A Little Bit of (Crawfish) Monica in My Life

What foods would you like to make? The thing about books and myself is that, from my tween years (back when “tween” wasn’t in anyone’s vocabulary) I’d formed a (possibly unhealthy) habit of partnering reading time with snack time. I read books every day, but nothing beat the joy of Friday afternoon reading. On Fridays,Continue reading “A Little Bit of (Crawfish) Monica in My Life”

Cat Lady Post: Mid-level Cat Lady with Some Seniority

Dogs or cats? It’s not that I don’t like dogs. In fact, I love them. I wouldn’t mind taking care of one or two. I want all the dogs in the world to be happy, taken good care of, and know that they’re safe and loved. Cats are different though. I’ve always wanted a catContinue reading “Cat Lady Post: Mid-level Cat Lady with Some Seniority”

In the Garden: Prickly Pear Predicament

I’m on the warpath because some beast or human broke my prickly pear cactus! I had grown it from a single pad that I had snapped off somebody’s plant (with her permission). I don’t usually actively acquire cacti and succulents unless they’re virtually free. I am fascinated by cacti, however. I think it started withContinue reading “In the Garden: Prickly Pear Predicament”

The DNF Option – Do You Take It?

There was a time when I suffered through boring storylines, repulsive characters, predictable twists, and cheesy, cliché writing for the sole reason that I had to see something I had started through to the end. I was young, healthy, and childless. It was nothing to waste an hour or two plodding through an inferior novelContinue reading “The DNF Option – Do You Take It?”

Little Hopes and Big Hopes

What are you most excited about for the future? When first accosted (because I somehow felt both affronted and burdened) by this query, my natural negative tendencies immediately took over. Concerns about autism, expenses, inflation, and even wars entered my mind. Being an instinctive worrywart and over-thinker, I suppose I do have a natural DebbieContinue reading “Little Hopes and Big Hopes”

Small Life Delight – Homemade Candy

The first time I learned about snowflake crisps, I was watching famous Chinese vlogger Li Ziqi prepare treats for a festival. I was intrigued by the mixture of butter, marshmallows, crackers, dried fruits, nuts, seeds, etc. It looked like really loaded marshmallows, a concept I found really intriguing. It’s always fun to see candy beingContinue reading “Small Life Delight – Homemade Candy”

In the Garden – Crooked Cucumber Harvest

I’m not going to make any claim to Zen other than the fact that I write a lot about green tea and often have to delve into meditation and tea ceremonies. I’m hard pressed to find any Zen in my life. It’s not my aesthetic and not my disposition. It would be nice if itContinue reading “In the Garden – Crooked Cucumber Harvest”

Baking in the Fall… Except I’m Near the Equator

Unlike people in other hemispheres, my mind already turned to Christmas in June. Our summer was over, after all, and the rainy season had commenced. We were already halfway through the year, and it’s time to turn our mind to the end of the year holidays. We’re a little (a lot) over-the-top about Christmas overContinue reading “Baking in the Fall… Except I’m Near the Equator”

Hygge: There’s Something about Tea (Featuring Favorite Tea Quotes)

The day had been particularly trying. My daughter was exhibiting all the finer qualities of being a teenager. With a heavy heart, I forcibly dismissed the incident as growing pains and reminded myself not to take it personally. This is hard when you suspect that your psyche is still hovering over the boundary line betweenContinue reading “Hygge: There’s Something about Tea (Featuring Favorite Tea Quotes)”