before?

Thank you for reading. If you make this recipe please come back and let me know by leaving a star rating and review. If you’re new here you may want to sign up for my email list.

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Description

A savory vegetarian galette made with kale and beet greens cooked with garlic and sprinkled with feta, currants and pine nuts. It is baked in a free-form whole-wheat buttermilk pastry crust. You can use a combination of kale and beet greens for this recipe or add in chard or spinach if you prefer.

Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

Crust

¾ cup white whole-wheat flour

¼ cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons cornmeal, preferably stone ground

½ teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons sugar

½ teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

4 to 5 Tablespoons cold buttermilk

Filling

2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon chopped garlic

8 cups chopped washed cooking greens, such as kale, chard and beet greens

1 egg, separated

3 tablespoons buttermilk

¾ cup crumbled feta cheese

3 tablespoons dried currants

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper, preferably white pepper

pinch nutmeg

1 tablespoon pine nuts

Instructions

Make Crust: Whisk whole-wheat flour, all purpose flour, cornmeal, baking powder, sugar and salt in a medium bowl. Add cubes of butter and toss to coat with the flour. Rub butter together with the flour mixture to work it into the flour mixture slightly, leaving some large chunks remaining. Add buttermilk and toss with a fork to combine. Work with hands to bring the flour mixture together as a dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Work the butter chunks into the dough by smearing the dough away from you on the work surface two or three times. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 40 minutes.

Make Filling: While dough chills, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring until fragrant and just starting to brown, 20 to 30 seconds. Add greens and cook, stirring constantly until the greens are wilted and just barely cooked down, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the greens into a large heat-proof bowl to cool.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Beat egg white and buttermilk in a small dish and add to cooled greens. Add feta, currants, salt, pepper and nutmeg and stir to coat the greens completely.

Assemble and Bake Galette: Lay a wide sheet of parchment on work surface. Unwrap the dough and setin the middle of the parchment. Top with another sheet of parchment. Roll dough out to ¼-inch thick round about 11 to 12-inches wide. Transfer the dough to a baking sheet. Peel away top layer parchment. Spread the greens out in the center of the dough, leaving a 2 to 3-inch border. Sprinkle with pine nuts. Fold the edges of the dough around the filling, using a spatula to lift. Brush the egg yolk over the crust.

Bake the galette until the crust is golden and set up, 35 to 40 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 galette

Calories: 336

Sugar: 8 g

Sodium: 531 mg

Fat: 19 g

Saturated Fat: 9 g

Carbohydrates: 33 g

Fiber: 6 g

Protein: 12 g

Keywords: galette,savory,beet greens,kale,vegetarian,holiday,easter,christmas,brunch,feta,pine nuts

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Source: https://www.healthyseasonalrecipes.com/kale-and-beet-green-galette-with-feta/

[opepin]

september: week four

18: i woke up before my alarm went off. i didn’t sleep well for the last few hours of the morning... i’ve only been getting 6 hours of sleep on average lately x_x; i did get myself to do a weighted leg workout and then i showered and made my first chocolate peanut butter banana smoothie -- i fell in love. i washed all the dishes before leaving and then said goodbye to kevin. i got to the train platform 10 minutes earlier than usual but i still got to work at the same time -__-’ there were delays again. oh well. then i did a bit of work, played with the surface pro we have at the office, organized my spam email because outlook thinks everything is spam -_-, took a break with cole so he could give me guava candy LOL. so cole slacked me and told me he brought in candy so i thought it was something suspicious but then he gives it to me and it’s the guava candy i can find at the asian grocery market. apparently, he bought two large bags full from amazon -- he’s so funny. well, we talked about food and what we ate as children before heading back to work.

i didn’t have much to do so then i ate lunch and went to figaro’s with cole so he could get his lunch. i got a chocolate chip brownie and ate it all... steve, cole, and i ate in the office supply office LOL and talked about random things like horror movies and birthstones. it was a great time. then we all headed back to work. i headed back and realized i only ate 1/3 of my lunch. i ate another third and then packed it away -- i was too full. then i got on stand up and went right into a meeting with phil. after that, it was already 4 pm. so i headed over to steve and cole’s office and then chilled with them for a bit. i brought over the surface and drew on it and they were impressed with my drawings ;D the surface makes my handwriting look so nice :3 they just finished their work but then i think something broke? so i went back to my office, did a little bit more work and then took my laptop over to their office to work while they finished up their stuff. dave left me all alone in the office for a meeting; joe left early because he wasn’t feeling well. then i walked to south station with cole, took the train home, got all of our mail, tried talking to erin but she was gone, got my first eggie shirt, and went upstairs to the apartment. i got my $200 visa card for my laptop trade in and i got my try again tee from eggie. the tee isn’t as nice as i thought it would be, but it’s still pretty awesome.

after i sorted through the mail and stuff, i got myself to do my butt workout and i died doing the bulgarian split lunges. i think my legs were exhausted from my workout in the morning still. i think i need to cap my lifting to 30-50 min max per day until i get stronger. the workout should have taken 30 minutes but i think i took 40-45 minutes x__x; the struggle was real. i also lifted 5 lbs heavier for basically everything... ded. my legs pretty much felt like numb jello after. i stretched and foam rolled a bit before showering. then i made myself another delicious chocolate pb banana smoothie before washing the dishes. i ate the leftovers from lunch with congee and more tofu and beef while watching youtube videos. then i made kevin a greetabl for our upcoming 2 year anniversary and then did internet errands. oh, i also managed to get tickets back to chicago for thanksgiving for only $4.50 more than my previous christmas tickets. (((: so i’ll be back in chicago! oh, kevin went out to meet up with old friends and i didn’t want to go so i spent my time at home doing my own thangz.

kevin got back and then we talked and cuddled and i ended up falling asleep on the bed for 30 minutes -- i was so tired from lifting. i just wanted to ko. i got myself up and made pico de gallo while chicken cooked the chicken thigh for lunch tomorrow. i stayed up for a bit longer but then just brushed up and went to sleep at some time... probably around 12 am. kevin also showered early and then played a few games and went to sleep early. we were both tired for some reason. well, i know why i was tired. i think kevin went to sleep late last night LOL.

19: i slept in today and woke up extra sore. i ate a pork bun for breakfast and then got straight to work. i took a break when kevin woke up and decided to work from home as well :) i made us the chocolate peanut butter banana smoothie i’m in love with right now and he loved it too! he says it tastes like ice cream LOL. then i went into meetings basically for the rest of the day -- it was a day for design meetings. kevin got the entryway bench from the package room and built it while i was on a design call then i got a short break to eat lunch. i helped move the bench to the entryway and moved the shoe rack over to the other wall. then i went on to stand up and then into another design call. i managed to do some errands and ordered a new toilet brush on amazon prime now. i also booked us a river tour because i forgot about a groupon i bought and it reminded me today. so this weekend will be packed: apple picking and charles river boat tour. i felt pretty dead... maybe it’s because of the weather. x_x; after that, i did some work, took a break to do some yoga, and watched some videos and then hopped on a call with phil so i could prepare more training stuff.

i started reading ‘sourdough’ by robin sloan and i instantly got hooked. i read until kevin gamed, played guitar, and before leaving for the fitness center. it was my recovery day today so i thought i would try doing the elliptical; it was a mistake. it’s nice that i can watch food network but the motion and quad work required of the elliptical were too much for my quads because they were super tired from yesterday’s 60 minute lifting session... it felt weird and i got really bored and kept looking at the clock until 30 minutes were up. kevin ran alongside me and then we stretched and showered. we ate leftovers for dinner plus some of these glutinous rice balls filled with purple sweet potato filling and mandu! yummm. we watched 1 1/2 episodes of agents of shield and then kevin went to game and i continued reading for the rest of the night. i actually finished the book before going to sleep! it was a really great book. it’s not one of my favorites but still a really good read. i felt good. kevin and i actually went to sleep at around 12:30 am. we were both tired. x_x;

20: i woke up at 8 am and then fell back asleep until 8:30 am. then i got up and did a hiit workout but my thighs were burning... i don’t think i rested it enough. i need to rethink my workout schedule again lol. i also managed to hurt my wrist a bit too? it was a really hard workout. i stretched my quads after and then foam rolled. i showered and went to work before making my fave smoothie. kevin wanted some but didn’t tell me so i drank all of it by the time he came out of the bathroom xP i guess it’s time to buy bananas in bulk :) then i went back to work and so did kevin. we both wfh again because we were getting our ikea package today. it was a pretty packed day for me with all the meetings. we had a design meeting that kind of went over on time but then we stopped so dave and i could have lunch. kevin and i snuck in an episode of agents of shield while eating. then i hopped on stand up and then i got on a call with phil to plan out what to do for the upcoming training sessions. at this point, i got really annoyed because phil wanted me to do a run through of the first session and i wasn’t feeling it. i feel like it was kinda overkill to have me do it again. he kept commenting and he told me to slow down (which i do need to do but i was doing it fast because it was a run through). i think he’s very stressed and worried about this but my nerves have come and gone and i’ll do it like i do usually.

well, during the call, the ikea guys came and then it happened so that phil needed to get on another call and so i got off and opened the door for them. then kevin got to building the dining table. i was annoyed and just frustrated about what my role is at t7. i feel like i’ve been a shared asset in which i don’t really have a solid place in training or design so i feel like i’ve been tossed back and forth. in the future, i have a feeling that i will be set to more training and i don’t know how i feel about that. i would rather design than teach different customers something over and over again. yeah, that’s the thing, phil wanted me to prepare for something i will be doing SO much in the future and that bothers me. it seems so monotonous. sigh. i vented to cole a bit and then i hopped off the computer after work and did oblique workouts without weights and on my mat. apparently, there are a lot of isolated ab and oblique moves that make you lose your hourglass figure, especially with weights so i’ll keep weights to a minimum for now. kevin went back to working for a bit before cooking. i put on agents of shield while he cooked.

we ate and watched agents of shield and then washed up. kevin went on a run and took some cardboard with him. after i showered, i took some cardboard and recycled it, washed the wok left in the sink, checked if our new keys opened the storage room, took some suitcases back there, and then took out all of the garbage. kevin came back and showered. oh, we also took out the mirror first when our package came and put it in the room. it looks so nice! it was getting late so i brushed up and hopped into bed while kevin gamed. i think i went to sleep at around 12 am or something. i was tired.

21: i got up at 8:30 am and then did a back workout in the morning. i took it easy on the back because later in the evening, i’d be doing arms. then i came back, showered, and kevin and i got in a small morning argument but then made up before he left lol. man, i am moooody. i made 2 eggs for breakfast and tried mixing pb, cocoa powder, and milk with a spoon in a cup; it failed miserably D: i drank it anyway too. then kevin went to work and i started working. i hopped on a design call and then ate lunch while watching the ‘masterchef’ finale! then i talked with phil, hopped on another call, then went straight to stand up. yup, lots of calls today. after, phil took a break from all the calls and then i finished up the finale while working. i’m so happy dino won. this is the first time i am happy with all three finalists, actually. i wanted jason to win the most but i really liked dino throughout the competition.

anyway, after doing some edits, i hopped on a call with phil again and then made some more edits and ended my work day at 5:30 pm. then i headed over to the yoga studio and did my arm workout. it was my first time working out my biceps and they burned T__T then i came back, relaxed, and showered. kevin started cooking dinner and i watched some youtube videos. then we put on agents of shield and ate our first meal from the dinner table! yay (: then we moved to the sofa and watched another episode. well, kevin went to wash dishes and i walked around while watching to get in some activity. then kevin decided to make the ikea chest and then run. i helped make the drawers and did any two person thing but it was mostly kevin building it. the last time i made a drawer was last year and i the drawer is now falling apart because i built it angrily... LOL. so i let kevin handle that. it actually took us 3 hours to build it... i knocked out after we built all six drawers and then woke up to check in on kevin. i drooled on my shoulder... then i helped a bit and ko’d again until kevin asked for my help. then i just stayed up watching kevin hammer nails into the back and then we moved it into place along with the drawers. lol it was like 2 am and i was ded.

i brushed my teeth, kevin was not going to run so he showered, and i fell asleep before he even got in the shower. lol the first time i ko’d was at like 12 am. i am weaksauce hahah. i think we went to sleep at around 3 am...

22: kevin and i basically rolled out of bed and then kevin went to work and i hopped on my computer. then i made myself an egg sandwich with pico de gallo and a glass of chocolate peanut butter milk. i watched ‘girl’s trip’ while working and then went to practicing teaching my training module. phil pinged me to catch up and then timed myself. i got the first part of the session down in just the right amount of time, but i kind of rushed the second part. i looped back around and talked with phil and both of us felt good about going into this. then i think kevin came back and he went to do something??? probably cook. so i did an intense stretching session for about 40 minutes. yeah, i think i watched some ‘beat shazam’ while kevin cooked and then we put on shield and that’s when i finished up stretching. lol we spent the rest of the night watching agents of shield. we got up to the last episode before the season finale!! i noticed i only walked like 6k steps and tried getting to 10k steps in the last 15 minutes of the day. i got about 2.5k steps before it hit 12 am T___T kevin ended up getting more steps than me today...that’s sad tbh LOL. well, i think we stayed up a bit longer just chilling and thriving in the friday night bliss before the weekend~ we went to sleep pretty late LOL.

23: we woke up hella late. we woke up too late to go apple picking T__T lol. i think i got out of bed at 12 or 1 pm. kevin and i were so tired. mmm we ate breakfast and we moved furniture around in our bedroom. i hated the way it looked and brooded over that for a while and i got super frustrated. kevin left to game and then i got up and started watching an episode of ‘beat shazam’ while walking to lift the bad mood i was in. i felt a good deal better after walking around. then we meal planned and drove over to the mall where bdubs is. it’s our two year anniversary on the 26th and we didn’t really plan anything for it. i wanted to but we’ve spend so much money on the new furniture so we didn’t really want to spend more money on a fancy dinner. so what did we do? we went to bdubs, got fried mushrooms, and split a medium boneless chicken wing platter for only $25 to celebrate LOL. we got the right amount of food to finish everything. we tried their blue moon wings and they were pretty good. the thai curry wings taste like the golden curry sauce haha.

after lunch, we went to auntie anne’s to get buy 2/$6 pretzel nuggets. mmm. we got the original nuggets with the limited edition pumpkin spice one. the pumpkin spice one tastes exactly like the cinnamon sugar but with pumpkin / nutmeg flavoring. we walked over to target and then kind of got lost in buying stuff. i got thinkthin protein bars because i couldn’t find the oatmega bars, we tried looking for the glass bowls but they were all gone, and then i found a polar bear hooded blanket and kevin and i fell in love with it. we then found really cute appetizer plates with a clever print on them by cheeky and decided to try to find where the polar bear blanket came from. the one we found seemed like it lost its packaging? it was in aisle c10 according to the scanner but there was no c10... there was a c9 and c11... we found someone and he told us the display was c10 LOL. we looked but couldn’t find another one. :( but then we stumbled upon a bear night light that would look really nice on our chest that was placed in a spot i hated in the room. so we ended up getting that bear. we also got the last of this bear box!! it was meant to be!! we were looking for a box to fit under our entryway bench cubby to make it look more put together.

at this point, we needed to get out of there so we wouldn’t go back for the polar bear hooded blanket. on our way to the register, i found the oatmega bars and got the chocolate coconut flavor. then we checked out, went to kam man for groceries, went to bj’s for the rest of our groceries, and came home. we put away everything and hooked up the night light and put the box in its place. ahhh, everything is starting to look so nice. we were both pretty full still so kevin went to game and told me he’d come by to run while i went to work out. i did a total body strength workout for 50 minutes. i actually extended my workout because i was wondering where kevin was? LOL. oh, i also love doing clean presses. anyway, i went back, showered, and kevin was still gaming... this boy. then he cooked and i believe he did run at some point. i washed the dishes and tried out the oatmega bar -- it’s delicious! i hope the whey concentrate isn’t too kfjnskjdf for my stomach. after kevin came back and showered, we had rice cake soup again while watching the last episode of agents of shield’s season 4. woooo. the ending is super ambiguous. we cleaned up and we might start watching game of thrones and westworld now. mmm. i think i was super tired after and i went to sleep while kevin gamed. well, that’s usually how it goes haha.

24: i woke up at 9 am and then did a hiit cardio workout. then i showered and woke kevin up. we ate breakfast just in time to leave to get to our charles river sightseeing tour. i ate a thinkthin protein bar after my workout and it hurt my stomach :( it’s probably the sugar alcohols. i think i’ll stick with my oatmega bars for now. we made it just in time for the train and then kevin needed to use the washroom right after getting off the train so we looked around but couldn’t find a public restroom. we walked to the mall where the boat would leave and kevin used the washroom there while i waited outside so that the boat wouldn’t leave us. well, we got there 10 minutes early and kevin had time to use the washroom. we were the last people on, we got a ginger ale to share, and we enjoyed the rest of the ride. we spent half of our time in the front to feel the sunshine and breeze and the other half inside to just sit and chill. the boat wasn’t going fast so there wasn’t that nice breeze but overall, the ride was so relaxing. we got off and got taco bell at the food court and walked to the train station. we entered through the wrong side of the kendall train station and then went to the other side but had to wait for kevin’s monthly pass to work again. the attendant didn’t have her badge and did her best to help us though. lol. i can’t blindly trust kevin when it comes to these things now LOL. we both gotta check what side we’re entering xP

we took the train back and then we drove to the target in stoughton to check if they had the anchor hocking serving bowls. it said online they had a limited stock. we checked in the aisle and they were all gone and asked someone for help and he said there were no more T___T so we got kevin’s shaving cream and drove back home. it was a rollercoaster ride of emotions today with the boat ride, the train situation (it takes the monthly pass 20 minutes to become usable at the same stop), not finding the bowls, and then coming back home stressed because i still needed to do chores and i wanted to get a good night’s rest for training tomorrow. well, i got a tension headache and ended up sleeping on kevin’s shoulder and taking an hour nap. lol i snapped at kevin for leaving me on the couch LOOOL but then i fell back asleep. i woke up and right away, i made myself some food. i think the bar effed up my stomach. then i started the laundry and guess what happened? the washing machine drum made a dent in the metal outer structure of the washing machine and it was making sounds like it was going to explode.. it was really scary. so we had to call the emergency maintenance line and they couldn’t do anything about it. @_@ so we put it on quick rinse and finished our laundry. i feel like everything wasn’t properly cleaned though...

kevin helped me clean the kitchen and i cleaned the bathroom. he vacuumed a bit and then we both worked out. i did another hiit workout and he ran. he showered when we got back and then i waited for the laundry to dry because i had no underwear. he cooked and then i showered. we watched some youtube videos while eating and then kevin cleaned up and i folded the laundry. then we played ‘crawl’ together to see if we liked the game -- we’re keeping it. i still had a bit of a headache so i rq’d for the night and he went to game on his computer. i went to sleep at like 12 am because i was going to work from home because i didn’t want to be distracted by anything while leading training. i also learned that uni are sea urchin testicles....

[24hourchampagnediet-blog1]

What to see and do at The Big E when you only have a day - Entertainment & Life - MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, MA

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What to see and do at The Big E when you only have a day - Entertainment & Life - MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, MA

Most people in New England start thinking about pumpkin spice and apple picking as soon as the calendar flips to September. For me, Labor Day weekend and back to school means one thing: the Big E is almost here.

As a Western Mass. native, I grew up going to the Big E, otherwise known as The Eastern States Exposition, a huge 2½-week fair featuring everything from carnival rides and games to the latest and greatest gizmos, with a smattering of agricultural presentations, giant pumpkins, musical performances, a Mardi Gras parade and lots and lots of food. Like, a lot.

The Big E runs daily Friday, Sept. 13 through Sunday, Sept. 29. One day usually isn’t enough to take it all in, so if you aren’t making a weekend of it, let me tell you how I — a professional Big E attendee who has gone just about every year for the past 25 years or so – make my way through the fairgrounds so you can get the best Big E experience possible!

GETTING THERE

Be prepared. You will walk all day long, so wear comfortable shoes. It’s often chilly in the morning and again when the sun goes down but is often blazing hot in between, so wear layers and bring sunblock. Leave your heavy purse at home. Instead, carry a light crossbody bag or a backpack. You’ll want something to carry your stuff in but you’ll want your hands to be free to juggle a drink in one hand, a cheese sample in the other. Or, you might get a free tote along the way in which to carry your sweater and purchases.

Leave early. Really early. Seriously. Traffic getting in as the morning progresses and after lunch is awful. I try to get there by 9 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. but most things don’t open until 10 a.m. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you how to spend that time in a bit.

Parking. I get there early and just park in the official main lot, at Gate 9. Cash only, $10. You’ll see unofficial parking leading up to, past and in the neighborhoods around Gate 9. Don’t park far away in the cheaper lots – you’ll regret it after you have to walk all the way back after being on your feet all day. Also, don’t get lured into a closer, pricier lot. If you get there as early as I suggest, you’ll get a spot close enough to the fairgrounds entrance in the main lot that paying double elsewhere isn’t worth it.

Tickets. Buy tickets online or at a Big Y supermarket for a couple dollars cheaper than at the gate, plus you skip what is sometimes a long ticket line at the gate. You can buy a pass if you plan on going a few times. At the gate, tickets cost $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 6-12, free for children 5 and younger.

YOU MADE IT! NOW WHAT?

Eat breakfast. If you entered through Gate 9, you’ll walk into a section with swimming pool sales and a wine barn that feeds into an intersection where every which way, all you see is food. YUM! Resist the urge, plus these stands probably aren’t open yet. Head straight, past the food, past a music stage and coliseum, bear right onto Hampden Avenue and head to the fire station on the right. If you entered elsewhere, ask where to find the West Springfield Fire House. Here you will find a delicious breakfast platter, offering eggs the way you like them, bacon, toast, breakfast potatoes, coffee and juice. There are other options. The line will look long but moves pretty quickly. Plus, you get to sit while you eat! This may be the last time you sit all day. One of my goddaughters doesn’t like anything there and always runs over to The Donut Family stand to get mini doughnuts. She really likes their new cinn-a-roll mini doughnuts, covered in cinnamon cream cheese icing and topped with whipped cream. Yup, it’s going to be one of those kind of days. Check your Keto diet at the gate.

Get thee to the state buildings. The Avenue of States, as it is officially known, features buildings representing each of the six New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. To this day, I know if a state is in New England by remembering if it has a state building here. The Big E may happen in Mass., but the fair is very good about representing all of New England. Take a look at the calendar to find out which day your state will be celebrated. Anyway, the state buildings feature goods, services and tourist information from each state. And you’ll want to get there early because starting around lunchtime, it can feel like a cattle herd walking around there. I think technically you’re supposed to start in Rhode Island and make your way down, but I do it the opposite direction because New Hampshire is the first state building you hit after the fire station. Everyone has their favorite must-have food in each building. For me, it’s maple cream in a tiny ice cream cone from Vermont, a cup of perfect raspberries from Massachusetts (a friend can’t leave there without a piece of eggy Finnish pancake with syrup), kettle corn from either New Hampshire or Connecticut, depends on when I’m in the mood, and a potato from Danny’s Little Taste of Texas’ Smoke House Grill, between the Connecticut and New Hampshire buildings. Take it from me, this potato is superior to the one people wait HOURS in line for in the Maine building. I think Maine’s is smaller and the toppings aren’t as good as Danny’s. Only problem is, others have caught on and the lines have grown the past two years to the point where it probably needs to relocate. Worth it though!

Time to get your craft on. I like homemade, crafty, unique things. So after touring the state buildings, I head across the street to Storrowtown Village, which features some historical buildings and often has family-friendly performances on the common which draw a big crowd. Behind that area, I check out the Craft Common. I don’t often buy the crafty things I see at the Big E because sometimes they’re a bit overpriced, but I like to look. You can find all sorts of great gifts and things you won’t find anywhere else, so if you like to get your Christmas shopping out of the way, bring some cash or a credit card. Lots of vendors will hold your items, especially heavy, bigger ones, for you to pick up before you go. Otherwise, plan wisely. You don’t want to carry a big candle or an awkward lawn ornament around for 10 hours. The Craft Common also features an item I used to get every year but stopped a while back – a giant pickle out of a barrel! Try one if you need something salty by now.

Get your puff on. It’s hard to know if you’ll be hungry at this point; it depends on how much you ate through the state buildings. But if there’s room in your stomach, now is the time to try the Big E’s famous cream puff, found in the New England Center, just beyond the Craft Common. This year, they’ll even dip it in ganache. How this wasn’t a thing before is beyond me! You can find a whole list of new food offered this year here: https://www.thebige.com/p/food/newfoods.

THE REST OF THE FAIR

If you’re with kids. You’ll probably want to head to the back of the fairgrounds where the midway is, featuring tons of rides and games. There is a separate section for rides for small kids. At night, the midway looks like a Friday night at the mall, full of teens, so best to bring little kids earlier. You’ll also find a stand featuring all things battered and deep fried back here. I like the fried Oreos and Fluffernutter. Be sure you have a couple of people willing to share it with you though. You’ve been warned. After you’ve had your fill of rides or run out of ride tickets, there are lots of animals to check out. Head to the Mallary Complex in the corner of the fairgrounds to check out farm animals, a milking parlor and a big ol’ sculpture of something different every year made entirely out of – ready for this? – butter! Or across from the fried food stand you’ll find the Stroh Building, featuring Farm-A-Rama. People love to gather around a big closed-in area where baby chicks are hatching to see which one might pop out next. There’s a table in here that often offers apples for free. Sometimes I grab one to feel healthy. Marvel at the ginormous Clydesdale horses. If you don’t see them in their stall, you might catch them in the Mardi Gras parade that goes around the entire fairgrounds every day at 5 p.m. Be ready for that thing, because it closes down the streets for a little while. And watch out for strands of beads getting thrown from the floats.

If you’re not with kids. There are some years I don’t even walk through the midway because I’m not with children. Instead, I head over to the Better Living Center and the Young Building. Both feature booth after booth of random things, lots of them of the “As Seen on TV” persuasion. You’ll find the latest mop, vegetable peeler, Vitamix, you name it. There’s seasoning to make dips, powders to make frozen drinks, beef jerky and hot sauces. There’s clothes and stuff for the house. Bring your patience with you, because by now it will likely be busy in there. And hot.

Be a kid again. The Giant Slide is out the back of the Better Living Center, if you came in from the entrance facing the coliseum building (by the way, if you’re into horses or just want to get off your feet and out of the sun, then check out the shows inside the coliseum throughout the day). If you can walk up all the stairs, then go down the slide. It’s only a few bucks, the line moves pretty quickly and it’s the funnest 10 seconds of your life, especially if you’re holding hands with your bestie or your child. Take a selfie as you go!

TIME FOR DINNER!

Get something meaty. Chances are, you’ve been nibbling all day, but by now, you’re probably hungry for something a little more substantial. There are lots of options around you, including a place in front of the Better Living Center that offers huge steak sandwiches that a friend of mine can’t leave the Big E without eating. In case you think you haven’t consumed enough calories yet, around the corner, at the Big E-Z Cafe, you can get a bacon cheeseburger between two halves of a glazed doughnut. I’ve had a bite; it’s better than you think. A family friend works at the corn dog stand – last year it was closer to the Mallary Complex – if you want one. Can you go to a fair without getting a corn dog? There’s also a beer garden over there. And if you didn’t get deep-fried-fill-in-the-blank before, now’s your chance.

WRAP IT UP

You’re exhausted. There’s still lots of things you can check out, and if you have the energy, by all means, explore. But chances are, it’s getting dark, it’s a little chilly, your feet are throbbing and your wallet is empty. Time to circle back and collect anything you bought and had held or to buy the things you weren’t sure about earlier but want to pull the trigger on now. Then you have to take that long walk back to your car. You swore it was closer! But you’ll remember that deep-fried pineapple upside down cake on a stick you just ate and will be grateful to get a few more steps in. You’ll have a mental list of all the things you’ll want to see and do again next year and what things you missed that you want to make sure you see next time. Then, start marking the calendar until next September!

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