this and that

Month 4 of umeshu making...not too much change but I feel like the liquid is getting darker

The largest (longest) piece of fried cod I have ever seen.

AND it was packed in a very HUGE (long) un-earth friendly plastic container....

Large flat leaves of kale turned into stuffed kale (like stuffed cabbage) for dinner on Sunday...that V said looked like lau lau and strangely tasted like lau lau after cooking...

The umeboshi that I purchased is sour but I like it because it has no artificial stuff in it.

I know some of you used to use my Flickr Account to research stuff in Japan, I just wanted to tell you that it is still “alive”, even though I cannot upload any more photos to it, the 20,000 plus photos are still there....

Even with all the krazy weather, the reno is progressing...super noisy almost all day long.

Since we live on the top floor, you can hear them when they work on the roof as well as on our floor...

(photo of our stairs the day after the dude “jack hammered” (for several hours) off all the rubber padding) 

Usually if the weather is nice I get out to walk/get groceries, so I don't have to listen to all the noise, but the weather this month has been rainy, so I've had to (try to) tolerate all the noise.

Not much to do though, cannot hear the tv nor nap...

AND they covered our lanai sliding doors with plastic for several days this week, so we weren't able to open them for ventilation or see anything...

The weather has been really gloomy and rainy and the temps have dropped over the past couple of days to low teens Centigrade in the mornings and evenings.

There have been many stories on the news about the return of the foreign tourists.

Apparently they are buying like krazy because the exchange rate is so good for them now.

Even if Japan's mask wearing had always been on a request base only, it is also nice to see that the tourists are wearing their masks whenever possible.

Was never used to the crowds in Japan even before COVID, but I haven't ventured to Shibuya or Shinjuku recently, so am not too sure how krazy it is...

The daily COVID case numbers are on the rise in all prefectures.

“Furry” Tokyo People…First time running into this one from on top of his roof...

While walking, I ran across these two, poor thing! His back legs were so frail, but I was amazed that he kept going.

His owner kept putting the water bottle near his butt to “steer” his back legs.

Hope you all are doing well, have a safe weekend.

boulange d316

Boulange D316's chocolate milk france...

Hard to see it but the tiny baguette was filled with chocolate butter cream and chocolate pieces.

So delicious.

And their carrot cake was disappointing, kind of dry but I'm glad I got to try it.

What are you enjoying these days?

 

reminiscing

Four years ago we were eating yakiniku at Ajisai

Six years ago we were in Tohoku

Nine years ago we were talking about things we liked/disliked

Fifteen years ago we were talking about o-musubi/o-nigiri

(photo of sweet olive (kinmokusei) taken the other day)

revamp

Revamped this hakusai kaki amazu-ae

I sliced several leaves of hakusai (chinese cabbage), and some red onion, and then put 1 teaspoon of salt and let it sit for about 3 minutes.

After the 3 minutes, I squeezed out the water.

Peeled and cut up 1/2 a persimmon.

Then added 2 tablespoons of this Kewpie lemon dressing.

If you cannot get this dressing where you are, use your favorite vinaigrette.

Mix well and chill.

We usually eat this amount up in one sitting.

umeboshi

Been looking around for umeboshi, but haven't had luck find them without any artifical sweeteners in it until the other day.

These are made only with salt...

The grandpa selling these must've been so happy to sell something because he also gave me some wakame and some furikake too.

Looking forward to trying this umeboshi.

this and that

Remember that Korean garlic bread with sweet cream cheese in it? it is apparently called Manuru bread. 

I found out many bakeries in Japan now make this so will be on the look out to try.

Worried about my cyclamen plant...this is what it looks like since it has to stay indoors.

This is what it should look like when it can stay outdoors.

Hopefully the renovations especially on the lanai will be over soon, so I can save my plants...

Saw this combination on an IG friend's feed...

Take the seed out of a date, put some peanut butter and peanuts into it.

I took the seed out of a date and put crunchy peanut butter into it...like candy! only need to eat one.

Saw this on the floor the other morning, thinking "food" had fallen on the floor.

I picked it up and it was soft...and when I looked at it closely....

A squished worm! Luckily it was too early in the morning to scream...ack!

With the leftover cheese sauce I spread it onto slices of bread, topped it with onions and maitake, sprinkled a little more cheese then toasted it for our breakfast.

Delicious. Satoshi said it tasted like Autumn.

First time trying cheese dak-galbi...Dak is the Korean word for chicken, galbi is the word for rib.

There aren't any ribs in this but I liked the combination.

Kochujang sauce, cheese, chicken and veggies over rice.

It's been awhile since we had Neko neko bread...this is their Halloween version...purple sweet potato dough with dried cranberries marbled with dark cocoa dough with chocolate chips...delicious toasted then slathered with cream cheese.

Tokyo People...this man walking his teeny toy poodle...so cute!

This week Japan opened up to the world...masks are still requested to be worn.

Bummer the main government just threw their “go to” discount travel program at the local governments, so everyone is scrambling to get discounts

Also, since local governments need to "fend for themselves" and make their own "rules" regarding travel, depending on the prefecture you visit, the "rules" to receive discounts for travel will be different...47 prefectures 47 different rules = chaos

Hopefully the daily case numbers in Japan will not get too krazy over the next couple of weeks

Have a safe weekend.

reminiscing

One year ago we were checking out Terrace Dolce

Four years ago we were trying Pelican's rolls

Seven years ago we were trying Menu for dinner.

Ten years ago we were making poke wraps

Today it is rainy and cold.

The photo above is the view that Satoshi has from his office, he just realized on Tuesday that he can see Mount Fuji...