Phaedra's 2025 Journey

[Phaedra]

My dear neighbors, I am back and everything went well. Let me share the little jungle besides my desk first.

Two days ago, I just re-organized things and wished to give it some winter vibe, BUT, why not? It's a warmer and brighter spot.

Anyway, now I have indoor plants, micro-greens, garlic (for greens), scallions, onions, and a new batch of sourdough next to me, what a VIP seat!

The cafe business ran very well, but the winter did reduce the number of the visitors. After thinking it over, I decided to have a winter break until March, maybe end of March. After taking two full weeks of rest, I finally realized how much I need such a long break. Well, the truth is, the best gift you can give yourself is TIME.

So, long story short, after running the business for 6 months, the decision is to create my own 'Happy Business' - the cafe will be open only Fri/Sat/Sun, and January to March will be my annual leave. I do enjoy running the cafe, and it brings us precious opportunities to reach and connect with lovely people. But it's not a yes-no question, instead, it's part of my investment, that should overall enrich my life.

I also had a lot of fun for hosting a weekly Omakase (without menu) dinner party in this tiny cafe - each session for 6 guests, with reservation only. I enjoy making each session from scratch very much. It's very small space without luxurious settings, but so far, 14 sessions already brought a lot of 'courageous' local customers to experience my dishes.

I am, yet I am not the same person, I would say. The things that happen in life eventually alter your course. But the essence of who I am remains, to a large extent.

The new seeds and perennials arrived, bare roots were divided, and the greenhouse cleaning is almost done. I am so happy to be back here and share more lovely moments with you all.

With Love,
Phaedra

 

[flowerbug]

i wish i could be in your mind listening. beautiful settings and wonderful ideas. enjoy your rest and space and time. hope FIL and rest of family are also doing well.

 

[baymule]

What a lovely dinner party. I know your customers appreciate you so much!
Taking time for yourself is important. I like the winter break you are gifting yourself with and the reduced days open. You are figuring out what works best for you and your family.

 

[Rhodie Ranch]

I'm thankful you're back and most especially, you are taking a well earned winter break. Thank you for the pictures - they bring a WOW to my face.

 

[pjn]

My dear neighbors, I am back and everything went well. Let me share the little jungle besides my desk first.
View attachment 71625
Two days ago, I just re-organized things and wished to give it some winter vibe, BUT, why not? It's a warmer and brighter spot.
View attachment 71626

Anyway, now I have indoor plants, micro-greens, garlic (for greens), scallions, onions, and a new batch of sourdough next to me, what a VIP seat!

The cafe business ran very well, but the winter did reduce the number of the visitors. After thinking it over, I decided to have a winter break until March, maybe end of March. After taking two full weeks of rest, I finally realized how much I need such a long break. Well, the truth is, the best gift you can give yourself is TIME.

So, long story short, after running the business for 6 months, the decision is to create my own 'Happy Business' - the cafe will be open only Fri/Sat/Sun, and January to March will be my annual leave. I do enjoy running the cafe, and it brings us precious opportunities to reach and connect with lovely people. But it's not a yes-no question, instead, it's part of my investment, that should overall enrich my life.

View attachment 71635I also had a lot of fun for hosting a weekly Omakase (without menu) dinner party in this tiny cafe - each session for 6 guests, with reservation only. I enjoy making each session from scratch very much. It's very small space without luxurious settings, but so far, 14 sessions already brought a lot of 'courageous' local customers to experience my dishes.

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I am, yet I am not the same person, I would say. The things that happen in life eventually alter your course. But the essence of who I am remains, to a large extent.
View attachment 71637

The new seeds and perennials arrived, bare roots were divided, and the greenhouse cleaning is almost done. I am so happy to be back here and share more lovely moments with you all.

With Love,
Phaedra

Glad you are back. You have been missed.

 

[ducks4you]

Among ALL of your Other talents, you could be a professional photographer. Your photos are always Stunning!!
Keep warm, take good care of DH and friends and all of your critters!!
Here's to a wonderful 2025!!

 

[Phaedra]

The micro-greens are growing vigorously after removing them under the growing light. I did appreciate the environment I created during last growing seasons. In the coming weekend, I guess we can harvest the first batch of microgreens.

I like this new system, too - after the roots can reach water below, I can remove the dome that is used to maintain a sufficient humidity in the beginning.

I enjoyed the companionship from this mini jungle, especially outside is fully wet and muddy.

Cute!

At the meanwhile, I decided to have two sourdough starters - 'Zophie' and 'Phario'
Zophie is made with whole wheat flour and bread flour, and Phario is made with Rye flour. I expect very different flavor profiles from them.

Other interesting things -
Basal shoots from Monstera (the very first mother plant I bought) - it's so tiny! I will check if I can divide them in late spring, if their own roots are established enough to become an independent plant.

The celeries I grew from seeds last spring survive the winter so far, such a surprise. I only harvest some stalks and let them stay where they were transplanted. When the temperature dropped, it seems they adapt with their strategies - stay short and stay in the center. We already have several harsh frosts that lasted days and heavy snow. But they look just healthy.

Some were transplanted to the ground - also look great. Although they will flower soon when it becomes warmer, fresh celery is still very welcome. I love to chop them fine and mix with onion and canned tuna.

Just harvest one purple cabbage - it's a lovely cycle, as the few plants I have now were transplanted from the micro-green I grew last spring!

 

[Phaedra]

i wish i could be in your mind listening. beautiful settings and wonderful ideas. enjoy your rest and space and time. hope FIL and rest of family are also doing well.

Thanks, FIL is already an angel now. He decided to leave for another chapter at the end of last August - He got up in one midnight, prayed for something like minutes, and left us.

We felt relieved for him, as he also suffered from multiple health issues. His legacy stays with us for our coming journey.

 

[Phaedra]

What a lovely dinner party. I know your customers appreciate you so much!
Taking time for yourself is important. I like the winter break you are gifting yourself with and the reduced days open. You are figuring out what works best for you and your family.

Thanks Bay, it's a lesson learned from hands-on. Numbers can so easily become traps—any kind of numbers can morph into those creepy creatures that confine us and pull us off our path. The more we fixate on them, the more likely we are to turn to stone.

So, I will say it's generally great to run this cafe, just need to remind myself who is the boss.

 

[Phaedra]

Glad you are back. You have been missed.

I'm thankful you're back and most especially, you are taking a well earned winter break. Thank you for the pictures - they bring a WOW to my face.

Thank you, I also missed you