2020: Week 28

July 6, 2020 – July 12, 2020

Next week I’ll be away camping and will update when I get back. I am so looking forward to it and have plans to do lots of bucket list activities.

Bucket List Items Accomplished

Learn to identify more fungi. I took an online course called Intro to Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest presented by Salish Mushrooms. It was quite informative, and directed me to some books and other resources. I put a few holds on books from the library to further my learning and to bring on my upcoming road trip up island.

Things I Enjoyed this Week

I have started stretching everyday and following this 10 minute video from TrainLikeaBallerina for How to Do the Splits. I really want to achieve the splits and a dedicated daily routine should help me along.

I want to do 30 random acts of kindness over the next month. They don’t have to be everyday. My total count is now up to 16.
1. Sent a second postcard to a stranger via Postcrossing
2. Brought individually wrapped chocolates to the office
3. Got buy one get one free Starbucks for myself and a coworker
4. Drove my roommate and all the stuff to the beach for his little outdoor birthday party
5. Donated generously to the Abkhazi Garden when Mom took me there for tea

I want to continue posting the new words I find in the wild from books or podcasts. I won’t be seeking out a new one everyday though.
1. Currycomb – a plastic comb/brush for currying horses
2. Hostler – a person that cares for horses
3. Lozenge – a diamond shape or rhombus
4. Tiddly – somewhat drunk

My ongoing gratitude and photo project continues below.

Day 100: I am grateful for dinners you don’t need to cook.

Day 101: I am grateful for encouraging sentiments.

Day 102: I am grateful for takeout.

Day 103: I am grateful for owls.

Day 104: I am grateful for fire. My roommate had these magic fire packets that made the flames turn blue and green. I prefer unadultered fire, but it reminded me of floo powder from Harry Potter.

Day 105: I am grateful for afternoon tea. I love to sample all the different flavours. My mom treated me at the Abkhazi Garden.

Day 106: I am grateful for hydrangea.

I watched no Oscar Best Picture Winners.

I taught myself no new constellations this week. I’m going to try and spot comet NEOWISE when it is clear.

Meal Prep and New Recipes Tried

I continued with my Japanese recipe streak this week with a couple of desserts and tofu edamame cakes.

I made Mizu Yokan following JustOneCookbook’s recipe but halved. I love chestnut flavoured things and azuki desserts. This came out just perfectly.
I also made the Fruit Jelly recipe from JustOneCookbook. The fruits in the clear jelly looked like little jewels. The firm texture of the jelly complimented the fruit well.
Maangchi’s Dubu Jorim (Spicy Braised Tofu) was almost effortless and so packed with flavour. Next time I’ll cut down the added salt though. I just buzzed the onions, garlic, and green onion in a food processor.
Tofu Shirataki Tuna Noodle Casserole from Pickled Plum. This was a veggie packed version of the classic dish that was also lightened up with tofu shirataki noodles.
Simmered Kabocha Squash from JustOneCookbook. Dashi gives the squash a rich umami flavour.
Tofu Edamame Cakes from Pickled Plum. These mostly ended up crumbling for me, but they made a tasty sort of tofu scramble instead.