::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
(top image from the Pier cookbook)

the old lady that I am had to give up at work today after feeling so drowsy I could not even move. I could, however, think. about what makes me super happy right now.

in random order.

basil seeds. I’ve seen them everywhere over the span of a couple of days. in popsicles. on salmon carpaccio. and in my new favourite cookbook (picture above is the amazing honeydew melon soup with coconut sorbet and tapioca. love at the first sight).

books. while I’m at it, I must mention my recent favourite reads. I think I stated it pretty clearly above, but one of them is Pier by Greg Doyle. the second is Made in England by Aiden Byrne.

polaroid. and especially the fact that my polaroid spectra has the loveliest bokeh ever.

matcha bubble tea. before I even tasted one, I knew I was going to love it. and I do. so much that I just got one kg of big rainbow tapioca pearls in china town.

sweet purple yam. I still don’t know what I’m going to make out of it. but I’m pretty excited.

it seems my thoughts have geared towards food lately. I’ve been feeling overly inspired by exotic ingredients. I’m so grateful to be living my dream. being a pastry chef is beyond what I could have imagined. some call it bliss. I simply see it as evident.

what makes you happy right now? or perhaps, what are your latest culinary discoveries?

ps. in case you’re wondering, the food diary is on a break, but everything is going just fine. I think I’ll just post an update weekly so not to bore you with unexciting details about my food consumption.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

despite feeling like an old lady due to the flu, today has been the best day ever; and also the coldest.

one. I bought everything to recreate my favourite bagel in london. the beef will start its brining tomorrow. and next week, it will be time for some bagel-making action.

two. I took the loveliest polaroid of my rainy window. blurry and all. I’m in love.

three. I finally made that one dessert I had in mind. photographed it. and talked (too much) about it.

since today is my very own sunday I treated myself with some delicious ricotta and spinach ravioli. hmmmm. good night. x

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

today was all about movie-watching, cosy blanket-snuggling. flu is what they call it. I’d much rather take this as an opportunity to listen to the rain drops hitting my window.

ps. Mary, thank you for the link. I love her illustrations. they’re so lovely.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

happiness is around the corner my lovelies. I feel ecstatic.

the only down-side is that I realised I consume a little too much eggs. but as sad as it is, they are the only source of protein available widely at work.

anyway, I treated myself with some sushi for dinner. so lovely. and a change from the albumin.

my week end is around the corner too. and the thought of a long night of sleep and cheeks hurting from laughing too much does sound very appealing.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

here is my attempt at making goals two and three become real. I’m going to record the food I eat (and the possible – hooray – weight loss) and draw/photograph at least one thing per day.

today will be day one. just because there is no coherent reason to wait until next monday to start this experiment.

wish me luck.

ps. no, I haven’t dropped my summer project, I’ve just been off for a few days. being a fluo kid, partying until the sun comes out, and drinking coffee during the day.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

sixteen days. a little over a hundred pictures taken. my canon has become my friend again. I just miss my pentax slightly too much.

as for today’s picture. well, an after-work drink with a friend who’s leaving for dubai. the fairy lights have stolen my heart.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

today, I didn’t take any picture. I’m happy to see things with my heart. indeed, one sees clearly only with the heart; anything essential is invisible to the eyes.

I find these words from my very favourite childhood book beautiful.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

day one of vanilla extract making. hopefully, I’ll document this on foodbeam.

I had been dreaming of producing my very own vanilla loveliness for a long time. too long in fact. make this my first achievement for Elsie’s simple goals project.

one. make vanilla extract.
two. eat healthily.
three. draw more.
four. find out what I really want to do.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

an early morning picture for a change. drying laundry. ephemeral sunlight. I don’t want those summer days to go. ever.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

this is how summer days roll. a couple of drinks. you sit on the sidewalk. watch the dogs pass by. that aussie friend makes you laugh. a bit too much to admit it.

and, eventually, you forget you even own a camera.

I’ll be back tomorrow with the daily pictures. enjoy the last day of your week (and quite paradoxically, the first of mine).

what is your perfect summer day?