Recent content by Phaedra

New thread, new chapter, happy to be back. I might not be a disciplined gardener like before. Winter is still in full swing, and this is NichiNichi’s second winter. This year I decided to take a small gamble and stay open as usual—but January brought heavy storms, which meant nearly a full...

Every winter, I seem to restart my sewing practice from Level 1 🤣 Alright, honestly speaking, that’s part of the fun? With homegrown catnip, I’ve made a few simple, handmade catnip pillows for the gift wall in the café.

Dear everyone, how is everything? I am doing fine here. This winter i didn't close the cafe and keep daily services (Mon-Thur 12-14 / Fri-Sun 12-17) - and the business is better than I imagined. The tiny cafe has some lovely regulars now, almost like chosen family. Gradually, there are also...

agree, this winter so far i bought nothing. Last December, I used one week to review and reset the family finance goal. After that, things are easy. It's not because I am not curious about new varieties, it's simply because my time and attention is the rarest resource. My 2026 gardening...

For those didn't have sufficient resources to grow up in late summer - i transplanted them into individal planters today. They will stay in the greenhouse when severe frosts hit, but outdoors when the weather is mild. Another joy of today, one more milestone in my journey understading...

We have a dinner party last night in the cafe, so, i got some flowers and branches from the garden for making two small table decoration. Nothing fancy, but it feels good. Let's set up the table

It's absolutely worthy for a try, not too complicate. Ingredients: 4 medium apples (firm varieties like Honeycrisp) 2 cups red wine ¾ cup water ⅓ cup sugar (adjust to taste) 1 cinnamon stick 1 star anise 2–3 dried orange slices (or a few strips of fresh orange peel) ½ inch piece of fresh ginger...

Red Mutsu Apples, poached in red wine, served warm with ice cream This week, I also served this dessert in my tiny cafe 🤭

One is fading, and the other starts blossoming

Thanks @Dahlia and @flowerbug - it's something i didn't imagine in the past, but as i am on the way, have to embrace the challenges. The lunch sets from yesterday and today The salad greens are from the garden~ In today's plate, i used homegrown potato and apple

I didn't realize such things after my baking studio was done - kind of shock how can an oven heat up so quickly and quietly.

Steve, you are CUTE!

I felt seen and affirmed. A new customer from a neighboring town asked if we can arrange a Christmas celebration dinner party (usually in December, not really on Christmas Eve or Christmas) for her team of four persons. I told her that private dinner parties usually require at least six guests...

Spiced Rosé Poached Apples, served with Mascarpone Chantilly Cream and Honey

Dahlias are still blossoming - seems we won't have frost in another two weeks.