Scoville.

Jan. 11th, 2026 09:31 pm
hannah: (Toast and butter - obsessiveicons)
[personal profile] hannah
Some months ago, in an attempt to clear some congestion, I started adding ghost pepper flakes to my morning eggs. A few weeks ago, in an attempt to punch up the spice, I started adding a crushed up chile de árbol or two. Now I'm finding the issue with a meal's heat isn't the spiciness, but the temperature when it's served right from the stove.

I've now realized I don't have much of a context for what constitutes spiciness anymore. I can tell when there's some heat, I can tell when there's a fair amount of heat, and I'm going to have to keep looking for ways to get the kinds of lovely warm, playful sensations from good restaurants into my own kitchen. But not until I work through more of this bottle of ghost pepper flakes, because I've only got so much room in my apartment - which I suppose is all the more reason to try the Calabrian chili oil I bought on impulse a little while ago.
troisoiseaux: (reading 5)
[personal profile] troisoiseaux
Read The Left Hand of Darkness (1969) by Ursula K. Le Guin, because I've been trying to catch up on my neglected sci-fi classics; it was a fascinating read. This book is famously interesting for the way it plays with gender, being set in an "ambisexual" world (essentially, everyone can, theoretically, physically both bear and beget children) narrated mostly by a character from Earth(?) who grapples with this societal genderlessness by referring to everyone as a "man" and using he/him pronouns— which I found threw me off more than, say, the universal she/her in Ann Leckie's Imperial Radch series?— but I was just really struck overall by the way that Le Guin uses language to fling the reader headfirst into this alien world: she uses made-up words for recognizable concepts, and recognizable English words as signifiers for world-specific/made-up concepts, and you've just sort of got to puzzle it out as you go. I was also surprised to discover that the one plot point I'd known about going in - ... ) - actually takes up less of the novel, and occurs later in it, than I had expected.

Read more... )
amedia: Two young Chinese men (Da Qing left, Lin Jing right) outside in bright sunlight; Da Qing is wearing gold metal-framed sunglasses, Lin Jing's are horn-rimmed; caption says TOO COOL (Guardian: LJ&DQ too cool)
[personal profile] amedia posting in [community profile] c_ent
I have received five lovely gift fics of one kind or another over the past few months, and four of them were based on C-dramas or C-novels! One Guardian drama, two Guardian novel, and one Ancient Detective!

help me to carry the fire, it will light our way forever by Acoyotewhowanders (1173 words) is a lovely Guardian (drama) fic that coyote wrote for me as a surprise Christmas present! It is soft and sweet with gentle humor arising naturally from the characters and their interactions, and features ChuGuo moving toward becoming ChuGuoYeHuo. ❤️ 💚 ❤️ 💚 ❤️

The Best Laid Plans of Ye Xiaoxiao by Corvidology (1097 words) is part of corvidology's "12 Days of Christmas" ficlet giftwriting. I requested a rarepair (Ye Xiaoxiao/Hei Wu) from the c-drama Ancient Detective, and then forgot that I had done so ... so it came as a lovely, lovely surprise! It captures distinctive character notes for each of them, and has a beautiful ending. 💙 💜 💗 💜 💙

Zhen Hun Bibliomancy Tanka by Ride_Forever (110 words) is part of Ride's More Joy Day celebration. A fascinating, elliptical, enigmatic poem based on Guardian, Vol. I by Priest, and it's a gift for ME!!! Captures both the darkness and the humorous tone of the novel, IMHO. Includes implied Weilan and a whole verse for Da Qing. ✨ 💖 ✨ 💖 ✨

He who loves the light by Hyde_DualDomination (2,343 words), the latest in the series "The face beneath the mask," in which Lin Jing and Gui Mian from the Guardian novelverse gradually craft a relationship together. I thoroughly enjoyed the first fic in the series, especially the interweaving of Buddhist philosophy with the characters' self-discoveries and relationship progress, and Hyde wrote more for me, yay!!! 💖💖💖
amedia: Two young Chinese men (Da Qing left, Lin Jing right) outside in bright sunlight; Da Qing is wearing gold metal-framed sunglasses, Lin Jing's are horn-rimmed; caption says TOO COOL (Guardian: LJ&DQ too cool)
[personal profile] amedia posting in [community profile] sid_guardian
I have received five lovely gift fics of one kind or another over the past few months, and three of them were Guardian! One from the drama and two from the novel!

help me to carry the fire, it will light our way forever by Acoyotewhowanders (1173 words) is a lovely Guardian (drama) fic that coyote wrote for me as a surprise Christmas present! It is soft and sweet with gentle humor arising naturally from the characters and their interactions, and features ChuGuo moving toward becoming ChuGuoYeHuo. ❤️ 💚 ❤️ 💚 ❤️

Zhen Hun Bibliomancy Tanka by Ride_Forever (110 words) is part of Ride's More Joy Day celebration. A fascinating, elliptical, enigmatic poem based on Guardian, Vol. I by Priest, and it's a gift for ME!!! Captures both the darkness and the humorous tone of the novel, IMHO. Includes implied Weilan and a whole verse for Da Qing. ✨ 💖 ✨ 💖 ✨

He who loves the light by Hyde_DualDomination (2,343 words), the latest in the series "The face beneath the mask," in which Lin Jing and Gui Mian from the Guardian novelverse gradually craft a relationship together. I thoroughly enjoyed the first fic in the series, especially the interweaving of Buddhist philosophy with the characters' self-discoveries and relationship progress, and Hyde wrote more for me, yay!!! 💖💖💖

ships20in20 > Various Fandoms & Ships

Jan. 11th, 2026 09:13 pm
flareonfury: (Adam/Morgan)
[personal profile] flareonfury posting in [community profile] fandom_icons
Multiple ships for Round 4 of [community profile] ships20in20.

Preview


sooo many ships, so little time....

Fandoms & Ships:
Charmed (Abigael/Mel #6 & AC#2), Heartstopper (Charlie/Nick #7, AC#3 & #4), High Potential (Adam/Morgan catgeory), Grimm (Nick/Adalind #4 & AC#1), MCU (Carol/Yon AC#5), Nancy Drew (Nancy/Ace #1 & #3, Nancy/Ace/Bes #9), Siren (Ben/Ryn #10), Singin' in the Rain (Don/Cosmo/Kathy #2 & #7), X-Men Evolution (Scott/Rogue #4)

current and recent stitching

Jan. 11th, 2026 06:14 pm
thistleingrey: (Default)
[personal profile] thistleingrey
The Sundial scarf-shawl of oddments has been bound off. The request in black yarn plods along.

The same thing is wrong with the 2022/23 cabled cardigan that I left sleeveless and the 2018 cabled vest: for me, they need a few additional short rows near the top of the shoulder on the front panels, with a corresponding decrease to armhole depth. The upper back could probably use a few short rows as well, but the front lower hem is awkwardly too short even after wearing and tugging.

That isn't a pinch-and-pin modification for any garment I've worn so far (contrary to helpful sewing-analogue advice), but I think it is the right mod. Even storebought shirts and jackets marketed to AMAB men in vaguely me-compatible sizes lack a bit of needed garment distance near the yoke, left to right---indeed, 1) always between neck and shoulder along the top, and between sternum and armpit in front, and 2) sometimes across the back of the neck---as well as front to back, along where one's hand goes to give oneself a quick shoulder-rub. Those garments are a little to a great deal too large from mid-armhole to lower hem, but they're often dramatically too bulky in armhole and too shoulder-constrained at once.

My mother has brought me a random skein of fingering-weight yarn, a "handspun" singles in dark brown, not dyed. It has sat for a few weeks in a bag in the freezer, in case. What to do with 125 g of random jank? I'm not a yarn-collector, and my hands can't make socks at the moment. Best match is probably a straightforward end-to-end accessory, such as Lille Kolding, since 125 g isn't enough for a hood-scarf. (Warm hats don't fit my head well, and on some days it's been mid-30s F = 1-2 C when I walk tiny housemate.)

Alas, based on others' project notes, 125 g of unknown total length can't become the main/background color for a Sundial tee. Though Wool and Pine designs are a bit raw (I changed every "finishing" detail for the Sundial scarf), their design sense is good, and the modularity of this tee lets me see how to rewrite the upper yoke. I'm not cool enough to rewrite complex or well designed patterns; two garment WIPs from Yamagara and the cabled BT cardigan that hurts my hands to knit have been sitting for months while I ponder construction and drape.

Weaving with a backstrap and rigid heddle and weaving on an inkle loom with string heddles feel to me like almost opposite activities. Inkle loom users who chat about it online often prefer cotton; backstrap weavers use whichever materials they'd like. The string heddles I made for my first inkle-loom attempt are of #20 crochet cotton, and they don't stick to anything---but the sock yarn I've used as warp snagged a bit every time I changed sheds, and I ended the attempt early. Thicker string (or a rigid heddle, which enforces slightly more space between warp threads) might've helped.
ysabetwordsmith: Cartoon of me in Wordsmith persona (Default)
[personal profile] ysabetwordsmith
Snowflake Challenge 6: Recommendations

Top 10 Challenge. Post your answer to today’s challenge in your own space and leave a comment in this post saying you did it.

Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so. Also, feel free to entice engagement by giving us a preview of what your post covers.

Every challenge we try to make at least one rec post, and each year, we try to find a new way to make it fun for everyone. This year's attempt:

The category(ies) you choose are up to you. You can give top 10 Fics you read last year, the top 10 songs to create to, the to 10 guest stars on your favorite show, top 10 characters in your favorite book series, top 10... well, you get the idea.

Can't think of 10 of anything? That's okay, 10 is just an abstract. It's totally up to you.



A gold snowflake ornament is nestled amidst pine boughs

Read more... )

Daily Happiness

Jan. 11th, 2026 05:37 pm
torachan: (rainbow avatar)
[personal profile] torachan
1. We went to the Indian market today and got lunch there as well, as they also have a small restaurant (cafeteria style). Everything was so tasty!

2. I contacted someone about making an appointment for a tattoo! I figured now that I know what I want, I want to get it done sooner rather than later, so it's fully healed by the time we take our trip in April.

3. Carla got a new suitcase backpack. It's about the size of a backpack, but opens like a suitcase. I think all the cats tried it out yesterday, except maybe Molly.

A whole lotta nothing

Jan. 12th, 2026 12:13 pm
merrileemakes: cartoon of 3 boys riding BMX bikes in mid art, performing the very loosest interpretation of stunts. One of them has fallen and is upside down. (stunts)
[personal profile] merrileemakes
My New Year's resolution is to work softer. This year I want to do less, be less, because I've been learning that when I put in less effort things actually turn out better and I feel better. My psychiatrist has also added a mood stabiliser to my mix of anti-depressants and they make me feel a bit dopey, at least while I'm getting used to them. So I've been doing a whole lot of nothing, and even the stuff I am doing is pretty piecemeal. It's hard to get used to.

So I have nothing crafty to share. But I do have a tadpole update!
These l'il guys are so entertaining )

(no subject)

Jan. 11th, 2026 07:55 pm
flemmings: (Hirakawa)
[personal profile] flemmings
A bright blowy day and sidewalks still dry, so off I went in shoes to have eggs benedict. Temps were just at freezing: I should have checked the wind chill, because it was -11C/ 12F. Needed mitts over my gloves, which I did not have. Anyway, eggs were reasonable, though no one ever gets them the way I like ie soft but not runny inside. Kind people helped the walker in and out of Pauper's and I headed back west.  And almost immediately turned around in the opposite direction because wind gusts and Mirvish Village high rises make walking both unpleasant and nearly impossible. Walked to the next stoplight and then through Annex streets and laneways to home. 5000 steps is the best I can do these days, shoes or not, because cysts and neuromas are just not fun at all.

And Bateman's Bicycles have closed their Bathurst shop and moved up to Eglinton so if I ever buy a city bike it will not be from them.
wintermod: (Default)
[personal profile] wintermod posting in [community profile] pinchhits
Event:[community profile] wintertime_woes_exchange, an exchange for unhappy endings
Requirements: 500 words, or a sketch on unlined paper
Pinch hit link: https://wintertime-woes-exchange.dreamwidth.org/5688.html
Due date:January 17, 11:59PM UTC

PH 5 - fic - Thunderbolts (Movie 2025), Moon Knight (TV 2022), Dragon Age (Video Games)

PH 6 - fic - Deltarune (Video Game), Team Fortress 2, I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream - Harlan Ellison, Hazbin Hotel (Cartoon), The Electric State (2025)
https://autoao3app.fandom.tools/#/wintertimewoes2025/user/Kaz3313


To claim, please comment at the pinch hit post linked above, or email wintertime.woes.exchange@gmail.com. Thank you very much!

Leech, by Hiron Ennes

Jan. 12th, 2026 01:15 am
dhampyresa: (Default)
[personal profile] dhampyresa
I was so disappointed by this book.

Part of this is on me: I had somehow gotten it in my head this was modern day and was looking forward to seeing how "hivemind took over the entire medical profession undetected" aspect of the premise would play out. The setting is not modern day, it's set some indeterminate amount of time (over 500 years) after some sort of apocalypse (fair, and an interesting setting itself) and people are aware to varying degrees aware that there is Something Wrong TM with the Institute.

The main part of the disappointment is that the book keeps bringing up concepts and then... Not Doing Anything with them. Spoilers from here on out. Our PoV character loses access to the hivemind fairly early on. Helen's miscarriages and/or the twins having supernatural powers never goes anywhere. The baron seems aware that he is hosting pseudomycota and even might be working with it? Let's never speak of this again! The idea that "If you’re born in Verdira, you die in Verdira" is brought up and we get told what happens is someone born there tries to leave, but that goes nowhere. /End spoilers

It is so disappointing and frustrating. It all just goes fucking nowhere!

Also I found the written accent annoying.

I did enjoy the hivemind parts, I guess.
[syndicated profile] icanhascheezburger_feed

Posted by Sarah Brown

Winter turns cats into tiny, fluffy adventurers with very strong opinions about the cold. Some step into the snow like it's a personal challenge, while others treat it as an extreme sport best observed from a safe distance. Either way, once winter arrives, cats are ready to make it entertaining.

Outdoor cats suddenly discover their inner snow athletes. A quick dash across the yard becomes a zoomie slalom. Skidding to a stop? That's snow drifting. Pouncing into a snowbank counts as freestyle. They may not be snowboarding, but the confidence is there, and that's half the sport. Bonus points if they leap onto a sled or snowboard and look offended when it moves without permission.

Sledding is especially tempting when hoomans are involved. Cats will sit squarely in the center like they're the main event, tails wrapped neatly, faces calm. If the ride is too fast, they immediately disembark and supervise instead. If it's smooth, they'll loaf and enjoy the glide like winter champions who've done this a thousand times.

Then there are the indoor winter experts. These cats fully embrace the après-ski lifestyle. Snow is best appreciated from a warm window, preferably while stretched out in a sunbeam that somehow still exists. Paws stay dry, whiskers stay warm, and naps are taken very seriously.

Whether they're dashing through snow, claiming sleds, or opting for cozy observation duty, cats make winter better. They turn cold days into cute ones and snowy moments into pure joy. No matter the activity, cats always land on their paws and somehow steal the show.

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