Happy February-- time for heart containers!

[this update will also be posted to the Kickstarter!]

Dear Adventurers,

I am still getting my feet underneath me here in the UK, still living out of a couple suitcases with my cats, but the rest of my things I hope to have with me soon. It is a relief to have access to healthcare, as my US health insurance had been cancelled again a couple weeks before we moved. NHS has its own intricacies, but it's wonderful to be on the other side of that stress!

January was less productive than I had hoped; I unfortunately caught the horrible flu that was going around, and it's taken me out for two weeks (and I am still coughing!). Given I am still recovering from the post CSF Leak blood patch with that ongoing tension headache, the flu was quite debilitating, hitting harder with my autoimmune disorders as well.

With everything else going on, high stress, I am working hard to regulate my nervous system. And what better way to do that, than in the kitchen, with some Zelda Ambience, and delicious home cooking?

I am coming back to the 1st Cookbook, cooking up those creamy and heartwarming Risottos in the "Cast Iron Cooking" chapter. A mushroom, onion, and pea risotto (frozen peas stirred in towards the end!) is my mainstay at the moment!

But with Valentine's Day coming up, I do hope you might enjoy revisiting the "Hearty Dinner Menu" on page 46. Remember, especially as backers!, you are welcome to download the digital 1st Cookbook for FREE here on itch.io. It is unlocked, and you can have it on any device! (which makes grocery shopping that much easier– I know several of you have taken the tome into the store; bless you. Have a digital copy. please.)

I know I'll be cooking up my traditional batch of Heart Containers (raspberry filled shortbread jammies!!! page 47!), in the next week or so! I really hope the 1st Cookbook is keeping you company while you await the 2nd; I thank you again for your patience during all of my struggles. I am lucky to have you, and I know it.

The fulfillment is now in place, in Colorado with John and all the other lovely folks at the wonderfully indie Geekify, and they now await the first print run. I am afraid I am still the bottleneck, but I'm feeling good about the next month.

With that in mind and the print run on the horizon, I'll launch the Backer Survey soon, and you'll be able to put in your names for the thank you section, along with your addresses– I know plenty of you have been antsy to get that done, but I did think it better to wait until closer to fulfillment, as it I did the opposite last time, and many had to change their addresses last minute!

I'm keeping safe, doing what I can, and holding on to joy where I find it– I wish you the same, and a bit of luck when you need it most.

For Hyrule,
Aimee

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PS– A little journey, for those among you who are facing health problems, chronic illness, or disability like me; or anyone feeling the darkness close in: I hope you know, you can hold on to your Self; present, past, and future, in those moments when the light is hard to find.

Hold your own hand, and look down the mountain-side to see how far you've come. The younger you's, they struggle up the trail; but you've made it. You can reach back now, soothe their fears and wipe away tears. Look at them trying so hard! They don't know what is coming, but you've got them with you still! Squeeze their hand, see how they look towards you with something like hope? You're still here, still moving forward. It's all they need.

You know there's a ways to go before the summit. You look up the mountain-side; but someone is already ahead of you. They are holding your hand too. Your future you, looks back at you, and there's a long line of them ahead, holding hands. Do you see the kindness and understanding in their eyes? The compassion and pride they have for you? It is the same feeling and forgiveness you are developing for your younger selves, trailing behind you. You are the one going through it now, the Future You's know, and they gently squeeze your hand three times.

We're going to make it. It's going to be hard, but we're going to make it. Squeeze your hands together and remember, you are never alone. Hold the feeling, breathe, and when you get off track, when something sets off the fear and darkness again; hold your own hand, squeeze squeeze squeeze, and remember. Put on a song, a particular one, to embrace whatever you are feeling, and then shake/dance it out. Afterwards, breathe from your belly, and take care of yourself however you can. Ask, "How can I take care of myself right now?" <3 So often, for me, it's a little mug of tisane (herbal teas! coming in the 2nd cookbook! lol), and a chapter of a good book.

Might I recommend "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer [link is my bookshop.org shop, fantastic amazon alternative book site], as a restorative botanical and indigenous American memoir? Or, perhaps, "Witch Hat Atelier" a manga by Kamome Shirahama is exactly the cozy witchy escape you need right now! (the anime is coming in April... jump on the wagon now...).

That's enough from me; just thinking of you all and hoping you are all well, despite it all. I hope you have a lovely day <3

And to my patrons, old and new; thank you. Your support right now is going a real long way, I hope you know that. <3