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We’re both still in a lot of pain but it’s a tiny bit better! We watched the first episode of the new historical drama, The Serpent Queen, loosely based on the life of Catherine de’ Medici. It is really excellent so far! Some of the costume choices are… odd, especially the rich people (the servants are clothed perfectly lol) They danced the pavanne correctly (at first). Set design etc is good — no Victorian carriages! Acting is GREAT, writing is sharp and witty. I must say, I love the trend of kick-ass historical heroines breaking the fourth wall — Anne Lister in “Gentleman Jack”, Catherine the Great in “Catherine”, and now Catherine de’ Medici in “The Serpent Queen”. And I swear there was another one recently but it’s slipping my mind.

We read chapter 12 (or 13?) of The Martian tonight. The crew has just found out that Mark is still alive!

Oh I almost forgot! I made the best breakfast: an Apple Dutch Baby, which is a big puffy pancake with apple slices, but it’s really more like Yorkshire Pudding than an American pancake. Oh my GOD it was good. I used this recipe from Alexandra Cooks:

https://alexandracooks.com/2012/10/21/big-apple-pancake/

But I cut the recipe in half because there are only two of us. Imma write it out here in case that link ever breaks because this is a keeper, man!

Apple Dutch Baby (half recipe, serves 2)

• 1/2 stick butter
• 1/2 a large sweet crisp apple, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1/4 c milk
• 1/4 c flour
• 2 eggs
• 1.5 tablespoons brown sugar
• Dash of vanilla
• Dash of salt

Preheat oven to 450°f. Put rack in center. Melt butter in little cast iron skillet and put two tablespoons into the blender. Put apple slices in skillet (in remaining butter) and cook a few minutes over medium heat, turning once, until they start to soften. Meanwhile add flour, milk, eggs, salt, and vanilla to the butter in the blender and whiz till smooth. Don’t skip this step! Pour batter over apple slices and pop into the oven. Bake for 15 minutes, until puffed and golden with brown edges. Dust with a little powdered sugar and eat immediately! Omg so good and you get egg and fruit and only a little sugar! Look at this Golden Boi: