#Sticky Toffee Chocolate Pudding

[rabbitcruiser]

National Chocolate Covered Anything Day 

Indulge in a chocolate fountain or fondue to dunk any treats you fancy or drizzle your favorite desserts in delicious sauce and syrup.

Chocolate, a candy loved by both children and adults alike. But how much can it go on? What edible creations can molten chocolate create? Where in the world are certain chocolate dishes made a favorite staple? Well, in order to find the answers to all those questions, we must do a time-hop into the past, for this is the search of the history of Chocolate Covered Everything Day!

Learn about Chocolate Covered In Anything Day

Who doesn’t love chocolate? It’s creamy, sweet, and delicious! While we can all eat chocolate on its own, it is fun to combine chocolate with other ingredients as well! A lot of people love strawberries dipped into chocolate; a real classic. Or, how about some chocolate pretzels? There are plenty of weird and wonderful ideas you can try as well, such as dipping French fries into chocolate ice cream. Hey, don’t knock it until you have tried it! If you have ever wondered what something would taste like in chocolate, today is the perfect opportunity for you to find out.

History of Chocolate Covered Everything Day

We all know and love the dark and sweet bricks called chocolate, we even melt it down and put on our ice cream! When was this delectable treat created? The history of chocolate begins in Mesoamerica. Fermented beverages made from chocolate date back to 1900 BC. The Aztecs believed that cacao seeds were the gift of Quetzalcoatl, the god of wisdom, and the seeds once had so much value that they were used as a form of currency. After chocolate’s arrival in Europe from oversea expeditions in the sixteenth century, sugar was added to it and it became popular throughout all of Europe, first among the ruling classes of the European societies, and then among the common people. Jose de Acosta, a Spanish missionary who lived in Peru and then Mexico in the later 16th century, described its use more generally.

Loathsome to such as are not acquainted with it, having a scum or froth that is very unpleasant taste. Yet it is a drink very much esteemed among the Indians, wherewith they feast noble men who pass through their country. The Spaniards, both men and women that are accustomed to the country are very greedy of this Chocolate. They say they make diverse sorts of it, some hot, some cold, and some temperate, and put therein much of that “chili”; yea, they make paste thereof, the which they say is good for the stomach and against the catarrh.

How to celebrate Chocolate Covered Everything Day

To celebrate the day where we coat everything we can in chocolate, we go out and find an affordable mini chocolate fountain, and then we buy whatever we like to go with our chocolate, take it home and set it up, and then enjoy the chocolate covered foods in the comfort of our own home, enjoying it any time we want! We can also celebrate by buying chocolate syrup, heating it up in a bowl and have a bowl of ice cream with a hot chocolate syrup topping.

There are lots of great chocolate desserts you can make on this day as well! We all deserve a treat now and again, and what better sweet treat than a chocolate-based dessert? From sticky toffee pudding to dark chocolate fondant, we take a look at the best desserts for chocolate lovers.

Let’s start with a Chocolate Sticky Toffee Pudding. This is a delicious traditional English dessert with a chocolate twist. When done correctly, sticky toffee features a rich moist sponge that is topped in a thick and indulgent toffee sauce. It is served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The coolness of the ice cream against the warmth of the toffee is an exquisite combination.

How about some Chocolate Bread and Butter Pudding? We recommend pairing the bread and butter pudding with a tasty rum banana ice cream. It’s comforting, creamy, and delicious.

You will struggle to find a dessert as decadent and indulgent as Dark Chocolate Fondant. You need just the right amount of gooeyness in the middle. The dessert is usually finished offer with a smooth and refreshing vanilla ice cream and a thick salted caramel sauce. Prepare for your taste buds to be sent into overdrive.

Finally, do you feel like being adventurous? How about some Chilli Spiced Chocolate Cake? Chilli and chocolate are two ingredients you wouldn’t expect to work well together but they make a delicious pairing. It’s not simply a case of making chocolate spicy. Both ingredients have real, varied fruit flavours and so it’s all about pairing them in a complementary manner, which is what you can do with a Chilli Spiced Chocolate Cake. Take this luxurious dessert and give it a contemporary edge by adding chilli, which gives a pleasant kick that will warm the back of your throat.

All in all, if you are a lover of chocolate sweets, you can rest assured that you will be more than happy with one of the four delicious desserts that have been mentioned! There are plenty of other recipes that you can try on National Chocolate Covered Anything Day!

Aside from making your own desserts, National Chocolate Covered Anything Day presents you with a good opportunity to support a local chocolatier. With the increase in the production of commercial chocolate, a lot of people overlook just how delicate and difficult the art of making chocolate can be! So, why not support your local chocolatier and let them know that you are amazed by their incredible work?

Source

[fullcravings]

Easy Chocolate Sticky Toffee Pudding

[sweetoothgirl]

Chocolate Sticky Toffee Puddings

[p1nkc4lyps0]

you tumblarinas seem to enjoy when i draw the autism creature [ie my second most liked post] so heres a couple doodles i found while archiving of some tisms, including a batch [haha] of sweet treats inspired creatures from november/december 2022

[cocteautwinslyrics]

caved the other day and bought more whittard hot chocolate

[dailytrends247]

Self-saucing sticky toffee chocolate pudding

Ingredients

200g pitted medjool dates

100g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for the dish

75g demerara sugar

75g dark brown soft sugar

2 large eggs

250g plain flour

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

1 tbsp baking powder

100g dark chocolate, roughly chopped

vanilla ice cream or custard, to serve

For the sauce

200ml double cream

75g unsalted butter, cubed

200g dark brown soft sugar

30g cocoa powder

Get a FREE ebook with over 20 Best Birthday Cakes Recipes

Methods

STEP 1

Put the dates in a bowl and pour in 300ml boiling water. Leave to soak for 30 mins. Meanwhile, make the sauce by tipping all the ingredients, a big pinch of salt and 300ml boiling water into a pan, then whisk over a medium heat and simmer for 2 mins. Pour into a jug and leave to cool slightly. Once the dates are soaked, use a hand blender to blitz the dates and water until you have smooth paste. Leave to cool slightly. Butter a deep 35 x 25cm dish.

STEP 2

Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Beat together the butter and sugar for 3 mins until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating between each addition. Fold in the flour, bicarb and baking powder along with a pinch of salt. Once combined, mix in the date purée, then fold in the dark chocolate. Pour the sponge batter into the prepared dish and spread out evenly using the back of a spoon. Pour the chocolate sauce evenly over the top of the batter.

STEP 3

Bake in the oven for 30-35 mins until risen, then leave to rest for 2 mins. Serve warm with a big scoop of ice cream or warm custard.

....................................... Keep reading................................

[jadethhh]

Two days of yummy food and even tastier puddings ❤️

[gay-victorian-astronomer]

chocolate ganache covers a multitude of sins

could have used more berries though

cracked my cheese cake :(

[scealaiscoite]

‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐 food prompts 𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅

¹⁾ tart, fresh cherries

²⁾ milky tea

³⁾ a can of redbull

⁴⁾ cold pepperoni pizza

⁵⁾ orange segments

⁶⁾ chamomile tea

⁷⁾ burnt toast

⁸⁾ steaming masala chai

⁹⁾ bitter dark chocolate

¹⁰⁾ water-heavy pears

¹¹⁾ salty cinema popcorn

¹²⁾ smooth whiskey

¹³⁾ fluffy cinnamon rolls

¹⁴⁾ rich cuban coffee

¹⁵⁾ streetside pani puri

¹⁶⁾ fresh-baked cookies

¹⁷⁾ pomegranate seeds

¹⁸⁾ sour jellies

¹⁹⁾ homemade soup dumplings

²⁰⁾ hotel room service french fries

²¹⁾ sugared donuts

²²⁾ mexican coca-cola

²³⁾ strawberry milkshake

²⁴⁾ fudgey brownies

²⁵⁾ spearmint gum

²⁶⁾ happy hour cocktails

²⁷⁾ fairground candyfloss

²⁸⁾ salmon sashimi

²⁹⁾ airplane peanuts

³⁰⁾ takeout fried rice

³¹⁾ pistachio gelato

³²⁾ a packed lunch

³³⁾ bruised bananas

³⁴⁾ cheap instant ramen

³⁶⁾ agua de jamaica

³⁷⁾ petrol station chocolate bars

³⁸⁾ soft mangos

³⁹⁾ chicken noodle soup

⁴⁰⁾ convenience store onigiri

⁴¹⁾ lemonade from a neighbourhood kids’ stand

⁴²⁾ chilaquiles

⁴³⁾ a steaming bowl of breakfast congee

⁴⁴⁾ too-sweet instant coffee

⁴⁵⁾ a sunday roast with all the trimmings

⁴⁶⁾ high-end restaurant steak frites

⁴⁷⁾ mango sticky rice

⁴⁸⁾ salsa verde and tortilla chips

⁴⁹⁾ stale bottled water

⁵⁰⁾ rotten strawberries

⁵¹⁾ old-fashioned caramels

⁵²⁾ honey and lemon lozenges

⁵³⁾ garlic bread

⁵⁴⁾ mango loco monster

⁵⁵⁾ clumsily-made spaghetti

⁵⁶⁾ rotisserie chicken

⁵⁷⁾ madras curry

⁵⁸⁾ abuela’s caldo de res

⁵⁹⁾ dirty martini

⁶⁰⁾ tinned sardines

⁶¹⁾ arayes

⁶²⁾ the last slice of birthday cake

⁶³⁾ ripe nectarines

⁶⁴⁾ caviar bump

⁶⁵⁾ iced latte

⁶⁶⁾ sugar cookies

⁶⁷⁾ mulled wine

⁶⁸⁾ baklava

⁶⁹⁾ chocolate poptarts

⁷⁰⁾ warm champangne

⁷¹⁾ sticky toffee pudding

⁷²⁾ blueberry pancakes

⁷³⁾ birria tacos

⁷⁴⁾ hospital pudding cups

⁷⁵⁾ lobster rolls

⁷⁶⁾ fresh honeycomb

⁷⁷⁾ campfire coffee

⁷⁸⁾ sweet tea

⁷⁹⁾ hot honey

⁸⁰⁾ vanilla protein powder

⁸¹⁾ bulgogi beef

⁸²⁾ warm focaccia

⁸³⁾ chilli con carne

⁸⁴⁾ peach cobbler

⁸⁵⁾ cold watermelon slices

⁸⁶⁾ sweet stewed apple

⁸⁷⁾ coloured marshmallows

⁸⁸⁾ vendor stand hotdogs

⁸⁹⁾ dragonfruit redbull

⁹⁰⁾ blood oranges

⁹¹⁾ vanilla coke

⁹²⁾ blue raspberry slushie

⁹³⁾ nicotine gum

⁹⁴⁾ raspberry jam

⁹⁵⁾ pear cider

⁹⁶⁾ pineapple rings

⁹⁷⁾ chicken wings

⁹⁸⁾ salted butter

⁹⁹⁾ coconut meat

¹⁰⁰⁾ wild blackberries

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

To a Tea 3

No tag lists. Do not send asks or DMs about updates. Review my pinned post for guidelines, masterlist, etc. 

Part of the Sweet and Spicy AU 

Warnings: this fic will include dark content such as dubcon/noncon, and other possible triggers. My warnings are not exhaustive, enter at your own risk. 

18+ only. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you. 

Summary:  A demanding customer grows increasingly needy.

Character:  Raymond Smith

The title is a pun, don’t @ me.

Please comment and reblog if it’s not too much. I always love getting to chat about these stories and hearing all your ideas! You all are wonderful and loved. 

Six days in a row and you’re ready to keel over. Amid your busy schedule, you hadn’t a chance to fill your quickly dwindling cupboards and fridge. So, after a ten-hour shift on your feet, running all around the tables and between tea rooms, you expend the last of your strength on a quick trip to the shop. 

It isn’t too far out of your way. It’s just a half-block away from your stop. You could wait until tomorrow, your day off, but you’re dying for a strawberry shortcake mochi before you tuck into bed. The rest of your night isn’t too unusual; you’ll be happy to fall asleep to an episode of the same old sitcom that you know by rote. 

You yawn over the bask hooked over your elbow. You have your mochi and a few other staples to get you through; eggs, oat milk, and your favourite brand of granola. You rub your forehead as a stitch threatens to imprint itself permanently. Tomorrow you’ll do a proper shop. 

You stop just before the cashier and peruse the discount shelf. Those chocolate-covered gummy worms are deadly. You shouldn’t. 

You reach for the package, eyeing it up, blinking away another yawn. Those will only have you waking up with a sore tummy. 

“You’d be better off with the dark chocolate, or even the peanuts,” someone says. The timbre is dulcet but firm, and strangely familiar. 

You look over at the figure standing around the side of the shelves. You fear you might be hallucinating as you stare at Raymond. He has a square of protein chocolate in hand but sets it back where he got it, making certain it and every other bar is straight. 

“Oh, hi?” You stammer.  

The tea shop is busy and you’re certain you’ve probably crossed paths with at least one customer outside store hours, but never like this. If anything, you both look the other way and carry on. Instead, he’s intent on you, shifting to face you fully as he sets his shoulders, clutching his hands before him. 

“Though I do suppose you’ve already got the ice cream, it hardly matters what else you add to your lot,” he muses. 

You look in your basket then at him. Is he judging you? Mr. Black Tea, plain. You hang the bag back on the hook. As you do, he steps forward and you shuffle back on your heels. He pulls the bag in line with others, rescinding his hand with a flutter of fingers. 

“If you’re in the mind for something sweet, there’s a place near here, it has a sticky toffee pudding more worth the expense,” he suggests. 

You don’t know what to say. You haven’t seen him since he muttered about your apron strings. In the two weeks after, you assumed he might not come back. As particular as he is, you thought you’d gone egregiously over the line. And yet, you’d forgotten about him for all the other bodies passing through the door. 

“Thanks, I’ll look into that,” you say. 

“Mm,” he hums and his eyes flit up and down behind his lenses, “you sound different.” 

“Do I?” You reach to scratch your neck. 

“You look different too.” 

You tilt your head and give a confused grimace, “well, I...” you glance down, “suppose I'm not wearing my apron.” 

“Must be it,” he agrees, “you sound tired.” 

“I guess... yeah,” you take a breath and let it out slowly.  

It’s strange. He’s not a customer here, there is no need to please and yet you feel you must. You poke the tip of your tongue out then hide it behind your lips. 

“Not in a bad way,” he assures you.  

“Right, thanks,” you say in a fracture, “that’s nice, but uh, I... I’m just on my way home.” 

“I know,” he says. 

“...so then I’ll just be--” you point towards the checkout and falter, “what did you say?” 

“Yes, down Trafalgar. I know. It’s late,” he peers over towards the transparent walls along the front of the shop, “these parts aren’t too safe this time of day.” 

“Trafal--“ you begin but can’t finish, “Raymond.” 

He blinks, his expression scarily placid. 

“Details,” he says evenly, “it is best to keep note of them. It is dangerous not to mind them.” He raises a finger, “one might not notice the shadow that walks behind theirs or the window they left open in the kitchen.” 

Your lip trembles as your heart sinks, “have you... have you been following me?” 

“Following... that sounds sinister,” he gives a crooked expression, “no, no, I would consider it... I keep you safe.” 

“Safe. From what, exactly?” 

He narrows his eyes and his lips straighten thoughtfully.  

“Well, from men like me.” 

His words turn your blood to ice. Men like him. What does he mean? 

“I...” you take a step back and he moves with you. You put your hand up to stop him as you still, “Raymond, do not come any closer.” 

“You don’t understand, I wouldn’t hurt you,” he says, “that’s what makes me different. Not like those other men.” 

“I mean it,” you warn him. “If you come any closer, I will make a scene.” 

Your adrenaline courses through you. You’re awake now. The yawns have dissipated and your eyes are wide. 

“Ah, and that’s where I am like the other men,” he shrugs, “it doesn’t matter if I come closer to you right now. Hardly matters. Because I can wait. I have waited. And when I...” he steps towards you and you put the basket between you, his stomach pressing against it, “come closer, you will not even see me coming.” 

You stare at him, horrified. His blue eyes gleam and he reaches to straighten his glasses. He smirks and his brows draw up coyly. He leans in and you lean away. Then suddenly, he backs off and tugs his cuffs straight, then fixes his tie. 

“Don’t forget to close your window,” he says as he spins on his heel, “wouldn’t want some nocturnal creature creeping in.” 

You gape after him as he saunters off. You can’t quiet move as disbelief has you stuck to the spot. It’s all so sudden. So unexpected. How could you ever predict something like this? The uptight man from the tea shop, a stranger really, a face who disappeared for a whole fortnight, and he’s just shaken your entire world into disarray. 

Men like him? You don’t even know who he is. Only his name and how he likes his tea. 

[gay-dorito-dust]

hi i was wondering if you could maybe write a clarisse la rue x reader fluff and the reader uses they/them pronouns?

Soft!Clarisse incoming!!! 🦦

‘Ow…’ you groaned as you accidentally moved in a way that didn’t agree with your plethora of injuries as you tried to relax in the medbay. ‘That didn’t go exactly to plan did it?’

Clarisse raised her brows, ‘you think?’ She said incredulously as she gestured to your state as though the answer was blatantly obvious. ‘You almost got yourself skewered out there if I weren’t there to step in.’

‘My hero, always there to save her damsel in distress.’ You laughed lightly but immediately came to regret it when your midsection began to ache and flare up with pain. Clarisse snorted as she reached for the glass of ambrosia from the bedside table, adjusting the straw so that it would be easier for you to take sips from as strawberries, chocolate milk and warm sticky toffee pudding filled your sense. ‘More like pain in my ass who actively tries to test the fates by getting themselves killed.’

‘Isn’t that just the regular demi-god experience?’ You asked, trying to make the situation more lighthearted, but all you could think was how Lilly you were for Clarisse being there when you needed her most. You didn’t like to think of what would’ve happened had you been completely and utterly separated from her and Silena Beauregard; it scared you too much to imagine it and you preferred not to even bother enticing the dark thought. ‘But thank you, for saving me and all…I-‘

‘Don’t.’ Clarisse cut you off.

‘But-‘

‘I said don’t.’ She said more firmly as she stared at you with eyes filled with fury and worry. ‘Don’t you even think it, say it or otherwise. You’re here and you’re safe and that’s all that should matter, understand?’ You smiled sadly at her and reached for her hand, wiggling your fingers at her to take your hand and audibly sighed in relief when she did, her thumb providing you some comfort by caressing the back of your hand; It was weird for a child of ares to be so uncharacteristically soft and gentle but you loved the fact that you were possibly the only person that Clarisse felt comfortable with in seeing her this way.

After all you and Clarisse has this weird will they, won’t they thing going off ever since you bested her in training once on a whim.

‘I understand.’ You said softly, squeezing her hand to reassure her that you were real, that you were with her, that she did arrive in time to stop the killing blow and finished the fight with a rage and absolute ruthlessness of which you have never seen before until then. It was frightening but at the end of the day she was still your Clarisse.

‘Good.’ Clarisse grunts, looking away from you to scratch the brim of her nose, a habit you’ve noticed in recent days that she only did when she was nervous. Really nervous. ‘Good.’ She reiterated, squeezing your hand for good measure. ‘Now get some rest.’ You must’ve looked as though you were about to have a panic attack at the thought of being left alone because Clarisse then added. ‘I’m not going anywhere, you just look exhausted and besides,’ she smiled, ‘I have to keep my damsel in distress safe as they slumber after all.’

You smiled back at her and fell into a relaxed enough state to fall asleep but before you did, you muttered sleepily. ‘My knight in shining armour.’

[rabbitcruiser]

National Nut Day

Walnut, Hazelnut, Chestnut, Kola Nuts, Pine Nuts, Cashews, and more. There are more types of nuts in the world than most people realize, and many more of these are used for food than people suspect. Most people have a favorite kind of nut, most commonly involved in a favored kind of treat, but there are varieties and uses for nuts that are not commonly known.

Did you know that the flavor in your cola originally came from the Kola Nut? Or that Beech Nuts are commonly used as feed for animals? From ages past these high-fat, high-protein tree seeds have served as a major source of winter survival. Their natural ability to be stored and resist decay throughout the winter has made them a valuable resource for animals and humans alike.

What’s even more fascinating is that nuts have been revealed to have notable health benefits for those with a history of Coronary Heart Disease by lowering LDL cholesterol concentrations.

Learn about National Nut Day

National Nut Day has been created in order to encourage the public to consume healthier snack options. What is your go-to snack? A packet of crisps? A chocolate bar? We know that we are guilty of going for the unhealthy option more regularly than we should! So, why not use National Nut Day as the perfect opportunity to switch up your workplace snack? Some nuts, or a combination of nuts and dried fruit, is a healthy snack that will bring a lot of benefits.

The great thing about nuts is that there are so many different types and varieties to choose from. They come in many different sizes and shapes. You have everything from wrinkly walnuts to teardrop-shaped almonds, and so you are bound to find something that appeals to your taste buds.

We also love National Nut Day because nuts are not only delicious, but they are nutritious as well. Different nuts have different benefits. For example, almonds are rich in vitamin E, calcium, and protein. Another beneficial type of nuts is pistachios. They are high in fiber and they can help to reduce a rise in blood sugar after you have had a meal. Walnuts are also very popular, and they are a great source of omega-3 fatty acid. They can improve factors relating to heart health. Or, what about cashews? Cashews can improve blood pressure and they have a good nutrient profile too.

It is definitely a good idea to do a bit of research on your favorite nuts on Nuts Day too. You will be surprised by the different benefits that are associated with the variety of nuts out there. For a piece of food that is so small, it certainly packs a powerful punch when it comes to the different nutrients and benefits that it can bring.

History of National Nut Day

The Liberation Foods Company organized National Nut Day to celebrate the long and storied history of the nut, as well as to dispel some pernicious myths, such as the persistent idea that peanuts are a nut for instance. Nuts have been part of our diets for time out of mind, a trait we likely learned by following our fuzzy four footed brethren to their winter stores.

Since the inception of National Nut Day, great festivals have sprung up around the world to celebrate the versatility and great taste of the nut. There’s nothing like the rich smell of roast nuts to remind you that fall is here, and there is nothing to soothe a sweet tooth like a roast candied nut. Orange Glazed, Cinnamon, Sweet Chipotle are just a few of the common and more unusual flavors available in the world of the nut.

How to celebrate National Nut Day

The best way to celebrate National Nut Day is by treating yourself to your favorite nut related treat. Whether that’s a nut rich doughnut or a bag of your favorite roasted nuts, National Nut Day is an opportunity to indulge in the rich, nutty taste of.. well.. nuts!

There are often events held by vendors of nuts and their enthusiasts, where they share activities, introduce new types of nuts, and even share the best nut recipes. So get out there and improve your health and your winter with these shell-covered treasures.

There are plenty of other activities that you can do on National Nut Day. This includes making your favorite nut butter. A lot of people love nut butter, but why go to the store and purchase the premade version when you can probably make a much nicer version yourself? All you need to do is grab your favorite nut and throw them into a food processor. Most people will add some sweetener, and then all you need to do is blitz the combination. It really is as easy as that. Some people love their creation so much that they simply eat it out of the food processor. We won’t tell if you don’t!

Another way to celebrate National Nut Day is by adding them to your meal. Nuts are incredibly versatile, meaning they can be added to everything from breakfast to dinner. They go just as good in oatmeal as they do a stir-fry or salad. You can also brighten up someone else’s day on National Nut Day by bringing them a nut-based treat. A snack-sized packet of nut goodies is bound to put a smile on anyone’s face. It’s always nice when someone thinks about you, right?

Source

[lisbeth-kk]

Sherlock fandom

The Key to His Heart

It is often said that the key to a man’s heart, goes through his stomach. Well, that doesn’t apply to the man who owns my heart, and vice versa. By all means, we do indulge in culinary treats. 

In our younger days, it was heaps of take-away; Indian, Chinese, Indonesian. Never Italian, though. Angelo would’ve been devastated if we sought out Italian food somewhere else.

And there were of course the sweets, to satisfy the madman I lived with. 

(Still lives with, to be clear.) 

Ginger nuts, jammy dodgers, scones, Mrs. Hudson’s home baked cakes and biscuits, tiramisu, chocolate mousse, and sticky toffee pudding.

But I’m rambling. My madman, the great Sherlock Holmes, still doesn’t eat the amount of food I would like him to. He still claims that it slows him down. Not that he has places to be nowadays. If you don’t count his beloved beehives that is.

I seem unable to keep my thoughts collected on one topic today. The thing I was going to tell you about, was how I, John Hamish Watson, was given the key to the detective’s heart.

Everyone thought we were a couple from the day I moved into Baker Street. Quite a lot of them took it as a personal insult, when we, well, mostly I, objected to the assumption.

“Not gay!” I shouted out to anyone who cared to listen.

Few did, but the one that mattered the most, always listened. It still hurts to think about. 

Sherlock is interested in all kinds of things, but the thing that has stuck with him since childhood, is the fascination for bees. I was stunned when he told me about it quite early in our acquaintanceship. Living in London assured that we didn’t come across them very often, unless we walked the parks. We mostly ran through the parks, always chasing the bad guys. That was a relief, because I was terrified of the tiny creatures. 

“How is that possible? You invaded Afghanistan,” Sherlock protested when I told him.

“Well, childhood trauma isn’t that easily forgotten, Sherlock,” I stated.

When I was eight years old, I was stung by dozens of bees. I had been fighting with Harry, and she pushed me against our uncle’s two beehives. The push was hard, and both hives fell to the ground. I can still recall the angry buzzing and the bees’ fierce attack. It was summer, and I was only wearing a pair of shorts… 

Enough about my childhood horrors. 

It took me too long to realise that I loved Sherlock. Even when he came back from the dead, I acted like I hadn’t grieved him like a lover.

Keep calm and carry on.

Sherlock’s sudden illness, which forced him to stay in bed for almost a fortnight, made us both come out of our shells. His high fever made him hallucinate, and he was quite talkative throughout. He pledged his love for me numerous times a day, mostly in his sleep, so I didn’t put much into the declarations. I worked it out in the end and did some pledging myself.

He wasn’t entirely convinced at first. The not gay statement still lingered in his mind, and he was reluctant to do more than occasionally holding my hand and hug me. So, I decided to convince him. I just had to get Harry on board. She was surprisingly amenable to my suggestion to buy her share of our uncle’s cottage, which we both had inherited some years previous. 

Sherlock didn’t know about it. I had almost forgotten about it myself by that time. 

The cottage was called “In the Meadows”, and the name fit perfectly. It was surrounded by them on three sides, and said meadows needed some taming. Nobody had lived there for at least three years. An old neighbour had kept an eye on it, though, so it wasn’t in total decay. It needed some loving hands, which I hoped Sherlock and I could provide.

I took him down to Sussex one sunny Saturday in May. The neighbour had assured me that beehives were in place, and the gear needed to tend to them.

“Happy belated birthday, Sherlock,” I said when we stood outside the house.

“What do you mean, John?” he asked, too stunned to deduce and observe properly.

“It’s for you. Or us, really,” I told him.

I was so anxious for his reaction.

The blinking came first. I had anticipated that. What came as a total surprise was the kiss once he had spotted the hives.

He turned to face me, cradled my face, and pressed his lips softly against mine. I almost stopped breathing but finally got my arms to work and circled them around his waist.

“My John. You…how…but you’re terrified of…” Sherlock stuttered after he broke the kiss.

“Well, I’ll just have to trust you to protect me for once, then,” I murmured, still dazed from the tender kiss.

“Do you really love me that much, John?” Sherlock inquired.

“More than anything,” I told him, which lead to further kisses.

If you wondered; yes, we’re both retired, and our address isn’t 221B Baker Street anymore, but “In the Meadows”, Sussex.

-------------------------------------------------------

This is also my entry to the Sherlock Challenge of July, prompt: key.

@flashfictionfridayofficial @sherlockchallenge @totallysilvergirl @keirgreeneyes @calaisreno

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[jadeshifting]

— DINNER IN THE GREAT HALL

˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　　　 　˚　　　　 . ★⋆. ࿐࿔

every evening at Hogwarts, the sturdy tables of the Great Hall nearly buckle under the weight of the feast laden on it

★⋆. ࿐࿔ MAIN COURSES

— ROAST LAMB (seasoned with rosemary and garlic, served with mint sauce)

— BEEF WELLINGTON (tender beef wrapped in flaky pastry)

— HONEY-GLAZED HAM (with spiced apple chutney)

— CHICKEN CASSEROLE (creamy sauce with mushrooms and herbs)

— FISH & CHIPS (served with tartar sauce and lemon wedges)

— VEGETABLE STIR-FRY (tossed in a ginger-soy glaze over jasmine rice)

— MUSHROOM RISOTTO (rich and creamy with Parmesan)

★⋆. ࿐࿔ SIDES

— MASHED POTATOES (with butter, cream and gravy)

— roasted ROOT VEGETABLES (seasoned with thyme)

— steamed GREEN BEANS (with slivered almonds)

— CORN ON THE COB (with melted herb butter)

— GARLIC BREAD (warm and crispy)

— savory STUFFING (seasoned with sage and onions)

★⋆. ࿐࿔ SOUPS

— FRENCH ONION SOUP (topped with melted cheese and croutons)

— LEEK & POTATO SOUP (hearty and smooth)

★⋆. ࿐࿔ SALADS

— CAPRESE SALAD (tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and balsamic glaze)

— ROASTED BEET & ARUGULA SALAD (with walnuts and feta)

— CUCUMBER & DILL SALAD (light and refreshing)

★⋆. ࿐࿔ DESSERTS

— STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING (with warm caramel sauce)

— BLACKBERRY CRUMBLE (served with clotted cream)

— CHOCOLATE GATEAU CAKE (rich and layered with ganache)

— PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE (spiced and creamy)

— LEMON TART (with a crisp, buttery crust)

— assorted ICE CREAMS (vanilla, chocolate, raspberry, and more)

★⋆. ࿐࿔ DRINKS

— PUMPKIN JUICE (lightly spiced)

— BUTTERBEER

— GINGER TEA & CHAMOMILE INFUSION

— MULLED CIDER (warm and spiced)

— FRUIT CORDIALS (raspberry, elderflower, blackcurrant)

•❅───✧❅✦❅✧──❅•

[slasherhoe87]

🥧Slashers' Favourite Dish their S/0 Makes for Them🍲

Short and sweet. Just a little idea that popped into my head while watching Masterchef Australia

Feat. Brahms Heelshire, Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers (OG / Peepaw / RZ), The Sinclairs, Billy Loomis, Stu Macher, Harry Warden, Thomas Hewitt

BRAHMS HEELSHIRE

English Sunday Roast: pork roast with crackling, peas, yorkshire puddings, golden roast potatoes, roasted carrots, green beans and a boatload of brown gravy

Dessert? sticky toffee pudding

JASON VOORHEES

Cheesy Tuna Noodle Casserole - his mom made this dish for him all the time and he loved it

Dessert? lemon bars - another favourite of his that bring up the precious few good memories he has of his childhood

MICHAEL MYERS (OG)

Ground Beef Lasagna with extra white sauce

Dessert? pumpkin pie with a big dollop of vanilla cream

PEEPAW MYERS

Meatloaf with a side of creamy garlic mashed potatoes and roasted mix veg (its all easy on the teeth 😁😂)

Dessert? strawberry & rhubarb pie

RZ MICHAEL MYERS

Full Thanksgiving Dinner: roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn on the cob, dinner rolls, mix veg and lots of brown gravy and cranberry sauce (he remembers his mom when you make this and is flooded with good memories of her and him together)

Dessert? pecan pie

BO SINCLAIR

T-Bone Steak with a Loaded Baked Potato and Corn on the Cob as a side

Dessert? banana split

VINCENT SINCLAIR

Rump Steak with a Mixed Mushroom Sauce and a side of Sweet Potato Fries

Dessert? dark chocolate brownie with a scoop of mint ice cream

LESTER SINCLAIR

One-Pot Smoky Beans and Roadkill Meatball Stew

Dessert? ice cream sundae

BILLLY LOOMIS

Spaghetti Bolognaise with lots of Red Sauce

Dessert? chocolate lava cake - he likes watching the chocolate sauce spill out of from its middle

STU MACHER

Pepperoni Pizza

Dessert? birthday cake flavoured ice cream in a sugared cone with tons of sprinkles on top

HARRY WARDEN

Fillet Steak with a Red Wine Sauce, Garlic Parsnip Mash and Roasted Green Asparagus as a side

Dessert? black forest cake

THOMAS HEWITT

Chili Con Carne - likes it with ground beef you purchased from the butcher or with more... questionable ground "beef" - as long as you make it, he loves it

Dessert? peach cobbler

[idiotwithanipad]

HC

Each year on each ghost's birthday they become corporeal, still dead, still ghosts, just corporeal. If they were to walk into the wall, they wouldn't glide through it like they usually do, they'd just bump into it. Livings still can't see them, except for Alison, and Alison is the only living they can touch without feeling sick since she has the sight.

It's also their only chance to leave the grounds. They still can't change outfits; their clothes would just go straight back on them like in canon. So if they go on a day trip with Alison, they'll get a lot of weird looks. It's also the only opportunity they get to eat something or drink.

(Edit: They can change outfits but livings would see them. By 'them' I mean that the living would just see an outfit standing and walking on its own, like an invisible mannequin. So changing outfits has to be kept in the house only)

All the ghosts thought this was some kind of miracle work at first but as the years went on it turned into their birthday parties. All except Robin; the others thought he'd be bouncing off the walls, but no. He stood rock solid in place for most of the day, unable to move. It's been so long, so so long since he's even felt what the ground feels like under his boots, or the breeze, or all the scents of nature that he'd forgotten.

But it's not all bad, when he finally started walking around, he met up with his mouse family and finally got to stroke one of the newborns with his pinkie. He was a fluffy mess after that.

For the first few birthdays, Robin didn't want to leave the house at all ( it was over stimulating for bby🥺) , not even to go outside, but as the years went on he started to enjoy it again. And Alison always liked to surprise them with some of their favourite foods. Robin's was a little difficult at first, so she had to substitute mammoth steak with beef. Rump steak just how he'd like it. She made it authentic by converting one of the outdoor dog kennels into a mini smokehouse to cook it.

Humphrey's head actually stays on during his birthday, just as long as someone places it on his shoulders before midnight. (When Amy dies, she tries to get everybody to try some Monster even if it's only a sip, just to see their reaction). If the door is open, Alison always catches Robin heading to the lake to drink, so she teaches him how to use the taps and the kettle (He doesn't bother with those and instead becomes obsessed with Fruit Shoot blackcurrant cause why not? 😂)

Alison obviously bakes birthday cakes for them:

Robin: Basic vanilla sponge decorated to look like the moon

Kitty: Any kind of lava cake or Sticky Toffee Pudding

Fanny: Lemon Drizzle or Victoria Sponge

Cap: Says he'll take a Victoria Sponge but falls in L O V E with the Battenbergs

Pat: Prefers little cupcakes so that there's plenty to choose from rather than one big cake. So, he opts for Sprinkle cakes or Flapjacks

Thomas: Black Forest Gateau or Chocolate Eclairs

Julian: Says he'd like a Rum cake Or Spotted Dick just to crack jokes about it but secretly loves Bakewell Tarts

Humphrey: Red Velvet cake or any kind of dark chocolate cheesecake

Mary: She likes muffins, anything colourful. Jam Tarts are high up on her list but Rainbow cake wins her over