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#leaf veg
perillaleafs · 1 year
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friends dinner i kade a really good pork roast which i THOUGHT i burned but didnt really. chef era
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askwhatsforlunch · 1 year
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Goat’s Cheese, Apple and Nut Beetroot Leaf Salad (Vegetarian)
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It truly is a special kind of joy picking home-grown vegetables in the Kitchen Garden. A joy enhanced when one sees them on one’s plate, and taste their crisp, fresh, delicious flavour. I am still digging up Beetroots, and their leaves makes an excellent substitute to lettuce, like in this fragrant Goat’s Cheese, Apple and Nut Beetroot Leaf Salad! Happy Thursday!
Ingredients (serves 1):
the leaves, large and small, of 4 to 6 Garden Beetroot leaves, depending on their size
1/4 cup pecan halves
1/2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
1 heaped teaspoon Dijon Mustard
1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon pure (Grade A) Canadian Maple syrup
a pinch of salt and freshly cracked black pepper
1 apple (like a Ribston Pippin or Golden Delicious)
30 grams/1 ounce soft goat’s cheese
Thoroughly rinse Beetroot leaves under cold water, until all dirt is removed. Dry them in a spin-drier. Set aside. 
In a small frying pan over  high flame, toast pecan halves and pumpkin seeds until just browned and fragrant. Remove from the heat; set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine Dijon Mustard, olive oil, apple cider vinegar and Maple Syrup. Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper, and whisk energetically until well-blended.
Roughly chop Beetroot leaves. Rinse, halve core and dice apple. Add chopped Beetroot leaves and diced apple to the bowl, and toss well, to generously coat in dressing.
Spoon Beetroot leaf and apple salad into serving plate. Scatter chunks of goat’s cheese liberally on top, and sprinkle generously with toasted pecans and pumpkin seeds.
Enjoy Goat’s Cheese, Apple and Nut Beetroot Leaf Salad immediately, or chill in the refrigerator until serving time (but toasted nuts are better still a little bit warm!)
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tenpolegardener · 2 years
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My day in the garden….
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thalwhore · 6 months
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I'm having a.time.
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mplanetleaf · 8 months
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Non-Vegetarianism మాంసాహారం | భగవద్గీత | Bhagavadgita Ch 17
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mixediversity · 2 years
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Products available at: redbubble.com/shop/ap/119357959 Shop address for all purchases: mixediversity.redbubble.com #floralpattern #flowersblooming #bunchofflowers #floraldesign #seamless #botanicalpattern #spring #floralarrangement #flowerrepeat #repeating #leaf #details #garden #life #mesmerizing #plant #rosegarden #homegarden #plantlove #veg #herbarium #parsely #herbgarden #botanist #horticulturist https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg9XSpiONBa/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
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deepikapraveen · 2 years
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https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/carrot-parsleys-seamless-pattern-on-deep-2138691391
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crevicedwelling · 1 month
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Ive seen isopod advice scattered across the internet that you shouldnt feed them fruit clippings often or at all, and that veggie clippings are the better go-to if you want to give them supplemental snacks. But they dont often explain why.
Is this a health thing, that fruit isnt great for them to be eating frequently? Or is this more a tank cleanliness thing, that fruit makes for a worse rot scenario if they dont eat the whole thing fast enough?
my isopods do not seem to prioritize sugary, wet foods, and instead really like crunchy stuff like carrots, squashes, and broccoli stems. that isn’t to say they won’t eat fruit but rather because they eat less of it and it is a better medium for microbes it tends to mold over and rot very quickly, while a carrot often stays edible until it’s completely eaten.
I also think this may have something to do to with the way isopods process watery foods; they excrete the excess water while retaining the fiber and nutrients, so a soupy wet food might be too costly to process or just inefficient compared to a drier crunchy carrot.
I don’t think it’d be a health issue to feed fruit frequently other than the rotting aspect. isopods are good at eating what they need; a culture that’s low on protein will skip over the veg and prioritize dog food while a culture that is low on vitamins might go for the carrot instead.
my isopods enjoy fruits like melon, apple, blueberries (and culinary vegetables like cucumber, tomatoes and peppers) but tend to not eat things like peach pits and banana before it rots. I think I can meet all their nutritional needs with hardy vegetables, leaf litter, and fish foods without needing to offer fruit on a regular basis, but if you can predict how much your colony will eat and are prepared to throw it out before it makes a mess there’s no reason why you shouldnt feed fruit
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flowercrowncrip · 7 months
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I went for a walk to try and feel better and found something amazing! A group of botanists armed with pavement chalk have labelled a bunch of those tiny, easy to miss plants that grow between pavement cracks all around the town centre.
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ID: a photo of a colourful chalk writing on a pavement with stone flagstones. The writing reads “#RebelBotanists chalk the names of urban plants to raise awareness of their importance. So please plant wild, pesticide free, grow your own fruit and veg. Save money, save wildlife” / end ID
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ID: large writing in pavement chalk with an arrow pointing to a tiny fern with a single leaf growing in a gutter. The chalk reads “seek and you shall find… harts tongue fern. Asplenium scolopenstrium / end ID
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ID: another label pointing to a long drain under a gutter with pavement chalk reading “Soleirolia soleirolii (tiny street plants whenever we look, a vital part of our living world) / end ID
This one was pointing to the tiniest plant with the smallest little round leaves.
There were a bunch more all around as well. It was great fun finding more and getting to appreciate the parts of nature that are so easy to ignore.
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psalacanthea · 3 months
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Vegetarian Pot Pie
hey whats up i made this for my friends and they said it was good, so I decided to write the recipe down while i still remember it (for once in my life), so I can make it again. I will share it with you.
This is rich, filling, delicious, but doesn't just taste like a sad chicken pot pie with no chicken. This is a proper vegetarian dish, and perfect for winter. Extremely cozy and nice. If u need something to make for Christmas but don't want to work all day, this is for you.
It does not have peas because I'm not a fucking MONSTER
...
Ingredients:
1 leek
1 sweet potato (I used white sweet potato, orange are too sugary for me)
1 large russet potato or 2 small-medium
1 large carrot or 2 small-medium
1 large parsnip
mushrooms of choice (i used pre-sliced baby bellas)
2 decent-sized cloves of garlic
sage
rosemary
thyme
parsley
cream (milk or a milk sub is ok too but it won't be as rich)
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp ap flour
1 carton (or 2 cans) vegetable stock
white wine (i used chard but any other non-sweet white like a pinot grig would be ok. just no sweet whites, the root veggies are plenty sweet)
s&p
store-bought pie crusts (if you like suffering make it yourself!)
utensils:
1 pie pan
1 small pot
Strainer (you can use a slotted spoon to remove stuff if you don't have [or let it cool and use your fingers])
1 lg. saucepan
Knife
Spatula or Big Spoon
(steps below cut)
To begin you're going to want to enhance your vegetable stock-- store-bought veggie stock is boring and often too tomatoey, we want to mitigate that. Veggie broth doesn't have to taste dull!
Separate leek greens from whites. If your leek is pretty stumpy, you can use 2.
In a small pot at medium-high heat, sear the leek greens on both sides, and sautee 1-2 mushroom, sliced. Once the leek greens have been browned in spots, add 3/4ths cup white wine or so (you can eyeball it). Simmer until all the alcohol smell is gone from the wine (won't take long.)
If you feel inclined, you can also add any carrot/parsnip tops you might have trimmed off, to save waste. Keep in mind that these are both sweet vegetables, though, and that might change the flavor a little. Carrot greens tho would add a nice bit of freshness, and would be a fine sub for parsley.
Add vegetable stock, a sprig of thyme, rosemary, sage, and parsley (you can tie them together w/kitchen twine to make a bouquet garni, but if you're gonna strain the stock you don't need to)
You can also add bay leaf if you have like 3 containers of them in your spice cabinet for some reason and need an excuse to use them.
Turn the heat under the stock down to low, and simmer until it's reduced by about a third, maybe an hour (it can hang out while you do other stuff.)
Peel potatoes, cut into 1 to 1/2 inch chunks (small but not tiny). You should have about two cups. cube size is partially preference, but smaller chunks mean you can get all the flavor in every bite.
Do the same for the sweet potato, but reduce amount to a cup. You won't use the whole potato for this recipe, but they're SO good roasted wrapped in tinfoil and eaten plain with salt.
Scrub parsnip and carrot, cut into pieces that seem about the same as the potatoes, about a cup of each. (I don't peel my carrots don't @ me.)
Cut leek whites into half-circles.
If your mushrooms are not pre-cut, slice mushrooms until you have about a cup of them ready to go.
Please note, if you have extra veg cut-- just add it. Extra filling is no big deal you can just eat it by itself or add it to your plate of pie. No need to waste anything.
Squash and finely chop garlic cloves.
In a large saucepan on medium- medium high heat, add 3 tbsp butter and 3 tbsp flour, mix together as butter melts to form a cohesive mixture- a roux.
Cook until roux is starting to bubble. Add leeks, add carrots, mushrooms, and parsnips. Salt lightly to encourage moisture loss.
Sautee in the roux for 3-5 minutes or so until the veggies are starting to smell good and the roux is getting gold, then add garlic.
Cook for 30 seconds to a minute more, stirring constantly, until you can smell the garlic. Garlic burns easily!
Strain enhanced stock into saucepan.
Add potatoes and sweet potatoes.
Stir until the roux dissolves into the stock and it begins to thicken, and then turn down to low heat (you want small and regular bubbles, but not big glorpy ones).
It might not look like enough gravy, but we don't want a ton. It's a pie, not a stew. If you REALLY think it's not enough, your stock might have reduced too far. Add a bit of water if you must.
Remove leaves from 1 large sprig thyme, and add to filling. Remove leaves from and finely dice 1 sprig rosemary. Do the same for sage. Toss out the stems.
The gravy should still be thin-ish, but we're going to reduce it down more as the potatoes are cooked through.
Cook until potatoes are just barely fork-tender. Even slightly undercooked is ok. Taste gravy for salt and pepper. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Add 1/3rd cup heavy cream/milk or so. Stir in.
Strip the leaves from 1-2 sprigs of parsley, finely chop, stir into gravy.
Taste again. Season again if necessary.
Let the filling cool. Try not to eat it all.
Unroll 1 pre-made pie crust, and put in the bottom of your pie pan. Try to make it even all the way around.
Now! The easy way to seal a pie (without egg wash) is as follows.
Fold down the edge of the lower crust so that it sticks out past the top edge of the pie pan.
Add filling. Get that shit as full as you can while keep that sticking out edge of the pie crust dry.
Place top pie crust over the pie.
Fold the edge of the lower crust over the upper crust, rolling them up together to make the crust edge.
Either with a fork or with pinching, make the edge crust look prettier.
If the edges of both the lower crust and the upper crust have been rolled inside themselves, you shouldn't have filling leakage.
Cut venting holes on top in whatever quirky design you want.
Stick in a 350f (177c?) oven until it's done.
I don't know how long, I don't measure those things. The crust will be golden brown and the filling will be bubbly.
the wine is skippable, yes, but it adds some acidity that you need. try a squeeze of lemon into your gravy if you don't use it.
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Growing plants in space
As NASA plans missions to the moon and Mars, a key factor is figuring out how to feed crew members during their weeks, months, and even years in space.
Astronauts on the International Space Station primarily eat prepackaged food, which requires regular resupply and can degrade in quality and nutrition. Researchers are exploring the idea of crews growing some of their food during a mission, testing various crops and equipment to figure out how to do this without a lot of extra hardware or power.
Picking the right plants
The first step in this research is identifying which plants to test. NASA started a project in 2015 with the Fairchild Botanical Garden in Miami called "Growing Beyond Earth." The program has recruited hundreds of middle and high school science classes across the U.S. to grow different seeds in a habitat similar to one on the space station. Seeds that grow well in the classrooms are then tested in a chamber at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Ones that do well there are sent to the station to test how they grow in microgravity.
Gardens in space
NASA also has tested facilities to host future microgravity gardens. One is the Vegetable Production System, or Veggie, a simple, low-power chamber that can hold six plants. Seeds are grown in small fabric "pillows" that crew members look after and water by hand, similar to caring for a window garden on Earth.
Another system, the Passive Orbital Nutrient Delivery System, or Veggie PONDS, works with the Veggie platform but replaces seed pillows with a holder that automatically feeds and waters the plants. The Advanced Plant Habitat is a fully automated device designed to study growing plants in ways that require only minimal crew attention.
The right light and food
A series of experiments aboard the space station known as Veg-04A, Veg-04B, and Veg-05 grew Mizuna mustard, a leafy green crop, under different light conditions and compared plant yield, nutritional composition, and microbial levels. The investigation also compared the space-grown plants to ones grown on Earth, and had crew members rate the flavor, texture, and other characteristics of the produce.
Plant Habitat-04 analyzed plant-microbe interactions and assessed the flavor and texture of chile peppers. The first crop, harvested on Oct. 29, 2021, was eaten by the crew and 12 peppers from the second harvest were returned to Earth for analysis. This experiment demonstrated that research about space crop production is on the right path and researchers plan to apply lessons learned to testing other plants.
The influence of gravity
An early experiment, PESTO, found that microgravity alters leaf development, plant cells, and the chloroplasts used in photosynthesis, but did not harm the plants overall. In fact, wheat plants grew 10% taller compared to those on Earth.
The Seedling Growth investigations showed that seedlings can acclimate to microgravity by modulating expression of some genes related to the stressors of space, a discovery that adds to knowledge about how microgravity affects plant physiology.
One way that plants sense gravity is via changes to calcium within their cells. Plant Gravity Sensing, a JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) investigation, measured how microgravity affects calcium levels, which could help scientists design better ways to grow food in space.
ADVASC, an investigation that grew two generations of mustard plants using the Advanced Astroculture chamber, showed that seeds were smaller but germination rates near normal in microgravity.
Water delivery
One significant challenge for growing plants in microgravity is providing enough water to keep them healthy without drowning them in too much water. Plant Water Management demonstrated a hydroponic (water-based) method for providing water and air to plant roots. The XROOTS study tested using both hydroponic and aeroponic (air-based) techniques to grow plants rather than traditional soil. These techniques could enable large-scale crop production for future space exploration.
Transplanting veggies
During a series of investigations called VEG-03, which cultivated Extra Dwarf Pak Choi, Amara Mustard, and Red Romaine Lettuce, NASA astronaut Mike Hopkins noticed some of the plants were struggling. Hopkins conducted the first plant transplant in space, moving extra sprouts from thriving plant pillows into two of the struggling pillows in Veggie. The transplants survived and grew, opening new possibilities for future plant growth.
Plant genetics
Plants exposed to spaceflight undergo changes that involve the addition of extra information to their DNA, affecting how genes turn on or off without changing the sequence of the DNA itself. This process is known as epigenetic change. Plant Habitat-03 assesses whether such adaptations in one generation of plants grown in space can transfer to the next generation.
The long-term goal is to understand how epigenetics contribute to adaptive strategies that plants use in space and, ultimately, develop plants better suited for providing food and other services on future missions. Results also could support the development of strategies for adapting crops and other economically important plants for growth in marginal and reclaimed habitats on Earth.
The human effect
Gardens need tending, of course. The Veg-04A, Veg-04B, and Veg-05 investigations also looked at how tending plants contributed to the well-being of astronauts. Many astronauts reported they found caring for plants an enjoyable and relaxing activity—another important contribution to future long-duration missions.
TOP IMAGE....Thale cress plants from the Plant Habitat-03 investigation just before a harvest. Credit: NASA
CENTRE IMAGE....Mark Vande Hei harvests for the Veggie PONDS investigation. Credit: NASA
LOWER IMAGE....Close-up view of Apogee Wheat Plants grown as part of the PESTO experiment during Expedition 4. Credit: NASA
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sydneyadamuhusband · 8 months
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SYDRICHIE FANFIC (cause im not good at titles, people) part one
note: never worked in a restaurant, I barely even know what I am saying with the slang being tossed around. Let's hope it makes sense.
words: 5k (ish)
rating: gen.
warnings: light mentions of anxiety. (And possible misspellings, im sorry in advanced)
﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋
It was peak hour and the tickets were coming in hot and fast. Richie was out on the floor, serving food to guests and buttering them up while Sydney was yelling out the rapid orders and taking them down. 
They were packed tonight and people’s orders were shooting out the ticket machine faster than Sydney could see. 
Clashing sounds of dishes, silverware and cups were all around. Clouds of steam and smoke were in the air followed by sizzling. Plates and plates were being dished out and walked in what felt like milliseconds to Sydney.
Unlike the first night, Sydney was prepared. Her braids were held back into a tight bun and draped over with a sharp white bandana wrapped tight around her head, her eyes darted with each order with proficiency, and her hands were quick to scratch out orders.
She was getting in a zone, a fast and stressful zone and it felt freeing. The zone wasn’t safe nor a fun, not even close. But somehow that made it more exhilarating.
She had control over the life of chaos and it was powerful. Being able to handle it and go with the flow in a world that felt like it had none, now that was a feeling like no other
Everything was under control and even if it wasn’t; Richie, Tina, Marcus, Sweeps and Sugar got her. Hell, even Fak got her. They have each other, they hired an excellent group. Everything was under her control. 
Well almost everything.
“That’s not cooked all the way you are supposed to steam. them.” It was Carmy’s voice Sydney heard. Unfortunately she wasn’t surprised. 
He was in tonight, disheveled and tired practically screaming down the ear of an employee, Jacob.  
“Do you know how to steam vegetables chef!?” Carmy is practically on the guy's ear.
The vegetables are burnt with a tangy smell in the air floating all over the kitchen, Sydney’s nose wrinkles. The station’s stove is too hot obviously with the burst of more and more smoke coming out of the pot’s rim. But Sydney can’t focus on that right now.
“Fire two by two t-bones!” The chefs respond to Sydney quickly. “Thank you chefs!’
Jacob is shaking like a leaf, his blond hair starting to fall out of place as he quickly restarts his process of cooking. His hand’s trembles as he cuts. Carmy is still there though. He hovers over him with cold blue eyes, practically trying to pierce into him with his glare.
Sydney looks down, “Fire bucatini two by two. T-bone to table 15 please!” The chefs responded.
 As long as they can get through it without paying too much attention to Carmy, they’ll be good. His yelling got louder though. Sydney can see the poor chef shrink under Carmy. 
Carmy kept asking rapid questions leaving strays of spit and vicious anger flying everywhere. His face was getting hotter by the second. At this point, it looked like his goal was to keep yelling until his face turned blue.
Sydney tries to interfere. “Chef!-”
“Not now, Chef” Carmy replies smoothly to Sydney before she’s able to finish. He keeps his eyes on his target the whole time. “Answer the question, Chef.” 
“Yes chef, I know how to make veg...vegetables, chef…” The man whimpers quietly.
 Oh boy. 
The air is thick in the kitchen next to it’s usual smokey delicious air from the various foods they cooked. 
His hands were shaky and he was practically vibrating with the vibrato of Carmy’s voice. He was starting to get too loud. The other chefs were staring, distracted by their works which Sydney had to remind and repeat commands to them to get the orders across correctly.
Carmy kept pestering the chef to go faster and faster, cook better. Holy shit he was so red. Sydney looks back down, four more orders past her, fuck.
“We gotta go move faster chefs, fire two fishes, four by four copenhagen, one focaccia to table 11 please, walk bucatini, cannolis two by two!” 
“You’re falling behind!” Carmy’s voice comes into view at the wrong time. Even though it wasn’t directed at her, Sydney still flinches with a pang of aching in her stomach.
They really were starting to fall behind right now.
“Fire two t-bones?” One of the chefs asked.
“Sorry, chef.” The man says, “I can’t focus with you this close-” Sydney can’t focus on that right now. She’ll deal with Carmy later. The five more tickets fire.
Sydney looks back at the chef who asked and shakes her head vehemently.
“No-” She glances at the clock, 5 more minutes. “Fire two fishes, four by four copenhagen,” She scratches out the various food items on the list below her.
So many fucking papers everywhere and the tickets won’t stop… 
“One. Focaccia. To. table. 11. Please, walk the bucatini. And Marcus,” he raises his head up, “Cannolis two by two.” 
Marcus nods, “Yes chef.” 
He got her. The chefs are cooking, they got her. It’s fine they got this.
“Fire three t-bones and a welcome broth for table 12 and 8!” A rough jagged sigh drags from Sydney, “two by two focaccia.” And she keeps continuing the list.
“Four by four…” Deal with Carmy later,
“Two by two…” 4 1⁄2 minutes.. 
“Another four by four…” Why is Carmy so fucking loud?
“..to table 14 please!” Why is the ticket machine so loud??
“...hands for cannolis please, thank you chef!” Why is Sydney’s brain so fucking loud???
The kitchen’s door opens, it’s Richie.
He has a brisk pace, strolling in smoothly and so casually. He’s calm, level headed and relaxed. Sydney needs whatever fuck he’s on make him so easy going and clear headed in times like these.
He’s fixing his suit, pressing any creases and folds out with rough palms. He’s watching them, encouraging them yet pestering them to quiet and settle down so softly and nicely. 
Good god it’s so uncanny of him. No more sweats, no more overpowering pine tree cologne, no more yelling and obnoxiously loud talking. He’s just oddly mature and reasonable, mannered and good. He smells good
And with that suit  He looks so…
 Sydney looks back down the tickets and continues calling out orders. She has no time to address whatever the hell that was because that’s not important. No more looking at Richie of all people like that. 
Out of the corner of her eye, she sees when Richie finally glances over at Carmy who’s lashing out on the chef next to him. He turns to face Sydney and their eyes meet for a brief moment as he fiddles with the cuffs of his suit. 
Richie leans over to her, close enough for just her to hear. His breath brushed against her skin. His hand on her shoulder. 
 “Carmy’s gonna need to step out, Syd.” He says and Sydney knows he’s right, “The customers can hear him.” 
Just as she expected. Sydney looks over to him now, he’s close. He stares at her with those bright eyes, they're like ocean waves crashing in the sea on a sunny day. 
Unlike any of the other times they have gotten close and personal in each other's spaces, Richie doesn’t smell like cheap cologne and cigarettes. He smells fresh, minty and so good. He’s looking at her soothing concerned eyes. 
How are they always getting this close and personal in each other’s spaces? 
She nods at him. “I know.” and Richie gets it.
He watches as she sorts out the orders for a brief moment, like he’s assessing what he was gonna do. Camry was still yelling, getting red in the face. It reminds Richie of someone but he quickly lets that thought pass him.
Richie takes a breath and begins to make his way over to Carmy. He slips behind chefs, announcing his presence incase of a run-in. Some are giving Carmy quick glances that dart between him and Richie, asking if they should do something. Richie just nods at them to continue their work and they do.
He squeezes in between Carmy and the chef.
The guy was trembling, nearly knocking into other equipment.Maybe if Carmy could just calm the fuck down, the chef could do what he’s ask him.
Richie clears his throat. "Hey, cousin-" 
“Back the fuck off, Richie.” Carmy doesn’t even hesitate to say.
But Richie wasn’t going to back down. This restaurant needs to thrive and Richie isn’t letting one (or a couple of) bad day(s) fuck up this resteraunt. Especially since Carmy himself worked so damn hard for it. 
“No.” Richie says plainly, “You gotta step out or calm down Carm, the customers can hear you.” He tries to reason. But Carmy shakes his head softly, 
"What? you trynna say I'm fucking up business?"
"Two by two for bucatini." Sydney's voice rings in the kitchen, 2 ½ minutes left.
Richie raises his hands in a soothing gesture, softly shaking his head, "You know I would never say that, cousin." 
Carmy doesn't meet Richie's eyes. He paces around, hands on hips. Eyebrows furrowed, Richie tried to meet Carmy's eyes again but he refused to look at him. It doesn't even seem like Carmy was looking at anyone or anything.
Richie grabs a hold of Carmy's arm in the middle of his pacing"Hey hey!" Carmy doesn't respond, his head down.
Richie likes to say he knows Carmy, hell he practically grew up with him and Mikey. He was changing the fucker’s diapers and taking him to school in a beat up honda. He should know Carmy.
 He should be able to read him just as well as he could read Natalie or Mikey. But it wasn’t the case at all. Whatever the fuck was happening right now had Richie feeling like he was being thrown to the sharks.
It makes him anxious, and when he gets anxious, he gets shitty thoughts.
Thoughts about Donna, the way she blows up in people’s faces and lashes out so viciously. Thoughts about Mikey and how he was acting months before what happened. How he felt like he was being thrown to the sharks with him too. Got that same pit in his stomach like now…
They just kept coming. They do this really fucked up thing where they fill up in his brain, removing any distractions so his attention is on them. And they like to whisper at him. Tell him shit that he knows everybody would disagree too.
“You’re worthless..”
“You serve no purpose..”
“You’re a loser..”
He tries not to agree with them and let them win. But sometimes they’re just so loud and they remind him of—
Sydney’s chuckling but there’s no humor to it “You wanna talk about fucking ugly, Richie?”
—things he’d rather not think about.
Richie's grip tightens on him, Carmy flinches but doesn't move his head, "Cousin." No response again.
"You're getting too loud and you're holding your staff behind. Go step out for a minute, cousin" Richie whispers
Carmy glares at Richie.
Sydney voice calls from what feels like afar "Hands for Cannolis please."
“Yes Chef!” Fak says. Fak and Sweeps were the only ones out there. Richie can't be here all day, they have job to do. So he straightens up
"I'm serious." Richie gives him a hard stare. "Put on your big boy pants—“
“Don’t fucking tell me-“
“This is your restaurant cousin.” Richie continues, “don't you wanna see it exceed?" He emphasizes by sticking a finger out to Carmy’s chest.  
It was ironic to think about. All the other times Richie has brought up this place being Carmy’s, it was usually as a way to talk shit. This time though, he was being sincere.
Reminds Carmy of the times Richie would apologize for yelling too harshly at him when he was nine. Or when he tried encouraging him on his academics in when he was in high school. It's raw, close and loving. Cause Richie cares about him and his little dream of a fancy restaurant.
That what's makes Carmy pause.
He's still staring at Richie but it's no longer a glare. It's just painful and blue. Like how his eyes would get when Mikey and him didn't invite a young Carmy to any of their parties. It sends nostalgic wave down Richie's back.
Finally, Carmy was stepping away, a hand drags down his face. He briefly looked at the chef, finally out of the dream (or nightmare). The poor guy was shaken up, eyes stinging and nose runny.
"Fuck. I'm sorry.." Carmy raises a hand and the guy moves away. "Yeah I'll uh, I'll step out" 
The crew watches as Carmy walks from Richie and for the back door, his head low. The restaurant is silent again for a moment. Then Sydney calls out another order and the chefs are back at it.
Like Sydney said, they got her. Richie got her. 
.
The Bear was going great, amazing actually. It honestly felt unreal. The work, frustration, anger, fees oh the fucking fees and construction had paid off so smoothly. The restaurant was upscaled now, beautiful and classy. It was a complete turn around from the beef. 
The kitchen was sleek and pristine, no more random stains and ominous (possibly expired) food in the refrigerator. The chefs worked together strategically and were actually taking the job seriously.
Richie cleaned up pretty well and really improved on himself. He was still charismatic and raunchy. But during work he really toned himself down, became more softer and mature, stayed relaxed during peak hours, and Sydney has barely even had an argument with him in the past week. 
It was incredibly weird but Sydney was grateful for it.
She does get an aching pit of guilt every time they talk though. Mostly about the day she quit and the things she said (and did) to him.
She should probably talk to him about it and apologize. 
“Syd, you good in there?” Speaking of which. Richie taps at his forehead with his hand, the other holding the steering wheel as he drives. 
The night had settled and morning came, the blue and purple waves came to paint the sky as the sun began to arise. Chicago's mornings were cold and brisk as the weather changed and Sydney could see her breath visibly each time she spoke.
She shimmies in her jacket, Richies AC’s still busted but hey, he cleaned the car up pretty good. No more Arby's cups (or bags) scattered around the floor.
“Yeah. Just thinking.” She replies absentmindedly. Her body’s slumped in Richie’s passenger seat.
“Don’t hurt yourself.” Richie teases.
“I should be saying that to you.”
“Yo you’re gonna be old too like me one day.”
“Oof don’t remind me.” And Richie laughs.
“Cold blooded, Syd, cold blooded.”
For the past few weeks, they’ve practically been carpooling. It started off as a one-off's, or just plan b's incase it was super late and money was tight. In plus Richie offered and Sydney doesn't turn down free rides. She was more than fine with sitting in tense, awkward silence as he takes her home.
But then it kinda became a habit. Richie always offered and Sydney always needed to save up money anyway. 
Soon enough he was taking her everyday practically. They were listening to prank calls on the radio with small snickers and snorts by the absurdity. Sometimes quoting iconic lines to each other after work. Or listening in on talk about recent celebrity drama. Or maybe just sitting in silence as the engine rumbled.
The silence tension dimmed with every ride and soon enough, became comfortable and it was kind of calming. Something calm and quiet for once in the hectic world Sydney lived in. It was so so nice. To the point that Sydney was actually looking forward to the rides.
And Richie did that. So. Fucking. Weird.
She reminds herself to apologize. She'll find a way to. Kinda feels like it's a big conversation to have that needs time to be talked about.
But who was she kidding? Sydney chuckles at that thought. She doesn’t even have time for herself, let alone Richie. 
“What’s funny?” Richie asks softly. Softly, surprising isn't it?
Funny thing about Richie is that in the morning his voice is so low and soft with a slight rasp. It's like whiplash to Sydney every time she hears that calm and quiet voice.
She wonders what he looks like just waking up in the morning. What his routine is like. Maybe he makes weird old man noises when gets up. Maybe he drinks coffee. He looks like he drinks his coffee straight black.
Then she immediately shoves those questions down into the deep pits of her brain to discuss with herself about later when she finds the time.
Which she probably won't so she's fine with that.
“You saw that video I sent you on instagram?” Richie ask.
“Yes I did and that was not funny at all.” Sydney remembers that dumbass video (and the other thousand videos) he sent her. She regrets ever giving him her instagram account.
She did skim through his though. Just a tiny skim.
He mostly post about sports teams, family, or Taylor swift? Didn’t expect him to be a Swifite but no judgment.
She saw his daughter, he post about her a lot. She’s adorable. Got those same bright blue eyes like her dad.
Richie smacks his lips “Ehh you don’t get it.” He makes a turn, “You’ll get it when you're  my age.”
Sydney shakes her head, “Sure Richie, sure.”
The air between them is nice. Sydney liked it. Liked it feeling nice. She didn’t want to ruin that with weird feelings. She’s just gonna let the air be nice and not weird.
No weird air. Weird air can go fuck off. She’s not gonna be weird about this. She got better things to focus on, like the damn restaurant. And Carmy
Speaking of which, The Bear was doing good, stressful but good. A lot of orders means they’re getting a crowd. Means people like the food. Just need a new cook. They're good.
But Carmy. He's not good. Obviously. Sydney still doesn’t know what happened that night in the walk-in, but it was affecting Carmy and as a result, the chef’s workflow. 
They’re lucky Jacob didn’t quit after what happened last night, they don’t need to be short of two chefs when they could barely find one as it is. 
The new chefs, bless their hearts, have been getting the grunt of Carmy’s wrath. Mixed in with a couple of back and fourths he’s been having with Sydney. Which reminds her of Richie which gives her so much whiplash.
It’s like the two switched personalities on some Freaky Friday shit. Now Carmy is stressing her out more than anything.
Honestly, he's stressing everyone out.
He needs a break. (And he needs a damn hug, guy got a resting face of a depressed orphan puppy).
For the restaurant and for Carmy himself. Dude has just been so out of it it’s seriously scaring Sydney. When she’s talking to him, his gaze just seemed to be somewhere else so distant and far. Like he was in a different reality altogether.
Which Richie pointed out was weird cause he quotes, “always makes weird googly eyes at you Syd, kid’s obviously fucked.” 
Which is– 
Sydney’s not even going to go into that. No time for whatever the hell he’s going on about.
They pulled up into the parking lot, Natalie seemed to already be there. They come up right when she had gotten of her car, her hair blowing light with cold air.
Richie eyes her coat "She looks like a fucking eggplant.” He’s not entirely wrong.
She was wearing a warm looking purple jacket with a matching beanie, her hands shoved down into her pockets. She looked really snugged, probably warmer than Sydney is in this freezer like car. Dude really got to fix his AC.
But it's not like he has money for that anyway.
“You look like the grim reaper.” Sydney shoots back.
Small little smile grows on Richie’s face. He had on his infamous suit again, looks nice as always. And very professional. And that is all Sydney has to say about that damn suit. Not else. No other thoughts.
Richie murmurs as they pull up. “Better than looking like an eggplant.” And Sydney snorts. 
Soon enough they were out of the car and coming to Natalie. She looked very worried…and tired. Her eyes were big and round with just worry all in them and her eyebrows were scrunched upwards.
Sydney, Richie and Natalie were all huddled in a circle at the front of The Bear, mostly for warmth.
Natalie crosses her arms, feet antsy. "You know, I really don't think he's okay..." she kept her voice low and soft like someone who hear besides them two.
Sydney noticed how her lips folding in on one another every breath she takes in-between talking.
"He's been really out of it lately." Natalie adds.
Richie nods in agreement, arms crossed and frame high. 
"Was he ever okay?" Sydney says but immediately cringes at her wording. Richie and Natalie grimace at it.
Sydney's green jacket moves awkwardly with her as she tries to explain. "Sorry like- Was he, was he always like this but like-"  
"Was he always so distant and estranged? I mean for these past couple of years, yes." Natalie began to answer, nodding along,"Have I ever seen him so..like that?" She takes a deep breath.
Her eyes are drawn down, her fingers begin to play with the fabric of her purple coat.
"No. Never." 
Richie rubs a hand across his beard before grabbing his cigarettes. It'd be the first time in a while that Sydney had seen him smoke.
She guessed a new suit, proper manners, and calm mask doesn't fix a nicotine addiction and stress from work. She watches him as he pulls it out of his slick black suit and sticks one in his mouth. His lips aren’t necessarily pursed around the cig, more like dangling from the side of his mouth. 
They seemed a little smooth too. Must've some chapstick on them. Maybe she was staring too hard because when she looked away from the, Richie’s eyes were on her's curiously. 
She looks away.
‘stop it’, She scolds herself. No time to unpack or understand that.
Sydney turns her focus back to Natalie who hugs herself closer to her body. Her knit eyebrows creased her skin. She's looking at the ground as if the broken pavement and stomped out buds had the answers.
Sydney has bigger things to focus on. Carmy is the priority right now, not however the hell Richie smokes cigarettes or his lips.
"I don't want him working here," Natalie answers truthfully, "I understand it's his dream but, I don't want this to destroy him." Richie and Sydney get it.
It's Sydney who reaches out first, rubbing her arm soothingly. She gives her soft 'it's okay’ even if she doesn't believe it herself. 
“I told him that he spent too much time here…I told him.” It's a quiet remark that could barely be heard under the breezy wind.
Richie grasps her shoulder with a sympathetic nod as well. the same way he did to Sydney a previous night. 
“The kid’s not doing so great." 
Way to state the obvious, Richie. Sydney doesn't say that out loud.
But it didn't take a genius to tell what she’s thinking by the look she gives him. Richie ignores it. 
"The Claire thing has got em all screwed up right now." Richie continues. His words work around the cigarette. “He needs some time away from here so let’s give him that. Some time away from here and some support so he can get his shit together. Don't like seeing him like this.” Richie says that last part low.
“Yeah..” Natalie breathes.
It was strange how much he had changed in his week and it made Sydney think. Did he really change all that much?
 Or was he always like this?
She thinks back to when he apologizes for the gun. When he asks her if she's okay after somebody shot their glass. Took accountability and felt guilty for the cigarettes being left out on the stove. How he was trying to help her with those damn vegetables when everything went to hell with the pre-order shit. How he was actually trying to help everyone that day. 
How he didn't even give her shit for the knife.
‘Apologize to Richie about the knife’, She reminds herself. She should start putting some sticky notes on her mirror, her dad does that.
Sydney clears her throat and nods, "Agreed." She says simply, smoothing out her hair, "I'll text him that I can do interviews on my own."
Again, she thinks. Last time it was because of Claire too. Sydney didn't really know what happened to them, just that it was a pretty rough breakup.
She remembers trying to go back to comfort Carmy in some way that night. But the moment she was back inside, Richie had stopped her. 
He had an inordinately soft look on his face, his posture heavy with ache. She doesn’t know what happened back there but from the looks of it, Richie and Carmy must’ve gotten into it. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and shook his head lightly. 
It was the second time they had gotten close that night, the same good smell from earlier coming in to fill her senses. He rubs the thick hand on her shoulder as he dragged his palm up and down in a soothing gesture as if she was the one who’s hurt.
“He needs some time” is what Richie said that night, “Just go home, Syd, he’ll be okay.” Sydney remembers it vividly. 
She also remembers wanting to give Richie a hug, pat, or something to soothe his troubles away. He looked like he really needed a warm hug. Maybe something even warmer..
She also remembers trying to shove that thought down the moment it reared it’s ugly head nights after. She has no time for that.
"Interviews?" Natalie asks. "For what? I thought all our spots were filled."
Sydney thins her lips. "Yeah well uh, Josh was smoking meth out back so obviously..." She trails off but Natalie understands nods.
Half of Sydney wishes she didn't tell her cause Natalie looks like she was just given a stack of paper work to do.
Natalie sighs, "Fucker..."
Richie softly snort.
“Yeah." Sydney grabs onto her bag at the hip, feeling for her papers through the fabric as a way to remind her of their presence, "The interviews are going to start at 10." 
"Shit I'm sorry I can't help." Natalie softly murmurs, "I got an appointment at like 11:30." 
Sydney smiles, it doesn’t reach her eyes though, "I'll be fine, don't worry."
Natalie still looks worried but she smiles, thankful. It seems like a worried face is the only thing she pulls these days. She really needs a break. Her sleeping schedule was worn around her eyes. Her skin’s been looking sickly for a while and Sydney can’t help but think the stress from here is what’s causing it the most.
“Okay, well" Natalie whispers quietly and then glances at her watch, "I should probably go, just wanted to uh talk to you guys real quick." 
She goes in for a hug to Richie. Sydney watches the way Richie hugs her. He seems a bit surprised at first but he accepts no less. She watches the way he engulfs her into his arms. They wrap around her nice and snug with a lil squeeze and give her a soft lil pat on the back at the end. 
He really likes giving those tiny little pats. He even does it to pens, markers and papers.
He whispers something low and quiet that gets a weak but genuine chuckle out of Natalie before he lets go. He relaxes at the smallest glimpse of a smile from her. Like it was a make or break moment. It's really sweet to see him care so much.
Once again, Richie was surprising Sydney. 
"Bye." Natalie says as she now hugs Sydney. She’s warm and soft. Her hugs are surprisingly really comforting. But for some reason all Sydney can think about is how Richie’s hug must've felt. 
To be pressed against his chest of nice black fabric and good cologne. To have his voice dangling above her ear, whispering some shitty joke just to hear her laugh. Would he ever even give Sydney one if she needed it? Would he give her a little pat at the end?
Sydney brushes those thoughts away and returns the hug, squeezing just a bit too tight.
She whispers before letting go. "Take care of yourself." And watches a warm but exhausted and fragile smile slip on Natalie's face before peeling away. 
Soon, Natalie and her car were out of sight, leaving only Richie and Sydney. Alone. Together. It felt different from the car rides. Usually there's some type of low music, or just comfortable slience in the air as they drive to their destination. Now it feels weird.
It was quite early. Interviews don't start yet and they weren't exactly scheduled to be open today anyway. Sydney just came a little early to set up. Basically, there was no point for Richie to be here.
But he was anyway, standing around awkwardly. With a cigarette still lit, he takes a couple of drags.
“You don't have to stay, you know?' Sydney says and immediately regrets. "Like not in a mean way just like- if you're staying cause I'm here you don't have to." She fiddles with the restaurant keys as she speaks. “Like I don’t mind and-”
“Yo, I understand.” Richie looks down at her, seemingly amused. It was still so weird for her to see him so patient and relaxed. 
Sydney nods with a small smile as she gets the door opened. The sound of the door creaking is met with silence as the two stand in the doorway. Richie stomps out the cigarette.
"I can help." He says finally, his voice echoing in the empty restaurant. "With the interviews."  He clarifies, scratching a part of his beard. "If you want me too?" he says softly.
Sydney looks up at him surprised, "Really?" She says, slightly dumbfounded, "You, Richie, wanna help me?" she asks incredulously.
And Richie has to laugh at that. It's a nice gruff one with vibrato in it, the laugh bounces off the walls. He laughs like he gets it, like he knows and understands where Sydney’s coming from. 
Surprises, surprises.
“Cut me some slack!” Richie’s got a sly smile dancing all over his face, “I’ve been killing it this past few weeks.” He says humorously, “I’m like your little helper. Sidekick even.” 
And now Sydney’s laughing. It’s not a tense one nor a condescending one either. It’s genuine and real. Sydney notes that this was probably the first time she ever laughed with Richie and not at him and it's outside of their little carpooling. She doesn't know why but it makes it feel real.
Sydney, amused, replies. “Sidekick is pushing it.”
"Clyde to your Bonnie?"
“Clyde to my Bonnie?” She repeats.
“Yeah,” And Richie got a little smile on his face. “practically.” 
Sydney gives him a look, “Sure, Richie.” 
And Richie laughs again. Laughs that loud bright laugh. It makes Sydney’s smile widen and it's so weird because she used to hate it. She would always hear him joking or fucking around at The Beef, ignoring her so he could just kick it like it was a friday night. 
And his laugh used to be what really ticked her off.
Made her feel like he was laughing at her and her authority. Like some mean girl was making fun of her from school all over again. Kinda felt weird to compare a grown ass man to a mean middle schooler but Richie wasn't really known for being mature anyway.
Now though, that laugh doesn’t piss her off. Doesn’t frustrate her or make her angry. It doesn’t feel mocking or rude. It makes her feel warm and soft.
Maybe it’s because for once, it’s with her and she’s in the joke with him. He's laughing because of her, for her.
And it feels too fucking weird. Richard dickhead Jerimovich was giving her the most sincere look with crinkled eyes and a huge smile and she felt weird about it. 
‘Shut up.’ She chastises herself. Thoughts are for another time. (Time she still doesn't have).
It’s Richie who’s drawing her back to reality,  “Hand me some of the resumes,” He nudges her. “I know you would print them out like a smartypants.” 
"Yeah, because that’s what you’re supposed to do when interviewing, Richie.”
"That's what a smartypants would say." Richie says so facetiously with such a big smile. It should really irritate Sydney, it used to, but he doesn't.
Sydney shoves some papers in Richies face and his big fat smile. "Just take the resumes, Richard." And she's smiling right back at him.
"Knew it." He says. Their fingers brush one another when Richie grabs the resumes and Sydney’s very normal about it. So normal.
She watches as he goes through the papers, eyes darting from left to right. He looked focused, concentrated and actually invested.
He looks up at her for a moment and winks. "Let's do it sweetheart." 
"Richie-" 
"Yeah yeah sorry." He mutters playfully but genuine, "Don't call you sweetheart, sorry Syd." He nudges her a little with a playful smile crawling onto his face.
“Fuck off.” Sydney says to Richie.
But also to those stupid weird feelings that came up again.
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Here's what I got so far for the starving Sydrichie fans out there. Next part might be more Richie centered idk idk. Let's pray I got the motivation to do a part two. This took about a few weeks but I'm really proud.
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flock-talk · 5 months
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I was going to say “think I went overboard on this one” but I go overboard every time so is it really overboard anymore?
Veg: acorn squash, broccoli, alfalfa sprouts, pea shoots, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, cauliflower, beet, turnip, carrot, spinach
Add ins: bee pollen, coconut, quinoa, sprout mix (barley, rye, spelt, kamut, buckwheat, millet, pumpkin seeds), herb mix (peppermint leaf, liquorice root, lemon grass, dandelion root, fennel seed, flax seed, decaf green tea, echinacea purpurea, Passion flower, green rooibos, milk thistle, fenugreek seed, anise seed, rose petals, cornflower petals)
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tenpolegardener · 8 months
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Summer in the garden
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Tomatoes are on their way… outside take longer so i hope in a fortnight time I will be enjoying this tomato.
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naniiebimworks · 6 months
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garden, 14th oct 2023
A bit of a rush to try get as much done as poss today as covid set us back by a few weeks.
We went out and got some crocuses, 3 diff heathers and winter hardy pansies in blue, maroon, orange and yellow.
Rather stupidly, i set about digging up the moly garlic border and ended up with an enormous amount of bulbs and a muddy hole. There was also a pot of resting bluebell bulbs from spring. As a result, the planting theme has been 2 troughs, 2 terracotta pots worth of bulb layer with pansies on top, and 2 other pots with bulbs in (i tried to add surface plants to one, but the bulbs were already starting, so i chucked some grit on and left it. Partner dug out the rest of the moly garlic border, and pulled the rotted wood bordering, put one in that was inherited, and the remaining bulbs were split out alomg the border, and 3 heather plants put in. (The border originally had some very gnarly established heather, which i didnt know absolutely hate getting pruned, that got pruned hard and died dramatically. )
Im not even sure when the bulbs are coming out, i know bluebells are march- april, and moly garlic late spring to summer, so hopefully the flower display goes on a bit, and the slugs dont destroy the pansies.
I had some bok choi sown in the veg troughs, which are at the sprouted seed leaf stage but they'e slowly being cleared by what i assume are very well fed slugs, and i might just have to give up and put in mustard for green manure. The later planted sprouting broccoli are small, but leafy again, while the caterpillar infested large sprouting broccoli are worthy of halloween art. Its just a plant skeleton.
Gonna try grow a few troughy things in the greenhouse this year.
It's also hit that point we hadn't quite recognised was a watershed time in the house last year as temps drop sharply. The house can get cold and damp, so we have to adapt things in a way that arent ideal (the heat will have to go on, as will the heated clothes hanger) but i've shipped back the orchids i was taking care of, and mine have now moved to the small room where the clothes dryer is, so they get the benefit. I did this too late last year and the cold killed a few, and because the orchids i was taking care of had prime places during summer, im pretty sure mine did badly this year too.
But overall, because of the condensation and damp, im cutting down the number of indoor plants. Im leaving the wasabi outside for now and will bring them in if the worst happens.
We havent had time yet, but the crocuses should go in the lawn around the edges of the wall of the dog's poo spot.
I've been notified lambs lettuce has been potted in trays, and the crocuses planted.
We didnt get round to artichokes.
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supercantaloupe · 2 months
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remarkably good soup i made tonight, from mostly pantry ingredients
1/2 onion, thin slices
2-3 garlic cloves, thin slices
1 little can of green chilies
1 can of crushed tomatoes (fire roasted even better)
1 can hominy (same size can as the tomatoes, sometimes they come in bigger ones?)
spices of choice (i used cumin, coriander, bay leaf, oregano, chili powder, and chipotle powder)
broth
leftover roast chicken, cut in bite size pieces (you could also poach a raw chicken breast in the soup and then cut or shred it once it's cooked)
saute the onion and garlic in some oil til soft. add spices, canned chiles and tomatoes, and cook until toasted and almost dry. add broth, hominy, chicken, and simmer until the veg is soft as you like. also salt to taste. i topped my bowl with crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheese, and lemon juice (i was out of lime)
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