Randomness January 2022

Just felt like making a random blog post.

I removed Instagram from my phone. I'll just be accessing it on my computer. 

Some pretty things I received for Christmas:

Rhinestone encrusted eyelash curler!

Sparkly makeup brushes. Rarity approves!

I also received some of Johanna Basford's colouring books. I've always wanted one!

The holidays were fine. We decided not to see any of our friends while vising our hometown, to be safe. This made the trip a lot more relaxing. Otherwise these visits are filled to the brim with social engagements and it's tiring. But we also didn't get to see any of our extended families and that was disappointing. 

I finished reading the novel the Clan of the Cave Bear, lent to me by my mother-in-law. The beginning of the book was good and caught my interest right away. But my overall impression now that I've finished it is negative. I don't want to read stories about violence against women. Maybe there is some catharsis there for some people, but it is not for me. The author also spent too much time dwelling on insignificant details. The writing became sloppy towards the middle. 

It's given me some things to think about with my own writing. 

I remember reading Ann Leckie's philosophy that every sentence of the story should be significant and useful. At the time I disagreed because I preferred to view writing as a form of art. The more polished and manufactured something becomes moves it farther and farther from art. To me, art is some raw expression of the human condition. But 100% this is not always the case. The definition of art is tenuous. 

I haven't begun working on a lolita fashion wardrobe post yet. I've been struggling with my health. I hope I can manage to do it. 

I haven't even felt like making a year in review post for 2021, but maybe I will find a way.

I wore Toy Parade the other day. Happy prints make me feel better. :)

Kansha: Celebrating Japan's Vegan and Vegetarian Traditions: A Cookbook REVIEW

Since cooking is one of my hobbies, I've decided to include some cookbook reviews on my blog. I am especially interested in the cuisines of different cultures. One food culture that I have spent an excessive amount of time learning is Japanese (surprise). I believe I was originally inspired by anime since many of them include scenes of people eating. Another appeal is that it is such a different food culture than the European-based one I am used to. Okay, I am diverging from the topic at hand!

According to the author, Kansha means something along the lines of thankfulness or gratitude.

This book is really for someone that enjoys cooking as a hobby. The recipes are more difficult because there are a significant number of detailed steps. I find that when I cook these recipes, I must refer back to the book often. It is ironic, because I think my palette is really not refined, so if I were to mess up steps (as I have done many times) I am not sure I could even tell the difference.

I have yet to tackle every single recipe in the book, but below are some of my favourite ones I have made so far:

• Skillet-Seared Daikon with Yuzu
• Heaven and Earth Tempura Pancakes
• Gingery Enoki Mushrooms with Carrots
• Crispy and Creamy Kabocha Croquettes
• Peppery Kelp Squares

I've found some recipes are also difficult to follow because the cooking times do not always work out. For example, it might say to cook something for x minutes but then it does not end up cooked enough.

Unfortunately, I'm not spectacular at documenting everything I've made. So I don't have much in they way of pictures.

Winter pancakes from the Heaven and Earth tempura pancakes recipe

Peppery kelp squares, which we refer to as rice friends (as they are mentioned in the book) is a recipe that I have revisited so many times. They are an excellent addition to plain rice and also with yuba. It is not a main recipe, but a garnish.

I have a new Japanese cookbook on its way to me. It is Japanese Cooking: Contemporary & Traditional [Simple, Delicious, and Vegan]! I have been wanting this book since 2012. Now that I'm done university and have more time to dedicate towards cooking, I am excited to add this book to my collection.