#Seasoned Hardwood Logs
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new year’s day
3.7k / pairing: francisco “frankie” “catfish” morales x f!reader
12 Days of Pedro Masterlist | hellishjoel masterlist | notifications blog
summary: You’ve found fulfillment in every aspect of life alongside your husband, Frankie. In the early hours of New Year’s Day, you and Frankie discuss your aspirations for the coming year. Among these, the possibility of embarking on the journey to parenthood, starting a family, and conceiving a child may be at the forefront.
warnings/information: MA 18+ (minors DNI), established marriage, discussion of alcohol consumption, cursing, discussions about starting a family/being pregnant/having a baby, a few pov switches, mommy issues go brrr, use of pet names (princess, momma (x3)), frankie’s hot dad bod, mix of sub!frankie and dom!frankie, pinch of daddy kink, unprotected PiV, breeding kink go hard, dirty talk, overstimulation, hickies, titty play, creampie
A/N: thank you for celebrating 12 Days of Pedro! come back to the masterlist every day from Dec. 11 - Dec. 22 to open a new present from the most amazing authors! special thanks to the breeding kink queen herself @thetriumphantpanda for beta reading this work! banners, per usual, from @saradika-graphics. enjoy!
There’s glitter on the floor after the party. Not to mention streamers, spare party hats, and dribbles of wine on the hardwood floor. Spare polaroids with goofy grins and blurry kisses at midnight. You hold one of you and Frankie to your chest, your heart swarming with a warm buzz caused by too much liquor and a lot of love.
Your eyes lift to Frankie, his lopsided party hat holding on for dear life as he tosses empty beer bottles into a large black trash bag.
Everyone’s left now, catching cabs or a ride home from their sober counterparts. An annual Morales tradition; countdown to the New Year with your closest friends, the ones you’d consider family.
You hope to remember these memories forever and that the memories hold on to you. The good and the bad. The friends you made, the friends you lost, remembering that people come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.
Cheers, kisses, and giggles at midnight.
“You ready, my lady?” Frankie asks as he hands you your journal, his own leatherbound one in his hand as he settles down beside you on the floor, your backs against the front of the couch.
Another Morales tradition; New Year’s Goals. It all started a few years ago, your and Frankie’s first New Year’s together. Both drunk and rolling around on the floor, you decided to write your goals for the New Year. You thought they had a lot of power, and it was good to have motivations, even if they didn’t last all year.
The fire crackled as Frankie nudged a log with the poker, his face illuminated in a brilliant orange light. He was so handsome. You were so in love. You couldn’t think of anything else you needed, everything you wanted was right here in front of you. Well, almost everything.
Frankie lifted a Pabst beer bottle to his lips, tilting his head back to finish it off. A wet smack leaves his lips. You smirk as you feel his eyes on your list, curiously leaning his head to the side to sneak a peek at what your pen was etching into blank paper.
“Do you mind?” You tease, nudging your elbow playfully into his ribs. “You know we’re not supposed to share until we’re both done.” You whisper as you pen in another thought. You both agreed to list three to five goals every year, things you wanted to make happen, things you want to change. Whatever it took to better yourself and the small life you’ve created with your husband.
Frankie radiates warmth beside you, he’s always been like that. Even in just a dark pair of jeans and a black Carhartt t-shirt, he was as warm as the fireplace wavers heat in front of you. You lay your head gently on his broad shoulder, humming softly as you close your eyes, the exhaustion of prepping and then celebrating your New Year’s party finally taking its toll. But you couldn’t help but be so full of joy, considering yourself lucky to be surrounded by so much love.
Your eyes open just as you feel Frankie smack a period at the end of one of his goals making his arm lurch before he tips his head down to you.
“M’ready. You wanna go first?” Frankie asks, reaching his hand up to pull the small party hat off his head, watching as he sits it down beside him very delicately. So precious. Your heart swells thinking about your list, slowly nodding and sitting up straight as you re-open your journal to review your goals list.
“Okay, I only have three,”
“Me too,” Frankie interjects.
“Perfect, okay, so number one, I want to dedicate more time to be creative. Whether it’s writing, or painting, or… I don’t know, picking up crocheting, I want to set aside more time for that sort of stuff instead of brainlessly watching shows.”
Frankie’s smile tilts, slowly nodding in understanding. “I’d love to hang up more of your paintings around the house. The walls could use a little color.”
Your sweet boy. He was always so supportive. You sweetly cupped the underside of his chin and pecked his lips. Frankie playfully cleared his throat and states his first goal.
“Number one. I want to eat out less.” He pauses as he assesses your pouting face. “Don’t look at me like that. We’ll still go out sometimes, I just feel like we should cook at home more.”
You couldn’t blame him. All the takeaway Chinese and pizza deliveries were really tugging at the precious strings that was your joint bank account.
“Fine. But I won’t be happy about it. And this sort of ruins my second goal, which is to try more restaurants.”
You and Frankie both take a moment to throw back your heads in laughter, rolling closer to one another as he shakes his head at you slowly. “We’ll figure it out, we always do. And that’s my second goal, more communication whenever I feel like I’m stuck. I know I’m not always…” he pauses and fiddles with his hands, nervous ticks causing him to pop his knuckles, “M’not always the best with talking things out. So I wanna work on that.”
Heat catches along your neck and chest, the way he looks at you with a twinkle in his eyes, as if you put the moon and stars in the sky. Your sweet boy. He’s not perfect, you both had worked so hard to get where you were, but it took a lot of time and trust. You built a solid foundation for your relationship, and now it felt like there wasn’t anything you couldn’t tackle together.
“What’s your last goal for the new year?”
Frankie watches as you purse your lips, eye contact straying as you stare down at your handwriting. Something hung in the air. Uncertainty? He reaches out and gently clasps your free hand in his, deep brown eyes searching your beautiful orbs in reassurance. There was that feeling again, of promise and future. More birthdays, more holidays, more anniversaries, and more New Year’s Days.
After a moment, Frankie’s lips part as you set aside your journal, taking a deep breath. God what was it?
“A baby,” you say in less than a whisper.
A surprised little smile slowly crosses Frankie’s face, a glint of fondness and curiosity in his eyes.
This wasn’t your first conversation about starting a family.
It began in small places, like seeing children in line at the grocery store. All chubby-cheeked with big toothy grins, tugging on their parent's sleeve and asking them for a sweet from the checkout.
Then, your mutual friends had their first baby. You were able to see them at the hospital. New momma laid back in bed. New dad sitting in the chair beside her. Tiredness in their eyes but their excitement overshadowed any doubt. You held their daughter, Elise, in your arms. So beautiful. And sleepy.
But what really pulled at your heartstrings, and perhaps your womb, was when Frankie held his baby nephew for the first time. You both were in the hospital waiting room for hours, nervous but excited, hoping the delivery went well for his sister and for the new baby.
“Come here, Frankie, hold him. Just don’t drop him.” She teased.
Frankie took a step forward, then a step back. He had never held something so small, so precious, untouched by the outside world. What if he held him wrong? What if he cried and fussed?
The warmth of your hand touched his shoulder, your small smile and nod encouraging him to be brave, to love the new addition to their family. With your vote of confidence, Frankie remembered to carefully support the baby’s head as his sister handed him over. Because, of course, she could trust Frankie. Uncle Frankie, now.
His warm amber eyes glistened as he stared lovingly down at the bundle in his arms. He was beautiful, with dashing dark hair just like his sister had. A tiny little nose and sweet pouted lips. Frankie couldn’t understand why his eyes welled up with tears. He was just so proud to be an uncle, to see his younger sister now in charge of a tiny little newborn. He just couldn’t believe that such a beautiful life was born out of the love his sister and his brother-in-law shared.
Then he looked at you. And he knew his heart was certain. He wanted this, and he wanted it with you.
In all truthfulness, you weren’t as sure as Frankie was. You excused his excitement for baby fever. It was your job to remind him that you were still saving up for a new home, that your financials were a bit of a wreck, and that babies weren’t always soundly sleeping. There would be sleepless nights, messy food on their faces, and very full diapers. A big responsibility.
You also didn’t come from a wonderful family like Frankie was raised in. You often wondered if you were to start a family, could you be different from your parents? Or would you fall into the same habits as they did?
How would you be as a mother?
You tried to remember that it was your mother’s first time on this Earth, too. And that she had it worse when she was little. But you were little too. What if you inherited your mother’s fleshy crimson anger? Or her blue-warped vision of sadness?
What if something ever happened to Frankie, and you were left alone to care for your baby? Could you do it alone? Could you even do it together? What ifs after what ifs.
You cried out your insecurities to Frankie that night. Shaking and sobbing in his arms as he tried to calm your breathing. You had bared your soul to him, remarking about the childhood you wished you could have had. He kissed the top of your head and held you tight like a boa constrictor, promising that you didn’t have to figure it all out tonight. That he would drop the topic of family until you were truly ready.
That was over two years ago now. Frankie still had that gleaming light in his eyes when he saw his nephew over holidays, birthdays, or little occasions of visiting with his sister. Soon, you started to have that gleam too. Because you realized it wasn’t only Frankie’s dream to have a family, but was yours too. Because Frankie would be the father of your children. And a brilliant one at that.
The nerves had faded away with your husband’s endless love. And you were ready this New Year’s Day.
“Say something,” you urged anxiously, but Frankie was just staring at you with so much love and hope.
Finally, it hit him.
He cups your cheeks, thumbing his way up your cheekbone and gently cupping your jawline. “You mean it? You’re ready? Don’t- please don’t do this for me, I could wait a lifetime for you, you hear me?”
You let out a wet little laugh and nod eagerly, holding your hands around his wrists as he came to rest his forehead against yours. “I don’t want to wait anymore, Frankie. I’m ready. We’re ready.” You assured, watching a large smile crash on his face.
There’s an eagerness when he leans in to kiss you, lips crashing and his hold on you tightening as if you were going to slip out of his embrace.
“Oh,” you whimper against his mouth, feeling him glide his tongue across your lower lip before he fully envelopes you. It’s needy, it’s desperate, and damn, is it overdue.
Your fingers wind up into his messy curls, tugging him on top of you as you fell back onto the floor. The heat of the fireplace tickled warmth on your temple, and a certain heat in your belly set in.
“Can we start now?” He muttered against your mouth, his strong hands palming at your hips as his center matched with your own.
“Fuck, yes,” you gasp before pulling him in once more, your needy hands grappling at the hem of his shirt and tugging it upwards.
Unable to help but glance in awe as Frankie sits up on his knees and tosses off his shirt. Holy mother of god, you didn’t realize how much of a perfect dad bod he already possessed. Jesus.
“I-I don’t even know if I’m ovulating,” you stutter out as your hands messily reach forward, tugging his belt loose and popping the button on his jeans.
“Don’t care,” Frankie mutters, voice drenched in deep lust as his hungry mouth found yours again. You couldn’t help but melt into his touch and his dirty mouth.
The man was feral. It was like he was possessed.
Something in Frankie had flipped. You had just confessed you wanted to start a family and allow him the opportunity to be a father to your children. You’d be their beautiful mother, kind, thoughtful, sweet, and smart. Fuck, he wanted to put this baby in you right now.
He felt like he was burning for you, worshiping at the altar between your thighs. Saying you were ready with full confidence was something indescribable. And he was ready to show you he was taking this opportunity seriously.
Frankie wastes no time in stripping you of your clothes, nearly tossing your top into the fireplace with how eager he is. He melts into your body, his half-hard cock sloppily bucking against your thigh in neediness.
“Lemme put a baby in you, princess, wanna see you carry our child in your perfect body. Fuck,” he muttered as his hand slipped down between your thighs, watching your lips part and make an oh shape.
Your slick coats his fingers, your thighs already shaking with desperation.
“Frankie, don’t make me wait, want you to fill me up so fucking bad,” your wavering voice begs as you sit up on your elbows and begin to stoke over his cock. He easily swells in your grasp, growing heavier and heavier. His face clenches as his hips buck into your tight, squeezing hand once more.
“Goddamit, you’re so fucking perfect,” he rasps as his own hand takes over pumping his cock, gathering it in your slick he had collected and letting out a heavenly moan at the feeling. Pre-cum leaks at his fleshy red tip, jaw tight as he holds his base, beginning to guide the head of his cock up and down your wet center.
Frankie watches you flinch with a small smirk every time he flicks off your clit. He’s drunk off watching you be ready, watching you take this leap with him, putting your trust in him that he will be the best father to your children. And honestly, he can’t fucking wait any longer.
Your sharp gasp fills the room, Frankie piercing your walls and filling you to the brim in one heavy thrust. Both of you swallow the other’s moans and groans, eyes tightly closed and mouths agape.
“That’s it, momma, take me so well,” he hums, a new fantasy forming behind his eyes.
He wants to see you dripping in his cum, just so he can gently push it all back in with his fingers. His eyes were gold with fire and greed, wanting you to be his in the best way imaginable.
Ragged pants fill the distance between you both as he steadily rocks his hips into yours. Frankie watches as your hands scrabble for something to hold onto before you finally tug him down and wind your fingers into his dark chocolate curls.
Sweet whimpers ring into his ear as his thrusts grow in power, caging you protectively in his arms. You weren’t going anywhere.
“Fuck, Frankie, you’re filling me up,” you cry out, feeling Frankie hit the spot only he can reach, the one that tickles at your cervix and pushes you into another dimension of pleasure. The place where you’re breathless and cloudy, lost in how good he feels.
Frankie digs his forehead into your temple, looking down at you as his hips repeatedly snap into you. He’s gone wild, a weak little smirk on his face as he thinks about you swollen with his babe inside you a few months down the road.
“Keep sayin’ that,” Frankie mutters, feeling a rush course through his body like a new high he’s never encountered. He shifts his weight onto his forearm nestled beside your head, his opposite hand snaking delicately between your bodies and starting to create sweet circles around your throbbing clit. You’re soaking wet, feeling your slick splash against his balls every time you both fully connect.
You’re unsure what he means at first, what to keep saying, your head in the stars as Frankie’s hips nail you to the floor with each heavy thrust. Plus, his finger on your clit is sending you to high heavens. Then it clicks.
You gulp and refocus, needing to get him there because God, after years of waiting, you want to give him this so badly.
“Frankie, baby,” you gather your breath and cradle his face, his desperate eyes meeting yours. “I want you t-to use me, fill me with your seed, I wanna feel it. Fuck, want you to be so deep inside me, your cum goes s-straight into my uterus,” you beg.
Frankie’s thrusts snap methodically faster, a few loose bucks from his hips at first, but now he trying to control himself strategically.
“Fuck, daddy,” you cry out, digging your head back into the floor as your chin tilts to the ceiling. “Use me as your little breeding whore, dump your cum inside me, want all of it, want all of it so fucking bad!” You whimper as Frankie’s sweet kisses on your jawline turn into nasty nips at your neck, the kind that will flush with dark pigments by tomorrow morning.
Your hips ache, your body is trembling before him, but he looks so fucking sexy worked up like this. He’s promising with his body that he’s going to make you the mother of his children.
“Want you so bad momma, m’gonna watch your tits get so fuckin’ big,” he murmurs before his mouth latches onto one of your nipples, slathering it with his spit and swirling around your nub with his perfect tongue. The oversensitivity is so much, you’re so full, he’s going to make you cum before he can even finish off his own load.
“Fuck,” he moans lowly, a deep grunt releasing from the depths of his throat. “Gonna make such a perfect momma, gonna knock you up so hard, baby,” Frankie groans as he tugs gently at your nipple between his teeth.
The spark in your stomach suddenly explodes, pushing you over the edge. You wrap your arms around his neck and press his forehead against your own. “Come with me,” you beg, just above a whisper as each thrust he makes is punching the air from your lungs.
You pace yourself just for him. The faster he moves his fingers around your clit, the closer he is. Overstimulated tears well up in your eyes, your jaw dropping wide as you look at him like he is a God. Frankie’s thrusts were growing sloppy with need, losing their rhythm, your man was so close. Finally, like a dangerous volcano, he erupts inside of you as your walls pulse around him. Both of you come in unison, blasting you with a hot heat across your body.
You cry out, and Frankie moans loudly into the living room, hearing your name echo along the walls as his hips still momentarily inside you. His warm cum spurts and paints your walls, shooting off multiple times. It’s the hardest he’s ever finished, he’s so deep and filling you to the brim with his white hot seed.
Lost in a cloud of lust, you think you melt into the floor. His arms shake as he holds himself up by the forearms placed on either side of your head, your sweaty foreheads glistening. Your bodies feel like one.
With a shaky hand, you reach up and gently brush the hair out of his eyes. Frankie weakly smiles and leans down to press a messy kiss on your lips. You hum softly and keep him there, whimpering as his hips twitch a few final times before he completely stills. You were seeing stars behind your vision as Frankie soothingly brought you back down to Earth. You were so happy.
“I love you.” He whispers as he presses one last kiss to your mouth, watching your hazy eyes fill with love as he slowly sits up.
Both of your sweaty bodies peel off of one another, and you hum lowly as he starts to pull himself out.
Frankie watches in lust-filled amazement as your hole leaks dribbles of his cum.
He shakes his head with a disapproving hum, parting your legs once more to see his mess, gently using his fingers to push his cum back into your hole.
You nip at your lower lip, watching as Frankie stares at you like he’s hypnotized, making sure every little drop stays inside of you.
“Such a good girl for me, momma, keepin’ all my good cum inside you, that’s it,” he hums, finally letting your legs go as he tumbles onto his back beside you on the floor.
His hand holds yours as you stare at the ceiling in bliss.
“We’re trying for a baby.” He whispers with an indescribable amount of happiness.
You nod as you snuggle into his side, feeling his strong arm wrap around your shoulders to keep you close to him. “We’re trying for a baby.” You repeat back to him, your fingers gently weaving through his dense dark chest hair.
“I have a name for the baby.” He murmurs, fantasizing about your future together already.
“Yeah, what’s that?”
“Frankie Jr.”
“No.” You quickly cut off.
Both of your heads fall back in laughter, feeling so secure next to your best friend who has promised you a family and a future, all laced with love. And for that, you were hopeful for the New Year.
#12 Days of Pedro#frankie morales#frankie morales x you#frankie morales fanfiction#frankie morales smut#frankie morales x reader#fuck yeah frankie#francisco morales#catfish morales#triple frontier#triple frontier fanfiction#frankie catfish morales#francisco catfish morales#pedro pascal
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Thinking of the first time with Asmo and he breaks down a little because someone can finally look into his eyes and he can finally see love looking back.
Just imagine this happening in the NB time line and he spends thousands of years chasing the feeling, but never finding it until the exchange student can look at him with the attendants eyes.
Ohhh this broke my heart but in such a deliciously bittersweet way.
For all of his vanity, all of his desire, Asmodeus has always felt something missing. He could feel it when others gazed upon him with adoration, their eyes shining with hunger while he remained parched. It always confused him how he could be so attractive, so perfect, so desired and yet he still didn't feel fulfilled.
Perhaps it's the nature of Lust. It's fleeting, burning bright like kindling before fizzling down into ashes. He'd barely begun to feel its warmth before the cold would once again set in his bones, leaving him aching with unfulfilled want.
But kindling isn't enough to maintain a fire, is it? No, you require sticks, and logs... thick chunks that can burn long and steady throughout the cold night that was his life. There must be substance, resilience; a steadfastness that Asmodeus struggled to grasp, its comprehension always barely beyond his reach. If only he could touch it...
Asmo always knew something was missing. It was lacking in the eyes of his fanbase, his countless lovers. But most of all, it was lacking within himself. It was his darkest secret, the one thing he struggled to ignore every time he stared at himself in the mirror marveling at his beauty. Yes, he was beautiful. He would fuck himself any day of the week. And yet, when he stared into his own eyes, he only saw emptiness staring back, the strength to burn bright and steadfast absent from his own gaze.
Lust is easy. But love? How does one love? More importantly, how does one love themselves?
So imagine the utter shock when Asmodeus has you spread out beneath him, his body linked to yours in ecstasy, and you stare up at him with that heat that he's always longed for. It's deep, and rich, and solid, and suddenly he's sinking into it, a tree growing its roots to pull the nutrients from the rich soil of your heart.
It would terrify him at first... it would feel like drowning, like sinking into quicksand, and he fears he'll lose himself in it, be consumed by it until there's nothing left of him. He's a bird trapped in flight, searching for a place to land after a heavy flood.
Is it safe?
Is it going to last?
Can he build a home here?
It's hard to believe, and at first he will resist. After all, you were hardwood; strong, timeless. He was dry leaves, crumbling and temporary. How could he possibly keep up with you? How does lust turn into love?
A fire cannot start without kindling, and it cannot last without twigs and branches.
And it's not until your fingers brush aside his bangs, that your soft words of love fall from your lips that he begins to understand. That sense of emptiness fades, replaced with lushness, deep and rich. And he realizes that perhaps he's not just filled with dead leaves and twigs after all. There's something more, something strong within himself that was neglected, but not yet dead. After all, fallen leaves have to come from somewhere, don't they? Perhaps he'd been so focused on what he'd lost that he'd forgotten what he still had.
It alters him, changing him like the coming and going of the seasons. What was once winter is now spring, beauty growing within himself in places he'd forgotten, dark crevices within himself that felt the warmth of your sunlight for the first time.
But like the seasons, nothing lasts forever. And when you leave him to return home, the winter within him will fall heavier, darker, colder than ever before. Because he'd finally had a taste of spring, and you'd taken it with you when you left.
You said you loved him... you showed him so many times.
And yet, you still left.
Every fire dies eventually...
The loss of you and the love you gave will make Asmodeus that much more desperate, that much more hungry. Over and over, he'll chase the lust, the desire, in the hopes that he'll find it again, and yet it never comes. It makes him mad, insane, and he loses himself to it, chasing the memory of a feeling long since gone. The memories of you grow dim. First, he forgets the sound of your voice. Then the feel of your skin. Over time, the details of your face become hazy and vague. The only thing left is the memory of your eyes, the way they would look at him with love. He clings to it desperately, like a driftwood.
It's not until thousands of years later that he sees that look again, warm and familiar behind eyes he swore he'd never forget. The realization destroys him and rebuilds him, like a phoenix born from the ashes of his memories.
You were here.
And you still loved him.
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Quaking Aspen - Populus tremuloides
Today I want to bring up a charismatic favorite: the Quaking Aspen. Like all populus species, it's a fast growing, clonal colony forming, northern extreme and mountain loving tree (just like its Eurasian sister species: A. tremula) with an incredibly wide range of distribution. In addition to all those interesting qualities, the oldest known organism is presumed to be a Quaking Aspen colony (Pando, in Utah)
General identification before I can talk about the more interesting bits, Aspens are best known for their yellow autumn leaves and smooth white bark with dark knots, they can grow as large as 60' but depending on their environment can be stunted to around 5-20' (think of krummholz). Leaves of this species appear slightly heart shaped and retain the same sheen on both sides (image 1). Plants are unisexual meaning individuals either have male or female flowers, interestingly enough this is a good method to distinguish where one colony begins and ends by looking at the color of the branches in spring (see image from Colorado below, note trees with light green and those without). Emerging catkins are white at first which become green and longer as the season changes, male catkins having slightly longer stamen but female fruiting catkins ultimately growing longest at 10 cm. Seeds are small capsules with silky hairs to assist in wind dispersion, these trees are ruderal so they produce around 1.6 Million a season with many unable to germinate. Seedlings often need consistent moisture and full sun to even germinate, most of the seeds growth goes to root structure the first year.
The name Quaking Aspen (or trembling per the Latin) refers to the extremely mobile habit of the leaf. Leaves are connected to flexible petioles (stems) which flip around in the slightest breeze. Environmentally speaking, I was once told that leaves have chlorophyll on both sides however this stem could also be a biological strategy to cope with harsh wind conditions in mountainous environments, I didn't encounter any recent research verifying this though. Interestingly enough, given the harsh nature of which this tree thrives, apparently, there is chlorophyll in its trunk, allowing extra energy to enter the tree when it's leaves are gone.
Quaking Aspen is an early succession species, able to reestablish/colonize a site after a fire or other major disturbance. Many of Upstate New York's famous Aspen forests are actually a result of logging and fires in the early 1900s rather than a typical forest compostion. Establishment is different depending on opportunity, in the west its often long lived clonal roots systems, in the high arctic its often through wind blown seed, in the east its generally short lived clones out-competed by hardwood/conifer forest after a century, and in its furthest southeastern range I typically only encounter individuals on rocky outcrops or former fields.
Above ground trees usually live less than a century, in the east maybe 50-80 years given our moisture, out west individual trunks can live two centuries. It's common to find dense forests with even-age trees since clonal root structures re-emerge together (Image above from Bluebell Knoll Mountain in Utah). Its also thought that the root system can live for two millenia or longer, Pando being an example of extreme longevity (I mean 40,000 years would survive an ice age, even in Utah there would be mountain glaciation, thats quite spectacular if true). Ironically, one of the best survival tools in the Aspen's playback is fire recovery, otherwise it will get out-competed/shaded pretty fast (see the context in image 2, that NJ forest used to have lots of aspen).
All this in mind its good to point out that Aspen's early successional habit makes it great for ecological restoration. It's common to find them as the first pioneers on former mines or superfund sites (aspen grove below from Palmerton gap, Pennsylvania). Unfortunately one of the negative side affects is that populus species often bring up a lot of heavy metals in their leaves and wood meaning they can re-contaminate through their own biological accumulation. Which is good for extracting small scale contaiminants...very bad for large sites where you need to trap metal under soil to prevent toxins from eroding offsite
All this being said Quaking Aspen's large geographic range mirrors that of the last glacial maximum, implying a rapid spread onto retreating glaciers. This also suggests a growth habit requiring wet or moist soil conditions. This range is North West to Alaska nearly touching the Arctic Ocean at its Northern-most range in the Yukon, then east to Newfoundland; south west to Mexico (usually restricted to high mountains) and east from Iowa to New Jersey (with scattered populations in West Virginia).
Since Aspen often colonizes sites of former glaciation, with climate change it's predicted there will be a northward and uphill progression of populations. Aspen isn't really in intense danger of dissappearing but studies have shown major stressors (draught, extreme heat, over-grazing) cause higher mass-mortality events from minor stressors (typically disease and insect herbivorey). Given the fact that many forests are clonal there was a question of low genetic diversity amoung populations, yet interestingly, individuals undergo somatic mutations (DNA alterations after conception) and are extremely variable, so different individuals often place different energies into different defense tactics.
In addition to all of this information Aspens are primarily used today to make paper pulp. Historically settlers used aspen to derive quinine (think gin and tonic), and indigenous tribes have a history of using big trunks to create dug out canoes.
So please go out to your nearest mountain/boreal forest to enjoy the Quaking Aspen's lovely smooth bark and haunting shaking in the wind!
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Are you celebrating Christmas or Yule?
Are you a new pagan who's confused what the difference is between Yule and Christmas and wondering what you should be celebrating or how?
Hopefully, this post will answer all your questions and you are likely to find that you are already celebrating Yule without even realising it.
Yule: The Ancient Winter Festival
Yule is an ancient winter festival celebrated by various cultures and peoples throughout history, especially in northern Europe (Germanic peoples, such as the Anglo-Saxons, the Franks, and the Norse). Traditions followed the wheel of the year and Yule is associated with one of the biggest events the winter solstice. The shortest day and longest night of the year, which usually falls around December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere. Yule marks the end of the dark half of the year and the beginning of the light half, symbolizing the rebirth of the sun and the hope for a new year. Some scholars have suggested that Yule may have been influenced by the Roman festival of Saturnalia, which was also held in late December and involved feasting, gift-giving, and social equality (The nobles and servants would switch places for a feast). The word Yule comes from the Old English geol, which may have derived from the Old Norse jól
The original 12 days of Christmas
Not satisfied with a single day of celebration the pagan festival of Yule lasts for 12 days. That’s a full 12 days of feasting, joy and merriment to really say goodbye to winter and hello to the coming season. Traditions vary from region to region, but a lot of those below will seem amazing familiar as we still do them today.
The Traditions of Yule
Yule was a time of joy and fun, as well as reverence and sacrifice. People gather around bonfires, candles, and hearths to keep warm and to honour their deities. They would also decorate their homes with evergreen branches, such as holly, mistletoe, and fir, to symbolize life, fertility, and protection. See if you can recognise some of these common Yule traditions:
The Yule Log: A large hardwood log, usually oak or ash, that was burned on the first night of Yule and kept burning for the full 12 days. The log was believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and health to the household. Some people would carve runes or symbols on the log, or sprinkle it with salt, wine, or herbs to enhance its magical properties. Today, you will find the Yule log in the form of a Swiss roll decorated to look like a log. If you have an open fire you can easily follow this tradition if you aren't into cake.
The Yule Tree: A tree, usually an evergreen, that was brought indoors and decorated with natural ornaments, such as fruits, nuts, berries, and candles. The tree represented the World Tree (Yggdrasil) or the Tree of Life, a cosmic axis that connected the heavens, the earth, and the underworld. The tree was also a gift to the spirits and the animals, who were invited to share its bounty. I bet there is nobody still reading this post, thank you for getting this far by the way, who doesn't have a Yule Tree (under the guise of a Christmas tree).
The Yule Feast: A lavish meal that was prepared and shared with family, friends, and neighbours. The feast included various dishes made from seasonal ingredients, such as roasted meat, bread, cheese, pies, cakes, and ale. The feast was also a way of honouring the gods and goddesses, especially Odin, the All-Father, who was said to lead the Wild Hunt, a ghostly procession of the dead, across the sky during Yule. Now we have Christmas dinner as the main feast, boxing day for the gammon or cold cuts and usually, for most, some celebration for the new year, which occurs at the end of the period.
The Yule Gifts: A tradition of exchanging presents with loved ones, usually on the last day of Yule. The gifts were often handmade, such as crafts, jewellery, clothing, or toys. The gifts were meant to express gratitude, affection, and generosity, as well as to ward off evil spirits and bad luck. Yes giving gifts is a pagan tradition not a Christmas one. Christianity frowned upon the practice as immoral.
The Yule Candles: Candles played a big role in Yule celebrations. Similar to the Hindu celebration of Diwali, candles were seen to banish the darkness and provide protection through the darkest day of the calendar. Today, you'll still find candles everywhere in normal practice. Ironically a standard 25 day Christmas candle still covers the period of the winter solstice so you may have been celebrating this element without knowing it.
A Yule Wreath: The word comes from the Old English "whithan" meaning to twist but the Wreath has been a part of the Yule celebrations for centuries with strong links back to the roman celebration of Saturnalia and even Ancient Greek traditions. It made an easy way to bring the evergreens into the house. These were seen as having the power to overcome the power of death that causes winter to defeat other trees and plants. Holly was common as the spiky leaves were thought to also ward off evil. Some traditions had the wreath placed over the hearth to protect the home others on the front door to ward off evil. This tradition is still going strong today.
So why do we celebrate Christmas?
The Bible makes no mention of when Jesus was born. Few early Christians celebrated Christmas and those that did, had no idea when to do it. The most common dates were 6th Jan, 25th March and 19th of April. Most of these led by the shepherds tending their flock, pointing towards lambing season in spring. The Winter Solstice, however, was a major fun event and acted as a blocker to converting people to the new religion, seen as a bit stuffy and restrictive. So the Christmas story was born to aid conversion.
With the spread of Christianity, Yule was gradually replaced or assimilated by Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Many of the customs and symbols of Yule were adopted or adapted by the Christians, such as the use of evergreens, candles, and gift-giving.
This is not a secret; Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan party in 1644 banned Christmas and Easter as pagan festivals that corrupted the true meaning of Christianity and encouraged immoral behaviour. The same is true of early American settlers who were also Puritans, who even imposed fines. The ban was not popular in england and riots broke out leading to a return to traditional practice in 1660 when King Charles II regained the throne. However, things took longer over the pond, with Congress only formally creating a legal holiday for Christmas in 1870.
Yule today
In modern times, Yule is still celebrated by various practices from paganism, Witchcraft, Wicca, Druidry, Asatru, or Heathenry. We seek to revive and reinterpret the ancient traditions of Yule, as well as to honour the natural cycles of the seasons and the elements. Yule is also celebrated by some people who are not necessarily pagan but who appreciate the cultural and historical aspects of the festival or who simply enjoy its festive and cosy atmosphere it creates "That Christmas feeling" is actually "That Yule feeling".
For More ideas visit my master post here
If you would like to help support me to create new posts please subscribe to my Patreon, patreon.com/MagicOldCottage
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Mountain people called chestnut "the best wood God ever growed." They ate its fruit, raw, boiled, and baked. As furniture chestnut could be rubbed to shine like a coon's eye in a full moon. Their straight grained trunks became sturdy cabins and long lived rail fences. Shingles rived of chestnut promised three generations of wear.
Before the turn of the century, the eastern half of the United States was dominated by the American chestnut. Because it could grow rapidly and attain huge sizes. The wood was used wherever strength and rot-resistance was needed.
Flowering began in as little as five years, and as trees matured, crops become frequent and copious. The sale of the brown nuts brought many things hillside land that wouldn't produce
In the Appalachian Mountains, one in every four hardwoods was an American chestnut. Mature trees often grew straight and branch-free for 50 feet and could grow up to 100 feet tall with a trunk diameter of 14 feet at a few feet above ground level. For three centuries many barns and homes near the Appalachian Mountains were made from American chestnut.
Hogs and cattle were often fattened for market by allowing them to forage in chestnut-dominated forests. Chestnut ripening coincided with the Thanksgiving-Christmas holiday season, and eventually train cars filled to overflowing with chestnuts rolling into major cities to be sold fresh or roasted. The American chestnut was truly our heritage tree.
In 1908, mountain people noticed chestnut trees dying in their forests. A blight was destroying the inner bark of the trees. Nothing could be found to stop the disease from spreading. The blight ate on, insatiably, up one green mountainside and down the other. The nearly four-billion-strong American chestnut population in North America was devastated within 40 years.
Chestnut heartwood is legendary for its rot resistance. Logging of standing dead trees and then of the fallen logs took place for decades after the chestnut trees were killed.
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My favorite moments of Em and T are when he’s just a silent support system for her. Like Em doesn’t even have to ask, he can just read her like a book. His second road trip after the twins are born the entire household gets sick. Timo has to leave before they realize how bad it is but when he’s back home 3 days later em is 1 crying baby away from collapsing to the floor. But enter Superdad timo to save the day and comfort his wife after all the chaos has subsided
I agree! I love their dynamic and how fierce fully they have each other's backs. Like constantly willing to tap the other in to support and knowing they have that option. That is true partnership.
Emma knows she is a good mom. She has always had this ability to seamlessly move from one child to the next, but two newborn babies and two sick older children have quickly put her to her limit.
I’m leaving the airport now. Twenty minutes 😘
Emma sighs gratefully at Timo’s text, laying back into the couch as she finishes feeding Logan.
“Daddy is coming home.” She whispers.
In that twenty minutes, absolute chaos erupts. Liv throws up. Lio is trying to cling to Emma while she tends to Liv. Both twins are awake and crying for contact with their mother.
“Lio. Get off of me. I understand you want cuddles, but I can’t right now.” Emma tells her oldest through gritted teeth. “Please.” She whimpers in the end as she gets back down on the floor. Lio falls to his knees and begins to sob. Tears of frustration and overwhelm build in Emma’s eyes.
Then a large, comforting hand comes to her head. Thick fingers rub at her scalp for a moment. She looks up at Timo who pouts in concern at her.
“I…”
“Baby, go take a break. I’m home now. I’ve got it.”
Emma stares at her husband, feeling utterly defeated. She sucks her trembling bottom lip into her mouth, then nods.
“This is a lot. You’re doing your best.” Timo reminds her. All she can do is nod ghostly as she leaves the room. Once her butt hits the end of the bed, she collapses into sobs.
Failure of a parent. Failure of a homemaker. Failure of a wife. She can’t do this!? She’s completely out of her element being a full-time mom and wife. She needs help. They are only three road trips into the season.
Emma falls asleep in utter exhaustion at some point. When she wakes, the world is dark outside and a blanket has been lain across her body, likely by her husband. She holds the soft threads under her chin as she sits up. The house is quiet. Enough so that she wonders if her entire family has disappeared. Her body protests as she stands up. Her abdomen aches where she is still healing. Her breasts are heavy from not feeding and she gingerly rearranges them in her nursing bra. They leak at her touch. She needs to find the babies.
Her feet softly hit the hardwood downstairs, taking in her family sitting quietly in front of the TV watching Coco. Liv and Lio are snacking on orange juice and cheese pizza. One twin is sleeping in the bassinet, while the other is happily taking a bottle from a shirtless Timo. Her husband’s eyes briefly leave the screen, double taking when he sees her. She glances around the main area of the house. Not only did he get the babies to settle, but he cleaned the house.
“Lex and Nico came over to help me.” He fills her in at the dejected look on her face.
“That is nice of them. I need to feed a baby.”
“This one is ready for you.” He gestures to Liam who is in his bassinet.
“Is that formula for Log?” They’ve had to supplement formula at times because of Emma’s supply struggles.
“No. It’s milk from the fridge.” Emma nods then grabs Liam, walking over to the nursing station that Timo had restocked for her. She gently lowers herself into the chair, then gets the baby in her arms settled into eating. Once all is going well, she takes a big sip of water. Across the room, her husband watches every movement of hers.
“How are you doing?” Timo asks softly as he rests Logan on his shoulder to burp. Emma’s lips crumple. She shakes her head no at her husband. “Baby.” Timo sighs. “This is too much for you on your own.” Emma nods in agreement. She will look at the resumes from nannies the team had recommended tomorrow.
Emma looks around the room at the two sick Meiers, the newborn twins, and Timo. He quirks a corner of his mouth up at her in a sympathetic smile
“You still love me?” He asks sweetly. Emma nods giving a small smile back.
This may be chaos, but it’s their chaos. And she knows with Timo she’ll never be alone in it.
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Mushroom Logs
[psstt.. @threadednovelist here is the post I was talking about making!]
So the 1.6 Update has kinda put a wrench in my "The Mushroom Cave is better than the Fruit Bat Cave" argument since my biggest contender for picking the Mushroom Cave was that Fruit Trees and the Greenhouse make the cave obsolete but... well... the mushroom logs are essentially that same arguement but in reverse.
I will be covering the following in this post:
What are mushroom logs?
How do we get mushroom logs
I will be starting a completely new save* to test this, so I will be starting from scratch. I am also taking an approach of grinding away for specifically the mushroom logs, so the time in which you get yours will more than likely be different than mine, as well the number of everything you are able to get within a year, but that's totally fine and not something to be incredibly worried about as this is a run tailored for these and not just your normal, casual, play style.
I will be relaying my very basic progress through text here, but I will also be recording and uploading a video on this that will be linked at the end of this post so if you'd like to watch and see everything that I do you will be able to!
Divider Credit
*For transparency this save will have two mods applied to it: UI Info Suite 2 and Experience Bars.
What are Mushroom Logs?
Mushroom logs are an item that was added to the game in the 1.6 update. Mushroom Logs produce every four days normally, however if you have a rainy day within that period the amount of time is reduced.
The game searches for the number of trees in a 7x7 area around the mushroom logs. You are able to get five of the six mushroom types from the logs [Chanterelle, Common Mushroom, Morel, Red Mushroom and Purple Mushroom] and you are able to get 1-5 mushrooms from each log depending on the amount of wild (non-fruit) trees around them.
There is a list of possible mushrooms that the game creates based on the trees within the 7x7 area around the mushroom log, and what is produced is chosen randomly off of that list.
The mushrooms that are normally added to the list are Common Mushrooms (81% chance), Red Mushrooms (14% chance), and Purple Mushrooms (5%) chance. This makes it impossible for you to make a mushroom log produce a certain type of mushroom as every tree adds these to the list.
Oak Trees add the chance for Morel Mushrooms to be produced.
Pine Trees add the chance for Chanterelle Mushrooms to be produced.
Maple Trees have a 10% chance to give a Purple Mushroom and a 90% chance to give a Red Mushroom.
Mystic Trees increase the chance for Purple Mushrooms to be produced.
Mushrooms can be any quality, and is not affected by the Botanist Profession. Quality is calculated based on the number of nearby trees and how many of them have moss on them. A normal tree is counted one, a tree with moss is counted twice. The number the game gets is then divided by 40 and the solution is the chance used for quality upgrade.
Mushroom logs also provide 5xp per harvest no matter the amount of mushrooms harvested.
How do we get Mushroom Logs?
The recipie for Mushroom Logs are unlocked once you reach foraging level 4, and you are able to craft it with 10 hardwood and 10 moss.
Now to reach Foraging Level 4 you will need a total of 1,300xp points towards Foraging.
You get 12XP for chopping down a tree.
1XP for removing the stump.
1XP for every piece of moss harvested off of a tree.
1XP per berry when shaking a salmonberry or blackberry bush.
25XP for removing Large Stumps or Large Logs.
7XP for every foraged item picked up.
3XP Per spring onion harvested
2XP for items growing from season-specific wild seeds (Summer Seeds, for example)
5XP from either the Mushroom Logs or Mushroom Cave
To get your hardwood you'll need at minimum 5 copper bars and 2,000g so you are able to take down large stumps.
With a copper axe, which costs 5 Copper Bars (25 copper ore) and 2,000g to gain, you are able to chop down large stumps which you can find on the farm but they do not respawn if you are on the Standard Farm. You can also find them in the Secret Woods, where they do respawn, but you'll need to either glitch into the woods or get a steel axe.
With a steel axe, with costs 5 Iron Bars (25 iron ore) and 5,000g on top of what is needed for a copper axe to get, you are able to chop down large logs, one of which blocks your way into the secret woods. These do not respawn.
Large Stump gives 2 hardwood.
Large Log gives 8 hardwood.
Moss grows on trees, and it's random when they will.
You can also get moss from the trees that spawn during the Green Rain, though the Green Rain happens on one day randomly in Summer. Day 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 18, and 23 are one of the random days in which green rain can happen.
Gameplay
1hr 15min in on Spring Day 15 got the mushroom log recipie
1hr25min in on Summer Day 14 got green rain, Same day made 3 mushroom logs
1hr42min in on Fall day 3 made 1 more mushroom log
I didn't make any more mushrooms logs and instead focused soley on harvesting them.
Common Mushroom:
Iridium - 10
Gold - 10
Silver - 31
Normal - 140
Total - 191
Morel Mushroom:
Gold - 5
Silver - 2
Normal - 23
Total - 30
Chantrelle:
Total - 0
Purple Mushroom:
Normal - 20
Total - 20
Red Mushroom
Iridium - 10
Silver - 10
Normal - 62
Total - 82
Total Number of Mushrooms: 323 Mushrooms
Total Amount of Gold: 25,479g
For mushroom cave:
6 mushrooms every other day.
54 total harvest days are needed to get 324 total mushrooms.
There are a total of 112 days in a Stardew Valley year.
My YouTube Video
#stardew valley#jitv#jitv sdv#sdv#Mushroom Logs#SDV Mushroom Logs#Stardew Valley Mushroom Logs#SDV 1.6#stardew valley 1.6
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“ i never make a promise i don’t intend to keep. ” (Rafe)
Yesterday, the first tentative buds appeared on a crop of pasqueflowers. Small, hopeful shoots of delicate purple, peeking towards the light in a crescent shape along the eastern edge of the cabin. Then came the storm, turning skies dark and drowning the land beneath a fresh blanket of snow.
The spring blooms would survive. Rafe had seen it before. Just as he had sat on the old hardwood stool upon the porch, coffee in hand, watching the horizon lighten with the dawn. Last season though, there hadn’t been the kid, dragging a sled up the nearest slope and sliding down again. Over and over. It was safest to burn off these bursts of energy under the cover of darkness. Then she’d sleep for hours, the science infecting her system remodeling her cells with a blueprint none of them had figured out yet.
“I can’t promise you this is going to turn out the way you want, Sarah.”
An admission made by the flicker of firelight. It hadn’t been easy for Rafe, adjusting to not one but two ladies bursting into his life. Keeping steady for the younger one came more naturally. Letting in Sarah, if only to his thoughts, to his concerns... that stayed a struggle. Yet he did his best.
Sarah hadn’t pushed either. Didn’t ask him to give a guarantee or false hope. Instead, she rested a head upon his shoulder to watch the flames kiss and dance over their bed of kindling. When a log shifted, sending sparks up the chimney like fireworks, Rafe draped an arm around her.
He couldn’t promise anything. But he damn sure would try.
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Campsite Taco Bar (Makes 6 Servings)
We bring you this recipe from our panel, “Anime Foodies: Laid-Back Camp The Movie”.
As the movie opens, our characters are enjoying a group camping trip during their high school years on a lake shore near Mt. Fuji. For their supper, they create a taco bar that allows everyone to customize the final product to their tastes. While some components of the taco bar are familiar, the centerpiece – a whole chicken roasted in a Dutch oven over coals – is a showcase for their camping adventure.
Roasted Chicken:
1 Whole 5-6 Pound – Chicken
1 4 oz. Stick – Unsalted Butter
1 ½ TSP – Kosher Salt
1 TSP – Black Pepper
1 ½ TSP – Juniper Berries
4 Springs – Rosemary
1 – Orange
2 Small – Russet Potatoes
3 Medium – Carrots
Allow the butter to come to room temperature, mix in the salt and pepper, and set aside.
Cut 4 large slices off the orange and eat the rest.
Roll a large length of heavy-duty aluminum foil into a ring and place it into the bottom of your Dutch oven.
Line the base of the Dutch oven above the foil ring with two layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil and line the lid with another layer of foil.
Remove your chicken from its packaging and dry it off with some paper towels.
Working from the back of the bird, carefully reach in and separate the chicken skin from the meat without tearing it across as much of the bird as possible.
Once the skin is lose, take ½ of the seasoned butter and stuff it into the space you’ve made between the meat and skin of the chicken, spreading it evenly.
Stuff the cavity of the chicken with two slices of orange, 2 springs of rosemary, and ½ TSP of juniper berries and then truss the bird.
Peel the carrots, scrub the potatoes, chop them both into large chunks, and place the few of the smallest of your carrot pieces down in the middle of the Dutch oven.
Take some of the additional butter and smear it over the outside skin of the bird before tucking in the wings and setting it into the middle of the Dutch oven on top of the small portions of carrots.
Spread the remaining root vegetables along the outside of the chicken and dollop the additional butter over these.
Place the other two slices of orange, 2 springs of rosemary, and the remaining TSP of juniper berries over the top of the chicken and then place the lid of the Dutch oven on (making sure it fits tightly to prevent any ash getting in).
Prepare your coals and set 1/3 of them evenly underneath the Dutch oven and the other 2/3 evenly across the lid.
Allow to cook for 1 hour and 30 minutes and then carefully remove the lid, set it aside, and check the temperature with a thermometer (allow to cook for additional 10 minute intervals as required).
Once ready, place a piece of foil loosely over the chicken and allow to rest for 15 minutes before slicing or pulling for tacos as desired.
Optional/Notes:
If you’re not up to roasting an entire chicken with potatoes and carrots for your taco bar, feel free to pick up a rotisserie chicken from your favorite grocery store as a much simpler alternative.
If you have a small cooking rack or something else to keep the chicken from sitting right on the bottom of the Dutch oven, that will also work in lieu of the foil ring. This and the thinner pieces of carrot being under the bird is meant to mitigate the bottom of the chicken from burning while the rest of it roasts.
The juniper, orange, and rosemary mostly function to scent rather than flavor the chicken and can be omitted, if necessary.
When separating the chicken skin from the meat and adding the butter under the skin, emphasize the breast portion of the bird as this portion is most at risk of drying out during the cooking process.
No need to be fancy with your trussing. As long as it keeps the legs together and the back cavity of the bird closed, it will be fine.
For our coals, we were unable to get binchotan like they used in the show. We instead used a similar looking hardwood charcoal we found locally: Blue Hog – Hog Logs. We used 18 in total with 6 on the bottom of the Dutch oven and 12 on the top. These did not require a change, but if you’ll be using smaller lump charcoal or briquettes, check about halfway through the cooking process as additional coals need to be added.
Taco Meat:
1 ¼ Pound – Lean Ground Beef (Ground Turkey)
1 TBSP – Worcestershire Sauce
1 TBSP – Ketchup
½ TBSP – Sake
½ TBSP – Mirin
2 TSP – Chili Powder
½ TSP – Paprika
½ TSP – Garlic Powder
Heat a pan over medium heat and add the ground beef.
Brown the ground beef while breaking up any large chunks.
Add the remaining ingredients, stir to combine everything, and raise the heat to medium high.
Cook, stirring as necessary, until the liquid has almost entirely boiled away.
Optional/Notes:
Lean ground beef (93/7) is done to mitigate the need to drain any fat from the pan. You can use fattier ground beef, but you may need to add an additional step of draining the fat.
Ground turkey can also function as a good substitute and typically does not require fat to be drained.
A classic stateside taco seasoning mix can be used in place of the Japanese version presented here if desired.
Taco Shrimp:
1 ¼ Pound Medium, Peeled – Shrimp
1 TBSP – Worcestershire Sauce
1 TBSP – Ketchup
½ TBSP – Sake
½ TBSP – Mirin
1 TSP – Chili Powder
½ TSP – Paprika
½ TSP – Garlic Powder
Take all the ingredients, mix them together, and allow the shrimp to marinate for 30 minutes to an hour in the cooler.
When ready to cook, heat a pan over medium heat and add the shrimp with its marinade.
Cook for 4-6 minutes or until the shrimp are cooked through.
Salsa:
2 Medium – Red Tomatoes
½ – Green Bell Pepper (Any Mild Green Pepper)
¼ Medium – White Onion
1 – Lime
2 Pinches – Kosher Salt
Dice the tomatoes, green pepper, and onions and add them to a serving bowl.
Add the juice of the lime and the salt and stir.
Remaining Taco Bar Ingredients:
1 Head – Red Leaf Lettuce (Romaine Lettuce)
2 – Lime
2 Medium – Red Tomatoes
½ Medium – White Onion
8 oz. Block – Jack Cheese
1 – Avocado
2 Packs, Taco-Size – Flour Tortillas
1 Small Bottle – Tabasco Sauce (Any Preferred Hot Sauce)
Wash your lettuce, separate the leaves, and set aside.
Slice the limes into wedges, the onion into thin half-moons, and the tomatoes into slightly thicker half-moons.
Shred your block of cheese and keep it in the cooler until ready to serve.
Just prior to serving, split and pit the avocado, scoop the flesh out of each half in one piece, and slice into half-moons.
Heat a pan over medium heat and toast the tortillas one at a time for 30 seconds to a minute on each side.
As the tortillas finish, place them on a plate under a towel to keep warm until it is time to serve.
Optional/Notes:
Any long leaf lettuce will work fine.
You can skip the process of shredding your own cheese by buying a standard pack of pre-shredded cheese that you enjoy with tacos.
#anime#anime food#nos anime#anime foodies#camping#camping food#food#laid back camp#yuru camp#yurucamp#laid back camp the movie
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Top quality hardwood logs. Supplied in convenient netted bags. These hardwood logs and seasoned logs have not been artificially dried out by our firewood dryer. They are of harder wood and therefore burn for longer.
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Hügelkultur - Sheetmulching Raised to New Heights
In my last post I discussed mulching as an effective way to help the water retention of your soil, while providing lots of nutrients over an extended time. Today I want to keep raising this technique to new levels, quite literally, in the form of Hügelkultur. Hügel means Hill in German (and I bet you can guess Kultur!), so this gardening method is often called hill or mound beds in English. Essentially they are advanced forms of lasagna beds, which also includes thick logs and other large-scale organic debris, and can rise up to shoulder high above ground level.
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Multiple Benefits of a Hügel Bed
Just as in the case of sheetmulching, the ground is covered with various layers of compostable materials. Unlike with simple sheetmulching, the logs and branches inside a Hügel will take several years to decompose, offering your plants many seasons of nutrients. Since the bulk of the mound is made up of wood, the decomposing material will become more and more porous, which can soak up more and more water. Due to the constant decomposition inside the bed, and the elevated planting area above the level of ground frost, the Hügel is also likely to extend your growing season. This is especially true if you build it in a horseshoe form, opening towards the South, creating an effective suntrap. The elevated planting beds also come in handy for gardening work you don't have to bend down for.
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Building Your Hügel-culture
A Hügelkulture can be built from the ground up, or you may dig a trench underneath if you're counting on plenty of water. The rule of thumb is always to put the material that takes the longest to decompose on the bottom, and build your way up from there. Recently cut logs, heartwood, or hardwood go way down below, followed by wood that is already rotting away happily. On top of the thicker logs you place layers of thinner branches, twigs, woodchips, then continue with straw, leaves, compost, and finally a good layer of fertile soil that you can plant into right away. Around the leaves and straw you may also include a layer of manure, cardboard, lawn clippings, kitchen compost, or whatever organic wastes you may have lying around. Just make sure they are well covered. And don't forget to water each layer to give your Hügel a good head start.
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Is All The Extra Work Really Worth It?
Granted, compared to a regular lasagna bed, a Hügelkultur involves a lot more work: Logs, branches, and sticks need to be cut and moved into place, then covered in several layers, which due to its hill shape will require a lot more material, while at the same time the benefits of a Hügel are pretty much the same as in sheetmulching: water retention and long term release of nutrients. Still, I would say the difference between the two is immense, since the Hügel does all that much better, and over longer time periods. So if you have the material available - and what else would you be doing with so much rotting wood? - I would say it's definitely worth the effort.
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Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
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Get FAMILIAR WITH OAK FLOORING
For many years, oak has been favoured for flooring because of its durability, beauty, and versatility. You may improve the beauty of your home and add value by installing high-quality oak hardwood flooring. However, there are certain drawbacks to this material, as there are to any construction materials. Here are some of the most notable benefits and drawbacks of oak hardwood flooring.
Oak is a luxurious material, therefore a property with an oak floor will be more appealing to potential buyers. To buy wood flooring follow the link.
Oak has a natural elegance that can be used into a variety of home design styles.
White oak does not absorb liquid, making it suitable for any areas that tend to leak liquid, and oak floors are resistant to wear and tear, fungus and insects, cracking. If you give your floors a high-quality finish, they will endure for decades.
Maintenance: Regular sweeping and an occasional mopping with an oak-specific cleaning reagent will keep the floor looking great for years to come.
Oak is unique among natural building materials in that wood is resistant to insect assaults and may be treated to withstand the moisture that comes from seasonal changes.
Oak hardwood floors may discolour if exposed to sunlight for extended periods of time.
If your oak floor isn't sufficiently protected, sharp and heavy objects may quickly damage it.
The longer a spill lies on the floor, the deeper it will seep into the wood, making removal of the stain more difficult.
Common Oak Flooring Varieties and Their Comparison
Solid oak, engineered oak, and oak laminate are the three most prevalent kinds of oak flooring available. There are benefits and cons to each option. Here is a comparison that should help us choose the best kind for our needs.
Advantages Drawbacks
One-Piece Solid Oak means that the oak used came from a single log.
Superior longevity and accessibility.
Strong organic substance.
Size is restricted in both dimensions.
- The ability to shrink in cold temperatures and swell in warm ones.
Composite Oak
Slightly less expensive than solid wood; constructed with a top layer of genuine oak wood and three or four layers of syntactic support. Thus, adaptable to a range of sizes.
- Immune to temperature changes.
Not as long-lasting as real oak.
Oak laminate flooring is available in a wide variety of hues and designs.
– Save half the price of solid wood while adding colour and character to your home.
Not simple to fix.
Not repairable in any way.
Unnatural footfall noise and tactile sensation.
In addition to reading about the differences between these oak flooring options in the abstract, let's also take in some beautiful examples of each to use as inspiration for our own interior design.
REAL OAK
Solid wood is a natural, durable material that can be refinished by sanding and applying a protective finish. Its longevity suggests it might last for quite some time. Flooring manufactured from a single plank of oak is called "solid oak," and it is often placed by driving nails through the tongue at an angle into the subfloor and the floor board.
CONTRIBUTED OAK
Engineered oak flooring is built of oak, but in a more compressed form. Not as durable as solid wood, but still potentially good for 15–25 years of use. Engineered oak flooring is constructed with an oak veneer glued to many layers of softwood for strength and stability. Tongue-and-groove and "click" flooring, in which the individual planks of flooring interlock with one another, are only two of the edge profiles available for engineered oak flooring. You may attach or staple engineered oak flooring to the subfloor, or you can install it as a floating floor above the subfloor with certain products.
LAMINATED OAK
Due to its realistic wood grain and deep hue, oak laminate is a popular choice among homeowners. Laminate oak flooring is an affordable alternative to solid or engineered oak floors while yet providing the same attractive appearance and strong, durable surface.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM LAMINATE OAK Vs. ENGINEERED OAK FLOORING
What are the key distinctions between engineered oak flooring and laminated oak flooring? Wood floor providers often have hundreds of different flooring varieties, each with its own label and corresponding sample. The thickness of the top or exposed wood layer is the key to answering this issue. Take a look at the data in the table below.
Oak Engineered Laminate with a Solid Wood Top LayerUsually at least 1/8 inches thick.1/16 of an inch, at most.
Refinishing PotentialUsually sands well enough to be refinished at least once.The thin veneer on top makes it impractical.
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Embracing the Warmth: The Art and Science of Firewood Selection
In the heart of winter, there's a primal comfort in the crackle and glow of a well-stoked fire. Yet, behind this elemental pleasure lies a thoughtful process: the selection of firewood. Beyond mere fuel, firewood embodies a delicate balance of art and science, where each log carries its own story, potential, and characteristics. Let's delve into the intricacies of palivové dřevo selection and uncover the secrets to a perfect blaze.
Firstly, not all firewood is created equal. Each species boasts distinct qualities that can significantly influence your fire experience. Hardwoods like oak and maple burn longer and hotter, making them ideal for sustained warmth during chilly nights. On the other hand, softwoods like pine ignite quickly, perfect for kindling but requiring frequent replenishment. Understanding the properties of different woods empowers you to tailor your fire to your specific needs, whether it's a slow-burning evening by the hearth or a swift, cozy firepit gathering.
Beyond species, the moisture content of firewood is paramount. Wet or "green" wood not only produces excessive smoke but also fails to generate sufficient heat, leaving you shivering in disappointment. Seasoned wood, however, has been properly dried, ensuring optimal combustion and efficiency. Investing in a moisture meter can be a game-changer, allowing you to gauge the readiness of your firewood with precision.
But firewood selection isn't solely about functionality; it's an opportunity to engage with nature's diversity. Each piece of wood tells a story of its origin, from the gnarled branches of an ancient oak to the slender limbs of a fragrant cedar. Embracing this diversity adds depth to your fire experience, connecting you to the natural world in a tangible, intimate manner.
Moreover, sourcing firewood ethically is essential for environmental sustainability. Opting for locally sourced wood reduces carbon emissions associated with transportation while supporting your community's economy. Additionally, prioritizing dead or fallen trees minimizes the ecological impact, preserving the vitality of forests for generations to come. By embracing responsible practices, you not only nurture your fire but also contribute to the broader health of our planet.
In the realm of firewood, preparation is key. Proper storage ensures that your wood remains dry and seasoned, ready to ignite at a moment's notice. Stacking wood in a well-ventilated area, elevated from the ground, protects it from moisture and pests while allowing air circulation for optimal drying. Investing time in preparation pays dividends when winter's chill descends, granting you the gift of effortless warmth and comfort.
Furthermore, firewood selection transcends mere practicality; it's a form of self-expression. The scent of cedar or the crackle of birch evokes memories, stirs emotions, and sets the tone for intimate gatherings or solitary reflections. In a world often dominated by technology and haste, the simplicity of tending a fire reconnects us to our primal roots, grounding us in the present moment and fostering a sense of peace.
In conclusion, the art and science of firewood selection offer a gateway to a deeper connection with nature and oneself. By understanding the nuances of different wood species, prioritizing sustainability, and embracing the rituals of preparation, we transform a mundane task into a soul-nourishing experience. So, as the flames dance and the embers glow, let us savor the warmth of the fire and the richness of life's simple pleasures.
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When the Ornaments Mocked
(Esther Nicholette Steele) The soft clicks of my heels on the hardwood floor provided the rhythm to my last-minute dance of preparation. It was Christmas Eve, and the house was alive with the sounds of the season. The winter birds outside filled the air with a chorus of chirps, their melodies intertwining with the soft rustle of leaves in the wind.
I glanced at my reflection one final time, smoothing down the fabric of my dress and adjusting the silver necklace that lay delicately against my skin. The race against time, the festive clock ticking away moments until our departure, brought an excited flutter to my chest.
Then, cutting through the serenity, an electronic chirp sounded—sharp, sudden, and utterly out of place. My head turned sharply toward the computer on the desk. I could have sworn it had been sleeping when I passed it just moments ago, but now the screen glowed with an eerie life of its own.
"Oooh, there you are! I was worried you left me here all tied up and blindfolded," sang a cartoonish voice from the speakers, high-pitched and filled with mock concern. For a heartbeat, I stood frozen, the crease between my brows deepening as the voice continued to fill the room. It didn't belong to the Christmas carols or the laughter of children; it was something foreign that didn't fit the tapestry of holiday warmth we'd woven around our family.
With a hesitant step, I approached the computer, the chill of confusion beginning to seep in, threatening the cocoon of festivity I had wrapped myself in.
The mirror before me—a witness to the countless mornings of routine—now reflected a woman unmoored, eyes wide with disbelief. I turned in slow motion, my heart pounding a rhythm of dread, and sank into the chair facing the computer. The room seemed to tilt, the festive lights blurring into streaks of color as nausea rose like a tide within me.
On the screen, amongst the cheerful bleeps of an online world, was an avatar—an exaggerated caricature with features crafted for fantasy. It cavorted shamelessly with others in a digital realm I hadn't known existed till this moment. Confusion gave way to a sharp clarity as I clicked through the chat logs, every line a needle threading through the fabric of our life, unraveling it thread by thread. James, my James, had funneled our hard-earned money into this pixelated perversion.
The chat box scrolled under my trembling fingers, revealing intimate exchanges and coded words that now felt like trespassers in my home. With a shuddering breath, I reached out and shut down the mockery of merriment. The screen darkened, but its secrets clung to me like a second skin.
I was numb, not a flicker of anger or a spark of rage—just the cold, hollow emptiness of betrayal. My body moved heavily, each step weighted with the gravity of what lay unveiled. Standing at the bedroom's threshold, I gathered myself, securing my hair with pins that felt like they were anchoring me to a reality I no longer recognized.
"Mom! Are we going?" The distant cheer of my boys filtered through the walls, unaware of the rift that had just opened up beneath us.
"Coming," I called back, my voice steady despite the quake inside.
I walked through the house, passing the Christmas tree that suddenly seemed less bright; its twinkling lights now ridicule me with their innocence. Each ornament and garland reminded us of the facade we'd been living behind. I ushered the boys toward the car, their excited chatter contrasting with the silence enveloping me like a shroud.
"Let's go see Grandma and Grandpa," I said, my smile a careful construct.
As we deviated from the main road, the engine hummed a steady rhythm, turning into the familiar neighborhood. Crisp winter air swirled through the half-open window, mingling with the scent of pine trees lining the streets. The boys' laughter bubbled in the backseat, their excitement for Christmas Eve palpable, coloring the space with innocence and mirth.
James sat motionless beside me, a statue carved from the very essence of silence. His presence was like a ghostly shadow, there but not there, his usual reticence now a heavy cloak around us both. I kept my gaze fixed on the road, each passing streetlight illuminating the contours of my face—a stoic mask to guard the chaos beneath.
As we approached my parents' house, its windows glowing with soft light, my heart hammered in my chest. The festive decorations hung with care seemed almost mocking, a stark reminder of the pretense under which we arrived. I eased the car to a stop, the gravel crunching under the tires providing an oddly satisfying finality.
"Alright, let's go see everyone," I called out, the cheer in my voice forced. The boys tumbled from the car, racing toward the warmth and love that awaited within.
James hesitated, fingers lingering on the latch before pushing the door open. He paused, glancing back at me with a gentleness that once would have melted my resolve. "You ok?" His voice was barely more than a whisper, a tender inquiry amidst our silent storm.
I met his gaze, searching for the man I thought I knew. The brief connection held the weight of unspoken words, a plea for normalcy despite the turbulence that engulfed us. "You forgot to turn the computer off," I said, the words cutting through the quiet. They were sharp, laden with accusatory ice, and they hung between us, unwelcome Christmas ornaments dangling from a tree we'd forgotten to water.
His face changed then, the way shadows morph at dusk—first reflecting my tension as if my tightly drawn features were painted onto his own. And then, like a fortress under siege, his expression crumbled into stark, unguarded terror. He became a man staring into an abyss, suddenly opening at his feet. No words came from him; perhaps none could bridge the chasm that yawned wide before us.
He slid back into the passenger seat with a heavy breath that seemed too loud in the hush, pulling the door shut with a soft click that resonated with finality. On the other side of the glass, life moved on. Our boys, oblivious to the seismic shifts within their parents' world, leaped into my parents' arms. Their laughter and the warm embraces they received painted a picture so painfully at odds with the frigid stalemate inside the Jeep.
I slipped out of the Jeep without a word. Christmas Eve continued as scheduled, but an undercurrent of melancholy lingered, etching itself into our memories, never to be erased. James remained motionless, his hands trembling imperceptibly, fixated on the heartwarming tableau before us—a stark contrast to the icy divide that had grown between us over time. The once-shared moments of simple joy were now distorted by the chilling wariness that enveloped us both.
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The best wooden furniture created by Jay Gorsia.
While interior design trends constantly change, wooden furniture remains evergreen. Use of best wood for furniture in India makes it strong, long-lasting and requires minimal maintenance, as compared to other materials. A specious piece of furniture designed by Jay Gorsia can make your mood blissful. Furniture that's comfortable and supportive can make a big difference. A sagging couch or a chair that doesn't give proper back support can lead to aches and pains, bringing your mood down.
Well-designed furniture that allows you to relax and unwind properly can contribute to a feeling of well-being. Having Jay Gorsia’s furniture that meets your needs and helps you stay organised can reduce stress and frustration. Easy-to-access storage solutions, for example, can help keep clutter at bay, which can create a more calming and peaceful environment.However, there are different kinds of wood that are used for making furniture for homes. So, which wood is good for furniture! Consequently, while buying furniture, one should understand the pros and cons of types of wood in India and the precautions that owners need to take for its maintenance.
Before using different types of wood for furniture in India, a log is usually cut into the required frame sizes and then left to ‘season’. Seasoning is a process followed where the moisture in the wood used for making furniture is dried to an optimal level. In normal dry, warm weather, seasoning for about one month is recommended. Primarily, on the basis of hardness, Unlike popular belief, hardwood is not necessarily harder and denser, as compared to softwood. In simple terms, hardwood comes from flowering trees while softwood comes from conifers. Both hardwood and softwoods are used as wood for furniture. Timber veneers and solid timbers are used extensively in interior design.
This article demonstrates types of African wood for interior design that are commonly used throughout the world. African wood has particular qualities and the mahoganies are generally hardwoods with a deep rich color in reds and browns. There are many types of African wood used for interior design below, here are some of the more common that are available on the market. Please remember to specify only sustainable African Wood for your interior design projects.
Symmetry and shapes can also affect the overall vibe of your home. If you want your home to feel welcoming, you should steer clear of more angular shapes and use curves and circles instead. Curves and rounded shapes denote harmony and completion. Angular shapes represent efficiency, professionalism and balance. Symmetry also adds to the sense of balance and harmony. It is also aesthetically pleasing and enhances your mental peace. Furniture architect Jay Gorsia put a lot of time and effort into his work, and it is essential to recognise the impact designs have on the spaces they inhabit. The authentic design has completely transformed our living room. It feels like a completely different space, and we love spending time in it now.
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