JULY SPARKLE LIST

It's been another month of staying home, no public transport or eating out. The C-19 cases are rising rapidly in Tokyo and the governor has asked us to refrain from travelling outside of Tokyo until cases slow.
I hear many people talking about wanting to 'live' rather than 'exist' these days, but I believe that you can 'live' by staying home and trying out a new way of life. The old world as we know it has gone, I've already grieved the loss of it, now it's time to build a new way of living. And I'm embracing it. Are you?

BUILDING: Overseas Makers Guild

It's a small but perfectly formed group of makers who are in different stages of setting up their handmade businesses overseas. We are already becoming quite international!
I'm here to support, to cheer-lead and to help with the logistics of setting up overseas.
Want to join? Click here to join.

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MAKING: Red shiso cordial
So my hubby came home with a HUGE bag of red shiso last week and I couldn't think of anything to cook with it.  So I invented a quick cordial recipe and then froze it into ice cubes. I now have red shiso cordial to last me the summer!


INGREDIENTS
Big handful of red shiso (about twice the amount in the photo)
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
The juice of a lemon
2 cups of water

METHOD

1. Wash and drain the shiso.
2. Put in a big pan with the sugar and lemon juice
3. Wilt the shiso then add the water (be careful not to caramelise the sugar)
4. Cook until a red liquid comes off the leaves.
5. Leave to cool and strain the leaves.
6. Cook on a low heat to reduce the liquid.
7. Freeze into large ice cubes.

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DOING: 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles

It's not something I imagined I'd be into in my 40's but this pandemic has brought out different sides to us all hasn't it? This one was from a lovely friend who visited from Australia last year and we already have the next one lined up.
Anyone else into puzzles?

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LISTENING: Conversations of Inspiration Podcast

I have to be honest that I mostly listen to business podcasts while I work in the studio or go for a walk these days and this Podcast recommendation is no exception.

Holly Tucker is a true inspiration who set up Not on the High Street to help handmade businesses sell their work online. In this podcast she meets with British founders working in a variety of fields who tell their story of how they set up their businesses. So many heartfelt moments and inspiration for anyone in business.
Apple previews are here.

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EATING: Home made soda bread
Although we're not into the hot part of Summer in japan...yet...I still don't always fancy a hot meal in the evenings. Open sandwiches with home made bread are my fave go-to.

We still go back to the original soda bread recipe we've been using for a while now as it's so easy and so instant! No yeast, no proving, no kneading. What's not to love?
If you'd like to make your own bread, check out my recipe here.

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