{"id":43975,"date":"2025-05-31T11:47:16","date_gmt":"2025-05-31T16:47:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/?p=43975"},"modified":"2025-10-01T11:49:04","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T16:49:04","slug":"may-2025-recap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/may-2025-recap\/","title":{"rendered":"May 2025 Recap"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Worked slowed down in May, so I took the time to fill the freezer and enjoy some downtime.<\/p>\n<p>Summer was in full swing. I had ChatGPT draw my evenings on the porch with the dogs:<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_43985\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/D53B20BA-88E8-470F-AD56-F97989FF0ECB.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-43985\" class=\"wp-image-43985 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/D53B20BA-88E8-470F-AD56-F97989FF0ECB.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/D53B20BA-88E8-470F-AD56-F97989FF0ECB.jpeg 1024w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/D53B20BA-88E8-470F-AD56-F97989FF0ECB-300x300.jpeg 300w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/D53B20BA-88E8-470F-AD56-F97989FF0ECB-150x150.jpeg 150w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/D53B20BA-88E8-470F-AD56-F97989FF0ECB-768x768.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/D53B20BA-88E8-470F-AD56-F97989FF0ECB-619x619.jpeg 619w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-43985\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">It&#8217;s hilarious (and impressive) the details that ChatGPT picks up on in requests, like it&#8217;s the apocalypse so I&#8217;m probably looking a bit hungry. It didn&#8217;t do too badly with the dogs either, even if at first glance they seem more similar than in real life. But that&#8217;s clearly taller, leaner Lily on the left.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>May is when Alma discovered her bliss, lying by me on her back to get a belly rub. When she raises her paws up alongside her head, you know she&#8217;s not going anywhere!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0302.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43986\" src=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0302.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0302.jpeg 960w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0302-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0302-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0302-619x825.jpeg 619w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Dodger prefers to spend time with me in my office. Alma has taught her to speak, so she&#8217;s much more vocal now!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0310.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43987\" src=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0310.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0310.jpeg 960w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0310-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0310-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0310-619x825.jpeg 619w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In May, the universe rewarded me with my DREAM cooking set. Remember, I cook on gas. There is nothing better than enameled cast iron for that. I&#8217;ve been searching for affordable pieces for years, and to suddenly be presented with my entire wish list from a brand I trust, in a colour I love, and at less than the price of a single piece of Le Creuset felt like winning the lottery!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0377.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43988\" src=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0377.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0377.jpeg 960w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0377-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0377-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0377-619x825.jpeg 619w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In a bit of Benedict Cumberbatch withdrawal, at the end of the month I headed out to the cinema to see &#8220;The Phoenician Scheme.&#8221; It was one of those movies I would have passed on if I wasn&#8217;t such a fan of one of the leads, even if I knew he only had a bit part, but which would have been such a loss not to see. Highly recommend it!<\/p>\n<p>I went to The Harbor, a mostly empty mall in the north of the city. M\u00e9rida has way too many luxury malls, and I don&#8217;t understand why we have this one right next to Galer\u00edas.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0503.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43989\" src=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0503.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0503.jpeg 960w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0503-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0503-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0503-619x825.jpeg 619w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I had lunch at Los Jumiles first, a real gem tucked away downstairs by the fountain. There, I had a truly gourmet meal, starting with a local beer:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0507.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43990\" src=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0507.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0507.jpeg 960w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0507-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0507-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0507-619x825.jpeg 619w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>There were some totopos with salsas. I had to ask for picante and got at least one refill. Habanero just doesn&#8217;t hurt anymore. Weird!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0508.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43991\" src=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0508.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0508.jpeg 960w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0508-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0508-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0508-619x825.jpeg 619w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The tuna tostadas with salsa macha were apparently hot, but not to my new palate. I found them mostly oily, but that&#8217;s salsa matcha for you. It&#8217;s very rare that I don&#8217;t have tuna tostadas as a starter if they are on the menu.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0510.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43992\" src=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0510.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0510.jpeg 960w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0510-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0510-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0510-619x825.jpeg 619w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The complimentary totopos came with crumbly cheese that got eeeverywhere. This is my second bowl of habanero sauce, and I hadn&#8217;t even gotten my main yet.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0511.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43993\" src=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0511.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0511.jpeg 960w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0511-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0511-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0511-619x825.jpeg 619w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I chose beef tongue as my main! I broke the ice on lengua when I had them in tacos, so I decided to see what an upscale restaurant could do with it. The slices of meat were thin, tender, and well seasoned. Delicious! I appreciated the blue corn tortillas to soak up the sauce.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0512.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43994\" src=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0512.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0512.jpeg 960w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0512-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0512-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0512-619x825.jpeg 619w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;d spotted a gelato place in the mall, so I declined dessert and finished my meal with a perfectly pulled espresso:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0513.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43995\" src=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0513.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0513.jpeg 960w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0513-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0513-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_0513-619x825.jpeg 619w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>All of this for just under $700, plus a tip. I really need to get back there!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Worked slowed down in May, so I took the time to fill the freezer and enjoy some downtime. Summer was in full swing. I had ChatGPT draw my evenings on the porch with the dogs: May is when Alma discovered her bliss, lying by me on her back to get a belly rub. When she [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[895],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-43975","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-merida"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43975","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43975"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43975\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44051,"href":"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43975\/revisions\/44051"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43975"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43975"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.raecrothers.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43975"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}