fahreezing

We had a light dusting when we woke up yesterday.

The wind was icy and the snow melted quickly.

Usually January is when I talk about flurries and stuff but it is definitely early this year...(I think the stink bug superstition thingy might be spot on)

It's been awhile since I ran into a cute cappuccino...I thought this was perfect for the season.

Have a nice weekend...10 days until Christmas, are you ready?

caffera

I liked how just a sip turned this cappuccino art at Caffera into a heart.

Made me smile, hope it made you smile too.

smile

The weather's been cold, we had flurries the other day and one morning the rooftops were covered in white.

Today the weather is a bit dreary and grey.

Hopefully this smiling bunny will brighten up your day as it did mine.

bar ista

This coffee place called Bar Ista (get it?!) has been on my list "to try" for some time now, and we finally got a chance to.

A tiny shop with only 8 counter seats, my only peeve about this place is that they allow smoking...bah!

They have really cute cappuccinos though.

We'll be back, when hopefully smokers aren't.

Bar Ista
2-6-1 Kitakyuhojimachi
Chuo, Osaka
Phone: 06.6241.0707
Closed Sundays & Holidays
Hours: 11:30-22:00

foodie sunday

Sunday the weather was beautiful, not a cloud in the sky.

We started off with breakfast at Hiro Coffee. There were quite of bit of people because it was Golden Week and also the weekend.

Then we decided to check out the falls of Minoo.

I noticed this new version of the city's manhole cover. It features our city mascot, Yuzuru.

The hillsides along the route to the falls were covered in these shaga (iris japonica).

We also decided to stop in to check out the butterflies at the insectarium.

There were many different species this time, including this tsumabenicho (great orange tip).  I was a little jealous because these butterflies were being fed fresh papaya....

I also shot a short video of the atmosphere inside the butterfly exhibit, here.

When we finally reached the falls, there were many families having lunch, kids playing in the stream, and those just enjoying the beautiful weather.

After taking a couple pictures we walked back out and had lunch at Kamizono. They moved to a larger space in the same building and the food is still delicious.

We also caught a glimpse of a taiko performance which was commemorating the renewal of the station area. Be sure to turn your sound down....I shot a very short video here.

Then we popped into Per Caffe Bianco for some cappuccinos...mine was a huge bear.

Satoshi dashed the confidence of the barista by asking her if his cappuccino art was of a monkey...um, it was supposed to be a rabbit...

All in all it was a great day.  We got to bond with nature and get some delicious things in there too. Satoshi has to work the next two days and then gets the next three off...Hope you have a great week.

foodie sunday in minoo

Yesterday, Satoshi had to work. The weather was nice except for the volcanic smog (VOG) in the air, so I decided to go out for a walk.

I first had lunch at my favorite cafe, Per Caffe Bianco. The daily pasta lunch was delicious, a melt in your mouth pork simmered in tomato sauce and veggies over spaghettini. A cup of pumpkin soup and for a little extra, a cappuccino...1150 yen (about US$11.50)

It was my first cappuccino for 2011 from this cafe.

Business seems to be a bit rough for them, but I'm glad their food is still good and their cappuccinos still delicious.

After lunch, I walked a little ways into the Quasi Park and found these people.

This big contraption had 3D (red/blue) glasses attached to them and everyone was looking in and listening to a man tell stories.

I also went to look inside and the pictures don't move but it was neat to listen and watch the man talk about different historic spots in Minoo.

Listening to storytellers while looking at paintings were a form of entertainment for Japanese during the Edo Period, about the 1600s.

Hello Kitty comes in a Minoo (our city) version, with her in a monkey costume, a little monkey and momiji (maple leaf) tempura. The monkey and momiji tempura are famous items in our city.

I bought this one attached to a pen...600 yen (about US$6)

I saw this sasanqua, there was a red tree next to a white tree that had "mixed" to make this red-white flower, cool yeah??

I saw these matcha ichigo daifuku the other day while walking past Korakudo, but didn't have any money with me at the time, so I picked some up to try yesterday...400 yen for 2 (about US$4)

Around the strawberry is a sweet bean paste with minced green tea leaves and a soft mochi (rice cake) around everything...delicious.

Lots of walking and lots of eating...the air is bad with the VOG from Kirishima, and it looks like the weather will be getting a little cooler this coming week.

Hope you have a good week.

more fall foliage

Yesterday was a gorgeous day, no clouds in the sky, just blue.

I decided to drop all household chores and head up to Minoo falls. As I've written before it is 2.8 kilometers one way to the falls, there are several gradual slopes until reaching the falls so it is quite a workout.

But, if you ooh and aah enough at the leaves, it'll take your mind off of things and you'll reach the falls in no time.

Every year, I look forward to the leaves changing. It is not something we have in Hawaii and no matter how many times I see them, I never tire of them and I also love how the leaves "light" up with the sunlight.
Thinking I could enjoy the weather, I packed myself a musubi filled with goya tsukudani, a mikan (seedless tangerine) & some water.

Unfortunately, when I reached the falls, most of the benches were wet from overnight rain, and the sunlight hadn't reached the area to dry them off, so most people were standing around.

Luckily for me, I had brought my mikan in the plastic bag it came in, so the bag came in handy on the wet bench.

I ate rather quickly because 1) I didn't want to be preyed upon by the wild monkeys, and 2) because it was quite cold sitting on a wet bench (even if I had the plastic bag).

REMEMBER: don't feed the monkeys or you will have to pay a 10,000 yen fine (about US$100).
After lunch, I walked up to the parking area to see the foliage above the falls.

It was breathtaking!

Like a patchwork quilt.
Then I made my way back down to the station.

This was the first year that I have seen volunteer guides. They have probably been around for some time, but this was the first time I've noticed them.

They are dressed like this cute grandpa with a white jacket and green cap that has "MVG" (Minoo Volunteer Guide) on it.

I'm not sure but I think you can request a guide at the Minoo Tourist Information Office near the Hankyu Minoo station.

While getting closer to the station, there was an ambulance and fire truck that came up the roadway/path with sirens going. They were heading for somewhere in-between the station and the falls. Hopefully it wasn't anything too serious.

Of course, before going home, I popped into one of my favorite cafes in this area, Per Caffe Bianco, for a cappuccino & their seasonal tart (sweet potato almond tart).

The sweet potatoes had a crunchy caramel coating (like the kind you find on creme brulee)...delicious.

Although the lady barista doesn't have as good an artistic hand as the male barista does, the cappuccino art today was still cute.

It was a beautiful day, lots of nature, and definitely lots of walking.

tuesday

Tuesday, I started French language classes again.

My teacher was on maternity leave during the summer so she had a substitute come in, then I went to Hawaii during the summer, and went back to Hawaii in October, so I am starting mid-way through the Fall session.

No worries though, our classes don't cover a lot of information all at once, just a little at a time, so I don't think I missed TOO much.

I still have problems with pronounciation, but I am slowly beginning to be able to read and figure out what is being said.

After class, I had lunch at Daimaru Department store, they have a cafe called Galleria. I love their cappuccino.

Up until Tuesday, there would be a heart or leaf pattern on the cappuccino, I was pleasantly surprised to see this...a little chick!

After lunch I went to check out the Italian Fair at Hankyu Department store. They recently merged with Hanshin Department store, so I wondered what kinds of things they would have at their fair.

Competition for business is always quite intense between department stores, so they had several different Italian chocolatiers.

I bought some bon-bons from Giraudi, a chocolatier near Torino. The cremino (a hazelnut cream and dark chocolate square was creamy and not too sweet). The pistachio bon-bon had a pistachio paste inside but I thought it was a bit chalky...242 yen each (about US$2.42)

I also got some Majani chocolates, a Bologna chocolatier....126 yen each (about US$1.26) Apparently these chocolates were made when Fiat produced their Tipo 4.

Besides their Fiat chocolates, they also had these cute car shaped chocolates--cinquino (dark blue foil--dark chocolate outside with dark chocolate ganache inside), gippino (red foil--hazelnut ganache/milk chocolate outside), furgoncino (green foil--pistachio ganache/milk chocolate). My favorite was the cinquino.

Giraudi
via Giraudi, 16
Castellazzo Borimida (AL)

Majani
via G.Brodolini 16, 40056
Crespellano, Bologna (Italia)

my favorite

Lately, this is my favorite place to sit. Near the window.

Our apartment is small, about 600 sq feet, 2LDK (which stands for 2 bedroom, living, dining, kitchen in Japanese real estate terminology), and we have lots of "stuff" (luckily we have closets to hide most of it), but I get bored with our layout every so often and Satoshi and I move around our furniture...this is our latest layout.

Opposite from where I sit is a chaise, which is great for napping.

The arm rest is a perfect to place a cup of coffee or tea and a plate of something.

My legs aren't long enough but the chaise can also be used as an ottoman, when sitting across from it.

In the evenings, I sit here and read. Actually, I also eat dinner here too...while watching television.

I know you shouldn't watch television while eating but it helps keep me company since most times I eat my meals alone.

Here is one of my 3 o'clock snacks...cappuccino and cantucci.

During the day, I turn the lights off to save electricity. It is quite dark in some parts of our apartment, so I look forward to the really sunny days.

Where is your favorite spot to sit?

bialetti + illy = delicious

After seeing Giada use her espresso pot on her show, I immediately went and got one from Amazon the last time I was home.

I purchased the Bialetti Moka Express espresso pot which makes 6 espresso cups (there are different sizes to choose from) which when you pour into a cafe cup comes out to 2 cafe cups. Just follow the directions and within a couple of minutes you'll have freshly brewed espresso.

The good thing about this espresso pot is that there are no filters to throw out after using, you just throw out the coffee grounds then rinse out the pot (Well, you do have to take the pot apart to rinse but no other major work involved.)

I am using Illy's caffe macinato which after googling, I found out is more ideal for espresso machines than the stovetop espresso pots....meh, it still brews a good cup!

Add some frothed milk and voila! Cappuccino. I have also chilled the brewed espresso and added milk for an iced version. If you want to save money on expensive coffee drinks, this is definitely a great way to do so.

the past couple of days

After seeing Kirk's post on Chicago style hot dogs on Tuesday morning, I went out to find something close to it for lunch, but came up empty.

I did find a Hiroshima style okonomiyaki (550 yen about US$5.50), though. This was filling, lots of cabbage and yakisoba in the middle, but I was disappointed with the outside. Usually, Hiroshima style okonomiyaki has a thin crepe-like outside, this one was really eggy and thick. (Osaka style okonomiyaki has cabbage and other goodies mixed into the batter, so it usually turns out to be a thick fritter of sorts.)

Next to the Hiroshima style okonomiyaki were these taiyaki (120 yen about US$1.20). Taiyaki are baked in these tai (sea bream) molds and filled with an (sweet bean paste). This was disappointing too, the outside was really thick...more outside than bean filling.

Oh well...

On Tuesday night, I made the pancakes from the set that Satoshi received, for our breakfast on Wednesday. I also added a couple of handfuls of fresh blueberries into the batter.

I don't think the maple syrup in the set was 100%, it had a coffee flavor and was kind of watery, not the thick syrup that I was thinking of.

I also wanted to make candied bacon, but couldn't find the brand of bacon I liked at the store, so I just served it with some ham and the Darjeeling tea that came in the set...delish!

Thursday's breakfast was the leftover pancakes (from the mix I made 6, the bag said 4), ham, asian pear, leftover succotash & herb tea. This was the other tea that was in the set. The most outstanding flavor was mint, though the label said blue mallow, citrus peel and hibiscus (I think the label was wrong). It was still a good tea and breakfast.

After breakfast, Satoshi left for Tokyo and I had a lesson. After my lesson, I wandered around Takarazuka's Hankyu Department store. This store isn't as big as the main one in Umeda but they do have a food area.

I picked up this bento for my dinner at Yonehachi--750 yen (about US$7.50). I like this place because their rice is okowa and you can choose which ones you want. Just pick out the bento and tell them what okowa to fill the empty areas with. Some bento have 3 empty spaces, some 2. They had 4 choices of okowa and I chose the chestnut okowa and the shiso chirimen (perilla & whitebait) okowa. The main dish was a tofu "hamburger" (though it had no meat in it)...very filling.

Friday morning, I had another lesson, so I had my breakfast at Starbucks. Cranberry pancakes (the last time Starbucks had blueberry).

Lunch was at my favorite cafe, Per Caffe Bianco, as I was interested in seeing what kind of art would come with the iced cappuccino. There was no art, but they still make you feel special by putting it into this champagne glass.

Satoshi came home late last night and brought home these ningyoyaki (literally baked dolls) Like the taiyaki, it is baked in tiny molds the difference is that the outside is castella (an eggy sponge cake) and filled with an (sweet bean paste), the taiyaki outside is more like a waffle...delicious.I liked the packaging very festive. I think this is a picture of a matsuri (festival) in Asakusa. The house like thing that the people are carrying are called mikoshi. Mikoshi are tiny shrines. Different parts of Japan have different types of mikoshi. If I'm not mistaken, carrying the mikoshi gives you good luck and helps your wishes come true. Many men do this to wish for their wives health and households safety and children do this to wish for good grades and good health.

Remember the tomato that I threw into a pot?....looks like we'll have tomatoes soon! (hopefully before autumn rolls around)

It is Saturday, the candidates for our city council and mayoral election are out in full force, it is raining and gloomy and Satoshi is off to work.

odds & ends

On Sunday when we went galavanting around Minoo Park, I saw a sign for the city's Nanokaichi. Actually, this "festival" is more of a get together for merchants to sell their wares around the Minoo station and in parts of the Minoo Park on the 7th day of each month. Since I had never gone to this, I decided to check it out yesterday.

To my disappointment though, there wasn't much happening. I guess with summer, it was too hot, plus the 7th fell on a weekday.

Oh well...since I was at the park already, I walked to the Insectarium and paid to check out the butterflies (again). I was shocked to see that many of them had wings that looked like they were ripped or eaten. Still, having them fly around was a nice feeling.

The Minoo river was quite high. We've been having heavy rains during the afternoons. It has been quite scary too, with loud booms of thunder and bolts of lightning. But, the downside to this is that even with all the rain, the humidity still lingers. This is one part of Japan's summer that I cannot get used to.

I noticed this big tile on top of a shrine. Scary, yet comical looking face with butterfly tiles "fluttering" around it.

Not many flowers during this time of year, though I found these portulaca (sp?) in pots along the path.

Since there wasn't much else to do, I decided to stop into my favorite cafe for a cappuccino. I actually debated as to whether I should go for an iced cappuccino. But, I didn't know if the iced version would have the cappuccino art...so I went for the hot cappuccino...I am so crazy! I think it was at least 35C (95F) outside with thick humidity...the crema was so good though, I scooped it up with the spoon like it was fluffy pudding.

Satoshi called me as I was enjoying my cappuccino. He needed a document from the city office for work. It was a good thing he caught me while I was still in the neighborhood. I popped into the office and showed them his text message. The city worker helped me fill out the form and within a couple of minutes I paid 200 yen (about US$2) for the document and was out of there.

As I walked to the train station, I noticed a railroad sign. Something I have never seen in Hawaii, though maybe they do have some around. I don't drive in Japan, but I think this sign is there to warn drivers that there is a railroad crossing ahead, though they aren't at all the railroad crossings.

Wednesday night, I made chirmol. I like this recipe, it tastes like a fresh salsa, mixed with the flavors of lomi lomi salmon (without the salmon). Anyway, I had bought a can of jalapenos and put one pepper into the chirmol. Delicious and there is a kick that leaves fire on your lips.

Thursday night, with the leftover chirmol, I made a taco salad for dinner and used the chirmol as salsa. I also tried a flatbread recipe, but I want to tweak it a bit before sharing. It was too salty and too sticky.

Here are the crumbs on mac nut ice cream. Actually, I think the shortbread would stand out more with vanilla ice cream. The mac nuts kind of overpowered everything. Ooh, and I actually found another big piece within the crumbs! (can you see it in the back of the ice cream mountain?)

Do you think these little plants are tomato or okra? I threw some tomato and okra into this pot and all of a sudden this is what has come up. I'm hoping for okra, though I have a feeling it is tomato.

Sorry for the rambling...It's Aloha Friday here...hope you have a great weekend!