#strawberry milk ice cube

[userboy-theuserman]

Beatr-ice cube! and her ugly face...

[lady-imjustwrite]

It's 13:52 at 15:20 i will go to theater studio(i don't thing that someone who see this know exactly what is this... or they?) anyway...

If i don't sit NOW to another BFDIA 9 art, i will never draw something for this episode, and YOU never know about my story from real world... i remember it then... These scenes. YOU UNDERSTEND WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

[anorexic-autist]

i just had the most delicious protein shake (i slightly readjusted the ratios of the fruit i use and how much almond milk i put in and also added ice)

[engageandcreate]

Smoothie - Strawberry Blueberry Smoothies Recipe Frozen strawberries and blueberries are combined in a yogurt smoothie sweetened with agave nectar.

[nishiyudai]

Recipe for Skinny Strawberry Milkshake A guilt-free skinny strawberry milkshake - with only 4 ingredients - that both kids and adults will enjoy. 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice or more to taste, 2 cups hulled and halved strawberries, 1 cup 2% milk divided, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

[cosmicalily]

"to be loved is to be remembered" - a mini series by @cosmicalily. view series masterlist, and outline here

procedural memory | kim seungmin x fem!reader

procedural memory: a type of implicit memory that is categorised as the unconscious guide to the processes and tasks performed on a daily basis.

author's note: this might be one of my favourite seungmin fics i've ever written. and maybe i'm biased because he is my bias and i love strawberry matcha, but i think sometimes it's okay to be self indulgent. enjoy!

There were many things that Seungmin would do without realising, as if he was on autopilot. Actions that were ingrained into his daily routine, little activities that made up his day without his awareness. The way he made his bed, the double knot he always tied on his shoelaces, the route he took to the coffee shop where he worked. He loved his routine; he loved simplicity and consistency.

At work, he thought even less about his actions. He was a quick learner, and had mastered the art of perfect coffee early on. He heard the words ‘latte’ or ‘flat white’ and somehow the completed drink would appear in front of him thirty seconds later.

“Do you do iced strawberry matchas?” a voice asked, snapping Seungmin out of his coffee-scented daze. He looked at the shot he’d started running for a flat white and then at you, cheeks pink from the cold and eyes sparkling. A soft blue scarf was wrapped around your neck, covering your chin, and you wore a cosy navy cable knit sweater, just a little too big at the sleeves.

Seungmin thought intently. “We don’t,” he said truthfully, drumming his fingers on the benchtop. “But give me a second. I’ll try and make something for you.”

You beamed in excitement. “Thank you!”

“It’s no problem,” Seungmin gave a half smile back, digging around for the matcha powder. “Although, I have to say, who orders an iced drink in the middle of winter?”

Your cheeks flushed a little pinker and you rolled your eyes. “Shut up, it’s business for you, isn’t it? And I’ll tip, obviously, because it’s a custom order. They just don’t taste as good warm. I tried it once, and it was awful.”

“Was it?” Seungmin paused, tipping the ice cubes from your cup back into the tray and placing it into the freezer. “I’m going to try and change your mind. Out of confidence as a good barista, but also out of concern for your health, because you’re literally going to freeze as soon as you step outside with ice in your system.”

“And if I don’t like it?”

“It’s on the house.”

“Deal,” you agreed, leaning against the counter and watching as he poured the frothed strawberry milk, creating a little bear design. He leaned to grab a lid, but you knocked his hand away. “It’ll cover the art you did,” you protested, and he shook his head in amusement.

You breathed in the soft, sweet scent and took a sip, thinking hard. Seungmin watched intently, his attention distracted from the three coffee orders he had lined up to complete next. You smiled, and his face softened. “Good?” he asked.

“It’s shit,” you deadpanned, then burst out laughing. “It’s amazing! How much do I owe you for it?”

“Nothing,” Seungmin replied, eyes shining.

You opened your mouth to protest, but he gave you a warning look. “Do you do this often, then?” you asked, taking another long sip of your drink.

“What do you mean?”

“Save girls with silly drink orders from hypothermia.”

“Sure, it’s my favourite pastime,” Seungmin replied seriously, though his eyes twinkled mischievously. “No, not ever before. You’re the first, Strawberry.”

Your smile widened at the nickname. “Even if you’re lying, I feel special. Thank you…” you paused.

“Seungmin,” he finished, handing over a latte to a man behind you.

“Thank you, Seungmin. I’ll be back, I promise!”

He nodded. “I know you will. See you around, Miss Matcha.”

You snorted and walked towards the door, spinning around and blowing him a quick kiss. He winked and you burst into a fit of laughter, and once you were properly out of sight, he let a full smile creep across his face.

By your third visit to the coffee shop, he didn’t even need a prompt to make your order. By the fifth, your drink would be sitting, ready for you, extra hot. Even though you no longer had a reason to wait, you always stayed to talk to him, and he was thankful you did.

Soon, Seungmin became unconsciously aware of your routine, of your timing, of your daily scarf rotation. Once winter ended, he caved and made you your first iced strawberry matcha, which you declared better than any other iced drink you’d ever consumed. He still refused to let you pay, but he was always accepting of your newfound habit of leaning across the counter and giving him a quick kiss before you left for the morning. Initially on the cheek, but by mid spring, on the lips. Your kisses tasted of your mauve lipstick, cinnamon, and of course, strawberry matcha.

After a year of dating, you moved into his apartment. Seungmin, a lover of routine and consistency, found himself mesmerised by your sporadic actions and in the moment decisions. It didn’t frustrate him, the way he worried it would. Your presence was a constant, something dependable that he centred his new, irregular routine around, filled with evening walks and beach day trips. He learnt your habits, and soon, your actions were as familiar to him as his own. He would still make his bed in the morning, and you'd help him, finishing the job off with the two jellycat puppies you'd bought for your six month anniversary. He would tie a double knot in his shoelaces, and wait for you to slip on your ballet flats. Whilst you always had your signature drink at his shop, he knew you loved chamomile before bed, and there was always a mug of it by your bedside after you'd gotten out of the shower.

And of course, you did the same for him, but in your own way. You'd lay on top of him, playing with his hair for hours, explaining every single thing you adored about him. You cooked him dinner, and you'd sit on the counter beside him as he did the dishes. It was routine. You were each other's routines.

He kept working at the coffee shop, but now as a manager, although he always insisted on making your drink himself, and you would visit him, sometimes bringing your laptop and glasses with you to set up in a corner and work, other times bringing whatever book you were currently engrossed in.

“Hi baby,” you smiled up at him, stretching your arms and dog-earing your page.

“You know I hate when you do that,” he groaned, sitting beside you on the bench. Nevertheless, he pressed a kiss against your cheek and you giggled.

“I know, but like, it shows the love I have for my books. The ones that have crumpled pages and tea stains and frayed edges are the ones I read the most.”

Seungmin shook his head. “I’m just teasing. I love you and your broken books.”

“They aren’t broken-” you protested, but he cupped your face in his hands and silenced you with a soft kiss.

“I love you,” he repeated, eyes glossed over.

“I love you too,” you gazed back at him. Your book fell off your lap, but you didn’t move to grab it. The strawberry matcha Seungmin had brought over was probably cooling, but you didn’t care. It was moments like this where everything felt like muscle memory, where nothing felt new or uncomfortable. He was familiar.

He grabbed your hand, entwining your fingers in his. You gently stroked his thumb, then whined when he let go of your hand to reach in his pocket. “What are you doing?” you asked, then you paused.

He’d slotted a ring on your finger.

“You can say no,” he said, looking you directly in the eye. "You can take it off. But it feels right for me. I saw it in the window the other day and I didn’t even think, I just bought it. Which is crazy, because you know I overthink and overplan everything.”

“I know, you’re a dork,” you smiled, but your eyes were glassy. “Why the fuck would I say no? Of course I’ll marry you.”

Seungmin breathed out and pulled you in a tight embrace. He felt warm, he smelled like coffee, and the skin of his neck was soft against your cheek. “I’m glad, because I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.”

“I’m only doing it for the strawberry matcha, of course,” you quipped, chuckling.

“I’m only doing it out of pity,” he added.

“Dickhead.”

“Asshole.”

You leaned against him, his arms around your waist. He kissed your cheek, your forehead, your shoulder, and you rubbed his back. A buzz went off in his back pocket, a reminder that his break was over.

“So,” he broke the hug, rubbing the back of his neck. “Your drink’s probably cold. So I guess, as a good barista, I probably have to make you a new one.”

“I’m gonna make out with you for hours tonight, Kim Seungmin,” you declared. “You’re my dream boy.” You blew him a kiss as he stood up, taking your drink with him, and he winked in return.

You watched his reflection on the steel coffee machine, and saw him smile.

[rainbowbarnacle]

Please make a tea post so I can save it especially the pineapple ice cubes I need more info

Oh, like, different teas I like to make? Okay! :D

🍍Pineapple Tea🍍

The way I do it is really simple:

Buy a giant jug of already-made tea (I like gold peak!)

Buy a carton of pineapple juice

Freeze the juice into cubes, pour a little of it in the tea for extra flavor

And that's it. That's aaaall you gotta do.

There's all kindsa ways you can dress it up, but nine times out of ten I just do this and drink it by the gallon when it's hot out.

If you wanna get fancy with it, feel free to cold brew your own black (or green) tea, add actual hunks of pineapple fruit in there, add some orange juice, add some honey, add some coconut milk or sweetened condensed milk, whatever sounds good! (Also, pairing pineapple tea with coconut cookies? SO GOOD.) Put mint in the pineapple cubes if you like mint! Add a bit of boiled ginger root or some brown sugar and cinnamon for a little kick! Heck, last summer I used blue peaflower star-shaped ice cubes just because they were pretty.

(Peaflower petals don't taste like much, but they make a GORGEOUS blue, and if you put something acidic in there like lemon juice IT TURNS PINK. :D)

🍓Strawberry Tea🍓

I find this stuff sort of difficult to find where I live, so often I go the same route as the pineapple tea: grab a jug of black tea, grab a jug of strawberry juice, (ocean spray has a really nice cran-strawberry one I like) freeze the juice, mix, and enjoy. Super simple.

If I can't find strawberry juice, I dice some strawberries up and put it in a jar with some water and a bit of sugar for a few hours, then add *that* to the tea. (heck, it's really nice all by itself!)

What goes with strawberry? ANY DANG THING YOU WANT. I am particularly fond of lychee. Jasmine tea and rose petals pair really well with it too. Again, if you like mint, it's *really* nice with strawberry. And you know how if you put black pepper on strawberries they taste even strawberrier? (If you haven't tried this, go do it, it's magic.) Same goes with the tea, add some peppercorns or a teeny bit of chili powder or some ginger.

If you wanna drink it hot or cold brew a batch of your own, here are some brands that are also nice:

1. Strawberry Sensation

2. Adagio Strawberry Tea (this is also where I got the peaflower petals)

3. Any of Lupicia's Strawberry Teas they are HEAVENLY

🍏Apple Tea🍏

As with the pineapple and strawberry teas, it's totally fine to just go find some ready-made tea and mix it with some apple cider or apple juice for tasty low spoons fun. If you drink it iced, a bit of sugar and lemon juice brings out the apple flavor nicely!

I prefer drinking this stuff hot though. You know that Fall Drink post that was floating around? IF YOU HAVEN'T YET, TRY IT, IT'S AWESOME.

☕Chai Tea☕

So here's the thing about chai for me personally: I don't tend to drink it iced or sugary, but if you do like it iced and sugary, there are a couple of really nice chai tea concentrates:

Oregon Chai Latte

Tazo's Chai Latte (Forget the "skinny" nonsense, I just wanted to include an option with no milk so you can add whatever you want to it)

Pacific Chai isn't concentrated, but you can use it to make hot or iced chai and it's really lovely, not too sweet and super easy to work with. As for dressing up chai, I don't tend to! There's already so much going on with all the flavors, I just drink it as-is most days. Play with milk-to-tea ratios or sugar amounts all you like, figure out what's your jam.

I do know that mixing chai and coffee together (or chai and chocolate together) is guaranteed to make a feeling groovy kind of morning, at least if you have two thumbs and you're me. Iiii think that's all the tea blather I can think of for right now. Thank you for asking, anon, it was fun! Anybody reading this, feel free to add your own favorite things to do with tea. :D

[adachimoe]

The Tohru Adachi Cafe @ Nico Nico Honsha

Back in 2014, when volume 4 of the Golden anime came out, Nico Nico held a Tohru Adachi Cafe in Ikebukuro (nerd town ~for girls~) at the Parco Annex. The cafe ran from December 10th to December 23rd.

If only it had ran from the 8th to the 24th... Then it'd be the same as the days you have to clear Magatsu Inaba in-game...

Food Menu

Narukami's Cream Stew: Website caption is Yu saying, "I'd like to give this to you, Adachi-san. Or... do you not want it?" There's also a note that you can't take the tupperware with you lol

Adachi's Cabbage Rolls: Website caption is Yu saying, "But you had bonds all along. Let's go home, Adachi-san."

"Stole the Only Piece of Uni" Cream Pasta: Referring to the post-Mitsuo celebration scene in the game where Adachi takes the only piece of uni sushi. The text mentions you can order as many as you like so you won't get yelled at for stealing the only uni.

Drink Menu

A person who went took photos of the drink menu that describes what's in each drink. Which omg thank you person from 10 years ago. The Nico announcement doesn't say what the ingredients are haha.

Magatsu Izanagi: Cola, grenadine, mixed berries. The berries in the glass are supposed to evoke the imagery of Magatsu Inaba with Shadows floating around. (The photo from Nico makes it look like Amenosagiri.)

Izanagi: Cola, passion fruit syrup, and a lemon. The lemon is a stand-in for Izanagi's chrysanthemum-looking emblem.

Caption for both Izanagis is Adachi saying, "Dohoho our Personas look so similar, what iony".

Nanako's Strawberry Milk: Strawberry ice cream ice cubes, milk, and strawberry syrup. The person who went to the cafe ordered this and said it was really sweet at the end w/just the ice left.

A Gift of Mango Juice for Bedridden Dojima: Mango juice and cut mango. The quote caption is Dojima yelling at Adachi for buying mango instead of apple in the beginning of episode 7.

(Yea, it's pretty traditional to buy apples as a gift for someone who's ill. You might have seen that in jdramas or anime before lol. The text mentions Adachi isn't old-fashioned and thinks mangos work fine 'cause they have nutrients and are easy to digest.)

Cabbage Juice for Busy Detectives: Yes... Cabbage juice... Cabbage, banana, milk, and honey. The text mentions there's a certain detective who can't be fucked to cook, this drink is a way for him to get some nutrients, and also a great way to use up all of your cabbages when you buy too many lmao. Nico posted a follow-up that mentioned the cabbage juice was a staff favorite. The blog of the person who went to the cafe said that the cabbage juice tasted like banana, but it had no ice in it and was lukewarm, which sounds like a gigantic skull emoji ngl. (Also it was served w/fresh potato chips.)

Bonuses

They gave out placement size stills from the anime (episodes 6/7) with orders. These are pretty common at Japanese cafe events - you can go get them laminated after to actually use as a placemat lol. The particular placemats of Adachi holding the Jester gets resold on Mercari, in K-Books, etc, for $$ crazy money $$. Wish there was one of Narukami princess carrying Adachi.

Photos

Nico Nico later posted photos from the event that showed off the cafe and the decorations:

And there were chalkboards and whiteboards where people could doodle and leave messages:

Left image:

Left: The uni pasta was delicious. Thank you, Adachi Cafe!

Above Ame: This world is full of Adachi (A parody of Adachi's "This world has gone to shit" line (世の中クソだな))

Right: Congratulations on the opening!

Right image:

Blue chalk: Ya~y!

Yellow chalk: Congratulations Adachi Cafe!

[sweethoneyrose83]

Murder Drones Recipe Ideas

1. Nori-Byte Bites

Ingredients: Sushi rice, nori (seaweed), avocado, imitation crab, sesame seeds, soy sauce

Inspiration: These mini sushi bites are designed to resemble small, compact "bytes" of data or power packs that Murder Drones might consume. The nori wraps give them a dark, sleek look.

Presentation: Shape into perfect squares or cubes for a robotic, mechanical feel. Top with small sesame seeds to resemble tiny data points or circuits.

2. Blackout Burgers

Ingredients: Black brioche buns, beef patties (or plant-based patties), cheddar cheese, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, spicy aioli

Inspiration: A sleek, dark burger to mimic the ominous atmosphere of the Murder Drones universe.

Presentation: Serve with a side of fries shaped into jagged "energy" strips, and top the burger with a glowing-red ketchup swirl or spicy sauce to resemble glowing drone eyes.

3. Nano-Wire Noodles

Ingredients: Squid ink pasta, garlic, olive oil, chili flakes, shrimp or tofu

Inspiration: These dark, tangled noodles resemble high-tech cables or wires, giving a mechanical yet sleek vibe.

Presentation: Plate in a swirling pattern, and garnish with red chili flakes to resemble scattered debris from drone battles.

4. Plasma Punch

Ingredients: Blue curaçao, lemonade, sparkling water, edible glitter

Inspiration: A futuristic, glowing blue drink to resemble the plasma energy drones might use to power themselves.

Presentation: Serve in a clear glass with glowing ice cubes (LED-embedded ice cubes for an extra cool effect) and a sprinkling of edible glitter to give it a radiant, tech-like shine.

5. Techno Tarts

Ingredients: Puff pastry, dark chocolate, red raspberry filling, powdered sugar

Inspiration: These tart-like pastries resemble hard, metallic exteriors with dark, sinister cores, perfect for a Murder Drone-themed treat.

Presentation: Cut the pastries into geometric shapes like triangles or hexagons, drizzling with raspberry sauce for a blood-like appearance. Dust lightly with powdered sugar to create a contrast between dark and light.

6. Circuit Board Cookies

Ingredients: Black cocoa sugar cookies, green royal icing, edible silver pearls

Inspiration: Decorate these cookies to resemble circuit boards or robotic components.

Presentation: Use a piping bag to create intricate green icing patterns mimicking circuits, adding silver pearls as connectors or "nodes" on the board.

7. "Oil and Gears" Spaghetti

Ingredients: Squid ink pasta (for that oily, dark look), ground beef or plant-based meat, black olives, and diced sun-dried tomatoes.

Instructions:

Cook squid ink pasta to give a "mechanical oil" effect.

Sauté ground beef or plant-based meat with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and olives for a savory, rich sauce.

Serve the pasta with the sauce and garnish with shaved parmesan resembling "metal shavings."

8. "Blood Battery" Smoothie

Ingredients: Mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries), coconut milk, and chia seeds.

Instructions:

Blend berries and coconut milk into a deep red smoothie that looks like a "battery fluid" but tastes delicious.

Add chia seeds for texture, mimicking the look of tiny bits of circuitry.

9. "Broken Drone" Nachos

Ingredients: Black tortilla chips, queso, shredded chicken or beef, jalapeños, and avocado.

Instructions:

Scatter black tortilla chips on a baking sheet like "broken drone parts."

Layer with queso, shredded chicken, and jalapeños, and bake until melted and crispy.

Add chunks of avocado to represent the "core systems."

10. "Circuit Board" Pizza

Ingredients: Flatbread, pesto, mozzarella, black olives, cherry tomatoes, and basil.

Instructions:

Spread pesto on the flatbread as the "circuit board."

Arrange mozzarella slices to look like "wiring" and use olives and tomatoes as "buttons" or "nodes."

Bake until cheese is bubbly and garnish with basil leaves for extra "green circuits."

11. "Metallic Heart" Chocolate Truffles

Ingredients: Dark chocolate, heavy cream, and edible metallic luster dust.

Instructions:

Make classic chocolate truffles by melting dark chocolate and mixing with cream to form the ganache.

Shape into hearts and coat with edible metallic luster dust for a shiny, "robotic heart" look.

12. "Battery Acid" Lemonade

Ingredients: Lemon juice, blue curacao, club soda, and ice.

Instructions:

Mix lemon juice and blue curacao for a sour yet strikingly electric blue drink.

Add club soda for some fizz, and serve over ice in clear glasses to resemble "battery acid."

13. "Rust and Decay" Brownies

Ingredients: Dark chocolate brownie mix, cocoa powder, and red food coloring.

Instructions:

Bake brownies using dark chocolate mix.

Add red food coloring to some cocoa powder and sprinkle over the top of the cooled brownies to create the appearance of "rusty decay."

14. Drone Eye Cake Pops

Ingredients:

Cake mix (flavor of your choice)

White chocolate coating

Red candy melts

Candy eyes

Black gel icing

Instructions:

Bake the cake and crumble it into fine crumbs.

Mix the crumbs with frosting to form dough and shape into small balls.

Dip the cake balls in melted white chocolate and let them set.

Drizzle red candy melts to create a "bloody" effect and add candy eyes.

Use black gel icing to add details.

Inspiration: These represent the "eyes" of the drones, with the red candy melt resembling their bloodthirsty tendencies.

15. Oil Spill Ice Cream Sundae

Ingredients:

Chocolate ice cream

Oreo crumbs

Black syrup (chocolate or black food coloring)

Silver sprinkles

Instructions:

Scoop chocolate ice cream into bowls.

Top with crushed Oreo crumbs for a crunchy, "oil spill" effect.

Drizzle black syrup to make it look like spilled oil.

Sprinkle with silver sprinkles for a robotic touch.

Inspiration: A dark and delicious treat inspired by the idea of oil spills and machinery gone wrong in the Murder Drones universe.

16. Blood Orange Sparkling Punch

Ingredients:

4 cups of blood orange juice

1 cup cranberry juice

2 cups sparkling water

Fresh rosemary for garnish

Instructions:

Mix the blood orange juice and cranberry juice.

Add the sparkling water to give it a bubbly effect.

Garnish with fresh rosemary for an eerie, metallic touch.

Inspiration: The punch represents the "oil" or "fuel" that robots might run on, with the blood orange juice symbolizing the dark, ominous mood of the Murder Drones world.

[thief-of-eggs]

The Batfam as genuine orders I’ve taken at Starbucks

Dick: Venti matcha cremé frap with 6 pumps hazelnut, 6 pumps peppermint, 6 pumps classic, 8 splendas, 3 pumps toffeenut. (Idk how this woman drinks her drink… but if anyone would order it, Dick would)

Tim: Venti nitro cold brew with 3 shots (This one we can’t legally sell, but my coworker orders it for himself anyways)

Bruce: Grande café mocha with nonfat milk, no whip, and only 0.5 pumps of mocha (AKA- What was the point of ordering a mocha if you’re gonna take every key component away??)

Steph: Venti pink drink with 10 pumps of classic, sub coconut milk for heavy whipping cream, and 3 scoops of vanilla bean powder (It tastes like a strawberry milkshake but if the milkshake was drowning in sugar. Pretty good tho ngl)

Jason: Venti cold brew with one ice cube only. (If you give this man more than one cube he WILL complain)

Duke: Grande café americano with 5 shots, 2 pumps of toffeenut, and a splash of almond milk (It has a strong and bold flavor, but the drink isn’t TOO insane… but what are you doing with all five of those shots?)

Cass: Grande iced chai latte with 18 pumps of chai, no milk. (It’s just our chai concentrate- which is really strong- with ice.)

Damian: Grande iced mocha with whole milk and no whip (It’s basically a Big Kid choccy milk)

Alfred: Venti cappuccino, EXTRA dry. (He literally just wants foam on top of the shots. We have to steam 4-5 separate batches of milk to scoop only the foam off for this man, and if the drink is too heavy, he hands it right back.)

[xlovingcupcakex]

GN!Kylar x GN!Reader - Welcome to Cafe Cuties!

1.7k words. You are in the world of Cafe Cuties (LoL) where you work as a waitress. Kylar is a regular. Fluff.

Although the Reader wears a dress, the writing is pretty gender neutral. Recommended songs can be found at the bottom. I reccomend listening to one of them while reading the chapter!

A comfortable job. That’s how you would describe your job at Café Cuties.  

The customers were nice and respectful, coming to the place to enjoy various magic tricks, all the while enjoying something sweet and tasty to eat.  

Cream and yellow walls decorated the interior, with delicate marble flooring. Comfortable chairs, cheerful, vibrant flowers. A big, glass ceiling that let light shine through, seeping into the local establishment. Popular among both young and old – and anywhere in-between – it’s no wonder that the eatery was staffed full most of the time.  

You shifted in your green maid dress, a white, frilly apron was draped over your form. With an emerald ribbon hairclip to match your outfit, you strutted to your customer, taking in their order. A cheerful smile – as always – was on your face as you wrote down whatever your customer wanted. 

Shortly after, you turned on your kitten heels, walking in the direction of your own small helper. Teacub, was their name. A small, magic-filled bear, which gladly helped you serve your customers.  

“A strawberry shortcake and our special matcha tea latte, Teacub. Care to bring the cake?” you gestured with your hands, smile stretching wider as you saw your cute little helper move about, before nimbly moving on their feet, small sparkles following after their form.  

You wasted no time, placing a porcelain pitcher on your tray, along with some matcha powder, ice cubes and milk. As you finished getting your tray ready and started to walk in the direction of your client, Teacub wobbled behind you, a small plate with the strawberry shortcake above their head, levitating above them with the help of your magic.  

Your heels clicked against the marble floor as you neared a familiar mop of black hair. Their back was turned towards you. They seemed to be busy with a phone game. You leaned towards them, your vanilla perfume hitting their senses as you placed the tray before them, giving them your signature smile. Kylar’s chest felt like it might burst open any second now. They could almost feel the warmth radiating off of your body.  

With a snap of your wrist, the water from the pitcher escaped and the matcha powder swiftly fell into the bone china cup. The water twirled around your arm, steam escaping the hot liquid as you continued on with your performance. The water descended gradually into the cup, familiar glittering sparkles following after the liquid. You placed your free hand behind your back. As you finished pouring in the water, you used the same hand to whisk the tea with your magic.  

Finally, you used the hand behind your back to move the honey into the cup, making small gestures with your pointing finger, conducting the direction of where the honey went. Adding the usual amount, you whished the tea again, before quickly adding the ice cubes and as a finishing touch, frothed milk. You made sure to make a drawing of a cute teddy bear. Teacub gently placed the cake at Kylar’s side.  

“Your order is ready, Master! I hope you’ll have a pleasurable experience. If you need anything, just ring the bell, and I’ll come right away, Master!” 

Kylar’s cheeks flushed red as you finished your speech. You bowed your head and turned around, getting ready to tend to your other customers, Teacub following after you.  

The time passed, but Kylar stayed fast in their place, even when the cake has been eaten and the matcha tea latte has been drank until the cup remained empty. You obviously noticed. It was hard not to. After all, they looked at you often, a dazed expression on their face, a small blush coloring their cheeks as they played with their hands idly. Each time you met their gaze, they would look away to the side, an inaudible gasp leaving them as they pretended to do something else in embarrassment.  

Cute. That’s all you could say.  

You were no amateur when it came to love. You had to be blind to not notice the crush they had on you.  

Luckily, it gave you more chances to tease them, often playfully being closer to them than you should. Sending them more smiles than you could count, maybe even adding an extra pastry from time to time. Especially with strawberries, since they seemed to be their favorite.  

It kept you wondering about how long you had to wait before they would make their move. With how they were still today, you could take a guess that you didn’t have to wait much longer. 

They always stuttered whenever you said something to them, but today, all they did was nod their head. Face more red than usual, easier to embarrass as you came up to ask if you could clean up after them, since the closing time was nearing.  

As you were about to grab the cup and place it on your tray, Kylar’s grabbed your wrist, using an amount of strength you didn’t expect from someone so petite and delicate looking. You tilted your head, hair swaying to the side along with the ribbon you wore, casting them a curious glance.  

“Yes, Master?” you asked, sending them the softest and most encouraging smile you could muster, patiently waiting for them to say anything as lots of “Um...”s and “Uh...” s were almost coughed out with how nervous they were.  

“D-Do you want to go out, s-some time?”  

There it was. A simple question. Luckily, you didn’t have to think long about your answer. Otherwise, you were sure Kylar would burst into tears if you took too long, with how stressful they were. You swore you could see a small bead of sweat forming on top of their left temple. Their eyes moved almost frantically from left to right, anywhere but your eyes.  

“Of course! Would you like to walk me home after work, Master?” 

Kylar’s heart fluttered and they let go of your wrist, nodding their head eagerly, ruffling up their hair as a result.  

Feeling particularly bold, you brought your hand to their hair, gently patting them in place and smoothing them out. They leaned into your touch instantly, no hesitation on their part. Their earlier tensed posture has relaxed again. Cute. Adorable.  

You continued for a few more seconds, before bringing your hand back to your side, a content smile on your face. A small giggle left your lips and the corners of your eyes wrinkled slightly as a result. You were like an angel. A pure-hearted, kind and gracious angel in the eyes of Kylar.  

“I’ll be back in 20 minutes. Is that okay, Master? Then we can walk home, Master.” 

As soon as Kylar nodded again, this time more calmly, you finished up your work enthusiastically, eager to finish at least 5 minutes early so you could spend more time with Kylar. It didn’t take much longer until you changed into your usual clothes and exited the café, where Kylar was already waiting for you in front of the entrance.  

You brought their smaller hand into yours, giving it a squeeze and startling them, a squeak audible in the air. They looked you directly into your eyes, before calming down at the realization that it was just you, a blush appearing on their cheeks again.  

How sweet.  

“Ready?”  

You didn’t wait for an answer, instead you walked ahead, Kylar trailing behind you slowly, taking in your appearance under the moonlight that shone on both of you. You looked to pretty. So beautiful. Ethereal. The wind picked up and they could smell your perfume again. It didn’t take long before they completely melted, head empty, being in heaven just from being around you.  

Although there wasn’t much conversation, you didn’t mind much. It was a comfortable silence. Their hand was warm, with an occasional twitch here and there. You guessed they were still nervous. You slowed down your steps so they would have an easier time walking with you. Soon, both of your steps were synced together.  

“Thanks for walking me home. I hope to see you tomorrow, Ky~” the teasing tone of your voice made it obvious you weren’t done yet. It made them nervous. They didn’t know what you have planned, but they were quite keen on knowing what it was.  

You pressed a soft kiss on their cheek, sending them straight to heaven. They looked at you with wide eyes, surprised and happy, before bringing you into a tight hug. Another giggle left your lips as you pet them on their head again, gushing at how cute and bashful they were being, which only made them hide in the crook of your neck even more.  

Their locks tickled at your neck, making your giggles turn into laughter. You tried your best to push them away gently, wanting the tickling to stop. But between laughter and gasps, it was hard to do. They continued to press themselves harder into you, not finally realizing that they were tickling you with their hair by mistake. Still, they didn’t let go.  

Instead, they nuzzled into you as aggressively as possible, which only brought out more of the sweet melody they wanted to hear. They will make sure to remember that sound forever.  

When you were really out of breath, they finally stopped and pulled back, a shy grin on their lips as they looked at you with such lovestruck eyes it made you melt on the spot, instantly making you gush again at how cute they were being. Compliments left your mouth automatically, which only made them more bashful, still having that lovestruck expression on their face.  

“I’ll see you tomorrow!” with a last kiss on the cheek, you opened the door and went inside, getting ready to unwind after a day of work.  

Meanwhile, Kylar was holding their cheek, far away in their imagination, not registering yet that you already went inside. They could already see a future with you, visions of a wedding already forming before their eyes. Motivated, they decided that they’ll make you the happiest spouse in the whole world, at any cost possible.  

.

.

.

[emmatriarchy]

I've gotten a bunch of fruit from the food bank, and I intend to make smoothies with them.

This is your chance to shoot me your favorite combos so I can try them.

FYI the fruits I got at the food bank are:

1 pound of grapefruit

4 kiwis

2 watermelon

1 melon

2 pineapple

3 banana

1 peach

1 lime

2 oranges

(I have some diced mango & strawberries in the freezer)

I also have milk, unflavored/unsweetened yogurt, ice cubes, honey, apricot jam, red berries jam, white sugar, chocolate chips, brown sugar.

[my-plastic-life]

Japanese Summer Festival, part 1

(PART 1 due to a limit on number of photos per post)

Wow, more than a month since my last post! I'm slacking! But I have a good excuse - I was working on a HUGE project. This is my biggest scene to date. It's so large it won't fit in my usual diorama cube box. This was on my coffee table, and for an example of scale, that table measures 48" wide by 26" deep. And it was all covered LOL

It's still technically summer, and in Japan, summer festivals are a very popular pastime. I've wanted to create an actual festival scene for a while, and I finally took the plunge this year. My husband used his Glow Forge to create the little food stalls, and I created the rest. The awnings, booth covers, prices, signs, posters, floor, walls, etc. are all made by me. I also painted the silver on the booths. They're technically still a bit under scale compared to real life stalls, but I was basing my measurements off actual props I had, most of which are Re-Ment. There are even a few Re-Ment festival sets, so I had to use those! And next year I plan to add even more stalls - but I'll have to alternate what's on display since I think I'm at my limit of what will fit on that table LOL.

So here we go, a 1/6 scale Japanese summer festival! We've got lots of food street stalls (yotai) and a few popular games, and all the girls are wearing kimonos (a popular tradition).

Looking down the street toward the stairs leading to more fun (through a real torii gate!):

Overview:

Looking down the street toward the shrine:

Cold drinks are important to beat the heat!

Miwa is watching Kiku try her hand at yo-yo fishing:

Kiku is yo-yo fishing. In this game, you're meant to use a hook attached to a paper rope to pick up a water balloon. The balloons are filled with air and water, and they're called yo-yos because of the bouncing effect they have. This game can be difficult due to the rope being made of paper and the balloons are in the water.

Miwa has a popular snack - a tornado potato - along with the popular Ramune drink:

She got one! Any balloons that you successfully pick up with the hook can be kept.

Goldfish scooping. This game requires you to use a small wand called a poi to try to catch goldfish. The poi's net is made of paper, which makes the game tricky because of the water. The game is over once the paper in the poi breaks. However, people will often get to take one of each fish home after trying even if they don't actually catch them.

Aika is watching the goldfish scooping game, carrying a bag of cotton candy:

Superball fishing. This game is like the goldfish scooping game, only the prize is super balls. I made these little tubs myself. The Re-Ment sets had the yo-yo fishing and goldfish scooping, but no superballs. So I took the measurements of those tubs, used TinkerCAD to create two boxes made to the same size, and 3D printed them. I then used some of the Miniverse resin (the recalled stuff, lol) to fill the tubs in layers, and I used beads without holes (they exist!) to make the super balls. I'm very pleased with how they turned out!

Takoyaki stand. Takoyaki is a bite-sized, ball-shaped dumpling made from batter and grilled, then filled with octopus, tempura, pickled ginger, and green onion:

A definite favorite in the summer - the shaved ice stand (kakigori). Similar to shaved ice in the U.S., with the Japanese variant, blocks of ice are shaved into fine flakes using special machines, then topped with flavorings like strawberry or melon syrup, sweet matcha (strong green tea) sauce, sweetened beans, or condensed milk.

Fuka got a variety of flavors on her kakigori! Yum! Meanwhile, Lycee is preparing to make some more - she'll use the little machine to grind that block of ice to shave it down into edible pieces:

Look closely at the lady below in the blue kimono and you'll see that she's tucked in a traditional uchiwa (hand fan) into the obi (belt) of her kimono. These fans are a must for summer festivals to help beat the heat, as well as add a more traditional look to the yukata (kimono).

Choco banana and candy apple stand. These treats are also popular - they're your traditional candy apple on a stick, and also chocolate-covered bananas on a stick covered in sprinkles.

Cotton candy stand. Another popular treat for festival-goers of all ages. The container on the counter features fortune sticks inside, and you're meant to reach in and pull one out. You then tell the miko (shrine priestess) what fortune you got on the stick, and she will give you a paper that explains your fortune.

Japanese cotton candy bags frequently feature popular anime or pop culture characters on them. I made these bags by using small jewelry bags, cutting off the Ziploc sealer, placing cotton balls inside (almost all festival cotton candy I've seen has been white), then sized down pictures of characters, printed them out on clear sticker paper, and stuck them on the bags. I'm very pleased with how they turned out!

[selfcare-with-senshi]

How to care for your body - Hydration

The five fundaments of proper self care are eating enough food, drinking enough water, getting enough restful sleep, exercising, and your personal hygiene. If even one of these fundaments is out of balance for a while, you will feel unwell. That's why most times when you have a headache, feel exhausted or just unhappy, the first questions include whether you ate, drank or slept recently, when the last time you went outside was, and when you took your last shower.

It's annoying to hear, especially when you struggle with your mental health. But sadly, it's very important and very true - when you make a change in these habits, you will notice a difference in your wellbeing, even if it's small at first.

Most people struggle with consistently keeping these fundaments covered, so don't worry, you're not alone if you feel like it's a lot.

Let's take it step by step. And step one should always be hydration.

Start with drinking enough. Always, always start with drinking enough. Water is life. Without water, there is no life. Even our bodies are mostly water. So it only makes sense we need it the most out of the fundaments of self care.

The human body needs about 2 to 3 liters of water a day. The heavier the body, the more exercise you get and the more you sweat, the more water you require. If drinking water by itself is difficult for you, there are lots of ways to make it more appealing for you. I'll be listing some useful examples below:

Set an alarm every hour to remind you to drink a 250 ml glass of water. If you wake up at 8 AM for example, you'll have 2 liters by 4 PM, and 3 liters by 8 PM.

Use small drinking glasses, or cups you enjoy drinking out of in general. I personally find it easier and more appealing to fill a 80 ml glass three times in a row than to drink from a bigger glass.

Make it fun. I pretend I'm taking shots from my 80 ml glass for example. Or I pretend I'm a flower on the verge of drying out and I finally receive much needed rain. It doesn't matter if it's silly, as long as it helps you stay hydrated.

If you're like me and water makes you nauseous or gives you an icky feeling, I suggest trying healthy additions like water syrups, waterdrop microdrink cubes, making iced tea or fruit juice yourself, or if you crave the bubbles of a soda, I can only recommend purchasing a soda maker. You can regulate the amount of bubbles you want yourself - AND you can add syrup after if you want, too!

Other alternatives to get more water into your body include (but aren't limited to) sucking on ice cubes or eating crushed ice for example. Foods like watermelon, strawberries, cucumbers or milk also help with keeping you hydrated.

Keep a water diary or a log, if it helps you. Personally I feel stressed out by these things, but if it's helpful for you to write it down whenever you drank something, go ahead! I saw there are also apps designed like games that help you drink enough, like every time you drink water and type it in, a plant grows a little more... it's very cute, but like I said, stressful for me personally.

If you have any more ideas or questions, feel free to comment, reblog, or send me an ask :)

Hydration can be very difficult, especially when you're ill, busy, or dealing with sensory issues. If you can manage to hydrate well, your body will thank you. You're at a lower risk for UTIs, your body has an easier time flushing out toxins and illnesses, your skin will become clearer, maintaining your weight will be easier too... it has lots and lots of positive effects.

You can do it! ദ്ദി ˉ͈̀꒳ˉ͈́ )✧

[beautyandlifestyleblog86]

Berry Blast Smoothie -

Ingredients:

- 1 cup mixed berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)

- 1 banana

- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

- 1 tablespoon chia seeds

- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)

- 1 cup almond milk or water

- Ice cubes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.

2. If desired, add ice cubes for a colder smoothie.

3. Pour into a glass and enjoy your delicious and nutritious berry blast smoothie!

This smoothie is full of antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins from the mixed berries and banana. The Greek yogurt adds protein and probiotics, while chia seeds provide omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. It's a refreshing and satisfying drink that's perfect for a quick and healthy snack or breakfast.

[eardefenders]

Ice Lolly

I feel these are probably pretty straightforward, but! I will give two recipes here. One recipe is for the kind I make every summer for my kid and the other recipe is for the kind I've made a few times in the past (and points to you if you recognize where I got the idea from lol).

Simple Ice Lollies

Ingredients:

Fruit Juice Concentrate or Fruit Juice of your choice(I use 100% Unsweetened cranberry juice)

Fruit (I use strawberry or raspberries usually)

Water (to water down your concentrate if that's what you're using)

Ice Trays

Toothpicks or popsicle sticks

Get a measuring cup and mix your juice concentrate with water until its the taste profile you like. If using juice you can probably skip watering it down.

If you're adding fruit, cut it into small chunks that'll fit into the ice cube tray slots. (I slice the strawberries so one slice fits or I'll usually put a whole raspberry and so no cutting required!)

Pour the juice into the ice cube trays about 3/4 full. Stab a piece of fruit and put it and the toothpick into the ice cube so the toothpick sticks out like a popsicle stick.

Repeat filling the ice cube tray until they're all full.

Place the tray in the freezer until frozen. (An hour in my freezer, time may vary depending on your freezer.)

Crack the tray and hold your homemade popsicles by the toothpick!

Fancy Ice Lollies

Technically these are ice cream lollies, but these'll look more like the stuff from the store, especially if you use a mold.

Ingredients:

4 eggs yolks

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup sugar

1/8 tsp salt

6oz evaporated milk

1 cup heavy cream

Blue & Green food dye

Sea salt flakes

Ice Cube Tray

Popsicle sticks

Popsicle molds

Separate the egg yolks and place into a large bowl. Add vanilla extract, sugar, and regular salt. Whisk quickly for about 2-4 minutes until the mixture falls off the whisk in thick ribbons. Don't overbeat.

In a small pot bring the evaporated milk to a simmer. Be careful not to boil it or scald the milk by making the heat too high. (If it starts to get a skin on the bottom don't scrape the skin. That doesn't break back down and you'll have milk skin chunks...) Incorporate the simmered milk into the egg mixture by mixing and pouring in slowly.

Once combined, pour entire mixture back into the small pot and place on stove at a medium heat. Whisk continuously until the mixture begins to thicken and take on a custard like texture.

Be very careful not to boil or overheat the pot otherwise your eggs will begin to scramble.

Once finished, place the mixture into another big bowl and place in the freezer until it reaches room temperature (30-45 minutes).

Add in 1/2 cup of heavy cream to your first mixing bowl and whisk until it has doubled in volume.

Remove the egg mixture from the freezer.

Carefully fold in the whipped heavy cream into the egg mixture until it is fully combined. Pour the contents into an ice cube tray, spread it out evenly, then place back in the freezer to freeze (3-4 hours).

In a separate bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup of heavy cream with 10 drops of blue food coloring and 3 drops of green food coloring. Mix until the cream is the desired color.

In a blender, combine the food coloring heavy cream, sea salt, and ice cream chunks from your ice cube tray. Put in as little or as much sea salt as you'd like. It has a very powerful flavor and you may find the salty taste a bit overwhelming, so add it in slowly and mix it around until you feel you have a good balance between sweet and salty.

Blend the ingredients together in the blender, occasionally stopping to stir the chunks around and scrape the sides down. Once the entire mixture has reached a soft-serve like consistency, pour the mixture into your ice cream molds.

Stick popsicle sticks in your filled molds and place back into freezer.

After about 3-4 hours, your ice cream will be done! Take the molds out and run them under warm water to remove the ice cream more easily.

Enjoy!

The sea salt ice cream popsicles is a recipe I wrote down from Feast of Fiction like a decade ago. It's a pretty good recipe and I wholly recommend it.