[Survey] Diary Entry: Twilight Carnival Potluck

Date XXX, XX, XXXX

Today was a bit of a long day but it was an absolute blast! I went out to forage to get some berries for the jam I made earlier this evening. I remember seeing a few bushes that interested me when I was helping out the ARC team with the fungi samples. I got a bit lost on the way there but I was able to find what I needed and get lunch at a new place in town. It was a bit different from what I usually get but it was neat to try.

Once I got home I realized that I ended up not getting enough of one berry to make a single flavor so I had to make sure with what I had. Jam is jam after all. Experimenting with a mixed berry jam was actually quite fun! It was rather easy to make. Just sugar, berries and a bit of juice and salt thrown in a pot. I really should make jam more often than I do. It's nice to be able to customize it the way you like. Cleaning out the pot with a spoon was the best! I set aside one jar for baking cookies, but that won't be until later. I wish I had time to make some more bread to go with it but by the time I was done with the jam, it was already time to start heading to the big Twilight Carnival at the capital.

I absolutely adore going to the carnival and looking at all the stalls. I always end up buying more things than I anticipated but I love all the little crafts and goodies that everyone is selling, although looking around at all the decorations is one of my favorite parts. The lanternfruit carvings are always a treat to look at. I'm not the best at carving them but they are nice to look at. I should try out the lanternfruit carving competition next year. I ended up picking up a few baskets of produce, some bread, and a couple of trinkets before heading over to the potluck.

I always adore the fireside potluck. I was only able to bring jam but I love being able to try all of the different foods that everyone brought. With all of the foraging that everyone has been doing there were a lot more mushroom dishes this year, which is always fun. I tend to end up filling my plate with desserts, but I can't help my sweet tooth! I tend to be the one who sits and drinks my cider by the fire at these kinds of fireside events but eating enough sugar can get me out of my shell a bit. I ended up trading jam recipes with a couple of the others at the potluck so I know what I'll be doing for the next few days. I can make a whole bunch of different jam cookies with all of the recipes I got today.

I got a bit lost on the way back but I'm here now! It is quite cold this evening. I'm going to go sit by the fireplace and read and drink my tea for a bit before I head off to bed for the evening.