#lifebuoy cooking

[lifebuoyjournals]

What's Cooking? One pan udon stir fry

With whatever you have in your fridge

Ingredients:

Udon or honestly any noodle. I'm willing to bet that cooked rice will work too.

Any vegetables (leafy green, cabbage, any mushroom, carrot etc.) - cut into thin strips (julienne)

Protein - Chicken or pork or seafood or mince (i use rotisserie leftovers. You can use tofu) - cut however u want

Onion , sliced

2 garlic cloves or however much u want

Soy sauce or salt

Dark soy sauce

Oyster sauce

Oil

Directions:

Boil some water and blanch the udon according to package directions (usually 1-2mins will do). Rinse the noodle under the tap (especiallly if you're using something like room temp stable udon, they add malic acid to preserve the noodle and it'll taste acidic and sour and nasty if you don't rinse! At this point it's safe to taste your noodle to see if it's rinsed enough)

Pour the water out of the pan/wok/pot or whatever u're using

Add oil to the pan and stir fry your onion until kinda soft

Add garlic and fry until you can smell it

If you're using RAW protein, add it now and stirfry until you dont see any translucent or pink bits on the outside (if using cooked protein, so straight to next step)

Add any hard vegetable that you're using and again, fry until kinda soft (just use your gut, it can be eaten raw so who cares) - think stuff like carrot, bell peppers, zucchini

If you're using cooked protein, add it now and stir fry. It's cooked anyway so the idea is just make it hot. If you're using raw protein, skip this step.

Add your vegetables that have leaves and are soft and floppy and mushrooms (eg leafy greens, cabbage etc)

Add the blanched udon in.

Add seasoning - for one packet of udon, add one tsp of oyster sauce, one tbsp of dark soy sauce, and one tsp light soy sauce. Mix well and TASTE. If it's not salty enough, add light soy. If you want more unami/seafood taste, add oyster sauce. U want more sweetness and flavour depth, add more dark soy sauce.

Woohoo you can serve. You can also fry and egg and put it on top. Or scramble the egg in after you add the udon.

[lynzishell]

The Past 🩵 Asher

I rush into my apartment, slamming the door behind me, and take a sharp left to get into my room before Lex can catch me. Once inside, I lock the door and remove my smelly clothes from last night as quickly as I can. I’m tempted to shower again after having to walk home in them, but I don’t have time. As it is, Iris is going to be calling in an hour to ask why I haven’t arrived yet, and I really don’t have it in me today to deal with her moods, which are even worse now that she’s very pregnant. Spencer is due to arrive in a couple weeks, and my sister ran out of patience a couple weeks ago.

“Ash?” Lex pounds on the door as I’m pulling clothes from my dresser.

“Give me two minutes, I’m just changing.” I really don’t have time to chat with her, I have to leave, but I also kinda need my best friend.

Once I’m fully clothed, I walk into the living room to find Lex standing there, waiting for me. She takes one look at my face and holds out her arms with a concerned pout, “Baaabe.” Years ago, I told her that I hate it when guys call me “babe”, that it was a total turn off. Her solution was to call me “babe” herself, that way no one else would be allowed to call me that ‘cause it’s hers; and it wouldn’t feel so icky because she’d be saying it ironically. But then it stuck and now it really is hers and there’s nothing ironic about it.

I fall into her arms and let her embrace me as only she can. Lex gives the best hugs. Sometimes she squeezes the life out of you, but on days like today, it feels like she’s holding all the broken bits of me together. If she hugs me long enough then it will heal me, but if she lets go too soon, I’ll fall to pieces, so I squeeze her back just as tight and bury my face in her shoulder.

“What happened?”

“I made a fool of myself, Lex.” As I say the words out loud, I feel a lump form in my throat and I’m grateful that my voice is muffled by the sleeve of her jacket so as not to give me away.

“What do you mean?”

“I just… I thought... I don’t know what I thought,” and then the dam breaks. My tears burst forth so quickly that I have no chance of stopping them, so I just let it happen. The sobs rack my body, making my chest hurt. I cling to her like she’s a lifebuoy in the middle of the ocean during a storm. And she stands there, solid and safe, holding me until the storm passes and I start breathing normally again. It’s over just as quickly as it started.

“I’m gonna kill him, y’know,” she says finally.

I sniffle and let out a pitiful laugh, “Please don’t.”

“Seriously? You come home in this state, and you expect me to let him live?”

I walk into the kitchen to splash my face with cold water and clean myself up. “Just because I’m sad doesn’t mean he deserves your wrath. Besides, I think I’m just extra sensitive coming down from whatever the hell you gave us last night.”

“So, this is my fault?”

“No. I’m just saying my breakdown is at least partially chemical. And maybe that explains Atlas’ mood today actually. Oh, I might’ve completely misread everything. Fuck.” I groan as I clench my stomach and lean against the counter, suddenly feeling sick with regret and embarrassment.

“Okay, hold on, what exactly happened?”

“I don’t have time to get into it. I have to run out to my parents’ house and help Iris with fucking baby furniture or something.”

“Well, let’s go then. I’ll come with you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I don’t have anything else to do today, and we’re not done talking. And I like your mom’s cooking.”

I throw my arm around her shoulders and kiss her cheek dramatically, “Thank you.” I’m grateful to have her to talk to during the two-hour drive. I would no doubt be stewing and obsessing the whole time if not. My family will be happy to see her as well. They’re always asking why she doesn’t come visit more. Of course, I know it’s because she feels like she has to go see her own family if she’s in town, and that’s the last thing she wants to do.

“Alright, calm down. Let’s go.”

Prev // Next

[petermorwood]

I was looking for a good movie still to illustrate this post and found one here - along with the unexpected improbability of a recipe for Lifebuoy-Soap-Style fudge...

Oh-kaayyy.

The original recipe is at the link, while the one below includes conversion to metric.

NB that the US measurements are correct and metric is approximate - also rounded up to the next convenient whole number, though I doubt this matters much.

Besides the ingredients, you'll need to source soap moulds and some kind of letter stamp, also - if like me - a sharp knife for trimming the finished blocks of "soap" into their proper in-period shape. Faking the elaborate cartouche in the middle is IMO going OTT, but YMMV.

*****

Prep Time 30 mins Cook Time 2 mins Chill for 2 hrs Total Time 32 mins

Ingredients

2 ⅔ cups white chocolate chips 16 ounces / 455 gr (SEE NOTES!)

1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 ounces / 400 gr.

pinch salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

red food coloring

Instructions

In a large, microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate and sweetened condensed milk. Microwave at 70 percent power for 90 seconds. Stir well, using the residual heat to full melt the chocolate until the mixture is very smooth. 

Alternatively, you can set the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water) on the stove-top. 

Add the salt, vanilla extract, and food coloring. Stir well and add food coloring until desired shade is achieved

Pour into food-safe silicone soap molds. (You should have 6 to 8 bars.) Place the molds on a baking tray and chill for 2 hours. 

Overturn the fudge bars onto a baking tray lined with wax or parchment paper. Use stone stamps to write "Lifebuoy" or "Oh Fudge" on the bars. Return to the refrigerator to chill until serving. 

Calories based on a half-bar of fudge. 

Recipe Notes

Please note, the recipe here uses Nestle-brand white “morsels,” which is actually confectionery coating. If you’re using white confectionery coating chips (no cocoa butter listed in the ingredients), use 16 ounces / 455 gr. If using pure white chocolate (with cocoa butter listed in the ingredients), use 19 ounces / 540 gr.

[lifebuoyjournals]

Thanks for the tip! Yeah i usually add egg after rice too, much every fried rice recipe i've found says scramble the eggs first lol

This shrimp fried rice is tender seasoned shrimp stir fried with eggs, vegetables and rice. A quick and easy meal or side dish that’s even better than what you’d get from your local Chinese restaurant!

Follow for recipes

Is this how you roll?

[vincess-princess]

in darkness shall you be reborn

Chapter 3

Wordcount: 3407 Warnings: violence and graphic description of wounds again, what else did you expect lads A\N: here you go nonnie <3

Vince couldn’t do anything with his arms still tied, but he didn’t have the energy to tell that out loud. He didn’t have the energy for anything at this point, as if life had been beaten out of his body. He closed his eyes, wishing for the emptiness in his chest to consume him whole, just to take him away from here, from what just happened. But instead of the blessed darkness of oblivion he so badly desired he only saw Nikki’s smug face, felt his hands squeezing his hips. His brain was replaying it, forcing to go through it again and again and aga-

“What did I just say?” Nikki, the real one, broke into his thoughts, voice low, threatening. “You’re waiting for an invitation or what?”

“Nik, he’s still tied,” Tommy reminded. “Shall I?..”

“Oh, right,” Nikki rolled his eyes. “Yeah, go ahead. I don’t think he’s gonna try anything now.”

“He most definitely won’t,” Tommy agreed with a chuckle, and the mattress beside Vince’s head sank under his weight. ”Move over.” he lightly pushed Vince’s side. Vince rolled over silently, and the rope on his wrists slackened, the rope burns under it raw, red and pulsating with pain. His shoulders and arms didn’t enjoy the change of position, filling up with little needles and making him wince and bite his lip until he drew blood and didn’t even noticed it. Just moving his arms was a struggle, but he forced himself to massage his arms to warm up the numb muscles – this way it would go away quicker, and Nikki already stared at him with contempt. Tommy looked at him too, in a way a cat that just devoured a whole fish would look, satisfied and mischievous, the corners of his lips slightly curved. This gaze would have unnerved Vince before, but now the worst had already happened.

“Wipe yourself up,” Nikki threw a rag at him. It fell next to Vince’s feet, and he clutched it with both hands until his knuckles went white, like it was a lifebuoy, just to have something to hold on – it was hard at first, his hands shaking and his fingers barely bending. Slowly, not completely consciously, he began to wipe his lower parts. It hurt at some places which weren’t supposed to hurt like that and left red spots on the rag, and at the sight of those he could barely keep his lunch inside. How long would this take to heal, and how many sleepless nights would he have until it did?

If it ever did, because Nikki would do it again, he knew that. He just didn’t know when.

“What’s taking you so long?” Nikki snapped, turning around and seeing Vince still half-naked on the bed. “Don’t know how to wipe your ass? Well you’re gonna do this for the entire crew now, get used to it.”

“Damn, Nikki, chill,” Tommy rolled his eyes, snatching the rag from Vince’s hands and pushing him off the bed. “I’ll take him to the surgeon and then to his workplace, alright?”

“There’s nothing dangerous enough to justify a visit to the surgeon,” Nikki declined the suggestion sharply. “Pour some vodka on that blood and call it a day. Or, you know what, no, don’t waste the vodka. It’ll heal by itself just fine.” He turned his back to them and bent down towards the map on the table. “Tell Mick to explain him how things are going to go for him from now on. I doubt he even knows how to cook an egg.”

They talked about him as if he weren’t right there, listening to them, but Vince had run out of emotions already to feel any indignation at that. All he now wanted was a hot bath and to curl up somewhere in the dark, with no one bothering him. He knew, of course, that the first one was no longer attainable – if he ever got a bath, that would be in the sea when he would finally be fed to the sharks as was promised. The second one, though, remained an option. Whoever that ‘Mick’ was, Vince just hoped he would give him a break. By God, he really needed it.

“Mick ain’t gonna be happy with such an, hm, apprentice,” Tommy said lazily. “He’ll do more harm than good in the kitchen.”

“If he does, his full-time job will be being my bitch,” Nikki curved his lips into an ugly grin. “You hear me, princess? Wanna spend day and night with me here, naked? Quite a prospect, right?”

Why does he hate me so much, Vince thought as he picked up his pants from the floor with his unbending fingers. What did I do to you? What did I do wrong?

He didn’t reply or even look in Nikki’s direction, pretending to be completely consumed with trying to push the belt through belt loops – that was, until calloused fingers dug into his hair and pulled at it, forcing him to lift his head.

“When I ask a question, I expect an answer,” Nikki said in a low voice, pulling Vince’s hair back and forcing him to bare his still bloodied neck. The shift of skin right at the most hurtful spot sent a flash of pain down his throat. Vince looked at Nikki from under half-closed eyelids, trying to fake indifference. It wasn’t that hard, with the all-consuming emptiness inside him, but every time he looked in Nikki’s eyes he could feel his heart sink into his stomach.

“So?” Nikki leaned forward, closer to his face. “Shall I take your silence as a gesture of agreement? You’d enjoy that, wouldn’t you?”

“No,” Vince said through gritted teeth, summoning the poor remains of his stamina to prevent his voice from shaking. “Not with you.”

“Oh,” Nikki made a mockingly sad face, unclenching his fingers and pushing Vince back onto the bed. The mattress was soft, but a flare of pain still flashed through the lower part of the body. “Hey, T-bone, he doesn’t want me. Maybe he liked you better? Do you want to take him instead?”

“He absolutely did,” Tommy grinned in response. “Hey, princess, I’m not a captain so I don’t have a personal cabin, but there is a nice place in the back of the hold, we can hang a bedsheet from the ceiling for some privacy, put up a candle… tempting, ain’t it?”

This time Vince just shook his head and didn’t reply, not wanting the shower of taunts to continue. Wasn’t what they’d already done enough for them?

“Well, you’ll change your mind,” Tommy waved his hand. “It’s a really comfy part of the hold.” With that, he pulled Vince up and towards the door, pecking Nikki on the cheek and dropping a light-hearted “see ya” on his way out. Vince, thankfully, didn’t have to do either.

As Vince walked behind Tommy across the deck and to the pirate ship that was connected with his former one with thick ropes, he could feel everyone’s gazes burning holes through him, could hear the whispers that emerged once they passed by. He wasn’t sure how he still managed to walk straight, considering that he felt like he was falling apart – his knees were shaking, everything below the waist hurt, the stitch on his shoulder opened up and began bleeding again, and he hadn’t even noticed it until now. He pulled the fabric of bloodied shirt away from the wound so it wouldn’t get stuck and licked off the blood that smeared his fingers.

The pass between the two ships was a simple board loosely fastened to the sides, with a rope handrail tied to the masts to hold onto. When he stepped onto the board, he almost lost his balance and fell, gripping at the rope at the last moment, a second later feeling Tommy’s firm hold on the collar of his shirt. He wasn’t given another chance to off himself, unfortunately.

The deck of the pirate ship - the Shout, right? - was covered in water, blood and some other substances which Vince had no desire to recognize. The tide was high, and the ship rocked on the waves slightly, not hard enough for seasickness, but enough to distort one’s step. Vince slipped and fell once, with a cry of pain stuck in his throat – he couldn’t let it out, not after eliciting laughs from Tommy and the pirates nearby. When he looked at any of them, they seemed to be completely occupied by whatever they were doing, but the feeling of being watched by tens of eyes didn’t leave, only intensified when he drew his gaze away.

They knew what happened, a thought raced in Vince’s brain, staggering back and forth and bumping into the bone of his skull, intrusive and pestilent. They all knew, found out some way or another - otherwise there wouldn’t be so much attention. Maybe they even knew that before it happened, knowing their perverted captain, or overhearing him discuss it with Tommy, or he told them himself, he looked the type to flaunt it, and they enjoyed it, and they laughed at the thought. And now they were going to talk about it during their breaks, on lunches and dinners, on nightguard, on duty, everywhere, all the time-

“Oh no, don’t start that again,” Tommy rolled his eyes, his voice dragging Vince out of his self-inflicted misery. Well, yeah, maybe his eyes did get a little wet again, but that was none of his business. They had already crossed the ship and approached a hatch at the bow, but Tommy hadn’t opened it yet. “Listen, if Nikki thinks you’re a wimp, you’re done for, you’re gonna become food for sharks. You ain’t got time for whining and sobbing now – you wanna survive, you do your job, and do it well.”

“What if I don’t wanna?” Vince said, unconsciously copying the vernacular.

“Then your dream is gonna come true pretty soon,” Tommy promised gloomily, opening the hatch and pushing Vince towards it. “After you, m’lady.”

One day, Vince thought as he descended down the ladder clumsily, he would break Tommy’s nose. He didn’t know when he’d have such a chance, but when it would arise, he wouldn’t miss it.

***

The first thing Vince noticed about the galley was the smell – a dense mix of everything, foul fish and smoked meat, with hints of spices and herbs that Vince later noticed hanging from the ceiling. The room was lit up by two lamps in the opposite corners, and shadows danced on the walls as the waves gently rocked the ship. Vince expected to see a bedlam – those were pirates, after all, weren’t disorder and anarchy in their element? – but the cabin was surprisingly tidy, even with a big heap of dishes in a wooden tub in the corner. The stove, seemingly fixed to the floor, had a pot with something boiling in it. Vince’s stomach, reminded of its hunger, immediately started growling.

“O-oh, Mick, you brewin’ something?” Tommy grinned, and at first Vince didn’t get who he was addressing. Only then he heard – and then saw - a black-clad figure sitting in the corner, lazily stringing a guitar. The guitar looked like it’d been to hell and back, but the sound was surprisingly clear.

“Yeah, decided to throw a celebratory feast,” Mick nodded, putting the guitar away and getting up. “The pigs from that brig came in very handy. Y’all bastards are getting some decent soup tonight for once.”

“Perfect,” Tommy smelled the air and made a sound of approval. “Speaking of the brig: I got you an, um, apprentice. To help you in the kitchen. You are always so busy-“

“Don’t fucking tell me you dragged someone from the ship here,” Mick frowned, and Tommy’s sheepish smile wilted. The man’s clear blue eyes for the first time during the conversation turned to him, and a wave of cold as though washed over Vince. “Don’t you fucking tell me.“

“Man, it’s Nikki’s decision, okay? I told him he would be no good in the kitchen,” Tommy interrupted him hastily. “I told him, the kid doesn’t even know how to cook an egg. He said that if you don’t take him he’ll feed him to the sharks. You know, his favorite figure of speech which also kinda comes true sometimes.”

Oh, so it wasn’t just a threat. Vince wondered how he would summon sharks quickly enough for the threat to sound legitimate. Pour some blood in the water? He heard sharks could smell it miles away. And how many of them would come, will a human be enough for them?

“He’s overusing it, don’t you think?” Mick replied. “What’s so special in this one?“ he tilted his head to the right, trying to take a better look at Vince. Vince barely suppressed a desire to hide behind Tommy’s back. Nikki’s intimidation tactics relied mainly on words; this man, though, got by just fine only casting a look at the opponent. “Hey, you! Yes, you! Come here!”

Before Vince had a chance to react, Tommy was already pushing him forward from behind the relative safety of his back. Only the remains of Vince’s already shattered dignity didn’t let him shrink into a corner and dig his heels into the floor so no one could drag him out of there. He held his chin high, but couldn’t bring himself to look the man in the eyes – so much cold they radiated - so he looked at the bridge of his nose instead.

Mick slowly looked him over, from head to toes, and huffed in exasperation.

“Well, what else could I expect. Does it ever occur to him that having a nice butt is not good enough a reason to qualify? We’re already packed like sardines on this ship. He doesn’t notice it from the height of his personal cabin, of course.”

Well damn, that was the meanest thing Vince had ever heard in his life. To be considered a prisoner or a slave was one thing; to be considered waste of space, though, a much worse one.

“I’m not exactly elated to be here either,” he said grimly, his words quickly followed by Tommy’s smack on the back of his head. Mick, though, didn’t look displeased – Vince even thought he noticed the corner of his mouth twitch into a hint of a smile.

“He’s excited and humbled by the opportunity,” Tommy announced loudly, giving him another push when Vince opened his mouth to deny it. “He especially enjoys the distance from sharks it gives him, something that can easily be altered in case he misbehaves.”

Mick rolled his eyes. “Thomas, I get it that you want to keep him, but bear in mind: if he turns out to be useless, I won’t hesitate to throw him out. There ain’t enough place in the kitchen already, but I guess I could use a spare pair of hands to wash the dishes.”

“Use him for whatever you want,” Tommy grinned, the smile looking especially wicked in distorted lighting. “Nikki doesn’t mind sharing. Just keep him busy – we ain’t having freeloaders here.”

“Don’t worry about that, there’s always something to do,” Mick replied. “What did you do to his neck? That can get infected.”

“Taught a lesson,” Tommy laughed, making Vince wince as the words burned his skin like a whip. Mick didn’t seem as delighted by that as him, though. “Little bitch had to be shown his place.”

“Little bitch will soon get driven into the grave if you keep it up,” Mick said through gritted teeth. “Don’t burden me with the consequences of your thoughtless actions. Go bandage him up, then we’ll talk.”

“If that’s all it takes – with pleasure,” Tommy smiled widely, obviously relieved, and pulled Vince back to the corridor.

The surgeon, a slim, reserved, black-haired man cast a glance at Vince, gave him a gloomy smirk, told him he’d live, wiped the blood with not a very clean piece of cloth and bandaged the cut. The bandage on his neck, a little bit too tight for comfort, felt like a stranglehold.

Then he was back at the galley, Tommy dropping him off there and fucking into oblivion without so much as saying something, and Mick was looking him over critically again, like he was a horse at a fair getting his teeth checked.

“Devil Shouthas already roughed you up a little, I see,” he said with a sideways grin, “but that’ll do you good if you want to survive out there. You fat cats are too well-groomed for your own good, forgetting what real life for common folk out there is like.”

“You are no common folk,” Vince said, tugging at the bandage. His wrists had already begun to swell, the rope traces still imprinted on his skin like they had just been taken off. “You seek trouble yourselves, then whine that life is unfair to you.”

A slap on the cheek rang in his ears as his head swayed sideways. He instinctively raised his head to cover his face, the other springing forward and aiming at Mick’s eye. Mick stepped back in time, but not quickly enough to avoid the collision entirely, and Vince’s fist did brush his cheek.

“You little bitch!” he gasped, his hand darting out to grab Vince’s collar; when he stepped forward, his foot for some reason ended up behind Vince’s, throwing him off-balance. Before he could even gasp, he was shoved into the wall, a dagger pressing into the soft gap between his collarbones. Mick’s hand, decorated richly with rings, pressed them deep into the skin of his injured shoulder, making Vince bite his lips and breathe out in pain at any movement.

“The captain and his first mate don’t seem to have taught you a lesson,” Mick said, his voice low and threatening. The dagger was slowly, by a fraction of an inch, sinking into his skin. “Maybe they were afraid to mess up that pretty face. I won’t, believe me.”

“Maybe if you disfigure me they’ll fuck off,” Vince murmured, breathing heavily. Why were they all so quick to pull a knife out? How hadn’t they killed each other here already if they couldn’t take a brass remark?

“For them to let go of you I’d have to cut your head all the way off,” Mick huffed, but his grasp on Vince’s shoulder slackened. “They ain’t gonna let you off the hook so easily.” He drew the dagger away, and Vince was already breathing out in relief, when he slashed him across the chest in a short, precise movement, eliciting a cry out of him. “That’s for running your mouth.” He released Vince and stepped back, sheathing the dagger. Vince peeled himself off the wall, holding the shirt up to not press it to the new scratch that began slowly filling with blood.

“Why do you all enjoy making me bleed?” Vince asked the question that he was too scared to ask Nikki, desperate, his voice breaking. Wherever he was dragged, everyone was ill-disposed towards him. “What have I done to you all for you to treat me like that?”

Mick stayed silent for so long Vince thought he was not going to answer – not that he expected one, not from people whose two modes of talking to him were either threat or mockery.

“We want to make something clear for you from the very beginning,” Mick finally spoke. “You’re a nobody here. Your heritage? No one gives a shit, you bleed the same blood we do. Your riches? They come and go, and we can take them from you – already have – whenever we want, because it’s survival of the fittest that works in this cruel world. You’re here only, only because you stood out from the cattle that you called your crew. So prove that you deserve to be here – that you’re worthy of riding the Shout – then we will respect you. Until then, shut your dirty mouth if you don’t wanna part ways with your teeth.”

Mick turned around, headed back to his bed and picked up the guitar.

“Now,” he said as he was settling it on his knees, patting it gently on the side, “are you hungry? Yes? If that’s so, the dishes are eagerly awaiting you. Wash and wipe them, then we’ll serve lunch for the guys on duty. Hurry up.”

[oftenderweapons]

hi anna dear, i'd like to place an order for a white wine + charcuterie board + french onion soup + monte cristo? thank you <3

Pairing: Seokjin x reader

Wordcount: 1.4K

Genre: Fluff, Romance, strangers to lovers

Rating: GP (general public)

This is for my sweet Beezy, and Beezy only. I’m sorry this came super late but I’ve been keeping it in my drafts for a while, I was so unsure about it!

Happy very late birthday!!! May you be safe and happy and loved 🥰💜✨You’re the most special aunt I could ever wish for. This world would be a better place if all kids on the Internet could have an aunt half as special and magical as you.

(before I leave you to your gift let me thank @hobiandsprite and @joheunsaram for their moral support and helpful advice, as always. I love you.)

Enjoy 💜✨

>This drabble was a request for Bangtan Bistro. Requests for this drabble game are now closed<

TRIGGER WARNINGS: mention of stress due to work; briefest mention of family loss (grandparent).

————— The Order —————

White Wine: Kim Seokjin

Charcuterie Board: Romance

French Onion Soup: “After getting caught in the rain you decide to spend some time inside a rather empty café, making good conversation with the attractive owner.”

Monte Cristo: cafe owner

————————————————

The late October day looked perfect for a walk along the beach, collecting seashells and watching seagulls soar the sky in the distance. Solitary boats broke the horizon, far far away, the lighthouse culminating the long walk and protecting the bay a few kilometres ahead of you. The sun was coming through the clouds here and there, creating amusing patterns on the sand just barely slightly moved by the wind. A man was playing fetch with a golden retriever and along the seashore you could see more people making good use of one of the last good days before autumn finally started giving way to winter.

The scenery was relaxing, liberating your mind from all the stress your job continuously put you through. Some days you even dared ask yourself if the slightly fatter paycheck was really worth your mental health.

Spending your health on earning money sounded stupid most of the days. Nevertheless, you somehow managed to keep loving your job, even when the cons heavily outweigh the pros.

A chill song was playing through your earbuds, and with a cloud momentarily hiding the sun, the lightest raindrops began to fall. You didn’t let the thin drizzle scare you and decided to keep walking, the lighthouse too tempting in its romantic solitude.

Stubborn and maybe ignorant, you persevered, though most people had already run to the middle of the bay, where most people had parked their cars or had found refuge in one of the local pubs and cafés. Only a couple people walked ahead of you, going all the way to the end of the walk, where the pier led to your destination.

You followed it like a compass, like the North Star, even when the drizzle turned in rain, even when you had to hold your coat over your head for the last two hundred metres, running desperately once the rain turned in an autumn shower.

You thanked all the gods once you reached the small awning protecting the entrance to the lighthouse, a lovely bell announcing the opening of the door.

“Hold on, wait there!” A man called from the counter. “Lemme grab something for you!” he mumbled, disappearing behind the dark wood countertop and reemerging with a plaid blanket. “Wait there,” he said, walking towards you quickly and taking your raincoat with a kind smile, hanging it out of harm’s way, where it could drip on the floor without causing anyone to slip and fall.

“Welcome to The Bow, you brave traveller!” the barman greeted you, immediately warming up your soul before offering you the blanket and letting you warm your body. “Please, sit where you prefer, I’ll let you take a look at the menu and then I’ll come collect your order.”

He bowed his head slightly, your eyes suddenly focusing on how low the wooden ceiling was, and how lean his physique was, heavily contrasted by his large shoulders, emphasised by the white and blue stripes of his sweater.

You walked to a table beside the counter, near the window that ran all around the circular room. The sky was clear in the distance, the boats still navigating peacefully while the coast had become hostage to the sudden storm, which had crept in slowly and then swiftly attacked.

You stared in the distance for a while longer, the man at the counter waiting patiently and cheerfully for you to get comfortable, leaf through the menu and close it before turning to him with a kind smile — which you eventually did, causing an unexpected effect, an entire flock of butterflies taking flight in his stomach.

He was drawn to you immediately.

“So what can I bring you?” he asked with the most courteous of smiles.

You giggled. The man was very handsome, but something in the air that surrounded him made him even warmer and more fascinating, as if compelling you to be kind and keep your eyes on him. “First, let me thank you for the blanket,” you said, holding it tighter around you.

“Oh, it’s okay. We keep those for old couples who come here for fall and winter walks. They tend to get cold on their legs. And some ladies want to wear pretty clothes on dates but then get cold once the sun goes down. Don’t worry, I wash them after use!” he clarified before you could get uncomfortable.

“That’s so considerate!” you exclaimed, honestly touched at such a kind thought.

“What can I say, I care about customer care,” he chuckled embarrassed, his laugh so unique and funny that you couldn’t help but join.

“I’m ____, by the way.”

“I’m Seokjin,” he introduced himself politely.

“Happy to meet you,” you replied with an interested smile. “May I order an Orange Spiced Hot Chocolate?”

“Yes, sure. Would you like some cinnamon on it?” he asked, twice as interested in pleasing his special customer.

“Uhm… No, just a plain one, thanks,” you confirmed, watching him leave with a quick step.

“Do you have many people coming all the way here?” you asked, your table close enough to the counter that you could chat with the man without having to disturb the other customers.

“Normally we do. There’s always a big rush in summer. Some people go to the beach and come all the way here to have lunch or grab a cold drink before going back. It’s mostly couples, or families with kids. On a summer day you’d have to wait for a table and book one for lunch or dinner. When it gets colder, some people still come here, but it’s slower. I prefer it. Winter weekends are the ideal match of calm and good money.”

You nodded. “I think it’s my first time here. I visited the town four or five years ago but I don’t remember this place.”

Seokjin nodded, the cocoa maker making a bit of a ruckus as it warmed up the milk. It lasted around two or three minutes before the café went quiet again “Yes, that’s because I opened the café two years ago, almost three.”

“This is your place?” You asked, quite amused.

“Indeed. My grandpa loved it here. He always came here with my grandma for walks. He didn’t have the money to buy the place but he wanted to open a restaurant here. My grandmother loved cooking.” Seokjin gave a gentle but sad smile. “When she left us, he gave up. He always says it was their dreams, together, and he would never do it by himself. So I made it my dream.”

The blue vibe faded and a radiant expression sparked up his features. “I must say that for now it’s been going pretty well.”

He walked to your table, your drink, sugar and a couple smaller bottles all balanced on a tray on his hand.

As he stood beside you, his head slightly lowered to avoid the lamp above, he placed down a cup coaster with a vintage lifebuoy ring drawn on it, protecting the beautiful wooden table below.

On the small placemat running across the table, he placed three tiny bottles. “Sugar, cinnamon and cocoa. To your liking.” He offered you a soft grin.

Hesitantly, you looked around again. He had only four or five people around and your table was close to the counter.

You licked your lips as you gathered all your courage and spoke. “Would you like to sit down and chat? I’d like to get to know you, you seem a very interesting person.” You felt heat radiate from your cheeks in stark contrast with the cold crawling through your bones.

Seokjin’s reaction was lovely.

His mouth curled up in a lovely pout, a small surprised ‘o’. His eyes went impossibly wide and so, so round and adorable before his suddenly pale face exploded in a technicoloured blush that expanded all the way to his ears.

And then he smiled the tiniest, most innocent smile. He didn’t show his teeth, just his rosy, plush lips curving up in an expression that was half hamster, half alpaca.

And the apples of his cheeks became impossibly round and squishable.

You felt your heart shot across your chest like a crazy bouncy ball, playing pinball inside your rib cage.

Joy filled your every blood vessel.

“Sure, I’d love to sit down and chat for a bit.”

[academicsunflower]

Studyblr Intro

Hello. My name is Saffi Grace and I have decided to rejoin the wonderful Studyblr community. Over the past year I have started to lose sight of my goals and stopped believing in my potential. I created this account a while back but am resposting this because I never used it due to mental health and I lost who I am. I hope the studyblr community will help me get back some of my passion for learning about the things that interest me. Icon by @cheruib

About me

I am taking a gap year

I am 19

I live in Europe

I am an INFJ

My ultimate dream is to be a clinical psychotherapist  and write a book. This is really important to me because I want to help people and at the same time, I enjoy the academic challenge that comes with learning something I enjoy.

Interests

Criminology (love Buzzfeed unsolved)

Tennis, Swimming, Dance 

Volunteering

Debate

I listen to music almost constantly

Photography and Scrapbooking

Reading and writing

Poetry (Slam)

Cooking

Sewing 

Puzzles

My classes

None, but I am learning Spanish. 

Next year, I will take Psychology, Philosophy, Childhood Development and Law

Random facts about me

I am pretty analytical and love to communicate with others as well as interpret the things around me

I love creating new concepts and connecting things from all different areas of learning

Fall is my favourite season and I love flowers

I want to change the world for the better

One of my largest wants is to have a family, and I am looking forward to that one day. I want to be able to stay at home with my kids if I have them. 

I am queer 

If I don’t do college, I want to be an event planner

My favorite thing in school is critical thinking

The most important value to me is empathy

I am a perfectionist and afraid of failure (and I worry a lot)

I am trying to learn to read body language better.

I always need to be doing something and am very curious, always asking about everything

I love egg and avocado

Why a Studyblr

I have a pretty big imagination (and would rather spend my time dreaming up new concepts then studying certain subjects) and can be pretty chaotic. Which leads to me procrastinating and not being disciplined and not getting the grades I know I could be getting. I hope this studyblr will motivate me. Also, I want to improve my notetaking. I have a pretty strong will and I hope that I can apply that to school.

I struggle with  depression and I hope that this studyblr will motivate me to continue with my goals even when I feel as if nothing will work out.

Goal

Create my own content

Productivity challenge

Make friends

Learn to love what I do

My Favorite Studyblrs

@hannybstudies @coffeeandpies @rylie-studies @emmastudies @a-study-in-letters @khatulati @studylustre @amenastudies @depressed-student @psychologyhermione @studyquill @studyxpsych @intellectys @problematicprocrastinator @adelinestudiess @piscesstudies @myhoneststudyblr @smilestudy @study-aquarius @stu-dna @studynostalgic  @lantern-hill-studies @florencestudiesstuff @fahmidas-world @made-by-a-student @bookworm-with-glasses @cyclicstudies @studyfajr @indiaisstudying @bright-goals @serendistudy @rivkahstudies @sonderstudy @starrystvdy @a-students-lifebuoy @studyblr @athenastudying @coffeerevision @revisicn @coffitivity

Can’t wait to start an adventure with all of you. You are all amazing people.

[rabbitstudy]

So, I actually used to have another blog, santiago-learns, but some stuff changed, I decided to remake, so I’m here now!! ^^

About Me

Sofia/Santiago

20 (May 8, 1999)

Intersex, any pronouns are fine :D

From honduras, but currently staying in Canada with family

Taurus sun/Gemini moon/Virgo rising

Due to some emotional issues and Covid-19, right now I am studying online, but hopefully I can return to college in August!

Interests/Hobbies

Reading

Playing video games

Working out (specially cardio and swimming)

Cooking

Writing and drawing

Current Classes

Multivariable Calculus (online)

Coding (Online)

Japanese (self-taught)

Why a studyblr?

My first studyblr was really helpful and I really wanted to continue it!

Great way to stay organized and motivated

Meet other wonderful people in the studyblr community!

Goals

100 days of productivity challenge

Studyblr quarantine challenge

Favorite studyblrs

@intellectys @darkacademiclady @lunaadore @clabujo @scholarstudy @adelinestudiess @etherealacademia @warmhealer @eintsein @noodledesk @milkteastudies @nerdastically @procrastilate @peepstudies @rivkahstudies @coffeeandpies @gloomstudy @a-students-lifebuoy @studyblr

Also please like/reblog this post if you’re and active studyblr blog! ^-^

[thestudyfeels]

100 Days of Sweat

Welcome to the official admission post for the 100 days of sweat challenge! *plays the conquer theme song and does a booty pop* This is a pretty long post, but has everything you need to start, so read on!

READING TIME: 6 minutes.

OoOh? What's that?

Thanks for coming out of the cave! In short, it's a consistency challenge to turn working out into a habit.

You've basically got to move your body for a 100 days straight. No slacking, no backing out!

Most take on this challenge personally, but I felt accountability would be great for those beginning with exercising & those who can't seem to keep their streak (cough, me).

Sounds fun! How do I join? Do I need to do a booty pop too?

Booty pops are appreciated. But here's how!

1. First things first, decide whether you'll be joining via IG, Discord or staying on Tumblr.

2. If using IG, reply to this post with your handle or (alternative) if you'd like, join Discord instead! For that, click here to join the server!

(NOTE: Those who joined via the first post I created regarding this needn't reply again! I've already added you to the list.)

3. Lastly, boost this! Reblog, get your followers to join! Drag your friend or sibling in! (already dragged my bestie into this in case no one joined in lmao)

Important PSA: yO, ANYONE can join! All my beginners and winners, young teens and old pals, drarry fans and johnlock shippers, team cold water AND hot water (sparing y'all because I stan working out more), EVERYONE!   

Here's what I'll do: 

I'm creating an IG group for those interested in staying fully committed. (Pros include making friends! Or enemies, for a hundred whole days! Some of you might even get married together, I have high hopes because wedding cake is everything)

Sayani from @studign-stars will be the admin for Discord! You can hit her up for queries, if any. 

In short, there'll be 3 separate groups. One for those joining via Discord, one for those on the IG group, and a third for those staying on Tumblr.

If you wish to use any other platforms like Snapchat and Twitter, feel free! Also plug your progress on Tumblr too so we can hype each other on! (tag stuff with #100dos)

+ That said, I highly suggest joining either one of the groups, for accountability does wonders. It's now up to you, fellow warrior.

How to prep for this challenge:

OhO! There's a whole lot prepping to be slayed. To finish this challenge as smoothly as possible, here's a few steps. Make this easier for yo’ lazy bum.

1+ Firstly, grab a marker and scrap paper (when you on a student budget, cuz same) and write down numbers from 1 to 100. I did 1 to 30 to prevent myself from being overwhelmed, but do right them numbers to gain momentum.

2+ Take couple before photos. From the front, and the side. If you don't want to, take them anyway and store it in a folder you never open. Also measure your weight, and if you have a measuring tape, take other basic measurements of the chest, waist, arm etc.

3+ Coming to the main part! Pick your 'base’ routine. This is the primary workout you wanna do 2-3 times a week. It's the main course!

For beginners, I suggest choosing a 15 min full body workout. Do try it out before you start 100 days— make sure it's challenging enough.

For those who already move their bodies, pick a workout that aligns with your long-term goals. If you want toned legs, pick a leg day routine. If you want abs, focus on abs.

My base routine is the Beginner's Bodyweight Workout (BBW) from the NerdFitness website. I do 3 sets of the entire routine (takes around 25-30 mins) thrice a week.

So, do some research and pick a workout! Doesn't have to be an hour long at all, just make sure it's time-effective and challenges you.

4+ Find your cheat day workout.

Yikes, the wording is kinda incorrect, but anything for the clickbait.

This is the workout you do 2 days a week, and is the second most important workout. (This means: 3 + 2 = 5, you’ve now got five days planned!)

I do Alexis Ren’s ab routine (I hate it) twice a week because abs are my target zone. For you, it could be arms, thighs, butt, anything!

5+ Leave your last two days for simple moving.

It's up to you to decide what's going to be cooking in the remaining two days. For suggestions, you can pick a fun activity, say yoga, handstands, cartwheels, splits, any form of dancing like hip-hop, Zumba etc.

I'm trying to do a handstand this year and get my middle splits already (I fell off track so I still have quite a way to go) so I'll be stretching and doing hand flexibility exercises in the last 2 days.

Or you can just go for a jog or a power walk. Just keep the momentum going!

A quick recap:

To summarize, you're doing a major workout 3 times a week, a toning workout (mine is abs) twice a week and a fun activity in the last two days.

Also, mix this up. Your muscles need time to heal, and I strongly emphasize leaving the next day free for lighter activities after doing a major workout. Here's my routine, as an eg:

Do remember that this is just a STARTING POINT, because we don't want you to wake up everyday and be like “wut I do today.” It's now your mission to plan your workout routine. Consider taking more workload or reduce it as per your level (this is definitely a lot, try reducing if you're just beginning).

Also important: DETERMINE your workout routine NOW. I spent 2 years (only stopped like 3 months ago) doing YouTube videos haphazardly. This works, because you are working out after all, but it's a pretty lousy method if you want consistent results. Also makes you depend on motivation to workout (which has probability results equal to me marrying Tom Felton), whereas if you had a routine, you'll have to workout because it's in your schedule and you'd be a loser to lie to your schedule.

Is this a lot? It's a lot. I know.

If this is overwhelming you, don't back away darling. Face your fears. Here are some reasons to not back out—

The entire challenge is flexible: You don't have to follow that routine ^ if you don't want to. Starting out, you can do a major workout 2 times a week and fill the other 5 days with fun stuff. You can always change the routine later, 100 days is a long ass time.

The challenge fucks with your mindset and strengthens it: 100 days of continuous movement is CRAZY. Can you imagine how strong (mentally too!) we'll all be at the end? You'll have grown so much!

Working out will become a habit: I've been working out for 2 years now, and it has positively affected every single sphere of my life. Exercising is the #1 habit I suggest everyone build. Since science says it takes 66 days to build a habit, we're ON it.

You'll be really proud of yourself: I know I'll be. I'm literally going to hug y'all at the end of it, and sing jingles about how far you've come. 2019 will have been slayed.

I could go on and on, but this is it. Now's the moment. This is about doing something you're afraid of. Taking risks. Learning, falling, getting back up.

Thence, ladies, gents and non-binary pals, THIS is the 100 days of sweat challenge. You're cordially invited to it.

(We're dramatic, yes.)

🌻 !!! MAJOR PSA & DEADLINES:

The challenge itself begins on 10th April, 2019.

You'll be added to the IG group latest by 7th April.

Because I'm your mom, I'll add everyone in, tell you the details and everything. If you’ve got any questions, jump into my inbox now and get them answered.

That said, please remember that I won't take anyone in midway (no, not even if you buy me free tacos for a year). So join in now & spread the message! The more, the merrier! Bring beer too!

Thanks for joining in! This will be promising and hugely interesting (accountability can do wonders, but we'll see). I'll be waiting for you on the other side with my stuffed animals, cIaO fReNdOs!

— Nandini (´｡• ᵕ •｡`) ♡ 💌

letting my taglist folks know (which you can join here!)

@doctorearlgray, @mintschlar, @procrastilate, @scienceandsarcasticdroids, @sxudying, @hannistudies, @vocative, @studign-stars, @ash-trological, @sweet-bean-study-queen, @chaoticstormthings, @lunetudes, @beingstudent, @beautiful-magicalbrain, @akydemics, @literery, @redvelvetstu-dies, @vivinotes, @jynsdesk, @moonshinestudies, @studying-in-chaos, @thelazyunistudent, @einstetic, @ram-the-blonde-bitch, @a-students-lifebuoy, @studahliless, @inspostudying, @the-diary-of-a-failure, @would-iwasshookethspeared, @coffeeandpies, @artsytourism, @gloomstudy, @scrolls-of-jupiter, @studytrivia, @ristudy, @isatriestostudy, @historicalbeez, @luvjoys, @indiaisstudying, @studyingunderwater, @dianeemay, @kemi-k, @londonotes, @froststudies, @pennyfynotes, @studiently, @midnightstudying, @unicorndoesstudies, @studyingundersun, @wingedprunepsychiclawyer, @tonystarkstudies, @delphinaaugery, @morganastudy, @studiies-psych, @sumastudies, @emrys-studies, @parleonstudies, @acataemic, @studylustre, @adelinestudiess, @sorcierstudies, @coffeeinfusedstudying, @pizza-and-studying, @the-third-me, @scrunchiestudies, @jemsjournals, @jas-study, @jabuticabablr, @khelmatic, @avastvdies + you, if you’re reading this!

[roseinstem]

🐾 Okay let's try this again 🐾

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

Since I’m transferring schools and changing majors, I figured I should reintroduce myself. 

Major: Zoology 

Minor: Biocultural Anthropology 

Languages: Italian and English 

Goals: Get into Vet school, maintain good grades, make the most of the college experience 

Interests: cooking, watching tv, reading, browsing the internet

Favorites: @rylie-studies @a-students-lifebuoy @elkstudies @bright-goals

[lifebuoyjournals]

What’s Cooking? Pesto pasta (no cream)

Lots of different ways to cook it, can be changed to be vegetarian or vegan. 

Here’s a shitty photo - I made this a while back: 

Special equipment: stove/microwave 

Ingredients: 

Pasta (I use penne) 

Cup mushrooms, sliced or cut into wedges

Pesto sauce (I buy from the store)

Cooking oil (can be omitted, see Directions B) 

Boneless chicken (don’t add if you’re looking for meatless option) - I use thigh fillets, you can use breasts if you want

Black olives, sliced (optional) 

Rocket/spinach (optional) 

Cherry tomatoes (optional)

Parmesan cheese, grated, to serve (optional) 

Salt/pepper

Directions A: 

Boil the pasta according to package instructions or until al dente. Reserve a bit of pasta water. Drain and set aside. 

In a pan on the stove, heat some cooking oil. Fry chicken for 2 minutes, then add mushrooms. Fry until fully cooked, then turn off the heat. 

Add the pasta and mix. 

Add pesto sauce and mix. Usually the sauce is savoury enough, but feel free to add salt/pepper to taste. Use the reserved pasta water to thicken the sauce to your liking. 

Add olives, rocket/spinach and cherry tomatoes. Mix. 

Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top and serve. 

Directions B: 

Stovetop - 

Boil the pasta according to package instructions or until al dente. Reserve a bit of pasta water, drain and set aside. 

Boil another pot of water on the stove. Add chicken and mushrooms to boiling water and boil until cooked - worry about the chicken, not the mushrooms. Drain, but don’t throw the water out!! That soup is nutritious and you can drink it - add salt first though. 

Mix chicken, mushroom, pasta, pesto, olives, rocket/spinach and cherry tomatoes together. Use pasta water to thicken the sauce to your liking, add salt/pepper to taste. Sprinkle cheese on top and serve. 

Microwave - 

In a microwave-safe bowl, add pasta to cold water and microwave on high for 3-5 minutes - check if it’s done, if not microwave at 2-3 minute intervals. Reserve a bit of pasta water. Drain and set aside. 

Add water and chicken, microwave on high for 3 minutes. 

Add mushrooms to the water, and microwave for further 2 minutes. 

Check that the chicken is fully cooked, otherwise microwave further at 1-minute intervals. Again, the soup is going to be nutritious so drink it (add salt) instead of throwing it away. 

Pick out the chicken and mushrooms, mix with the pasta, pesto, olives, tomatoes, vegetables. Use pasta water to thicken sauce to your liking, and add salt/pepper to taste. Sprinkle cheese on top and serve. 

Notes: 

If you’re not sure how much pasta to cook, I’ve heard that one cup of uncooked pasta is appropriate for one serving. I usually meal-prep though, so I just wing it. 

For one serving, I use 2 mushrooms and half a thigh fillet. It doesn’t matter how much you add, though, really. 

Salt your pasta water. Makes your pasta taste better. 

If you are meal-prepping, I suggest that you don’t add olives, rocket/spinach and tomato until  you want to eat it. Keep them separately. I also tend to add pesto only when I’m going to heat it up, rather than mixing it all at the start and keeping it for a few days. 

I like this recipe because you can omit/add many things, and there are multiple ways to cook it. One time when I was really not in the mood, I simply boiled everything (pasta, chicken, mushroom) in one pot instead of cooking the pasta first, then throwing away the pasta water. 

I buy the green basil pesto, not the red kind. I’ve never tried the red ones before lol

I have no idea if you can substitute the chicken with tofu, so if someone knows the answer to that let us know too!

If you’re going with Directions B and using chicken breasts, mix them with a bit of cornstarch. This way, they won’t turn super tough if you over-boil them. 

Thanks for reading! Hope you guys like the recipe 😬Please reblog, like, leave a comment/suggestion/question, and definitely let me know how it goes! Maybe take a photo that’s less shitty than mine? 

[tommyplum]

mine i’ll leave to chance  |   inception, yusuf/eames

-  Of all the senses, this one might be the hardest to pin down.  [ AO3 link ]

Yusuf associates people with smells, has done ever since he was a boy. This was tricky before he learned that some scents made people less pleased than others; his mother was happy to learn that she smelled of rosewater (all the endless baking she did to take to jamatkhana), not as much to hear that she also smelled of onions (all the endless cooking for same). For months following what he'd thought was an innocuous observation the woman had gone straight to the shower once she finished cooking a meal and washed her hair so much it forever stood up in a fine, frizzy cloud over her head. After that, Yusuf learned to keep the less ... socially flattering aspects of his synesthesia to himself.

So when he meets Eames for one of their regular chai-and-Hobnobs chats, Yusuf asks Eames about the job he just came back from in Curaçao, pastel buildings and stewed goat and extraction from a jet-setting auction house heir, and doesn't mention the distinct laurel astringency of bay rum in the man's slicked-down hair.

When the two of them lounge in one of Yusuf's back rooms passing a pipe back and forth, tiger-eye marijuana that Yusuf's cousin Bina smuggled in on her last visit from Vancouver that gets them feeling looped in the head but with no prickly necks or aching stomachs, Yusuf whiffs in the tarry, sludgy black that lingers in a line under Eames' fingernails with each pass.

When they're kicking the swirls of Yusuf's chenille coverlet into heaps at the foot of his bed and Yusuf is pushing the colourful Kenyan short-sleeve from Eames' heavy shoulders, there's, yes, that cologne of his that smells of clean burnt-wood cypriot, but after all Yusuf's nose can tell between regular and deuterated benzaldehyde and it's something deeper he's after, so he sprawls one hand against Eames' face and pushes him down to the pillows, holds him there as Yusuf presses his nose behind Eames' damp pink ear --

-- and ah yes, there's the smell Yusuf's been chasing down all evening, overripe soft melting innards of papaya (the fresh snap of the flesh itself, too, but he doesn't want that bit of it right now), lush and dense like between a woman's legs when she's wet, and oh yes, the slippery-bumpy-black pepper of the seeds, tiny depth charges of scorched spice and burn.

Eames makes a bumblebee noise of desire and his mouth pants open under Yusuf's palm, tongue pressing out to trace life line, head line, in a way that makes Yusuf shudder. He presses his fingertips into Eames' skin, holding him steady; he hasn't breathed in enough of this fat dark rot-scent yet, wants the opportunity to run his mouth along the curve of Eames' ear and feel the wet sharp edges of Eames' hair prickle his nose.

"god," Eames groans when Yusuf bites down, and he shifts them both (easily, so easily with all those muscles! like fucking a bouncer and a bouncy castle in one go) so that more interesting parts of them are aligned together. Eames pushes his hand into Yusuf's pants while skimming out of his own and there, that's another scent added to all this, salt-sweat-skin-dick, and Eames doesn't seem to want to remove his ear from Yusuf's teeth so Yusuf lets go of Eames' face and touches his chin, his throat, his chest, his hip, his belly before getting down to the thick hard strain of cock. "Finally," Eames rasps, then adds, "you bastard," when Yusuf rubs his thumb over the sticky cockhead rather more roughly than necessary.

Yusuf likes to be prepared for this sort of thing, so there's plenty of lube and condoms in his nightstand drawer and he can depend on Eames to be self-sufficient, which is grand when Eames takes the initiative to slick himself up as Yusuf attends to the rubber. Yusuf imagines the synthetic greasy smell of lube with the briny tar of Eames' fingers within the unmistakable musk inside his clutching, overheated, heavy-muscled body, and his own cock bobs against his belly.

"Thank you," he says with reflexive politeness when Eames pulls out his glistening, reddened fingers, which slap against Yusuf's hip as he lines up and pushes in hard, making them both gasp and blink. "You," Eames manages after what seems like the longest moment ever, "are absofuckingbloodylutely welcome," and somehow contrives to open the bracket of his hips wider for Yusuf to snuggle flush against him, all the way in. Eames is already blooming sweat all over, which Yusuf likes for both the warm intimate smell and the way it facilitates movement against each other, hair and moisture tangling up.

The heat makes it impossible to keep up any sort of impassioned fucking, so once they get the initial rush and hunger fed it's all slow liquid pushes and pulls, Eames' hands big and thick on Yusuf's back and thighs, Yusuf luxuriating in the tight slick of Eames' ass, the tilt of his body to accommodate. Yusuf takes his time and lets his orgasm collect and pool in his groin, waiting, waiting until he can't hold back any more and the act of coming itself is almost anti-climactic, nowhere near as much pleasure as the moments leading up to it. He's got an ornery streak in him, and so likes it best that way sometimes, the destination not being as satisfactory as the journey.

But the journey's not quite over yet, because Eames is still grasping and groaning, and Yusuf cheerfully settles himself over Eames' red cock and takes it into his mouth, lets Eames buck and thrust and push out his cheek, prod his back teeth, flatten his tongue. At this point, Yusuf knows, Eames is so far on the edge that it takes the tiniest bit of effort on Yusuf's part -- a flick of tongue, tightening his lips -- and there, success, Eames is coming with a ringing shout in thick pulsing spurts that smear and drip back down his cock.

"Fantastic," Eames declares with his scrubby voice, and throws one arm over his eyes. Yusuf, less content to lie around in sweat and semen, presses his knuckles along the crest of Eames' hip in agreement and heads off to the bathroom to wash up. This, too, he enjoys; the mingled scents on his body, Eames' bleachy come in his mouth, the high smell of sweat and endorphins and spit, the unctuousness of lube and sex -- all of it washing off him layer by layer, committed to memory, replaced with metallic cool water and phenol-pinky Lifebuoy and cinnamon-harsh Close-Up.

Eames is dressed when Yusuf finally emerges. The water bucket and enamel cup on the tiny porch, Yusuf notes with mingled amusement and resignation, have obviously been employed judging from the wetness of Eames' hair and the rapidly-drying splashes on the concrete. Water drips down the back of Yusuf's kurta where it stretches across Eames' shoulders, and Yusuf sighs; another of Eames' shirts to add to his collection. He'd inherited one tidy number when Eames had come back from Kasane, all paisley in cream and pink and purple, and had worn it to dinner with his sister Zunita to great approval, but apart from that, there's nothing in the accumulated wardrobe that Yusuf would wear.

"With all the clothes you've abandoned here," Yusuf can't help pointing out as Eames puts his wristwatch back on, "you'd think you could keep from thieving mine."

Eames looks over, completely unabashed as he is with most things, and Yusuf wonders as he's done a thousand times before if this is what it's like to be an imposing white man in this black-and-brown land. "This'll do," he shrugs, muscles shifting the light cloth in all sorts of interesting ways. "More in keeping for what I've got lined up today, in any case." He pauses, narrows one eye, and for an uncomfortable minute Yusuf thinks Eames might be about to say something rather more considerate than he wants to hear, so he quickly waves a hand -- "Fine, then, I've got things to do myself," -- and is relieved when Eames nods and grins.

"I'll bring you back one with glitter and gems on it next time I'm in town," he promises, and Yusuf laughs as he shoos him out into the bright bustling day. To whatever maniacal adventures of waking and dreaming and fists and forgery await him. The back yoke of the kurta shirt looks strained as Eames walks away, losing himself in the crowd so fast it's between one blink and the next as Yusuf watches.

The scent of leather from Eames' shoes lingers by the doorway, and under that, something like enamel and sun-warmed water, like wet hair almost in need of washing. And buried far beneath, a sharp tobacco spike of a moment, quiet and subtle and one that's been missed.

Yusuf inhales deeply until that smell settles high up behind his eyes and down low behind his heart, and shuts the door, until.

- maggie

[illegitimatesonsimsfan]

The Picketts that came before:

This legacy began long ago with Yang Pickett. She became a famous fantasy writer quickly found love with a journalist named Robi Ivey whom she met one day while exploring the City of San Myshuno. They married and had Harper, Silvia, and Warren. 

At this point, the family had made good money and moved into a new home in Newcrest. Sylvia met Clifford and had a son names Zackery and a daughter named Briana. Warren also got married at this time to a neighbor named Samantha and they had a daughter named Aubry. 

Harper moved out soon after Aubry was born and began a family of her own. She loved cooking and focused her efforts in making the best tasting food she could. One of her coworkers, Johnathan, caught her eye and they soon were married too. Harper gave birth to twins, Emilee and Oscar right as tragedy struck. 

Robi, Harper’s father, died of old age soon after the birth of his youngest grandchildren. I quickly hopped back into Yang’s family to make sure that I could grab her grave before she died, as I found that Robi’s grave had glitched out and became stuck in the family inventory. I had just gotten seasons at this time and watched in horror as Yang and ALL of Harper’s extended family decided that taking a dip in the new swimming pool while it snowed was a great idea. 

As Yang and the others began to succumb to the cold, the family’s new butler also hopped into the pool. In the end, Harper and her children were the last surviving Pickett. 

Johnathan was very supportive of Harper during her time of processing the loss of her entire family in a matter of days and took time off from work to take care of the new children and try to ease her pain. In this time, he realized that he enjoyed working out more than he had ever enjoyed cooking and really became a workout buff. Harper and Johnathan made their home a happy place and soon had three more kids; Isac, Hugh, and Genevieve. 

The twins, being so much older than their other siblings, were soon done with school and look forward towards taking on the difficulties of college. With a small loan from their parents and the dream of making it successfully on their own, Oscar and Emilee found a small house in Britechester. Oscar went for computer science and Emilee for Business. Not too long after they began college, they both would drop out and move home to live with their aging parents and their teen siblings. 

Another freak accident would happen not too soon after their arrival back to Newcrest. Harper and Johnathan died of old age and the family mourned. So much so that everyone but Emilee decided to go for a swim in the below zero temperatures of a Newcrest winter. (I totally did not have anthing to do with this. I went to get a coffee and came back to everyone but Emilee dead and peiced these events together from notifications and the fact that Isac’s grave is also glitched in the family inventory as an urn with a lifebuoy around it.) Again, one Pickett girl was alone to face a new world alone. 

[papermoonloveslucy]

SOMEONE’S ON THE SKI LIFT WITH DINAH

S4;E7 ~ October 25, 1971

Directed by Coby Ruskin ~ Written by Bob Carroll and Madelyn Davis

Synopsis

When Harry takes Lucy and Kim to a ski lodge, they run into their all-time favorite singer, Dinah Shore.  

Regular Cast

Lucille Ball (Lucy Carter), Gale Gordon (Harrison Otis Carter), Lucie Arnaz (Kim Carter)  

Guest Cast

Dinah Shore (Herself) was born Fannye Rose Shore in 1916. She was a singer, actress, and television personality, and the top-charting female vocalist of the 1940s. She rose to prominence as a recording artist during the Big Band era, but achieved even greater success a decade later, in television, mainly as hostess of a series of variety programs. Her first recordings were with Desi Arnaz's mentor, bandleader Xavier Cugat, and she later changed her named to Dinah after her success with the song of the same name.  She was famous for blowing a kiss to her audiences (“Mwah!”) at the end of each show.  Although Shore and Ball appeared together on many television specials and award shows, this is their only time acting together.  Her passions were golf, cooking, and painting. Shore died in 1994.  

Mike Howden (Ski Instructor) played small roles on Desilu shows like “Star Trek” and “Mannix.”  He will make one more appearance on “Here's Lucy” a month later.

Bob Harks (Desk Clerk, uncredited) Extra, stand-in, and double Bob Harks was born on September 20, 1927. Harks appeared in his first film in 1968 and was seen in the background of Mame (1974). In 1970 he popped up on his first television show and was seen in more than a dozen episodes of “Here's Lucy.” He died at age 83 in 2010.

Joan Carey (Lodge Guest, uncredited) was one of the few performers to be seen on “I Love Lucy,” “The Lucy Show” and “Here’s Lucy.” She also served as Lucille Ball’s camera and lighting stand-in. (Thanks to the Lucy Lounge for this siting!)

The other guests and staff at the ski lodge are played by uncredited background performers. 

The title of this episode is the first (but not the last) not to contain the name “Lucy” although it is implied that the “someone” on the ski lift with Dinah is Lucy. The title refers to the 1894 American folk song “I've Been Working on the Railroad” which contains the lyric “Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah...”  In that case, "Dinah" was a generic name for an enslaved African woman.

The Friday after this episode first aired, the film A Safe Place starring Tuesday Weld was released. The soundtrack featured Dinah Shore singing the Gershwin song “Someone To Watch Over Me.”

Lucy had interviewed Dinah Shore on her CBS radio show “Let's Talk to Lucy” (E91, E92, E93) on January 11, 12 & 13, 1965.

The season 4 DVD contains bonus footage of home movies of Lucille Ball and Lucie Arnaz skiing. This episode is inspired by Lucille Ball's real-life condominium in Snowmass, Colorado, where she often spent time skiing and relaxing. In 1972 a skiing accident there nearly caused the end of “Here's Lucy.” Instead, Ball's accident was written into the script, with Lucy Carter confined to a wheelchair for several weeks. The leg injury also interfered with her ability to do some of the dance moves in the 1974 movie Mame.

This episode was originally sponsored by Lifebuoy new mint scented soap by Lever Brothers.  For the first time, the sponsor's commercials are included on the DVD release of this episode.  

Harry says that Lucy is “about as delicate as John Wayne.” This is just one more mention of the western movie actor who guest-starred as himself in both “I Love Lucy” and “The Lucy Show.”  

When Lucy asks if Hary can ski, he replies that he is “the Borrego Springs answer to Jean-Claude Killy.” John-Claude Killy (inset, right) was a French Alpine skater who experiences world fame when he competed in the 1964 and 1968 Winter Olympics.  Borrego Springs is a desert community located outside of San Diego California.  Only those who know Gale Gordon personally would appreciate the reference, since this is where Gordon and his wife built a ranch in 1949. He also built all the furniture, installed his own plumbing and swimming pool.  In the mid 1950s, Gordon became the president of the Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce and he was later appointed Honorary Mayor of the town, a position he held until 1974.  

Lucy reminisces about growing up in Jamestown, New York, where it snowed all the time.  Her grandfather made her a red sled.

In the office, Lucy and Harry recreate ice skating while singing “The Loveliest Night of the Year.” In 1950 the music was adapted by Irving Aaronson with lyrics by Paul Francis Webster for the movie The Great Caruso. It was sung by Mario Lanza and became one of the most popular songs of 1951 reaching #3 in the US Billboard Charts. The instrumental version of the song is often played in the background while magicians performed their tricks.

Lucy wangles an invitation for herself, Kim, and Mary Jane, but that's where Harry draws the line. Mary Jane is played by Mary Jane Croft, but she does not appear in this episode.

Harry feels entitled to approach Dinah Shore because his butcher's cousin's son's best friend is engaged to her manicurist.  In the above photo, an unusually lecherous Harry enjoys the ‘view’.  

Harry tells Dinah that he used to listen to her on the “Eddie Cantor Radio Show.”  This was a real program that aired from 1942 to 1943.  In addition to Cantor and Shore, it also featured Ida Lupino, John Charles Thomas, Hattie McDaniel, Cary Grant, Edward G. Robinson, Bonita Granville, and Adolphe Menjou.  

Lucy says that Dinah Shore has always been her favorite singer.  Some of her favorites were “Buttons and Bows,” “Blues in the Night,” “Dear Hearts and Gentle People,” “Pen in Hand,” and “Man Around the House.”  Dinah asks why Lucy didn't like “Shoo Fly Pie and Apple Pan Dowdy.”   

To pass the time while stuck on the ski-lift (and to appease Lucy) Dinah sings “Don't Let the Good Life Pass You By” written by Sharon Rucker and first recorded by Mama Cass Elliott in November 1970. As an encore, Dinah tries to sing “Blues in the Night” but is interrupted by Lucy's jarring percussion noises. After a time-lapse edit, Lucy and Dinah are in full swing singing “Mississippi Mud.” It then starts to snow and things start to look bleak for the stranded pair.

“Lucy Goes to Sun Valley,” a 1958 episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” Lucy Ricardo and Ethel Mertz (Vivian Vance) ride the ski-lift at the resort. 

Sun Valley was a favorite get-away location for the Arnaz family.  This candid photo show’s the “I Love Lucy” cast with guest star Fernando Lamas. 

In “Lucy and the Winter Sports” (TLS S3;E3) Lucy Carmichael also practiced her skiing indoors with Mr. Mooney (Gale Gordon) as her instructor.

WTF?  The scripted reference to Harry Carter as “Borrego Springs answer to Jean-Claude Killy” is confounding.  Harry lives in Los Angeles, not outside San Diego! This is taking ‘stick close to the truth’ a bit too far!  

Snow Fall!  The shadow on the snowbank below Lucy and Dinah reveals that it is not as far a drop as Dinah fears.  

“Someone’s on the Ski Lift with Dinah” rates 4 Paper Hearts out of 5

This episode has some funny physical comedy with Lucy negotiating skis (indoors)!  It also shows Dinah Shore as a relaxed and focused performer with a real knack for comedy.  She’s never looked more glamorous!

[shumparker1953-blog]

Hike it out

I uploaded these pictures weeks ago and never hit Publish. Family events have swamped other impulses. But this was a lovely walk, and allowed me to reconnect with my niece, whom I have not spent time with for a very long...time.  It also gave us both a really good workout. The first hour-and-a half is steadily, steeply, strenuously uphill (upmountain - why is that not a word?). If you know what that moth is, please say. My South African insect book is sitting uselessly in Brooklyn. The moth is on scabiosa, a South African native that is now common in the international nursery trade.

Remarkably few Capetonians (certain biologist-friends excepted!) seem enthused about walking on the beautiful mountain smack in the middle of the city. It still surprises me. It is famously/notoriously accessible and reveals a world of botanical integrity that is kind of mind blowing. Luckily The Niece is intrepid, and she and I slogged our way up Skeleton Gorge, stopping often to pant, before reaching the top. Approached from this angle it is not, as many visitors think, flat.

Ella is not an ugly girl. Here with Watsonia tabularis.

Real plant ladies. These are the kind of people who first introduced me to the plants on the mountain. Long pants, hats, backpacks, walking sticks, sandwiches and flasks of tea.  The eldest in their party must have been in his early 80's. They were walking with a young guide, possibly to act as muscle in case they needed it. Like us, they were in search of an ethereally beautiful local orchid, the drip disa, Disa longicornu. It flowers in December only in the cleanest of seeping or dripping water.

We found the disas in their usual spot. They are enchanting. 

The botanical ladies also showed me this tiny orchid, about four inches high, growing from the same rock face. Holothrix. I think the species is villosa.

Fifteen minutes later I returned the favour and showed them this exquisite little disa, hidden in a mossy wall. They told me it was Disa vaginata (what if women had described and named more plants?). The flowers less than half an inch across.

The Frenchman and I always make a ritual stop as this little waterfall. I filled my water bottle, and The Niece splashed.

Fast forward past a breakfast break, a long hike down deep gorges past pools flowing with fynbos water the colour of Coca Cola, two reservoirs, and a landscape of twittering orange-breasted sunbirds (if only I had my telephoto with me), and we had come full circle, arriving at the top of our route down: Nursery Ravine. Recent fire had provoked this flowering of Bobartia indica.

It is a relentless series of steps and if you have sore knees, forget about it. I'm not sure Ella has forgiven me. But there is always the gentle jeep track if you need a slower descent.

You can't repress the inner forager. Bracken fiddleheads in abundance invited harvesting. Blanch them in boiling water before eating, and they are delicious (in Forage Harvest Feast they are one of the two fiddleheads I recommend eating). Long hike, and two days later I was really stiff, but it was wonderful to reconnect with what matters; in most ways (with exceptions, of course) 2018 has been a year to forget rather than remember. I have lost parts of myself along the way, and I have changed. I don't like the change, and I will be working to find the lost bits and perhaps some new ones, too. The only truism I know remains intact: life may be unfair, people do not have to be. We can all choose to act with integrity. I am beyond lucky to be married to a person who has had as tough a year, more so, in some ways, but who has managed to be a solid support - and lifebuoy - throughout. Time for me to return the favour. In other news, if you usually find me via Facebook, I will be deleting my Facebook accounts at the end of the year, but will still be on Instagram. The latter may be owned by the former but - for now, at least - the privacy and data concerns are far more controllable on Instagram, and I just prefer it as a way to communicate. I will keep posting here too, but as time allows. And I will be posting a new, late winter walk schedule, soon. On February 28th there is also a wild-inspired cooking class and cocktail-supper lined up for Brooklyn's beautiful Cook Space. I will add these links as soon as they are live. ... Dear 2019: Be nice.

[academicsunflower]

Studyblr Intro

Hello. My name is Saffi Grace and I have decided to join the wonderful Studyblr community. Over the past year I have started to lose sight of my goals and stopped believing in my potential. I hope the studyblr community will help me get back some of my passion for learning about the things that interest me. Icon by @cheruib 

About me 

 I am in my senior year (and ready for highschool to be over) 

 I am 18 

 I live in Europe 

I am an INFJ 

My ultimate dream is to be a clinical psychotherapist (not sure what minor yet) and write a book. This is really important to me because I want to help people and at the same time, I enjoy the academic challenge that comes with learning something I enjoy. 

Interests 

Criminology (love Buzzfeed unsolved) 

Tennis 

Volunteering 

Debate 

I listen to music almost constantly 

Photography and Scrapbooking 

Reading and writing 

Poetry (Slam) 

Cooking 

Puzzles 

My classes 

Philosophy 

math 

French 

English 

German 

Physics 

Religion 

Psychology 

Geography 

History 

Random facts about me 

I am pretty analytical and love to communicate with others as well as interpret the things around me

I love creating new concepts and connecting things from all different areas of learning 

Fall is my favourite season and I love flowers 

I want to change the world for the better 

My favorite thing in school is critical thinking 

The most important value to me is empathy 

I am a perfectionist and afraid of failure (and I worry a lot) 

I am trying to learn to read body language better so I can catch on to things quicker 

 I always need to be doing something and am very curious, always asking about everything 

I love egg and avocado 

Why a Studyblr 

I have a pretty big imagination (and would rather spend my time dreaming up new concepts then studying certain subjects) and can be pretty chaotic. Which leads to me procrastinating and not being disciplined and not getting the grades I know I could be getting. I hope this studyblr will motivate me. I have a pretty strong will and I hope that I can apply that to school. 

I struggle with  depression and I hope that this studyblr will motivate me to continue with my goals even when I feel as if nothing will work out. 

Goal 

Create my own content

Productivity challenge 

Make friends 

Learn to love what I do 

My Favorite Studyblrs 

@hannybstudies @coffeeandpies @rylie-studies @emmastudies @a-study-in-letters @khatulati @studylustre @amenastudies @depressed-student @psychologyhermione @studyquill @studyxpsych @intellectys @problematicprocrastinator @adelinestudiess @piscesstudies @myhoneststudyblr @smilestudy @study-aquarius @stu-dna @studynostalgic  @lantern-hill-studies @florencestudiesstuff @fahmidas-world @made-by-a-student @bookworm-with-glasses @cyclicstudies @studyfajr @indiaisstudying @bright-goals @serendistudy @rivkahstudies @sonderstudy @starrystvdy @a-students-lifebuoy @studyblr @athenastudying @coffeerevision @revisicn @coffitivity

Can’t wait to start an adventure with all of you. You are all amazing people.