Storybook

     Today marks another year around the Sun for me. Another year of earned EXP, deeper bonds, adventures, and learning experiences. A new chapter, if you will. Who would have guessed that on this day, my husband turned another page in my book with me... in an almost literal way.

For my birthday, he brought me somewhere to unwind, relax, and write. And so, here we are.

I told myself I was going to make ube creme brulee this season.

I did it!

They looked cool, but the ube flavor wasn't as prominent as I'd hoped. We'll call them prototypes. Perhaps using half vanilla and half ube was where I had gone wrong.

We've also made large strides in re-doing some stuff around the house. 

Our larger pieces are even sluttier now. I'm happy for them. They deserve good lighting.

Mr. Chicken brought home a treat that I'd been so curious about since its grip left Metzen's face last year during Blizzcon.

Ophelia was just as curious.

The newest expansion in World of Warcraft; The War Within. 

There's a lot I could unwind here. Too much for anyone not invested or not as butthurt as I, to care about. But I will say that I stopped playing seriously many years ago. I stopped caring during Cataclysm, the 3rd expansion. It just got worse from there. And then Metzen announced this expansion. 

So far, the story isn't bad. At least I get to see where the Nerubians hang out. Crypt Lords are fun units in WC3. It'll be a real treat to delve into them more. 

Also recently saw the mortie girlies. 

We met up in the lands of Pasadena. Haven't been there in eons, but it's always nice to revisit. Pottery Barn upset me. Do I want to pay $70 for a stuffed bat plushie? No. I can, but that isn't the point. Why does a $70 bat plushie exist, first of all? Secondly, for whom? For what? It's cute, yeah. But like, ... ?!?!

I hate Pottery Barn. But watch, there's gonna be a point in my life where I'll stop caring and be that customer. And it'll be disgusting. This is why a support group of friends is important - to keep one on the straight and narrow. Away from $70 bat plushies.

And to help you try on shoes lol
This was not planned. But when cute Docs touch your heart, it's self-control out the window.
Mr. Chicken said they were cute ^_^

Gworliiieess

A clan bound by trauma and perseverance in the face of weekly essays, quizzes, exams, countless books, mental breakdowns, and state board exams.

Cheeeerrssss to not getting paid enough :)

It's probably, literally, the state of Colorado's fault. Like, it wouldn't surprise me at all. 

Because If I had to describe it; Colorado is like, the state that brings the class average down to a C- grade.

Dinner at Sage was yum! Cris and I got the eggplant pasta. That thing was so good. Took me by surprise. It's spicy!! Def recommend if you're in the area and wanna give that place a shot. They have yummy drinks too.

We wandered around until late. It was so much fun bwuuuhhh

The trifecta: Good food, good hangs, and good exp/learning. We continue to learn from each other; This is the way. We also took a massive amount of photos that night to document our evening together. They bring out different energies in me. My precious mortie gworlies.

I felt extra cute, so my busted nails and I took selfies together.
Love all of yourself, not just parts of you. Busted, chipped, cracked, broken nails and all. (It's the latex gloves from work, they're just not an ally for long, natural nails)

The Disney cruising returns
oh god, isn't she tired yet?

Of seeing our friends having a good time in the middle of the work week? 

IMPOSSIBRU

Lifa came over midday to finish up work. WFH has perks. This is one of them. While Mr. Chicken and Lifa attended to their work, I labored in Darkest Dungeon runs and Beholder. No commitment, but so much replayability - perfect for early day leisure with late day plans. 

We got to the parks around 5:30ish. Booked it to Cali Adventure and the indulging promptly began. We'd been (I, mostly) encouraging (nagging) Lifa to get a Magic Key (annual pass), and he did.

The joy on his face when he steps out of Clarabelle's with his Guinness ice cream float next to his homies and takes in the atmosphere is like... my reward, lol. My heart is so happy. For him and for the moments he's taking in. 

We just walked around and got drinks and food lol. That's it. It was magical.

The highlight that week was the Yuzu Bread Pudding from Aunt Cass's Cafe in San Fransokyo. That thing was incredible. The disrespect. How can something be that delicious? It doesn't compute. But damn. What a dessert. 

We went a day before all of the Halloween Time stuff was out. Wasn't planned that way, but it was kinda good, because we went back the week after LOL.

There was some Halloween Time stuff out, but the food and drinks hadn't launched yet.

Look at him, he's beautiful.

Stitch is very popular this year. Wonder why :3

A few hours were enough before calling it a night. Just what the mental health fairies ordered! A little good company here, and little comforting atmosphere there, some self-reflection over here, and voila. Moments of comfort radiate a little brighter in ourselves than before. 

Something many misunderstand about the human condition; Absolute, constant, permanent happiness doesn't exist, that's just weird. And sadness isn't something to be fixed.

If I have to explain it, you gotta confront yourself more.

I felt cute that day, too.

Don't mind me. I'm just a dame with an ass on her chin, doing her best.

And that's cool. :D


OH NO WE CAME BACK LESS THAN A WEEK LATER

 
GROSS

Same deal that day. Lifa came over that afternoon to remote alongside Mr. Chicken. I mouth breathed at my monitors - this time playing Hades, until it was time to go. 

I'd been spamming them the whole time with seasonal food and drinks we could try while we were there. My body and soul were ready.

As the youngins say these days, we "ate"
Mr. Chicken ate. Lifa ate. I ate. It was glorious. 
That giant thing was the stuffed potato dog for Refreshment Corner in Disneyland. And I ran to Red Tavern Rose to grab the... not the Grey Stuff (it's delicious) but the Enchanted Pumpkin Stuff! It was alright, lol. Not bad, it didn't pack the flavor bomb as much as last year's "Grave Stuff", but still pretty good. I'd get it again. 

So... this. Alright. I should've known. It's the new Cheesy Garlic Pretzel Bread Brat that go introduced this season at Edelweiss Snacks by Small World. The brat added nothing outside of texture. The cheesy garlic pretzel bread (and I should've know better) didn't need anything else to begin with. It's already amazing by itself. But now, at least, I can say without a doubt that if you're gonna try it, the brat is not even... just don't bother. I disrespected the CGPB by even getting it with the brat. A mistake that won't happen again, I can assure you.

We returned to the Red Rose Tavern. There was mug Lifa had his eyes on. It's pretty cool. It's the Poison Apple mug. Thing is huge. Can definitely fit like... a lot in there lol.

D'aww

So, the Yuzu Bread Pudding was replaced by the Taro Bread Pudding for Halloween Time. Had to try it.
Amazing. Divine. Delicious. Disrespectful. Get it. 2 for 2. Both just... omg. Out of the two though- I'm still thinking about the Yuzu one. But they're both fantastic.

Please forgive my smeared lens. I was excited.

Cars Land was crowded. Everyone was out for the Vampire Mater popcorn bucket thing. I don't blame them, it's pretty cute. We tried the Ube soft serve from Cozy Cones. It was alright, lol. But I don't regret getting it. The ube flavor was there, but still kinda muted. And of course, every year I have to capture the Model T. She's precious. I love her so much.

Coco stuff was out. Similarly to Lunar New Year, there was a station with little note cards that guests could fill out. This year, guests are encouraged to write something down in remembrance of a loved one - Departed or not. The cards are then hung all around the exhibition, creating a beautiful wall of loving memories. 

God I love this film.

Funeral rites come from love. Wherever love is, take a moment to be in it and feel it. It's beautiful. Whether its coming at you, or expressed around you. Even if we don't always feel it being given to us, we can still recognize it in other things, and let that be a reminder of the depths that our souls can reach, even through the most painful events we must one day endure.

It's not even that deep, just acknowledge it. Like, it's right there.

I felt cute that evening, too!

Idk why, but lately I've been feeling really good about myself. It's just... there's always something to look forward to, and it perks me up. Also it's my birdday week hehe :D

The next morning (yesterday) I made us yummy drinks. These espresso beans have really added another layer of flavor to our drinks! It's so yummy! Aaaand I got some Pumpkin Mickey glow cubes from Disney to put in our drinks for extra cuteness. Because it just makes me happy, lol. 
I made us pumpkin praline lattes with the chocolate mudslide espresso beans and man, oh man were they yum! 

We packed that morning to head out on the surprise adventure Mr. Chicken had in store for us. I had a feeling from the "to get away" hints he was giving me that we were going to go to the mountains.

His mom also probably spoiled some of the surprise when she asked me what time we were leaving for ______, lol. 

But even still, I was so excited. Getting away for a weekend is ... lovely all on its own.

The sun was out, but there was a gentle breeze that was nice. When someone else pulled up to the turnout, we quickly got in the car and left, lol.

Felt like driving through Ashenvale, uwu.

When we finally arrived, I was so charmed!

There's this little village area with like, Dutch style buildings and huge clock tower?!

And a lake! WITH SO MANY HAPPY BIRD FRIENDS

Everything was so cute. All the little shops, even the bank looked like a damn tavern from the outside. It looked like a base in a medieval RTS game. 

There was even a coach store LOL. My sister-in-law got me into coach. Honestly, one of the bigger appeals is the fact that the logo has a coach on it. Coaches are so pretty. We get them at the cemetery sometimes, and it's really something to see. It's regal, and kinda like, old fashioned. Dignified. Something about it just... yeah. We also call our hearses coaches. Or funeral coach. So. That's 1. The other thing is how simple but kinda clean the designs are. 

For our wedding, my SIL got me a leather backpack from there that I abused throughout mortuary school, stuffing it with every text book imaginable. It didn't let me down. So... Mr. Chicken took us there and said to pick something out, lol. 
The point of this was mostly because I had last my wallet during Anime Expo. I think the rep is finally mailing it out to me? But in the mean time, a replacement would be nice. So, imagine my laughter and surprise when I saw this store in this little town, in the mountains, with Mr. Chicken guiding me towards it to replace my wallet lol. 

Also look at that furry bag, wtf. It's ugly and cute at the same time. I wouldn't wear it, but I'm not gonna lie. It's cute.

We grabbed some food and groceries on his recommendation that I'd likely not want to leave once we arrived. Curious. Then we were off to our destination.

He drove us through the narrowest, winding-est, steepest roads up into the mountains looping around all the little houses until we pulled into the most inconspicuous drive way that seemed to go down forever. And then he pulls into a dead end at the end of the path. I see a light pole outside my passenger window with a sign on it...

The tears projectile burst from my tear ducts and my breath became heighted as soon as I read it. "Storybook Nook"

I'm ugly crying. I have no idea where we are. If this is even where we're supposed to be. I look at him with all of my cozy hopes and dream fantasies welling up in my eyes and go "IS THIS FOR US" he just silently smiles at me and turns off the car. I'm ugly crying. What's happening. Where'd my soul go, I have no clue. He walks around the car and opens the door, I'm trying to breathe normally. He says we can leave our things in the car for now. I get out and stare at the sign. The euphoria is beyond me as the tears explode out of my face.

There's a winding stairway that goes down... to somewhere. Where?! I don't know oh my god I can't breathe.

THE LITTLE FAIRY HOUSES ALL AROUND THE PROPERTY WHAT

A COTTAGE I'M LITERALLY HYPERVENTILATING

the door says Storybook Nook on the top, how I'm not actually screaming is a miracle. I was pretty close, not gonna lie.

There are lanterns everywhere, and tiny fairy houses all around the trees, and tiny raindrop shaped crystals hanging from branches, and and and I'm probably drooling through my tears

He unlocks the door and beckons me to him

I'm done. Dead. Ugly crying. Bawling. Inconsolable. The ugliest shit you ever saw. I can't breathe or keep it together. He brought me, for my birthday, to a storybook cottage, to write in peace. I'm fucking. I. How. IS THIS. I'M- I CAN'T FEEL ANYTHING ANYMORE

Everything. Is. Un. Real. I can't. Keep it together. I can't believe it.

These photos don't even do it justice. They just don't. My god.

I was incoherent. Like, that's it. That's the impression I was under upon walking into this place.

These adorable hobbit stairs that lead up to the loft

There's a writing desk and just.... sigh

My husband did this for me. I'm getting teary-eyed right now. This man is... god how did we come to find each other. And now, 6+ years later. I'm so. Ugh. Honored to be his chosen person. He romanticized being an introvert for me as a birthday gift. GOD. How is this real, how did I get so lucky. Anywho...

He just came up here cuz he heard me sniffling and I ugly cried on him. :)

The stairs are narrow, and so pretty!

This place is a work of art. I can feel the love that was put into making this little cottage into a dream. Every corner, every little detail... so sweet.

Mr. Chicken put on some music. Sounded amazingly ancient, just how I like it.

He told me to stay put while he went to go grab our belongings from the car. This was the view from the cottage up the stairway

Fairytale books adorned the cottage throughout the living area

The bathroom had one of those antique bathtubs with the feet, and antique faucets to match.

Bro, you ever wipe your butt feeling like you're in a fairytale? 

Putting the welcome signs and information in antique frames really kept the charm consistent with everything. So creative!

We celebrated with poke we picked up at the village and drinks. 

Mr. Chicken had started watching a series called "The Terror". I joined him during the latter half of the first episode and it grasped me. By the time I had come downstairs after unpacking stuff, it was getting dark out. He turned to me and said "just in time!"

The lanterns had come on, and the evening brought a cool air through the windows downstairs. It was so nice out.

Le sigh

This wonderful man chose to marry me

waaaaaaaahhhh

After enjoying the dark and quiet outside, we enjoyed the evening watching "The Terror". It's not at all what it sounds like, thank goodness. It's superior, in my humble opinion. (Just kidding, I think classic horror is garbage LOL)

As the evening progressed, it cooled down significantly enough to where Mr. Chicken turned on the heater. So cuuuute! And worked really well.

Our first night was so cozy and peaceful. I couldn't have asked for anything more.

Waking up this morning was just as nice. He opened the curtains and it was like... dopamine. In bold greens and browns, dusted with gentle sun rays. 

We enjoyed some breakfast (my burnt sandwich lol), and lazily indulged in a few more episodes before hunger began creeping in. We have provisions, but I couldn't help wanting something a little heavier. Mr. Chicken took us back to the village, where we gave the Tiki place a try.

It was cute inside. And not at all busy, unlike some of the surrounding eateries.

Our food and drinks were also pretty yummy! Crowd-Neglected and delicious? Instant-win. Would recommend. 

Which brings us to the right now. 

Today is my birthday. In this very moment, these blissful days, weeks, sprinkled with varying degrees of love, I am the happiest, middle-aged plebian hag on this side of the equator. Come what may tomorrow, that's totally cool. But right now, it's a dream. And I'm going to continue taking it in without shame. 

I think many people are ashamed of feeling joy, or sharing theirs. I kinda am in certain ways, because when others are struggling, my compulsion is to drag them closer to me - if they'll let me. And to celebrate those moments of joy. I definitely see shame in joy. And even the romanticizing of melancholy. Almost like, if there isn't melancholy, we're not really feeling anything worth sharing. Like it's more impactful than joy, because joy doesn't come as easy as melancholy. Therefore it's almost... treated like this rare thing that because we all cannot easily or so obviously come by it, it must not be equitable or attainable. Almost like a luxury.

I've felt this way too for many years. It wasn't until I allowed moments of joy to count as much as melancholy that my determination to protect my joy became something more worthwhile. Something precious, to hold dear. And I feel that joy can be just as present as melancholy if we recognize it when it brushes us. Even for a moment. Joy is joy. Lean into it. Let it linger after it passes. Melancholy will follow, but it does not work alone. It needs a high to come from. Otherwise, what is down without up? 

And so, with this I say good night. I hope the coming stillness of Autumn helps to also still your mind. I wish you reader all the chillest chills and dope dopes. I have poke waiting for me downstairs and more episodes of The Terror. 

meow meow ^-^

Gooder

     A tranquility has been with me the last few weeks. It's peaked this past week. I think it's because it's already August. This year has flown by, and at some points it's been painfully dragging. But lately, things feel really good. 

My brunch today! While I write!

Tiramisu latte with sweet cold foam and some rice, bean and cheese burritos in a spinach and herb wrap. And a side of guacamole! It was my first time preparing guacamole, and I blasted it with lime and cilantro. I hope Mr. Chicken likes it. I packed him the same thing for lunch and made him a caramel macchiato to take with him to work.

These burritos are bomb while so easy to make;
The rice is seasoned with Spanish... seasoning? I blasted it with lime and cilantro as well. Black beans. Four cheese blend cheese sprinkle thingies. Some green chili sauce... more cilantro and lime... wrap it, toast it, boom. Mash an avocado, little bit of oil, blast it with lime and cilantro, some onion salt. Boom. I really like cilantro and lime lol. They're game changers. Vietnamese peeps get it.

 

My tiramisu latte;
Vanilla soy milk. Tiramisu, chestnut praline, and chocolate syrups as the base. Espresso, doi. Pull the shots into the mug, fill like halfway-ish with the milk. Ice. The cold foam I made with dairy-free heavy cream and toffeenut syrup. Whip that bad boy and top your drink with it. Then sprinkle finish with unsweetened cocoa powder and espresso powder. Boom. I didn't even think about this, but adding Kahlua to this drink would also be INSANE. 

This is my Animal Crossing Cafe Era, thank you very much. We prioritize coziness and self-care here.

This morning, Mr. Chicken had to go into the office. We've been hard at work here at home remodeling rooms and moving furniture around. Albeit exhausting, it feels fantastic. Coupled with Summer coming to an end soon to welcome in Autumn, I'm over the moon. I've also been motivated to cook more often. I honestly just want to feel gooder. I feel good, but one is always capable of feeling gooder. Personally, that includes some happy home making and remodeling. 

"Gooder" means Pumpkin Spice latte on August 1st. Cynth's cafe and lounge launches Fall stuff early. I said what I said. 

 We also started growing some herbs. They were fine, now they're ... drooping. I can't figure out what their deal is. They kind of exploded, turned white and leggy, and now they're sad? Am trying different things, we'll see how it goes lol.

I've never really been much of a morning person, but lately it's like, nice. It's been quiet, and I've been so inspired to clean more and make yummy things instead of hiding at my desk. Ube pancakes, French toast.

And then I prepared meat pies. And Pumpkin Spice & espresso creme brulee. The meat pies came out just okay. There was nothing wrong with them on paper, I just used a recipe with ingredients I didn't grow up with, and it tasted... sad, lol. If I had followed my gut and used my own palette inklings with the stew, it would've been so much better.

It was an "Aussie meat pie" recipe. It had red wine, worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, beef broth, and like, the least common denominator base spices. When I bit into it I was like umm what. It's supposed to taste better with ketchup? I tried that, it was slightly better, but like... ??? 

It was my first time creating little pies, so my seals weren't great, but it all came out as intended. Just not full of flavor the way I thought it would be? And I will be the first to admit when I mess something up, but those flavor combos suck to what I grew up with lmaoooo. I'm sorry. I felt like I insulted the beef chuck I got by making that stew. But enough about that. 

The creme brulee came out excellent. Used some vanilla extract, pumpkin spice syrup, and espresso powder with the custard and topped it with sugar and pumpkin pie spice powder on top. I wish I had some more festive fruit at hand to top them with, but as you can see, all I had were raspberries. Next time I'll try and have ... I don't even know. Brulee'd persimmons, maybe?

I also want to make some ube creme brulee, but am thinking a caramel apple creme brulee would be dope too. With baked apples on top.

God, what's happened with me. I'll probably take up knitting soon if I'm not careful.

Obligatory Sun Nong Dan photo

The Los Angles County Funeral Director's Association recently had an event. I dragged Mr. Chicken to it because of course I did. Some people from work were going, and these have been fun in the past, sooooo whyyy not :D

CHICKENS!
I don't get to snuggle them like I used to anymore, but graveside doves are so cute. I'm always half anxious - half excited for them when they're released. They're expecting treats when they get to their home base, but also hawks. Hawks want treats, too. So it's like, a really happy ending or a terrible ending. There weren't hawks out that evening, so it was a good time. :D

Mr. Chicken returning to this chapel was heavy for him. He explored as much as he felt comfortable to. Also Star Trek.

The event was held just outside this chapel, so I took advantage of the mirror in the priest room because LOOK AT MY NEW TOTE BAG BY MOURNING PUG.

This chapel is gorgeous but it carries much with it, to put it... lightly. He described one of those weights to me, one that pierces anyone within earshot, that I'm also familiar with. It doesn't leave you. So what do we do with those heavy moments?

I also have colleagues who have gotten married there (of course I do, and of course they did). But, like I said, it's a lot. Beneath this chapel is also the mausoleum. Our own sensitivities carry that heaviness differently, but the reminder that rest and peace is the primary objective hopefully helped Mr. Chicken, if even an ounce, to lighten some of that weight.

He needed a drink.

MOURNING PUG! Melinda is an artist, a fur mom, pet death doula and mortician whose art journey is inspired by death care and her so beloved fur baby Eli, who has departed our world for another 2 years ago. She is an incredible and passionate advocate for love after death, and demonstrates it actively in all that she does. I was so excited to learn that she'd be boothing at this event, finally! Mostly because while these events are great, the booths are moreso for networking, not-so-much buying merch. So the moment we got there we b-lined over to her booth. 

I got a tote bag, a t-shirt, some stickers, and a pin. And it looked like others were happy to support her as well. She was the only one selling stuff! THIS IS WHAT WE NEED AND WANT. MORE MERCH. lol.

Man, if her and Amek_GRAPHICS both had booths, I would've gone feraaall. Ya'll don't understand lol. DEATH CARE ARTIST ALLEY WHERE?!?! I think about making little clay charms of stuff sometimes, but if it actually takes off, I'll stop because managing myself doesn't sound like a good time LOL. Excel sheets stress me out and I have the attention span of a brick. So. BUT. I mean. Support artists. :D

My colleagues also bought stuff from her. Of course they did. OF COURSE WE DID! We love you and were so happy to see you there. 

I would've gotten the teddy bear, but I already have 9 trillion plushies T_T

Was fun overall. Am excited for the next one!

O hai, m'am!

So, the meat pies were inspired by Mrs. Lovett & Sweeney Todd. And these eggies in a basket were inspired by V for Vendetta. They're so simple and yummy. Tons of butter. Mmm.

Earlier this week, I was determined to find Halloween stuff. I did, but much of it wasn't to my liking. I think out of the like, 5 places I went to, one butter dish caught my eye. And it was chipped. When Illidan says "my patience has ended", I felt that.

I even walked over to Bath & Body Works. Their marketing is great with these scents. Except this "Vampire Blood" scent is the most basic scent on the planet. There's nothing complex about it. It's like something you'd find at Claire's for 10 year olds. There's no "aesthetic" in the world that'll have me abandoning values like that.

One would think like, wow... vampire's blood. Oh man. That's, decadent. Regal. Sensual. Commanding. Sultry. Inviting. Maybe some clove, vanilla, sandalwood. Maybe amber, with a cherry or even a citrus for tanginess in the afternotes. No. It's BERRIES. 

Mixology can be anything you want it to be. In scents, beverages, color palettes. The possibilities are endless. But when something named "Vampire's Blood" is berries from Claire's, it's kinda like... how did we get here? 

Or... I'm not the audience. Vampire Diaries vs. Interview with the Vampire. 

To wash away the pain that was the awful result of my Halloween hunt quest, I made myself a Pumpkin Spice latte with ube cold foam.
Today is my Sunday, and I've a full afternoon of cleaning and reorganizing still. But it'll be great once everything is done. At least almost everything was moved to where it should be. Now it's just tidying and putting things in their place. I kinda wanna learn how to knit, lol. 

If you've noticed I'm using soy and dairy alternative stuff, it's not for any reason other than people in my life whose physiological functions demand a discriminating dietary intake. They don't have much of a choice. I will say though, I like vanilla soy milk with drinks. It just tastes better.

PS: These are really good if your stomach doesn't fk with meat.

Anyway, I hope this Thursday flows smoothly for you. I'm going to go snort ice and cry into the a/c unit because I don't want to turn on the central air until I absolutely have to. Maybe fill the tub with ice and take a nap in it. Happy almost weekend! Go drink something yummy ^_^