books

 whoo hoo read 3 books this year

1. "Kau Kau"by Arnold Hiura

2. "The Undomestic Goddess" by Sophie Kinsella

3. "Can You Keep A Secret?" by Sophie Kinsella

Since I have about 20 minutes at physical therapy, I "brilliantly" figured out to bring a book...

If you read something you'd like to share, please let me know in the comments

books

"Love in the time of Cholera" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez 

finally finished this book!

it was so hard to get into so it took me years to finish!

I also "read" two picture books in Japanese 

"The cat with no name" by Fumiko Takeshita

"The cat who lived a million times" by Yoko Sano

not much reading this year....hopefully more in 2024

Please share with me in the comments something you enjoyed reading in 2023

rant

I had wanted a book and looked online, it had to be preordered, so I preordered the book back on September 4 and was told it would be delivered between October 9-11.

Well the 11th came and it hadn’t even been shipped!

Then I looked at the reviews and got worried because a lot were complaining about not receiving their orders.

So I went through Amazon’s AI customer service, which seemed to work as a "go between" for you and the third party seller, and sent a message asking “where’s my stuff?”

I received an email almost immediately from Amazon (not the seller) saying “your order is delayed and now expected to arrive November1”

WTH?!

So I cancelled my order.

Had whoever sent me the delayed message before October 11, I probably would've waited for the book, but I had to ask them, so I cancelled.

Then, after the fact, I got a message from the seller.

Asking me, to tell them what I had ordered and my order number.

So, the AI did not actually work as a "go between" it seemed like it was just "transferring a phone call" without telling them what the call was about...sigh

I told the seller what had happened and she replied that she couldn't find my order number (because I had already cancelled!)

I wanted to write a review, but since I hadn't actually purchased anything from the seller, I was not allowed...boo.

Plus, Amazon apparently does not allow reviews on the sellers, just the products...boo.

Since Satoshi handles the finances I asked him to check the statement to make sure our credit card wasn’t charged.

1st world problems...

books

1. "The Memory Tree" by Britta Teckentrup

2. "Kindness Grows" by Britta Teckentrup

3. "The Little Book of Hygge" by Meik Wiking

4. "Coffee Gives me Superpowers" by Ryoko Iwata

5."Alone at home" by Naoko Machida

All of these books have English versions, but since I couldn't get those, I borrowed the Japanese versions from our library.

I'm not too sure how I bookmarked the first two books, but they were really nice books to read.

The third one was about "hygge", which is hard to translate into English, it sort of means "cozy"...

The fourth book was fun to read and the illustrations fun to look at also.

The last book, only had a link to the French version on Goodreads, but it was a cute story about what cats do when they are home alone.

What did you read this year? 

Please leave your suggestions in the comments.

books

It is snowing everywhere in Japan (except Tokyo) because I read 2 books this year (sorry!)...the one by Fran Gage was so boring...not a fan of detailed history and lots of name dropping that it took me at least a couple years to get through it.

The Chez Panisse book was interesting to learn about the different fruits in California.

 "A Sweet Quartet" by Fran Gage

"Chez Panisse Fruit" by Alice Waters

I borrowed and enjoyed a collection of travel picture books by Mitsumasa Anno, which was like “where’s wally” meets classic/modern art…9 books that showcase the famous arts of the country’s artist hidden in different landscapes and cityscapes (Central Europe, Italy, United Kingdom, America, Spain, Denmark, China, Japan, Switzerland). 

Also borrowed and enjoyed his Forest book which had many animals hidden in the various greenery.

Hope to get through more books on my shelf in 2022.

If you had a favorite read this year, please share the title with me in the comments.

books 2019

With all that happened this year, you would think I wouldn't have time to read...I surprised myself too.

My least favorite was #3, 2nd least favorite was #8...my favorite was a tie between #6 & #7.
#7 was a children's book but I loved the illustrations and recipes in it.

1. Kathleen Flinn, "The Sharper Your Knife, The Less You Cry"
2. Ruth Ozeki "A Tale for the Time Being
3. Sophie Kinsella, "Shopaholic & Baby"
4. Diana Bletter, "A Remarkable Kindness"
5. Paulo Coelho, "The Alchemist"
6. Robin Mather, "The Feast Nearby"
7. Felicita Sala, "Lunch at 10 Pomegranate Street"
8. W. P. Kinsella, "The Thrill of the Grass"

If you had a favorite book this year, please share the title with me in the comments.

books

1. Amit Majmudar, "The Abundance"
2. Hilary Reyl, "Lessons in French"
3. Lisa See, "The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane"

Sad that I didn't get a chance to read more this year...hoping I'll be able to read a little more next year.

Did you read anything that you enjoyed? Please tell me about it in the comments.

books

List of books read this year: for some reason, I didn't enjoy the first 2...maybe it was just me.

1. Pico Iyer, "The Lady and The Monk"
2. Ovidia Yu, "Aunty Lee's Delights"
3. Mary Simes, "The Irresistable Blueberry Bake Shop and Cafe"
4. Kyoko Mori, "Stone Field True Arrow"
5. Laurie Colwin, "Home Cooking"
6. Margaret Dilloway, "How to be an American Housewife"

Hope to read more in 2018.

books 2016

A list of the books I read this year...hope to get through more books in 2017.

1. Jennifer L. Scott, "At Home with Madame Chic"
2. Laurie Colwin, "More Home Cooking"
3. Michael Booth, "Sushi and Beyond"
4. Sasha Martin, "Life from Scratch"
5. Bill Bryson, "The Lost Continent"
6. Jessica Soffer, "Tomorrow There Will Be Apricots"
7. Sarah McCoy, "The Baker's Daughter"

Did you read anything interesting this year? Please tell me in the comments.

april = new

In Japan, everything starts in April.

School year, business fiscal year...

Electric appliance stores have sales for "shin-seikatsu" (new lifestyles) for newlyweds and also university freshmen...

During this time of year, you will see many students carrying these boxes around.

Inside is their new school uniform.

Most schools have uniforms.

I also understand that most students have to buy their textbooks.

Growing up in Hawaii, I went to public school, so we didn't have to wear a uniform and were lucky that we didn't have to buy our textbooks.

Did you wear a uniform in grade school? Did you have to buy your textbooks?

books 2015

Books read this year...please share what you read this year in the comments!

1. Jennifer L. Scott "Lessons from Madame Chic"
2. Samuel Chamberlain "Clémentine In The Kitchen"
3. Amelia Freer "Eat.Nourish.Glow."
4. Fran Gage "Bread and Chocolate"
5. Leslie Jonath "Everyone Loves Paris"
6. Marnie Hanel "The Picnic"
7. Alice B. Toklas "The Alice B Toklas Cookbook"
8. Sarah-Kate Lynch "The Wedding Bees"

foodie tuesday

Yesterday for lunch, I met up with Deb of Kahakai Kitchen. Since I was craving Mexican food, I asked her to meet me at Zaratez (which is also called Tacos Zarate).

When I was on Twitter, I used to follow the owner, when he had a food truck, but never got around to trying his food then.

Fast forward, he opened a shop on King Street about a year or so ago.

This shop has two counters to sit at and eat, but most customers buy "to-go".

Deb and I shared the #8 Güero burrito (your choice of meat (I chose chicken), guacamole, onion, beans, rice, cilantro) and their two tacos (Deb chose pork) this comes with beans and rice.

We also had Mexican sodas (I had lime while Deb had pineapple).

The salsas, red or green, are hot, hot, hot! Red is chipotle & árbol and Green is serrano & jalapeno...we decided they need a "mild" for wimps like us...*cough*

I really liked the freshly fried chips too.

The food was good, nicely seasoned.

After lunch, since Deb has some time, she took me to Lucy's Lab Creamery.

Their flavors are different from "the usual" ice cream shops...I tried Buttery Popcorn and Fruit Loop Vodka.

The buttery popcorn was just like eating popcorn, as Deb said, "without getting kernels stuck in your teeth". The addition of arare or kakimochi as we call it in Hawaii, made it more of a local favorite combo.

The Fruit Loop Vodka, I'm glad wasn't boozy. I liked the fruit loop topping too.

The Ward area has changed drastically over the past year or so. Many new high-rises as well as new shopping areas.

I'm glad Deb showed me around and took the time out to meet up. It was fun catching up with her and she also gave me a ton of snacks (the new Lays flavors, Trader Joe's speculoos chocolate, Trader Joe's freeze-dried strawberries & Lindt bar) and some things to read (books and a magazine).

Dinner was with friend, D.

We met at Big City Diner and both had sandwiches.

I had their Paniolo Burger...a burger topped with cheese, bacon, their guava BBQ sauce and lots of fried onion rings...so good!

D had their Patty Melt.

It was great catching up with D as well and he was nice to share some mangoes that he had.

Major foodie day, but also lots of talking and lots of laughter...thanks Deb and D!

Tacos Zarate (UPDATE: 8/2016, moved to Kahala)
1273 S. King Street
Honolulu, Hawaii
Phone: 808.348.0715
Closed Sundays
Hours: 11:00-16:00 (Mondays & Saturdays), 11:00-20:00 (Tuesdays-Fridays)

Lucy's Lab Creamery (MOVED to South Shore Market (Ward Centre))
435 Kamakee Street
Honolulu, Hawaii
Hours: Mondays-Thursdays 11:30-21:30, Fridays 11:30-22:30, Saturdays 10:30-22:30, Sundays 10:30-21:30

Big City Diner
Pearlridge
Aiea, Hawaii
Phone: 808.487.8188
Hours: 7:00-22:00 (Mondays-Thursdays & Sundays), 7:00-24:00 (Fridays & Saturdays)

standard bookstore (abeno)

Yesterday, I had an appointment near Tennoji and had lunch at Standard Bookstore.

This shop is bigger than the one I usually go to in Chayamachi.

Curious, I ordered the taco rice.

I was surprised at how much "greens" they use. Even the addition of some avocado AND dessert!

I think I prefer this version better.

For a comparison, here is Chayamachi's version.

I wouldn't mind trying other items on their menu, they have quite a few that aren't served at the Chayamachi shop...I'll be back.

Standard Bookstore (Abeno)
1-2-30 Abeno-suji, Hoop 6F
Abeno, Osaka
Phone: 06.4703.5881
Hours: 11:00-21:00

books 2014

1. Will Ferguson "Hokkaido Highway Blues"
2. David Lebovitz "The Sweet Life in Paris"
3. Michele Anna Jordan & Susan Brady "The World is a Kitchen"
4. Herman Koch "The Dinner"
5. Julie Otsuka "When the Emperor was Divine"
6. Diana Abu-Jaber "The Language of Baklava"
7. Natasha Yim "Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas"
8. John and Jan Belleme "Japanese Foods That Heal"
9. Erica Bauermeister "The Lost Art of Mixing"

Not many books read this year (was too busy playing games on my phone), was there anything special you read this year? Please share in the comments.

trying new recipes

I tried a couple of new recipes from David Lebovitz's book "The Sweet Life in Paris".

When I read this book earlier this year, I found myself chuckling with some of the dilemmas that he came across with life in France because they were similar to my experiences in Japan.

Along with his many stories, he also included many recipes.

One that caught my eye was this, "Spiced Mixed Nuts". I love to munch on things especially nuts.

Instead of butter, I used coconut oil.

Do you use coconut oil? I am kind of on the fence about it. For one, it leaves a weird residue in my mouth afterwards.

Am wondering if you think the oil is rancid already?!

And you have to "plan" on what you use it in because it makes things taste and smell "coconutty".

It supposedly has great health benefits, but for the two reasons above, I hardly use it.

Anyway, I want to re-try this one using butter like his recipe directs. Also, I didn't put pretzels in it like his recipe, so I want to add that in too.

The other recipe I tried was his "Peanut Slaw".

I forgot to put shoyu (soy sauce) in the dressing.

I also added some sweet chili sauce because my peanut butter isn't sweetened and I also thought the dressing needed some "heat".

I also put in some green onions because I didn't have cilantro.

Loved the flavors and crunch from the cabbage and carrots. I added the peanuts just before serving because I didn't want them getting soggy.

I'll have to try both of these recipes again....hopefully soon!

ishoku dogen

At the end of August, I was approached by Jo of Tuttle Publishing to review a book on traditional Japanese objects.

Feeling that this topic wasn't too relevant with our blog, I asked if I could review a book that was focused on food or travel in Japan.

She checked and I was able to request "Japanese Foods That Heal" by John and Jan Belleme.

With all that has been happening in the past couple of years, my interest in foods that help fight cancer and other diseases have definitely increased.

One of the things the authors talk about is "Ishoku Dogen", a Japanese saying which literally translates to "Food is Medicine".

This book is written in detail but still very simply so that anyone who is new to Japanese cuisine will be able to understand it.

Even though I am of Japanese ancestry, it was interesting to learn more about how certain Japanese foods/ingredients are made.

There are 18 chapters, one for each of the healing foods/ingredients that they promote.

I especially liked how they had a "Shopping for" section, which gave details as to what to look for on the labels when you buy these foods/ingredients.

In each chapter, the authors share several recipes using the healing foods/ingredients they promote.

It was also interesting to see most ingredients used in "Western" style dishes.

One recipe that I tried was their "Glazed Acorn Squash".

Not having seen acorn squash in the markets, I used kabocha (Japanese pumpkin) instead.

The authors say "A perfect side dish for a holiday meal, this golden colored treat can be enjoyed any day of the week."

Here's the recipe if you'd like to try it too:

Glazed Acorn Squash : serves 4
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

1 small acorn squash, quartered, seeded, peeled and cut crosswise into 3/8-inch (1 cm) wide slices
1/2 cup (125 ml) water
4 tablespoons mirin (sweet rice wine)
1/2 cinnamon stick
3 or 4 whole cloves
Pinch of sea salt

1. Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and gently simmer, covered, for 15 to 20 minutes, or until squash is tender. With a sloted spoon, immediately transfer squash to a warmed serving dish and keep warm in a 170F (75C) oven.

2. Strain the cooking liquid and return it to the saucepan. Boil down the liquid rapidly to half its volume--you should have about 3 tablespoons. Check frequently to avoid burning.

3. Pour glaze over squash and serve.

NOTES: I was a little scared that it would taste very clove-y and cinnamon-y, but the results were nice. Not overpowering, just a light spice taste. My cooking time was less than 25 minutes and this was so easy, I'd definitely make this again.

This was my first book review and I am grateful for being given this opportunity...Thank you!

Disclaimer: A review copy of "Japanese Foods That Heal" was provided to me by the publisher in return for an honest review. I was not compensated for this review and the thoughts and opinions written here are my own.

so cool

After reading about Kirk's daikon cakes recipe being used in a children's book here, I made note that when I was in Hawaii, I would I check our local library to see if I could borrow it.

They had it but it was checked out at the time, so I requested to borrow it after it was checked back in.

A couple of days later, I checked on my request and the book was waiting for me!

So, I picked it up and read it.

I loved the story and I especially loved how they explained the different things done during the Chinese New Year.

It was so cool to see a fellow blog friend featured in a book!

Way to go Kirk!

"pain to ippiki 2"

I enjoyed the first book so much that I was excited to find the second book while roaming the aisles of a book shop over the weekend.

I'm glad I was able to get this one.

There are many recipes in this book as well.

I can't wait to try some of them.

books 2013

A list of the books I read this year...

1. Michael Booth "Doing Without Delia"

2. Joanne Harris "Jigs & Reels"

3. Vivian Swift "Le Road Trip"

4. Jeffery Brown "Darth Vader and Son"

5. Jeffery Brown "Vader's Little Princess"

6. Christina Henry De Tessan "Forever Paris"

7. Molly O'Neill "American Food Writing"

8. Peter Mayle "Encore Provence"

9. Nigella Lawson "How to Eat" (e-book)

Please share with me what you read this year.

thanks santa

Merry Christmas!

Unfortunately, Christmas isn't a holiday here, so Satoshi had to go to work.

Just wanted to share with you what Santa brought...books!

and an iPhone5S (on the left)...Thank you!

(the girl at the cell phone shop was amazed that my 3GS (on the right) was still going strong after being used for 4 years...)

And from Satoshi, these pretty roses!

I know most of you will be having Christmas tomorrow, so I hope Santa brings everything you wish for!

p.s. Santa is bringing Satoshi an iPhone later this week too...truth be told, I'm NOT looking forward to explaining to him how to use it...

Merry Christmas everyone!