thank you for your hard work; I appreciate your efforts
small saucepan; small pot
good-quality; superior in quality
being moved (to tears); being touched (by); (falling) softly (of leaves, petals, etc.); becoming slightly drunk; becoming tipsy
to boil well; to stew; to simmer (for a long time); to cook (various ingredients) together
art of cooking; cookery; cuisine
laconic; of few words; reticent; quiet
in the end; on top of that
having a loose tongue; being talkative; speaking without thinking; being unable to keep a secret
seasoning; flavoring; flavouring; condiment
to exercise one's ingenuity; to come up with an ingenious plan
satisfying; pleasing; gratifying
to make merry; to be festive
to wither (of flowers, dreams, etc.); to wilt; to droop; to shrivel; to fade (away); to sag
to feel goodwill (towards); to wish someone well; to have a strong liking (for); to be emotionally involved
children's story; fairy tale
favorable reception; good reputation; popularity
piping hot; scalding; madly in love; passionately in love
and yet; despite this; but even so; but even then; however; nevertheless
to afflict; to torment; to harass; to molest
to be afraid of making mistakes; to fear failing
I have nothing to do with it
village; hamlet; countryside; country; home (of one's parents, etc.); hometown
one's nature; one's destiny; custom; tradition; habit
feeling of tragic heroism; feeling of grim resolve; sense of determination
the problem (at issue); the point at issue; problematic issue; problem
betterment; improvement; kaizen (Japanese business philosophy of continuous improvement)
stagnation; deposit; sediment; faltering; hesitation; pause
earnest desire; eager hope; longing; yearning; hankering
to stagnate; to settle (at the bottom); to deposit; to become sluggish; to become dull; to be delayed
toadstool; poisonous mushroom
to be dispirited; to be dejected; to lose heart; to become discouraged; to be crestfallen; to be utterly disheartened