Reflecting on the month past
It has been a bit of a crazy whopper of a month: driving Younger Child to rehearsal after rehearsal, out to eat, out to play, out to watch this, that & other. It is taking me a while to get used to the faster post-Covid pace of life.
From top left, clockwise: 1) the smallest orchid I’ve ever seen, Porpax Extintoria (OSSEA Orchid Show), 2)Strangling Fig Ficus Kerkhovenii (Singapore Botanic Gardens), 3) Trash to Treasure Miniatures by Wilfred Cheah, 4) A Space for Every Body, (Esplanade Theatres on the Bay) 5) Kallang Riverside Park, 6) Older & Younger Child at Trash to Treasure, 7) Mural (Girl with Liong Cub) by Zach (Kampong Gelam)
Some excitement from our kitchen:
From top left, clockwise: 1) Bittersweet Almond Chocolate Cake (adapted from Dorie Greenspan’s NYT recipe), 2) parfait made with leftover chocolate cake, rescue fruit from Tezz Grocery and ice cream, 3) Chocolate Chocolate Birthday Cake (Dorie Greenspan NYT) with ganache, chocolate whip, almonds & rescue berries from Tezz, 4) raisin bread (James Morton’s Brilliant Breads), 5) tried avo smashed with tuna on toast – idea from Food52, 6) Seeded Sour (James Morton’s Brilliant Breads), 7) Upside down Apple Cake (Dorie Greenspan)
How was your April?
About The Changing Seasons
The Changing Seasons is a monthly project where bloggers around the world share their thoughts and feelings about the month just gone. We all approach this slightly differently, though generally with an emphasis on the photos we’ve taken during the month.
For many of us, looking back over these photos provides the structure and narrative of our post, so each month is different. Some focus on documenting the changes in a particular project — such as a garden, an art or craft project, or a photographic diary of a familiar landscape.
But in the end, it is your changing season, and you should approach it however works for you.
There are no fixed rules around post length or photo number — just a request that you respect your readers’ time and engagement.
Tags and ping-backs
Tag your photos with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them
Create a ping-back to Brian at Bushboys World or this post, so that we can update it with links to all of yours.
Roundup
- Natalie the Explorer
- Brian, my nature-loving cohost, at Bushboys World
- Ladyleemanila
- Marilyn at Serendipity Seeking Intelligent Life on Earth
- Natalie at Little Pieces of Me
- Pauline at Living in Paradise, Part 1 and Part 2
- Sarah at Travel with Me
Touring My Backyard 
A busy month for sure. I’m glad you told us we were looking at a tiny orchid. I was trying to guess.
Delicious yummy treats for you and yours. Hoping May is treating you well too.
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I tried several ways to show how miniscule the flower was – I figured written info wouldn’t be remiss 🥴
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Here’s the second part of April Ju-Lyn. It was a busy month. https://retiredfromgypsylife.wordpress.com/2023/05/05/april-2023-part-2-art-gallery/
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Hurray for eventful months!
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Good to see your life returning to normal post Covid. And I can always rely on you to make me hungry with your photos of delicious-looking (and sounding) recipes! I’ve been quite busy too, though not in the kitchen! https://www.toonsarah-travels.blog/gallery-an-april-selection-2023/
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Thanks Sarah! You’ve been back to travelling with gusto – lovely to follow along on your adventures!
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You have had a busy month Ju-Lyn, but isn’t it good to be able to do things again. I drool over your yummy looking food and look forward to hearing what the project is your family is involved in. I’ve managed to make it almost on time, but splitting it into 2 again this month. https://retiredfromgypsylife.wordpress.com/2023/05/02/changing-seasons-april-2023/
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We love 2-parters, Pauline! Just whichever way works best for you!
So glad to have you join in my family fun!
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Hi Ju-Lyn,
Love this post and the sentiments you express. I know exactly what you mean about adjusting to a faster-paced post-Covid way of life. I am still getting used to having more cars on the road.
Nancy
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Goodness! the return of cars & challenging traffic conditions is certainly a shock to the system. I would have thought we would be able to enjoy some positive changes from the pandemic a little longer, but it seems many ills have returned with a vengeance!
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It is so interesting to me how the business has crept back in, for me, practically unnoticed after the slow paced days of isolation. As always the food looks delish. Here is my contribution: https://littlepiecesofme1.wordpress.com/2023/04/30/the-changing-seasons-april-2023/
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Try as we do to keep a more relaxed pace, we are inevitably pushed into a faster pace – for better or worse, it is part of living in a big city. We do our best to enjoy green spaces & quieter moments.
So happy to have you back at The Changing Seasons, Natalie!
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That tree and cub mural! Your April sure looked fun, I mean how can it not with all those nice food? Funny how you mention post-Covid life when I heard in The Ph they are back wearing masks.
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So glad to share my month with you.
I have been following your delicious food exploits on IG – such beautiful things you make.
Seeing masks in public comes & goes in frequency. I think folks are guarding against other ills apart from Covid these days – there is a nasty strain of flu going around. I’ve heard it takes some almost 2 weeks to get over.
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I love those pigeons all lined up on the railing. The food you picture ALWAYS makes me want to eat — every single month!
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You are very sweet to say so, Marilyn – appreciate your sharing in my kitchen (and other) delights.
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great post, Ju-Lyn 🙂 love the food!
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So happy to have you join in The Changing Seasons.
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I’m having trouble leaving comments on your The Changing Seasons from May. I checked your other posts and it looks like I have access to the comment section there.
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Your food always looks so delicious Ju-Lyn. A very busy April, don’t forget to rest sometimes, put your feet up and enjoy your food
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No fear there, Ali – we are great relaxers 🤣🤣🤣
I hear you though, the pace of life seems to have accelerated alarmingly post-Covid, and I must say it is all a little too fast for me.
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The food all look enticing, I wish I have some of them right now (or I have the talent to make them).
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You are so sweet to say so. We are very fortunate to be able to access such a variety of food in Singapore.
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The miniature orchid is amazing! I made the upside down cake on your recommendation but with pears https://thistlesandkiwis.org/2023/04/26/if-we-were-having-coffee-or-even-a-cup-of-tea-82/
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I saw your lovely bake on IG – so tickled that you enjoyed it. I have bought pears in preparation to bake a pear version as I loved the look of yours!
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Always exciting in your kitchen, Ju-Lyn! Good that life has found a new ‘normal’, and looking forward to that performance.
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We do have a lot of fun in our kitchen! I am glad we still spend time there despite our increasing fun out of the home!
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I know what you mean! Post covid life is more fast paced and busier. I’m glad that covid numbers are down but life is returning to the fast pace it used to be. But I try to remind myself that I don’t have to willingly get into that pace. I can set my own and go with it. Trusting God in the process that what gaps I have, He will fill in with his grace and mercy.
Desserts look delicious! And that Strangling Fig tree is exquisite. What a name!
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Hear hear! I would have thought the good things from Covid would persist longer, but it looks like most of the people have leaped right back into ungracious & aggressive mode🥴 But you are absolutely right, we can set our own pace despite pressures to do otherwise.
Isn’t the Strangling Fig just so cool?
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Parfait made from leftover chocolate cake! Brilliant! A Space for Everyone looks intriguing! Tiny orchid!!! Strangling Fig?! Eek!
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I will definitely take you to see the Strangling Fig … it is an awesome sight!
And I do love creative uses of leftovers … such fun! and I get to clear out the fridge.
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Clear out the fridge while making another yummy dessert, perhaps softening potential staleness. Love it.
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Wonderful and fun April Ju-Lyn. I am still in the middle of mine, perhaps later today 🙂
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Looking forward to catching up with you Brian!
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Sounds like you’ve had a productive April. Your food photos look incredible and delicious as usual. I love that Strangling Fig tree and the Girl with the Lion Cub mural.
Here’s my contribution: https://natalietheexplorer.home.blog/2023/04/28/april-2023-highlights/
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It was a busy busy month – I would like to also believe it was productive!🤣
So happy as always to have you on The Changing Seasons! and for encouraging my adventures in the kitchen & out!
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