FALLING SHORT ON HAPPINESS

Here's my photo of a much-too-sweet banana bread that I won't be making again.

Today as I was making this banana bread, I suddenly recalled something that happened years ago.  It was a Saturday and I had just removed a tray of freshly baked mini banana muffins from the oven.  When I offered them to my dad, he smiled coldly and pushed them away without uttering a word.  “But why?” I remember asking but he refused to speak.  He never touched that tray of muffins.  A cold shoulder was his way of telling me, “I’m mad about something you said/did.  Now go reflect.”

I get that a lot from my dad.  I’m expected to figure out what his problem with me was without him actually telling me what it was.  

He is in a nursing home now but some days my mind involuntarily plays back all the heartache, emotional blackmail, and endless mental abuse that he inflicted upon me for over 30 years.  On such days, I fall short on happiness.

Today is such a day.

APPRECIATION

I've always told friends that flowers are wasted on me.  I don't even own a vase.  Give me good food anytime, I'd say.  But who can say "No" to such a gorgeous bouquet?  It is so massive, it won't fit into a single frame!

Thanks, Annette Male!  I'll miss you.

TEBA SHIO AND BAKED CHICKEN KATSU

Tried a hand at making Japanese Salted Chicken Wings.

Teba Shio calls for only three ingredients - chicken wings, sake and LOTS of salt.  Very easy to cook under a broiler.  They are crispy, juicy, salty - perfect finger food for parties, and to accompany beer.

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I love deep-fried chicken cutlets but have never tried making them myself.  Some weeks ago, I chanced upon this baked tonkatsu video by MASA and decided to give it a try using chicken instead of pork.  MASA's recipes are all very easy to follow and my Baked Chicken Katsu turned out perfect!