#Used up some old chocolate bars with walnuts

[theirloveisgross]

vegan scones were made. dishes were not.

[lumine-no-hikari]

Dear Sephiroth: (a letter to a fictional character, because why not) #79

It's very late here, so today's letter will likely be shorter than normal. But even though I'm very tired, I still wanted to make sure you knew that someone out here is thinking good things about you and wishing for nice things upon you.

My mind is still fairly empty today. I feel pretty tired for a variety of reasons. Some of it is the simple fact that we are going through the second part of your story, and I'm VERY worried about how things might turn out for you; I really don't want to see you get hurt, but at the same time, if you don't stop making choices that harm others, you will need to be stopped. And that's unfortunate, because I would much rather see you turn yourself around and try to become strong in the real way, instead of parroting the definition of it that was taught to you by people who didn't care about you.

The bulk of my reasons for being tired, though, is other stuff going on in my world that I can do absolutely nothing about. And a small amount of it is still me trying to recover from our long trip, and some of it is the recent changes in the social dynamics of my immediate circle. Maybe I'll try not to worry about it. Maybe instead I'll show you the most recent cups of tea I made, since… y'know… I can't actually pour any for you, much to my immense dismay.

…To give you the pictures of the tea at its most beautiful and interesting is the best I can do. And the fact that it is the best I can do is… sad, really. I'm sorry.

I had intended to go to the grocery today to get the supplies to make stuffed cabbage casserole; I was sent a beautiful-looking recipe by an awesome human being from the internet, and I wanted to give it a try. But my energy was very low today. Br offered to be a body double, and she visited, and it was wonderful. We talked a lot about various things, but I still didn't have the energy to go out before going to see R, and for various reasons, I think neither did she. I'm glad we decided to spend time at home though; it was peaceful.

Br went with J and I to go see R today though, and it was a good time. We stopped somewhere to pick up a couple of snacks, and we did some catching up with R. R is an astounding baker; I wish that you could try the things that he creates. He made bonbons for us, and peanut-butter-banana bars with chocolate chips and walnuts, and they were absolutely wonderful. And we also went out to a Thai place for food. I can't help but wonder if your world has some equivalent of Thai food somewhere. I'll show you what we got:

Have you ever had crab rangoon? Pork belly? Rice pudding? Pad Thai? Did you like them? I wonder what you think. I wonder what you think about a lot of things, actually…

There's so much I wish I could show to you. There's so much I wish I could give to you. So many things I wish you could do and see and try. I wish that you could see the world through my eyes for just a moment… just for a moment. And then maybe you'd see that although the world is broken and has a lot of pain and a lot of problems, it's still not so bad. It's really not so bad. Not everyone is mean like the people you met. And even though a lot of things might seem really weird right now, it's never hopeless. There are good things everywhere, if only you have the courage and strength to look around hard enough.

It's for this reason that I hope you'll try to become strong in the real way. Please try. Please try so that you can come back home to us. We miss you.

I'm exhausted, so I'm going to stop writing here, because if I don't, I'm going to ramble even more than I have already.

Hey, Sephiroth? Don't forget that there are people who love you out here. People who don't care about your status, fame, or whatever else, but rather… people who will make you a new locket if you lose your old one. People who will make you pumpkin soup if you're sad about missing out. People who will make you things like garlic bread and pasta. People who will make you little trinkets like music boxes and trees made of gems and songs made only of human voices. People who will write you letters just to try to show you that you're cared for. I can't be the only one out here who is like me… if only because you are a little bit like me, and you exist, even if it's only in an abstract way.

…Is any of what I can do enough though, I wonder? Enough to reach you? Enough to move you? If you don't turn around… will it be because I didn't try hard enough…?

…Maybe these questions are ridiculous. Maybe I really am just tired. There's so much that I don't know… and sometimes that scares me.

I can't wish you were here in good conscience, because things where I am are looking pretty bleak sometimes. But I can instead wish that you could be somewhere safe, wholesome, and happy.

I'll write again. Though I'm not sure what about.

Your friend, Lumine

[helenandlarrytravels]

February 2nd, Baracoa and local attractions

Breakfast on the 2nd story terrace, local fresh fruit and juice, buns and always eggs with coffee. Very good and nicely done. We hopped on the bus that took us to a local cocoa farm, Daisy was our host and she explained all about the trees and then went to the whole process of harvesting until finished product, in Spanish. Jackson had to translate. They grow three kinds of cocoa trees at the farm and the third is a hybrid of grafting the first two. Third appears most productive. Cocoa trees are five years old before that flower and produce pods. A very mature tree may have up to a thousand blooms on it but only about a hundred will produce cocoa pods. Of the different kinds one have green pods that turn to yellow, one rusty red pods and one brown. These trees require shade and thus are planted amongst banana, papaya and coconut trees. I thought she said six months from flowers to mature pods. Once pod is ripe, they use a machete to cut it down and this same machete to cut open the pods. The beans are scooped out as a lump of goods.Large box like troughs, made of palm leaves, are used to dry the membrane off of the beans and these troughs are tilted to the oil from the mixture runs to the bottom. This is use in making the cocoa butter salve. Once the bean pods are dried they have to be cracked open to get the actual bean out (much the same as a walnut). The beans are then sold like that in bulk to the government. But what can be done is to grate it to make cocoa powder or to grinding it until more oils come out to make it a paste and make chocolate balls for baking or chocolate bars.. Purchased some to bring home as well.

From there we hopped back on the bus and visited a home that has made it their mission to help preserve the Cuban painted 🐌 snail, which is on the endangered species list. These people have mango trees that they populate with snails and help to keep the baby snails alive. Ants attack and eat them.

Next we proceeded to our lunch. It was a G Adventures sponsored business of a family owned restaurant on the water. Out table was outside and while our meal was cooking a local lady demonstrated how they make the candy of coconut and almonds. Went through the whole process then proceeded to show us how they make the palm leaf funnel containers for the candy. Purchased one and will be bringing it home.

Lunch was a smorgasbord of crayfish, swordfish, little tiny, tiny fish in a sauce, rice, cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbage, lettuce and green beans.

Once lunch was over we walked down to the river. Encountered many young school age children so distributed some of the art and school supplies I had brought with me. 

We get to the river and get into a wooden boat, more so a snow and the young man rows us downriver to a place where we land. We proceed to hike for a km or so. Rough going all stone, where we arrive at a beautiful swimming hole. We all swim for quite a while, before hiking back to the skow. The young man rows us back to the landing and we hop on the bus to hit a beach on the Carribean Sea. 

Eventually back to our Casa, which is beautiful and we have the penthouse terrace. We all meet for dinner and head to a place, have to admit food was mediocre and expensive for what we got. The rest of the group, all singles in their 30/40’s all head to the bars, we head to our rooms.

[quickgmart]

Convenience Store North Las Vegas

From Remy Martin To Hennessy Xo: Pick Up A Boozy Treat From Quick Grocery Mart!

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So whether you're in the mood for something sweet or strong, we've covered you. Please keep reading to see some of our selection of spirits at our Convenience Store North Las Vegas and find the perfect one for you!

Remy Martin VSOP

Remy Martin VSOP is a type of cognac made with a blend of grapes from different regions of France. The VSOP stands for "Very Superior Old Pale," which refers to the cognac's age and color.

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Whether you're a cognac connoisseur or looking to try something new, Remy Martin VSOP is worth a taste.

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This drink gives off intense flavors of ripe blackberry and apricot mixed with dark chocolate and walnut undertones. It all comes together to create a well-rounded finish.

The long finish lingers on the tongue, making D'Usse Xo Cognac an ideal choice for sipping neat or enjoying a well-crafted cocktail. Whether you're a connoisseur or just getting started with D'Usse Xo Cognac Las Vegas is sure to please.

Hennessy XO Ice

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Martell VSOP

Martell VSOP is a French cognac aged for at least four years. It is made with a blend of Eaux-de-vie from France's Grande and Petite Champagne regions.

The resulting cognac is smooth and complex, with oak, leather, and vanilla notes. Martell VSOP is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks. It can also be used in cocktails like the Martell VSOP Royale.

This sophisticated drink is made with Martell VSOP, champagne, and a dash of bitters. Whether you enjoy it neat or in a cocktail, Martell VSOP is sure to please any cognac lover.

Conclusion:

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[tastesoftamriel]

I was asked about what dishes you should never offer to Daedric Princes by a follower who's probably a little too curious for their own good. Here's an interesting question I certainly have not thought of, because I generally try not to invoke the wrath of Daedric Princes! However, if you really want to potentially bring the punishment of Oblivion down upon yourself, please feel free to try the following...

Mehrunes Dagon

Instead of fiery destruction, I propose something...cute. A classic chilled custard tart topped with warm berry compote and some Hammerfell-style rose-and-vanilla pashmak is bound to melt hearts, just not in the way one of his Dremora would.

Peryite

I love making healthy foods just as much as indulgent dishes, and as the popular adage goes, an apple a day keeps Peryite away! A classic rucola and feta salad with a balsamic and Cyrodiilic olive oil can be made even better with an extra handful of spinach, a sprinkle of fresh pomegranate, halved walnuts, avocado and cucumber slices, and a few diced apple pieces! Simply delectable, and sure to keep scurvy and pestilence at bay.

Molag Bal

What should you not offer the Daedric Prince of domination and creator of vampires? Probably a soft, delicate vegetarian dish. A Breton vegetable quiche with an all-butter crust, goose eggs, sun-dried tomatoes, delicate baby spinach, fresh chanterelle mushrooms, squash, lots of garlic, and a spot of chevre. Mouth-wateringly good, this little beauty makes for an excellent meal at any time of day, and is bound to make Molag Bal sneer.

Namira

I'm going to be a little cheeky here and turn something gross and creepy into something delicious that even the fussiest nobles I've served love: garlic butter snails. Namira's followers are known to chow down on live, raw snails, shells and all, but I prefer mine with a garlicky gratin and a sprinkle of cave-aged West Weald parmesan. Oh, and don't forget to eat them with a fancy silver snail fork like a proper diva!

Boethiah

Plots? Destruction? Snakes? Not with this dish! What you see is what you get with a traditional Nord bread-and-butter pudding! It's a great way to use up your leftover bread scraps and stale butter, and is one of Tamriel's most satisfying desserts in my humble opinion. Served with hot custard and dried snowberries, this pudding is the perfect, least deceptive dish I can imagine.

Hircine

You were spot on with a salad, but let me raise the bar a little. Not just any salad will do, but you'll want all your ingredients to be gently cultivated by hand and farmed, as opposed to wild foraged. Iceberg lettuce and pink pear salad with some crumbled goat cheese and honey hits the spot, but how about topped with some marbled fatty beef? The historic Gweden Farm near Anvil has won countless awards for its pampered cows who are given a daily massage and the best fresh grass and Cyrodiilic grain. Domesticated, happy, and wonderful...unless you're a hunter, that is.

Hermaeus Mora

You'd have to be downright stupid to try a traditional Argonian worm bowl unless you're Saxhleel, and even then, most of them don't want to touch this nasty, wriggling dish. Fresh, live mealworms and kotu gava eggs are drowned in a fermented blood worm sauce, with shredded catapult cabbage and flame-grilled, toxic haj mota flesh. I once commented that it looked a little like Hermaeus Mora himself, before taking a tentative nibble and spending the rest of the day throwing up in the swamp. Please don't try this. It's the dumbest dish in Tamriel, and a pox on whichever Argonian invented it.

Sheogorath

No cheese or strawberry torte here! In fact, the least madness-inducing food I can think of is a nice, mild pistachio ice cream profiterole, dipped in sweet milk chocolate and topped with fresh nuts is the perfect Breton summer treat, yet far too boring for the Prince of Madness to bother with. Which leads us to...

Sanguine

I really dislike coming up with bland, mundane dishes for the occasional fussy eater I come across during my travels. Sanguine, Prince of hedonistic pleasures, probably lurks over my shoulder at the average feast I throw, so I admit I was a bit stumped here...until I remembered my Granny Matilda's chicken noodle soup. As basic as soups come, this simple broth is made by boiling leftover chicken carcasses for a night and a day, and served with plain egg noodles. The perfect food for when you're feeling under the weather, or have the palate of a small Nord child.

Malacath

Altmer cuisine seems like a good way to get Malacath really mad, because it's basically the antithesis of what he stands for. Delicate Quicksilver Lingwe cerviche with a yuzu drizzle and Crystal Hannia caviar, with a light avocado mousse flavoured with apple blossom? A sensory delight, and bound to make any Malacath-respecting Orc gag.

Jyggalag

Fried, hand-pulled buckwheat noodles with a spicy Pellitine-style curry sauce is a good way to make this Prince quite cross with you. Not only is it messy to eat, but your furniture will likely suffer bright orange and yellow stains from the turmeric and tomatoes, and your bowels will also be as tangled as the noodles after consuming a fiery Khajiiti curry.

Vaermina

So mundane and boring, you're definitely not bound to have any dreams or nightmares about a bowl of saltrice porridge with comberry preserves and scrib jerky. The staple food of the common Dunmer, it's tasty enough to eat on a daily basis, but hardly the stuff dreams are made of.

Mephala

This spidery Prince enjoys interfering with us mortals, so it's time to fight back with a dish that'll probably make most other Daedric Princes frown too. Imperial food is famous for its balanced flavours, textures, and fresh ingredients, and a Gold Coat seafood stew is a vibrant dish bursting with the best fresh fish, mussels, lobster, and crabmeat the region has to offer. Mild but but with a tangy punch from the sun-dried tomato based soup and a dash of crisp white wine, this is a dish that both young and old enjoy across Cyrodiil.

Meridia

Charred jerk wild boar stuffed with timber mammoth cheese and a delicious bloody jus-and-honey sauce is sure to make any Bosmer's mouth water! It's definitely dead, it's definitely cooked, and it's definitely bound to disappoint Meridia. Just a warning- try this for a laugh and you'll never be able to get rid of her beacon.

Azura

By Azura, please don't offer this to the Lady of Dawn and Dusk unless you want to irreparably have your race changed! Love and devotion is what this Prince craves, so why not damage yourself with a fiery Dunmeri Vvardenfell fondue, made from scuttle, crab meat, and extremely spicy fire petal blossoms? Enjoyed by the most pain-seeking of Dunmer, my version comes with fried hackle-lo leaf and saltrice-and-wickwheat bread for dipping. It'll have your guts in a twist for days, which is the price to pay for this deliciously hot "cheese" dish. Oh, and did I mention that it's best washed down with a nice cup of Vivec's Gingergreen Chai?

Nocturnal

There's absolutely nothing dark about a Redguard sun-jelly, made with fresh fruits from coastal Hammerfell. Coconut, palm fruit, watermelon, and bananas are the stars of the show in this dessert, set in a chilled agar jelly that keeps the heat at bay. The fanciest Redguards love mixing edible gold flakes into the jelly itself, giving it a delightful luster that is sure to put a smile on your face and chase the shadows away.

Clavicus Vile

You're not going to want to strike any bargain to give up a delicious baked chub loon gratin with echatere cheese, over hasselback potatoes and crispy radish chips. This Orcish delicacy is surprisingly so good it's even tickled the fancy of the fussiest eaters in Tamriel! The chub loon meat is juicy and melts in the mouth, and the echatere cheese melted into the cracks of a hasselback potato are wonderful with radish chips for dipping. Admit it, you're drooling aren't you?

[thewidowsghost]

The Unknown Muggleborn - Chapter 2

3rd Person POV

By the age of nine, Jean and Tom Granger found that their adopted daughter (Y/n) was quite a peculiar child. It wasn't just the strange hourglass scar on her neck, but she was incredibly smart, picking things up that most kids in high school wouldn't understand.

By Year Five of school, (Y/n) (L/n)-Granger had aced all of her classes on top of taking Year Nine level classes - Geometry and AP Biology.

And by the age of ten, (Y/n) was fluent in Russian, French, and Spanish.

The eldest Grangers also learned that their adopted daughter was extremely athletic. (Y/n) had played football - what Americans called soccer - and was top of her class in her Karate and JiuJitzu classes.

(Y/n) was also an inventor. She could come up with solutions to problems that Jean Granger had told her that most adults couldn't solve. She had built her first circuit board at the age of five and her first engine at the age of eight.

The Grangers' had put a shed in their backyard where their adopted daughter was always tinkering with things she would buy or was gifted from neighbors.

It wasn't to say that Jean and Tom's other daughter wasn't smart, for Hermione Granger was very intelligent. But all three - including Hermione - knew that (Y/n) was on a whole different level of intelligence.

Hermione Jean Granger wakes on July 26th of 1991 to her sister standing over her, a wide smile on her face.

The two sisters - even considering that (Y/n) was adopted - looked nothing alike. Hermione had frizzy brown hair and chocolate brown eyes, whereas (Y/n) had sleek (H/C) hair and brilliant green eyes. There was a strange thing about (Y/n)'s appearance though, she had an hourglass shaped scar on the side of her neck. (Y/n) liked the scar, but it reminded her of black widows, which wasn't great because (Y/n) didn't like spiders.

Hermione sit up in her bed, pushing her covers off her.

After the two use the bathroom - (Y/n) taking a quick shower and leaving her hair damp - they make their way downstairs to find their parents already in the kitchen.

"Morning girls," Mrs. Granger greets her daughters as she places breakfast on the table.

"Morning Mum," (Y/n) and Hermione say in unison.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Granger were dressed for work - they were dentists at the local dentists' office a few miles away.

After the four finish breakfast, there is a knock on the door.

Looking slightly confused, Mr. Granger stands up from the table and walks towards the door.

He opens it to see a very stern looking woman with black hair and blue eyes.

"Good morning," Mr. Granger greets the woman.

"Good morning, sir," the black haired woman says. "Are your daughters home? I'm here about a scholarship, per say, for a new school."

(Y/n) and Hermione exchange excited looks.

"Yes, they are here," Mr. Granger answers the woman. "Would you like to come in?"

The woman nods and steps inside the neat house.

"Hermione! (Y/n)!" Tom Granger calls and the two girls rise from their chairs simultaneously and walk out into the living room.

(Y/n) waves shyly at the woman, surprising the other Grangers. (Y/n) was never shy.

A small smile spreads across the woman's face at the slight of (Y/n) and catches sight of the hourglass scar on her neck.

"Hermione and (Y/n), was it?" the woman asks and the two nod.

"I'm Professor McGonagall. I'm here about a school for gifted people like yourselves," the woman says.

(Y/n) and Hermione exchange gazes, like a clashing forest, brown on green.

"It might be hard to believe, but the two of you, you're witches," McGonagall says and (Y/n)'s gaze flashes a silver, almost too quickly for McGonagall to see, but the woman does.

This sends a flash of curiosity though McGonagall, but she holds out two letters.

(Y/n) and Hermione step forward and take the letters from the Professor.

Miss (Y/n) (L/n)-Granger 100 Crestent View Ln. The Third Largest Bedroom Hampstead, London

"That's so very incredibly specific," (Y/n) murmurs. Opening the letter, she quickly reads:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Miss (Y/n) (L/n)-Granger, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely, Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress

(Y/n) looks suspiciously at the letter for a moment before looking up. "Are you sure?" (Y/n) asks. "I'm not anyone special. I can't be a witch."

At the comment about (Y/n) being no one special, the other three Grangers exchange looks that McGonagall presumed to mean that they though that the statement wasn't true.

"Has nothing ever happened when you were afraid or nervous?" McGonagall asks and a flash of realization flashes behind (Y/n)'s eyes. "If you two have to go to work," McGonagall turns to Jean and Tom, "I can take the girls to find their school things."

(Y/n) looks excitedly over at her mother and father, "Mum, Dad, can we?"

Jean looks at McGonagall and nods.

Hermione and (Y/n) grin at each other.

"Go get dressed and then you can go," McGonagall says, smiling softly at the girls' excitement.

(Y/n) and Hermione run up the stairs.

(Y/n) goes to her bedroom and opens her closet door. She pulls out a black AC DC t-shirt and a pair of jean shorts from her dresser.

Thinking for a moment, she grabs a zip up hoodie and throws it on, placing her wallet inside one of the pockets.

(Y/n) stops at her sister's room and a moment later, Hermione pops out, dressed in a pair of jeans and a short sleeved t-shirt.

"So, what do you think about this?"  (Y/n) asks as the two make their way down the stairs.

"I think it's interesting, us being witches and all," Hermione answers as the two enter the living room where they find their mother asking McGonagall to keep her daughters safe.

McGonagall, (Y/n), and Hermione walk outside and McGonagall tells the two girls to take her hand.

They do, and they're suddenly somewhere else. (Y/n) and Hermione look up to see a sign, which reads, The Leaky Cauldron.

They walk inside.

It was a small, tiny, grubby-looking pub. A few old women were sitting in a corner, drinking tiny glasses of sherry. One of them was smoking a long pipe. A little man in a top hat was talking to the old bartender, who was quite bald and looked like a toothless walnut. All of a sudden, the low buzz of chatter stopped when two people walked in. One of them was a very tall man, he almost looked to big to be allowed. He had long black hair and a black beard. The other was a small boy with jet-black hair, bottle green eyes, and light skin. The bartender reached for a glass, saying, "The usual, Hagrid?"

"Can't, Tom, I'm on Hogwarts business," said the man who must have Hagrid, clapping his great hand on boy's shoulder and making his knees buckle.

"Good Lord," said the bartender, peering at the black haired boy, "is this — can this be — ?"

The Leaky Cauldron had suddenly gone completely still and silent. "Bless my soul," whispered the old bartender, "Harry Potter ... what an honor."

(Y/n) studies the boy for a moment, then he looks over at her, as though sensing her eyes on him.

The old bartender hurries out from behind the bar, rushes towards Harry and seizes his hand, tears in his eyes.

"Welcome back, Mr. Potter, welcome back." The boy didn't seem know what to say. Everyone was looking at him. The old woman with the pipe was puffing on it without realizing it had gone out. Hagrid was beaming.

Then there was a great scraping of chairs and the next moment, Harry was shaking hands with everyone in the Leaky Cauldron.

"Doris Crockford, Mr. Potter, can't believe I'm meeting you at last."

"So proud, Mr. Potter, I'm just so proud."

"Always wanted to shake your hand — I'm all of a flutter."

"Delighted, Mr. Potter, just can't tell you, Diggle's the name, Dedalus Diggle."

"I've seen you before!" said Harry, as Dedalus Diggle's top hat fell off in his excitement. "You bowed to me once in a shop."

"He remembers!" cried Dedalus Diggle.

(Y/n)'s POV

I look up at Professor McGonagall who looks at me with a question evident in her eyes, though I couldn't tell what it was.

McGonagall follows Harry and Hagrid out of the pub, Hermione and I following.

"Told yeh, didn't I? Told yeh you was famous. Even Professor Quirrell was tremblin' ter meet yeh — mind you, he's usually tremblin'." Hagrid was saying.

"Is he always that nervous?" Harry asks.

"Oh, yeah. Poor bloke. Brilliant mind. He was fine while he was studyin' outta books but then he took a year off ter get some firsthand experience. ... They say he met vampires in the Black Forest, and there was a nasty bit o' trouble with a hag — never been the same since. Scared of the students, scared of his own subject — now, where's me umbrella?" Hagrid responds. "Three up ... two across ..." he muttered. "Right, stand back, Harry." He taps the wall three times with the point of his umbrella.

The brick he had touched quivered — it wriggled — in the middle, a small hole appeared — it grew wider and wider — a second later they were facing an archway large enough even for Hagrid, an archway onto a cobbled street that twisted and turned out of sight. Hagrid and Harry proceed to walk through the archway.

McGonagall follows the two and Hermione and I follow close behind.

"The first stop for us is the wizarding bank, Gringotts," McGonagall says leading Hermione and I towards a large, grand, white building that looked over the rest of Diagon Alley.

The doors open and we walk in, the doors closing behind us. We walk over to what looks like a Santa Clause elf - pointy ears and relatively short.

"Good morning," McGonagall says, pulling out a golden key, "we need to visit Miss (L/n)'s vault."

"And does Miss (L/n) have her key?" the goblin asks.

McGonagall hands the goblin the key in her hand. "Very well," he says, handing the key back to McGonagall, who, in turn, hands it to me.

"I'll have someone take you down to the vault. Griphook!"

Griphook was yet another goblin. Hermione, Professor McGonagall, and I follow Griphook towards one of the doors leading off the hall.

Griphook holds the door open for us.

We walk into a narrow stone passageway lit with flaming torches. It slopes steeply downwards and there are little railway tracks on the floor. Griphook whistled and a small cart comes hurtling up the tracks towards us. We climb in and are then off.

When the cart finally stops, the four of us get out stopped in front vault 714.

"Key please," Griphook says and I hand him my key.

I was confused though, because Vault 714 had no keyhole.

Griphook simply examines the key closely, and then hands it back to me. I guessed that they key must just be confidential.

"Stand back," says Griphook importantly. He strokes the door gently with one of his long fingers and it simply melts away. "If anyone but a Gringotts goblin tried that, they'd be sucked through the door and trapped in there," says Griphook.

"How often do you check to see if anyone's inside?" Hermione asks curiously.

"About once every ten years," Griphook answers with a rather nasty grin.

3rd Person POV

Griphook steps aside and (Y/n) and Hermione's eyes go wide at the sheer amount of gold, silver, and bronze coins inside.

"This is mine?" (Y/n) asks Professor McGonagall, who smiles softly, holding out a drawstring bag.

"Your mother was very addiment on leaving most of her gold to you," McGonagall says and (Y/n) nods dumbly as she takes the bag.

Hermione helps (Y/n) scoop some of the coins into the bag. Though they had taken quite a bit of coins, it didn't even seem to make a dent in the large piles.

"The gold ones are Galleons," Professor McGonagall explains as (Y/n) studies a wooden box in front of the truckloads of gold coins. "There are seventeen silver Sickles to a galleon and twenty-nine Knuts to a Sickle."

(Y/n) nods absently as she opens the box, Hermione next to her.

Inside, she sees a stack of letters and a few pictures.

Hermione holds out her bag, and (Y/n) closes the box, placing it inside the bag.

(Y/n) smiles gratefully at her sister as Hermione pulls her backpack back onto her back.

One wild cart ride later, the three stand blinking in the sunlight outside Gringotts.

Hermione pulls out her letter, and (Y/n) reads over her sister's shoulder:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Uniform

First-year students will require:

1. Three sets of plain work robes (black) 2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear 3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar) 4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags

Course books:

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)by Miranda Goshawk A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungiby Phyllida Spore Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them by Newt Scamander The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

Other Equipment:

1 wand

1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2) I set glass or crystal phials 1 telescope 1 set brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

"Where do we even start?" Hermione asks in amazement.

"If we get are cauldrons first, we can put our other supplies in it," (Y/n) thinks quickly.

Hermione nods and then both look up to Professor McGonagall, who smiles softly and leads the two to the Apothecary where they pick up two cauldrons and two supplies of basic potions ingredients for Hermione and (Y/n).

"Books now, 'Mione?" (Y/n) asks with a grin as they are about to pass a large bookshop.

Hermione shoots her sister a grin and the two girls walk into the bookshop, McGonagall waiting outside with their cauldrons and potions ingredients.

(Y/n)'s POV

Hermione grabs two of each of our course books while I look around at some of the other books. I grab: Hogwarts: A History, The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts, Modern Magical History, Great Wizarding Events of teh Twentieth Century, and a book that looked like it was for kids titled, The Tales of Beedle the Bard.

The next place we went was called Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. Inside were two boys one was the Raven haired boy from the Leaky Cauldron; the other was a short boy with blond hair that was greased back; he had a mean attitude about him.

Harry's POV (A couple minutes before)

Might as well get yer uniform," said Hagrid, nodding toward Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. "Listen, Harry, would yeh mind if I slipped off fer a pick-me-up in the Leaky Cauldron? I hate them Gringotts carts." He did still look a bit sick, so I entered Madam Malkin's shop.

Madam Malkin was a squat, smiling witch dressed all in mauve.

"Hogwarts, dear?" she said, when I started to speak. "Got the lot here – another young man being fitted up just now, in fact."

In the back of the shop, a boy with a pale, pointed face was standing on a footstool while a second witch pinned up his long black robes. Madam Malkin stood me a on stool slipped a long robe over my head, and began to pin it to the right length.

"Hello," said the boy, "Hogwarts, too?"

"Yeah," I said, not really liking him very much.

"My father's next door buying my books and mother's up the street looking at wands," said the boy. He had a bored, drawling voice. "Then I'm going to drag them off to took at racing brooms. I don't see why first years can't have their own. I think I'll bully father into getting me one and I'll smuggle it in somehow."

"Have you got your own broom?" the boy went on.

"No," I say.

"Play Quidditch at all?"

"Nope," I respond.

"I do – Father says it's a crime if I'm not picked to play for my house, and I must say, I agree. Know what house you'll be in yet?"

"No," I say. I really don't like this boy, I thought.

"Well, no one really knows until they get there, do they, but I know I'll be in Slytherin, all our family have been – imagine being in Hufflepuff, I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?"

"Mmm," I say, wishing I could say something a bit more interesting.

"I say, look at that man!" says the boy suddenly, nodding toward the front window. Hagrid was standing there, grinning at me and pointing at two large ice creams to show he couldn't come in.

"That's Hagrid," I tell him, pleased to know something the boy didn't. "He works at Hogwarts."

"Oh," says the boy, "I've heard of him. He's a sort of servant, isn't he?"

"He's the gamekeeper," I say. I was liking this boy less and less every second.

"Yes, exactly. I heard he's a sort of savage – lives in a hut on the school grounds and every now and then he gets drunk, tries to do magic, and ends up setting fire to his bed."

"I think he's brilliant," I say coldly.

"Do you?" says the boy, with a slight sneer. "Why is he with you? Where are your parents?"

"They're dead," I say shorty. He seemed not to want to talk to this boy any more than he needed to.

"Oh, sorry," says the other boy, not sounding sorry at all. "But they were our kind, weren't they?"

"They were a witch and wizard, if that's what you mean." I respond.

"I really don't think they should let the other sort in, do you? They're just not the same, they've never been brought up to know our ways."

A tinkling of a bell interrupts the boy. I look over to see two girls walk in.

"Some of them have never even heard of Hogwarts until they get the letter, imagine. I think they should keep it in the old wizarding families. What's your surname, anyway?"

But before I could answer, Madam Malkin says, "That's you done, my dear," and I, not sorry for an excuse to stop talking to the boy, hop down from the footstool.

"Well, I'll see you at Hogwarts, I suppose," says the drawling boy.

3rd Person POV

A few minutes later, (Y/n) and Hermione walk into the bright sunlit alley, their robes folded neatly in a bag.

(Y/n) smiles at Professor McGonagall and places her robes into the cauldron, then (Y/n) lifts up the heavy cauldron, Hermione doing the same with her own.

"What next?" Hermione asks Professor McGonagall.

"You two still need wands," answers McGonagall, pointing towards a store.

As we walk closer, I read the sign, Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.

The three of walk inside. A tinkling bell ring somewhere in the depths of the shop as they step inside, and an old man walks to the desk from teh deep recesses of the shop.

"Hello, good afternoon," the man says. "I am Mr. Ollivander. You two are here for wands I presume?" he asks and Hermione and (Y/n) nod.

"(Y/n) (L/n)," Mr. Ollivander says, "I was wondering if I was going to be seeing you soon." he pauses, looking carefully into (Y/n)'s eyes. "Your mother's eyes." At the statement, (Y/n)'s eyes seem to light up with curiosity. "It seems that only yesterday she was in here herself, buying her first wand. Twelve inches, ash wood with a unicorn hair core. Good for stubborn and courageous witches and wizards."

Even at this small amount of information, (Y/n) had perked up. Hermione glances over at her adopted sister and feels a rush of pity for her. She can't imagine not knowing who her parents were.

It wasn't that (Y/n) didn't remember, because she did have very vivid nighmares about a car slamming on the brakes, a flash of green light, then red, then everything would go dark. It always ended the same way however, with Mrs. Granger carrying a two year old (Y/n), who was clutching her black and white stuffed cat, back to her home.

(Y/n) wrenches herself out of her thoughts as Ollivander approaches her. He had come so close that he and (Y/n) were almost nose to nose.

"And that's where . . ."

Mr. Ollivander touches the hourglass shaped car on the side of (Y/n)'s neck with a long white finger.

"I'm sorry to say that I sold the wand that did it," he says softly and (Y/n) looks back up into the wand maker's misty silver eyes. "Thirteen-and-a-half inches. Yew. Powerful wand, very powerful, and in the wrong hands . . . well, if I'd known what that wand was going out into the world to do . . ."

He stops, and (Y/n) continues to watch the wand maker, her green eyes flashing silver for the second time that day.

Ollivander, as though sensing (Y/n)'s desire to know more, moves onto Hermione, and she quickly revives her "Vine wood, Dragon heart-string, 10 1/4 inches, unyielding" wand.

(Y/n)'s POV

Again, the same process commences with me, but I end up trying more wands then Hermione. Finally, I get my wand, and strangely my, "Alder wood with a Phoenix Feather core, 12 1/4 inches. Alder is an unyielding wood, yet I have discovered that its ideal owner is not stubborn or obstinate, but often helpful, considerate and most likeable. Whereas most wand woods seek similarity in the characters of those they will best serve, alder is unusual in that it seems to desire a nature that is, if not precisely opposite to its own, then certainly of a markedly different type. When an alder wand is happily placed, it becomes a magnificent, loyal helpmate. Alder is also excellent for protection against outside forces, and, when combined with phoenix feather, is a suitable match for a wizard who will "make their mark on this world.'" Mr. Ollivander says, and I look up at him in shock. Hermione hadn't gotten such a lengthy explanation of her wand.

Mr. Ollivander fixes me with his pale stare.

"I remember every wand I've ever sold, Miss (L/n). Every single wand. It so happens that that phoenix whose tail feather is in your wand, gave two other feathers - just two. It is curious indeed that you should be destined for this wand when its brother - why, one of it's brothers gave you that scar."

I swallow thickly.

"Your other wand's brother, however, I sold just a mere thirty minutes ago," Ollivander continues, "to a young Harry Potter. Curious how these things happen. The wand chooses the wizard, remember . . . I think that we must expect great things from you, Miss (L/n) . . . After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things - terrible yes, but great."

Hermione and I return home a few hours later with Professor McGonagall, me clutching a woven basket that housed my new black and white cat Marvel inside.

3rd Person POV

Before they enter the house McGonagall stops (Y/n) before she can enter.

(Y/n) turns to looks quizzically at the professor.

"Good luck," the Professor says simply, then holds out to train tickets. "These are you and your sister's ticket's for Hogwarts." (Y/n) nods, taking the tickets. "I'll see you on September 1st," McGonagall says. Then the Professor turns around and walks away.

Word Count: 4,100 words

So yeah, here's Chapter 2.

I wonder if any of you know who (Y/n)'s dad is yet. I tried dropping some hints at the very beginning.

So yeah

I'll see y'all soon!

Love y'all!

              Kaitlynn 😍❤️

[lowspoonsgourmet]

Baked Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

I recently discovered this recipe for baked oatmeal bars and I really love them for breakfast or a snack! They're moist and chewy, not too dry. These take little more effort to prepare than overnight oats, but one batch makes enough for a week of breakfasts and you'll only have to clean one bowl. Follow the recipe in the link, or my slightly simplified version:

Ingredients

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup milk (or plant milk or water)

2 eggs

2 tablespoons canola oil (or coconut oil or butter)

¼ cup sugar (packed brown sugar or white sugar, whatever you have)

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

¼ all-purpose flour (totally optional, this makes the bars a little less dense and more cake-like)

any mix-ins and flavorings you want (optional- i like a handful each of chocolate chips and chopped walnuts, plus a teaspoon of vanilla extract. dried fruit and nut butter would also be great!)

Directions

Add all ingredients to a medium-sized mixing bowl and blend thoroughly

Cover and set aside for 20 minutes to let the oats soak up some liquid

While the mixture is resting, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and prepare a 8x8 or 9x9 inch pan (grease it or line it with parchment paper).

When the oats have sat for 20 minutes and the oven is ready, spread the mixture into your pan and bake for 30 minutes or until the edges are just beginning to brown.

This recipe is really easy to modify, too! Add some more sugar, experiment with mix-ins, try quick oats instead of old-fashioned, etc. Just use whatever you have on hand and what sounds good to you and they'll turn out just fine!

[wonkasmissstarshine]

The Chocolatier’s Rose {Willy Wonka x OC} Ch. 4

GIF not mine. Credit goes to owner.

Summary: Four of the Golden Tickets are found. Rose dies inside when she sees the type of kids found that found them.

Tagging: @holdmeicant​ @willymywonkers​

Boy was Grandpa George right when he said the first kid to find a golden ticket would be fat. The first kid was named Augustus Gloop from Dusseldorf, Germany. The kid had chocolate smeared all over his face, and judging by his size, Rose could tell he ate a lot of it.

"I am eating the Wonka bar and I taste something, that is not chocolate, or coconut, or walnut, or peanut butter, or nougat, or butter brittle, or caramel, or sprinkles. So I look and I find the golden ticket." Augustus explained to the reporters.

"Augustus, how did you celebrate? " A reporter asked him.

"I eat more candy." Augustus answered, and immediately pulled out a Wonka bar.

"We knew Augustus would find the golden ticket." Mrs Gloop began talking. "He eats so many candy bars a day that it was not possible for him to not find one."

“Told you it’d be a porker” Grandpa George said, which caused Rose to snort. 

“What a repulsive boy” Grandma Josephine was aghast.

“Only four golden tickets left” Charlie realized.

“Now that they’ve found one” Grandpa Joe said. “Things will really get crazy”

******

The next ticket was found in Buckinghamshire, England by a spoiled brat named Veruca Salt. Ugh, how Rose hated spoiled children. Rose and Charlie were always appreciative of what little they had, and never demanded a thing. Unlike this spoiled brat.

"Veruca, " A reported said the girl's name. "Can you spell that for us, please? "

"V-E-R-U-C-A. Veruca Salt." Veruca said, flashing a smile.

"Soon as my little Veruca told me she had to have one of these golden tickets, I started buying up all the Wonka bars I could lay my hands on." Mr. Salt shared. "Thousands of them. Hundreds of thousands. I'm in the nut business, you see. So, I say to my workers, "Morning, ladies. From now on you can stop shelling peanuts and start shelling the wrappers off these chocolate bars instead. Three days went by and we had no luck. Oh, it was terrible. My little Veruca got more and more upset each day. Well, gentlemen, I just hated to see my little girl feeling unhappy like that. I vowed I would keep up the search until I could give her what she wanted. And finally, I found her a ticket."

Rose sighed, shaking her head as she turned off the tv. She didn't know who was worse. The fat lump, or the spoiled brat. "Thank goodness you're not like either of those children, Charlie" Rose said to her brother, bringing him into a hug. "You're polite and kind to everyone you meet, and you're always thinking of others before you think of yourself"

"I don't think that was really fair" Charlie said. "She didn't find the ticket herself"

"Don't worry about it, Charlie" Grandpa Joe assured Charlie. "That man spoils his daughter. And no good ever comes from spoiling a child like that"

Mrs Bucket and Mr Bucket came bursting through the door, both of them wearing excited smiles. "Charlie," Mr Bucket began, draping an arm over Mrs Bucket's shoulder. "your mum and I thought maybe you wanna open your birthday present tonight"

Charlie gave a wide smile. Mr and Mrs Bucket walked over to the bed. Mrs Bucket handed Charlie his present. Everyone leaned in and watched with anticipation as Charlie opened his present, which was a Wonka Whipple-Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delight. Charlie stared at the bar and said, "Maybe I should wait until morning"

"Like hell" Grandpa George muttered.

Mr Bucket gave him a look. "Pop"

"All together we're three hundred and eighty one years old" Grandpa Joe said. "We don't wait"

"Now Charlie, you mustn't feel too disappointed" Rose told him. "If you don't get the ticket, you'll at least still have the chocolate" Charlie then began to carefully and slowly unwrap the chocolate bar. But alas, there was no gold. Only the dark brown of the chocolate.

"Oh, well" Grandpa Joe shrugged. "That's that"

"We'll share it" Charlie decided.

"Oh no, Charlie" Grandpa Joe shook his head. "Not your birthday present"

"It's my candy bar. I'll do what I want with it" Charlie began to break off pieces of the Wonka bar, and he handed a piece to everyone. There was just enough pieces for everyone. Rose stared down at the piece in her hand. She didn't eat it right away. Instead, she brought the piece of chocolate up to her nose and smelt it.

She closed her eyes in bliss. The chocolate had a wonderful smell to it. She took a small bite out of it, moaning in delight at the taste. She couldn't wait until tomorrow, when she could give Charlie the bar Mrs Mason had given her. And she had enough money in her pocket. She would buy another bar for him. That would give Charlie two more tries for that ticket.

******

The third ticket had been found in Atlanta, Georgia by the arrogant Violet Beauregarde. And if her arrogance and pride wasn't bad enough, she was an obnoxious gum smacker.

Rose hated gum.

Violet and her mother were wearing matching tracksuits as they stood in the living room, in the middle of their shelves of trophies. "These are just some of the two hundred and sixty three trophies and medals that my Violet has won." Mrs Beauregarde bragged about her daughter.

"I'm a gum chewer, mostly, but when I heard about these ticket things, I laid off the gum. Switched to candy bars." Violet said through her gum smacking.

"She's just a driven young woman. I don't know where she gets it."

"I'm the junior world champion gum chewer. This piece of gum, I'm chewing right at this moment, I've been working on for three months solid. That's a record."

"Of course, I did have my share of trophies" Mrs Beauregarde motioned towards the batons on the wall behind her. "Mostly baton."

"So, it says that one kids gonna get this special prize, better than all the rest. I don't care who those other four are. That kid, it's gonna be me."

"Tell them why, Violet."

"Because I'm a winner! "

"What a beastly girl" Grandma Josephine spat.

"Despicable" Grandma Georgina added.

"You don't even know what we're talking about!" Grandpa George said to her.

"Dragonflies?"

Rose scrunched her face in disgust. "I tell you, all that gum chewing is going to get her in trouble one day. A disgusting habit"

******

The fourth ticket was found in Denver, Colorado by the know-it-all, Mike Teavee. Okay, Rose liked kids who were smart, but not when they thought that they were smarter than everyone else like Mike did. He had his eyes glued to the tv as he played a video game.

"All you had to do, is track the manufacturing dates, offset by weather and the derivative of the Nikkei index. A retard could figure it out." Mike stated, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Most of the time, I don't know what he's talking about." Mr Teavee said. "Kids these days with all the technology."

"Die! Die! Die! " Mike screamed at the game.

"Doesn't seem like they stay kids very long."

"In the end, I only had to buy one candy bar."

"And how did it taste? "a reporter asked.

"I don't know. I hate chocolate."

That sent Rose flying over the edge. What kind of kid hates chocolate!?

"Well, it's a good thing you're going to a chocolate factory, you ungrateful little..." Rose was quick to cover Charlie's ears. Though, she agreed with Grandpa George. Why even go to a chocolate factory if you hate chocolate?

Now, there was only one ticket out there left. And Rose hoped with every bone, muscle, and nerve in her body, that Charlie would be the one to find it.

[sialiasnest]

Chocolate Almond Babka

(with optional Mallet Joy!)

Basically challah dough with filling.

In this case, I put frozen chocolate chips in the blender with some nuts, a little brown sugar, a whiff of cinnamon, and some panko, blend to crumbs.

(Freezing the chips first keeps them from melting in the blender.)

Stretch the dough flat, sprinkle with filling, roll up, fold log in half and twist, then bake at 350F until 195F inside.

Easy.

Should work with any nut that tastes good with chocolate: almonds, pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, etc.

I usually use pecans, but was out and had to use lightly salted roasted almonds this time. I was a little worried it would go all marzipan (which I don't like) but happily, it tasted like a Hershey Bar with Almonds (favorite candy bar) and I may never go back.

If you can't do nuts, try just panko.

If you don't have a blender or food processor -- or are just feeling some kinda way -- put the nuts and chips in a plastic bag, press the air out and seal it (zip top freezer bags are good) put it in another bag and HIT IT WITH A HAMMER (cackling madly is optional). I like the wooden mallet from an old toddler's pounding toy but any bludgeoning weapon should work.

Leftover filling is also good mixed into vanilla ice cream.

[chaneajoyyy]

Good Erik x reader series? What are some you recommend? Please and thank you 😊

ERIK X READER

- the other war dog series, i call bullshit series, no mercy series, i am not afraid to fuck a bitch up - @writingmarvellousimagines

- 678 triple 9 8212, names, dessert, the bar- @writingsbyash

- all things - @sonofnjobu

- my beyonce is having my baby, tutor session, erik teaches reader xosha, sofa-  @writerbee-ffs

- your ways series, or nah,  apotelesma series- @daddy-killmonger

-  nails- @theegoldenjaguar

- short staffed, for the love of money, my first & his only, the big chop, braid my hair…., visiting hours (erik x oc), i am king killmonger- @bakarilennox

- paragone series- @dynastylnoire

-friday (erik x ocs), she got game (erik x oc), chunk series (erik x oc), computer blue series- @ghostfacekill-monger

- rekindle series, daddy’s here series, adoration series, @soufcakmistress

- reclamation series, lost and driven series (erik x oc)- @avfug

- with love wakanda prompt fic, erik and reader discover they both have deceased fathers with the same death date, nothing easy to please (awkward!erik x oc), there’s something they’re not telling us (erik x oc)- @bidibidibombaclaat- 

- song of stevens series, fictober 28. i felt that. you know what i mean.   (and really good erik oc fics too), king kill’mawals, n’jadaka’s helpful hands, santa can’t bring me what i need (with mbaku and t’challa, fictober 26. but if you can’t see it, is it really there?- @eerythingisshaka

- all things (mix of erik x oc and erik x reader)- @erikismybitch

- all things erik (some oc fics in there too)- @laketaj24

- king of pop series, protector (erik x oc), out with a bang, desserts series-@forbeautyandlife

- all erik fics- @plussizeappreciationfics

- everything from @supersizemeplz

- same girl, do you remember (possible series), worry ‘bout it, let em know series, freaky friday (with t’challa), feel love, i wanna be, nip tuck,- @songficsbyrissi

- all things - @another-imaginesblog

- all things from @princesskillmonger

- overstimulated series (erik x oc)- @princessstevens

- all things from @shewrites02

- killin ‘em softly series- @eyeknowmywrites

- sandcastles series, twin flames (erik x oc)- @thehoodsweetheart

- all things- @cmonkillmonger (mixed with erik x oc)

- old friends- @babygirlofwakanda

-everything (mixed with erik x oc)- @brattywriters-anonymous

- secrets series, nice for what, stevens stories series (erik x sibling!oc)- @drtycomputerx

- all things @rayraynddem

- fast & furious, leave a light on series- @mariamermaid

- all things @killmoncoochie (a mix of erik x reader and erik x oc)

- a tale of two soldiers series, make it clap, passenger seat series- @blackmissfrizzle

- facetime love, with walnuts- @melodyofmbaku

- mad issues series- @curls-and-crosses

- numb, somebody to love (with t’challa)- @goldvnkillmongerbarnes

- all things from - @thickoreo

- everything from (mixed with erik x oc)- @killmongersgurl 

- everything from - @killmongerskeeper

- everything- @shyblackgurl

- everything from- @eriksjournal

- sweet like honey series, insecure series - @erikslulbaby

- everything from- @wakanda-inspired

- everything - @ororowrites

- headass youtube couple series, cutting ties (possible series), #tsrbaewatch (blow the whistle), fix my crown series.- @apantherinmypastlife

- i can’t, baking with the royal would include- @melo-yello

- destined series- @oblivious1olivious

- be careful sweetheart series- @avenging-fics

- all erik fics (mixed with erik x oc) - @muse-of-mbaku

- watching him sleep, driving with erik be like…, when erik’s jealous, my baby, frontline, it was a joke! series, goofy ass, hair, black panther cast as students (included)- @killmonger-dolan

- all things from @wakandanblogger

- at your best- @papi-chulo-bucky

- french inhale series (erik x oc)- @jewelofwakanda

- let’s talk about sex series, teach me series, when your mad series, waffles series, spoiled little brat series, slow ride seris, movie night series, mines, thunderstorn; girl, fuck you; eat your breakfact, secret admirer, amusement park fun, displays of affection, night at the movies, silent heartbeats series, worship, loving the way you love it, day drunk, smile for me daddy, breeding kink, just like you, we goin to hell, in the cut, kissing strangers series- @thehomierobbstark

- redbone, focus, i’ma make you proud- @pocmarvelworks

- all erik fics- @youreallyshouldtalkmore

- nerd, erik killmonger headcanons, on the run, before we have to let go, erik’s girl, eyes watching god, she’s mine pt. 1-, black panther trinity parent drabbles (with t’challa and m’baku)- @black-mcu-imagines

- dating series, possessive, kiwi series, i wanna marry you, quit series, fast car series,  - @wtfnegan

- dustiest corner in harlem series, just take the ring, more than talk, tell me, hell of a feeling - @sweettea-and-honeybutter

-broken clocks- @beforeverrmine

- in my whip, lyk dis, - @memor-somnis

- all things from @wakanda-4evr

- rated e, i missed you series, on broadway, unravel me series, no average bitch, if they ain’t looking - @brownsugarcocoabutterwildflowers

- all erik fics- @ourwakandanerik

- keys and a crown series, piece by piece, the warm up-  @iwannalearnhowtoship

- the parlor (with t’challa) series, operation: honey pot series, first love, liberation series, countdown, soft, ilanga series, death of a bachelor series, the library- @blackpantherimagines

- plot twist series, ring series, song goes off, summertime love series, walls (erik x oc)- @blackpantherismyish

- all things erik- @livingmybestfakelife

- Erik’s theory of happiness series- @brownmuse (erik x oc)

- whole ass parents series, iight fam series, the bouncer, the bsu- @suburbanblackhoe

- all erik fics- @wawakanda-btch

- 390. you shouldve heard his side of the story. you never asked mine, waters of chaos series- @wakandasoldier

- all erik fics- @njadaakas

- all erik fics- @njadont

- redeem me- @njadaddy

- study buddy- @heyauntieeee

- voodoo seris, white girl- @imagine-mbaku

- all erik fics- @madamslayyy

- permission series- @babybluepeaches

- street car, wadjet- @n-jadaddy

- your highness series- @princessceettaa

- au wehre erik’s dad wasn’t killed and took him back to wakanda where he grew up, too easy, in the still of the night, otto’s shrunken head, rainy day savior- @eyestheyseeyou

- all erik fics (mix of erik x reader and erik x oc)- @eye-raq

- all erik fics- @ljs-writing

- all erik fics- @iliketowrite1996

- fuck you series- @newstarvingcollegestudent

- fuccboi troubles series- @issajuju-bug

- noney and mint, lay with me, little girl series (erik x oc), fae (erik x oc), bound series (erik x oc), bedtime story,  blinding (erik x oc)- @sweeter-thejuice

- you made your bed series- @sweetpeachjones

- all things - @imaginewhoever

- i’m cleva series, - @killmongerdispussy

- mistakes series, honey and chocolate series, forbidden series dangerous waters- @cocoaflowerrs

- all imagines from @nahimjustfeelingit-writes

- cujo- @nastybuckybarnes

- by bast series, pregnancy drabble, angsty drabble- @sickandtideeeee

- catch it, round 17, be mine series, ambition- @dumbchickwrites

- all things from @dacreskars

- cater 2 you, it’s been a minute, stereotypes series, you’re mine, angst erik, collegeboi!erik fic, (all you need, try me, sneaky, watch your mouth- all part of a lil series), baby girl and her daddy- @boldmellowtastemaker

- all things @artisticestheticreads

- all things @hearteyes-for-killmonger (a mix of erik x reader and erik x oc)

- breakfast with strangers series, blind date series, in and out of live series, missing brown eyes series- @cosmiceyegasms

- i like that series- @nachtaiwrites

- imagine that series,  prophecy series, the nanny series, how you married n’jadaka, life line series, moodboards, erik loves you just the way you are, destiny?- @wakandascrystal

- all erik fics- @wakandas-vibranium

- prey series, big mad, earth dy, leaving, ride or die, the grace of kings  series and it’s prompts(erik x oc), she who,walks in the sea series (erik x oc), ritual (erik x oc), late (erik x oc), a boy (erik x his mom), sing of helen series (erik x oc)- @hoopshoney

- summertime madness- @jazthestampede

- facetime love, with walnuts- @melodyofmbaku

- the red door- @twistedcharismaaa

-all erik fics (erik x oc)- @blackgirlimaginesmarvel

- too deep, snip snip(pet), you say it’s food for thought series- @lostncrowned

- stress relief, the girl is mine- @lostgalaxies

- it’s okay series (with liberosis), erik the wise, one punch man, consider me finished, leave me series- @marvellovegalore

- all erik fics- @marvelmaree

- all erik fics- @wakandamama

- better series- @mothereve1

- affairs series, better series (with t’challa)- @melaninkpopimagines

- microcosms, burn, lost files, finals season series, party of one, compression, if ever there were angels series- @lesqui

- all erik fics (erik x oc)- @killmongersmistress

- all erik fics- @maleficentcheekbones

- all erik fics- @oshaia (mix of erik x oc and erik x reader)

- erik x deja series (erik x oc)- @wifeyofnjadaka

- all @youcantkillamutant erik fics (mix of erik x reader and erik x oc)

- all erik fics- @hidden-treasures21

- deja vu series (erik x oc)- @loveeeeandaffection

- the firm series (erik x oc)- @thadelightfulone

- the elevator bae series (erik x oc)- @yoursoulstea

- everything- @panthergoddessbast

- sacredly scarred series (erik x oc)- @whorderofthepheonix

- you don’t own me- @omg-foreverfilledwithweird-posts

- make the bullshit worth it series- @wakandansunsets

- everything (mix of erik x reader and erik x oc)- @leelahsrose

- all erik fics (erik x oc)- @lady-love-and-glitter-roses

- muse series, the library will be closing series, home invasion series, the church girl series, kingdom of thieves series, disharmony series, nerd!erik hc, biker!erik hc- @killmongurl

- kissing strangers series (erik x oc)- @halcyonscry

- i’ll be around series, what you need series, purposeful naivety series- @killmvnger

- foul play series- @dessianna1

- pappa killmonger (erik oc)- @destinio1

- wet sugar series, say less series- @uzumaki-rebellion

- return the favor series, pride: take 5, caged bird (erik x nakia), trouble loves company series (erik x annalise keeting- bp x htgawm crossover)- @taint3dvirgin

- sing to me, let em know, get that, lips, i love it- @zxddy-panther

- cashier girl- @daughterofyeezus

- interrogation series- @yslkuwonu

- evening adventures, books and back hugs, tacos and jaguars- @aniqua

- the monst dangerous game: fanfic writing challenge prompt 2 (erik x oc), body pillow- @akimi-youngblood 

- all the stars series (with t’challa)- @generalshazam

*i dont want to overwhelm you too much so this is what i have for you!*

[ericsonclan]

Meeting Clementine

Summary: Kenny convinces Lee to give adoption a chance and brings Clementine to meet him for the first time.

Read on A03:

“So, how are you and Duck doing?” Lee asked as he handed his friend Kenny a beer.

Kenny let out a long sigh, taking a swig of the drink before answering. “It’s been some fucking year. Katjaa’s been out of the hospital two weeks now, but it’s gonna take a hell of a lot longer than that for her to really bounce back,”

“She’s a fighter,” Lee took a sip from his own beer, looking round the bar. “She beat cancer; she can make it through the recovery,”

“I sure hope so. We almost lost her back there, Lee. Raising Duck on my own…” Kenny shook his head. “I couldn’t imagine it,” He glanced over at Lee, then looked down at the table. “I heard about you and Claudia. Sorry I couldn’t be there when all of that went down,”

Lee shook his head. “There was nothing that could’ve been done anyway. Claudia’s moved out… and I’m stuck in that big house we’d planned to start a family in. It’s a weird feeling, being in such a huge place all alone,”

Kenny looked like he was about to say something, but then a voice crackled over the microphone. “Alright folks, it’s time for Mueller’s weekly Trivia Night to begin!” Nick, the host, shielded his eyes from the lights as he looked out into the crowd. “Hey, I see we have some familiar faces back after a long time! Lee, Kenny, good to have you back!” There was a round of applause from those in the bar who also recognized them. The pair raised their beers appreciatively. Six years of attending Trivia Night at Mueller’s and they’d never missed a week of it until this last year from hell. With Katjaa in the hospital and Lee’s marriage collapsing around him, it just hadn’t seemed like a priority. Now that they were back though, it felt like life was finally returning to normal in some small way.

“Alright, first question,” the mic crackled again. “Independence Day was first established as a holiday by Congress in what year?”

Lee’s hand came down hard on the buzzer. “1870!”

“That is… correct!” Nick rang the little triangle that dangled from the mic stand while his partner Luke manned the whiteboard that tracked the points.

Lee pumped his fist in satisfaction. Civil War history was his forte, but anything within American history was a good bet for him. He had history and literature covered while Kenny had the sciences down pat.

“Liver!” Kenny called out in response to the question “what is the largest internal organ of the human body”. Another ding from the triangle, another correct answer.

Lee shook his head in good-natured disbelief, taking another drink from his beer. He’d asked Kenny back when they’d met how he remembered so much random knowledge and Kenny had shrugged it off, saying his brain was like some sort of sea sponge, soggy and absorbing everything round it. Now they were back in the proverbial ring and he was still as sharp as ever, hand poised beside the buzzer, ready to strike as soon as the next question was given.

Things progressed smoothly throughout the rest of the night. They didn’t end up sweeping Trivia Night as they had for several weeks in the past, but they’d accrued a respectable score, keeping things close between them and their main competitors while everyone else lagged behind. Now it was dark out though, time to pack things up and head home.

“Lee,” Kenny started, “Before you leave, there’s something I was meaning to talk about with you tonight. Should’ve brought it up earlier, but there just didn’t seem to be a good time,” Lee raised an eyebrow. “Go on. I’m listening,”

Kenny fidgeted nervously with his trucker cap. “I know that before things went south with you and Claudia, the two of you were considering adoption. I was wondering if that’s something you’d still be interested in,” He raised his hands up. “Now of course, if this ain’t a good time for you, you can tell me to fuck right off. But there’s this one girl I’ve been trying to find a good home for for years now, and I think you two might be a good fit. She’s not a bad kid or nothing, it’s just that life seems to like kicking her when she’s down. Figured you could relate,” Kenny had been the one Lee and Claudia had approached with thoughts of adoption back when things were going well. Given his job as a social worker, they knew he could help them through the intricacies of the adoption process. However, they’d been looking into getting a baby. Lee wasn’t sure if he could handle that on his own.

“How old is she?”

“Just turned fifteen,”

Now raising a teenager was another problem in itself. Lee saw that Kenny had noticed the indecision in his eyes.

“I know, I know, it’s not an easy age to start with. Hell, Duck’s the same age right now and some days I think he’s worse than when he was a toddler. But this girl’s special. Kat and I were seriously considering adopting her ourselves before we got news of the cancer. I just want her to have somewhere safe to grow up at least till she ages out of the system. But it doesn’t have to be you if you don’t want it,”

Lee pursed his lips thoughtfully. “What’s this girl’s name?”

“Clementine,”

---

It was about a week later when Lee found himself in his kitchen, anxiously looking out the window as he waited for Kenny to arrive with Clementine. He had decided to give this a shot. He trusted Kenny’s judgment enough for this girl to deserve that at the very least. Lee still wasn’t sure if he was cut out to be a teenager’s dad, but if Clementine was as special as Kenny seemed to believe, then just maybe this could work.

He set down his coffee mug as he saw Kenny’s truck pulling into the driveway. Stepping out to his front porch, he gave an awkward wave before walking forward to greet them. Kenny hopped out of the truck, giving Lee a quick hug and patting him firmly on the back.

“You ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be,”

Kenny nodded, motioning to the young girl who’d just stepped out of the car. “Lee, this is Clementine. Clementine, Lee. I’m gonna head out for a few hours, give you two some time to get to know each other, then I’ll be back to pick Clementine up. You good, kiddo?”

The girl nodded noncommittally, looking around the outside of the house with a sort of jaded boredom.

Lee cleared his throat awkwardly, extending an arm to the house. “Wanna come in? I just make a fresh pot of coffee,”

Clementine nodded, following without a word. The kitchen was immediately to the left of the entryway. As Clementine took a seat, Lee searched for another mug. “Sorry there’s not much décor around the house. My wife and I had just moved here back when we were planning to start a family, but, well, things happened and now it’s just me in this big ol’ place without a clue about interior design,” Way to go, Lee. Telling this kid about your history as a sad divorcee is a great way to kick things off.

Clementine simply nodded politely, taking the cup of coffee that was offered her. Lee had a fleeing panicked thought as he wondered whether it was appropriate to give coffee to children. Then he remembered Starbucks was a thing. Shit, Lee, you’ve gotta calm down. She’ll smell your fear. Lee took a long sip of his coffee, watching Clementine. She seemed like a normal enough kid, though a bit closed off. On her head she wore a baseball hat emblazoned with a blue D. He wondered what it stood for. “You a baseball fan?”

“My dad was. He gave me the cap,”

Now that he looked more closely, Lee could see how worn out the thing was. Dirt and dust were caked over every inch of it, and maybe even a flew splatters of blood. The embroidery on the D was starting to come loose in one corner, causing the tip of the letter to curl out from the hat. The cap must mean a lot to her. “You know, Morgantown High has a pretty good baseball team from what I hear. The coach there used to be in the major leagues,”

“That’s cool,” She didn’t sound impressed.

Lee cleared his throat. “Have you had anything to eat yet? I should have run out and grabbed some sandwiches for us,”

“I had a granola bar,”

“Now that’s no sort of proper breakfast!” Lee walked over toward his fridge, searching for what he had handy that was healthy and fresh. It was pretty bare, just the basic like eggs, milk… Now wait a minute. Lee walked over to the pantry, rooting around in it for a minute before finding what he was looking for. He popped his head out of the pantry door to look at Clementine. “Any chance you’d be interested in making some pancakes with me? We’ve got eggs, bacon, O.J… we could make it a full on breakfast feast,”

Clementine’s eyes widened a bit at the offer. She looked pleased though. “Sure, that sounds fun,”

“Alrighty then! You get out the ingredients, and I’ll find us some bowls and pans,” With that they set off on their missions, Clementine assembling the milk, eggs and pancake mix while Lee banged around in the pots and pans drawer before finding something fitting. He wasn’t sure where any of the old cookbooks were (if Claudia had even left any), so they Googled a recipe and got started from there. As Clementine stirred the mix together, inspiration struck Lee. “You know what? Now that I think of it, I’m sure I have some bananas stored away somewhere. Do you like those in pancakes?”

Clementine nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. “Do you have any.. chocolate maybe?”

“As a matter of fact, I do,” Lee reached up onto the top pantry shelf. “It’s a bit musty, but that’ll cook off, right? Worth a shot,”

Clementine chuckled, taking a cup measure and ladling the first pancake onto the frying pan.

Lee cautiously plopped a few pieces of chocolate on top of the bubbling mass, watching it with curiosity. “Let’s see what else we can find that’d go well with pancakes, shall we?”

In the end, they found the bananas, a stray container of blueberries, some stale walnuts that Lee threw in with his own banana pancakes, and a few raspberries. Lee was worried there wasn’t any syrup, but Clementine took the initiative, bravely scouring the depths of his pantry until she found it. She plated the pancakes while Lee finished frying up the bacon. They sat down together once everything was ready, their mouths watering.

Lee watched in contentment as Clementine attacked her stack of pancakes. Damn, this girl could eat. It made him wonder if her last foster home had been feeding her enough. The sleeves of her shirt were pushed up to avoid getting syrup on them. He noticed a nasty looking scar sticking out by her left sleeve, but decided it was best not to ask about it. She also had a scar indenting her forehead, small yet noticeable. This girl looked like she’d been through hell and back. He could see why Kenny wanted to protect her.

“Do you… want to hear a little bit about me?” Lee offered. “I’m not super interesting. I work at WVU as a history professor, specializing in American history and the Civil War,”

“I like history,” Clementine responded through a mouth full of pancakes.

“Well, alright then!” Lee felt the history geek in him getting excited at the prospect of a new student to take under his wing. He started going through some of his favorite historical events: the Battle of Fort Sumter, Antietam, the Emancipation Proclamation and Juneteenth… Clementine listened with what appeared to be genuine interest, munching happily on her pancakes and providing surprisingly insightful questions from time to time. Lee found himself losing track of the time. He was genuinely surprised when he heard Kenny’s truck pull up in the driveway.

“So soon?” Lee’s face fell. He saw Clementine’s do the same, looking down at the table. Lee leaned forward conspiratorially. “Maybe if I invite him in for a cup of coffee, we can get a few more minutes. How does that sound?”

Clementine nodded appreciatively. “Yeah, let’s do it,”

Lee stepped out to meet Kenny as he made his way up the steps of the front porch. “Back so soon?”

“Soon? It’s been almost two and a half hours,” A smile crossed Kenny’s face. “I see the two of you hit it off then?”

“She’s a good kid. I can see why you’re fond of her. That foster home that she’s at right now, are they feeding her right?”

“Clem’s actually between foster homes right now. Her bag’s in the back of my truck,”

“You mean…”

“If you’d like, we can sign the paperwork for you to foster her starting today,”

Lee felt a rush of excitement run through his veins. “Alright, let’s do it,”

He and Kenny stepped inside, walking into the kitchen just as Clementine was finishing the last of her pancakes.

“Hi, Clementine. Have a good time?” Kenny asked.

Clementine nodded, but looked down as she got up. “Is it time to go?”

“Actually, Lee here was wondering if you’d be interested in staying. What do ya think, Clem? Would you like to stay here?”

Clementine’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Seriously?”

Lee nodded, a warm smile on his face. “You’re welcome for as long as you want to stay. There’s a guest room just down the hall. It’s nothing fancy, but feel free to move anything around in there however you like so you feel at home,”

Clementine seemed genuinely touched at his words. She looked away, clearly unsure how to react to such good news.

Kenny chuckled, tossing her the keys. “Go ahead and grab your stuff. I’ll get Lee started on the paperwork,”

Clementine caught them, bounding out the door before either of them could say anything else.

“Well,” Kenny placed a hand on Lee’s shoulder, “You’re a dad now. Or a surrogate dad at least. I wish you the best of luck,”

“Thanks,” Lee looked out the window, watching Clementine as she hurriedly grabbed her stuff. “I think it’s gonna be a really good thing. For the both of us,”

“I couldn’t agree more,”

[ohsh1t2wksl8]

January (Month Survey #1)

Warning: These surveys are long. Take at your own risk. National Days Jan 1. National Hangover Day: What’s the worst hangover that you’ve ever had? National Bloody Mary Day: Do you believe in the Bloody Mary folklore? Euro Day: Do you have any Euros? National Black Eyed Peas Day: Do you like listening to the Black Eyed Peas? How about eating them? Apple Gifting Day: What’s your favorite type of apple – red, yellow, or green? New Year’s Day: How did you celebrate New Year’s? Jan 2. National Buffet Day: Where’s the best buffet in your area? World Introvert Day: Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert? Swiss Cheese Day: What meat do you typically eat Swiss cheese with? National Cream Puff Day: Do you like cream puffs? Have you ever made them before? Run Up the Flagpole and See if Anyone Salutes Day: Have you ever tried to climb a flagpole before? National Personal Trainer Awareness Day: Do you have a personal trainer? National Science Fiction Day: What’s the last science-fiction novel you’ve read? Happy Mew Year For Cats Day: Do you prefer cats or dogs? Why? National Pet Travel Safety Day: Does your pet do well during car rides, or do they hate it? Jan 3. National Drinking Straw Day: Do you use drinking straws at home, or only out at restaurants? Festival of Sleep Day: Do you enjoy sleeping, or do you spend most of your time awake? Humiliation Day: When’s the last time you were humiliated? Why? National Chocolate-Covered Cherry Day: Do you prefer chocolate-covered cherries or chocolate-covered strawberries more? National Fruitcake Toss Day: Do you like fruitcake? J.R.R. Tolkien Day: Have you read the Lord of the Rings series? What did you think of it? Jan 4. National Missouri Day: Do you know anyone who comes from Missouri? National Spaghetti Day: Is spaghetti one of your favorite Italian dishes? National Trivia Day: Do you enjoy playing trivia games? Any in particular? World Braille Day: Do you know anyone who can read Braille? World Hypnotism Day: Have you ever felt hypnotized before? Can you describe it? Jan 5. National Screenwriters Day: Have you ever written a play or some other sort of script before? National Whipped Cream Day: Have you ever used whipped cream for sexual purposes? National Keto Day: Do you or anyone you know follow a ketogenic diet? National Bird Day: What’s your favorite type of bird? Jan 6. National Thank God It’s Monday Day: Do you actually prefer Mondays to Fridays? Why or why not? The Epiphany (Three Kings Day): Do you celebrate this holiday? National Bean Day: What’s your favorite type of bean? (ie: baked, lima, green, etc) National Technology Day: What’s your favorite piece of technology that you own? National Shortbread Day: Have you ever eaten those Trefoil  Girl Scout shortbread cookies? National Cuddle Up Day: Who’s the best cuddler you know? Jan 7. National Bobblehead Day: Do you own any bobbleheads? Of who? National Tempura Day: Have you ever tried tempura before? Did you like it? Old Rock Day: Would you be interested in digging for fossils? Jan 8. National Argyle Day: Do you own any clothing with argyle print? National Bubble Bath Day: When’s the last time you took a bubble bath? Male Watcher’s Day: Do you like to people-watch? National Take the Stairs Day: Do you prefer the stairs or the elevator? National English Toffee Day: Do you enjoy eating toffee? Elvis Presley’s Birthday: What is your favorite Elvis Presley song? National Joygerm Day: How do you treat people with kindness? Do you typically have a positive attitude about things? National Winter Skin Relief Day: What do you treat your skin/lips with, when they are chapped? Jan 9. National Apricot Day: Do you prefer apricots dried, in fresh fruit form, or the canned version? National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day: Do you have issues with people of authority? National Static Electricity Day: When’s the last time your hair succumbed to static electricity? National Balloon Ascension Day: Have you ever released balloons purposefully into the air? Play God Day: What would you do if you were in charge of the entire universe for the day? Jan 10. National Bittersweet Chocolate Day: What’s your favorite type of chocolate? Save the Eagles Day: What are bald eagles symbolic of? Peculiar People Day: Who’s the most peculiar person you know? National Cut Your Energy Costs Day: What do you do in order to save energy? National Oysters Rockefeller Day: Have you ever had baked oysters before? Did you like them? National Houseplant Appreciation Day: Do you have any indoor plants? How about outdoor plants? Jan 11. National Arkansas Day: Have you ever been to Arkansas before? Learn Your Name in Morse Code Day: Do you know how to use Morse code? National Human Trafficking Awareness Day: Do you know anyone who’s been a victim of human trafficking?   National Milk Day: Do you prefer white, chocolate, or strawberry milk? National Girl Hug Boy Day: Have you ever been the one to make the first move? National Hot Toddy Day: Have you ever made yourself a hot toddy before? National Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friends Day National Vision Board Day: Do you have a vision board? Have you ever made one before? What would be on it? Jan 12. National Pharmacist Day: When’s the last time you visited the pharmacist? National Sunday Supper Day: Do you have big Sunday dinners with your family? Feast of Fabulous Wild Men Day: Who’s a fabulous man that you know of? National Marzipan Day: Do you know what marzipan is? Have you ever made it/had it before? National Curried Chicken Day: Do you enjoy curry? Have you ever had it before? National Kiss a Ginger Day: Have you ever dated a redhead before? National Youth Day: Do you know of a child who made a huge difference in society?   National Glazed Doughnut Day: What’s your favorite type of doughnut? Jan 13. National Rubber Ducky Day: When’s the last time you used a rubber ducky in the bathtub? Stephen Foster Memorial Day: Do you like any songs by Stephen Foster? National Peach Melba Day: Have you ever had a Peach Melba before? How was it? Korean American Day: Do you know any Koreans immigrants who now live in America? National Gluten-Free Day: Do you know anyone who has to follow a gluten-free diet? National Sticker Day: Did you like stickers as a kid? National Clean Off Your Desk Day: Do you have a desk in your room? Is it organized? International Skeptics Day: Are you skeptical of anything? What? Make Tour Dream Come True Day: Have any of your dreams actually ever come true before? Jan 14. National Dress Up Your Pet Day: Have you ever dressed up your pet before? In what? National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day: What’s your favorite kind of sandwich? Ratification Day: Do you remember the significance of the Treaty of Paris? International Kite Day: Have you ever flown a kite before? National Shop For Travel Day: When’s the last time you went shopping for a vacation? Jan 15. National Booch Day: Do you like the taste of Kombucha? National Hat Day: What does your favorite hat look like? National Bagel Day: What kind of bagel do you eat most often? What do you put on it? National Strawberry Ice Cream Day: What’s your favorite flavor ice cream? Museum Selfie Day: When’s the last time you went to a museum? National Fresh Squeezed Juice Day: Have you ever made your own juice or lemonade before? How was it? Jan 16. National Nothing Day: When’s the last time you did absolutely nothing all day? Appreciate a Dragon Day: Are dragons your favorite mythical creature? National Without a Scalpel Day: Has anyone ever used a scalpel on you before? Get to Know Your Customers Day: Is the customer really always right? Why or why not? National Religious Freedom Day: Are you a religious person? National Fig Newtons Day: When’s the last time you ate a Fig Newton? International Hot and Spicy Food Day: What’s the spiciest food you eat? Rid the World of Fad Diets and Gimmicks Day: Have you ever been on a diet before? Did it work? Jan 17. National Bootlegger’s Day: Do you know anyone who makes bootleg DVD’s? National Hot Heads Chili Day: What do you like to eat in your chili? National Hot Buttered Rum Day: Are you a fan of rum, or do you prefer another type of alcohol? Ben Franklin Day: Name at least one of Ben Franklin’s inventions. Michelle Obama’s Birthday: Do you miss when her husband was back in office? Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day: How long do you keep your New Year’s Resolutions for? Do you even make them in the first place? Jan 18. National Winnie the Pooh Day: Who is your favorite character from Winnie the Pooh? National Michigan Day: Do you live in Michigan? National Gourmet Coffee Day: What’s your favorite “specialized” coffee drink? National Thesaurus Day: When’s the last time you used a thesaurus? National Peking Duck Day: Have you ever eaten duck before? National Use Your Gift Card Day: Where would you like to get a gift card to? Jan 19. World Quark Day: Have you ever heard of quark? National  Popcorn Day: What’s your favorite seasoning/flavor of popcorn? National Disc Jockey Day: Would you rather have a band or a DJ at your wedding. World Religion Day: What is your religion? Do you have one? National Tin Can Day: What’s the last can that you recycled? Jan 20. National Cheese Lover’s Day: What’s your favorite kind of cheese? Martin Luther King jr. Day: In what ways was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. influential? National Buttercrunch Day: Have you ever made butter crunch before? National Penguin Day: What’s your favorite thing about penguins? Jan 21. National Hugging Day: Are you a hugger? National Granola Bar Day: Do you eat granola bars? What’s your favorite flavor? Squirrel Appreciation Day: Squirrels or chipmunks? International Sweatpants Day: How many pairs of sweatpants do you own? National Banana Bread Day: Do you prefer your banana bread with or without walnuts? How about chocolate chips? National New England Clam Chowder Day: Do you like New England Clam Chowder soup? Jan 22. Celebration of Life Day: Do you believe that abortion should be legal? Why or why not? National Blonde Brownie Day: What’s your favorite type of brownie? Library Shelfie  Day: How often do you visit your public library? National Southern Food Day: What’s your favorite Southern food/meal? National Sanctity of Human Life Day: Do you believe that all humans have some sort of value? National Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day: Do you talk to your pets? Hot Sauce Day: How hot do you like your hot sauce? Jan 23. National Handwriting Day: Do you prefer printing or writing in cursive? World Spay Day: Are all of your pets spayed or neutered? National Pie Day/National Rhubarb Pie Day: What’s your favorite type of pie? Measure Your Feet Day: How big are your feet? Jan 24. Beer Can Appreciation Day: What’s your favorite type of beer? National Compliment Day: What’s the last compliment that you’ve received? National Peanut Butter Day: What’s your favorite food that involves peanut butter? International Day of Education: Why do you feel that education important? Global Belly Laugh Day: When’s the last time you laughed so hard you cried? National Eskimo Pie Patent Day: When’s the last time you had an Eskimo Pie? National Lobster Thermidor Day: When’s the last time you ate lobster? Jan 25. National Opposite Day: Have you ever been attracted to someone that was the complete opposite of you? Community Manager Appreciation Day: At your workplace, do you have a good manager/boss, or not? Are you your own boss? National Irish Coffee Day: Have you ever had an Irish Coffee before? National Seed Swap Day: What’s the last seed you planted? National Florida Day: Do you know anyone who is from Florida? Chinese New Year: What is your Chinese animal? (the year of the ___) Burns Supper: Favorite poem by Robert Burns? Jan 26. National Green Juice Day: Do you drink any sort of health drinks? National Peanut Brittle Day: Do you enjoy peanut brittle? National Spouses Day: Do you hope to get married one day? Why or why not? Australia Day: If you were to go to Australia, what would you want to see/do first? International Customs Day: What do you think of the current level of border security in your area? World Leprosy Day: Do you know anyone who has leprosy? Jan 27. National Bubble Wrap Day: As an adult, would you still be interested in popping bubble wrap? National Chocolate Cake Day: Do you prefer chocolate cake or another flavor instead? World Breast Pumping Day: If you have a baby, would you breastfeed or formula feed? Why? International Holocaust Remembrance Day: Do you know of any Holocaust survivors? Wolfgang Mozart’s Birthday: Do you like to listen to Mozart? Punch the Clock Day: Do you have to punch in and out at work, or do you have a paper time sheet? Jan 28. National Have Fun at Work Day: What is one fun thing about your work? National Blueberry Pancake Day: Would you rather have blueberry pancakes or chocolate chip pancakes? Data Privacy Day: Have one of your websites ever been hacked before? National Daisy Day: Are daisies your favorite flower? National Lego Day: Do you follow the building instructions if you have a Lego kit, or do you build your own prototype? National Kazoo Day: Have you ever played a kazoo before? National Plan For Vacation Day: Where would you like to go on vacation? Global Community Engagement Day: How do you play a part in your community? Jan 29. National Corn Chip Day: Fritos or Tostitos? National Puzzle Day: How many pieces was the last jigsaw puzzle that you completed? Jan 30. National Croissant Day: What do you like to put on your croissant? National Inane Answering Message Day: Do you leave voicemails, or do you hang up and try again later? Jan 31. Inspire Your Heart With Art Day: What form of art would you be most likely to try your hand at? National Backward Day: Can you walk around backwards without tripping over something? National Hot Chocolate Day: Do you like hot chocolate? Do you prefer a certain flavor? National Big Wig Day: What type of job would you like to have that allows you to be in charge? Eat Brussel Sprouts Day: Do you like Brussel sprouts? Brandy Alexander Day: Do you like to drink brandy? National Weeks Folic Acid Awareness Week: Do you know anyone with a congenital disability? Universal Letter Writing Week: When’s the last time you hand-wrote a letter to someone? Diet Resolution Week: Have you ever gone on a diet before because of someone’s comments about your weight? National Silent Record Week: Have you ever listened to a silent record before? National Pizza Week: What do you like to eat on your pizza? Home Office Safety and Security Week: Does your home have a security system? Cuckoo Dancing Week: Do you like to dance? World Kiwanis Week: Do you know what the Kiwani’s Club revolves around? National Mocktail Week: What’s your favorite mocktail? Hunt For Happiness Week: Where do you find your happiness? National Healthy Weight Week: Do you feel that you are a healthy weight? Why or why not? International Snowmobile Safety & Awareness Week: Have you ever ridden on a snowmobile before? No Name-Calling Week: What’s the worst name you’ve ever been called? International Hoof Care Week: Do you like any animals that have hooves? National Catholic Schools Week: Did you ever go to a Catholic school before? National CRNA Week: Have you ever been put under anesthesia before? How were you when you came out of it? Meat Week: What’s your favorite type of meat? Or are you a vegetarian/vegan? National School Choice Week: Would you have preferred to be in a public school, a private school, or to be homeschooled? National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week: Do you know anyone who is a cowboy? National Months National Hot Tea Month: What’s your favorite flavor tea? National Oatmeal Month: What’s your favorite flavor of oatmeal? National Slow Cooking Month: Do you have a crock-pot? National Soup Month: What’s your favorite kind of soup? National Baking Month: What’s your favorite thing to bake? National Fat Free Living Month: Do you eat foods that are fat-free? How about drinks? National Bath Safety Month: Do you prefer baths or showers? National Blood Donor Month: Have you ever donated blood? When was the last time? National Hobby Month: Do you have any hobbies? National Train Your Dog Month: Is your dog well-trained? Walk Your Pet Month:  How often do you walk your dog, if you have one? National CBD Month: Have you ever used CBD oil? National Black Diamond Month: Do you own anything with diamonds – black or regular? National Mentoring Month: Have you ever had a mentor before? National Menudo Month: Have you ever had menudo before? [a-zebra-is-a-striped-horse]

[twistednuns]

December 2019

Maxim calling out of the blue, inviting me to the Mine concert later that month.

Stumbling upon great inspiration for plant-based buddha bowls.

@shitgothssay memes.

Zotter salted caramel chocolate.

Finding out about the fact that you can just add the letter A to some words to transform them into adjectives. Like aglitter or aglow and aglisten.

Ayurvedic Kapha tea with some black tea, honey and milk. Sonnentor Gute Laune tea. Green tea with toasted coconut.

Isana shower oil. Works wonders for dry skin. Such a smooth and creamy texture. Great for shaving, too.

Winning the pub quiz - again! I played with Maggie, Dennis, Daniel and Steffen (Team name: Three geese in a trenchcoat) and we won 178€. However, the best thing about this was when I finally solved the anagram after thinking about it for 10 minutes. It was Greta Thunberg! Winning is lovely, of course, but solving the anagram is already a personal win for me each time.

Tuesdays. Coming home early, sleeping it off.

Being super rested after a nap, cooking a huge pot of veggie stew and my ratatouille signature recipe, even preparing a batch of butter bean hummus and salad dressing. Listening to folk music, singing along, even dancing at some point. Standing there, peeling the potatos… Happy moment.

Signature manicure. Always. This time: bluish iridescent lilac with the obligatory black dot.

A personal realisation. I’ve been massively out of touch with myself. I’ve stopped journaling, stopped doing things for myself because they’re beneficial and not because they’re convenient and numb everything. And why is that a good thing? Well, only being at this point and realising what’s wrong with me makes it possible to do something against it. To come up a self-care plan. To make myself feel better.

Semi-deleting Facebook.

Spending time with Manu for the first time in three months. Watching a documentary about black holes and a cheesy Christmas movie. Ordering south Indian food, cuddling up in bed. Sometimes I don’t know why I keep isolation myself. Being around people can be really lovely and soothing if you can be yourself around them. It’s just that I often feel the presence of other living beings drains my energy.

The best massage I ever had. From now on I’ll always request Yaya as my massage therapist. She is SICK. Strong, merciless, forces me into weird poses and makes my back crack.

Also: the chocolate-filled mint hard candy they hand out at the massage studio. I used to hate mint-infused chocolate but somehow I think these are delicious. Perfect after-torture-treat.

Persimmons. Obsessed.

My eye colour in artificial light. A dark moss green with caramel-coloured speckles and a dark rim.

The National playing a 2-hour-long concert and including some of my favourite songs from the High Violet album. Fangirling with Anika.

The smell of cold. You know, that whiff of cool air you get when you’re sniffing a jacket that’s been hanging on the balcony for a few hours to air out.

Learning more about Claire Saffitz from this article - she likes arts and crafts, is a homebody and has degrees in history and literature! She basically enrolled in culinary school because she was bored after graduation. She’s an enigma of a quirky kind. Not brilliant and scattered, but determined and aimless. Not brave and rebellious, but anxious and creative. She hates change yet pursues it, wants order but trades in chaos. She’s loved because she hates stuff; performs well because she can’t perform. And above all, she’s aggressively regular—and something about this makes the crowd go wild.

Fresh laundry smell on my blankets and pillows. And my new gravity blanket. It weighs 11kg which feels crazy heavy when you carry it but the weight evenly distributes over the body when you’re lying down. Apparently the pressure triggers the release of stress hormones. So far I’m sleeping like a baby and I don’t seem to wake up or move much at night.

Stephanie Madewell. I love everything she writes, her blog is such a godsend of beautiful, important, eclectic ideas. One thing I especially like are her imaginary outfits.

Princess Margaret’s limerick contest with President Lyndon B. Johnson in The Crown. Pure comedy. “There was a young lady from Dallas / who used a dynamite stick as a phallus / they found her vagina in North Carolina / and her asshole in Buckingham Palace.”

Little pieces of string in the corners of a duvet cover. It’s the first time I’ve seen those. So practical for big blankets!

Mental health days. I needed this. So much. Mornings in bed, reading for hours. Drinking a whole pot of tea.

Partner yoga. Chanting the closing mantra together.

Making vegan energy balls for my brother. I adapted the recipe and made my own versions so I ended up with a batch of pistachio/cherry and mango/sesame.

Freaking out whenever I see a cute cat. Damn, I really need to spend more time with animals. My highlight: breakfast in bed, watching a video of an adorable cat giving birth. I cried. Yup.

Going swimming for the first time in, man, I don’t even know. Forever. I didn’t swim for a long time, maybe half an hour, but muscle memory kicked in immediately. Water is totally my element. And, as if it had been destiny: I chose the day they cut the hanging plants in the main hall and the guy gave me a variety of five different cuttings to take home!! He made me a very happy girl.

The ink blue sky right after sunset. / The morning after the full moon in Gemini (the moon still bright and huge, visible in the bluish-grey Western sky). / When the sun suddenly comes out after a very dark and gloomy morning.

Buying a new phone. The old one was broken beyond repair. I even got a nice cork protective case. How could I ever live without an uncracked screen? The battery now actually lasts for more than a day. Nice.

Odd bits of knowledge: A galanthophile is an enthusiastic collector and identifier of snowdrop (Galanthus) species and cultivars. (Wikipedia) // Scientists theorize the Universe might have cracks in it: long thin boundaries that formed as space cooled after the Big Bang. 95 billion lightyears long and a few femtometers thin, these wrinkles in space-time would hold enough energy to bend light and destroy entire planets. (PHD comics) // the word to bloviate (German meaning: schwafeln, langatmig vortragen) // In Japan we have three rituals: HANAMI, TSUKIMI, and YUKIMI. HANAMI is watching the flowers. TSUKIMI is watching the moon, YUKIMI is watching the snow. It’s a beautiful tradition when you invite people to watch with you. I remember them all. (Yoko Ono) // In linguistics, prosody is concerned with those elements of speech that are not individual phonetic segments (vowels and consonants) but are properties of syllables and larger units of speech, including linguistic functions such as intonation, tone, stress, and rhythm. Such elements are known as suprasegmentals. Prosody may reflect various features of the speaker or the utterance: the emotional state of the speaker; the form of the utterance (statement, question, or command); the presence of irony or sarcasm; emphasis, contrast, and focus. It may otherwise reflect other elements of language that may not be encoded by grammar or by choice of vocabulary. (Wikipedia) //

I know I mention this a lot but the first olfactory whiff of a freshly cut open passion fruit is one of the best smells I know.

When my breakfast tastes like a candy bar. Which it immediately does whenever I add almond butter and cocoa nibs to porridge.

Yoga at home on a sunny Saturday afternoon. I’m often too lazy to get out my yoga mat but whenever I do afterwards I’m always so glad I practiced. Also: going to yoga class despite being extremely stressed out. It actually helped me silence some of these tormenting thoughts in my head.

Cutting my own hair. It’s kinda ridiculous and layered but I love the new bounce.

Michael Nyman - Musique à grande vitesse x // feels like it makes my pulse quicker, it’s urging and forceful.

My adventures in psychedelia - an article about the therapeutic effect of psychoactive drugs. I’m going to get Michael Pollan’s book about the topic from the library next week. So interesting.

People who are still writing letters.

My pupils. I realised that some of them have become very fine people. Open, compassionate, motivated, interested, bright, polite. Like the students who attended our first school magazine meeting in their spare time - on the last school day before the Christmas holidays - and had all these amazing ideas. Victor, being able to hold a conversation like an adult. Marks cuddling that dog in front of the supermarket. My tenth-graders being really reasonable, managable, easy to talk to.

Liza Weil’s role as Shy Baldwin’s bass player in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. It took me three episodes to recognize her.

A little embroidery set. I love keeping my hands busy when I’m watching movies.

Making vegan walnut lebkuchen and a very good batch of crisp bread in one go.

Roast apples with candied almonds and marzipan for Christmas dinner. Some buckwheat chocolate cookies. Actually helping out my mum in the kitchen.

Sitting at the piano with my brother, singing tunes from our childhood series, Disney songs, pop songs… We both had sore throats afterwards.

Visiting Sash’s parents over Christmas. Her mum cooked a pretty great lunch and we played board games.

Learning how to make a monkey fist knot.

Finding a new spot I like in my apartment. The chair right next to the window at the kitchen table. It’s nice and warm because you can sit beside the heater and while you have breakfast or browse through a cookbook you can see what’s going on outside.

Seeing the incredible gobelins at Kunsthalle / Fäden der Moderne exhibition. I loved the Le Corbusier ones.

Visiting Manu at his parents' place. Playing board games together, his mum feeding me with parsley potatoes and a weird _bird's milk_ dessert. Lying on the sofa, watching old movies. It's weirdly nice to be part of a normal family dynamic once in a while.

Andre saving my New Year’s Eve at the very last minute. Out of the blue he suggested a trip to Czech Republic right after midnight the day before. I was like… okay, let’s do this! So I met up with him and three people I had never met before in Regensburg and we drove to Český Krumlov, checked into our fancy hotel and walked down to the city centre. Czech food for dinner, a band playing at the city square. We climbed up to the castle for the turn of the year. This must have been the first year that started out with a proper New Year’s kiss. Afterwards we went to a weird music bar and - apparently - one of the best clubs in the country. I had a lot of fun. Even though getting Andre home was quite a challenge.

[thepioden]

Gluten Free Cowboy Cookie Bars

It’s my mama’s birthday today, and she requested I make her favorite baked good ever, something my family calls “Cowboy Cookies”. A cowboy cookie is an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie with just... every conceivable scrap of dried fruit and nut you have on hand chucked in, resulting in a poorly-sorted conglomerate of mix-ins crudely bound together by oatmeal cookie base. They’re super chewy and tender and pretty tasty!

So Momther requested this and @sadgaywerewolf who cannot Eat Foods looked at me with a face full of the pathos of gastrointestinal trauma and implored me to do a gluten free version. Which actually worked, so I’m writing it down and sharing it with y’all! Note: this is in bar form because cookie bars are so much less work than cookies?? I discovered this recently, I’m never going back, but if you wanted to use this same recipe for traditional cookies, you can. I recommend freezing spheres of dough and baking them at 350 for about 11 minutes for optimally thick and chewy cookies. 

Hardware:

9x13 glass baking dish

Parchment paper (optional but recommended)

Stand mixer if you love yourself. Large bowl + big spoon, otherwise

Oven

Measuring implements of some description

Software:

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats. Quick oats probably work fine also? Check brand for gluten safeness - some are better than others re: avoiding cross contamination

1 cup blanched almond flour

1/4 cup tapioca flour*

1/4 cup potato starch*

3 large eggs

1 cup (2 sticks, 8 oz.) unsalted butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated white sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. kosher salt

1 tsp. xanthan gum*

Vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground ginger to taste

Whatever the fuck mix-ins you have lying around. I used

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup toasted unsweetened shredded coconut

~4 oz. dried cherries (however much was left in the bag) and ~4 oz. dried apricots

1/2 cup each walnuts and pecans

usually I’d add cranberries but I think we were out of cranberries?? couldn’t find them, omitted for today

*you can probably use one or the other, or cornstarch, or another starchy gluten-free flour substitute. I had both tapioca and potato starch on hand and this is my habitual sub-in gluten free flour blend. This recipe is very forgiving. Just do your best. You can also probably get away with not using xanthan gum here - the oats and eggs should help hold everything together - but it might be a bit more cakey/crumbly. 

Procedure:

Preheat oven to 350F. Line 9x13 baking dish with parchment paper, or, failing that, grease the bejeezus out of it.

Cut your butter up into small chunks and cream with the brown and white sugar until homogenous and fluffy. If you are doing this by hand, love yourself and use room-temperature butter. 

Add all three eggs to butter and sugar mixture, and mix until combined. Add vanilla (I have still never measured vanilla extract in my life, probably like. 2 tsp? idk. a good splash of it)

Add your oats. On top of the oats, add the almond flour, tapioca flour, potato starch, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and xanthan gum. Add spices (again, I eyeball this. Probably 1 tsp. cinnamon, and a healthy pinch of the others.) Mix until wet and dry ingredients are incorporated-ish. You will have a fairly sticky, very thick dough. 

Add your mix-ins and stir until the dough has reached a level of homogeneity acceptable to your sensibilities. Dump dough into baking dish and press out into an even-ish layer - it will be thick! Bake at 350 for about 35 minutes. Check it when you’ve got about 10 minutes to go - if the top is brown, it’s a good idea to huck a piece of aluminum foil over the top, because almond flour burns if you look at it sideways at 5 degrees too hot. 

As with all almond-flour-based baked goods, I recommend you let this cool and set for at least 1 hour before cutting into it, lest your cookie bars dissolve into an intractable mess of crumbs with some fruit in.

[sizzleitupwithmaria]

here you go @baura-bear (i’ve also definitely done these before but i know i’ve changed so)

1. coffee mugs, teacups, wine glasses, water bottles, or soda cans?

i’m kind of a hoarder so all of them?? but mostly mugs and water bottles

2. chocolate bars or lollipops?

CHOCOLATE

3. bubblegum or cotton candy

cotton candy slaps

4. how did your elementary school teachers describe you?

very shy but a good learner

5. do you prefer to drink soda from cans, bottles, plastic cups or glass cups?

soda sounds really unappealing right now so none?

6. pastel, boho, tomboys, preppy, goth, grunge, formal, or sportswear?

a combo of boho tomboy and grunge

7. earbuds or headphones?

earbuds

8. movies or tv shows?

i don’t have the patience for either, podcasts are superior

9. favorite smell in the summer?

i walked by this couple yesterday who had ice cream and just... the smell of sugared cream and waffle cones.... delicious

10. game you were best at in pe?

volleyball maybe, but i still wasn’t good at that

11. what do you have for breakfast on an average day?

a granola bar, which sucks bc my first period is choir this year so i won’t be able to eat first period!!

12. name of your favorite playlist?

“oh boy i’m pining for someone”

13. lanyard or keyring?

my keychain is so heavy that wearing a lanyard would slowly break my neck

14. favorite non-chocolate candy?

GUMMI BEARS!!!!!!!

15. favorite book you’ve read as a school assignment?

either romeo and juliet, to kill a mockingbird, or and then there were none

16. most comfortable position to sit in

i like legs crossed but i also like just the ideal Leg Bounce position

17. most frequently worn pair of shoes?

my grey converse high tops

18. ideal weather?

like... 60 degrees and mildly cloudy

19. sleeping position?

on my side or occasionally on my stomach

20. preferred place to write?

in a notebook, writing on my laptop gets old after a while

21. obsession from childhood?

MAGIC TREE HOUSE or dolls in general

22. role model?

eva fucking noblezada

23. strange habits?

i like to shake my foot when i see something i like (is this stimming? probably and i kind of like it)

24. favorite crystal

emerald but just bc it’s my birthstone

25. first song you remember hearing?

probably something off of rumors by fleetwood mac

26. favorite activity to do in warm weather?

i hate warm weather but i like shopping

27. favorite activity to do in cold weather

go to school?? i kind of feel like my outfits are the coolest in winter and that gets me a lot of compliments

28. five songs that describe you?

just pick five random queen songs and it’ll probably be pretty accurate

29. best way to bond with you?

literally just talk to me. i can ramble for hours about shit you probably don’t care about

30. places that you find sacred?

my bedroom and the two giant woods in my hometown 

31. what outfit do you wear to kick ass and take names?

basically just blue jeans a flannel and a black tank top. not very cool but i feel nice in it

32. top five favorite vines

all i can think of rn is i’m gonna munch i’m gonna crunch so there’s that (stream revolution lover)

33. most used phrase in your phone?

fdhslfhdjslkfdk or any other keyspam

34. advertisements you have stuck in your head?

i have adblock lmao

35. average time you fall asleep

like 12:30 now that it’s summer

36. what is the first meme you remember seeing?

ehrmagerd or however you spell it

37. suitcase or duffel bag?

duffel bag 

38. lemonade or tea

both, including when they’re combined (arnold palmers slap)

39. lemon cake or lemon meringue pie?

cake

40. weirdest thing to ever happen at your school

high school: this past year’s senior prank which did give me a mental breakdown but it was kind of hilarious 

middle school: The Smell

41. last person you texted?

my dad

42. jacket pockets or pants pockets?

pants, i always feel like shit will fall out of my jacket pockets

43. hoodie, leather jacket, cardigan, jean jacket, or bomber jacket?

hoodie and cardigan, Maximum Coze

44. favorite soap scent?

i kind of like dessert scents

45. which genre: sci-fi, fantasy, or superhero?

none of them??

46. most comfortable outfit to sleep in?

my fav flannel which is very soft and underwear

47. favorite type of cheese?

the one that comes on pizza

48. if you were a fruit, what kind would you be?

....... a watermelon? i look pretty appealing from the outside but i’m actually 92% water

49. what saying or quote do you live by?

andre deshields’ three rules to longevity from the tonys :,)

50. what made you laugh the hardest you ever have?

i can’t remember but i’ve definitely peed myself laughing in like... elementary school

51. current stresses?

“am i waiting too long to snap back my crush” and “OH SHIT I HAVEN’T STARTED ANY OF MY ESSAYS”

52. favorite font?

helvetica or comic sans if i’m in the mood

53. what is the current state of your hands?

i last washed them like 30 mins ago, my left hand’s nails are painted black, and my right pointer finger is bleeding

54. what did you learn from your first job?

i haven’t had one yet lol

55. favorite fairy tale?

i have no idea

56. favorite tradition?

i don’t really have any noteworthy ones

57. the three biggest struggles you’ve overcome?

That Time In October 2017, The Week Of May 6 2019, and The Week Of Mamma Mia Auditions And The Week After (those are the official titles in my brain lmao)

58. four talents you’re proud of having?

i have a good fashion sense, people tend to like my art?? i’m good in a choir?? and i guess i’m a bit naturally smart

59. if you were a video game character, what would your catchphrase be?

something like “i’m gay”

60. if you were a character in an anime, what kind of anime would you want it to be?

some combination of yuri on ice and ouran high school host club

61. favorite line you heard from a book/movie/tv show/etc?

i particularly like that one dude in hp and the sorcerer’s stone that was described as a toothless walnut

62. seven characters you relate to?

uhh my mind is really drawing a blank rn

63. five songs that would play in your club?

like... a combination of 70′s queen, cousin simple, and memes that’ll make people go buckwild

64. favorite website from your childhoos?

girlsgogames

65. any permanent scars?

(small tw) i have a scar on my left middle finger from when i tried to change razor blades and i just noticed today i have one single self harm scar left on my left leg and nnnnnnnhhhhhhh

66. favorite flowers?

roses and ik ferns don’t count but ferns are v pretty

67. good luck charms?

i have the shittiest luck lmao

68. worst flavor of any food or drink you’ve ever tried?

i’m infamous for never trying new foods

69. a fun fact you don’t know how you learned?

idk, pretty much every fun fact ever?

70. left or right handed?

right

71. least favorite pattern?

like.... stripes of any kind make me look fatter than i am

72. worst subject

physical science, but it’s all bc of my shitty teacher

73. favorite weird flavor combo?

uhhhh fries and a wendy’s frosty?? or sometimes i squeeze a lemon into my coke

74. at what pain level out of ten do you have to be at before you take a pill?

hahahahahahaha i can’t swallow pills so i suffer

75. when did you lose your first tooth

i have no fuckin clue

76. what’s your favorite potato food?

fries!!!!! good!!

77. best plant to grow on a windowsill?

ferns or cacti

78. coffee from a gas station or sushi from a grocery store?

neither?

79. which looks better, your school id photo or your driver’s license photo?

my school id but only bc i don’t have a license yet lmao

80. earth or jewel tones?

earth

81. fireflies or lightning bugs?

fireflies

82. pc or console?

pc?? although all i play on is my laptop which isn’t technically a pc

83. writing or drawing?

neither rn, i’m feeling uninspired

84. podcasts or talk radio?

P O D C A S T S 

85. barbie or polly pocket?

neither, i was a liv doll kid

86. fairy tales or mythology?

mythology but i can also dig some like... brothers grimm shit

87. cookies or cupcakes?

both but it depends on my mood (i could really go for a cookie rn)

88. your greatest fear?

experiencing eternal blackness after death

89. your greatest wish?

move into an apartment with my soulmate and act for a living

90. who would you put before everyone else?

nobody really rn

91. luckiest mistake?

coming out to my parents maybe? although it wasn’t a mistake, i would defo be in a bad place if i was closested at home

92. boxes or bags?

i have no clue

93. lamps, overhead lights, sunlight, or fairy lights?

fairy lights!!

94. nicknames?

none but if any future partners can come up with one for me i will marry them instantly

95. favorite season?

fall or spring

96. favorite app on your phone?

instagram or tik tok (KILL ME)

97. desktop background?

a nice landscape one of my fav artists painted

98. how many phone numbers have you memorized?

just my own lmao

99. favorite historical era?

60′s/70′s (i hate to be that bitch but that’s when music was at its peak)

[stumblngrumbl]

More English Toffee. The last batch was “too thick” to be mixed into ice cream, so I had to eat it straight. Oh no.

Here’s a bit of a step-by-step... total elapsed time - 40 minutes.

Ingredients (makes toffee that tastes pretty much just like Heath Bar; adjust salt, molasses and final temperature to your liking):

sugar - 1c butter - 2 cubes, unsalted salt - ½t molasses - 1t, blackstrap water - 1T vanilla - ½t chocolate - 1c (if coating)

Optional: sea salt, or roasted chopped almonds, etc

Baking sheet with parchment paper Thermometer - preferably infrared, otherwise an “instant-read digital” (mine still takes a good 5sec or so and is tough to use without a deep liquid)... if nothing else you can use an old-fashioned candy thermometer but those really don’t work well unless you’ve got a lot of stuff for it to be in and you can’t have it touching the pot.

Combine all ingredients. I strongly suggest a cast iron skillet. I used to use an aluminum clad steel pan and it was difficult to regulate the heat such that the water would boil out in a reasonable amount of time without almost instantly burning the toffee afterwards. Cast iron seems superior for removing water from things (eg sautéing mushrooms).

Here’s most of them:

Plus sugar (I used an organic sugar [Kirkland/Costco] that’s unrefined, but there’s probably little taste difference):

Stir it up, and keep stirring. Use pretty much any implement you want, as long as it can handle ~350F. Some toffee may superficially stick to things, but it comes off really easily later, because of the high butter content. 

Here’s what it looks like to stir:

Do not dip your finger in this -

We’ve barely gotten going.

The original recipe I used called for 295F. That produced a toffee which was not quite as dark, had much less flavor, and was (surprise!) much sweeter. I prefer a much nuttier toffee that’s only a bit sweet, so I go for 330F for a deeper roast:

Once you get it as hot as you want it, pour it out onto a parchment covered baking sheet. It takes a while to cool off...

For a little while, you can tilt your pan to get it to run this way or that, like a thick crepe batter. You can also smooth it with a spatula.

Now is a good time to melt some chocolate for a coating if you’d like. With my recipe and ending temperature (330F), the toffee isn’t super sweet, so I choose a somewhat sweeter chocolate - about 2/3 semisweet chocolate chips (about 50% cocoa) and 1/3 of some other less sweet chocolate I have (still “semi-sweet” but it’s around 60%). This choice is entirely up to your tastes...

The goal here is to slowly melt the chocolate without it getting really hot. Ideally, melt it just above 90F, slowly, and you won’t lose the chocolate’s “temper” which allows it to stay hard at room temperature and have a nice snap when you break it.

The center griddle of my old gas stove has a pilot light under it which keeps the griddle at a decent temperature for doing this. The infrared thermometer lies here; my hand says it’s more like 110F, but that makes the chocolate melt just a little faster. (Do not get any water in the chocolate, not even from a licked finger - there’s only a fine powder of cocoa in there and fat, and the water will wet the powder and make it clump - quelle horreur!)

Keep the chocolate at about 90F (it won’t dry out... remember there’s no water in it) until the toffee has cooled below 100. Ideally, it’ll be about 90F. (If there’s some liquid butter on top of the toffee, you can mop it up with a paper towel first, it’ll be easier to spread the chocolate and it’ll stick better.) Spread it around as thick or thin as you like. 

Personally, I think the chocolate should be about 1/3 the thickness of the toffee.

Toss some other stuff on it if you like. Some people like chopped almonds, walnuts, or pecans; or sea salt crystals (use sparingly!).

This looks perfect to use as a mix-in to ice cream -

Tomorrow I’ll break it all up and mix it in to some ice cream...