Friday, December 26, 2008

the past couple of days

Thank you for your Christmas wishes. Satoshi was able to take the day off so we spent the day together. (Christmas is not a national holiday here, so if it falls on a weekday, most times Satoshi has to work--I think this was the first time in 7 years of living here that he was able to take the day off.) To our family and friends, we appreciate all of your cards and gifts.

This Christmas was rainy and cold. I was hoping to see some flurries but there were none to be seen.

We had our annual Christmas party on the 23rd with two other families. I brought two cream cheese dips. One with smoked salmon and one with roasted garlic and served them with Ritz crackers. It was a nice gathering and nice to see our friend's children who are getting bigger each year.

Our Christmas dinner last night was a pupu (appetizer) party. I made a version of Deb's ahi, avocado, crab towers. For some reason, the market didn't have maguro today, so I subbed salmon cut for sushi. I did it a bit chunky but it was still delicious.

We also had slices of apple with smoked cheddar.

There was also some chips and a glass of Two Oceans pinotage, a South African wine.

Dessert was chocolate dipped strawberries.
Recently, I bought a fondue pot by Vanilla Patisserie, which I found out is a shop in England. DHC, which I have written about before, was selling these pots in dark 70%, milk with hazelnut and white at an introductory price of 800 yen (about US$8). Of course, I bought the 70%. Just warm up the pot in some hot water for about 10-15 minutes and you are good to go.

Despite the rain, it was a great day. We hope you had a Merry Christmas and were able to enjoy it with family and friends.

17 comments:

  1. I love salmon avocado sushi rolls...so that salmon tower you made looks so ono to me!

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  2. yum, wonderful for a wonderful festive occasion.

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  3. We had a happy-ful Christmas over here in Nishinomiya, and in the afternoon it got sunny near the mountains and everything looked sparkly! I love feast days.

    Those appetizers look mouthwatering!

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  4. ooh salmon avocado sushi sounds delicious, we have a shrimp avocado version at the kaitensushi places, Lori :)

    Thanks Phoebe :)

    mmm feasting, that sounds like a lot of fun too, Abigail.

    Take care everyone.
    Kat

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  5. Your tower looks delicious--its giving me cravings and I might have to make another now. I also love the little fondue pot--how fun is that!?!

    Glad you had a good Christmas!

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  6. Thanks for the original recipe, Deb, it is delicious :) I'm thinking after the chocolate is gone, I could re-use the pot by putting other chocolate in to "fondue" :)

    Take care.
    Kat

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  7. Kat,
    Happy Holidays! I hope the new year will bring you all the things you're wishing for! :)

    By the way, those strawberries look so yummy!

    Ciao!

    Mari

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  8. I love the photos and it sounds so wonderful! I am glad you were able to spend time with family and friends! I hope you have a wonderful day!

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  9. Thanks Kat for stopping by my site even though I have been very slack lately...been too tired! Mele Kalikimaka and Hauoli Makahiki Hou!

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  10. What an awesome party! Have a blessed holiday season! Take care!

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  11. Kat,

    It sounds like you spent a lovely day together. All the best to you and Satoshi!

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  12. Hi Kat - I'm glad you were able to enjoy Christmas together!

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  13. Thanks Mari, I look forward to your posts in 2009 :)

    Thanks Michelle :) Hope you enjoyed the day also :)

    Thanks Lynne :)

    Thanks Laura :)

    Thanks Ivonne :)

    Thanks Kirkk :)

    Take care everyone.
    Kat

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  14. Yummy stuffs. Salmon avocado and crab - I'll have to try that.

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  15. PB, I've never made them with the crab part of the tower, hope you like them :)

    Take care.
    Kat

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  16. Looks like a fabulous Christmas spread! Happy New Year too!

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  17. Thanks Su-Lin, I hope 2009 will be a good one for you :)

    Take care.
    Kat

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