#Unbeatable basil

[radiatinggarlic]

2022 year in review-garden

This year's gardening efforts were mostly rubbish but there were a handful of highlights that keep me moivated on figuring out this thing called gardening. A late frost/cold snap zapped the Mexican Plum blossoms, killing any chance of fall jelly expermentation. Also, no early food source for the local pollinators(primarily bees and moths in years past)

After 4 years(or is it 3?) the Carolina Jessamine gave us its first and only blooms. We're gonna get there baby! Next March, we'll get 5!

And looping back to the Plum tree situation, there was a delay of the spring wildflowers this year and the bees were h0ngry, so I fed a smol swarm for roughly a week until the wildflowers finally showed up. No small feat, as I am v scared of stinging insects, but I am a sucker for a charity case so I couldn't just let them continue to struggle with the hummingbird feeders.

Gave up the good fight on forcing back the Heavenly Bamboo, in order to make a bird, bee, and butterfly garden in the middle of the backyard. Transplanted the Sweet Williams and Butterfly Bush to the house beds until the H.B. can be properly erradicated. Got some random annuals to fill in the vast empty bed spaces, honorable mentions for the Snapdragon and Dusty Miller who both just THRIVED. C got 2 zucchini plants for me and a jalapeño for himself, also placed in the house beds. I planted basil as well as having a go at a potted tomato. There was a whim purchase of 3 $10 rosebushes, two in the front bed (to replace the two that had died) and one by the back patio. Things were looking promising at the end of March/beginning of April.

Mid-April brought the Antelope-horn Milkweed back along with some new friends. There were eight total Monarch caterpillars who Eric Carle-ed their way through our humble milkweed before pupating all over the place.

Under a zucchini leaf was my personal fave pupation spot.

And then they emerged and did their butterfly thing. Backyard magic!

The Star Jasmine also gave us its first flowers after 3 or 4 years(planted the same day as the Carolina Jessamine).

Come June 1st, I harvested the first zucchini and I was ready for it. I love growing zukes. They are so damn hardy and it's a plant I've never had issues growing. I regularly have to shred and freeze my harvests because I can't keep up consuming them. I really love zucchini.

And then... the heat came. 100 degrees. Daily. For months. And yes, it's Texas. There is an expectation of hot, hot temps and little to no rainfall and watering with a hose here does nothing because the water is dreck. And so, the zucchini plants withered and died. The butterfly bush became crunchy, which I am still seeking to understand. C bought me another butterfly bush to cheer me up, and it also crunchified. I am hoping that they may return come the spring, though. Most of the annuals shriveled, withered, and passed. The rose bush by the patio kicked it. The Plum tree's leaves burned. C's jalapeño just kind of hung out, no flowers, no fruit, grew to 2.5 feet.

Looking back, I'm going to say the single most frustrating plant this year was the tomato. C kept undermining the way I was caring for it, watering and fertilizing after I had already done so. Moving it so that it could get "more sun". It didn't need more sun... anyway, this fucking tomato grew taller than me (5'6") and made a handful of flowers and didn't do much else. At some point, mid-July I think, the receptionist at my veterinarian's office mentioned an old wive's tale of getting a broom and(gently) smacking the top of the tomato plant, in order for it to start producing fruit. When I got home I said, "fuck it, why not?" And I'll be damned if it didn't start fruiting.

and that's it. The tomato harvest for 2022. As it turns out, tomatoes won't fruit if it's too hot, so a whole lot of unecessary labor and couple bickering for naught.

The basil put everything to shame by just g r o w i n g. I truly thought I was going to be struggling with this dude but it just kept chugging along, busting out branch after branch of delicious leaves. And I was checking on it everyday at sunrise to make sure there are no flowers because I have a habit of letting things bolt, and also, you know, everything else was deadsies. Frankly, if we hadn't received an early cold snap last month I think basil would still be rolling merrily along. I'm really hoping that it survives the winter and comes back.

Finally, the established fruit and nut trees and bushes suffered hard through the drought and heat. The dewberries burned and shriveled. The peaches looked okay at first but then stalled midway through growing. Come harvest time they were still small and green. Eventually, in August, they dropped and the local opposums and maybe the armadillos ate all but the pits. The figs seemed fine until it came time for the fruit to do their final plump out and instead shrank back and dropped to the ground. Another disappointment, as I wanted to experiment with making fig crumbles. The drought caused the pecan trees to opt out of producing any nuts this year. C impulse bought 3 trees for the "orchard"("they were on sale!"), so we added a banana tree that you can't even tell was planted, a loquat with shriveled crunchy leaves because they hate heat over 80, and another fig that looked lovely but once transplanted went into shock and dropped it's leaves.

Other work done: Chopped down Heavenly Bamboo in front bed. Fought to pull out as much of the root ball as possible (not much) and put down cardboard and landscape fabric in a bid to stop it from coming back. I'm mostly winning? I've had to go back in and remove some persistent spots and am due to do that again, actually. I also put down cardboard and a thick layer of leaf litter in the crape myrtle bed. Once I buy and put out some soil I will plop some landscape fabric on top, let that bitch percolate, and then (hopefully) next fall cram it full of bulbs and ferns. It's a nice bed but I much rather spend time in my backyard, than the front, so a set it and forget it bed would be preferable. I'm also going to try and bring back

[ryhmus]

Noli Mei Oblivisci HEADCANONS 4-8

4

Kel is extremely lactose intolerant toward milk. He doesn't hate drinking milk, he's just not supposed to have any dairy, the last time he had milk, his friends at school dared him to chug a whole carton of chocolate milk...the result was the closing of the boy's bathroom for an entire week and a half a week long suspension for Kel to follow.

Kel is aware of his condition...but it doesn't stop him from enjoying a nice pizza.

5

STRANGER can shapeshift. Just like the many other STRANGERS before him, he is capable of shifting his body into different forms, from appearing more animal like, to seeming older. There is no limit to what shape he can take. STRANGER himself does not use this ability for fear of losing himself and what makes his identity, the Basil form is comfortable anyways.

Many a time, KEL has begged him to turn into an adult so they could go see the more mature movies...

6

FLOWER is amazing at board games. Chess, Sorry, Monopoly, Battleship...if it's a board game, he is nearly unbeatable at it. And yet despite this, FLOWER remains a good sport towards his opponent.

FLOWER isn't very good at cards though...

7

HERO doesn't like using technology...or it doesn't like him. He's tried to make a Tumblr ask blog at one point but it never got anywhere. His attempts to use computers always end up with him stumped by some problem that comes up and he has to ask someone for help. He can charm most people but the digital world remains unmoved.

Guess it didn't help much when he was transformed into a computer AI at one point...

8

ROWAN is afraid of deep water, even in HEADSPACE he's always been hesitant to touch water, which is why ROWAN has never been to DEEP WELL. He can't swim or learn how to either either as he'll just sink like a rock. The closest he's gotten was by wearing kiddie floats on his arms.

He'll never admit it out loud though...

[acacia-may]

In Your Eyes (Kelbrey Feelings Realization Fic)

“Kel froze. His eyes widened—heart racing so loud he could hear it pounding in his ears which had turned red at the sight of her. His hands trembled. His breath caught in his throat as he met her eyes. Her brown eyes.”

OR

When Aubrey gets something stuck in her eye during a game of poker at a college party hosted by Hero’s fraternity, Kel has a realization that has been a long time coming…

Kelbrey-Centric Slice of Life, Feelings Realization, and Developing Romance several years Post-Good Ending with a side of Hero & Kel's brotherly love and support. Also, (briefly) feat. Hero actually being happy with his goofy college friends (and some hints at Hero/OC), Sunny the poker champion, and Basil wishing everyone would just play Crazy Eights.

Relationships: KELBREY (Romantic Kel x Aubrey) CENTRIC. Kel & Hero's brotherly bond is also included & important, as well as Aubrey, Basil, Hero Kel, & Sunny Friendship. Some (Minor) Hero & His College Friends (OCs) Friendship and Some (Potential?) Hero x OC. Past Romantic Hero x Mari is referenced.

Word Count: 9,110

Rating: T for some language, mentions of drinking, and sequences of partying.

Warnings: Major Spoilers for OMORI! A brief sequence of legal drinking. Some language. Some partying. Characters playing footsie. Characters playing poker. An almost kiss. Please see AO3 for additional tags.

Link to original post on AO3. Full Text Below the Cut.

A/N: This story is dedicated to my youngest sister who doesn’t know anything about OMORI but knows a lot about contact lenses. ^^

Thank you for reading!! 🧡🩷

Kel frowned at his cards. He had been having rotten luck all night and had the smallest pile of individually wrapped candies turned poker chips in front of him. Kel sighed. It probably would have been a little bit bigger if he hadn’t kept eating them.

As he absentmindedly plopped a taffy in his mouth, Aubrey glared at him with icy teal eyes. “Those are your chips, Kel.”

Kel shrugged. “Eh, I can spare a couple.”

Quirking an eyebrow, Aubrey blinked at him and his dwindling pile of candies even more pathetically puny next to the elaborate castle Sunny had been building out of the many, many he had collected throughout the course of the game. They should have known he would be virtually unbeatable at poker, but for her credit, Aubrey seemed to be doing fairly well for herself too with a modest stack of caramels in front of her. Basil would probably be doing better if he stopped folding every round, even when he had a good hand, but even he had more ‘chips’ than Kel, probably because he didn’t keep eating them.

Kel shrugged, then ate another taffy with a satisfied smack of his lips. He didn’t think it mattered much, seeing as he wasn’t going to win anyway, but Aubrey huffed—a long piece of pink hair falling into her face as she rolled her eyes, kicking him under the table. Chuckling, he playfully kicked her back. It clearly wasn’t the reaction she had been expecting. Pushing her hair out of her face, she tilted her head at him with a scowl, then kicked him again a little harder this time, but he just laughed, delighted by that twitch in the corners of her mouth she had tried to hide. He wondered if he could get her to actually smile—not always the easiest feat in the world with Aubrey, especially when she was annoyed like this.

Sunny dropped a piece of taffy in the center of the table—stone-faced and unreadable as usual, a truly unfair power in a poker game, and Kel picked one of his own up—appearing to follow suit until he plopped it into his mouth.

“Kel!” Aubrey huffed.

“I’m hungry,” he insisted with a smack of his lips as he chewed the taffy.

“Then have Hero make you a sandwich and stop eating your poker chips.”

With a sigh, Kel glanced off over Aubrey’s shoulder at his brother, hard at work in the kitchen as he generally was whenever his fraternity hosted a party. Hero had been nice enough to invite them along to this one, provided none of them drink anything that didn’t come out of a can or bottle clearly marked as “non-alcoholic,” since unlike Hero and most of his friends they weren’t of legal drinking age yet and Hero had warned them repeatedly that it was far too easy to accidentally get wasted, especially when you’re not used to it. Whether he knew that from personal experience or not, Kel wasn’t sure, and he didn’t think it was his place to ask. As far as he knew, Hero didn’t drink, even though he had legally been able to for the past few months, and Kel noticed that for the whole evening, he had been sipping a mug of hot tea rather than anything boozy…but, Kel supposed, that could have been because he had wanted to keep a watchful, sober eye on them. Always the responsible big brother, he had been checking in with them periodically all evening to make sure they were okay and to see if they needed anything even though he was busy taking care of party guests and making sure things didn’t get too rowdy and out of hand, like a “Mama” his roommate, the party’s host, had somewhat teasingly insisted.

Hero had politely opted not to play poker with them, however,—whether because he wanted to keep making sandwiches or because his group of college friends had teased him that he couldn’t lie well enough to last five minutes in a poker tournament had yet to be seen. Hero’s friends, for their credit, had seemingly tried to make up for it by playing in his place, however. Brandi and her boyfriend, C.J., made it through a couple rounds before getting called away to watch Hero’s roommate try to use a beer bong while standing on his head, which Hero had politely insisted Kel and their friends skip out on. Music major Tamra played five rounds mostly spent comforting Basil when he panicked and accidentally bet 7 Charleston Chews before realizing he had forgotten to look at his cards, and Kel had spent at least ten minutes trying to teach the bubbly Lorraine how to play before she finally decided she’d rather just sing Spice Girls karaoke with her sorority sisters. Out of Hero’s closest friends, at least the ones Kel knew of, only two hadn’t played: Hero’s roommate, Kyle, who was absolutely plastered after that thing with the beer bong, and spunky engineering major, Zoey, who had offered to keep Hero company in the kitchen so he wouldn’t feel so left out.

Glancing over at his brother now, Kel couldn’t help but think Hero didn’t seem to mind being left out at all now that he was busy cooking, chatting, and laughing with one of his best friends. Kel couldn’t make out what they were talking about, but he watched Zoey’s mouth curve into a dry, somewhat lopsided smile as she poked Hero in the chest with a spatula and Hero’s smile actually managed to reach his eyes as he laughed so loudly it caught the attention of everyone at the table.

They all blinked—wide-eyed at the rare occurrence of actual Hero happiness: a true unicorn over the past several years though not completely impossible anymore especially when he was with his college friends and, they had all noticed, this one in particular. Almost on some kind of unspoken cue, the whole table shared a glance at each other as if to acknowledge how much they were all indebted to the young lady and not just because she had helped Sunny build a trebuchet for his physics project, found the missing lens cap from Basil’s camera, invited Aubrey to stay with her during her college visit, and always let Kel call her whenever he was stuck on his math homework.

Aubrey cleared her throat—reminding them to quickly turn back to their cards before Hero caught them staring. He likely would have been mortified, but Kel knew none of them had been trying to pry, they were all just glad to see him enjoying the company of his friends and smiling again. It had been a very long time.

“On second thought, don’t bother him,” mumbled Aubrey though an affectionate smile tugged at her mouth. Sunny nodded in emphatic agreement, even handing Kel some of the candies from the palace he had been building.

Kel stifled a chuckle but shook his head. “Thanks, Sunny, but I’ll just eat later.” Staring back down at his cards, Kel hummed. “And I’ll raise you two licorices.”

“How much did we say a licorice is again?” asked Basil with a weary sigh.

“I think two licorices equals one caramel, and two caramels equal a taffy,” explained Aubrey rubbing her eyes.

Basil nodded, then sighed again. “Okay…I fold.”

“You know you don’t have to fold every time,” Kel teased with a good-natured chuckle. He glanced over at Aubrey, meeting her teal eyes—distant and a little exasperated but not unkind. Even so, she jabbed at him with her foot again before she reached for her own pile of candies.

As Aubrey thoughtfully hummed at her cards, Kel playfully poked her with his foot under the table again. Not even blinking or looking up from her hand—she jabbed back at him then he poked at her, and back and forth they went, hopefully, unnoticed by their friends. Finally, she dropped a handful of candy into the center pile meeting Kel’s eyes, the corners of her lips twitching again. As a smile began to spread across his own face, he ran his foot across her ankle, then without thinking, up the side of her calf. A yelp caught in the back of Aubrey’s throat—startling Sunny and Basil, and Kel stopped abruptly watching the bright red spots appearing between her indignant frown.

His own face grew warm. He had just been playing around and hadn’t been thinking, certainly hadn’t been intending to play footsie with her, even though, if he was being honest, it was kind of nice. Something swooped in his stomach as he was suddenly struck by the thought of Aubrey running her foot up his leg, instead of the other way around...

That blush in his face deepened, and he cleared his throat. He didn’t know where that thought had come from, honestly.

He reached for another piece of candy.

“Seriously?” Aubrey huffed, rolling her eyes at him again—that usual pale pallor returning to her face as Sunny met her bet. Kel tried his best to quiet that fluttery sensation in his stomach by turning back to his cards.

For a split second, he had actually forgotten he didn’t have anything in his hand. Even so, he exclaimed, “I’m going all in!”

Kel had always liked that phrase: “all in.” He supposed he was an “all in” kind of person—jumping into things with wholehearted enthusiasm, oftentimes without thinking. In a way, he guessed, that was a good thing sometimes—like when he dragged Sunny out of his house or pestered his brother into taking much needed breaks from constant studying, but it probably wasn’t the best when he was trying to play poker and annoying his friends by going “all in” with whole hands of nothing. Still, he shoved his remaining candies into the middle of the table.

Aubrey snickered. “What will you have to eat now?”

Before he could banter back, however, his stomach growled, loudly. He probably should grab something to eat beyond just his “poker chips.”

“Here, Scotty. Sounds like you need it more than me.” A plate with a hot sandwich on it appeared next to him on the table. Kel didn’t need to turn around to know who had put it there: Hero’s friend Zoey was the only person in the world who called him “Scotty,” a reference to his penchant for fixing things as far as he understood it.

“Thanks, but I can’t take your food,” Kel insisted as Hero ran up beside them, wiping his hands across his apron.

“Kel’s right,” he gently interrupted, patting Kel’s shoulder before quickly turning from him to Zoey.  “I can make him something. You don’t have to give him yours.”

Zoey quirked an eyebrow at him. “Your poor brother is practically starving over here,” she quipped in a dry, matter-of-fact voice. “And it looks like Sunny is wiping the floor with him. He deserves a sandwich.” She tilted her head towards Kel but met Hero’s dark eyes with her teasing green ones, just for a moment. Hero turned away, clearing his throat, and she turned to Sunny, with a bright smile, “Nice castle, by the way.”

“Thank you,” mumbled Sunny as a smile tugged at his mouth. “But…it’s having trouble staying up…”

As she tucked a piece of short, red hair behind her ear, Zoey’s brow furrowed, but her mouth twitched in its corners. “You want some help with that?” she asked, and Sunny nodded. “A stronger foundation should fix the problem, and you have plenty of candies to build a bigger base.” She paused, chuckling lightly. “Remind me never to play poker against you. We’ll just have to stick to crazy eights.”

“I’d like to play crazy eights,” sighed Basil. “Poker is stressing me out.”

“Everything stresses you out,” huffed Aubrey with an affectionate smile as she rubbed her eye. Basil chuckled lightly, somewhat helplessly as Hero gave him a reassuring pat on the back.

“I prefer crazy eights too,” he admitted with a sigh and a gentle smile before turning back to his brother. “Kel, please don’t eat Zoey’s sandwich. What would you like me to make for you? And does anyone else want anything?”

Aubrey, Basil, and Sunny all shook their heads, but Kel hummed thoughtfully, “I’ll just have something easy to make like ham and cheese. Or just some chips or something if you’re too tired. You’ve been cooking all night.”

“It’s fine. It’s actually…”—Hero’s face softened—“kind of fun. I’m usually so busy studying I don’t get to cook as much anymore, so it’s nice to have the opportunity.” He paused then sighed. “Sorry I haven’t been around much tonight though. It’s been kind of crazy around here, but after I finish cooking for you guys, maybe we can all play together.”

“You’re just saying that because they’re switching to crazy eights,” teased Zoey as she helped Sunny arrange his squares of caramels into a wide base for his castle.

Hero chuckled lightly but gently insisted, “I would have played poker too. Whatever you want.”

“Crazy eights is fine,” said Aubrey, still rubbing her eye. “Kel’s out of poker chips anyway.” Aubrey huffed, blinking rapidly and pulling on her eyelid with her finger. Her eye started to water.

“Are you okay?” asked Kel reaching out a hand to her, but she jerked away from him.

“Yeah, I think I just got something in my eye.” She blinked again with a disgruntled groan.  

“I have eyedrops in a first aid kit upstairs if that’ll help,” said Hero. “I’ll go get them.”

“No, I can do that.” Kel stopped, realizing what he had said only after he had said it. “I mean…I wouldn’t want you to have to leave everybody and you’re so busy hosting.”

“It’s no trouble,” Hero insisted. “But if you want to get the first aid kit, you can, Kel. It’s in the lower right drawer of my desk.”

“That’s okay,” interjected Aubrey. “I don’t think I need a first aid kit or anything. Whatever it is, it’s stuck up under my contact lens, so I’ll probably just have to take it out. My bag’s upstairs I think.”

As Aubrey stumbled to her feet, Kel followed. He and Hero both opened their mouths, about to say something when the slurred voice of Hero’s roommate Kyle called from across the room, “Mama! Mama!”

“Just a second,” Hero called back, but Kyle yelled again—a slurred and drawn-out whine.  

“Heroooooooooooooooooooooo!”

Hero let out a long heavy sigh. “Yes? Is everything okay?”

“Come here! Tamra’s gonna play a song for you.”

“I’ve been working on this transcription project, I think you’re really going to like it,” Tamra’s voice called from her seat at an old, chipped piano on the back wall of the busy living room.

“And we’re all going to sing,” giggled Lorraine.

“That’s really nice, but um…can you wait a couple minutes?” asked Hero.

There were teasing, playful groans before Zoey called, “Hold on, you big babies. He’s in the middle of something.”

“Unless someone’s dying or he’s making out with you, it can wait!” Kyle yelled then cracked himself up in raucous laughter. Given the bright red hue of his brother’s face, Kel felt bad for laughing a little himself, even though he tried his best to stifle it. It seemed Brandi and her boyfriend were trying and failing to do the same—laughing behind their hands as they curled up next to each other on the couch. Sunny and Basil were both blushing—probably from second-hand embarrassment for Hero’s sake, and Aubrey rolled her eyes before rubbing them again.

Hero pressed his palm to his forehead muttering something about being “so sorry.” Zoey, however, seemed annoyed but unsurprised as she got up from her seat at the table then walked over to lightly smack Kyle on the back of the head. “You’re such an ass sometimes, ‘Drunk Kyle.’”

“But you still love me. I know you love me, Zuzu…” Kyle cooed in a bantering melodrama, blowing kisses at her until she rolled her eyes.

“Don’t push your luck.”

Still red in the face, Hero sighed heavily, turning to explain to the table in stumbly, nervous words, “We’re not—! I’ve never…It’s not like that.” Hero took a deep breath before rambling very quickly, “We’re just friends, and Kyle’s known Zoey forever and just says…really weird and uncomfortable things when he’s drunk…” He sighed, shaking his head. “I’m sorry you had to hear that.”

Kel shrugged his shoulders with a reassuringly dismissive wave, but he bit his lip—trying his best to choose his words carefully for once in his life. He knew his brother would hate to hear him say it, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that Hero was fragile, especially when it came to something sensitive like this. He couldn’t tell if he was so flustered because he was actually, secretly attracted to this girl or because he was worried that everyone would be upset if they thought he was or because he was still so devoted to Mari that he was sickened by the idea of anyone thinking he had even noticed another woman. Or maybe it was just Hero’s shy personality and dislike for being the center of attention?

Kel’s head ached. He didn’t usually read this much into things, but he didn’t want to say the wrong thing. He had accidentally broken his brother once before, and he didn’t want to do that ever again.

“It’s okay,” said Sunny with an emphatic nod, pulling Kel’s attention out of his thoughts. It was a shock to say the least. Even Aubrey stopped fidgeting with her eye for a second to blink at him. Kel wracked his brain and tried to think of a time when Sunny had managed to have something to say while the rest of them were speechless. It was very possible that had never happened before, but Kel was extremely grateful that it had now.

Trying his best not to look too shocked, Hero stumbled a, “Thank you, Sunny.” He cleared his throat, then turned back to Aubrey. “Anyways…Aubrey…let’s get you—” He stopped as Aubrey reached out a hand to pat him on the shoulder, cutting him off.

“Hero, I’m fine. Go hang out with your friends.”

“Yeah, I’ll help Aubrey with the first aid kit and everything, and we’ll be right back,” Kel insisted with a reassuring smile, grateful to have something to do to help that didn’t depend on him saying the right thing. Honestly, with the way he tended to just say whatever popped into his head, he just didn’t trust himself not to make everything worse for Hero anymore.

“Okay…” stumbled Hero, unsurely but he eventually conceded at the cacophonous calls of his friends. “But if you need anything just call okay? If you don’t come back in a few minutes, I’ll come check on you.”

“It’ll be fine,” sighed Kel with an affectionate chuckle. Without thinking he grabbed Aubrey’s hand and started pulling her towards the staircase. By the time they reached the landing, they could hear the distant melodies of the piano and an enthusiastic, if also a little drunk, chorus of Hero’s friends loudly, teasingly belting out, “I can be your Hero, baby!”

Kel laughed. He would have paid to see his brother’s face when his friends started singing that song to him, but as it was now, Aubrey was much more important. Despite still rubbing at her eye, even she managed a chuckle and a somewhat affectionate, “Hero’s friends are such goofs.”

“Yeah…” chuckled Kel. “But I love them. They’ve made Hero so happy. I…really missed that.”

Aubrey sighed, a gentle smile twitching in the corners of her mouth. “Me too.”

As Kel led her down the hallway towards the room Hero shared with Kyle, Aubrey fidgeted then sighed again and asked, “Hey uh…Kel…?”

“Huh?”

She cleared her throat—her voice a little stiff as she answered, “You’re uh…still holding my hand…”

Blinking, Kel stared down at their hands. He hadn’t even realized he was still holding hers. His face flushed. “Oh uh…”—he cleared his throat—“I sorta forgot. Sorry about that…” Letting go of her hand, he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly then pushed open the door to Hero’s room. “It’s right here.”

There was something familiar, almost cozy about Hero’s room. In a way, it reminded Kel of the room they had shared back home. The left side of the room was bright and colorful with chaotic clusters of photos and posters on the wall. It was cleaner than Kel generally kept his room, but just as cluttered with books, CDs, school supplies, and bottles of something or other haphazardly strewn across the dresser and desk. Though the bed was made, the duvet was crinkled, wrinkly, and the pillows looked like they had been scooped up and thrown at the headboard in a hurry. Sunny would probably give it a 4 out of 10.

To be perfectly fair, however, it probably would have just looked “lived in” if it wasn’t for the right side of the room: simple with pale, muted colors, but perfectly pristine like something out of a catalog. Nothing was out of place, and there was no clutter to be had: no knickknacks, no mementos, and just three photos in matching gray frames on the desk. Every book, every record, every CD had been carefully placed on the shelf and all office supplies were housed in drawers or an unassuming gray pencil holder. The blue duvet was perfectly smooth with pillows perfectly arranged. Even their coats and bags that had been placed on the bed had been carefully, thoughtfully lined up in a neat order against the wall.

“No guessing which side’s Hero’s, huh?” quipped Aubrey as she climbed over the mattress for her purse. “Always neat as a pin.”

As she began digging through her bag, most likely for the case for her contact lenses, Kel turned towards Hero’s desk to search for the first aid kit. Like everything else belonging to his brother, it was clean, sanitized, boring though Kel felt badly for thinking that. He was happy to see the photos though—the only truly personalized things of Hero’s in the room. One was of him with his group of college friends—laughing together probably at some party just like this one by the look of it. The second was their most recent family photo, and the third was of their group of friends in Faraway Park when they were kids back when Mari had been alive.

Kel’s chest ached. They looked so different back then—especially Aubrey. He glanced over at her now, still digging through her bag, long pink hair rippling down her back rather than the dark brown locks she had sported in that photo and for the majority of her life. Her eyes were different too—an icy teal now from her colored contacts. That reminded him…he had better start looking for those eyedrops.

As he pulled open the bottom left drawer of Hero’s desk, he paused—blinking in surprise.

“Woah!” he exclaimed before he could stop himself.

“What?” asked Aubrey.

“This drawer is a mess,” he mumbled, so stunned he wasn’t even able to look up at her. In an entire lifetime of knowing Hero, Kel had never known anything of his brother’s to be a mess. He sighed and supposed that there really was a first time for everything. Kel’s brow furrowed as he began sifting through odds and ends—a whole junk drawer of papers, notebooks, books, a couple CDs, even some receipts, a few pictures, and who even knew what else. “There’s all kinds of crap in here…”

Aubrey snorted a partially stifled laugh. “I didn’t know Hero could make a mess.”

“Me neither,” quipped Kel, pushing some of the papers around looking for anything resembling a first aid kit.

“Hey uh…” She sighed. “Speaking of Hero…do you think he’s…”—she paused as if trying to think of the right word—“worried that we’d all be upset if he…if he was, you know—dating again?” 

Kel stopped, but he sighed heavily. He had just been wondering the same thing after all. He shrugged his shoulders—focusing his attention on digging through the desk drawer, but he answered, “I think Hero worries about a lot of things he doesn’t have to worry about.”

“I just wouldn’t want him to feel like he couldn’t put himself back out there, you know… because of what we’d think or because he’s scared we’d be upset or think he was disrespecting Mari…” Her voice trailed. “I wish there was a way we could tell him that we’d all be happy…without it sounding like we were prying or making assumptions.”

Kel nodded, but let out a heavy, somewhat helpless sigh. “Don’t look at me. I’d probably just say the wrong thing,” he chuckled, self-deprecatingly—rubbing his hand across the nape of his neck.

“Kel…” Aubrey’s tone softened, but he didn’t look up at her, instead choosing to quickly shrug it off and change directions.

“Besides he says he’s not interested in having that kind of relationship anymore anyway, so he probably just isn’t—no matter what we’d think about it. You know how Hero is. He’s been…”—he paused, unable to think of the right word—“really weird about that kind of thing ever since Mari died. I just…I don’t know if he’ll ever want that again…”

As Kel continued rifling through the drawer, Aubrey sighed. “I know…and I understand that. I wasn’t suggesting we push him or anything I just…didn’t want to be part of whatever was holding him back.” She paused, sighing again. “He looked so happy, and…I really like her.”

“Me too. I’m pretty sure she’s the only reason I’m not failing math right now,” Kel bantered with a laugh before his face softened. He knew he didn’t have to say the rest—didn’t have to say how much he loved her for being such a good friend to Hero, for always studying with him or going on runs with him at the crack of dawn, for helping him do the dishes at their college parties or talking to him about his favorite foods or favorite kinds of music, for being that lone voice of reason in Hero’s somewhat chaotic group of college friends, for making him laugh and smile, and, most of all, for bringing something out in him that they had never imagined they’d get to see again.

“But it’s really not like that,” Kel added, though he wasn’t sure if was reminding himself or reminding Aubrey. “They both swear they’re just friends, and I believe them. I mean, I wish…Maybe someday, but I just—it’s Hero. I don’t know if he’s ever gonna be ready for it.” Kel stopped with a heavy sigh—brow furrowing as he pushed some of the papers around in Hero’s messy desk drawer. “I mean…he’s got a bunch of books about widowers in here…”

“Kel, don’t snoop through Hero’s stuff,” Aubrey scolded with a huff.

Kel’s face flushed, but he shrugged his shoulders. “I’m not trying to. It’s just such a mess in here. There’s papers everywhere and notebooks and books and CDs and…ooh! A present!” Curiously if also a little impulsively, Kel picked up a small, wrapped box tied with a red ribbon. “It’s heavy. I bet it’s jewelry.”

“Kel! Stop snooping,” Aubrey snapped at him. He fumbled around with the box before placing it back in the drawer.

“Look, I’m not being nosy. I’m just looking for the first aid kit. It’s not in here.”

Aubrey huffed. “You’re looking in the wrong drawer. Hero said lower right not lower left.”

Kel took a step back to stare at the desk—tilting his head. “Okay but…my right or the desk’s right?”

“Just check the other drawer!”

Kel closed the messy drawer then opened its identical twin on the other side of the desk—nearly empty except for a neat stack of blank notebook paper, a metal pencil case, and a first aid kit. “Found it!” he declared triumphantly—ignoring the way Aubrey was shaking her head at him. Snapping the clasp of the first aid kit open, he sat the case on the desk and rifled through it for the eye drops. “Here…” he said, turning to Aubrey.

She looked up from her bag and turned to stare at him as she reached for the bottle of eye drops with a muttered, “Thanks.”

Kel froze. His eyes widened—heart racing so loud he could hear it pounding in his ears which had turned red at the sight of her. His hands trembled. His breath caught in his throat as he met her eyes. Her brown eyes.

Kel had nothing against Aubrey’s colored contacts. Her teal eyes certainly were pretty—even if he’d probably never tell her that, but there was something icy, something cold and distant in them. Her real eyes were warm, inviting—cozy like the gentle glow of a candle. The light reflected off of swirls of golden brown in them as they glimmered and sparked like a crackling fire, and Kel found himself suddenly taken back to happier days: to making flower crowns, buildings sandcastles, jumping through puddles, having picnics, and watching sunsets. But there was something more in them than just treasured memories—something that made a swooping sensation twist in the pit of his stomach, made him feel dizzy and seasick but deliriously happy. Something that left him wonderstruck, left his mind empty— hazy and bare except for the words that ached in the deepest part of his heart: So beautiful…

“Kel? Are you okay?”

Aubrey’s stiff and awkward voice drew him out of his thoughts. He caught sight of the pink blush in her cheeks, and his face burned. He was staring at her, and she had noticed.

He opened his mouth to say something in response but found that possibly for the first time in his life he didn’t have any words. “You—your eyes…”

Aubrey’s cheeks turned an even deeper red, but she shrugged her shoulders brusquely. “Yeah…they’re kind of red and irritated. But that’s because I got something in them.”

Kel’s brow furrowed in confusion. Tilting his head at her, he finally noticed the streaks of red irritation in her eyes and the tears caught in her long eyelashes. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t seen it before—too mesmerized by her warm, dark eyes to see much of anything else, he supposed.

Something swooped in the pit of his stomach as she met his eyes briefly before turning away again, adding stiffly, “I haven’t been crying or anything…”

“Right…uh…,” he stumbled over his words, fumbling around with the eye drops until he finally handed them to her. “Here.”

Aubrey nodded—carefully pouring the drops in her eyes. As she stared up at the ceiling, Kel took a seat next to her on the side of the bed—sinking into the soft mattress and fluffy duvet with a satisfying creak. Sunny was right this bed really was a 9 out of 10, perfect for Hero. Kel tried his best to focus on the squishy foam of the mattress or the comfort of the bed linens or anything—literally anything else besides the way he felt every time Aubrey looked at him with those wide, dark eyes.

After a few moments of silence, Aubrey finally blinked the eyedrops away, the watery mess spilling down her cheeks. As she wiped her eyes, she reached for her contact lens case again. “I think that got it. I’ll just put these back in—”

“Do you have to?” He hadn’t realized he had interrupted her until her brow furrowed at him. The tips of his ears burned as Aubrey blinked at him.

“Um…Yeah.”

“Why?” The question slipped out before he could even think to stop it.

Aubrey frowned���though she looked more confused than irritated. “Because I can’t see without them.”

“Oh,” Kel’s voice hitched before he cleared his throat. “I guess I didn’t realize they were prescription.”

“Yeah…I wouldn’t have paid for them otherwise. Contacts are expensive.”

Kel tilted his head at her. “But why the colored ones?”

“I guess I just thought they’d be fun—pretty…” Aubrey shrugged. “Why?”

Kel flushed again, but he shrugged his shoulders. “I guess I just wondered if you ever thought about getting just regular contacts.”

“I mean I guess…But I don’t think it makes much of a difference, does it?”

“I guess not,” sighed Kel. “But you have such pretty eyes it’d be nice to see them every now and again.”

Aubrey’s face turned as pink as her hair, and Kel let out a long, heavy sigh. He had spoken without thinking again. It was going to be the death of him one of these days.

Before he could say anything more though, Aubrey frowned and elbowed him with a bristly huff. “Knock it off, Kel.”

“I wasn’t kidding around,” Kel insisted, but Aubrey didn’t seem to hear him or at least didn’t seem to acknowledge his protests as she continued.

“First you try to play footsie with me. Now you’re complimenting my eyes. It’s”—she glared at him, but her voice hitched—“it’s not funny.”

“I didn’t mean to play footsie with you—I was just goofing around and…”

“Well, it was weird,” Aubrey interrupted him, crossing her arms with a huff.

“It wasn’t that weird,” he insisted, but he fidgeted with nervous energy—bumping into her legs as they dangled from the side of the bed. Her eyes narrowed, but she kicked at him with her feet. Then with a lopsided twitch of her mouth, she ran her feet over his ankles—then up and down his calf. Kel bit down hard on his lip. Was she doing this on purpose—trying to get back at him for playing footsie with her earlier?

A startled yelp got garbled in the back of his throat as she nudged her foot against his knee. Red in the face after a long, wavering breath, he somehow miraculously managed a stumbly laugh and teasingly conceded, “Okay…okay you win, princess. It was weird, sorry—is that what you wanna hear?”

“Yes.” A somewhat smug smile twitched in the corners of Aubrey’s mouth, but her face was flushed. “It��was weird. I mean, if we were dating then maybe, but—” she stopped abruptly, eyes widening at him.

Kel could feel his face burning and could only imagine how red he must look to Aubrey. Dating? He swallowed hard. Hearing her even mention it made his stomach backflip.

A question tugged at his mind and slipped out of his mouth before he could even think to stop it, “If we were dating, would you wear regular contacts sometimes if I asked?”

The blush in Aubrey’s cheeks deepened, but she bristled. “You and those contacts…” she huffed, rolling her eyes. “What’s up with that? If I didn’t know better, I’d think you didn’t like them.”

“What? No! Uh…they’re great.” Kel’s ears burned as he scratched the back of his neck. “It’s just…what I said about your real eyes—it wasn’t a joke.”

Aubrey’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Huh?”

“They really are pretty,” he admitted with a sincere, somewhat helpless smile. “I…had honestly kind of forgotten what they looked like and I just…I guess I—” He stopped, his mind going blank as her eyes met his again.

Her eyes. Kel could have sworn his heart skipped a beat as they held his gaze. So beautiful…

He swallowed hard—trying to calm his pounding heartbeat and the butterflies erupting in his stomach enough to say, “I missed them.”

Aubrey blinked at him. Her long eyelashes fluttering as her eyes widened. He could hear her inhale sharply—breath getting caught in her throat. “K—Kel…”

She turned away from him abruptly, but he felt her reach out to cover his hand with hers.  Jolts of electricity riveted through him and that aching, twisting feeling returned to his stomach, but he couldn’t pry his eyes away from her to look down at their intwined hands on the duvet.

Instead, he could feel himself leaning forward—reaching out his free hand to her and getting lost once again in her eyes. He pushed a long strand of pink hair out of her face with his thumb before running his fingers across her watery cheek before he pressed his lower palm to her jaw—angling it towards him. Kel swallowed hard—his attention finally pulled from her big, dark eyes to her mouth. As he watched her bite her bottom lip, Kel’s stomach backflipped. He ran the end of his tongue across his lips—finding them chapped, still caked with the leftover taste of taffy.

Aubrey licked her own lips as she leaned forward—bracing herself by gripping his knee in her hand. When she was mere inches away from his face, he tilted his head towards her until the tip of his nose brushed up against the side of hers.

With a breathless sigh, he watched as her eyes finally fluttered closed—her long dark eyelashes tickling his skin and her warm breath whispering against his lips. She was so close—so close he could feel her trembling and could hear her wavering gasps of air. So close he could smell the hint of watermelon in her shampoo and could taste the mix of cola and caramel on her breath.

Kel chuckled lightly—his laugh reverberating in his chest. So she had been eating her candy poker chips too… Hypocrite. But the truth was Kel didn’t even mind—how could he? How could he care about anything else in the world when she was only a breath away from him?

Time stopped, and they froze, each seemingly waiting for the moment one of them would finally close that space between them. But the moment never came.

Instead, there was a mortified gasp of “Oh! I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Kel and Aubrey quickly scrambled away from each other red in the face as they turned to find Hero standing in the open doorway—almost equally as red as Kel could only assume they were.

“Oh uh…no you’re not interrupting anything,” he insisted, the words racing out of his mouth as he struggled to catch his breath. “I was just…Aubrey was just…I found those eye drops and…”

In a swift motion, Aubrey gathered her things, stood up from her seat on the bed, and practically sprinted towards the door. “Yeah…I was just about to put my contacts back in. I think I’ll do that in the bathroom. Thanks, Hero.”

His brow furrowing in confusion, Hero could only blink at her as she sped past—her pale cheeks blushing a bright crimson red. She kept her head down, as if she was unable to look at him. “Oh uh…it’s no problem…” he stumbled over his words as she took off down the hallway.

As he turned back towards Kel in confusion, Kel swallowed hard. “I—I can explain…” Truthfully, he didn’t know how he could explain, but he was sure as hell going to try.

“That’s okay,” Hero gently insisted, his blush deepening. “You really don’t need to explain anything to me, Kel.”

“No, seriously,” rambled Kel. “I…Nothing happened. I was just helping her look for those eyedrops, and when I found them, she took her contacts out and her eyes…they were…were…” He scrambled around for the right word before finally deciding on, “brown.”

Hero’s expression softened. “It has been a long time since we’ve seen Aubrey without her contacts in.”

“I was just surprised. I forgot what her eyes looked like, I guess,” shrugged Kel. “I know she needs those contacts to see, but I tried to tell her that maybe she could just get regular contacts too, someday. Since her real eyes…they’re just so—” He stopped abruptly, but he wasn’t sure that mattered. The look on his face surely said everything he couldn’t, and Hero knew it. Kel could tell that he did. Kel sighed heavily—his blush deepening at the knowing look Hero was giving him. Kel frowned as he watched his brother stifle an amused laugh.

Thankfully, Hero didn’t call him out—just reached out to ruffle his hand through his hair with an affectionate, “It’s okay, Kel. It happens to the best of us.”

“Even you?” asked Kel before he could stop himself. Hero’s face flushed pink, but he chuckled lightly with a somewhat sheepish nod.

“Yes, even me,” he admitted with a sigh before his eyes grew misty—wistful. “I think…there are certain people in this world whose eyes are just filled with possibilities. When you look at them, you just know that there’s something more…something beyond what you can even imagine—a life…a future…even if you’re not ready to see it.”

“Wow…that’s deep…” Kel chuckled, watching the gentle smile that tugged at his brother’s mouth.

Somewhat bashfully, Hero scratched the back of his neck. “Sorry…was that too much?”

“Nah, I just…” Kel’s voice trailed, and he shook his head. He was used to this kind of deep, philosophical advice from Hero or, at least, he had been—Hero hadn’t really given advice like this to him in a while. While it was true that Hero was a changed person, probably permanently so, after losing Mari, Kel supposed it was more his fault than anything they didn’t talk to each other the way they used to. Hero was so private Kel was convinced he’d just say the wrong thing or hurt Hero by prying into his business, even if he was worried about him, and he didn’t feel right bugging him for advice with problems which he considered small and petty compared to everything Hero had going on. The truth was he had missed it—missed how intuitive his brother was, how he always seemed to know exactly what to do and what to say, like a real hero. His hero.

Something ached in his chest, and he wrapped his arms around him.

“I missed you,” he mumbled into his shoulder. Kel could feel Hero lurch backward a little in surprise before his shoulders relaxed and he pulled him into a tight hug.

“I missed you too, Kel.” He sighed—rubbing his hand across his back. “We’ll have to make plans for you to visit again or maybe I can start driving home more on the weekends. And summer break is coming up soon so we’ll see each other a lot then…”

Kel’s expression softened as he pressed his chin to Hero’s shoulder. That hadn’t really been what he had meant. But his brother was so earnest. It made him chuckle lightly.

“I’m sorry that I’ve been so busy with classes and med school applications and everything,” Hero continued with a guilty deep breath. “But I always have time for you. I know I’m a little far away from home now, but you can always call me. I’m not sure I’ll have much advice for you, but I’ll always be here.”

As he pulled away from his brother, Kel shrugged. “No, that was good advice.” Amazing, almost superhumanly relevant advice actually, but he wasn’t ready to tell Hero that.

Hero smiled. “I’m glad. Just hang in there, okay? There’s no need to rush into anything. You’ve got time to sort out your feelings.” He gently ruffled his hair before turning to open the messy drawer of his desk. “In the meantime, why don’t you take this?”

He pulled out a CD, and Kel’s brow furrowed. “Peter Gabriel?”

Hero chuckled. “There’s a song on there called ‘In Your Eyes.’ I think you’ll really like it.”

Kel tried his best to frown at his dry teasing, but a smile tugged at his mouth in spite of himself. If he was being honest, he supposed he had even missed that too—at least a little bit. He twisted the plastic case in his hands.

“I’m not sure I should take this. I mean it came out of your messy junk drawer…”

Hero’s face flushed, but he scratched his neck with a sheepish, “Yeah I really need to organize it.” He stopped and tilted his head. “How’d you know?”

“I wasn’t trying to snoop through your stuff,” Kel explained hurriedly. “I was just looking for the first aid kit, and I opened the wrong drawer but I didn’t know it was the wrong drawer so—”

“It’s okay, Kel.” Hero gently patted him on the arm. “I don’t have anything to hide.”

“You’re hiding a present in there,” Kel teased with a bright, crooked smile.

Running a hand through his hair, Hero blushed, but he cleared his throat. “Oh…uh…yeah…I guess there’s that...”

“What is it? What is it?” teased Kel, poking him in the arm. 

“It’s…uh…” The blush in Hero’s cheeks deepened, and he turned away from him, watching his shuffling feet on the rug. “A necklace.” Kel’s grin widened, and he puffed out his chest with pride, a bit smug at having guessed it was jewelry after all. He’d have to tell Aubrey.

Kel’s face grew hot at the thought of her—at the thought of how she had playfully grazed his legs with her feet, how she had leaned in so close to him and, could he even believe it, had almost kissed him, and most of all how she stared up at him with those warm, dark eyes...

“So ‘In Your Eyes’ huh?” shrugged Kel, flipping the CD case over in his hands.

Nodding, Hero hummed. “It’s a great song.”

“Are you sure you won’t miss it?”

Hero laughed, but his face flushed. “I uh…I’ve been listening to other things recently.”

“Yeah, Mama here can’t get enough of that Piano Man guy…” chortled Kyle—his speech slurred but enthusiastic as he stumbled through the doorway and draped his arms around Hero, practically hanging off of him.

“Billy Joel,” Hero explained but whether to his roommate or to Kel, Kel wasn’t entirely sure.

“He hasn’t been listening to ‘Piano Man’ though…it’s some other song…” Kyle’s voice trailed as he took a swig of whatever was in his cup then he sang, enthusiastically but off-key,  “‘She’s got a way about her…’ Something…something…”—he sighed—“I don’t know all the words but it keeps getting stuck in my head since Mama won’t stop listening to it.”

“Sorry, Kyle,” mumbled Hero, his face surprisingly red, as Kyle teasingly patted him on the head.

“Nah, it’s cool, man,” he said with a laugh that made his blonde curtain bangs fall into his eyes. “But seriously, where have you been? I had to come up here to make sure you weren’t dead or didn’t jump outta window or something…”

As Kyle laughed, Hero glanced at Kel with a kind smile that said he could keep a secret. “I was lending this CD to my brother. I’ll be right down.”

“Ooh what CD?” Kyle peered over the plastic case in Kel’s hands—tottering until Hero steadied him.

“Hero wants me to listen to some song called ‘In Your Eyes,’” Kel chuckled, teasingly rolling his eyes at his brother.

Kyle blinked at him for a long time—blankly as if waiting for the words to register, but then he laughed and started his slurred singing again, “‘In your eyes…I see the doorway…to a thousand churches…’”

Kel’s eyes widened, and his face grew hot again. He shook his head. No way… He must have misheard…

But Hero gently bantered, “That was beautiful, Kyle,” as he steadied his roommate on his feet “but you’re ‘karaoke drunk.’ Let’s get you some water and something to eat.”

“Is that…really a line in the song?” asked Kel, curiosity getting the best of them as they headed towards the door. He tried his best to frown, rather than laugh, but found that too difficult in the face of Hero’s knowing, teasing smile and the light chuckle he tried to hide behind his hand as he practically dragged Kyle out into the hallway.

“Yes,” he admitted—looking far too happy about it for Kel’s taste. Kel huffed and twisted his mouth so he wouldn’t smile in spite of himself. His stupid brother… He should have never told him about that thing with the nail bat.

“That’s not funny…” Kel pouted, playfully, with a huff, but Hero chuckled, clearly begging to differ but too kind to say. He ruffled a hand through Kel’s hair before he propped Kyle up against his side as they made their way down the stairs.

Hero shrugged his shoulders, but gave him one last, teasing look. “I told you, you’d like that song.”

Kel sighed, but his face flushed an even deeper red as Hero mumbled so quietly Kel almost couldn’t hear him. “And who knows…maybe we’ll be seeing more of Aubrey’s eyes pretty soon…” 

*-*-*

One Year Later…

“Okay…I will see your taffy and raise you two caramels.” Hero took a deep breath then placed his candy into the center of the table. Kel laughed watching his brother purse his lips together as if trying to force himself to keep a poker face. He supposed that even after a year of periodic poker tournaments, he still couldn’t lie very well. It was something they had in common.

Basil, it seemed, bought it, at least, nervously exclaiming, “I fold!” before throwing his cards on the table with shaking hands.

Aubrey shook her head. “It’s not even your turn, Basil.”

“Oh…right…” he stumbled, a flush of pink in his cheeks. “Never mind.”

“And don’t worry, Hero doesn’t have anything,” Zoey teased dryly with the twitch of a lopsided smile as she absent-mindedly ran the gold chain around her neck through her fingers.  

Hero’s face flushed. “Zoey…did you look at my cards?”

“No, I looked at your face,” she quipped, picking up a piece of taffy. As she placed it at the top of her candy pyramid, she added with a certain friendly affection, “You’re too sincere.”

Hero sighed, but his face turned red as he folded his hands over his cards, and Kel burst into laughter, somewhat in spite of himself.

Kyle, still and they often joked possibly forever Hero’s roommate, did the same before he bantered. “Poor Mama can’t lie to save his life.” He paused, laughing again. “But in that case, I’m all in.”

“You only have five pieces of candy, Kyle.” Zoey rolled her eyes—tugging at her necklace before tucking in back into the collar of her sweater, but Kyle just shrugged. He had been not-so-inconspicuously sneaking candies into his mouth the entire game, but Kel couldn’t judge that—he had been doing the same thing after all.

Aubrey had scolded him for it by lightly kicking him under the table, but Kel had just laughed and playfully kicked her back. He was playfully nudging her with his foot now—taking a certain sense of pride in the flush of red that filled her cheeks as he tickled her ankle with his toes. 

“Fine. I’ll throw in my watch too. Happy?” With a dramatic wave of his hand, Kyle dropped his candies and his watch into the pot. Sunny looked up from the fortress he had been building with the fortune of candies he had collected throughout the game, as always, and stared at the watch with wide eyes.

“Nice watch,” he mumbled before pushing all of his ‘chips’ in.

Kel laughed but stopped abruptly, a flush of red in his cheeks, as he felt Aubrey’s foot grazing his calf, slowly gliding up and down the side of his leg. Before she reached his knee, he caught her foot with his, intwining their ankles, and she yelped—pulling her leg back to kick him but missed—bumping Sunny instead. He turned towards her with wide eyes but his expression softened as a smile twitched in the corners of his mouth and he nodded at them with a knowing look and a blink-and-you’d-miss-it thumbs up. Aubrey’s blush deepened, and Kel did his best to stifle a chuckle.

Kyle cursed under his breath. “Sunny’s smiling now. He must have something really good. I take it back.”

“You can’t take it back,” Zoey huffed, swatting his hands away from the pile of candy.

“We can always play again. We have plenty of candy…” Hero gently insisted with a slight smile.

“I fold! I fold!” exclaimed Basil far more anxious than Kel felt this low-stakes poker game warranted.

The turn passed to Kel, who stared down at his cards. If he was being honest he had been so distracted he had completely forgotten what he had in his hand. He sighed. It was a whole lot of nothing again. Still…he looked up catching sight of Aubrey and meeting her eyes—her brown eyes. His breath caught in his throat as the light reflected off them, their warm, dark hues so soft, so inviting. So beautiful.

He smiled at her. “I’m all in.”

As he pushed his chips into the center of the table, he winked at Aubrey who frowned though a blush flushed in the corners of her cheeks.

“You have nothing in your hand,” she whispered through her teeth, but he just chuckled, catching her hand and holding it under the table.

He leaned close to her—practically whispering in her ear, “I do now.”

“You’re so corny…” Aubrey rolled her eyes, but the flush in her face and the twitch of a smile in the corners of her mouth was not lost on him. She squeezed his hand, and with a sigh, threw her candies into the pile. “Oh what the hell…I guess I’m all in too…” she sighed, but Kel’s heart jumped as she glanced over him—blinking at him with those warm, dark eyes.

Kel supposed Hero was right. Someone’s eyes could show you something more, something beyond what you could even imagine. When Kel looked into Aubrey’s, he saw a light. A promise. A world. A home. A future.

And as he intertwined his fingers with hers, he knew that whatever that future held for them, he was all in.

[theroseempress]

Greetings, denizens of Tumblr, men, women, and potplants!

I randomly decided this blog needed an introductory post, so here we are.

Any of my writing/art can be found at the #my writing and #my art tags respectively. My current WIP, The Golden City, can be found at #the golden city or #tgc if I'm lazy. I have any number of background projects, which can all be found at #backburner wips.

Random details about me include; I'm a writer/artist in training, self-taught for both, and a professional bullshitter. I also like cats better than dogs, drink a lot of hot cocoa and coffee, and recently discovered I might be intolerant to milk, which I am VERY salty over. I'm also a professional procrastinator, and am actually procrastinating from something by writing this very post.

I come in several different flavours of neurodivergent!

I am also a coloured pencil. No, I will not elaborate.

You can call me any variation of my blog name, R, or Rose, whichever you like. (if you somehow know me IRL and thus know my actual name; no you do not)

I'm chill with basically anyone (whatever your opinions are on anything) as long as you can be respectful about them. While I do have opinions on all controversial topics (being as I am a Human Bean and thus biased) I prefer to stay firmly neutral and out of any Important Debates/politics.

Oh, and I adore tag/ask games, feel free to drop in with anything at any time, but I am erratically efficient with answering so it maay take a while. Sorry.

Anyway! Other me/WIP-related stuff under the cut because this's a 'lil long :D

Media I like includes; Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (I'm planning to watch the 03 one at some point but haven't gotten around to it) Avatar; The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra, the Reckoners series, Redwall, The Queen's Thief series, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl comics, the Agents of SHIELD tv show, and pretty much all of the older Barbie movies. (most specifically Princess and the Pauper) I'm also pretty involved in the Miraculous Ladybug fandom, somehow, despite not having watched most of it.

Favorite characters of mine include; Edward Elric, Roy Mustang, Azula, Kuvira, Sokka, Zuko, Fitz, Adrien Agreste, Félix Graham De Vanily, Kagami Tsurugi, Varrick, Zhu Li, Eugenides/Gen, Basil Stag Hare, Gonff, Ling Yao, Preminger, and Azul.

I'm not much of a shipper, but I do have a soft spot for Royai, the Love Square and Feligami from Miraculous Ladybug, and whatever Zhu Li/Varrick is called.

Anyway, here's the plot as of yet of my main WIP in newspaper-headline style because I saw someone else do it and I liked the idea.

Local Thief Gets Arrested And Then Takes Advantage of Loophole; Winds Up Going On Treasure Hunt. (Chaos Ensues)

Here's a runup of the main characters;

Felix Rose- professional bullshitter/actor/ridiculously good at being charming. Very cocky, actually has enough skills to (occasionally) warrant it. Owns four cats. Does not want to go to jail, thank you. Noble who part-times as a thief, as one does.

Shannon Rose- professional Felix's Twin Brother. At first glance seems significantly less mischevious than Felix, but we must remind you that Felix is significantly more anything than anyone. Studying to be a scholar. Would also prefer it if Felix did not got to jail, would like to prevent that.

Valentin Fleet- professional Cinnamon Roll. Wants to do the Right Thing, unsure what that actually means. Is capital-C Conflicted. Somehow managed to go from the resident Tough Person to the resident Cinnamon Roll over the story's creation. The reason Felix is in jail, would prefer it if he stayed there, please.

I also have a website, (carolinaauthor.wordpress.com) where I'll be posting my WIP when it gets to production stage, and an Etsy store (it's called CoffeeCatDesigns, I'll find a link later sorry) where you can buy stuff from me. Oh, and I started writing fanfic recently! I'm The Rose Empress on ao3 if you're interested!

If you want to ask me questions about any of my WIPs or tag me in stuff I will be more than happy to answer :D

Mmmmmmmmkay that's it thank you for reading, I'm gonna go do that thing I was procrastinating from now.

-R

[fiftytwotwentythree]

Wellness Wednesday:

Looking to Finish Strong

I, for the most part, completed my main objectives and goals for the year - but by some strange test of fate I could slip up.

So...

For the next 4ish weeks (26 Days - 4 more posts) my plan is to be easy going, but mindful of diet and exercise routine. With widely surpassing my objectives I could tank/skip my workouts or diet and still come out on top of my goals, but I would like to end on the highest note possible - I would like my last weight to be the lowest I've ever weighed AND I would like to be able to say 100% confidence that I went a whole year without a chip, slice of pizza, or an ice cream cone - let alone a single order of take out.

As well - I would be excited to see my final stats on my exercises. To my current knowledge I think I have only missed 3 or 4 workouts - that's 3 or 4 days out of the last 340 days. I'd like to keep that stat below 5 for the remainder of the year if I could... again... for gloating purposes (don't worry... I have no friends so this sentiment probably won't leave the sanctuary of this post - gloating averted).

.

.

49th CHECK-IN:

Current Goals:

Lose 52 lbs Completed

Loss 52 lbs as of 4/12/2023

Milestone: Loss 100 lbs as of 11/01/2023

New Goal: Maintain or Continue on The Weight Loss Path

Avoid "Junk Food"

Minimize Take-Out / Fast Food Consumption

Short Term:

Vegetarian-ish Diet: Completed

End Date: 4/09/2023 - 46 Days Total

Groundhog's Day Diet: Completed*

10/01/2023 - 10/31/2023

.

.

Stats from November:

Food:

Bags of Popcorn: 38

Cans of Soup: 12

Leftover Meals: 8

Salads: 4

Oranges: 0

Take Out: 0

Candy/Sweets: 0

Workout:

Jumping Jacks: 18,400

Push-Ups: 4,600

Glute Bridges: 4,600

Reverse Leg Lifts: 4,600

Leg Kickbacks: 4,600

Sit-Ups: 4,600

Leg Lifts: 280

Plank (mins): 370

6 Inches (mins): 140

Squats: 0

Assisted Push-Ups: 0

Weight Loss:

Weightloss This Month: -1.4 lbs

Average Weightloss per Week: -0.35 lbs

Total Weightloss: -101.4 lbs

Entertainment:

Movies Watched: 11

Favorite from the Month:

Please Don't Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain

Hours of Television Watched: ~ 12.5 hours ( Selena + Chef, Modern Family, The Leftovers, Ink Master, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver)

Books:

Books Completed This Month: 2

Book Title(s) Completed This Month:

Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Consider This: Moments in My Writing Life After Which Everything Changed by Chuck Palahniuk

Book Total for the Year: 4

Comics:

Comics Completed: 3

Trades Completed: 18

Comic/Trade Titles Completed:

Venom by Donnie Cates Vol. 1: Rex (Venom (2018-2021))

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures Vol. 1

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Vol. 6: Who Runs The World? Squirrels (The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (2015-2019))

House of M

Lumberjanes Vol. 3

King Deadpool Vol. 2 (Deadpool (2019-2021))

Chew Vol. 5: Major League Chew

Giant Days Vol. 1

Spider-Man/Deadpool Vol. 2 Side Pieces (Spider-Man/Deadpool (2016-2019))

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The IDW Collection Vol. 5

Batman (2016-) Vol. 2: I Am Suicide

She-Hulk by Rainbow Rowell Vol. 1: Jen, Again (She-Hulk (2022-2023))

Scott Pilgrim Vol. 1 (of 6): Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life - Color Edition

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin - The Lost Years #2 (of 5)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin - The Lost Years #3 (of 5)

James Bond (2015-2016) Vol. 1: VARGR

Funny Creek (comiXology Originals)

Darkwing Duck #1

X-Men '92 Vol. 1: The World Is A Vampire (X-Men '92 (2016))

Richard Stark's Parker Vol. 1: The Hunter

Bone Vol. 1 Out Frime Bonneville

Favorite Comic/Trade Read:

Richard Stark's Parker Vol. 1: The Hunter

Magazine(s):

Magazine(s) Completed: 0

.

.

Meal Tracker:

THURSDAY

Lunch:

Turkey & Pepperjack on Wheat Toast

Starkist Smart Bowls Barley & Beans with Tuna: Tomato Basil

Snack:

Serving of Good & Gather's Tex Mex Trail Mix

Serving of Kirkland's Signature Roasted Garlic and Herb Seasoned Almonds

(4oz) Bag of Sahale Snacks Pomegranate Vanilla Flavored Cashews Glazed Mix

(4oz) Bag of Sahale Snacks Pomegranate Flavored Pistachios Glazed Mix

Supper:

Small Plate of Rana's Gnocchi

- Dusting of Parmesan Cheese

- Classico Roasted Red Pepper Alfredo Sauce

FRIDAY

Lunch:

Turkey & Pepperjack on Wheat Toast

Starkist Smart Bowls Quinoa & Beans with Tuna: Latin Citrus

Wild Planet's Wild Tuna, Bean, & Corn Salad

Snack:

Serving of Good & Gather's Tex Mex Trail Mix

Serving of Kirkland's Signature Roasted Garlic and Herb Seasoned Almonds

(4oz) Bag of Sahale Snacks Pomegranate Vanilla Flavored Cashews Glazed Mix

(4oz) Bag of Sahale Snacks Pomegranate Flavored Pistachios Glazed Mix

Bag of Orville Redenbacher Ultimate Butter Popcorn

(2) Bowls of Wonderful's Shelled Salt & Pepper Pistachios

(3) Small Oranges

Supper:

Can of Progresso Italian Sausage and Potato Soup

- 10 Crackers

(1) Glass of Chocolate Milk

SATURDAY

Lunch:

Meat, Cheese, and Crackers

- (12) Slices of Summer Sausage

- (12) Ritz Crackers

- (3) Pieces of Pepperjack Cheese

- (3) Pieces of Monterey Jack Cheese

- (3) Pieces of Mild Cheddar Cheese

- (3) Pieces of Marble Jack Cheese

- Hot Mustard

Snack:

(2) Small Oranges

Supper:

Large Plate of Fettuccine Alfredo

- Classico Roasted Red Pepper Alfredo Sauce

- (6) Diced Sausage Links

- Dusting of Parmesan Cheese

SUNDAY

Lunch:

Birds Eye Garlic Sesame Veggie Stir Fry

- Bag of Yakitori Chicken with Japanese Style Fried Rice

- Planters Peanuts

Snack:

Meat, Cheese, and Crackers

- (12) Slices of Summer Sausage

- (12) Ritz Crackers

- (3) Slices of Pepperjack Cheese

- (3) Slices of Monterey Jack Cheese

- (3) Slices of Marble Jack Cheese

- (3) Slices of Mild Cheddar Cheese

Supper:

Can of Progresso Broccoli Cheese Soup

- 10 Crackers

MONDAY

Lunch:

Turkey & Pepperjack on Wheat Toast

Cup of Del Monte Diced Pears

Snack:

Serving of Good & Gather's Tex Mex Trail Mix

(4) Slices of Cheese

(5) Slices of Summer Sausage

(1) Glass of Chocolate Milk

Supper:

Can of Progresso Rigati Pasta and Meatballs Soup

- 10 Crackers

(1) Slice of Buttered Bread

TUESDAY

Lunch:

Turkey & Pepperjack on Wheat Toast

Cup of Del Monte Diced Pears

Snack:

Serving of Good &Gather's Tex Mex Trail Mix

(1) Glass of Chocolate Milk

Supper:

Can of Progresso Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

- 10 Crackers

WEDNESDAY

Lunch:

Turkey & Pepperjack on Wheat Toast

(4) Slices of Assorted Charcuterie Cheese

(1) Bowl of Wonderful's Shelled Salt & Pepper Pistachios

(1) Small Orange

Snack:

Serving of Kirkland's Signature Roasted Garlic and Herb Seasoned Almonds

(1) Glass of Chocolate Milk

(1) Small Orange

Supper:

Birds Eye Teriyaki Veggie Stir Fry

- Annie Chun's Sticky White Rice

- Individual Bag of Planters Peanuts

.

.

Workouts:

THURSDAY

(400) Jumping Jacks [8 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Reverse Leg Lifts [10 sets of 10]

(100) Leg Kickbacks [10 sets of 10]

(100) Sit-Ups [5 Sets of 20]

(5 min) Planks [5 Sets of 1 min]

FRIDAY

(400) Jumping Jacks [8 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(10) Reverse Leg Lifts [10 sets of 10]

(10) Leg Kickbacks [10 sets of 10]

(100) Sit-Ups [5 Sets of 20]

(5 min) Planks [5 Sets of 1 min]

SATURDAY

(400) Jumping Jacks [8 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Reverse Leg Lifts [10 sets of 10]

(100) Leg Kickbacks [10 sets of 10]

(100) Sit-Ups [5 Sets of 20]

(5 min) Planks [5 Sets of 1 min]

SUNDAY

(400) Jumping Jacks [8 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Reverse Leg Lifts [10 sets of 10]

(100) Leg Kickbacks [10 sets of 10]

(100) Sit-Ups [5 Sets of 20]

(5 min) Planks [5 Sets of 1 min]

MONDAY

* Morning Workout *

(400) Jumping Jacks [8 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Reverse Leg Lifts [10 sets of 10]

(100) Leg Kickbacks [10 sets of 10]

(100) Sit-Ups [5 Sets of 20]

(5 min) Planks [5 Sets of 1 min]

* Evening Workout *

(400) Jumping Jacks [8 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Reverse Leg Lifts [10 sets of 10]

(100) Leg Kickbacks [10 sets of 10]

(100) Sit-Ups [5 Sets of 20]

(5 min) Planks [5 Sets of 1 min]

TUESDAY

(400) Jumping Jacks [8 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Reverse Leg Lifts [10 sets of 10]

(100) Leg Kickbacks [10 sets of 10]

(100) Sit-Ups [5 Sets of 20]

(5 min) Planks [5 Sets of 1 min]

WEDNESDAY

(400) Jumping Jacks [8 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges[4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Reverse Leg Lifts [10 sets of 10]

(100) Leg Kickbacks [10 sets of 10]

(100) Sit-Ups [5 Sets of 20]

(5 min) Planks [5 Sets of 1 min]

.

.

WEIGHT TRACKER:

Starting Weight (Noon, 1/01/2023): XXX.X lbs

Weight at Last Check-In, 11/29/2023: -0.4lbs

Weight As of Noon, 12/06/2023: -1.4 lbs

Total Weight Loss: -102.8 lbs

.

.

Closing Thoughts:

The Good:

I decided to simply my workout - and I am still seeing the same/positive results with the simpler workout. That extra stuff I did in November was unnecessary.

The Bad:

It's that time of year where the air is dry and my sinuses and unobstructed breathing is collateral damage.

The Ugly:

My sleep schedule has been trash since my Thanksgiving Break/Vacation. Feel like a walking zombie. There times where I have passed out in the middle of the day.

[pulsdmedia]

The Week Ahead 5/7-5/13

The sun is shining for the most part, and we’re taking full advantage by filling our calendars with all the fabulous things happening this week. And food. So much good food...

$119 Spring Bash: A 3 Hour Premium Open Bar & Food Gala

Returning for another year of drinks, eats, & delights for a great cause, The Annual Young Professionals Committee's (YPC) Spring Bash is ready to serve up ample deliciousness to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC! In addition to masterfully-mixed & poured libations, sip on blissful liquids from beloved brands like élevé Water, Ghia, and Recess, taking a break to devour dreamy cookies by Maman, ooey-gooey Rainbow Grilled Cheeses by Toastieland, Jet's Detroit-Style Pizza, Oishii Berry, and then some - not to mention as much ice cream as you can stomach, so come hungry! Gather your foodie friends, arrive ready to indulge, and celebrate giving a helping hand - let's do it!

Electric Dream Days With Mercedes-Benz

Calling all car lovers! It's time to electrify New York City! Experience the all-new, all-electric, Mercedes-Benz vehicle portfolio at Mercedes-Benz Manhattan! Pick any car in their electric fleet and take it for a test drive in the city. Plus, unlock some amazing exclusive offers & freebies for joining. You'll definitely feel like the coolest person around!

$75 Ticket To An All You Can Pasta Festa! A Food, Wine, & Cocktail Festival

What better way to live la dolce vita and celebrate the arrival of warmer months than by diving into handmade, authentic Italian pasta, luscious wines, top-notch cocktails, and countless Italian bites at Eataly? The night will be abundant with flavor as you twist and twirl your way through every pasta under the sun and sniff and swig a wide array of vinos and cocktails, encouraging cheers of "salute" with every sip. You'll swoon over the Ravioli ai Piselli (house-made ravioli filled with calabro ricotta and spring peas with a lemon butter sauce), while the Penne con le Melanzane (Afeltra penne pasta salad, roasted eggplant, cherry tomato, ricotta salata, and basil) is an unbeatable Spring classic. Top off this wonderful evening with fresh Gelato - this is how you do dreamy decadence, Italian-style...

Gallery Opening Party

Anthology Editions is proud to present an exhibition of photographs by Patrick D. Pagnano in celebration of the release of his book Empire Roller Disco. Join for an opening party and groove to the tunes of the legendary Empire Rollerdrome DJ “Big Bob” Clayton, browse their pop-up (by celebrated record & roller skate store, The Shop), and grab a drink to go with your copy of Empire Roller Disco.

Texas Chili Cook Off

The time has finally come that you've long been waiting for: The Texas Exes New York Chapter is bringing back their famous Chili Cookoff to New York City! Get ready for a foray of fare as New York City's best Tex-Mex institutes go head to head - think Pig Beach, Stout, Hill Country, Horns Hook, Javelina, Mellers Sports Hub & Grill, Cooleys BBQ, Salsa Pistolero, King David's Tacos, and Whole Foods, all churning their riffs on the heartiest, most addictive chilis. You'll even get the chance to vote for your favorite! In a gorgeous outdoor space & within rustic interiors at Pig Beach BBQ, you'll get lost in flavors, adding in some velvety Queso & endless swigs of ice-cold beers, wines, and potent cocktails! Live music, tailgate games, amazing prizes, and a surprise Kendra Scott trunk show exhibiting her newest pieces will add even more revelry to the shenanigans. The heat is on - don't miss a bite...

Skincare Masterclass

Join Alex Yanez, National Education Manager for SK-II for a skincare masterclass! Bloomingdale's experts will create a personalized routine, tailored to your skin concern. Learn how to transform your skin at home with unique tips from our most awarded, best-selling Beauty Essence. Plus, receive a special gift with your $400 purchase.

[healthyfoodmother]

The Best Healthy Homemade Instant OnePot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe

Instant pot cheesy chicken broccoli,rice casserole  recipe

I love this easy,healthy,the best Instant pot cheesy chicken broccoli,rice casserole  recipe dish which will save the time and also have nutritional value and healthy.today i have prepared this  easy,healthy,the best Instant pot cheesy chicken broccoli,rice casserole  is very easy to make. Here you can leave out the onion its option but it does add flavor. It can be made both the way fresh and frozen.This easy,healthy,the best Instant pot cheesy chicken broccoli,rice casserole recipe is made all in ONE POT and ready in only 30 minutes. It’s cheesy, very comforting and loaded with broccoli and super simple to make you add more ingredients as per your taste here and there.

All about easy,healthy,the best Instant pot cheesy chicken broccoli,rice casserole recipe.  

   So. I wanted to introduce another of my favorite one-pot

easy,healthy,the best Instant pot cheesy chicken broccoli,rice casserole recipe

with you. It is made with rice, chicken, cheese, and broccoli. It has almost all of the food categories you require, so you know it's going to be good. This chicken and rice meal is amazing and full of flavor. Let us discuss chicken and rice!

Who doesn't enjoy a tasty chicken and rice casserole? But the beauty here is that it's all done in one skillet, it's very quick, finished in just 30 minutes, and supper will be ready before you know it.  

Process for making easy,healthy,the best Instant pot cheesy chicken broccoli,rice casserole recipe

   The cheese is my favorite part of this casserole, and I like to heat the skillet for a minute or two until the cheese melts and begins to bubble. Simple, quick, and all-around comfort food. That is unbeatable. Refrigerate leftover chicken broccoli rice casserole for up to 3 days in an airtight container.This can also be frozen for a maximum of 3 months.

Ingredients  for easy,healthy,the best Instant pot cheesy chicken broccoli,rice casserole recipe

Ingredients :

processed cheese food, cubed or cheddar -1 pound

butter, cubed -¼ cup

white onion, chopped -1 small

condensed cream of chicken soup -1 (10.75 ounce) can

Milk -1 cup

Water - 2 cups

uncooked instant rice -2 cups

chunk chicken, drained -2 (10 ounce) cans

package frozen chopped broccoli -1 (16 ounce)

condensed cream of mushroom soup -1 (10.75 ounce) can

fresh parsley chopped - 1 tablespoons

Instant pot cheesy chicken broccoli,rice casserole  recipe

Steps for easy,healthy,the best Instant pot cheesy chicken broccoli,rice casserole recipe

Steps:

Firstly,we will start with preheating the oven to 350 degrees F.

Now bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan,after a nice boil.

Add in instant  rice, cover, and remove from heat. Let stand for 5 minutes.bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and cook over medium heat until the rice is fully cooked, stirring occasionally, it will take about 15 minutes or adjust as necessary.

After that, mix the ingredients like prepared rice, chicken, broccoli, processed cheese, condensed mushroom soup, condensed chicken soup, milk, butter, and onion in a  baking dish,its half ready and smells yummy.

Lastly,bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted, about 30 to 35 minutes. Stir halfway through cooking to help cheese melt evenly and start just browning a bit.

Finally,garnish with fresh parsley and serve. Enjoy the dish.        

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

756 - Calories          31g - Fats

83g - Carbs              36g - Protein

Thanks for reading this post,keep visiting again.

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[taimio]

Simple and Low-Maintenance Vegetables for Your Home Garden

Looking to dig into gardening but not sure where to start? Welcome to our enriching guide on easy vegetables to plant at home. Not only are these easy vegetables perfect for beginners, but they also provide a consistent and rewarding yield throughout their growing season. Furthermore, home-grown vegetables offer unbeatable freshness, better quality, and a sense of accomplishment. This beginner-friendly gardening guide will supply you with essential top tips and a list of easy-to-grow vegetables that even gardening novices can successfully cultivate in their own backyard. So why wait? Let's embrace the green thumb within you and explore the wonderful world of vegetable gardening at home, no experience necessary! Start your journey towards self-sustainability and rewarding hobby today.

Easy Vegetables To Plant At Home

As someone who has struggled to keep plants alive, I understand the appeal of easy vegetables to grow at home. *Starting small* with low-maintenance veggies like lettuce and radishes can build your confidence. Plus, the satisfaction of eating something you grew yourself is unbeatable.

Remember, even the most seasoned gardeners were beginners once. *Don't get discouraged* if your first attempts don't yield perfect results. It's all part of the learning process.

Tomatoes are another great option for beginner gardeners. They thrive in containers or in the ground, and there are *varieties* to suit every taste. Plus, there's nothing quite like the taste of a freshly picked tomato.

If you're looking for something a bit more unique, try growing zucchini or cucumbers. These veggies are *easy to grow* and can be used in a variety of dishes. Just be prepared for a bumper crop!

One of the keys to successful vegetable gardening is *consistency*. Make sure to water your plants regularly, provide them with enough sunlight, and keep an eye out for pests.

Herbs like basil, mint, and parsley are also great options for beginners. They require minimal care and can be grown indoors or outdoors. Plus, having fresh herbs on hand can elevate any dish.

For those with limited space, consider planting *vertical gardens* or using hanging planters. This allows you to grow a variety of vegetables in a small area. Get creative with your setup!

Conclusion:

So whether you're a seasoned gardener or a complete newbie, there are plenty of easy vegetables to plant at home. Start small, be patient, and enjoy the process of watching your plants grow. And remember, *you don't need a green thumb* to be successful - just a little bit of determination and a willingness to learn.

For more tips on easy vegetables to plant at home, check out this article for additional guidance and inspiration.

Learn more about gardening with Taim.io!

[gardenreviewus]

Trending Edibles - Popular Crops To Grow This Season Trending in home gardening today are vibrant edibles that can elevate your meals and add diversity to your garden! If you're looking to spice up your green thumb and boost your harvest, you're in for a treat. This season brings an exciting selection of crops that are not only easy to grow but also deliciously satisfying. Let's explore the most popular plants you can cultivate in your garden that promise to impress both your taste buds and your dinner guests alike!Top Edibles to Plant This Season Your garden can be a delightful source of fresh produce this season, and planting popular crops is a fantastic way to kick off your gardening journey. From vibrant vegetables to refreshing herbs, there's no shortage of delicious options to bring flavor to your meals. Make your space bloom with tasty edibles that are perfect for any garden enthusiast. Fresh Greens and Leafy Vegetables An array of fresh greens and leafy vegetables is ideal for planting now, offering you a burst of color and a wealth of nutrients. Varieties like spinach, kale, and arugula thrive in cooler weather and can be harvested multiple times during the season. These greens are not only packed with vitamins but can also add a delightful crispness to your salads and dishes. Flavorful Herbs to Enhance Your Garden Above all, adding flavorful herbs to your garden can elevate your cooking in delightful ways. Herbs like basil, cilantro, and parsley are easy to grow and can bring a fresh taste to your meals and snacks. Plus, they require minimal space, making them perfect for any garden size. Greens such as basil and cilantro not only complement your favorite dishes but also attract pollinators, enhancing your garden's ecosystem. You can experiment with flavors by mixing herbs in your cooking, or simply use them fresh to garnish your meals. Growing your own herbs provides an unbeatable freshness that store-bought options just can't match, making your culinary adventures even more enjoyable!Fruitful Ideas: Best Fruits to Grow Some of the most rewarding crops you can cultivate are fruits that thrive in various climates and provide delicious yields. Whether you're looking to enjoy fresh produce or create delightful recipes, growing fruits is a fantastic way to enhance your garden. From classic favorites to exotic options, you'll find plenty to choose from that suit your taste and space constraints. Berries: Sweet Treats from Your Backyard Against the backdrop of your garden, berries like strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries offer a sweet way to enjoy nature's candy. Not only are they easy to grow, but they also require minimal space, making them perfect for backyard gardening. Whether you consume them fresh or use them in your favorite desserts, you'll love the burst of flavor these treats provide. Easy-to-Grow Fruit Trees After exploring the berry patch, consider adding some easy-to-grow fruit trees that can thrive in your backyard. Trees like apple, pear, and peach are not only visually appealing but also offer satisfying fruits that can be enjoyed by the whole family. These trees can yield impressive harvests with the right care and attention. It's delightful to think about planting fruit trees in your garden, as they can provide you with a bountiful harvest for years to come. Start with varieties suited to your climate, making sure you have enough space for their growth. With a little patience and the proper maintenance, you'll soon be picking fresh apples or pears straight from your tree, adding a special touch to your meals and snacks. The beauty of fruit trees also enhances your garden aesthetic, offering blooms in spring and bright foliage in the fall.Root Veggies that Rock! One of the most exciting trends in gardening this season is the rise of root vegetables! These underground gems, like beets, sweet potatoes, and turnips, are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients.

Their vibrant colors and unique flavors can elevate your dishes, making them a must-have in your garden. Growing root veggies is a rewarding experience where you can enjoy harvesting fresh produce right from your backyard. Root Crops for Every Garden Above all, root crops are versatile and can thrive in various garden styles. Whether you have a small balcony or a spacious backyard, there's a root vegetable that will suit your space perfectly! From the classic carrots and radishes to the more exotic parsnips and rutabagas, you can easily find a few that cater to your taste buds. Plus, they can be grown in containers, allowing you to enjoy gardening even in limited spaces. How to Successfully Grow Radishes and Carrots Rock your garden with radishes and carrots, two of the easiest root vegetables to cultivate! Both crops thrive in well-drained soil and cooler weather. Plant radish seeds in rows about an inch apart and thin them out for bigger yields. As for carrots, be patient; they require consistent moisture and may take a bit longer to germinate, but the wait is worth it for that crispy crunch! It's important to keep the soil loose and free from rocks to allow your radishes and carrots to develop properly. You'll want to maintain consistent watering throughout their growth but avoid overly wet conditions, which can lead to rot. During the growing season, applying a light mulch can help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Harvest radishes when they reach about an inch in diameter, while carrots can be pulled once they're robust enough—happy gardening!Flowering Edible Plants Not only can flowering edible plants enhance your garden, but they can also elevate your culinary experiences. Imagine a vibrant plate filled with the beauty of blooms. For inspiration on how to incorporate these lovely plants into your life, Try Growing These Unique Edibles This Year and explore the possibilities! Beautiful Blooms for Your Plate Among the most delightful plants you can grow are those that not only look stunning but also add unique flavors to your dishes. Flowers like nasturtiums and calendulas are not just eye-catching; they bring a peppery and sweet note to salads and desserts. Incorporate these vibrant blooms into your meals for a stunning visual and gastronomic delight. Best Varieties for Attracting Pollinators Attracting helpful pollinators to your garden is a wonderful way to boost your blooms and harvest. Plants such as borage and bee balm not only catch the eyes of bees and butterflies, but they also yield delicious, edible flowers and leaves. By incorporating these varieties into your garden, you'll create a beautiful, bustling ecosystem. This mix of flowering plants will provide a thriving habitat for pollinators, ensuring your garden flourishes. Borage, with its star-shaped blue flowers, is not only tasty in salads or as a garnish but also highly attractive to bees. Meanwhile, bee balm's vibrant colors and aromatic leaves make it a favorite among butterflies and hummingbirds. You'll enjoy the visual feast as much as the taste, while helping to sustain local wildlife!Tips for a Thriving Edible Garden Despite the challenges of gardening, you can create a lush, productive edible garden with a few simple strategies. Start by ensuring adequate sunlight, maintaining regular watering, and rotating your crops each season. Establishing a well-planned layout will optimize space and yield. Don't forget to attract beneficial insects and companion plants to encourage a healthy ecosystem. Here are some tips: Choose the right crops for your climate. Practice crop rotation for soil health. Water consistently but avoid overwatering. Mulch to regulate soil temperature and retain moisture. The effort you put into your garden will pay off with a bountiful harvest. Soil Preparation and Fertilization Along with choosing your crops, good soil is the foundation of a successful edible garden. Start by testing your soil to understand its nutrient levels and pH.

Enrich it with organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage and aeration. Fertilizing with natural options such as fish emulsion or seaweed extract will provide the necessary nutrients without harming the environment. Gardening Tools and Techniques Tools play a significant role in your gardening success. Having the right equipment can make your tasks easier and more enjoyable. A strong shovel, a sturdy hoe, and a trowel will help you prepare your planting beds, while watering cans or hoses make it easy to keep your plants hydrated. Consider ergonomic tools to reduce strain and opt for lightweight options to make your gardening experience more pleasant. This will increase both efficiency and enjoyment while you work in your garden. Also, don't overlook the importance of maintaining your tools; clean and sharpen them regularly to ensure they last and function well. Investing in high-quality tools suited for your gardening practices will empower you, making every planting season simpler and more productive.Common Mistakes to Avoid Now that you're excited about growing popular crops this season, it's important to steer clear of some common pitfalls. By avoiding these mistakes, you'll set yourself up for a successful and rewarding gardening experience. Pay attention to the details and your plants will thrive, giving you a wonderful harvest to enjoy. Overwatering vs. Underwatering Avoid the temptation to water your plants too frequently or too sparingly. Finding that perfect balance is crucial for keeping your crops healthy. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering can cause stress and stunted growth. Keep an eye on the moisture levels in your soil and adjust your watering routine accordingly. Planting at the Wrong Time On your gardening journey, timing is everything. Planting your crops too early or too late in the season can hinder their growth and yield. It's important to be aware of the specific growing seasons for each crop you're interested in to maximize your chances of success. Even if you have the best seeds, planting at the wrong time can lead to disappointing results. Each type of crop comes with its own ideal planting window depending on climate, temperature, and rainfall. Take a moment to research your local growing conditions and plan your planting schedule accordingly. You'll find that timing your planting can make all the difference in achieving a bountiful harvest.To wrap up Considering all points, this season presents an exciting opportunity for you to explore trending edibles that can elevate your garden and kitchen. Whether you're growing vibrant vegetables or aromatic herbs, these popular crops not only add variety to your meals but also bring a sense of accomplishment to your gardening journey. Embrace the joy of nurturing your own plants and enjoy the delicious rewards they bring to your table. Happy gardening! https://gardenreview.us/trending-edibles-popular-crops-to-grow-now/?feed_id=176&_unique_id=672d8bd313b6b https://gardenreview.us/trending-edibles-popular-crops-to-grow-now/?feed_id=176&_unique_id=672d8bd313b6b

[caffesicilygoa]

Best Cafe In Goa

Anjuna in Goa is famous for its vibrant nightlife. If you are looking for the Best Cafe in Goa where you can sit and relax then Caffe Sicily is the best choice. An amazing Italian cafe with tasty and flavorful food. A known cafe in North Goa with a cozy atmosphere and unbeatable location. The locals and tourists must visit Caffe Sicily in Goa to seek a delightful culinary experience. 

What is the Story Behind the Top Cafe In Goa?

A team of two brothers named Shrevay Ridvit Sachdev and Raeshib Ridvit Sachdev started the best cafe in Goa - Caffe Sicily in 2019. Now, it’s been 5 years since the cafe has been operational and fulfills its motto of giving happiness to the people with sparkling and herbal components. The menu of the cafe in Goa is refreshing and includes natural food items. It consists of pizzas, bread, coffee, desserts, and salads that satisfy your taste buds. 

Caffe Sicily doesn’t use any preservatives in the food. The ingredients used to make food are very authentic and organic with fresh quality directly sourced from the farm. There are some ingredients that are imported from Italy. People who want to enjoy breakfasts, brunches, lunches, and evening snacks must come down to this cafe. Caffe Sicily is located in Goa and Chandigarh. 

Caffe Sicily is a must-visit first-class cafe in Goa with an aesthetic view and authentic Italian food taste. Go and enjoy the taste of every meal. 

Why Caffe Sicily is the Best Cafe in Goa?

Caffe Sicily is the name that comes in the best cafe list of Goa with a great reputation. 

Name - Caffe Sicily Address - murmath tambe, 98/2, opposite Gymkhana club, Mazal Waddo, Anjuna, Goa, 403509 Phone Number - 084848 02780

Authentic Italian Cuisine - The cafe is famous for its refreshing and traditional Italian dishes. The food brings rich flavors of Italy to the customer’s place. The menu is designed in a way that whoever enters the cafe will find things of their choice. Their main highlights are pizzas that are baked with perfection in a wood-fired oven. For example - Margherita, Pepperoni, Veggie Supreme, or more varieties of pizzas are available in the cafe, and with every bite, you will get a taste of Italy. 

Delicate Coffee - Don’t look for any other cafe in Goa except Caffe Sicily as it serves the best coffee in the complete North Goa. Their coffee beans are freshly brewed. You can find a wide range of coffee options at this cafe. Because of the rich coffee taste from espressos, cappuccinos, lattes to many more, it is the best one-stop place for coffee lovers. 

Prime Location - Anjuna is a prime location in Goa city that has easy access to tourists and locals. Caffe Sicily is located in Anjuna, Goa. Anjuna is famous for its scenic, authentic, and vibrant nightlife because of which day-by-day it is becoming a popular destination for locals and tourists. This cafe in Goa is present in that area which perfectly complements the delightful beauty as well as gives relaxation to the mind. 

Experience the Ambiance - People visit the cafe not just to sit rather they expect an amazing vibe and good experience. Caffe Sicily has a charming and inviting surrounding. It has indoor and outdoor seating both so that customers can choose the seat as per their vibe. 

Taste of Italian Cafe in Goa - Caffe Sicily

Caffe Sicily in Goa has not just a variety of Pizzas but you can also enjoy other cuisines. Let’s just first look at pizza options and after that others.

Pizzas

Classically vegetarian pizza comes with different Italian toppings such as tomato, onion, bell peppers, and jalapeno along with fresh mozzarella cheese and basil.

Diavola pizza includes toppings of Italian tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, red onions, jalapenos, spicy chicken, and black olives. 

Focaccia (Vegan) topped with a tasty combination of oregano, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and parsley butter. 

Enjoy Francesca pizza that Caffe Sicily bakes with toppings of Italian tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, marinated chicken in homemade pesto sauce, and sundried tomatoes. 

Funghi is a flavorful pizza that mainly includes wild mushrooms, basil, and extra virgin olive oil.

A pizza named Grana E Rucola is mainly topped with grana padano cheese and arugula leaves along with Italian tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella cheese. 

A simple classic pizza named Margherita includes only three toppings: Italian tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, and basil dressing. 

Parma Romana is a type of pizza that is topped with different items such as arugula leaves, cherry tomatoes or sun-dried tomatoes, chicken salami, and shavings along with Italian tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella cheese. 

A wood-fired stuffed garlic bread piece served by the cafe with cheese.

Conclusion

The best cafe in Goa is called Caffe Sicily where you can come with family, friends, and other people either for a date night, get-together, dinner, or any other meet-up. The hospitality of the cafe is excellent and they serve the best Italian food. If one time you visit the cafe then there is no going back, every time whenever you crave Italian food you will find Caffe Sicily in Goa as the best option. So, enjoy the vibrant and pleasant atmosphere while sitting in this cafe. 

[pizzafactoryvancouver]

Top 10 Most Popular Pizza Toppings Around the World

Pizza, one of the world's most beloved dishes, offers endless possibilities for customization, making it a favorite across diverse cultures. From classic combinations to innovative creations, pizza toppings vary widely, reflecting local tastes and culinary traditions. This blog explores the top 10 most popular pizza toppings worldwide, highlighting the unique flavors and ingredients that make each one a standout. Whether you prefer traditional toppings or enjoy trying something new, this guide will deepen your appreciation for the versatility and universal appeal of pizza.

Pepperoni: An American classic, pepperoni is the most popular pizza topping in Canada. Its bold, spicy flavor pairs perfectly with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce, creating a satisfying and savory experience.

Margherita: Named after Queen Margherita of Italy, this pizza features fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil, and olive oil. Its simplicity and high-quality ingredients make it a global favorite.

Prosciutto and Arugula: This Italian combination offers salty prosciutto and peppery arugula, often accompanied by mozzarella and olive oil, creating a sophisticated and flavorful pizza.

Quattro Formaggi: A delight for cheese lovers, this pizza typically includes mozzarella, parmesan, gorgonzola, and fontina, resulting in a rich and creamy experience.

Mushrooms: With their earthy and umami-rich flavor, mushrooms enhance any pizza without overpowering it. They are a versatile choice for both vegetarians and meat-lovers.

Pineapple: A controversial topping, pineapple adds a sweet and tangy contrast to savory pizza elements, often paired with ham in the classic Hawaiian pizza.

Anchovies: These small, salty fish pack a powerful umami punch, transforming a simple pizza into a gourmet experience. Anchovies are a bold choice for adventurous palates.

Sausage: Whether Italian, chorizo, or breakfast sausage, this topping brings a hearty, robust flavor to pizza. It pairs well with various other toppings, adding a substantial element to any pie.

Olives: Olives add a distinctive Mediterranean flair with their salty, briny flavor. Both black and green olives are popular, enhancing the taste of other ingredients.

Chicken: A versatile topping, chicken can be grilled, roasted, or barbecued, adding a lean protein element to pizza. Popular variations include BBQ Chicken Pizza and Buffalo Chicken Pizza.

Pizza's universal appeal lies in its versatility and the endless possibilities for customization. Exploring these popular toppings from around the world not only enhances your pizza experience but also offers a glimpse into the diverse culinary traditions that shape this beloved dish. Whether you’re a traditionalist or an experimenter, there’s always something new and delicious to discover in the world of pizza.

For fresh and affordable pizzas in Vancouver, visit Pizza Factory Vancouver on Fraser Street. Enjoy delicious, affordable pizza perfect for any occasion. Don’t miss out on our unbeatable prices and mouthwatering flavors!

[streetsoflondonguide]

Savor the Best Pizzas at Pizza Time Bordon

Nestled in the lively town of Bordon, Pizza Time Bordon is the go-to destination for pizza lovers seeking delicious, freshly made pizzas delivered right to their doorstep. Known for its commitment to quality, fast delivery, and unbeatable prices, Pizza Time Bordon ensures that every pizza is crafted with the finest ingredients and utmost care, making it the perfect choice for a convenient and satisfying meal.

As you step into Pizza Time Bordon, you are greeted by the mouthwatering aroma of freshly baked pizzas. The restaurant’s interior is cozy and inviting, with friendly staff always ready to take your order and ensure you have a pleasant dining experience. Whether you’re dining in or ordering for delivery, Pizza Time Bordon is dedicated to providing excellent service and high-quality food.

The menu at Pizza Time Bordon boasts a wide variety of pizzas that cater to all tastes and preferences. Each pizza is made with freshly prepared dough, high-quality toppings, and a perfect blend of cheeses, ensuring a delicious and satisfying meal with every bite. From classic favorites to innovative creations, the menu offers something for everyone.

One of the standout options on the menu is the Classic Margherita pizza. This simple yet delicious pizza is topped with fresh tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and basil, providing a perfect balance of flavors. The Pepperoni pizza, loaded with slices of spicy pepperoni and melted cheese, is a favorite among meat lovers. For those seeking a more adventurous option, the BBQ Chicken pizza, featuring tender chicken pieces, tangy barbecue sauce, and a blend of cheeses, offers a delightful twist on a classic favorite.

Vegetarian options are also available, ensuring that everyone can find something to enjoy. The Veggie Delight pizza, topped with a variety of fresh vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and olives, is a popular choice for those looking for a healthy and flavorful option. The Spinach and Feta pizza, featuring fresh spinach, crumbled feta cheese, and a sprinkle of garlic, offers a unique and satisfying combination.

In addition to their wide selection of pizzas, Pizza Time Bordon also offers a range of delicious sides and appetizers. From garlic bread and cheesy breadsticks to chicken wings and fresh salads, these tasty additions provide the perfect complement to your meal. Each side is made with the same dedication to quality and flavor, ensuring a satisfying dining experience.

Pizza Time Bordon takes pride in its fast and reliable delivery service, ensuring that your order arrives hot and fresh at your door. The restaurant’s commitment to customer satisfaction means that your pizza will be delivered on time, every time. For those who prefer to pick up their order, Pizza Time Bordon offers convenient takeout options as well.

The staff at Pizza Time Bordon are known for their exceptional hospitality and attentive service. They take the time to understand your preferences and ensure that your order is prepared to your specifications. Their dedication to providing excellent service and their passion for pizza shine through in every interaction.

For those looking to enjoy the Pizza Time experience at home, the restaurant offers online ordering through their website. This convenient service allows you to browse the menu, customize your order, and choose your preferred delivery or pickup time. With just a few clicks, you can enjoy a delicious pizza from Pizza Time Bordon in the comfort of your own home.

Pizza Time Bordon is more than just a pizza place; it’s a destination where you can enjoy freshly made pizzas in a friendly and welcoming setting. With its delicious food, fast delivery service, and exceptional customer care, Pizza Time Bordon promises a dining experience that is both satisfying and memorable.

[hiddengemsldn]

Enjoy Freshly Made Pizza at Pizza Time Alton

Located in the charming town of Alton, Pizza Time Alton offers a delightful dining experience for pizza lovers seeking fresh, hot, and delicious handmade pizzas. Known for its fast delivery service and unbeatable prices, Pizza Time Alton ensures that every pizza is made with the finest ingredients and delivered right to your doorstep, making it the perfect choice for a convenient and satisfying meal.

As you step into Pizza Time Alton, you are greeted by the inviting aroma of freshly baked pizzas. The restaurant’s interior is cozy and welcoming, with friendly staff always ready to take your order and ensure that you have a pleasant experience. Whether you’re dining in or ordering for delivery, Pizza Time Alton is dedicated to providing excellent service and high-quality food.

The menu at Pizza Time Alton features a wide variety of pizzas that cater to all tastes and preferences. Each pizza is made with freshly prepared dough, high-quality toppings, and a perfect blend of cheeses, ensuring a delicious and satisfying meal with every bite. From classic favorites to innovative creations, the menu offers something for everyone.

One of the standout options on the menu is the Classic Margherita pizza. This simple yet delicious pizza is topped with fresh tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and basil, providing a perfect balance of flavors. The Pepperoni pizza, loaded with slices of spicy pepperoni and melted cheese, is a favorite among meat lovers. For those seeking a more adventurous option, the BBQ Chicken pizza, featuring tender chicken pieces, tangy barbecue sauce, and a blend of cheeses, offers a delightful twist on a classic favorite.

Vegetarian options are also available, ensuring that everyone can find something to enjoy. The Veggie Delight pizza, topped with a variety of fresh vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and olives, is a popular choice for those looking for a healthy and flavorful option. The Spinach and Feta pizza, featuring fresh spinach, crumbled feta cheese, and a sprinkle of garlic, offers a unique and satisfying combination.

In addition to their wide selection of pizzas, Pizza Time Alton also offers a range of delicious sides and appetizers. From garlic bread and cheesy breadsticks to chicken wings and fresh salads, these tasty additions provide the perfect complement to your meal. Each side is made with the same dedication to quality and flavor, ensuring a satisfying dining experience.

Pizza Time Alton takes pride in its fast and reliable delivery service, ensuring that your order arrives hot and fresh at your door. The restaurant’s commitment to customer satisfaction means that your pizza will be delivered on time, every time. For those who prefer to pick up their order, Pizza Time Alton offers convenient takeout options as well.

The staff at Pizza Time Alton are known for their exceptional hospitality and attentive service. They take the time to understand your preferences and ensure that your order is prepared to your specifications. Their dedication to providing excellent service and their passion for pizza shine through in every interaction.

For those looking to enjoy the Pizza Time experience at home, the restaurant offers online ordering through their website. This convenient service allows you to browse the menu, customize your order, and choose your preferred delivery or pickup time. With just a few clicks, you can enjoy a delicious pizza from Pizza Time Alton in the comfort of your own home.

Pizza Time Alton is more than just a pizza place; it’s a destination where you can enjoy freshly made pizzas in a friendly and welcoming setting. With its delicious food, fast delivery service, and exceptional customer care, Pizza Time Alton promises a dining experience that is both satisfying and memorable.

[foggycityfriend]

Delicious Pizzas Delivered Fast at Pizza Time Bordon

For those in Bordon craving a delicious, freshly made pizza, Pizza Time Bordon is the go-to destination. Known for their mouth-watering pizzas, speedy delivery, and commitment to quality, Pizza Time Bordon offers an exceptional pizza experience that is sure to satisfy.

As you peruse the menu at Pizza Time Bordon, you’ll be delighted by the variety of options available. Each pizza is crafted with freshly prepared dough and topped with high-quality ingredients, ensuring a meal that is both flavorful and satisfying. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic favorite or something more unique, Pizza Time Bordon has something to suit every taste.

One of the standout options on the menu is the classic Margherita pizza. Featuring a rich tomato sauce, melted mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil, this timeless favorite is perfect for those who appreciate simplicity and quality. For meat lovers, the Meat Feast pizza, loaded with pepperoni, ham, sausage, and bacon, offers a hearty and satisfying option that is sure to please.

For those looking to try something different, the BBQ Chicken pizza is a must-try. This delicious pizza is topped with succulent pieces of chicken, BBQ sauce, red onions, and mozzarella, creating a unique and flavorful combination. The Veggie Supreme, packed with fresh vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and olives, provides a healthy and tasty alternative for vegetarians and veggie lovers alike.

In addition to their regular menu, Pizza Time Bordon offers a variety of gourmet pizzas that showcase the creativity and skill of their chefs. The Four Cheese pizza, featuring a blend of mozzarella, cheddar, blue cheese, and Parmesan, is a favorite among cheese lovers. The Mediterranean pizza, topped with feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and spinach, provides a delightful taste of the Mediterranean.

To complement their delicious pizzas, Pizza Time Bordon offers a range of side dishes and accompaniments. Their golden, crispy fries make for a perfect snack or side dish, while their garlic bread, available with or without cheese, is a delicious addition to any pizza order. For those with a sweet tooth, Pizza Time Bordon also offers a selection of desserts, including chocolate brownies and ice cream, providing a perfect end to your meal.

One of the key features that sets Pizza Time Bordon apart is their dedication to fast and reliable delivery. The team ensures that each order is prepared quickly and delivered hot and fresh to your door. With a promise of delivery within 30 minutes or less, you can enjoy your favorite pizza without the wait.

Pizza Time Bordon also offers a convenient online ordering system, making it easy to browse the menu, place your order, and track your delivery. The user-friendly website ensures a smooth and hassle-free experience, allowing you to enjoy your meal with just a few clicks.

The staff at Pizza Time Bordon are known for their exceptional customer service and dedication to quality. They are always on hand to assist with any questions or special requests, ensuring that every customer has a positive experience. Their attention to detail and commitment to excellence shine through in every interaction, making Pizza Time Bordon a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

Whether you’re planning a family dinner, hosting a party, or simply craving a delicious pizza, Pizza Time Bordon is the perfect choice. With their wide variety of options, fast delivery, and commitment to quality, Pizza Time Bordon promises a pizza experience that is both satisfying and enjoyable.

Pizza Time Bordon is more than just a pizza delivery service; it’s a community favorite that brings the joy of fresh, hot pizzas to your doorstep. With their delicious food, excellent service, and unbeatable prices, Pizza Time Bordon ensures that every meal is a memorable one.

[getbudslegalize]

Rainbow Glue Strain Review & Growing Guide | Learn All About

Rainbow Glue Strain Review & Growing Guide

Looking for a potent cannabis strain with top-notch genetics, flavor, and effects? Your search ends with Rainbow Glue feminized seeds. This hybrid is the perfect blend of two West Coast legends, Zkittlez and Gorilla Glue #4.With a combination of 60% indica and 40% sativa, Rainbow Glue offers a well-rounded experience that relaxes the body and uplifts the mind.Rainbow Glue's flavor profile is one of its unique features. Her taste is influenced by Zkittlez genetics, offering a complex blend of sweet, fruity, spicy, chocolatey, and earthy flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Combine it with its powerful effect and you get an unbeatable combination.If you are a breeder looking to grow a reliable and satisfying strain, Rainbow Glue is for you.Rainbow Glue Strain EffectsRainbow Glue is a strain famous for its incredible effects on both the mind and body. Unlike other Indica-dominant hybrids, Rainbow Glue produces buds that offer a perfect combination of mental and bodily sensations. This strain offers a powerful experience that will take you on a memorable journey.As you begin your journey with Rainbow Glue, you'll feel a boost of alertness that will improve your sensitivity to sights, sounds, and smells. You will also enjoy cerebral euphoria, improving your mood and making you feel happy and relieved.As the effect continues, you will feel a sense of physical relaxation. Your muscles will loosen and you will feel more comfortable. However, be prepared to feel stuck on the couch and ready for a deep sleep. Because of its potency, those with low tolerance should start slowly and easily.To make the most of this strain, we recommend consuming it when you want to kick back, relax, and do nothing. It's not a wise idea to smoke Rainbow Glue before important meetings or when having lunch with your in-laws, unless they're willing to try it themselves.

Rainbow Glue TerpenesTerpenes are aromatic compounds that are responsible for the distinctive aroma and taste of cannabis. Furthermore, they can also have different effects on the body and mind, depending on the concentration and type. Rainbow Glue is a cannabis strain that has a complex terpene profile, which contributes to its unique flavor and effects. Here is some additional information about each of these terpenes:Dominant terpenes:TerpeneCharacteristicsCaryophylleneSpicy, cinnamon, cloverMyrceneEarthy, musky, fruity, clover, hop, pungentTerpinoleneFresh, smoky, wood, herbal, citrus, floralLinaloolFloral, lavender, rose, citrus, wood, rosewoodHumuleneHops, earthy, wood, herbal- Caryophyllene: This terpene, also found in black pepper, cinnamon, and cloves, is known for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-anxiety properties. Caryophyllene can also modulate the effects of THC by acting as a CB2 receptor agonist, which means it can reduce or enhance the psychoactive effects of THC, depending on the dosage. - Myrcene: This terpene, also found in mangoes, thyme, and lemongrass, is known for its sedative, relaxing, and anti-inflammatory effects. Myrcene can also increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, which enhances the absorption and potency of THC and other cannabinoids. - Terpinolene: This terpene, also found in nutmeg, tea tree, and sage, is known for its uplifting, euphoric, and anti-depressant effects. Terpinolene can also counteract some of the negative effects of THC, such as anxiety and paranoia. - Linalool: This terpene, also found in lavender, mint, and rosewood, is known for its calming, soothing, and antistress effects. Linalool can also enhance mood and cognitive functions by increasing serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain. - Humulene: This terpene, also found in basil, coriander, and hops, is known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and appetite-suppressing effects. Humulene can also work together with other terpenes and cannabinoids to produce an entourage effect that enhances the overall benefits of cannabis.

Aroma & FlavorRainbow Glue is a hybrid cannabis strain with a unique combination of aromas and flavors. It has a retro aroma with a contemporary twist, featuring freshly bloomed flowers, aromatic herbs, and tangy artisanal chocolate. Additionally, more experienced consumers will notice hints of tobacco and tar which add to their appeal.

ILGMRainbow Glue Marijuana Seeds - 5 SEEDS = $109 - 10 SEEDS = $149 - 20 SEEDS = $209 BUY NOW When it comes to flavor, Rainbow Glue is known for its skunky hash taste, complemented by a blend of earthy and floral undertones. The variety also features fruity and sweet notes that enhance the herbaceous and creamy taste of the chocolate.Overall, Rainbow Glue offers a modern take on classic skunk weed and is a great choice for those looking for a unique and fun cannabis experience.Adverse ReactionsRainbow Glues is a cannabis strain that packs a powerful potency with above-average THC levels. If you are new to cannabis use, it is best to start with a moderate dose to avoid the feeling of being overwhelmed by its potency.This strain is primarily Indica and can cause dry mouth and eyes, resulting in itching. To alleviate these symptoms, be sure to drink plenty of water during your session.Although some people may experience anxiety or mild paranoia, it is essential to keep an eye on the symptoms and adjust the dosage accordingly. Additionally, Rainbow Glue may cause dizziness or a mild headache in some users. Be aware of these side effects and adjust your intake as needed.Medical BenefitsRainbow Glue is a highly sought-after cannabis strain known for its exceptional medicinal benefits. Doctors often prescribe it to treat a variety of health problems, including anxiety, chronic pain, insomnia, depression, and loss of appetite.Its powerful properties make it a popular natural remedy for those seeking relief from their symptoms. With its complex flavor profile and therapeutic properties, Rainbow Glue stands out as a strain that is sure to captivate even the most discerning cannabis connoisseurs.It is an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy the natural benefits of cannabis while indulging in an exceptional smoking experience.

Rainbow Glue Grow InfoRainbow Glue is not only a delightful strain to smoke but also a breeze to cultivate. It's an ideal choice for growers of all expertise levels, thanks to its resilience against common pests and diseases.This strain grows into a medium-sized plant that takes on a bushy shape with several branches. It can grow up to a height of 5 feet, requiring minimal space or training. You may want to prune some of the lower branches and leaves to improve air circulation and light penetration, which will also help to prevent mold and mildew, which can be an issue for this strain when humidity is too high.Rainbow Glue can be grown both indoors and outdoors, depending on your preference and climate. You can use any growing medium or method you prefer, but we suggest using organic soil to improve the buds' flavor and aroma. To ensure optimal growth, you should provide enough light (at least 600 watts per square meter) and ventilation.If you decide to grow Rainbow Glue feminized seeds outdoors, bear in mind that this strain thrives in warm, sunny climates such as those found in Mediterranean or tropical regions. While it can tolerate some temperature fluctuations, it's not a fan of frost or extreme cold. You should also keep the humidity level around 50%, as this strain is sensitive to humidity, and monitor the level regularly.Rainbow Glue Strain Flowering TimeWhen grown indoors, these strains usually take 6 to 8 weeks to flower and be ready for harvest.However, if you plan to grow them outdoors, you will have to wait until late October or early November. This information can help plan your growing timeline and ensure your Rainbow Glue plants grow to their full potential.Rainbow Glue YieldThe Rainbow Glue strain is known for its high yield and potency. When grown indoors, it can produce a yield of 21 to 24 ounces per plant. On the other hand, outdoor cultivation of this strain can result in a yield of up to 88 ounces per plant.

Rainbow Glue OriginRainbow Glue is a hybrid strain that is a cross between Zkittlez and Gorilla Glue #4 (Original Glue).Zkittlez is a fruity and colorful Indica-dominant strain that has a sweet and tropical flavor. Original Glue is a potent and sticky strain that delivers a heavy-handed euphoria and relaxation.Rainbow Glue combines the best of both worlds, offering a balanced and flavorful experience that can uplift the mood and soothe the body. BUY Rainbow Glue Feminized Cannabis Seeds FAQs about Rainbow Glue Marijuana Strain What is the Rainbow Glue yield? If you grow it indoors, you can expect a yield of 21 to 24 ounces per plant. But if you cultivate it outdoors, you can get a whopping 88 ounces per plant. How much THC does Rainbow Glue have? This strain of cannabis can contain up to 24% THC. What are the effects of the Rainbow Glue weed strain? The Rainbow Glue weed strain is known to induce a variety of effects in users. These effects include relaxation, happiness, upliftment, giggling, and enhanced creativity. Is Rainbow Glue strain Indica or Sativa? Rainbow Glue is a hybrid cannabis plant that is composed of 60% indica and 40% sativa genetics. What does Rainbow Glue taste like? Rainbow Glue is known for its skunky hash taste, which is notably complemented by a blend of earthy and floral undertones. Additionally, the variety boasts a hint of fruity and sweet notes that enhance the herbaceous and creamy flavor of the chocolate. Is Rainbow Glue resistant to mold and pests? Rainbow Glue has a high level of resilience against common pests and diseases. What are the medical benefits of Rainbow Glue? Rainbow Glue is a strain of cannabis that has been reported to have several medical benefits. It is believed to be useful for treating conditions such as stress, depression, insomnia, lack of appetite, and pain. Those who have used this strain have reported feeling more relaxed, happy, and hungry.However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of this strain for medical purposes may vary from person to person, and it is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before using it. What are the side effects of the Rainbow Glue? Read the full article

[fiftytwotwentythree]

Wellness Wednesday:

Making Core Memories

This entire week has been a countdown to some quality family time.

I've had effing blast and honestly didn't have single disappointment or setback.

Things went as plan - things were loose and chill. I may have lost a little sleep but it was well worth it.

Oh, and... I broke the plateau and finally surpassed 80 pound mark - just the cherry on top for the this entire week.

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31st CHECK-IN:

Current Goals:

Lose 52 lbs

Completed as of 4/12/2023

New Goal: Maintain or Continue on The Weight Loss Path

Avoid "Junk Food"

Minimize Take-Out / Fast Food Consumption

Short Term:

Vegetarian-ish Diet: Completed

End Date: 4/09/2023 - 46 Days Total

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Stats from July:

Food:

Oranges: 34

Salads: 28

"Bags" of Popcorn: 26

Leftover Meals: 16

Cans of Soup: 3

Take Out: 0

Candy/Sweets: 0

Workout:

Jumping Jacks: 6,200

Push-Ups: 3,100

Glute Bridges: 3,100

Assisted Push-Ups: 3,100

Reverse Leg Lifts: 1,550

Leg Kickbacks: 1,450

Sit-Ups: 1,500

Plank (mins): 80

Squats: 0

Weight Loss:

Weightloss This Month: -3.6 lbs

Average Weightloss per Week: -0.9 lbs

Total Weightloss: -80.8 lbs

Entertainment:

Movies Watched: 19

Favorite from the Month:

Barbie

Hours of Television Watched: ~ 17 hours

( Crime Scene Kitchen, The Bear, The Righteous Gemstones, I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, Adam Eats the 80's)

Reading

Books:

Books Completed This Month: 0

Book Title(s) Completed This Month: -n/a-

Book Total for the Year: 2

Comics:

Comics Completed: 2

Trades Completed: 15

Comic/Trade Titles Completed:

Flashpoint

The Last Ronin

Doom Patrol (2016-2018) Vol 1: Brick by Brick

Chew Vol 1: Taster's Choice

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Vol 2: Squirrel You Know It's True (2015)

Rick and Morty Vol 1

Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe

Fantastic Four (1961) Issue #1

Incredible Hulk (1962) Issue #2

Paper Girls Vol 1

Bitch Planet Vol1: Extraordinary Machine

Umbrella Academy Vol 2: Dallas

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The IDW Collection Vol 1

All-Star Superman

Batman '89 (2021)

All New X-Men Vol 1: Yesterday's X-Men

X-Men: Dark Phoenix Saga The Complete Collection (Uncanny X-Men (1963-2011))

Favorite Comic/Trade Read:

The Last Ronin

Magazine(s):

Magazine(s) Completed: 0

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Meal Tracker:

THURSDAY

Lunch:

Bowl of Progresso Tomato Basil Soup

- 10 Crackers

(1) Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Snack:

Serving of Blue Diamond Almonds

Bag of Orville Redenbacher Ultimate Butter Popcorn

(1) Glass of Chocolate Milk

Supper:

Large Plate of Dirty Rice mixed with Dice Hashbrowns & Peppers

- Wild Rice

- Italian Sausage

- Onions

- Celery

- Carrots

- Kidney Beans

- Steak Seasoning

- Cumin

- Chicken Broth

(1) Glass of Chocolate Milk

FRIDAY

Lunch:

Large Leftover Plate of Dirty Rice

(2) Servings of Blue Diamond Almonds

(1) Glass of Chocolate Milk

Supper:

Large Leftover Plate of Dirty Rice

- Fried Egg

- Diced Hasbrowns with Peppers

Burrito

- Dirty Rice

- Diced Hasbrowns with Peppers

- (Runny) Fried Egg

- Roasted Red Salsa

- Sour Cream

- Cholula Hot Sauce

(1) Glass of Chocolate Milk

SATURDAY

Lunch:

StarKist Ranch Flavored Tuna on a Croissant with (2) Slices of Pepperjack Cheese

Great Value Teriyaki Tuna & Rice Bowl

(1) Glass of Chocolate Milk

Snack:

Bag of Smartfood's White Cheddar Popcorn

Bag of Orville Redenbacher Ultimate Butter Popcorn

Supper:

Large Plate of Spaghetti

- Parmesan Cheese

(3) Scoops of Cottage Cheese

(6) Scoops of Green Beans

(2) Garlic Parmesan Rolls

(2) Glasses of Chocolate Milk

SUNDAY

Lunch:

Bowl of Cesaer Salad with Croutons

(2) Scoops of Cottage Cheese

(1) Glass of Chocolate Milk

Snack:

Serving of Blue Diamond Almonds

Bag of BBQ Corn Nuts

Individual Bag of Wonderful's Shelled Sweet Chili Pistachios

Bag of Orville Redenbacher Ultimate Butter Popcorn

Supper:

Bowl of Leftover Cesaer Salad with Croutons

(2) Scoops of Cottage Cheese

(1) Glass of Chocolate Milk

(2) Small Oranges

MONDAY

Lunch:

Cobb Salad

Snack:

Serving of Blue Diamond Almonds

Supper:

Santa Fe Style Salad

(2) Small Oranges

(1) Glass of Chocolate Milk

TUESDAY

Lunch:

Chef Salad

Serving of Blue Diamond Almonds

Supper:

Spinach Dijon Salad

(2) Oranges

WEDNESDAY

Lunch:

(4oz) Bag of Sahale Snacks Pomegranate Vanilla Flavored Cashews Glazed Mix

(4oz) Bag of Sahale Snacks Pomegranate Flavored Pistachios Glazed Mix

Supper:

(4) Oven Baked Ham, Pastrami, Corn Beef, and Pepperjack Cheese Sliders

(2) Small Oranges

(1) Glass of Chocolate Milk

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Workouts:

THURSDAY

(200) Jumping Jacks [4 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Assisted Push-Ups [2 sets of 50]

(50) Reverse Leg Lifts [5 sets of 10]

(50) Leg Kickbacks [5 sets of 10]

(5 min) Planks [5 Sets of 1 min]

FRIDAY

(200) Jumping Jacks [4 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Assisted Push-Ups [2 sets of 50]

(50) Reverse Leg Lifts [5 sets of 10]

(50) Leg Kickbacks [5 sets of 10]

(100) Sit-Ups [5 Sets of 20]

SATURDAY

(200) Jumping Jacks [4 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Assisted Push-Ups [2 sets of 50]

(50) Reverse Leg Lifts [5 sets of 10]

(50) Leg Kickbacks [5 sets of 10]

(5 min) Planks [5 Sets of 1 min]

SUNDAY

(200) Jumping Jacks [4 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Assisted Push-Ups [2 sets of 50]

(50) Reverse Leg Lifts [5 sets of 10]

(50) Leg Kickbacks [5 sets of 10]

(100) Sit-Ups [5 Sets of 20]

MONDAY

(200) Jumping Jacks [4 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Assisted Push-Ups [2 sets of 50]

(50) Reverse Leg Lifts [5 sets of 10]

(50) Leg Kickbacks [5 sets of 10]

(5 min) Planks [5 Sets of 1 min]

TUESDAY

(200) Jumping Jacks [4 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges [4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [5 sets of 10]

(100) Assisted Push-Ups [2 set of 50]

(50) Reverse Leg Lifts [5 sets of 10]

(50) Leg Kickbacks [5 sets of 10]

(100) Sit-Ups [5 Sets of 20]

WEDNESDAY

(200) Jumping Jacks [4 sets of 50]

(100) Glute Bridges[4 sets of 25]

(100) Push-Ups [10 sets of 10]

(100) Assisted Push-Ups [2 Sets of 50]

(50) Reverse Leg Lifts [5 sets of 10]

(50) Leg Kickbacks [5 sets of 10]

(5 min) Planks [5 Sets of 1 min]

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WEIGHT TRACKER:

Starting Weight (Noon, 1/01/2023): XXX.X lbs

Weight at Last Check-In, 7/26/2023: -0.4 lbs

Weight As of Noon, 8/02/2023: -2.4 lbs

Total Weight Loss: -80.8 lbs

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Closing Thoughts:

The Good:

Had a blast hanging with family.

Saw a great movie.

Got play some old and new, but all fun video games.

Broke 80 pounds.

The Bad:

If I had to make a complaint... I couldn't. This week was very chill.

The Ugly:

Nada.