Yes, I've been in a reading slump for a while. Just like yours. I think I will take your advice and go back to my favorites. On a side note, I remember seeing pictures you took of the sea from your home. It is so sad you won't be able to see that again when those buildings are up.
I share your fondness for garlic. Pasta, chili, curries, stir-fries, and goulash are staple items in my diet, and garlic is a key ingredient for me when I’m cooking. My local grocery store tends to carry Spanish garlic. The bulbs are usually large, which I’m inclined to think makes the garlic taste a little diffused, so I will often add a whole bulb to a big pot of pasta sauce, chili, goulash, or whatever I happen to be cooking. I can’t be bothered setting aside a few leftover cloves of garlic, which will only begin to sprout before too long, or be forgotten if I put them in my freezer. If the final flavour results in the pot are too strong, I can always comfort myself with thoughts of the health benefits of eating garlic.
The main hassle with garlic is peeling off the skins from the individual cloves. I’ve found that frozen garlic peels much easier. All you have to do is cut off the base of the clove and then squeeze the other end. The clove will usually pop out of its skin quite easily. I do wonder, though, whether freezing affects the taste of the garlic.
Rather than finely chop the garlic, I usually add it to a cup or so of the pasta sauce, or the base liquid of whatever I’m cooking, and then use an electric hand blender to mix it all together.
You ask about home remedies, well, one thing that works for me is peeling and eating a whole grapefruit whenever I feel a cold or a cough coming on. I often do this for several days in a row, as long as I think I might be coming down with something. I realize it’s probably only a placebo effect, but something about the idea of absorbing all that grapefruit pulp and juice into my system with the accompanying mental image of the infecting viruses and germs being stricken and dissolved seems to prevent me from actually getting sick. Or if I do get a cough or a cold, I get over it quickly. I like to think that eating hot, spicy food has a similar preventive effect by burning up the germs in my system before they have a chance to take hold. But that’s just my imagination at work.
Also, one idea for your terrace might be to add some large potted palm trees or other plants to block the view of nearby buildings and add some shade and colour. The only problem would be the difficulty of moving these heavy pots indoors for part of the year, because I know Istanbul gets snow and below freezing temperatures over the winter.
I love the photo of your workout space. I’m a family physician and you have all the elements of the “total gym” that I recommend to my patients: mat, dumbbells, and resistance bands.
The headboard of my bed is piled high with books that threaten to tip over and crush me. I read every night. I have a quota of "should read" books, including German (which I am trying to learn). I just read a couple of Chekhov novels (I'm working on my own novels). But, I have a small pile of SF and Fantasy novels that I read for pleasure. I try not to stress myself out about how much I read. Talking to my friends and family, I know that I read way more than they do. (My brother says my problem is that I read too many books.)
I think that’s a beautiful thing! People always say too much of anything is bad, but does that really apply to reading? I don’t think so. I’m always open to gripping fiction recommendations, Wolf.
Hi Lorna, in the latest tests we had done for our cat, one of the values came back low and our vet said he should drink more water. So we’ve been looking for solutions, and this water fountain might actually be a great idea!
As for our terrace, I think the best solution really is to create such a lovely atmosphere that the ugly building simply disappears into the background- and we’re working on that. I’ve been spending a lot of time browsing Pinterest and making little IKEA trips lately.
And thank you so much for the book recommendation as well. I’ll definitely check it out! Thank you so much for reading.
Yes, I've been in a reading slump for a while. Just like yours. I think I will take your advice and go back to my favorites. On a side note, I remember seeing pictures you took of the sea from your home. It is so sad you won't be able to see that again when those buildings are up.
I share your fondness for garlic. Pasta, chili, curries, stir-fries, and goulash are staple items in my diet, and garlic is a key ingredient for me when I’m cooking. My local grocery store tends to carry Spanish garlic. The bulbs are usually large, which I’m inclined to think makes the garlic taste a little diffused, so I will often add a whole bulb to a big pot of pasta sauce, chili, goulash, or whatever I happen to be cooking. I can’t be bothered setting aside a few leftover cloves of garlic, which will only begin to sprout before too long, or be forgotten if I put them in my freezer. If the final flavour results in the pot are too strong, I can always comfort myself with thoughts of the health benefits of eating garlic.
The main hassle with garlic is peeling off the skins from the individual cloves. I’ve found that frozen garlic peels much easier. All you have to do is cut off the base of the clove and then squeeze the other end. The clove will usually pop out of its skin quite easily. I do wonder, though, whether freezing affects the taste of the garlic.
Rather than finely chop the garlic, I usually add it to a cup or so of the pasta sauce, or the base liquid of whatever I’m cooking, and then use an electric hand blender to mix it all together.
You ask about home remedies, well, one thing that works for me is peeling and eating a whole grapefruit whenever I feel a cold or a cough coming on. I often do this for several days in a row, as long as I think I might be coming down with something. I realize it’s probably only a placebo effect, but something about the idea of absorbing all that grapefruit pulp and juice into my system with the accompanying mental image of the infecting viruses and germs being stricken and dissolved seems to prevent me from actually getting sick. Or if I do get a cough or a cold, I get over it quickly. I like to think that eating hot, spicy food has a similar preventive effect by burning up the germs in my system before they have a chance to take hold. But that’s just my imagination at work.
Also, one idea for your terrace might be to add some large potted palm trees or other plants to block the view of nearby buildings and add some shade and colour. The only problem would be the difficulty of moving these heavy pots indoors for part of the year, because I know Istanbul gets snow and below freezing temperatures over the winter.
I love the photo of your workout space. I’m a family physician and you have all the elements of the “total gym” that I recommend to my patients: mat, dumbbells, and resistance bands.
We don't need no GYM!
The headboard of my bed is piled high with books that threaten to tip over and crush me. I read every night. I have a quota of "should read" books, including German (which I am trying to learn). I just read a couple of Chekhov novels (I'm working on my own novels). But, I have a small pile of SF and Fantasy novels that I read for pleasure. I try not to stress myself out about how much I read. Talking to my friends and family, I know that I read way more than they do. (My brother says my problem is that I read too many books.)
I think that’s a beautiful thing! People always say too much of anything is bad, but does that really apply to reading? I don’t think so. I’m always open to gripping fiction recommendations, Wolf.
Oh I do love the water fountain. My cat is meticulous about staying hydrated, so I might get her one in blue for a full Spa Day experience.
Also, v sorry for the ugly new building blocking your view; fill your terrace with loveliness so you don’t have to think about it.
Re books, I came late to The Names by Florence Knapp, and am now recommending it to everyone who’ll listen: gripping, heart wrenching and redemptive.
Hi Lorna, in the latest tests we had done for our cat, one of the values came back low and our vet said he should drink more water. So we’ve been looking for solutions, and this water fountain might actually be a great idea!
As for our terrace, I think the best solution really is to create such a lovely atmosphere that the ugly building simply disappears into the background- and we’re working on that. I’ve been spending a lot of time browsing Pinterest and making little IKEA trips lately.
And thank you so much for the book recommendation as well. I’ll definitely check it out! Thank you so much for reading.