#i made lemon cake for the occasion :D

[magicaldreamfox1]

it's my aceversary today everyone wish me a happy aceversary

[pleasanttyphoonsublime]

7 Things You Should Not Do With sour pound cake strain

London Pound Cake - Strain Information for Dummies

Table of ContentsUnknown Facts About London Pound Cake Cannabis StrainSome Known Details About London Poundcake Marijuana Strain Information & Reviews London Pound Cake Strain - The FactsSee This Report about London Pound Cake Strain

This details is sourced from our visitors and also is certainly not a substitute for professional medical suggestions. london pound cale. Look for the insight of a health and wellness professional before making use of marijuana for a medical condition.

The Cookies Fam out of Los Angeles has created one more mouth watering pressure along with London Pound Birthday Cake - delta 8 pound cake. Besides tasting like a pudding, this tension's THC tests at 26-30% frequently! To create this energetic strain, they made use of Sundown Sherbet, however unfortunately, Cookies is not eager to discuss the winning formula, as the various other moms and dad strain continues to be an indica-dominant secret.

Whether it is delighting in a track, a funny, or even a chat, Greater london Extra pound Covered is actually a fantastic sampling addition that may reportedly assist carry a pleasing contentment to any sort of situation - texas poundcake strain. A lot of state not to be actually stunned if this scrumptious hybrid creates a case of the munchies either. Developing Greater London Extra Pound Cake should be left to the professional cultivators, as this crossbreed expands tall and also possesses long branches that require constant pruning/grooming.

Circulation Kana companions along with premier artisan farmers in The Emerald Triangle that concentrate on small batch, boutique pressures. Circulation Kana's products are on call throughout the Golden Condition. London Extra pound Cake leads coming from a cross between Dusk Ice cream as well as another hybrid strain. The nugs of the London Pound Pie stress are actually dense, however soft.

I don't discover a mill to be actually important along with Greater london Extra pound Cake. There's an incredibly light cleaning of kief on the buddy, however certainly not therefore sizable that I 'd attempt to maintain it, unless I consider consuming a whole lot of the very same tension. London Pound Covered smells clean and also citrusy (frost factory strain).

All about London Pound Cake Strain: Genetics, Effects & Reviews

The exact same holds true in this occasion along with the Greater london Extra pound Covered pressure. The set of the Greater london Extra pound Cake strain that I obtained examined at 19. 93% THC as well as 0 - jack cake strain leafly. 05% or 2mg CBD. I first tried Greater london Extra pound Pie in a forthright. It will concerned 5 hrs given that I final smoked as well as I felt the effects of the other strain wearing off (lpc 75).

I like this strain the absolute most as a nighttime stress since if I happen to really feel extremely lethargic or even sluggish, I can easily regularly turn in and also wake up sensation freshened. My attention is actually not the greatest when using this strain (lemon pound cake recipes). Frequently I'll receive embeded the same setting for unfamiliar durations of your time while smoking this or after smoking cigarettes this strain.

If it concerned food, manner, or animes, I had great capacity to concentrate and know. If it was actually a scientific research online video or any form of meeting involving Elon Odor, I will be lost within 10 mins. ricotta cheese pound cake. I normally really love hearing Elon Musk communicate on any kind of subject, but the Greater london Extra pound Covered stress does not allow me to understand his ideas and also thought methods nearly as well as I could possibly sober - cake lemon kush delta 8 review.

GROWING POINTERS: As a result of to its long branches and also above-average blooming time, London Poundcake requires to become nursed. Through that, we suggest pruning the divisions regularly to avoid mold and mildew and also mildew coming from forming, which the stress is actually incredibly susceptible to as it has a tough time with humidity too. cake london pound cake. Recurring grooming will definitely also stop the plant coming from squandering power on unprofitable branches. vanilla gorilla strain.

Anxiety, exhaustion, and depression can likewise be actually managed with London Poundcake. Due to its terpene account, having said that, the strain is not recognized as a wonderful pain-reliever. As a mood-changer, the pressure is actually an overachiever. Look out for this set if you are actually a cultivator or even individual along with reduced knowledge on both faces, Greater london Poundcake might be greater than you may handle.

The smart Trick of London Pound Cake Cannabis Strain That Nobody is Discussing

Been actually a huge enthusiast of personal computer for over a year now, attempt to always contend minimum a pushcart on hand. I suffer coming from stress and clinical depression and also this strong woman consistently sooths the vicious spirit! I am actually NOT brand-new to smoking cigarettes, and also this stress is actually effective and loads a whalop when it happens to transforming ones state of mind, the good ol' "transform that frown upsidedown" all corrects along with the world strain, anytime of time.

Which is actually certainly not for me. Been cigarette smoking since '93, as well as I like indicas much more, sativas just do not not do anything for me. So this is a paradise sent out strain. And also the preference runs out this world (sherbet cake strain thc level)... MMM, pound birthday cake Bloom, Luvr113 reviews - Posted Oct. 4, 2022, 1:20 p.

Pound pie goes back 200 years, but the sweet never snatched much more than a passing thought and feelings coming from me. It looks like a denser model of white potato breadstuff, and also is basically unseen to any person under fifty purchasing at a grocery-store pastry shop. My experiences along with pound pie finished along with a couple of foolish laughs in my preteen years, and also was actually that.

So I wasn't shocked to find one thing called Greater london Pound Pie, a crossbreed of Sunset Sherbet and an undisclosed stress, on dispensary shelves. Viewing Extra Pound Pie, a generic version of the exact same tension, from internal increases at container outlets was actually even more of an unpleasant surprise, having said that (lemon pound cake sativa or indica). Maybe it was actually opportunity for a pie walk.

It's not comparable to Lemon Pound Covered, either, however that's fine. Pound Cake is still a savory hybrid in its very own right, as well as suit right in on my night food selection but it really did not sample like extra pound any type of pie, for that matter (cake batter strain). If our company're being actually truthful, no pot actually tastes like covereds or pies, yet Extra pound Cake's down-to-earth premiums were actually extremely solid to permit me deceive on my own right into everything listed here. nip og strain.

London Pound Cake Marijuana Strain Information Fundamentals Explained

The high is refreshing at first, eliminating my worry and also increasing my curiosity for a little less than a hr before my cravings is actually keyed as well as ready. Even without the munchies, I still inevitably discolor. You may find Extra pound Pie at Cookies and also dispensaries bring Biscuits tensions, yet many various other growers have actually handled the tension, as well.

It's delightful, however not evocative extra pound cake. cake lemon drizzle sativa. Flavor: Like a souped-up model of Kushes and also OGs from the very early 2000s, Extra pound Birthday cake holds dry out, resinous tastes of want and lemon cleaner with a subtle hint of timber. Sweeter elements with berry overtones stay with the side of my oral cavity, giving the tension a fruity balance - pound breath strain.

I'm interacted as well as giggly momentarily and my mind is never ever unclear, but the physical relaxation sneaks in within a hr (cake og strain). Although those soothing effects do not transform me in to a zombie, they're still sufficient for your smartwatch to call you out for being a stationary part of crap.

For cultivators who will as if to make an effort out this pressure, seeds are actually easily available online (london poundcake weed strain). Merely prepare your lawn or interior compartments and put your purchase. The plant possesses a normal span of fifty feet as well as takes approximately 12 full weeks to floral, with a typical turnout of concerning 550 grams per vegetation.

Rather, you can anticipate strongly positive atmospheres coming from an incredibly cerebral higher. While you might end up being a little bit of tired, you'll likely enjoy it. This tension is everything about eliminating stress. That stated, it isn't for the faint of center or even overall amateurs (pound for pound cake strain tyson). Save Greater london Pound Covered grass for those along with a little bit of tolerance actually.

[whaleofatjme1920]

Hello, agaaain!! I don't know if those 13 requests are filled up yet, but it says they're open so I assume they aren't :D Your Pyro fic had me quaking since you made it, no exaggeration. I always go back to re-read it it's just so good- so in the spirit to give Pyro more love, maybe some headcanons about Pyro on his S/O's birthday? Both NSFW and SFW if that's okay with you (if not, just SFW) I sometimes forget my birthday since no one ever celebrates mine :(

Pyro on Their SO's Birthday

[GN!Reader]

[Warnings: Very general lemon content, MINORS DNI]

[AN: Sure can! I feel that with birthdays tbh. But tell me yours and I will celebrate it with you!! <3]

SFW

without a question, they're going to throw you a party. Depending on if you're more introverted or extroverted, that party varies! They ultimately want to do what makes you feel most comfortable though.

They plan your birthday celebration out for the better half of the year!! They're just so excited and want to show you how much they love you.

They keep track of everything and anything you show interest in. The gifts they give you vary from both personal to things they thought were silly and fun.

They'll go out and do fun things with you or spend a cozy night in, whatever you want to do, they'll accommodate.

Of course they make you a cake that happens to be your favorite. If not cake, some other baked good you've shown to favor.

Pyro is a love bug in every sense, constantly showering you with praise and affection and is so happy to celebrate with you!! Seriously, they can't contain their excitement whatsoever. It's really cute.

They make you breakfast in bed.

They also decorate your room or your shared living space.

There isn't anything Pyro wouldn't do for you.

NSFW

I think Pyro would like to have special birthday sex with you? They love to show you love in many different forms, and while sex isn't the biggest one, special occasions really bring that type of love out.

You'd probably be trying something new with them, if that's your cup of tea.

Not quite sure how to write this as NSFW other than Pyro would be really sweet and attentive, probably taking more control of the situation by praising you and having a more hands on attitude than usual. I kinda think Pyro subs way more than anything else.

Slow and sweet, nothing too out there.

They make you feel loved with every little touch.

[aethelflaedladyofmercia]

Twelve Months - Good Omens fanfic

Happy 31st Anniversary of Good Omens! :D

To celebrate this momentous occasion, I have posted a slightly-sad, slightly-sweet Wake the Snake fic on AO3, because our demon has been napping for a whole Twelve Months, and sometimes Angel gets a little lonely!

Thank you all for another fantastic year in this fandom!

--

Twelve months.

Aziraphale pushed open the door to Crowley’s flat, a simple shopping bag tucked under his arm.

The lights were still off, the curtains drawn in the awful empty room he called a study. Nothing had changed.

He passed through the enormous, rotating section of wall and into the solarium. This was still bright—many of the plants flourishing despite being unattended so long, despite clearly not having enough water. A few had started flowering. They waved their branches at him as he entered, perking up eagerly.

The angel waved back, but first he peeked into Crowley’s bedroom.

He was still where Aziraphale had left him, on his last visit a month before. Bright red hair spilled across black pillows, grown into a stringy mop. Duvet pulled up to his messily-bearded chin. One hand curled up beside him on the bed.

Still asleep.

With a sigh, Aziraphale crossed over to the plants, who greeted him excitedly, unfurling their newest leaves, a few vines hanging down to brush his face.

“Hello, my lovelies. How are you all doing? Look at you, grown at least a foot since I saw you, I’m sure. And you! What beautiful pink buds. Very impressive.”

He didn’t think Crowley would approve of how he spoke to the plants, but the poor things had been so distraught on his first visit, straining to keep upright, trying to hide their yellowing leaves. So much healthier now, much happier for just a bit of attention. He picked up the watering can and gave them all a quick splash. He didn’t know how much water each needed, but it didn’t seem to matter.

“You keep it up, dears. I’ll be back before you know it.”

Picking up his shopping bag again, Aziraphale headed down the hall to the kitchen. The kettle sat on the island where he’d left it, and he quickly refilled it and set it to boil. While he waited, he pulled his latest creations from the bag: a small pumpkin spice cake from a recipe he’d been perfecting since fall, a lemon coconut cake, and a few apple cinnamon muffins.

Two plates—a muffin for each, a slice of the coconut cake for himself and the pumpkin spice for Crowley.[1] The rest went into the refrigerator, where they would never go bad or stale.

Aziraphale put the plates onto a tray, along with forks and napkins. Next he found two mugs and pulled the little tin of his second-favorite tea out of the bag just as the kettle boiled.

For himself, a teaspoon of the expertly blended leaves, steeped for exactly three minutes, resulting in a pale brown tea with a slightly spicy aroma. For Crowley, he dropped a tea bag into boiling water and let it sit until it was almost black.[2]

He carried the tray back to the solarium and selected a bright red-and-gold tulip that was nearly vibrating in its eagerness to be noticed. A moment to assure the other plants that they were still doing fabulously—particularly a self-conscious little succulent that had rather drooped over the winter but was making a fine recovery—and he once more headed into Crowley’s bedroom.

Crowley had rolled over, and now sprawled on his back, sleeping soundly. He’d apparently kicked a bit, too, as the blanket had slid down past his stomach. Aziraphale smiled as he set the tray on the chair he’d brought in some months ago and got to work.

“It’s wonderful to see you again, dear,” he started cheerfully, carefully rearranging the objects on the little bedside table. “I have a few things for you again, I hope you don’t mind.” Just enough space to slide the mug and the little plate. Perfect.

“I received a package from Tadfield again. Everyone wrote a note and then gathered them all together, really quite clever. They’re all doing well, if a bit bored.” The table was nearly overflowing with little items now, brought in by Aziraphale to cheer the place up. Framed pictures of their human friends, quarantining with their families, clustered in one corner so tightly you could hardly see them anymore.

He pulled the latest out of the shopping bag. “Anathema has started a garden,” he explained, pausing to show the photograph to Crowley’s sleeping form. It showed the witch, kneeling outside her little cottage, working on growing several rows of herbs. “I got the impression she was off to a rough start, but she hopes to send us some mint in the next package. Although Newt warned me not to expect too much, as they’d already forgotten which patch is mint and which is oregano.” He set the picture with the others, and slid the potted tulip alongside it. “I’m sure she could use some advice from you, when you’re ready to share.”

“Nnnnh.” Aziraphale spun eagerly, but no, just Crowley shifting in his sleep again, rolling onto his side.

The angel paused to pull the duvet back up to Crowley’s chin, tugging it straight and smoothing a hand down his back. In a way, his friend was nearly unrecognizable, with that hair and ridiculous beard, but in another way looked the same as ever. That was always Crowley’s way, of course, constantly changing yet somehow always the same.

He lingered, taking in the shape of that face, leaning close, lips hovering above his cheekbone—

Aziraphale pulled back, quickly digging into his bag again. “Oh! Ah, the, um, the children have been making projects for their art class. This past month was sculpture, and they sent us some. Look!” He pulled out four little figures of oven-baked clay. “Ah, young Wensleydale has made a very clever model of a train car. Brian’s is…abstract.” He turned the next a few different ways. “And Pepper’s is, ah, either a very complex symbolic representation of the Patriarchy, or…a troll, I think.” They just fit on the edge of the table, all in a line, a very mismatched tableau. The fourth, on the end, was the best, in Aziraphale’s opinion. “Adam made a little Dog, and it’s very well done, don’t you think?” The canine figure posed with one leg raised and head cocked, ready to play, but the shadow it cast was just a little too large, too ominous, for such a small creature.

With a sigh, Aziraphale shifted the row this way and that. “I sent a letter to Warlock, over in America, but haven’t heard back since Christmas. I believe they’re very busy with something. Politics. You know how it is.” When the Dowlings had left England, they’d planned to return for a visit the following summer. A global pandemic had had other ideas.

“In any case, that just leaves Tracy and Shadwell. I understand he’s decided to hate the concept of literacy this month, so no word on how his war with the squirrels is going. And Tracy has declared she will spend the summer making a fairy garden. I thought her sketches looked very promising, and she promised to send us an update in June. I’m sure you’ll find it charming.”

“Hrrrrm.” Crowley sank under the duvet, nestling down a little deeper. Aziraphale smiled, settling into the chair with his plate and mug.

“Things are loosening up again,” he explained, taking a bite of cake. Delicious, if he said so himself. Sharp and not too sweet. “People are getting vaccinated, shops opening up. It’s really a lovely breath of fresh air, at least when you’re not wearing a mask.” A long sip from his mug, then he held it, fingers tapping. “It’s been nice walking through the park again, just in time for the baby ducks. And that record shop at the corner, they’ve had some wonderful new additions. Which reminds me.”

Putting aside his mug, Aziraphale dug through the bag again and pulled out a handful of square plastic cases. “They had a whole shipment of those little records the Bentley likes. Modern music. I picked out the ones with the rudest names. I’m sure you’ll enjoy them.” He pulled out the first disc and placed it atop Crowley’s phone. The device blinked in confusion a few times, then obediently copied all the music.

“Of course, it’s not all good news.” He stacked the rest of the discs atop the phone and returned to his tea. “Reopening means the customers are coming back. Yesterday, this one individual spent almost an hour browsing the same three shelves. And then he tried to make off with one of my books.” Another long sip. “Granted, he offered to pay, but still. What sort of establishment does he think I’m running?”

Aziraphale paused, waiting for Crowley to respond, not that he ever did. The demon’s eyelids moved a little, but no more.

Sighing, Aziraphale turned to his muffin. “You know, many times in the last year, I’ve wished you were there. Particularly during reopening phases. You could have posed as a customer, and then I’d be able to tell people I was at the capacity limit. Oh, and the people who would call to try and buy my rarest books. Collectors, or so they claimed, but then they just turn around and sell to anyone for twice the price! I’m sure you’d have some biting things to say about such people.” He smiled at Crowley’s sleeping face. “I’ve missed that, and your jokes. Rather more than I expected to.”

When his plate and tea were finished, Aziraphale set them on the floor and reached again into the bag. “Now, I have been attempting to teach my computer how to use the internet. I think it’s going quite well. Adam and his friends gave me a ‘homework assignment’ to find articles on recent news events, and I made the most wonderful discovery. Did you know that humans now share their news through humorous pictures? I printed out my favorites to show you.”[3]

He flicked through a few. “Ah, to start with, a few months ago there was this American politician with amusing mittens who showed up everywhere for a few days. It was extremely droll.” He leaned closer, holding them up for Crowley to see. “Ah, a few more from America. The murder hornets arrived, though by that point everyone had forgotten them. The election became increasingly confusing, and it all ended in a parking lot. For a little while everything was ‘This-or-That Total Landscaping,’ and before that everything was cake.” He showed a few extremely clever illusions. “I did try to make my own, but couldn’t manage it without miracles, which I felt was cheating.”

Really, leaning like this was starting to strain his back. Aziraphale shifted to sit on the edge of the bed, the better to share his pictures. “Ahhh. Also for a time everyone’s calendars were stuck on ‘March.’ And then earlier this year, a group of people learned how the stock market works, but sadly not how to spell it. The whole situation seemed very much like the sort of thing you’d be involved in. And…Oh, this angel from a television show was sent to Hell for…reasons.” He glanced at the shape beside him. Crowley had curled in slightly, pressing against Aziraphale’s back. “Yes. Various reasons. And then this musician, I suppose, went on his own. Both had many people extraordinarily upset.”

The next few images would really tickle Crowley, if he could actually see them. “The biggest news is that a large ship got stuck sideways in that canal in Egypt. Stopped half the world’s shipping for a few days while they dug it out! I’m sure you would have liked that very much. Exactly your sort of trouble. The humans were all very excited.”

The final photo was another of the ship, an image Aziraphale had made himself, printing out a blank version and writing on it in felt-tip pen. The hull of the enormous ship was labeled, “An eternity putting up with the tedious bureaucracy and frequently conflicting commands of my superiors until I begin to doubt my own judgement and sanity,”[4] while the small digger working steadily beside it was “Crowley.”

Aziraphale watched the demon beside him, not really expecting a reaction, certainly not getting one. He reached over, brushing brilliant hair back from Crowley’s forehead. “I think you’d have had rather a lot of fun last year. Or perhaps you’d have been upset you could only watch from a distance. Or…”

He’d leaned much closer than he’d intended, hovering just above Crowley’s forehead.

“Well!” Aziraphale stumbled to his feet. “I suppose that’s just about everything.” He picked up the tray from where he’d rested it on the floor, starting to re-load it with everything he’d brought in. Crowley’s cake and tea sat untouched, as always, but Aziraphale wouldn’t dream of skipping them. “We’re all very optimistic for the summer. Two months and everything should be just…just tickety-boo. Perhaps we can go for that picnic soon, if…yes…”

They’d made such plans for 2020. All the things they would do now they were free. Plans, and other thoughts carried in their minds, possibilities that would play out in their own time. Not too fast, just a slow, steady exploration of everything they could be…

“Well. Pleasant as that idea is, best not to—to plan too much, as the previous year made fools of us all. I just…” He turned away from the tray and watched Crowley sleep, hands clasped before him. “I miss you terribly. And I wish…very much…”

He picked up his shopping bag. One item still inside. The same one he’d been carrying for months, trying to find the courage to bring it out.

With a shaking hand, he reached in and drew forth a soft hand-made doll. He’d spent much of the winter on it. Simple white cotton for the head and body, wooly curls for the hair, and stiff white lace for the wings. Dressed in waistcoat and bowtie made from Aziraphale’s favorite tartan.

He still wasn’t sure why he brought it. He’d stitched several little toys, particularly a lovely black-and-red serpent with gold button eyes that had watched him from the sofa since November. But this, for reasons he couldn’t articulate, this one was for Crowley.

“I, ah…” He shuffled closer, doll clutched in both hands. “I made, um…” Back to the edge of the bed, one hand fumbling across the duvet. “…thought you might like…”

Crowley’s face stood out in stark contrast to the pillow, pale skin and bright hair. Aziraphale wanted to drink it in, memorize every detail, to hold him over until next month. The curve of his nose, the sharp angle of his cheekbones. His lashes flickering as his eyes moved. His lips, pursed ever so slightly…

“Bless it, Angel, are you going to kiss me or not?”

Aziraphale gasped, pulling back from the bright gaze of slit-pupil eyes. “You—you’re awake!”

“Nnnh. Half.” Crowley shifted, head moving across the pillow, eyes threatening to shut again. “Wouldn’t miss your visit.” One hand reached out, plucked the doll from Aziraphale’s unresisting fingers. “For me?”

The angel nodded. “If…if…you like it…or I could—I could just…”

Without a word, Crowley pulled the doll under the duvet and curled up, tucking it under his chin, a faint smile on his lips.

“If you were awake you—you should have said something! I’ve been going—going off like a fool all this—oh!” Aziraphale could feel his face turning hot as he recalled a few times his tongue had been a bit too loose for propriety.

“Mmmmmh.” The golden eyes were shut again.

“Crowley?” No response. “Crowley!” Aziraphale scowled. “Anthony J. Crowley, if you’ve fallen asleep again, I swear, I’ll—”

He’d do what? The angel fumed, but what could he really threaten? To stay away? Never.

“Alright then, I suppose I’ll see you in June. I’ve had several new requests for extremely rare manuscripts and I need to go pen some responses reprimanding these vultures for their cheek. I can—”

“You can stay.”

He spun around. Crowley had one eye barely cracked open. Gently, he pulled back the duvet, showing there was just enough space for Aziraphale beside him.

“I…I couldn’t.” But he stepped forward, not back. “I have business tomorrow, things to—”

“Just tonight then.”

His fingers brushed the mattress and pulled back as if burned. “You—you don’t really mean this, you’re just talking in your sleep.”

“Nah.” Crowley settled the doll by his pillow, making space. “Why else would I give you my key?”

“I…to…water the plants?”

“They take care of themselves.” Crowley held open his arms, eyes shut once more. “I missed you, too.”

Well. What could he say to that?

Aziraphale took off his shoes and slid into bed, into Crowley's arms. They wrapped around him gently as Crowley wriggled closer. “Mmmm. Y’r softer than the doll.”

“Oh.” He’d been called soft many times, generally as a way to imply he was a failure as an angel. But just this once, it made him feel rather pleased. “Soft is good?”

“Verrrry good.” Crowley twisted a bit, trying to find a comfortable way to rest his long limbs, and finally settled curled up against Aziraphale’s chest, tucked below the angel’s chin with a leg hooked over his knees.

The angel smiled. “And you’re…you’re noodlier than a stuffed snake. Err…”

A chuckle, just a stirring of breath across his throat. “Can’t wait to hear the story behind that.” Crowley nuzzled against his shoulder with a sigh. “Good night, Angel.”

Aziraphale swept the brilliant hair back again and bent down, pressing his lips to Crowley’s forehead. A soft, gentle kiss that made his friend smile a little more broadly. “Good night, my dear.”

Crowley drifted off again, burrowing close, as the angel continued to gently tease the back of his hair. Perhaps, he thought, perhaps tomorrow's work wasn't so very urgent. Perhaps a bit of rest would do him good. And perhaps...

Well. Don't plan too much. But for the first time, Aziraphale felt a bit of optimism about the coming summer and its possibilities.

“Sleep well, Crowley.”

[1] Crowley had invented pumpkin spice, and Aziraphale assumed he must like it. In truth, Crowley despised it, and regretted every autumn how it took over the entire world. He missed apple cider season. [2] Aziraphale had suspected since the early 1950s that Crowley secretly took his tea with several lumps of sugar, but would continue to pretend he didn’t know until Crowley confessed. Considering current circumstances, that was unlikely to be any time soon. [3] Aziraphale’s fax machine, revived after over three decades of disuse, had been somewhat confused to be asked to perform any task at all, much less to print memes onto photo paper with perfectly balanced color; but like the plants and Crowley’s phone, it couldn’t stand to disappoint the angel. [4] It was possible he hadn’t quite mastered this new form of communication.

[princessjungeun]

Hi! I hope you're doing well :) Can I request a Heejin x Reader scenario where reader spends the New Year celebration with LOONA and everyone knows they both have a crush on each other so they try to set them together for a new year's kiss?❤️

Cherry Chapstick: Heejin x Reader

when heejin invited you to celebrate new year’s eve with her at the loona dorm you lowkey panicked. you’ve been there before on multiple occasions and you happened to be friends with some of the girls as well. the problem was that it was new years. any other holiday would have been fine but new years....everyone knows about the infamous new years kiss. and that kiss was the only thing that was bugging you.

see, you liked heejin a lot, you have for a long time but you’re very convinced it’s unrequited. despite the fact that hyunjin told you that heejin liked you too, it was still hard for you to believe. you had even tried to make yourself un-like her by distancing yourself from her.

but that fell through last night when she told you to your face that she knew you were trying to push her away. heejin was the first for you made since you moved from north carolina to south korea for your mother’s job. she was close to you and she didn’t want to lose that. but since heejin wasn’t one to force you to explain yourself, only asking a simple yes or no question:

do you hate me or something?

you were quick to tell her no which prompted her to invite you to the dorm so you could celebrate new year’s with the girls.

all of that leading up to now. you paced around your bedroom trying to figure out what to do. heejin told you to be there at 8 and it was already 6. most people would think that’s plenty of time but they couldn’t be more wrong.

styling your hair alone would take an hour, then picking out your outfit, eating before you go, walking there, and probably getting distracted on the way. all of those leave you with 10 more minutes of standing around before you’d be late.

without wanting to waste too much time you scrolled through your phone looking for a hairstyle. it didn’t take long to find a simple yet cute one, two braids into a high puff. simple enough.

like you expected doing your hair took an hour, although yes the styling part was quick. you somehow allowed yourself to not comb your hair for four days, which lead to a very not fun detangling process. all is well now though because you looked fantastic, the curls are all types of popping.

you got overwhelmed choosing an outfit and ultimately decided on a sweatshirt and black jeans. just as you were putting on your coat your grandmother stopped you, “where you goin lookin all prettied up pum’kin?”

you replied “heejin’s. remember i told you about it last night...you said yes.”

your grandmother onced you over “put on anotha’ layer, you finna get a cold baby cakes...n change ya shoes too.”

checking your phone you saw it was already 7:45 heejin’s dorm is a 20 minute walk away, 15 if you’re fast.

you whined “momma i’m gonna be late, i’ll only be outside for 15 minutes i won’t get sick.”

she came back from around the corner, a scarf, ear muffs, gloves, and your pair of tims in her hand. “see dats what ya ancestors said bout dem diseases n look what happened.”

you sighed deeply “momma-“ she narrowed her eyes at you and just like that you were on the floor changing your shoes.

when you were done you stood up and asked “alright can i go now?”

the older woman asked playfully “tryna leave me so soon?”

you quickly replied “n-no of course not momma i just-“

she laughed and told you “i’m just messin’ wit ya baby doll, go on now. have fun for me aight?”

you hugged her and placed a kiss on her cheek before running out the door.

it started snowing right as you were approaching the dorm building, you thanked lord that it didn’t happen sooner or your hair would have gotten messed up.

you texted heejin that you were outside and she quickly came and got you, leading you up to their dorm.

when you got upstairs the girls were all scattered around the dorm. haseul and kahei were still hanging decorations while gowon was playing on her switch. hyejoo and hyunjin were arguing over some game that they were playing on a laptop. yerim and yeojin were singing their hearts out in karaoke while jungeun was literally rolling on the floor laughing with jiwoo about god knows what. jinsoul was spaced out staring at a wall while sooyoung went to find her headphones to tune out everyone else.

heejin didn’t even get a chance to ask what you wanted to do because yeojin immediately grabbed you to sing a song on the karaoke machine.

the one perk about you being an american was the fact that you were quick to school the girls on all of the classic movies. from mean girls to clueless to white chicks, they’d seen them all. which is exactly why yeojin had no problem singing A Thousand Miles with you in english.

heejin could only laugh from the side as the two of you intentionally butchered the song. she watched as you went by each member to check out what they were doing as well. her heart eyes didn’t go unnoticed either, especially by hyunjin and haseul.

you’d excused yourself to the restroom and that was the time for all of the girls to grill heejin. each of them admitted they saw the way she watched you, they knew she liked you. heejin caved and admitted it to them all, but quickly following up with “but don’t do anything to embarrass me...please. i don’t want to mess up what we have.”

the girls all agreed, but because all they promised was to not embarrass her, they still managed to devise a plan to get you two together.

you returned from the bathroom, all of their eyes went to you and the room fell silent. your furrowed your brow “w-what? did i do something?”

yerim replied quickly “no no of course not! you just...uh”

jiwoo jumped in “you just look so gorgeous! all of us were stunned by your beautiful.”

you felt your cheeks heat up as your ears felt like they were burning red. hyunjin laughed “awwww she’s bLUSHINGGGG!”

heejin slapped her arm and hissed, “stop that!” before pulling you off to the side, back so the two of you were watching the television.

the two of you stayed side by side for the entire night, her arm looped in yours. by now it was 11:30 and the countdown was nearing.

you personally noticed how all the girls would start to mumble, then suddenly stop when you looked at them. not wanting to assume you just brushed it off, telling yourself it was “work stuff” even though you knew damn well it wasn’t anything work related.

both you and heejin were mindlessly scrolling through your phones, she was sitting next to you, half of her body already on your lap with your arm wrapped around her shoulder, holding her close to you.

“i’m bored let’s play a game!” haseul got everyone’s attention from the middle of the room. the rest of the girls agreed, you and heejin included.

“let’s do truth or dare.” hyunjin stated with a small smirk. everyone nodded immediately agreeing with her on the game.

you already knew it was a set up, but you also wanted to see how it played out so you didn’t say anything.

the the time fifteen minutes had passed, hyejoo danced all of Kiss Later, jinsoul ran down the street in her infamous lemon pants, sooyoung and jiwoo swapped clothes, and chaewon successfully made microwave popcorn (it was sooyoung’s dare to allow her to do it without supervision).

it was now your turn and you were starting to regret not telling the girls that you were onto them.

“alright...y/n truth or dare.” sooyoung asked with a smile.

you replied “truth.”

sooyoung laughed and said “is it true that you have a giant crush on heejin?”

your eyes widened and you switched to english quickly, hoping the foreigner card will get you out of this one, “i don’t understand the question...sorry.”

all of the girls excluding heejin and haseul booed you playfully, teasing you lightly sue to the blush on your face.

“alright that’s enough.” haseul quieted her members down so heejin could go next. the leader also got up and went to the kitchen for a glass of water.

“heejinnie truth or dare?” hyunjin wiggled her eyebrows dramatically.

“truth.” heejin answered without hesitation.

“oop sorry nope that’s not an option. you close dare by default settings.” hyunjin smiled.

heejin quickly whined “wha- she cant do that can she do that? haseul unnie! she cheated.”

haseul came back with her glass of water, a fake confused look on her face “sorry i wasn’t here i can’t do anything about it. sorry heekie.”

heejin mumbled “you all suck...” she took a deep breath before asking “fine what do you want me to do?”

hyunjin along with everyone else looked at each other before saying in unison, “kiss y/n at midnight.”

the two of you immediately froze in place, your face went pale as panic coursed through your veins. did she actually find out? who told? maybe hyunjin was right?

before you could decline you felt heejin dragging you to her bedroom, all of the girls giggling and squealing as you left.

you say on her bed, your feet dangling off the edge as heejin laid on her back, her head in your lap.

“sorry...they can be a little- you know how they are.” she spoke softly as she reached for your hand, playing with your fingers as she talked.

you replied “it’s cool...my friends back home were the same way- really i’m not upset or anything.”

a thick silence fell over the two of you as you stared blankly at the window and heejin looked up at you.

she asked “so...?”

you replied “so what?” you laughed a little at the end, humming a second of the song before focusing back on the conversation.

heejin responded “d-do you actually...like me?”

you looked at your feet, “yeah...i do. but it doesn’t matter.”

heejin sat up “why?”

you replied “for starters i cant really speak korean, your job wouldn’t allow me to even be with you, and even if we did the media would tear me apart for being black and you for being queer, you’re busy and i’d just hold you down. i don’t wanna do that to you...”

heejin frowned and opened her arms for you, “why would you say that?”

you mumbled into her chest “cause it’s true.”

heejin pulled you closer and said “you’re wrong...all of it. you’re wrong. your korean improves every single day. my dating ban ended three months ago, i’d protect you from anyone and you know that. plus i couldn’t care less about what they think, half of the group is queer too. if anything you push me to do better.”

you mumbled “really?”

she hummed “mhm”

you brought your hand up to heejin’s running your finger over the prominent tendons in her hand. softly you asked her “do you like me though?”

she let her voice deepen, “of course” she rasped out gently with a smirk creeping onto her face.

pushing her gently you mumbled “you’re such a tease, stop it.”

she lifted your chin with her finger and asked “what if i don’t hmm?”

your breath hitched in your chest for a minute before you replied “then i’ll have to....”

your eyes flickered to the digital clock across the room, 11:55:00 it read.

“you’ll have to what? hmm? cat got your tongue?” she pushed her face closer to yours, biting her lip lightly as her gaze narrowed, her eyes crawling up and down your body.

you let her push you back against the wall behind you gently. her face was centimeters from yours, you stuttered “h-heekie”

heejin ran her pointer finger underneath your chin lightly, “yes princess?”

your mind was cloudy, your couldn’t think about anything but the girl in front of you. words simply were not coming out of your mouth no matter how hard you tried. the best you were able to get out was, “i-”

she asked gently “is this okay baby?”

you resorted to body language instead, snaking and arm around her waist and holding her hand.

heejin held your face in one hand, her thumb tracing your jawline, “tell me yes or no pretty girl.”

you nodded and choked out “y-yes. yes.”

her eyes looked at the clock once more, only two seconds to midnight. she smiled as lifted your chin so her lips met yours.

the second you two pulled away she told you, “happy new year y/n.”

you were still thinking about the feeling of her lips on yours, the way she held you close, and how all of her emo were put into one simple kiss. without thinking you mumbled “your lips taste like cherry chapstick....”

[mcgrillzdumpinc]

Hak x Kija - First Date

Wow, I’m back doing stuff for Akayona!  Request comes from the lovely angryharmonyqueen

Word Count: 2103 Warnings: None ao3 link

It was a regular autumn afternoon at Kouka University.  Calm weather, slightly cloudy skies, and a campus milling with pods of busy students. Kija had just finished his morning Thursday classes and was eating his lunch, taking what little time he had to enjoy himself before his final class of the day.  He was scrolling through missed texts, mainly from his grandmother, when he heard a noticeable whump in front of him.  Looking at the sound, he saw Hak sitting down in front of him, book bag slumped heavy on the wire table.

“So… want to go on a date?” he asked, casual, as if he hadn’t just dropped a bomb.

Kija spat out his drink.  “Wh-what?!”

Hak raised an eyebrow, his expression infuriatingly expectant.  “Did you forget you confessed to me last week?”

Kija crushed his juice box, not really caring that its contents spilled over his scales.  It was true, he had confessed in a spectacularly embarrassing fashion nearly a week ago.  But that was due to his brothers egging him on and – “I wasn’t expecting anything from it!” he protested.

For the love of the gods, Hak pouted in response.  That was nearly enough to give Kija a heart attack!  “If you didn’t expect anything from it, why would you tell me?”

Spurred on by his eager nerves and the bothersome stickiness between his scales, Kija stood up from his seat and hurried to the nearest water fountain, throwing away the juice box as he went.  Hak followed him.  As Kija ran water over his hand, Hak leaned over his shoulder, his face much too close for Kija’s enjoyment.

“So?  Will you tell me?”

Kija resolutely turned his head away.  Hak moved to lean over his other shoulder. Kija scowled.

“Why are you so angry, White Snake?”

“Y-you…!” Kija started to dry his hand with a handkerchief.  His face was burning, and it had everything to do with Hak.  “D-don’t… don’t get my hopes up.”

A noise of disbelief came from the other man. “Do you really think I would do that? I’m hurt.”

Kija squeaked.  “No!  You’re a perfectly respectable individual, very sweet and honorable!  I-i-it’s just that—”

Before he could continue, Hak took his hand.  It was perfectly dry now, but still he took Kija’s handkerchief to rub at the scales.  Through the thin layer of fabric, his thumb rubbed across Kija’s palm, and the dragon could’ve kissed him right then and there.

“Then go out with me.  I want to try with you.”

Kija stared at him.  The expression before him was as serious and steadfast as Hak could ever get. There was no denying his honesty, not when he looked so much like a loyal knight.

Embarrassment broke their eye contact.  Kija whispered, “Okay.”

~~~

They agreed to meet up at Hiryuu Park the following Saturday.  Kija arrived in a pair of tan oxford boots, light blue acid-washed jeans, and a white with black stripes open shirt, with a blue tank top underneath.  He was there first, of course, because it was only reasonable to show up to a date fifteen minutes early!  He managed to pass the time by texting his friends, almost lulling himself to a total calm by the time his date arrived.

“Hey, White Snake.”

Hak’s voice, deep, rumbling, and unbearably sexy, interrupted Kija from typing an indignant response to Jae-ha’s teasing. Hesitantly, Kija looked up to greet his date, only for his mouth to run dry at the sight.  Hak was in a rich blue button-up tucked into black trousers, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and buttons undone just enough to offer a peak at his chest.  The trousers had embroidered details along the pants’ leg—stitched in grey so they were barely noticeable except for an observant eye.  On his feet were a pair of black dress shoes—bluchers, was Kija’s best guess—and in his hands was a sizeable bouquet of pink and white flowers, interspersed with little yellow flowers.  Hak, the bastard, smirked when he noticed Kija’s fluster.

“That sexy, White Snake?”

Kija gawked, spluttered, all but threw his phone and wallet at the stupidly hot man, before he managed to squeak out, “You’re too dressed up!”

Hak stared at him, dumbfounded.

“We agreed to a simple lunch date!  I came in casual clothes!  Why are you dressed like we’re about to travel to Europe?!”

Hak pouted, the bastard.  “Yona said you’d like this…”

Kija actually screeched at that.  “Don’t bring the princess into this!  Her taste is impeccable, and she’s right, I do like it! But not for a casual date!” Before he could think twice, he took Hak’s free hand.  “Come on, we’re getting you changed!”

~~~

They ended up in a retail store nearby.  Much to Kija’s embarrassment, Hak picked out an outfit that matched his—dark blue jeans, a white tank-top with blue stripes, and a grey button-up unbuttoned to this navel.  But arguing was pointless when Hak only had to smile knowingly to shut Kija up.  With Hak’s previous outfit in a bag and the bouquet resting on Kija’s arm, the two hurried to a café one of Kija’s cousins owned.

“I-I really hope you don’t mind coming to a place my family works…” Kija mumbled as they were seated.  What he didn’t say was my grandmother insisted we come here.

Hak hummed.  “No, I don’t mind.”

The menus were laid out before them, but Kija could only stare at his hands in his laps.  He heard Hak order their drinks for them—hazelnut coffee for Hak, lemon green tea for Kija—but he couldn’t say a word until the waitress left. “Th-th-that’s good…” he managed to whisper.

They lapsed into silence.  Peaking up revealed Hak with the menu in one hand and his phone in the other.  To Kija’s chagrin, he was much more interested in the latter.

When their drinks were delivered and the waitress asked for their food orders, Kija managed to order a salad.  Hak ordered a sandwich.  The menus were returned and the unbearable silence resumed.

Just as frustration was about to win over Kija’s nerves, Hak finally spoke.  “So, um… what are your hobbies?”

That elicited a surprised chuckle out of Kija. “Why would you ask me that? You’ve known me for years!”

Hak pouted, overly adorable for such a handsome man.  “The article said to…”

Kija crossed his arms, finally sitting up straight. “The article?”

Hak grumbled and passed over his unlocked phone. On the screen was an online article titled AWKWARD FIRST DATE? HERE’S 10 CONVERSATION STARTERS.  Kija couldn’t help himself—he started laughing instantly.  “You—you looked this up?!  We’ve been friends for so long, you don’t need this!”

“That’s the problem!” Hak argued as he retrieved his phone.  “This is our first date, it should be—I don’t know—different? I don’t want it to be like every time we’ve hung out.”

In truth, their hangouts were the definition of casual.  Usually, them and their shared friend group would meet up at either Hak or Yona’s houses and watch movies or play games.  Kija tended to fall asleep before midnight and had to be carted back to his home. But on more than one occasion, Kija and Hak would spend a night alone watching B-rated sci-fi movies or forgotten action classics, since they were the only two people in their friend group who liked such flicks.  Those nights were the instigator behind Kija’s feelings as well as a treasured source of memories that he could play over and over when he was lonely.  But he had to agree with Hak—it wouldn’t be a good first date if it was at all like their usual hangouts, silence that was only interjected with jeering or laughter.  He wanted something lovely, something more like a cheesy romance novel than a movie for teenagers.  It made him happy, knowing that Hak felt the same.

Kija heard a camera snap and immediately turned to glare at his cousin from where she was peeking from the kitchen.  She only giggled and noticeably took another picture before escaping to her station.

Kija sighed before pulling on a smile.  “It’s nice we agree, then.”  Remembering the bouquet, he leaned over to the bag holding Hak’s clothes and the bouquet to pluck out one of the small yellow flowers. The tiny stem pinched between his thumb and pointer finger, he held it out to Hak.  “To a good first date?”

A dusting of pink peeked out from Hak’s tan skin. “Yeah…” he agreed as he took the flower and tucked it behind his right ear, “to a good first date.”

Things become easier, after that.  The food was delivered and quickly devoured.  A chocolate cake, “compliments of the chef”, was placed between them within minutes of finishing lunch, and the two of them split it.  Hak, of course, has more of the cake than Kija—the man was the quicker and more voracious of them, but Kija didn’t mind.  He was too enchanted by the specks of chocolate cake on Hak’s mouth, the flower in Hak’s hair, and good conversation to complain.  Thankfully, Kija’s cousin doesn’t bother them any further, and Kija paid the cheque without hassle.

They walked somewhat aimlessly after that.  A live band performance was scheduled at the park they met at, but that wasn’t for another hour.  Kija found himself enjoying the easy silence, and he kept staring at the bouquet once again in his arms.  He couldn’t believe Hak, a brute by most estimates, had chosen something so beautiful for him.  Just as Kija was about to properly thank him for the gift, Hak suddenly stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, hands dug into his pants pockets and face towards the ground, and asked, “Are you having fun…?”

Kija turned to face him.  “Of course I am!”  The sullen dip of Hak’s lips and scrunch of his eyebrows didn’t lift.  Kija stepped into his space, forcing eye contact. “I’ve had a lovely time so far.” Embarrassment flooded his cheeks and made him look away.  “I… This is better than anything I’ve imagined.”

He heard Hak snort.  “I know about those romance books you like to read.  This hasn’t been as great as those, I’m sure.”

Kija frowned, crossed his arms.  “Those are dramatic.  I don’t read them because they’re exactly what I want.” Age-old frustration rose within him, threatening to force out the wrong words.  He was never good at saying exactly what he wanted.  Instead, he took a deep breath and waited out the frustration, then the hint of awkwardness, then managed to say, “Everything I’ve imagined and everything I’ve read haven’t had the reality of having you actually here with me.”  He grabbed Hak’s wrist and kept on charging through, before humiliation and anxiety could catch up to his mouth.  “I’ve wanted to be with you for years.  You could throw me into the sea and I would still consider this the best, most fun date I’ve ever been on.”

Hak was silent.  Kija was about to take back all his words, save himself a least a little pride, when a calloused hand reached up to caress Kija’s chin and guide him to look up.  Kija followed through and barely had time to appreciate the vulnerability on Hak’s face before the taller man kissed him.

Fireworks burst beneath his lips, spread through his teeth and his gums, traveled down his throat and expanded through his entire body.  In that moment, he could lift a piano with his human hand, could run a marathon without breaks, could hold the entire world on his back.  His heart burst, and it was the most wonderful Kija had ever felt.

“I feel the same,” Hak said when he pulled back. “I-I mean…” He snaked an arm around Kija’s back, tugged him closer.  The flowers crushed between their chests, but Kija couldn’t find it in himself to care. With his hand on Kija’s cheek, their breaths intermingling, black hair tickling pale cheeks, Hak muttered, “My feelings for you are recent, I think.  But, I… I wanted to go out with you and it’s been great.  You’ve been great.  Kija, I want to be your boyfriend.  Can we?”

Kija’s smile could barely contain his joy.  This was more than he had ever dreamed of on those lonely nights.  Hak wanted him too.  Hak wanted him.  His happiness alone could power the whole city.

“Of course,” he said.  “I want to be your boyfriend, too.”  And then he leaned in to steal a kiss of his own.

[hiddensteel]

@hiddengills  said             “i made it myself.”

        as if she didn’t already know that. she had quickly learned that when it came to special occasions remy never gave her baked goods that his aunts or he hadn’t baked. not that sansa was going to complain. it was like good baking was a FAMILY GENE. though she had on more than one occasion commented to yukiko that she was going to get fat if he kept spoiling her as much as he did. the other girl’s suggestion to simply n o t eat all the baked goods or simply tell remy to tone it down was, while sensible, utterly unrealistic. her friend had had remy’s desserts; she KNEW how delicious they were. besides it was valentine’s day! she wasn’t going to turn down his lemon and coconut cupcakes today!

          there was a mustache of frosting on her upper lip but she didn’t care. she smiled through the mouthful of cake and icing in her mouth, conveying her utter delight before she was able to speak.          ❝  and it’s d e l i c i o u s like always, ❞          she finally said, eyeing the rest of the cupcakes. would it be bad to have a second one right away? she’d picked up one when an idea crossed her mind. her grin morphed, becoming almost TOO SWEET.          ❝  did you try one when you baked them? you really should. ❞          and with that she gently smashed the cupcake into his face, erupting into giggles immediately after.

valentine’s day starters  |  accepting !

[missguomeiyun]

Homecookings [Feb ed.]

Like I said at the beginning of the yr, one of my goals is to experiment with food more.. . It is more challenging than it sounds when it comes to the physicality of it.

* Shift work makes it hard. My breakfast-lunch-dinner (3 meals) become 5-6 sometimes & the times are obviously around the clock so occasionally I ask myself “what should I eat now?” It’s not so much I have ‘nothing’ to eat or I have too many options, but rather, I gotta decide for my next meal(s). Should I bring this work? Would this taste ok after x hrs & reheated up in a microwave? Etc.. .

* I am an anti of meal-prepping. I’m glad it works for ppl (favourable or not) but it’s not for me. Some of the things I make are spicy to the point where my family can’t handle it, & a good proportion of these dishes are difficult to make in small, individual portions, which means I end up eating it for several meals consecutively. In turn, I’m meal-prepping without having an intention to.

* Not having a “free” kitchen makes it spatially limiting to cook. My parents do majority of the cooking & since we eat together, there’s simply no room for me to do my thing. 

All in all, I hope to cook more but it’s hard to, therefore I treasure each opportunity & make the most out of each use of the kitchen/meal : )

Which brings me to. .. the content of this post. Instead of doing individual posts for random things I make (unless it’s deserving of having its own dedicated post), I’ll just write a summary post at the end of each month, sharing these random acts of experimenting! **Note: some aren’t experimental in nature as I’m familiar with/have made it before on another occasion.

^ Mexican rice & meatballs with some homemade cranberry sauce over a bed of iceberg lettuce (topped with some shredded mozza). Inspired by taco salads~ I just used the Sidekick Mexican rice that can be done up in 10mins or so. While that’s cooking, I prep my lettuce and cook the meatballs on the side. The whole thing took about 20mins to make

^ Bokchoy + seaweed miso soup // deluxe ddeokbokki. My “deluxe ddeokbokki” basically contains several street food items: dumplings, fish cake, rice cakes, & kim-mari (which are deep fried seaweed rolls with glass noodles inside). I added a bit of each, & cooked it with kimchi, chicken broth, & the fire chicken instant noodle sauce that’s too hot to handle on its own. Oh! & I also added some dried seaweed shreds in just ‘cuz!

^ A closer look at the deluxe ddeokbokki. SO GOOOOOOD!

^ Beef-wrapped enoki mushrooms, with bulgogi sauce & fried garlic flakes on top. I had this same thing for dimsum when I was in Richmond, B.C. last February. Except the bundles were steamed in the bamboo steamers & the sauce was different (but same idea!). I pan-fried these. I would’ve wished the beef to be smokier; but with enoki mushrooms emitting moisture, it’s hard to get that crisp appearance. Room for improvement for the next time :P

^ Baked beefsteak tomato with shredded mozza + honey-infused balsamic vinegar. I baked this in my toaster oven till the cheese melted, then sprinkled some more cheese before serving. I like having that difference in cheese texture. One thing to improve on for the next one: need to cut thicker pieces of tomato.

^ Chicken + eggplant in red Thai curry with tartar-coated toasted bread. This red curry has been in the fridge for who knows how long... that its original jar/contained was tossed & the sauce/paste was actually in a small glass tupperware container. Anyway, it was spicy! The zestiness of the tartar sauce kinda took away from of the spiciness so it was nice!

^ Avocado toast with ramen noodle snack! Had some leftover spicy rice cake-flavoured noodle snack, so I sprinkled some on top.

^ Fusion kimchi fried rice with soup (cabbage, tofu, & chicken breast in Knorr chicken broth). It’s “fusion” bcos I (first) used some butter to toss up some frozen meatballs, & then I added the rice + kimchi + egg in.

^ White beech mushrooms tossed in lemon pepper + truffle oil on buttered toast. Had an abundance of these mushrooms & I was trying a new way of eating them. Usually it’s very unexciting & used in a stirfry or a mushrooms-only stirfry in oyster sauce or something. But this was not bad!

^ Parmesan spaghetti with (pre-seared) garlic beef. The sauce was made from parmesan powder, milk, butter, fresh ground black pepper, & a little bit of salt. Rather than a “cream”, it was drier & I was gladly able to control the flavour of it. I sprinkled a bunch of dried oregano on top, which gave the pasta a slightly bitter taste to contrast with the saltiness.

^ Lettuce wrap meal for one :D used iceberg lettuce; beef was just lightly seasoned with salt & pepper; kimchi; & rice noodles + white beech mushrooms in a spicy soup. The soup consisted of: gochujang (for the sweetness, mainly), soy sauce (for savoury flavour), & a bit of fire chicken sauce (trust me! A bit is enough!!).

Hopefully I’ll still be blogging at the next leap year :)

[kpopboops]

Baby- Astro

Genre: fluff, D. Store is a cafe, so many uwus 

Word Count: 2245

Based on the Baby MV which was so cute I’m crying, also got inspiration from this post: https://kpopboops.tumblr.com/post/183789192747/astro-dstore-head-canon by @nojam-secrettime

A/N: Before this starts, I’m just going to go over each member’s flavors (like each person’s soda thing in the mv lol) and their job at the cafe. 

MJ: orange, cashier, helps out with barista-ing 

Jinjin: green apple, manager, helps out anyone that needs it, well-rounded

Eunwoo: blueberry, cook

Moonbin: strawberry, barista

Rocky: grape, bus boy/ baker

Sanha: lemon, waiter

LOL the fic actually starts now--------------- <3

Jieun walked into D. Store, the bell tinkling cheerfully as she pulled the door open. “Hi there, Jieun. What will you have today?” the cashier greeted from behind the register. She pondered for a moment before declaring “Grape soda with a strawberry cake slice.”

D. Store was a cafe that opened up in June 2017. The D stood for dream and the design of the cafe clearly emitted that vibe. The neon sign that lit up in rainbow colors always flickered a few times before turning on which was part of the charm. The rainbow “Open” sign was a welcoming addition and the entire store was surrounded by greenery and flowers. The polished wooden door added a nice touch and added to the entire look.

On the inside, benches accented with a sky blue coat of paint and a wire backing lined the walls. A record player sat on a metal stool, playing songs from old vinyls. The white counter and light colors were complimented by the flower vases and the vines that hung on the wooden walls. Two clear refrigerators allowed customers to take their own drinks and a white display case next to the counter showcased the various sweets that D. Store offered. The cafe gave off a secret fairy garden vibe and Jieun had been a regular customer from the start.

A gasp brought her back to reality. She looked up to find Jinwoo at the counter. Even though all 6 boys who worked here opened the store together, Jinwoo was still dubbed the boss. “I’m so hurt,” he said, putting his hand on his chest dramatically. “How could you not pick my flavor when it’s obviously the best.”

Jieun sighed. “Hello to you too, Jinwoo.” Another gasp.

“Oh no, you’re not even calling me what you usually do!” he gasped, raising his voice. “Shut up, Jinjin,” MJ stated as he walked past, giving him a smack on the back with a promotional poster for their new strawberry banana crepe. Jinwoo huffed as he gave Jieun a number. “Go sit down, your order will be ready in a minute,” he muttered. Jieun plopped down into a seat that was tucked into the corner of the separation, the closest one to the counter.

Eunwoo gave Jieun a small smile as he walked up with the strawberry cake slice and grape soda. “Hey,” he greeted before sliding into the bench across from Jieun. The rainy Wednesday weather didn’t attract many customers with the exception of Jieun. The cafe was rather empty, or to be more specific, Jieun was the only customer that day.

Jieun squinted at him. “Hi sorry I don’t have my contacts today. Who are you?” she rambled. Eunwoo chuckled as he slipped her a pair of spare glasses she left at the cafe. Her frequent visits led to the stockpile of products in case she forgot something. Jieun put on the glasses. “Oh hi Eunwoo,” she blinked. “Eat your cake, the whipped cream is melting,” he replied blankly.

The tinkling sound from the bell made everyone turn towards the door. “You’re back,” Rocky stated, coming out from the kitchen, as a dripping wet Sanha and Moonbin walked through the door. “I was just trying to buy some sunflower seeds but then the weather was like ‘YOU THOUGHT WRONG, CANCELLED, GO HOME IN THE RAIN THOT’ so we’re here now I guess,” Sanha grumbled. Moonbin laughed as he pulled out the various plants and seeds they had bought. As he set a pot of hydrangeas onto the front windowsill, he sighed audibly.

“Jieun’s here and you’re not even going to greet her?” MJ asked as he came back from putting up promotional posters. Sanha did a sharp turn but as he turned, his shoelace got caught in the doorway and he ended up sprawled on the floor. Rocky laughed loudly as he wiped his hands on his apron, hanging it up afterwards. The cuffs of his white shirt were rolled up and slightly wet from washing the dishes in the back. Jieun glanced at his sleeve.

“Shouldn’t you get change out of that? You’ll catch a cold,” she said, concerned.

Rocky blinked out of surprise before realizing that she was talking about his wet sleeves. “I don’t think wet sleeves are going to give me a cold but ok,” he teased as he slipped into the staff room. He came back out rather quickly in a few minutes, dressed in a simple black tee. The rest of his attire was the usual D. Store uniform. Black slacks or jeans and dress shoes were a must but no one listened to Jinwoo and everyone always showed up in sneakers. Rocky’s distressed black jeans were paired with a rather new pair of Nike Air Force 1s. Jieun glanced down at his shoes.

“They’re new,” Moonbin announced, drying his hair with a towel from the staff room. “I bought them for him a few days ago.”

“What was the occasion?” Jieun questioned, finally picking up her fork and taking a bite of the strawberry cake. Moonbin smirked slightly before he ran over to Rocky and threw his arm over his shoulder. “How could you ask that?! It was the first day that we ever met,” he exclaimed. Rocky blinked in confusion before escaping his grasp. He grimaced. “Sorry, I don’t recall meeting someone like you on that particular day. Moonbin gasped before clinging onto the nearest person, which just happened to be Jinjin.

“DID YOU HEAR THAT JINJIN? ROCKY DOESN’T REMEMBER MEETING HIS BESTEST FRIEND!” Moonbin groaned. Jinwoo mirrored him. “NO, HE DID NOT JUST DO THAT!”

Jieun sipped her grape soda, glancing at Eunwoo who was behind the counter, drying mugs. She caught his eye and he gave a slight shake of his head, showing his disapproval. Jieun smiled, taking another bite of her cake which was halfway done. Suddenly, Sanha slipped into the seat beside her, thrusting a napkin into her face. “You have cream on your nose,” he stated matter-of-factly. MJ silently crept behind Jieun as Sanha got the cream off. Just as she was about to pick up her soda, MJ screamed.

“GOT YOUR NOSE,” he shouted, pinching Jieun’s nose. Jieun jumped in her seat as Eunwoo came out from behind the counter, smacking MJ’s head with the cake menu. “Ouch,” MJ muttered, rubbing his head. He moved over to the other side of the bench to make space for Eunwoo. Since Jieun was an interior design major and a physics/chemistry minor, she always brought her sketchbook around. She was always in D. Store, nearly everyday, so the 100th time that she walked in was the time that they all decided to buy her an actual sketchbook. Jieun carried her sketchbook from Daiso for $1.50 into the cafe everyday until she got her actual sketchbook, a Strathmore 300 pg one.

“So Jieun, since Mother’s Day is coming up, I wanted to offer a special cake and I’ve been thinking about flavors and stuff. Can you draw up a cake and see if we can make it?” Eunwoo asked. “Yea sure. Since it’s supposed to be special, we can probably do 2-3 layers and for Mother’s Day, we can write that in frosting. We can probably use fondant to make some roses and daisies and stuff,” she stated, flipping to a new page on her sketchbook. Within a few minutes, she had a rough draft of the cake done and Moonbin, Jinwoo, and Rocky slid into the bench across from her to look at it. “Does this look good?” Jieun asked, turning the sketchbook around so that the boys could see the product. “Ooooooh,” they chorused. “Now we have to try and make it,” Eunwoo announced. “Can we make it lemon flavoured?” Sanha whined. “Only if there can be strawberries too!” Moonbin exclaimed, looking over at Eunwoo.

“Why are you looking at me? I’m not the baker, Rocky is,” Eunwoo grumbled. Sanha and Moonbin switched their puppy dog eyes to Rocky who threw his hands up. “Fine, I’ll do it,” Rocky said, exasperated. Jinwoo glanced over at Jieun, who sighed and banged her head on the table.

The next few days were spent in the cafe once Jieun finished school. They worked on the design, flavors, batter, etc. Rocky collapsed onto the flour sacks in the corner of the kitchen. “Finally, it’s done,” he groaned, proceeding to scream into the nearby bowl of whipped cream. The two-tiered cake featured lemon zest and extract mixed into the batter with strawberry slices in the whipped cream between the layers that each tier had. The top of the cake featured sliced strawberries organized into roses alongside fondant daisies. Rocky had managed to write Happy Mother’s Day in lemon jelly across the top. The frosted outside on the lower tier was a cherry blossom pink and the cake looked like something from an actual bakery.

In the process of making the cake, Eunwoo had decided to create a special French toast in honor of Mother’s Day. After they had made the cake sketch, Eunwoo had sent Jieun a text with lots of puppy dog eye and heart emojis, begging her to design a french toast plate. It was his usual French toast, sprinkled with powdered sugar and cut into triangles. However, instead of the usual dollop of sea salt creme and scoop of ice cream, there were various fruits and whipped cream with a side of chocolate syrup and your choice of 2 ice cream scoops. There was also lemonade and mocha on the side.

Mother’s Day came around and as Jieun walked into D. Store for her usual morning coffee, she blinked in shock at the amount of customers. It was flooded with mother-child pairings, all of which were trying to place an order for the cake or the french toast. Luckily, they had done lots of the preparation beforehand. Since the orders for cake were flooded along with the french toast, Jinwoo abandoned his usual overseeing mode to help Rocky with the cake as MJ abandoned his coffee post to help out with the french toast. Sanha grimaced as he ran in and out of the kitchen, placing plates of french toast onto the wooden tables.

As he stepped on his shoelace which had come undone yet again, the plate of french toast went flying. It would have crashed to the ground had Eric not caught it. He leaned back in his chair, handing it to a flustered Sanha. “Oh now the plating is ruined,” Eric sighed. “I’ll pay for it.”

Moonbin turned around from his coffee making station. “Eric Nam? I haven’t seen you for a while,” he said before walking to Jieun and handing her a compostable, eco-friendly cup full of her usual coffee. “Thanks,” she smiled before weaving her way out of the crowd of people.

“We’ll have to talk later about your new single, Runaway. I need to get these orders in first though,” Moonbin grinned. “I’ll help out,” Eric announced, rolling up the sleeves of his white sweater. “You sure? Wouldn’t want you getting that sweater dirty,” he said. Eric smirked. “I think that you’re forgetting that I used to cook lunch for all of you when you were freshmen in high school,” he laughed before throwing on an apron. “Whatever you say,” Moonbin grumbled, laughing out loud just moments after.

Jieun walked back to the cafe in the spring sunlight after she had finished her classes, planning to finish the rest of her work at D. Store like she usually did. She skipped into the cafe before hearing a “Sorry we’re closed.” Eunwoo looked up from where he was slumped on the bench. “Oh it’s you Jieun,” he sighed before collapsing completely on the bench. “Rough day huh?” she questioned before sliding into the seat across of him. The rest of the boys stumbled out from the back before each falling into a bench. Jinwoo crossed his arms, leaning on them from behind the counter. “Hey at least we made a ton of profit. That means all of you get bonuses.”

“WAIT REALLY?” Sanha screamed, bolting upright and managing to hit his elbow on the table in the process. “Yep. I’ll include them in your paycheck,” Jinwoo grinned. Rocky came out of the kitchen, balancing 3 plates of the huge french toast dish and 7 slices of cake on his arm. “Here,” he said, sliding a piece of cake and a plate of french toast in front of Jieun. “Share it with Eunwoo. “I don’t want it,” Eunwoo groaned, waving his white handkerchief in the air like a flag. “I’m so sick of that dish after testing 34 different versions of it. I don’t think I’ll be eating French toast anytime soon.”

Rocky chuckled a little before sitting down beside Jieun and sliding the next table over. “I don’t think so buddy,” MJ announced, sliding onto the chair in front of her. Everyone gathered around the table, fighting for a spot near a person they liked. As Rocky set down the plates of food, a disheveled Eric came out from the back, sidling next to the closest person but failing to do so and instead falling onto the floor. Everyone laughed as he stumbled to a nearby chair. The sun set slowly outside D. Store. Time was passing but most of all, he warm atmosphere convinced Jieun that she would never find better friends anywhere else.

A/N: I don’t like the ending of this but I have no idea how to end it so lol. Below are drawings of the Mother’s Day special dishes that I feel like they would make. I drew it in class so it might be a lil messy. The graphite from my other drawing also kind of transferred onto it ;-; anyways. Hope you guys are in soft boo hours after that. Roses on cake by @10hour11minute

[acresoflentils]

100 Budget Vegetarian Menus For All Occasions

All come out to under $2/person under ideal shopping circumstances where I live (small city in western Washington), and even under less than ideal shopping circumstances, they should still be pretty cheap if you don’t live in a food desert.  All menus have at least 600 calories and at least 20 grams of protein.  (I was keeping track of calorie counts as a rough estimate of “will this reasonably nourish a full-grown human?” to make sure I didn’t drastically over or under-shoot, but these are not intended to be diet menus.)

South American (Andean): Peanut Soup (mashed potatoes, peanut butter, chopped onion, seasonings), salsa, hard boiled eggs, carrot sticks - Total: $1.17 Calories: 687  Protein: 28

Italian-American: Spaghetti with homemade lentil "meatballs" and cheese, cabbage salad (shredded cabbage and carrots with olives and Italian dressing) - Total: $1.25  Calories: 766  Protein: 35

English: Mushy peas, oven fries, carrot sticks, bananas and “custard” (flour, butter, and milk hasty pudding) - Total: $1.03 cents  Calories: 812  Protein: 27  Lighter option: skip the custard sauce, sprinkle the banana with a little cinnamon sugar: Calories: 600  Protein: 21

Baked potatoes, lentil chili (lentils cooked with onions and seasonings), glazed carrots (with butter or margarine and brown sugar) - Total: $1.05  Calories: 738  Protein: 25  Lighter option: Plain carrots with a little soy sauce & herbs instead of butter and sugar.

Good brown stew (pinto beans, potatoes, carrots, onion, dumplings), homemade garlic toast - Total: 88 cents  Calories: 800  Protein: 22  Lighter option: skip the garlic bread, have veggie crudites on the side.

East African: Irio (potatoes mashed with split peas and corn kernels), homemade chapatis, kachumbari salad (raw cabbage + spicy canned tomatoes), baked sweet potato - Total: $1.28  Calories: 756  Protein: 29

Lentil meatballs and gravy over mashed potatoes, peas and carrots -Total: 93 cents, Calories: 804  Protein: 30

Chickpea stew with dumplings and vegetables (potatoes, carrots, onions, green peas), baked squash - Total: $1.65  Calories: 671  Protein: 22 grams

Indian: Curried lentils and vegetables (carrots, spinach, and potatoes) over rice, homemade chapatis - Total: $1.  Calories: 686  Protein: 32

Central European: Lentil meatballs and gravy, boiled potatoes, sweet and sour cabbage (cabbage with apple, vinegar, and brown sugar) - Total: 94 cents  Calories: 747  Protein: 27 grams

Split pea soup (with carrots and potatoes), savory cabbage (cabbage with sauteed onions and barbecue sauce), garlic bread -Total: $1.02  Calories: 708  Protein: 22.5 grams

Egg, potato, and onion omelet, broccoli with garlic butter, cheese toast - Total: $1.17  Calories: 668 Protein: 27 grams

Taco bean soup (black beans, canned tomatoes, canned corn, onion, seasonings), quesadillas (tortillas, cheese, salsa), carrot sticks, pan-fried banana with cinnamon - Total: $1.88  Calories: 697  Protein: 28

Chili mac (macaroni, lentils, spicy canned tomatoes, cheese, onion), homemade coleslaw (raw shredded cabbage and carrots with sweet and sour mayo dressing) -Total: $1.30  Calories: 751  Protein: 32 grams

Tomato and pea soup, carrot sticks, cheese toast - Total: $1.33  Calories: 652  Protein: 29

Mexican: Spanish rice (rice with canned tomatoes and seasonings), savory pinto beans (pinto beans with onion and barbecue sauce), cabbage salad (raw cabbage and carrots with Italian dressing) - Total: $1.04  Calories: 783  Protein: 21

Indian: Curried split peas and carrots over rice, homemade chapatis, fruit salad (bananas, orange sections, a little cinnamon) - Total: $1.20  Calories: 702  Protein: 23

Italian-American: Minestrone (pasta, canned beans, vegetables, and seasonings), cheese toast, carrot sticks - $1.52  Calories: 689  Protein: 32

Italian-American: Pasta with mock alfredo sauce (pureed white beans, margarine, garlic powder), broccoli with herbs and cheese, garlic bread - $1.14.  Calories: 775 Protein: 25

East African: Sukuma wiki (cabbage, fried onion, and spicy tomato stew with canned kidney beans) over mashed potatoes, peanut butter-sweet potato pudding - Total: $1.50  Calories: 722  Protein: 26

Mexican-American: Tacos (pinto beans, chopped onion, raw cabbage, canned tomato, salsa, cheese, corn tortillas), carrot sticks, bananas with cinnamon-vanilla sauce - Total: $1.47  Calories: 824  Protein: 29

Egg and stir-fried veggie wraps (made with frozen broccoli, cabbage, onion, and homemade chapatis), baked sweet potatoes - Total: $1.26  Calories: 667  Protein: 26

Central European: Rumford soup (bean, potato, carrot, and barley soup), hard boiled eggs, sweet and sour cabbage -Total: $1.25  Calories: 759  Protein: 30

Chinese-American: Egg drop soup, stir-fried noodles and vegetables (broccoli, carrots, onion), rice, fruit salad (oranges and bananas) -Total: $1.48  Calories: 897  Protein: 28

Italian: All-in vegetable frittata (spinach, potato, carrots, onion), garlic bread, cabbage and carrot salad - Total: $1.48  Calories: 659  Protein: 26

Vegetable-barley soup, cheese toast - Total: $1.37  Calories: 645  Protein: 21 grams

Corned bean hash (lentils, potato, onions, seasonings) with fried eggs, glazed carrots, oranges - Total: $1.47  Calories: 702 Protein: 28

Macaroni tomato souffle (baked mac and cheese with canned tomatoes and beaten egg), peas and carrots -Total: $1.18 Calories: 796  Protein: 32

Homemade Bean loaf (made with pinto beans and lentils for the protein and oats for the starchy component), mashed potatoes and gravy, peas and carrots -Total: 90 cents  Calories: 708  Protein: 26 grams

Breakfast for dinner (pancakes with bananas and cinnamon, scrambled eggs,fried potatoes, orange juice, milk) - Total: $1.18 cents  Calories: 869  Protein: 27

Chicken-fried oatmeal cutlets (fried seasoned oat and mashed potato patties) and gravy, devilled eggs, homemade coleslaw - Total: 88 cents.  Calories: 757  Protein: 24

Hearty pasta salad (with carrots, peas, corn, and canned kidney beans), fresh apple - $1.48  Calories: 832  Protein: 27

West African: Groundnut chop (lentil-vegetables stew with peanut butter and spicy tomatoes), rice, baked sweet potatoes -Total: $1.30  Calories: 744  Protein: 30

Scottish: Scotch broth (barley-split pea-root vegetable stew), homemade oatcakes with cheese - Total: $1.34  Calories: 826  Protein: 35

Scottish: Minches and mash (stewed lentils with carrots and onions over mashed potatoes), carrot sticks - Total: $1.01  Calories: 652  Protein: 26

Baked beans (from scratch), toasted tortillas, cabbage-apple salad with evaporated milk dressing and sunflower seeds - Total: 97 cents   Calories: 764  Protein: 24

Split pea soup, cabbage-apple salad with evaporated milk dressing, bread and butter pudding - Total: $1.32  Calories: 843  Protein: 32

Indian: Palak panir (curried tofu and spinach), rice, chapatis, carrot halwa (carrot-milk pudding) - Total: $1.58  Calories: 855  Protein: 33

Scottish: Burns Night: Homemade vegetarian haggis, neeps and tatties (mashed turnips and potatoes), mock cranachan (yogurt, toasted oatmeal, and jam parfait) - Total: $1.50  Calories: 882  Protein: 25  With one potato: $1.38  Calories: 752  Protein: 22  Using raspberry preserves instead of strawberry spread: $1.57, 872 calories

Indian: Punjabi dal (lentils and kidney beans in a creamy tomato curry sauce) on rice, fruit salad (banana and orange) - Total: $1.62  Calories: 732  Protein: 31

Bean loaf and gravy, hedgehog potatoes, carrot-raisin-orange salad (raw grated carrots, oranges, raisins, evaporated milk dressing, cinnamon) - Total: $1.07  Calories: 750  Protein: 24

Indian-American: 3-P Curry (peanuts, peas, potatoes), rice, cabbage-orange salad -Total: $1.27  Calories: 730  Protein: 22

Central European: Beans...er... Schnitzel? (breaded sauteed bean cutlet), hedgehog potatoes, sweet and sour cabbage - Total: 88 cents, 707 calories, 26 protein

Baked Spaghetti (with lentils, vegetables, tomato sauce, and cheese), cabbage-orange salad (raw cabbage, oranges, Italian dressing) - Total: $1.45  Calories: 667  Protein: 30

Italian: Pasta e fagioli (pasta, bean, tomato, and onion soup), garlic toast, broccoli with lemon butter - Total: $1.35  Calories: 826  Protein: 28

Thai: Thai Chickpea Salad (raw cabbage and carrot salad with canned chickpeas, peanut butter dressing, and crispy fried onions), Rice, Thai Iced Tea -Total: $1.17  Calories: 728  Protein: 25

British: Shepherdess Pie (vegetarian shepherd's pie with lentils and vegetables topped with mashed potatoes ), Cabbage-Apple Salad with evaporated milk dressing - Total: $1.80  Calories: 857  Protein: 31

Italian: Scallobeanie (Italian-seasoned bean cutlet, coated with egg and crumbs and sauteed), spaghetti marinara, cabbage salad - Total: 91 cents, 648 calories, 30 protein.  With garlic bread: $1.05  Calories: 868  Protein: 33 grams

Cantonese-American: Tofu chow mein (tofu, ramen noodles, celery, onion), fried rice, fruit salad (banana and orange), green tea - Total: $1.80  Calories: 906  Protein: 26

Greek: Eastern Mediterranean Bean Cutlet (flavored with garlic, parsley, oregano, lemon pepper, and a touch of cinnamon), Greek salad (raw cabbage with diced canned tomatoes, olives, marinated tofu "faux feta," and Italian dressing mixed with lemon, garlic, and oregano), oven fries -Total: $1.74  Calories: 839  Protein: 34

Italian: Antipasto (homemade hummus (mashed chickpeas mixed with peanut butter, vinegar or lemon juice, salt, and garlic) and crackers, faux feta, marinated vegetables, olives), cacio e pepe (spaghetti with cheese and pepper) - Total: $1.24  Calories: 749  Protein: 26

Salvadoran: Red beans, pupusitas (fat homemade corn tortillas) with cheese and salsa, curtido (cabbage-carrot-onion slaw with a spicy vinegar dressing) - Total: $1.30  Calories: 694  Protein: 34

Homemade baked beans, buttered corn cakes, carrot-orange-raisin salad - Total: 98 cents  Calories: 793  Protein: 22

Polish: White bean, barley, and mushroom soup, hard boiled eggs, string beans polonaise (with buttered cracker crumbs) - Total: $1.47  Calories: 700  Protein: 30

Filipino: Filipino barbecue tofu, rice, coconut stringbean stew, faux flan (baked custard with caramelized brown sugar topping) - Total: $1.64  Calories: 807  Protein: 28

Japanese: Sukiyaki (tofu, spinach, celery, ramen noodles, onion, seasonings), rice, green tea - Total: $1.83  Calories: 675  Protein: 31

Brazilian: Feijoada Vegetariana: black beans, rice, greens, garnishes, oranges -Total: $1.71  Calories: 682  Protein: 28

Indonesian: Kitchip tahu (Indonesian spicy-sweet tofu), rice, mixed vegetables with peanut sauce, fried banana, sweet tea - Total: $1.78  Calories: 717  Protein: 25

Ethiopian: Ethiopian-style lentils, chapatis, vegetable alekha (mixed vegetable stew), baked sweet potato - Total: $1.76, 721 calories, 28 protein

Romanian: Stuffed cabbage rolls (with lentil and rice filling, baked in tomato sauce), polenta with sour cream and garlic, Romanian carrot/orange salad (with a yogurt-OJ dressing) - Total: $1.43  Calories: 744  Protein: 27

Russian: Kotlety (breaded sauteed bean cutlet - onion and parsley flavored), vinegret salad (potato and vegetable salad with vinaigrette dressing), tea with jam - Total: $1.39  Calories: 816  Protein: 35

Korean: Bibimbap (rice bowl with tofu, vegetables, sesame-soy sauce, and fried egg), quick kimchi (spicy quick-pickled cabbage), Korean-American apple cinnamon punch (fresh apple with diluted pancake syrup, cinnamon, and sunflower seeds)  Total: $1.79  Calories: 673  Protein: 29 grams

Mini-pizzas (with homemade chapati crust), carrot sticks and ranch dressing dip, orange or grape julius -  Total: $1.40  Calories: 686-701  Protein: 24

Romanian: Polenta with cheese and tomatoes, Romanian-style refried white beans, sweet and sour cabbage - Total: $1.37, 700 calories, 27 protein

New Englander: Corn Chowder, Baked Beans, Indian Pudding (polenta with molasses) - Total: $1.33, 910 calories, 26 protein

French: Pate faux gras (lentil and onion pate) and crackers, potage parmentier (potato and onion soup), sweet carrots  - Total: $1.40  Calories: 909  Protein: 23

Italian-American: Lasagna (with vegetables, cheese, and tofu), garlic bread, cabbage salad - Total: $1.44  Calories: 726  Protein: 27

Italian-American: Fettuccini with golden vegetable sauce (based on carrots, canned corn, and evaporated milk), broccoli and kidney beans with lemon butter, fruit salad (apple and banana) - Total: $1.65  Calories: 845  Protein: 22

Oceanian: New Guinea Casserole (kidney beans, potatoes, spinach, canned tomatoes, canned coconut milk, seasonings), fried bananas, sweet potato pudding - Total: $1.60  Calories: 819  Protein: 31  With canned beans: $1.77  Calories: 739  Protein: 25

Sixties Counterculture: Hippie Bean Casserole (main ingredients are white beans, corn, tomatoes, and brown rice, topped with grated cheese and crumbs), mixed green salad (cabbage and carrots with sunflower seeds and Italian dressing), herb tea - Total: $1.41  Calories: 807  Protein: 31

Central European: Lentil balls with sauerbraten-style gingersnap gravy, fried potatoes and onions, green beans with buttered crumbs - Total: $1.28  Calories: 753  Protein: 28

Oatmeal cutlets, potato salad (with hard boiled egg, pickles, celery, and a mayo-based dressing), oranges - Total: $1.44  Calories: 841  Protein: 22

Italian-American: Bean cutlets pizzaiola (scallobeanie cutlet with canned tomatoes, basil, oregano, and garlic), broccoli and onions with lemon butter, garlic bread - Total: $1.48  Calories: 744  Protein: 27

French: Oeufs a la tripe (hard-boiled eggs and onions in seasoned white sauce) over mashed potatoes, carrots with maitre d’hotel butter (butter flavored with lemon, parsley, salt and pepper), poached pears (canned pears with vanilla and cinnamon) - Total: $1.46  Calories: 799  Protein: 25

Russian: Stringbean stroganoff (canned stringbeans and mushrooms in a sour cream and paprika-enriched white sauce over noodles), stuffed eggs, pickled beets - Total: $1.57  Calories: 743  Protein: 27

Indian: Chickpea and vegetable biryani (rice, chickpea, and vegetable casserole with a lot of Indian spices), raita (yogurt and vegetable salad), mango lassi (milk, yogurt, and mango nectar drink) - Total: $1.71, 739 calories, 26 protein

Norwegian: Norwegian beanballs (white bean based beanballs seasoned like Scandinavian meatballs) with milk gravy, parsley potatoes, sweet carrots, pickled beets  - Total: $1, 871 calories, 28 protein

French: Crudités (carrot sticks and olives), Haricots Gratinées (French baked bean casserole - like a vegetarian cassoulet), Pommes Lyonnaise (fried potatoes and onions with parsley) - Total: $1.70  Calories: 809  Protein: 25

Persian/Iranian: Khoresht Gheimeh (Persian meat and split pea stew - using TVP for the meat here - flavored with tomato, onion, lime, and Persian spices), oven fries, pretty pilaf (rice with cinnamon, carrots, raisins, and sunflower seeds) - Total: $1.22  Calories: 761  Protein: 32

Fried wham steaks (bean cutlets with peanut butter, sesame oil, and brown sugar), with milk gravy, fried potatoes, fried apples and onions -Total: $1.49  Calories: 851  Protein: 28

Czech and Slovak: Halusky (buttered cabbage and egg noodles) with a fried egg, apple charlotte (apple and bread pudding served with evaporated milk) - Total: $1.23  Calories: 914  Protein: 25

Tex-Mex: Chili Non Carne (mixed bean chili with TVP, tomatoes, and vegetables), cornbread, carrot sticks - Total: $1.56  Calories: 743  Protein: 32

Indian: Indian Bean Cutlet with spicy tomato gravy, curried rice with peas - Total: $1.09  Calories: 749  Protein: 30

Moroccan: Vegetarian tagine (chickpea stew with as many veggies as you can manage and Moroccan spices) with millet, oranges, cinnamon cookies, mint tea if you have it - Total: $1.86  Calories: 840  Protein: 22

Norwegian: Fiskboller (white bean balls, seasoned like Norwegian fishballs) with gravy, hedgehog potatoes, buttered spinach - Total: 88 cents, 732 calories, 28 protein

Ashkenazic Jewish: Shabbos Dinner: Gefilte Physh (mock gefilte fish balls made with cornmeal and mashed potatoes), Tofu Brisket with vegetables (tofu pot roasted with vegetables and onion soup mix), mashed potatoes, Carrot and Raisin Tzimmes (carrots and raisins with butter/margarine, sugar, and lemon) - Total: $1.88  Calories: 936  Protein: 25

Roman Cena: Olives, Roman lentilburgers (lentil meatballs seasoned with pepper, garlic, soy sauce, mild curry powder, and grape juice) with fried onions and gravy, barley porridge, carrots with "wine and garum" (grape juice and soy sauce) - Total: $1.17  Calories: 676  Protein: 27

Victorian Dinner: Mock Turtle Soup (black bean soup) with egg, celery sticks, simple and delightful carrots (carrots and potatoes mashed together), baked apple with brown sugar, cinnamon, and evaporated milk - Total: $1.86  Calories: 866  Protein: 29

Dining In The Days Of Good Queen Anne: Savoy soup (cabbage and onion soup with dry toast croutons), fricassee of kidney beans (kidney beans stewed with fried onions), pickled beets, rich rice pudding (custard type rice pudding seasoned with nutmeg)  Total: $1.28  Calories: 816  Protein: 27

Dining in the Middle Ages: Hanoney (scrambled eggs with fried onions), roasted root vegetables (carrots and turnips) with camelyne sauce (bread-thickened sauce with sugar, vinegar, grape juice, and sweet spices), oatcakes, perys en composte (canned pears in cinnamon and grape juice)  Total: $1.85  Calories: 863  Protein: 25

Dining For Victory: Deluxe Woolton Hunt Pie (vegetable and lentil deep dish pie with oatmeal-thickened interior gravy and a potato-cheese pastry top crust) with gravy, cabbage and apple salad with evaporated milk dressing - Total: $1.71  Calories: 822  Protein: 25

Dining For Victory: Hamburg Deep-Dish Pie (lentil-TVP pie with tomato gravy and biscuit crust), Scalloped Carrots  - Total: $1.02, 745 calories, 26 protein

Australian: Kangaroo tail soup (pinto bean and barley soup), toast, broccoli with lemon butter - Total: $1.55  Calories: 746  Protein: 24

Szechuan-American: Szechuan cabbage with tofu (cabbage and tofu with soy sauce, hot pepper, garlic, ginger, and vinegar), dandan noodles (ramen noodles with a sweet and spicy sesame-peanut butter sauce), rice, green or black tea - Total: $1.44  Calories: 911  Protein: 31

American Jewish: Happy Hanukkah!: Tofu brisket, potato latkes (grated potato pancakes) with sour cream and/or applesauce, french toast jelly donuts (jam sandwiches dipped in beaten egg and cooked like French toast) - Total: With sour cream: $1.55  Calories: 754  Protein: 28.  With applesauce: $1.64  Calories: 754  Protein: 27

Forget the brisket, let there be latkes!”: 2 Latkes, french toast jelly donuts, sour cream AND applesauce - Total: 98 cents, 715 calories, 20 protein.

Egyptian: Hummus with flatbread (homemade chapati), mujaddara (lentils and rice with fried onions), Egyptian coleslaw (raw cabbage and carrots with a lemony sour cream dressing): Total: $1.47  Calories: 843  Protein: 33

American Southern: Oatmeal cutlets with milk gravy, butter beans (with sesame oil, brown sugar, onions, salt, and hot sauce), Southern-style greens (cabbage with soy sauce, garlic, red pepper, vinegar, salt, and hot sauce), cornbread - Total: $1.48  Calories: 894  Protein: 26

Louisianan: Red beans and rice with marinated onions, hors d’oeuvres (olives and celery sticks), Louisiana-style greens (cabbage with onions, garlic, red pepper, etc.) - Total: $1.22  Calories: 714  Protein: 21

South American (Andean countries): Locro (cheese and potato soup), salsa, ensalada de acelgas  (cold cooked spinach with lemon juice and olives) - Total: $1.70  Calories: 754  Protein: 28

Shore Dinner: New England physhcakes (as Norwegian Bean Balls, but replace some of the oats with mashed potato and season like New England fishcakes), corn oysters (little pan-fried corn kernel fritters),sugar and vinegar coleslaw - Total: 99 cents, 744 calories (764 if you put catsup on your corn oysters), 27 protein

[cutiecrates]

Cutie Reviews: Tokyo Treat Feb 19

Okay so I still have no idea whats going on with the move. We haven’t really discussed it much these past few days due to the drama surrounding it, and I was told that we would get September to get everything done so I lost a large portion of stress and anxiety compared to how I’ve been feeling.  

In other news, back in July I realized that I never got my June Tokyo Treat box. I’m not sure what happened because they said it was sent out, and when I contacted them (after the 60 day wait as requested) they asked me to wait like 14 more days and see if it arrives. So basically, if it doesn’t come around the middle of next week I have to contact them again.

“Can you believe it’s already March?! While we hate to see the beauty of Winter fade away, we are super excited for Spring to come along. We love all the gorgeous flowers that bloom, the warm sunlight bringing color back into the world, and all the fresh fruits and veggies that are starting to be harvested! Speaking of fruits and veggies, we thought the idea of fresh produce would be a great idea for this month’s box. So, we curated a box inspired by fresh food to bring refreshing, delicious flavors to you this month. We hope all the snacks in this month’s box brings a smile to your face as bright as the Spring sun! Have a great month everyone!“

For this month, the Lucky Treat and Prize items are all focused on various popular Studio Ghibli movies. The featured pages talk about Hinamatsuri (Girls Day), and how to keep away bad luck around the start of a new year.

Okay, so as usual I won’t be covering the DIY- but I won’t be making a blog post on it either. I’ve gotten this several times (I’m pretty sure I have one of each mold by now), it never changes, it’s self-explanatory, it also tastes good so I would recommend it if you see it. I did take a picture though:

You get four sticks and enough of both candy (Lemon and Strawberry) to make them all, but for demonstrative purposes I only decided to make 3.

Coca Cola Peach

I decided not to review this item either, because we’ve already gotten it in a previous box. However, this is an improved version of the drink; it was so popular that they brought it back this year but added real white peach juice to ensure a richer flavor and refreshing taste and scent.

So... if I recall I did like the drink, I’m not sure how much but I was looking forward to having it again. According to the wrapper, its only 31kcal.

As soon as you open it you’re hit by a very strong peach scent (and the lid making a loud bursting sound! It always surprises me >3<) with a very light cola scent in the background. The flavor is very strong, I was a bit surprised but I didn’t hate it. However, the cola seems almost completely drowned out by peach, which could be good or bad depending on who you ask. The peach lingers for a few minutes, but then I also caught a small hint of bitterness as it passes.

Minions Chocolate Wafer & Pokemon Cookies

First up we got some chocolate for the review. First will be the Chocolate Wafer by Furuta that features the Minions for this box. This is a common snack that has featured several series, each package contains 1 of several big, shiny sticker with the wafer. Each wafer is 53kcal.

Rating:  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

This might shake some people, but I actually don’t like Minions. I think they’re really annoying and I don’t get their popularity, but I will admit that on rare occasion they can be a little cute. We’re not here to judge them though, just the wafer.

I want to say “if you tried one wafer than you have tried them all“, but these are actually pretty decent for being so thin. When I took my first bite I didn’t think they had much flavor, but the more of it I ate the more I got the rich chocolate cream within it. It might not be the best chocolate, but it’s not terrible.

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Our other item also features a super-popular mascot, this time Pokemon! These are also by Furuta, so I assume they might have other series of these, but I haven’t seem them. Each bag contains 63 grams of wrapped baby-sized chocolate, chocolate chip cookies :D I am OBSESSED with chocolate chocolate chip muffins, and I love chocolate chip cookies so I was so ready for this!

Each cookie is 49kcal, and I think we get about 8-10 cookies per bag.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

As small as the cookies are, they are super ultra chocolatey and fudge-like. Very soft and a bit chewy, they remind me a lot of these cookies my mom would get me after work when I was little. Highly recommend.

Would you believe my luck- almost every single wrapped featured the Alolan Rokan/Vulpix! For anyone new or unfamiliar, my favorite Pokemon has always been Rokan/Vulpix, so I love love love its snowy counterpart too~  

Bear Club Gummies & Pineapple Gummies & Ramune Candy

Okay, so I won’t be reviewing the gummy bears only because I mean... they’re typical gummy bears. I’ve gotten them once or twice before now and they don’t change. Each bag is 39kcal, and ironically after the few I ate, I only had 3 green bears left... I think they’re green apple flavored. The gummies are okay, but they’re kind of chewy and hard so I wouldn’t say they were my first choice...

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Next up is some cute Pineapple slice gummies. Which stuck to the plastic due to being in the package so long and because of summer...

These are by the brand Pine and each pack is 48.9kcal.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

I had to use a knife to pry them out and it still made a sticky mess. As it turns out the mold can be played with a little to pop them out <3< Despite that problem, these taste really good. They have a slight tartness to them like real pineapple, so I waver between realistic pineapple and candy/fake pineapple with these guys. I think they would be worth trying if you like Pineapple.

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Our next item is another one I had; but I haven’t reviewed it yet. You might recognize the shapes though, because I have covered two other flavors before; the mixed variety, and the strawberry one.

These soda/ramune flavored ramune candies (powdered candy mixture that is hardened into a specific shape. When eaten it breaks down into powder.). These little cuties are circular in shape, some of which bear the adorable droplet mascots on the packaging in various expression, and a cute translucent ramune bottle container.

The bottle is 108kcal.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

I don’t like hard candy very much, but I make an exception for ramune-style candy. It’s powdered so it dissolves and you don’t need to have it in your mouth long to bite through it. The flavor is light in the mouth and pretty sweet, and it strongly brings to mind the ramune/soda flavor that is so popular in Japan~

Look A La Mode Chocolate

Our next item was a variety pieces; we could either get this delicious bite-sized chocolate bag, or a bag of Banana Omelette Cakes. Considering my strong dislike of banana, I am very happy I got these!

What makes this bag special s that you get 4 different chocolates: Banana, Strawberry, Almond, and Pineapple flavoring in the middle. I believe the pineapple is a new flavor according to the bag, the booklet also mentions a caramel flavor, so I’m not sure if the pineapple replaced it, or if that’s an oversight. Each one has 24-28 kcal. 

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

Because there is 4 flavors, I’m rating them more of a concept than each individual flavor- that comes below this segment. As a whole, the chocolate is very good. They’re small but you get a lot of flavor, and the cream in the middle isn’t skimpy at all and they taste very much like the item they represent.

Okay, so now I’ll be telling you my feelings of each flavor. The booklet suggests having these with some tea or coffee, and because I hate tea, I grabbed coffee. I’ll be listing my opinions of each one with and without coffee to see if there is any differences.

WC - With Coffee

Strawberry: Typical strawberry-chocolate taste. Loved it like usual. - WC: The strawberry flavor was still really strong.

Banana: Tastes like real banana, didn’t hate it - WC: banana was covered up

Almond: Creamy and smooth, definitely taste almond - WC: covered up a little, but I could still taste almond. I liked it.

Pineapple: Never had chocolate and pineapple, but it’s tasty. The pineapple flavor lasted a while. - WC: I could still taste the pineapple a bit, wasn’t too crazy about the combination but not bad.

So all and all, I didn’t see too much of a difference with or without coffee. I think the almond went with it perfectly.

Rice Puff Carrot & Curry Corn Snack

The Carrot will be our final “sweet” item, I say that because the booklet describes it as savory and apparently popular in Japan- but to me it tastes a bit sweet, a lot like a breakfast cereal I’ve had before in fact... 

The calories for this carrot is 51.2kcal.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

Okay so... these weren’t opened, but when I opened them to try I thought they were a little stale. They have a slight sweetness to them, like I said I don’t taste savory at all. I don’t hate them, but they weren’t my favorite thing in the box.

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Our next item is a crunchy sweet-savory curry inspired corn snack. I couldn’t find the calories on this one, nor do I have much to say about it in all honesty. 

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

I love crispy-crunchy snacks, and initially when I tried these I was like “these taste like curry?“ but a few later and I totally got it! They taste like the curry you can make with the little premade squared blocks of seasoning, I bought them once before but the flavor of these matches them exactly. I do wish the flavoring was a hint stronger though.

Chibeans & Split Pea Snack

Next up are these two very similar pea snacks which I do believe I’ve had before- but I’ll review them because I don’t exactly remember. Anyway, before I get into them I wanted to point out that I hate peas and green-beans a lot! However, for some strange reason I like to pick open the podded ones and eat the little bean in them, or sometimes I’ll eat the pod too.

First is the Pea Stick Snack, the greenish ones with the cutesy drawing on the package. These are savory and have a strong crunch, and they are made to taste like they were just picked off of the vine :3

Each bag is 86kcal.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

If you like crunchy snacks you’ll love these, they are very crunchy- but not to an impossible extent. They didn’t hurt my mouth at all after eating them. The flavoring is very strong too!

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Our next item is by Calbee, and it also came in a variant. We could either get a share pack of these, or a vegetable stick share pack. I’ve had the vegetable sticks plenty of times and while they’re not bad, I’d rather have these.

This is on the healthier side of snacking, but they’re crispy and look more realistic than the prior snack, although it also has a strong flavor and is very crispy. Each bag is 58kcal.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

If I was asked to choose between the two snacks, I’m not sure I could. They have a similar theme but they both taste delicious in their own way. These ones are light and crispy, and they have a bit of saltiness to them rather than straight up vegetable flavor.

Teriyaki Burger Umaibo & Buttery Salted Sweet Potato Chips

These are our last two items for the review, and I’m not sure you can see it but the Umaibo stick was completely annihilated :P but still edible so it’s fine. I won’t be reviewing this because I’ve gotten it several times (like a few other things in here...) and my opinion never changes; it’s very tasty and I’d recommend it, I think it’s my second favorite Umaibo!

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Lastly we have some super-crunchy sweet potato chips. Actually it was kind of funny, while I ate these I was thinking “why does this remind me so much of those sweet potato chips I like?“, then I actually read what these were. So yeah...

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

They don’t really look like the sweet potato chips I’ve had, but they really do taste like them. You get the buttery salty taste and a sweetness that makes them very pleasant. They are a bit hard and crunchy (something my mouth hates) but they’re not nearly as hard as baked chips, so they didn’t bother me too much.

♥ Cutie Ranking ♥

Content - 4 out of 5. Everything was very tasty, I had no complaints there. However, I felt like the repetition was even worse in this box that what it was previously- which is kind of a bummer. Also, while we did get a handful of items that included multiples, I noticed that all together the items/amount was pretty small. I guess it’s a give-and-take scenario?

Theme - 4 out of 5. Okay, so the theme was produce, meaning things like vegetables and fruits. There was about 5 items that didn’t meet what I consider to be produce items, but everything else fit like exactly. I kinda wish they gave us a different DIY though, because I can think of a couple that would have fit the theme.

Total Rank: 8 out of 10. Like last month I was satisfied with the box but it could have used some improvements too. Like...  kind of feel like we got traded Quantity for Quality. The Quality was fine (minus obliterated Umaibo), but there was a LOT of repeats, even though they were delicious. It’s come to my attention that the reason I might not be as satisfied with the box sometimes is because I see how unique Japan Crate is and wish we got more unique items. We do on rare occasion, but for the price of the box I kind of wish it was more consistent. I have liked the items though, so I can’t say it isn’t worth getting.

Also, as of late I’ve noticed they didn’t include a specifically noted health snack, so I’m beginning to wonder if they removed it.

♥ Cutie’s Scale of Yummy ♥

1. Pokemon Cookies - They pack a lot of flavor for being so small, I loved them and every single chewy soft bite~!

2. Teriyaki Burger Umaibo - I adore this, it never gets old!

3. Coca Cola Peach -  I think it tastes better than last time, but the aftertaste is a little unattractive. . .

4. Ramune Candy - I love snacking on these, especially if you need a sweet pick-me-up~

5. Pea Stick Snack - I love the bright green color, even if they aren’t the most attractive looking thing. They had a very strong taste.

6. Buttery Salted Sweet Potato Chips - They seem kind of average, but I love sweet potato chips so these were like a semi-upgraded version! I found them to be pretty addictive.

7. Curry Corn Snack - I wish there was more in the bag, these taste pretty good. They’re not spicy or anything, but they did make me think of the curry I’ve tried.

8. Look A La Mode - Very tasty, sweet but they weren’t overly, and I was impressed by how each one gave me a different experience. I was even impressed by the realistic banana taste.

9. Split Pea Snack - Tasty and I love how crispy they are. But I feel like they didn’t have much natural flavor like the other pea snack, just saltiness. 

10. Pineapple Gummies - I love pineapple, but pineapple candy I feel like I have to be in the mood for.

11. Chocolate Wafer - Initially I didn’t think much of it but the more I ate the better it was~

12. Bear Club Gummies - Average, but chewy gummy bears. I like gummies, but they just don’t offer anything.

13. Rice Puffs - As much as I love rice, these just felt so plain in comparison to everything else.

[geekalogian]

The Perfect Sting, Chapter 10

Multi-Chapter Mystery Diners AU :D

On AO3 Here :D

Ch 1 Ch 2 Ch 3 Ch 4 Ch 5 Ch 6 Ch 7 Ch 8 Ch 9

A/N: Oh my gosh you guys.  Two updates inside of a week.  I know, I’m surprised too. I HAD SO MUCH FUN WRITING THIS CHAPTER.  I hope you love it as much as I do <3 SO MUCH STORY LEFT!!!! 

Emma inhaled deeply, letting the salt air and the sound of crashing waves and chattering pedestrians wash over her once again.  That welcoming sensation almost made her forget the reason she had arrived that afternoon.  At least Walsh had picked a place that put her at ease.

He was supposed to arrive any minute.  She leaned against a worn wooden post, part of the makeshift barrier that separated the parking lot from the beachfront, and scanned the cars for any sign of his beat-up green Buick.  Her vision drifted just past the parking lot, to the winding path that led to the Pier where she had been just a couple short weeks ago with Killian, but Emma shook her head and redirected her attention back to the cars in front of her.

This was about getting closure with Walsh, one way or the other.  That was it.  No need to bring work into this.

But was Killian really just a part of work anymore?

A buzz from Emma’s phone kept her from wandering down that trail of thought.  She glanced down to see a text from Walsh.

So Sorry. Customer would not shut up about our Chaise Lounge options, got out of the store a bit late.  Will be there ASAP, meet me by the beachfront entrance.  Love you xx

“Great,” she muttered.  Late again.  He’d probably only be five more minutes or so—his furniture store wasn’t that far from the beach—but Emma was still tempted to jog down to the Lemon Ice stand and get something to munch before he got there, just to drive the point home.  He had been the one who wanted to sort things out like this, couldn’t he at least be—

“Emma?  Emma Swan?  Why, isn’t this the loveliest of surprises!”

The familiar voice made Emma’s blood run cold.

No.  Not here.  Not now.  Not today.

Emma slipped into an easy grin and turned around.  “Zelena?”  Sure enough, the baker was standing right beside her, adorned in a green sundress and floppy hat.

Zelena let out a little squeal and flung her arms around Emma in an enthusiastic hug. “Oh, how lovely to see you again!  You know, we’ve been hard at work designing your cake and I really think you’re going to love it!”   Emma gasped and wriggled free of the woman’s embrace, and did her best to quell the rising panic in her gut.

“Oh, wow, that’s. . . that’s amazing!  I can’t wait until we get to come and see it.  What, uh. . . what are you doing here?”

“Well, you know what they say about all work and no play, Emma,”  Zelena winked.  “My dear old friend wanted to meet up for a picnic lunch and introduce me to someone special.”  She leaned in conspiratorially. “About time, if you ask me!  What about you?  Where’s Killian?”

“OH!  Well, you know. . . .”  Emma laughed.  “I was starting to wonder the same thing!  Would you mind? I should probably give him a call.”  She scanned the parking lot one last time.  Good.  No sign of the green buick yet.  She frantically dialed Killian up with one hand, shoving her left hand into her purse to grasp around for the ring.

“Swan?”  Killian’s voice was groggy.

“Hey, sweetheart!”  Emma tried her best to sound bright and upbeat, even though she had moved several paces away from Zelena.  “You’ll never guess who I ran into at the beach!”

“Bloody hell,” There were rustling sounds as Killian seemed to wake up very abruptly.  “Zelena? Today?  At the—hang on.  I can be there in two minutes.”

“Glad to hear it!  Love youuuuu,” Emma hung up just as she finally found the ring box in her purse.  Glancing back over her shoulder, she slid the ring on her finger while Zelena was still looking out across the cars.  Emma allowed herself a moment of pure, unadulterated panic.  What if Walsh got here while Zelena was waiting for her friend? What if he tried to kiss Emma?  What if he got there and Killian was kissing Emma?  Why did she think that reconciling with Walsh in the middle of this stupid fake engagement situation would be anything even close to simple?  Her mind raced as she tried to come up with a way to keep Walsh away from the sting, and the sting away from him—but nothing was coming to her.  What was she going to tell Isaac?

Zelena was chattering incessantly about the friend she was supposed to meet with—an old pal from high school, apparently, though Emma picked up little else in her haze of anxiety—when Emma saw Walsh’s green Buick pull into the lot.  Her chest tightened, and for a moment Emma thought she was going to avoid this entire situation by passing out right there on the asphalt, inches away from the sand.

That was when two arms swept up underneath her, and she felt a scruffy chin resting against her forehead.

“There you are, love,” Killian announced his presence a touch louder than necessary, and Zelena swirled to look at them—instantly, a beaming smile spread across her face.  “Sorry, I thought you were meeting me at the Pier—I was busy getting everything ready.”

“Oh, no trouble,” Emma turned around in his arms to face him, mouthing a “thank you” right before kissing him on the cheek.  She pulled away and looked over at Zelena again, and tried to ignore the messy head of brown hair that was rising out of the Buick, headed quickly towards them.  “I was just talking to Zelena about our cake—she says it’s coming along.”

“That’s wonderful news,” Killian broke into a grin.  “I trust our unorthodox requests haven’t been too much trouble?” “Oh, don’t worry your little heads about that,” Zelena waved her hand.  “You two lovebirds just focus on the rest of the planning for your special day!  Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m actually looking for someone . . .”

Emma squeezed Killian’s shoulder, just about ready to dismiss him to wherever he had materialized from so that she could figure out a way to explain this to Walsh, when she heard Zelena’s voice again.

“Oh look, there he is!  Walsh, darling, you simply must meet my favorite customers!”

Emma froze.  She glanced back up at Killian, whose brow was furrowed.  She then heard Walsh’s voice, halted and unsteady, reply, “Zelena!  Hey. . . I thought I told you to meet us farther down, by the restaurant?”

From that point, it took Emma roughly half a second to figure out what was happening.  It took her less than that to figure out how to respond.

Guiding Killian’s hand around her waist, Emma sauntered over to where Walsh and Zelena were standing.  “Wow, Walsh,” Emma piped up.  “When you said you wanted to meet my fiancé, I didn’t realize you were bringing a plus one!  And the baker for our wedding cake, too—what a coincidence.”

Zelena looked to Emma, then to Walsh—whose face was turning an appropriate shade of seafoam green—back to Emma.  “I’m sorry. . . Walsh said he was going to introduce me to a ‘very special someone,’ and I thought—“

“Oh, Walsh is always like that, so secretive and dramatic.” Emma cut her off, but kept her gaze fixed unwaveringly on Walsh.  “He loves surprises.  But he was right, in a way—Killian is a very special someone, and I’m so happy I finally get to introduce him to someone like Walsh.”

Killian took the lead here, stepping forward and extending his hand.  “Walsh, I presume.  Killian Jones, at your service—or, more appropriately, at her service.”  His smile was just a touch icy as Walsh took his hand.  “Always. At her service.”

There was a faint series of pops as Walsh and Killian shook hands.  Walsh winced.

“Firm handshake you got there, pal.”

“I save it for special occasions, friend.”

“Now, now, boys, there will be plenty of time for male bonding over lunch.”  Emma smiled, looping her arm into Killian’s.  “Shall we? It’s still a bit of a walk, and we’ll need to pick up the pace if we’re going to get a beachside table!”

“Um. . . of course,” Zelena nodded, scanning Walsh’s visibly shaken form one last time.  “I hate to be the one to mention the elephant in the room, but I’m feeling like I’m missing out on some subtext here.  Is everything alright?  It just feels rather awkward.”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Emma looked back, regarding Walsh with another hard stare.  “I guess this might be a little awkward, though.  See, a while ago, Walsh and I used to date.”

With that, Zelena seemed satisfied, and the four of them walked towards their lunch destination.  Walsh trailed several paces behind the others.

“I’m gonna kill him.”

“Swan—“ “No I might actually do it.  Like physically murder him.  Do you know any cops? Bail bondspeople? Lawyers? You might want to give them a call because I am going to kill him.”

The lunch had passed awkwardly but uneventfully, and now Emma was below deck in the Jolly Roger, nursing a drink of rum, glancing out the window and occasionally punching the bean bag chair in which she sat.  Killian stood calmly beside the wet bar, his own drink in hand.

“Make no mistake, you’ll have no argument from me,” Killian shrugged.  “I would just like to understand what the devil just happened.  Walsh was. . . the leak? He told Zelena about us?”

“Sort of,” Emma grumbled, downing the rest of her drink all at once.  “He’s smart enough to know that I’d see that coming a mile away.  There’s all kinds of legal crap I could have Isaac sic on him if he straight-up told anyone about a sting.”

“So then. . .”  Killian raised his eyebrows, gesturing with his hand for Emma to go on.

“I guess it’s just dumb, stupid, awful luck that he knew Zelena in high school,” Emma shrugged.  “But once he figured that part out, which must not have taken very long, he thought he’d be able to end this whole thing by getting her to accidentally stumble on the sting.”  She crossed over to where Killian was standing to refill her glass.  “He told her about Ogre Mountain because it’s where I go to blow off steam.  Hoped I wouldn’t make the connection until after she got to know me.  Then I’d have to request someone else take the job with you.”

“And this little charade?  What on earth could he hope to gain?”

“Expose me as his girlfriend while seeming like an innocent coincidence,” Emma took another gulp from her glass.  “Did you hear him? He wanted her to wait by the restaurant.  By that point, we’d have been walking together. . . he probably would have tried to have things smoothed over by then so we’d be holding hands or some crap.”  She shook her head.  “Then she’d see us together, he’d explain that he knew her and wanted us to meet and he had been trying really hard not to interfere but whoops, looky there, she ambushed him.”

“Until she saw you, decided to strike up a conversation, and his careful ruse was exposed,” Killian nodded.  “Even so, it requires that this Walsh character consider you incredibly dull.  Would he really assume that you couldn’t put two and two together?  Or that you wouldn’t find a way to talk around that scenario with Zelena?”

“When Walsh is jealous,” Emma began, taking another swig and near-collapsing back in the chair, “that’s all that matters to him.  Plus, after all, I’m a glorified waitress anyway, right? It’s not like the work I do matters, not like selling a freaking loveseat to a middle-aged couple for their summer home. . .”

Killian approached the chair, reaching out to gingerly lift the glass out of Emma’s hand, but her grip was iron.  “Well, I suppose your encounter with Walsh was somewhat of a success after all, then?”

Emma laughed.  “Yeah, I mean, can’t ask for better closure than finding out he’s a lying, traitorous ape.  Plus it sold our cover even better to Zelena.  Time to celebrate!”  Her voice took a dark, angry edge.  “My love life is crap, but our fake engagement is stronger than ever!”  She finished her glass again, and this time bumped against Killian, blocking her way back to the rum.

“Perhaps we ought to get you something to eat before the next round,” He murmured, brows knit together in concern.

“I’m fine,” she grumbled, losing her balance slightly and steadying herself with hands against Killian’s shoulders.  He raised an eyebrow, and she leaned closer to inspect his face.  That genuine worry.  That sincerity.  It was so. . . different.

“Let me stay,” she whispered.

Killian blinked, blue eyes widening in shock.  “Pardon?"

“Look, we don’t know if Zelena’s gone, she and Walsh were gonna catch up.  I’m clearly not driving any time soon, so we might as well. . . make it convincing.  I can text Elsa, tell her not to wait up, and leave in the morning.  You could probably sneak off later if you and Will have plans or something. . .”

“I’ll stay with you,” Killian cut her off.  “You’re in no condition to be aboard a vessel alone.  Besides, I could be just as easily identified as you.  And I was planning on spending the weekend here anyway.”

“Well then. . .I guess we have the night to ourselves,” Emma smiled.

Killian smiled back, nervously—Emma hazily wondered if she had ever really seen him nervous before.  He hovered, lips inches from hers, for just a second.  Then he gripped her shoulders and guided her back to her seat.

“You should call Elsa,” He scratched behind his ear.  “I’ll. . . I’ll prepare us some sustenance.  No Granny’s, certainly, but still a perfectly serviceable meal.”

Emma fumbled with her phone, cursing herself silently.  She was an idiot—angry, tipsy, maybe even a little bit heartbroken—but an idiot all the same.  How was she going to be able to get back to “friends” after this?

She was too dazed to notice the way Killian’s fingers reverently traced his own lips as he slid out of sight.

[yumyummunchies-blog]

Alternative wedding event food concepts - Jenny Wren

10 Cool wedding food ideas

The food you serve at your wedding in Cornwall is what will sustain the celebration, it will be kept in mind and noticed by your visitors and whether it is good or bad it will be spoken about for long after the day is over. With the ever-increasing cuisine choices out there these days and numerous places that will enable outdoors catering and even DIY catering the options are unlimited.

I got talking to Vicky & & John just recently from The Cornish Pizza Company who kindly gave me a scrumptious stone baked newly ready pizza right from there very charming little van to try.' The Colonel' is a first generation VW campervan which has been lovingly brought back into a mobile pizza van, now utilized to cater for weddings and events all over Cornwall!

This got me considering all the other various choices out there to cater for your visitors at your wedding or occasion, here are a few of my favourites.

1) Pizza Van

Their award winning pizza's are newly made prior to your visitor's eyes and can be served separately or buffet style by the slice on wooden boards. " Couples like the informality of our fresh, pizzas, they are ideal for sharing which gets the discussion crossing all ages and brings individuals together who may not have actually understood each other before the wedding. Our vintage VW van is iconic in Cornwall and includes a genuine wow factor to a wedding. We offer a totally free tasting session of our acclaimed, thin crust pizzas at our store in St Agnes for any couples preparing a wedding so they can select the exact toppings they 'd like." -- Vicky

The Cornish Pizza Business. 2)Afternoon Tea

Serve a generally British afternoon tea. Pretty sandwiches, cakes, scones and jam, all served on gorgeous crockery with plenty of champers is sure to impress and is something your guests won't be anticipating.

3) Food Stations

Have a selection of food stations dotted around the location and style each of them in a different way with a speciality of food to provide your guests an option. For example Thai, seafood, tiny burgers, buffet, decadent desserts, the options are unlimited.

4) Crumpets!

Ok so maybe not for your first meal as a married couple, but these would be fantastic for an evening select me up throughout the party. This company do a series of garnishes both sweet and savoury. Take an appearance at Genuinely Crumptious in Cornwall.

5) Hog Roast

Provide you wedding event a festival vibe with a hog roast on a spit. Slow cooked and scrumptious, serve with baps, apple sauce and a variety of salads and new potatoes.

6) Something Sugary Food

An ice cream trike is constantly going to be popular. Guests can get a cone and question around rather than needing to sit down at a table. Here in Cornwall, numerous serve delicious locally made ice cream.

7) Cheese & & Wine If you are having a later event and your visitors will have eaten before hand then how about an advanced cheese and red wine affair? Serve up a variety of cheeses on a wood board on each table, total with crackers, chutney and figs. You could also include various breads, olives and cold meats and paté's if you desired to bulk it up a bit. Select red wines to partner with your cheeses beautifully. 8)Fish n Chips Served in a mini cone as canapés or as a party

snack. 9) Oysters & Tabasco Serve on trays in huge wooden cages stacked with

ice and lemon &, with a glass of

champers to accompany them, naturally! 10)Pie and Mash I will never ever forget the wedding I went to where at around 10pm pie and mash was provided! Total with mushy peas and gravy obviously

. After hours of drinking this was extremely well gotten by all the visitors! There are lots of more alternative catering concepts out there, however hopefully these couple of have got those cogs turning if the standard take a seat meal is not for you. Delighted eating!

[mostly-plants]

One month of eating vegan

Day 29: We headed out for brunch with a friend at Light Years Cafe which is becoming a fast favourite for us because of their delicious food, great coffee, beautiful space, and flexibility with vegan options. The menu has a few dishes already labelled as vegan, but the staff were very patient in checking with the kitchen when I asked about whether other things could be made vegan too. And Voila! I got the Pixel Avocado, minus the poached egg:

The fancy stuff on the right includes kale and cabbage chips, pickled radishes, roasted edamame, and edamame hummus. YUM! I really enjoyed this, and as avocado on toast goes, it’s definitely the tastiest and most interesting version I’ve ever had. I also tried their mango smoothie with Ribena pearls. The smoothie was very refreshing, but I couldn’t taste the Ribena flavour in the tapioca pearls. Still, credit to Light Years for making it vegan-accessible by leaving out the gelatine.

Day 30: Since I’d got into the habit of batch cooking and was working from home on Monday, I was able to forage from the fridge for meals. I had some leftover soup for lunch, and leftover lentil shepherd’s pie for dinner. Having ready-made food available has made it way easier for me to stick with a vegan diet this month without having to think “what can I eat?” at every meal. These last few days of the month went so quickly!

Day 31: The final day of my month-long challenge! I’d ordered a fruit and veggie box and a few pantry staples from CERES Fair Food for delivery today. This service has been great for the times when we’re both working a lot and have too many social things on the weekend to be able to fit in a trip to the local markets. I also like CERES Fair Food because it’s organic, supports local farmers, and provides employment for recently arrived refugees. The quality of produce is really good and the variety of receiving whatever’s in season means that you get to eat a range of different veggies, and be creative in your cooking.

My boyfriend had been craving fresh veggies, so on Tuesday night we made this noodle salad adapted from the first My Darling Lemon Thyme cookbook by Emma Galloway, a trained chef who creates vegetarian gluten-free recipes. Instead of rice noodles, we used zucchini noodles (just raw zuchhini put through a spiralizer - you can also use a peeler to create long strips, it just takes a little bit longer). I added some cubed cooked firm tofu and sriracha sauce, and it made a very satisfying dinner:

As I reached the end of my month of eating vegan I was trying to decide what to do once the month ended - whether I felt able to continue eating mostly vegan, or whether I felt like I needed to add anything back into my diet to maintain adequate nutrition, or to have some flexibility in terms of adapting to the different circumstances of daily life/social events etc. The main issues for me in weighing up the decision of what to do after this month ended were:

1. Is this a nutritionally balanced and healthy way to eat in the long-term? 2. Will eating mostly plants reduce my impact on the environment and animals?, and 3. Can I eat a plant-based diet and still do things that are important to me, like sharing food with loved ones?

1. Health After doing a bunch of research and reviewing dietary advice from credible sources such as dieticians, Australian government healthy eating guidelines, and in-depth recommendations from University nutrition departments based on the current nutrition research, I do think that it’s possible to eat a nutritionally balanced vegan diet by planning meals with care, and supplementing key vitamins like B12 that aren’t available in plant foods. Other nutrients that are important to pay attention to include Vitamin D (which can be deficient on any diet when people don’t get enough from sunlight), as well as iron, calcium, iodine and Omega 3 fatty acids.

I would definitely encourage anyone considering a plant-based diet to first do your research, and talk to your doctor and a university-qualified dietician to ensure that you aren’t missing any key nutrients. If you simply cut animal products out of your diet without understanding what foods to add in to replace the nutrients you need, you will be putting yourself at risk of nutrient deficiencies. That said, as I mentioned before, I was iron-deficient for years on an omnivorous diet - so planning your diet for optimum nutrition is important for anyone! Eating vegan has actually encouraged me to pay more attention to getting the nutrients I need, and this means I am ultimately eating a more healthy and varied diet than I was before.

2. The environment, and impact on animals

I had less questions about this aspect of eating a plant-based diet, because overall the evidence seems pretty clear and consistent that reducing consumption of animal products is better for the environment and for animals. Of course, within the range of plant foods produced, there are also differences in resource requirements and environmental impact depending on what exactly you eat. A 2015 study claimed that eating more plants could actually cause greater environmental impact if you analyse emissions per 1000 calories rather than per kilogram. The authors argued that since some plants (such as Broccoli) require more resources to produce 1000 calories of energy, some types of animal products may ultimately cause less impact when compared this way.  However, no-one is eating 3 kilos of broccoli at a time instead of 330 grams of pork. We eat broccoli for its nutrient density, not because it’s a great way to stock up on calories, so this is ultimately a pretty nonsensical comparison to make. Even if you do look at the comparisons for emissions per 1000 calories, the best plant protein sources such as lentils, nuts and dry beans produce anywhere between 10-20% of the amount of emissions caused by animal products. Again, reputable sources of information seem to stack up in favour of the “eat less animal products” argument, regardless of factors such as whether animals are pasture-raised.

3. Sharing food with loved ones

I am very lucky that my partner, family and friends are very supportive and open-minded. I know that the people in my life will make their best effort to offer vegan options where they can, but I’m sure there will also be times where this might be a bit more challenging. I’m sure there will also be times when I want to share different foods with loved ones, for example, a piece of birthday cake, or a dish that is part of a yearly family celebration. Everybody is different, but for me it makes sense to be pragmatic in considering my impacts on a micro/daily level, and doing the best I can in a realistic way.

Overall, I feel I can definitely continue making choices that minimise the demand for animal products. Where animal products already exist in my daily life (e.g. shoes, foods or vitamins I’ve already bought, or occasions where it’s not possible to have specifically vegan food options) then personally I feel more at peace with accepting and appreciating what is already there, rather than throwing things away or letting them go to waste.  For example, while doing my month of eating vegan I accidentally bought muesli bars that contained honey, so I will use these up and buy different products in the future.

The vegan challenge wrap-up

Q. What do you do to celebrate the end of a successful month of vegan eating on World Vegan Day? A. You buy yourself vegan roast duck rice paper rolls for lunch from Mr and Mrs Banh Mi. Nom! I will definitely be back to try their vegan BBQ pork Banh Mi.

This month has been really interesting, and I’m really glad I did it. Here are my highlights of eating vegan:

I had lots of fun trying lots of different foods and recipes and finding new favourites (miso glazed eggplant, chickpea shakshuka, apple pie pancakes, peanut butter & maple granola, the list goes on...)

Plants tend to have less calories but heaps of nutrition, so you can eat very well and get plenty of vitamins and minerals without excess energy.

I’m much better informed about my nutritional requirements and am consciously making more effort to eat a balanced diet.

My digestion is amazing, because fibre.

I feel like my energy has been more stable.

My skin started to clear up towards the end of the month.

My weight stayed exactly the same, but I’m pretty happy with that given the range of delicious food I’ve eaten over the last month (including quite a few baked goods and my new favourite snack - peanut butter granola!)

 When it came to lowlights, there were fewer:

Restaurants/cafes that don’t know how to vegan - e.g. there are little to no vegan options, or asking for things to be made vegan results in confusion and being served dry toast with a beaker of oil. #foodfails.

Accidentally overdoing the batch-cooking, and ending up with more quinoa and chard than any human could reasonably be expected to ingest.

Going from eating almost no legumes to eating heaps of legumes does result in being little bit gassy at first, but your body adjusts pretty quickly. The positive of this experience is that the fibre-rich plant foods are feeding your good gut bacteria, and they are helping support your health in lots of ways. So I’d say it’s all worth a bit of bloating in the end!

All of the above is just my own experience, and yours may be different, but for me this has been an overwhelmingly positive change. I was surprised that I didn’t really miss dairy or meat over the month. Still, I decided that rather than telling myself I had to continue eating 100% vegan from there, I was open to re-including minimal animal products in my diet if I felt like I needed to. This kept the pressure off so that I could be free to let things evolve rather than forcing change too quickly.

Since finishing the vegan eating challenge, I have eaten a small amount of dairy a couple of times (which made my skin break out quite noticeably), along with a mouthful of the scrambled eggs my partner ordered when we went out to breakfast. It’s been interesting, because I had thought I would either be a bit grossed out by these things after avoiding them for a month, or the opposite - that I might think “now I remember why people love eating this stuff!”

In fact, I just felt (in an extremely strayan way) “Yeah.. nah.” Like... I get it, but I just don’t really feel like I want it anymore. It’s kind of nice to feel a sense of calm acceptance about that, because decisions that I’ve made from a place of calm acceptance tend to work better for me in the long run than those that are all-or-nothing, or highly emotionally charged.

So, here’s my plan: KEEP CALM AND CARROT ON! :D

By this I mean I will continue eating mostly plant-based, supplement B12 to be on the safe side, and not freak out if I make mistakes or can’t manage to be 100% vegan 100% of the time. Being more conscious of my choices and eating a diet that is 95% plants is still a huge step forward from the probably (sub)Standard Australian Diet I was eating before, and will still reduce my negative impact on animals and the environment.

I will keep posting my vegan food adventures on Mostly Plants, and use it as a way to keep track of my favourite recipes, and share these with other people who would like to eat their vegetables (and enjoy them too!) On that note, I’ll finish with one of my recent favourite dishes - Vietnamese style noodle soup with tofu, inspired by The Viet Vegan’s recipe for Homemade Vegan Vietnamese Pho.