I'd be lying if I say quarantine isn't getting very hard right now, I'm not getting my usual amount of workout, work is hard to get done, and it's frustrating to not be able to do anything fun for such a long time, but everyday I try a little something different to improve the quality of my day.  Today I baked a couple of fresh scones and made myself an iced coffee as an afternoon treat.  I also clipped more fresh flowers from the garden, it turns out to be tremendous savings with the blooms I have going on right now.  If only the smell of freshly baked scones and fresh cut roses could come through the pictures!

By now I've accumulated a nice small library of 4 vintage table setting books, they are older books written in the 1930s and 1940s, and boy how different the world was back then.  I absolutely treasure these older print books because they seem like precious little time capsules.  It's absolutely fascinating to see what different attitude people had in regards to the dining experience and the book explains how and why certain things are done a certain way.  I can't imagine a modern family follow the tradition from back then but they are certainly fascinating!

My latest cooking adventure

Having solved a major obstacle at work which required me getting out of my comfort zone and come up with creative solutions, I finally felt a sense of relief.  With no pressing issues on my mind I got in a very good mood to do more cooking.  It seems that my cooking skill has markedly improved since the lockdown, however my dish washing skills have not.  Very soon I will need my cleaning lady to come and rescue me from my own demise, what a glorious day that would be!  I really can't wait!

I have had this cook book on my bookshelf for many years because eggs are such a favorite food of mine and I always wanted to explore some recipes when I had the time... well now I have the time!  I have been leafing through it to get inspiration and ideas.  With a little bit of effort, egg dishes made at home could easily surpass anything you find at a restaurant... or at least I would like to believe that!

My latest experiment include soft scrambled eggs with minced garlic and truffle seasoning and a tiny bit of cheese shaving.  The taste was absolutely divine.  My waist line is not thanking me these days but my stomach is!

Having revived my interest in Chinese cooking, I even ordered a Chinese wok... now I'm really getting ambitious.  It was finally delivered after nearly a month wait and I immediately started seasoning it.  I have some plans to make real traditional northern Chinese food, but I will probably do some small practice on easier dishes first.

I cooked a mish mesh of long beans, okra, a bit of left over pork belly which I made previously and firm tofu in a bit of sauce from the pork belly dish.  The result was quite good.  

The way to serve is simply over a bed of rice.  I am always delighted when the food I make turn out to be edible!  By now I am confident that when the quarantine is over I shall be a very good chef!