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Tuesday, November 7, 2017

The turning of the screw


A small appeal to my readers from Germany, who seem to be many on this site: Could you please offer me some comments?  Möchtest du vielleicht auch einen Kommentar abgeben?  I want to understand all cultures, and of course I am limited by my birth and education, but I just hope that you could teach me a few things.  I have lived in Geneva and Berne.  May you teach me something about your country too?  I am eager to learn.  So, please teach me.  Bitte? ^^ 


Tifa, zu ernst


Picture of contrition


A Duel at Ichijoji

Monday, November 6, 2017

Helvetia, toujours


Vive la France


Tutorial - Part 6

Tutorial - Part 5

Tutorial - Part 4

Tutorial - Part 3

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Karen's sadness

My dear readers, and friends,

Karen here.  You know that I always want to make you smile.  It's not easy, but I try my best.  But right now, I'm just feeling rather sad.  I also happen to be sick. :(

With so many viewers now from countries around the world, I figure that I might receive a comment or some requests to help guide me to your tg/tf fantasies.  But except for my friends Marti and Alice and Wakka, I haven't received any feedback, ideas, or requests.  Am I doing something wrong?  Do you like my creations?  Something more you want to see?  Please, say something (Anonymous comments count too!). 

Please tell me what you think, 'cuz I am feeling discouraged and a little sad.  I dunno...the truth is that I am feeling a bit down and hoping to hear from some of you, my readers. Anything would be better than silence.

The Internet can be a lonely place sometimes. If there are no comments, or no responses, then I suppose it can be interpreted it as meaning that this new blog should be disbanded.  As much as I love this blog, I guess that I can give it up, if it's not wanted.  I can just go back to being a spectator.  But if you do want more, please tell me so that I might find some spirit to continue creating for you.  The small things matter a lot.

Affectionately yours,

--Karen

Eggs & Bacon - Part 3 (cooking w/ Karen)


Link to Part 1
Link to Part 2

Try this one, you will be delighted! 

Bonus: A Dan-Dan noodle recipe!

Ingredients

  • Dried Chinese thick noodles or pasta (about 12 ounces or 1/3 kilo, however much you want)
  • 3 tablespoons sesame paste or peanut butter (use what you've got!)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Asian sesame oil
  • 3 tablespoons black rice vinegar
  • 3.5 teaspoons soy sauce (light or dark, doesn't matter)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 to 1.5 teaspoons Szechuan peppercorn (or more, if you want it totally spicy!  Cayenne pepper works too, in a pinch) 
  • 1-2 cloves of garlic (diced, or crushed in a mortar & pestle) 
  • 3 teaspoons hot chili oil
  • (optional) 1 teaspoon granulated sugar 
  • (optional) more spicy peppers, as you like! 

 Cook it!  

1) Boil and cook the dried noodles in water until the noodles are chewy.  Drain and rinse the noodles in a colander.

2) Add all the rest of the ingredients to a bowl and whisk it all together.  That's the sauce.  Taste it, and make it as spicy as you like.

3) Place the noodles in a bowl, and pour the sauce onto the noodles.  Eat it and savor the flavors!  Top it with sliced cucumbers, peanuts, chopped green onions, or sesame seeds, if you want to.  It's your own delicious bowl. :)



Eggs & Bacon - Part 2 (and miso soup!)


Link to Part 1

Mmm, for hungry girls & guys! :)


Bonus: An easy miso soup recipe! 

Miso soup is easy and can be made in just 10 minutes!  It's healthy and delicious.  All you really need are 3 things: some miso paste (made from fermented soybeans), dashi stock (bonito flake soup stock), & green onions, all available from any Asian supermarket.  Seaweed & chopped tofu help make a great soup but can be left out, if you're in a rush.  And if you can't find dashi stock, it's okay, miso paste alone is tasty. 

Please try it!

Ingredients:

8 cups water
1/4 cup miso paste 
1 1/2 teaspoons instant dashi granules
2 tablespoons chopped green onions 
(optional) 1/2 cup cubed tofu
(optional) 1 tablespoon dried wakame seaweed, soaked in water beforehand

To cook it:

1. Pour water into a pot and bring to a boil on high.  Add the instant dashi stock and miso paste.  Turn the heat to medium-low and let simmer and stir.    (Red miso paste is fermented longer and has a stronger flavor, but white miso is light and sweet and thus perfectly okay too!) 

2. (Optional) Add the chopped tofu and the drained seaweed to the pot and stir.

3. Turn off the stove and stir well.  Top the soup with chopped green onions and spoon the soup into a bowl.  Yum!  Enjoy! ^^ 

Springing to a New Life