Some photos of our future house (rental) that my mother-in-law shared this morning. This Japanese history geek is delighted by the traditional look of this house!

Aerial shot of an old-fashioned wooden Japanese house nestled in the green of surrounding trees, grass and hillsides. There is a small graveyard visible up the hill, a modern looking car shelter to the side of the house and an air circulation unit of some sort outside the front. The facade is covered with windows and sliding doors. A ground level shot of a traditional Japanese wooden house. There is a nicely manicures tree in front of the house and next to it a red moped. To the right of the house under the car shelter is a white family car. An orange or red mailbox can be seen on a pillar at the corner of the house. There are several tiers of old-fashioned black roof tiles. A close up of the front (I think) of a traditional Japanese wooden house which reveals a little more detail. There are sliding wooden panels in front of some windows and a circulation vent below them, more layered black roof tiles, and 4 sets of 4 panelled sliding doors. There is a small satellite dish on the roof.

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First recipe from the Scottish Vegan Cookbook that I bought last week was Stovies which is one of my all time favourite dishes despite its simplicity.

The dish was decent but for me needed to be a little bit more savoury (probably regional variation based preference) and so next time I make it, I’ll probably substitute the nutmeg for mace and “enhance” the dish with marmite or whichever yeast extract I have available at the time.

Texturally though it was pretty good, after I gave it a half-mash that is.. will revisit.

semi-mashed potatoes and thinly sliced onions of a slightly golden or more accurately beige hue, with some barely visible, slightly overcooked red lentils, seasoned with some chopped rosemary and cracked black pepper. The dish is in a black pan.

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One of three new vegan recipes books purchases today and the one I’m most excited about.. “The Scottish Vegan Cookbook” by Jackie Jones.. very much looking forward to trying many of the recipes.

The front cover of The Scottish Vegan Cookbook by Jacki Jones, top half of cover is black with the book title in white and grey text. the lower half of the cover is a very colourful array of prepared fruit, veg and leafy greens, dark red cherries and purple blueberries to light green broadband and lettuce leaves.

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Found these wee beauties growing on a tree stump in our garden. I haven’t attempted identification yet but I have my suspicions as to what they might be.

A ring of clustered, yellow mushrooms growing around the top of a tree trunk.

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Right! Where did I leave my trainers?

Very much looking forward to having the time to read this book, and indeed to the act of reading it.. equally, probably.

The front cover of a book entitled "Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World". The title is capitalised and in light blue, against a black background. Subtitle is in red font against a white banner, there is an illustrated view of a forest with white branches of mycelium entangling with the roots of trees, a fish swims in a river. The bottom section of the cover is in white text on a red banner and says "PAUL STAMETS author of Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms"

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I’ve only been able to identify about half of these mushrooms from today’s walk.. I wasn’t intending on eating any of them hence only gathering a small amount of each but probably just as well as I am only sure of two or three that I could eat if I so decided.. and I’m not one for taking chances with this.

I’ve taken lots of individual photos, took notes, dissected them all and looked them up in the few books I have and some “mushroom identification” apps.. and still only about half.

Very open to advice on learning resources and techniques if anyone more knowledgeable (would be difficult to be less so) has any to share.

Boosts appreciated.

A brown wooden tray with 13 different mushrooms of a variety of shapes, sizes and colours.. mostly unidentified as of yet.

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Bought some new books which arrived today!

Also picked a few wild mushrooms on the way home to try and identify.. I suspect these will not be consumed as initial glances suggest they are one of the ‘knight’ mushrooms and may be toxic.. will study a bit more as I may well be mistaken.

a stack of books titled (from top to bottom): Eating Wild in Japan; Wild Food; Edible Mushrooms and A Beginner's Guide to Mushrooms The caps of two brown mushrooms one very large and one smaller, top view. the underside of two mushrooms with yellowish gills turning brown. A hand holding half a mushroom showing bisected stem, dense creamy coloured turning brown.


6 month early warning system message: incoming, a new sleep thief to challenge the throne which Islay proudly sits astride.. 😁🥳

Photo of 2 sonograph prints showing a baby growing in Sakino's womb. Photo of 2 sonograph prints showing a baby growing in Sakino's womb.

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