Melbourne

Daiso shopping spree. Finally got some new water colours, they sell out quick. Got 2 packs of muted tones which should be good for dinosaurs.

All done!

Didn't really have to punch that pH down with too much vinegar. Looks a bit under 4. Went for a little bit of apple cider, little bit of white wine and some white.

Kept the brine so can pad it out more if need be.

Is hawt.

Well today was interesting in the Chinese sense. Took the day off work cos dentist appointment at midday. Then bike got a flat tyre on way to dentist. Took bike to bike hospital to be mended and consigned my soul to public transport. Nearly late for dentist. Then dentist said YOU NEED TWO MORE FILLINGS THAN I PLANNED FOR YOU! So had to wait around in Niddrie central after the appointment was re-scheduled for later on in the day. After all that, had to go pick up bike before getting home.
On the plus side, Niddrie shopping strip is actually pretty nice. Lots of food options (which I couldn't take advantage of thankyou Mr Dentist) and some interesting clothes. I was particularly taken with a hot pink fitted faux fur vest in the window of one shop - teamed with a sleek black embroidered black on black shiny shirt underneath with leather look leggings and hot pink boots. Very Suzie Q. I sorta kinda wish I was 19 again, as at that age I'd wear that in a heartbeat. Also the last living Rivers store in captivity, and a pretty comprehensive range of specialty shops and wellness practitioners. Very few empty storefronts. They've widened the footpaths with one zillion caffs and there were lots of people out and about enjoying the sunshine. I'd actually make the trip there for clothes - not the faux fur though as I'm too long in the tooth now (dammit).

Whoops posted in the wrong thread. That's a good sign that I'm staying off the phone.

I've been thinking of trying this cool vegan shepherd's pie recipe but I think I'll keep it for a colder month. For now I'm contemplating a basic roast veg for dinner, or... maybe some adaptation of borscht? I have 1 fennel bulb, 2 beetroots, potat, and a quarter head of red cabbage. Plus a tin of beans.

E: went with borscht adaptation. There's no fennel in there but plenty of leek, a bit of celery, two beets and two potat plus some leek greens. Not authentic but tastes pretty alright once cooled down.

I may have added a fair chunk of butter 😬 and I snuck in some ajwain seeds as a thymey alternative to carroway + helps with digesting the cabbage. Adding a chunk of miso paste was probably a step too far, but whatevs. Umami 😎

Johann Hari, https://johannhari.com/ , dropped another really timely book this week, this time on Ozempic and other weight control drugs, why we get fat and how to not get fat. The problem is going back to a good diet doesn't reverse the hormonal effects of a bad diet. Intervention may be required for a while.

And while I cook good meals from basic ingredients I also eat too much and eat some junk, not much junk , but obviously enough to mess me up.

I'll get back to youse guys when I finish the book. 👍