It all depends what a horsey likes as treats. Rachel likes bananas, quite rare for them. Madoka-chan, Maria, Seika, Applause and Treasure all love carrots and apples while 菊丸 and Pink Diamond prefer brown sugar. Regarding the latter, Mei-Shun once asked if they suffer decayed teeth, heard that they could. Our club employs a French dentists who visits every six months to check up horsey mouths.
good taste
Sweet Memory
StandardMei-Shun loves 鳩サブレー. It is popular sablé made in 鎌倉, reminds her of high school days — she made an excursion to there with several classmates in the first grade. Thank you so much, Professor K. Mei-Shun worked at a research institute as his secretary years ago. Really a gentleman and ideal boss, he once gave her a translation job. It continues to date, supports her stage performance every year.
Simmered Delicacy
StandardHere is 治部椀=jibu-wan, simmered vegetables, duck meat and 簾麩=sudare-fu, wheat gluten cake shaped like a bamboo blind dressed with thick starchy sauce served in a soup bowl. This is one of favorite dishes for Shin and Mei-Shun at a restaurant in Shinagawa, while reminds the latter of a cooking book she bought in preparation for marriage. It featured 治部煮 among ABCs of Japanese cuisine.
Delayed Chocolate
StandardHere you are, mom, on behalf of dad. Mei-Shun’s mother has a chronic dizziness. Meeting once a month is their fixed rule, with latest visit planned on February 14th. However, a symptom interrupted and forced them to postpone the appointment. Well, you have learned how to treat yourself, look fine today. That makes your younger daughter feel relieved and happy. Let’s talk about the cute bird the latter saw the other day.
After Party
StandardMom-in-law recently gave up her driver’s license. That means she got off from our chauffeur list. Mei-Shun, who enjoyed good German beer and wine tonight, therefore employed 代行さん= daiko-san meaning substitute drivers for the first time. She does not want anyone other than family members to drive her own car, while mom-in-law’s is now free and looks lonely. Why don’t she utilize him? This idea worked well with kind staffs, reasonable price and safe coming home.
New Year’s Eve
Standard… on lunar calendar it is today. We have been able to see the moon early in the morning, becoming thinner and thinner. It was impossible to find her high in eastern sky, even with Shin’s good eyesight. We miss her a lot while Mei-Shun is a bit happy thanks to the bathroom scale: she lost one sac of sugar. Has she been paralleled with the moon in shape? Then she has to be very careful not to do so from today! Anyway, shall we have a little tea party on ささらがた and 冨貴寄?
Joy of Sweets 2
StandardWelcome to Japan, Angry Owls, yet could you please calm down? Your looks are at the opposite ends of your taste, so gentle. Shin has brought you home, leaving the U. S. just on the day of new president’s inauguration. We wish no facade like yours would reflect real emotion among them. By the way, it is rare to employ blue in food for us Japanese. Flowers, are you trying to decrease our appetite? You might be right, since shortbreads are high-caloric delicacy.
Joy of Sweets
StandardShin’s 干支=eto, Chinese zodiac symbol is 酉=tori, rooster celebrated in current year. That is why Mei-Shun ordered ささらがた=sasaragata and 冨貴寄=fukiyose featuring 酉 respectively. Her custom to give the latter to 年女 or 年男=toshi-onna/otoko friends and family members started three years ago. 2014 was 午=uma, horse year in which her elder sister was born. On the other hand, it was Professor S who served the former when Mei-Shun visited her home for the first time.
Happy Birthday
StandardIt is a bit embarrassing to say so to yourself, while so happy to have family and friends who say so to you. Mom, thanks for your simple but heartfelt message. Shin, your surprise gift won an enormous success this year as well. Mom-in-law, your お赤飯=o-sekihan, steamed rice with red bean tastes the best. Now, let’s enjoy together Galette des Rois as Mei-Shun’s birthday cake. And oh, another flower featuring sakura from her best friend! Please take her sincere gratefulness.
Japanese Culture@wkday
Standard風流堂=furyu-do, based in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture is on Mei-Shun’s favorite Japanese sweets shop list. When their products were available at the nearest department store, she used to visit there to buy seasonal gifts; 御中元=o-chugen in summer, 御歳暮=o-seibo in winter. However, as informed that the store will be closed soon, she started internet shopping. 風流堂 is so kind to send her a handwritten letter and a little gift attached to ordered goods.
meishunkikunoe 