Turtle Chips stand out in the crowd of snacks on convenience store shelves because of their distinctive 3D shape. They come in a wide range of flavors. This bag happens to be cinnamon-flavored.
Cute mascots on snack packaging always make me smile.
ART: Eloquence Starmark
Born the same year as the Emergence, Ever Starmark was the most famous hybrid on the planet. His mother, Dad’s second bondmate, was human, and Ever’s very existence was considered proof that peace wasn’t just possible, it offered new possibilities for the human and inhuman races.
Eloquence slouched into Rise and smiled at Ever’s shifting expression. He knew every quirk and dip of those auburn ears, the swirl of emotion through shining eyes, and the eager thump of his stubby tail. If Quen was completely honest, Ever was the main reason he’d dragged his feet about enrollment. He couldn’t exactly bring a three-year-old to class.
How was he supposed to explain high school to Ever?
—Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal (Amaranthine Saga, #2)
• • •
Runt. Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal opens by introducing readers to Eloquence Starmark, who holds a unique place within his clan. For reasons, he never expected to have a bondmate, but he was (mostly) content and entirely grateful for the den he shares with a bachelor uncle, a baby brother, and whoever else may be looking for a cozy place to bed down. No matter what, Quen has Ever, and Ever has Quen. Continue reading
I had no idea…
Wow. Until someone linked me, I wasn’t aware that Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox made it onto Amazon Editors’ Picks for the Top 20 Best SciFi/Fantasy Books of 2018. Continue reading
Fangirl at the Grocery Store
Not on the List. When fans shop, seemingly random items can make their way into the cart for no better reason than … squee factor. Case in point: on a recent stroll through the international aisle at a local grocery store, a line of fancy-schmancy pasta caught my eye. But it was the name for this particular variety that secured a purchase.
Arcobaleno = Rainbow
…but to this fangirl, Arcobaleno = Reborn!
Katekyo Hitman Reborn! is a one of those long-running shonen series with the sort of running jokes that I associate with gag anime. Everyone has their schtick and their catchphrases, so the entire character introduction phase (more than thirty episodes) gets a little … repetitive. But Akira Amano is laying the groundwork that becomes the foundation for an amazing storyline. It’s such a favorite of mine that even though the anime is more than 200 episodes long, I’ve watched it all the way through three times. (No surprise, since it encompasses some of my favorite themes: friendship, kinship, and mentorship.)
Have you ever bought a random thing for its fandom significance?
Green Snacks
Still staying on top of my #NaNaWriMo goals, so let’s have another snack. Couldn’t resist the little angel dude on LONELY GOD Potato Twists – Seaweed Flavor. And a melon ramune, which is the flavor I reach for if Blue Hawaii isn’t available (it usually isn’t). Japanese melon flavor is sort of … honeydew (hence the green), although some brands remind me of cantaloupe.
ART: Juuyu Farroost
Siblings Aplenty. In Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal, we learn a little more about Suuzu Farroost, who comes from one of the phoenix clans. Turns out he has quite a few siblings, but one is closer than all the rest.
• • •
Before the elevator doors could slide all the way shut, a hand cut in and they parted.
Another passenger stepped in, looming in the close space and eyeing them narrowly. Utter silence reigned as the doors whispered shut, and then Akira shook free of his shock. Suuzu reacted at almost the same time as they threw themselves at the newcomer.
“Juuyu!” Akira’s nose mashed against silk-draped strength as he was pulled firmly against their visitor’s side. “I thought you were in Europe or something!”
His best friend was tucked under Juuyu’s other arm, his cheek pressed against the lapel of a dark wool suit, his hair gently rearranged by a clawed hand.
An undercurrent of joy suffused Suuzu’s greeting. “Brother.”
—Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal (Amaranthine Saga, #2)
• • •
FoxOfTwilight was messing around with brushes, and some sketchy-sketches happened. I’ll share this one today. (Which is code for “there are more.”) Continue reading
Steamed Buns
“Miyabe-kun!”
Mr. Fujiwara beckoned her over to the window at the front of his shop and its brightly-lit glass case. Making a big show of looking both ways, he passed her a steamed bun.
“Are you sure?” she asked. The glossy white bread was hot against her palm.
Mr. Fujiwara pointed knowingly at the bags looped over her arms. “Sweets aren’t strength, and you’ll be needing yours.”
“Thank you!” Kimiko broke the bun in half, releasing a fragrant cloud of steam.
—Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal (Amaranthine Saga, #2)
• • •
Hot Stuff. Steamed buns are wonderful because they’re hot. This time of year, I like to indulge because the barbeque pork buns from the local Korean market’s take-away counter are just the right size to wrap two hands around. Varieties range through savory and sweet flavors. I’ve tried the classic barbeque pork, ginger pork, chicken and vegetable, and a breakfast version with sausage and egg. Sweet versions usually involve red bean or mung bean, and seasonal fillings like chestnut or (as shown in the photo above) taro. Both the bread and the creamy filling in these buns are tinted lavender. Bold snacking, indeed! (And pretty alongside green tea.)
Happy Is Yummy
Lavender Snacks. Settling in with my NaNoWriMo project, but not before I share another snack. For the uninitiated, taro is a root that can be used in similar ways to potatoes … except not quite. I’ve used it in soups and hearty stews, and it can be mashed and sweetened to create fillings for puffs or fried sesame balls (much like red bean paste or mung bean paste). You can also order taro-flavored boba tea. In the Japanese color-code for foods, taro-flavored items are lavender.
#NaNoWriMo2018
NaNoWriMo is going well. Four days in, and I’m on track with my goals for the month. If you need a buddy, I’m plodding along over here >>
Snack Habits
Iconic Snacks. In honor of Kimiko and in anticipation of NaNoWriMo’s month-long writing extravaganza, I raided several markets with an eye toward adventurous snacking. Let’s start with two of the most iconic snacks, both of which can sometimes be found in your grocery store’s international aisle.
Pocky & Ramune
(RAH-moo-nay)
#NaNoWriMo2018
It’s begun! If you want to buddy up, here’s a link to my NaNoWriMo profile >>
Prompt Post
• • •
More to Come. The first thirty-one chapters of Lord Mettlebright’s Man came courtesy #Inktober. I posted chapters based on the official prompt list for 2018. But now that we’ve reached November, it’s time to turn my attention to #NaNoWriMo. Jacques will be lulling for the duration, but I’m interested in collecting prompts for the next update burst. Here’s my challenge. Suggest a prompt—either a word or a phrase. I’ll choose my favorites and post the resulting list in advance, in case you’d like to drabble (or drawble) along next time I do a round.
Comment with…
- Your prompt. You can suggest more than one, be it word or phrase.
- Your name. Because I will credit your prompt! ::twinkle::
LMM 31: Concerning Dragons
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the one who’s grown attached.
31
Concerning Dragons
Lapis Mossberne remained at Michael’s desk, daintily Continue reading
LMM 30: Sprout
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the one whose caste is celibate.
30
Sprout
“Lapis came early at Tsumiko’s request.” Continue reading
Authentic
Itadakimasu! I live in an area with plenty of Asian markets and restaurants. Tried a new place last week and snapped a photo of my lunch. Ramen served in an iron pot—shouyo broth, soba noodles, poached egg, fish cakes. There was also tempura shrimp to slide on top. Yummm!
Already plotting to go back. I need to sample more items on their menu!
FORTHRIGHT 