u/tetrasomnia

The only times he meowed was while we were moving. He seemed to enjoy ducking with us under things and watching the water and dragon flies move. 10/10 would take him again.

Don't hate on my poor latte skills- I am self-aware and am just happy to have the "right" ratios.

Saw someone post about this Amazon find just when I was fresh out and unprepared, searching through Amazon for something that would actually resemble matcha. It felt like the stars had aligned and I jumped to make the purchase.

For context, my last purchase was the 100g MK Wakatake from Steeping Room. I wanted something a bit more nutty, but with the same or similar quality. I figured it was the best deal I'd likely find without sacrificing, but I was pleasantly surprised with this matcha.

No, it is absolutely not as vibrant green as Wakatake. No, it does not have the same depth of flavor or umami.

But when I made my guava matcha latte, I was able to taste both the matcha and the guava. I could not say this about the Wakatake using the same ratios, and the flavor profile meshed beautifully.

For how much of a bargain it is ($32 with subscribe and save), I think I have found a solid backup matcha for latte consumption.

I saw a post mentioning sightings in NJ just last week, then it happened to me in Howell. At least their characteristic white dot makes them easy to spot, but the way they charge at you is unnerving.

Edit: I happen to be someone who was trained in Integrated Pest Management, so I plunged my hands into bags full of beneficial mites regularly for work. This post isn't about ticks. This is to bring awareness to the fact that Lonestar ticks are effectively reclaiming their territory and adding themselves to the list of tick species to look out for. They do not behave the same way at all and thus require education to best keep safe. There is no known cure for Alpha-gal.

Bonus rainbow miso

...and now it's time for fetch.

Mochi (sphynx, M, 6 yrs) and Miso (lynx point, F, 1.5 yrs)

Don't you love it when your companion loves the same things as you? We picked out the fullest forest by us and took him on a birthday hike. He wanted to walk and just soak in the sounds of the forest more than he has in a while. No better way to spend his 6th birthday.

We are thinking about camping together for my own birthday, but it will be hotter. Looks like it'll be the mountains for us, because we both need to stay cool.

Please wish him a happy one! He's a very good boy and deserves all the good wishes.

Wish him a happy birthday right now 😡🎉

But the moment we got back, he wanted his excitement ritual done at every 3rd step or so on rhe way upstairs. He's such a goober. 💕

1st: matcha strawberry latte. Delicious. Not too vegetal, good umami, subtle nuttiness. Everything worked well together and complimented the matcha.

Definitely going here for matcha if another spot doesn't outshine it.

2nd: regular matcha latte from another shop. Vegetal, asparagus flavor. Reminicent of Harney & Sons. Minimal balance as a latte. Would not get again.

My partner and I wanted different things, but agreed on Taiwanese pancakes. So I had them with TJ's beef kebabs and jazzed it up with some homemade pickled red onions and mixed some lemon juice in Greek yogurt and added some sumac on top.

Quick and delicious!

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I was disappointed when I found out that Rice Rice Baby had sold out...until I tried Bitterleaf's Rice to Meet You.

I knew I had to try it on the description alone, but the joy in actually experiencing it makes me astounded at the low price! 100g for $13 USD!

It's got the silky mouth feel and the incredible umami from the sweet rice, and the delicious tannic mid and aftertaste from the 2026 Simao nuomixiang green tea. The leaves start out incredibly dark, almost black and bloom into a verdant green. It is wonderful to witness.

If this flavor profile is your thing, maybe give it a try!

Mochi loves logs, bridges, and streams.

Tea: 2025 Jinggu Shaihong black tea from Yunnan

Nose: humid rock, damp forest, pecan, cranberry, caramel, buttermilk, maple syrup

Taste: like a cozy blanket on a crisp rainy morning.

Lemon Bran muffin with poppy seeds, sweet malty dough

Mouth-feel: smooth like butter, only slightly bitter aftertaste reminiscent of pecan and citrus

Feels soothing on the stomach. Incredibly easy to drink at a great price point. An easy daily drinker. I can see myself reaching for this on foggy, crisp mornings or rainy days at home. Very relaxing body feel. Worth the hype.

9g steeped gong-fu style with porcelain travel gaiwan (approx 140ml of spring water used). 1st 3 steps were flash steps (no more than 3 s), then 10s, 15s, 25s, 35s, 45s, 55s, and 110s. Still has much more to go.