Shin did Mei-Shun happy favors during this Golden Week. One of them is a French restaurant in Tokyo, called “Mon Petit Cochon Rose“. The chef has a great technique and sense of humor, yet one and only problem is that he serves a bit too much. It gave an excuse to treat her stomach to a feast before going into severe diet, while her husband has a similar goal.
travel
Dutch Pottery
StandardHello Miffy, whose original name is rare to be heard in Japan, welcome onto Mei-Shun’s hands. Shin found her in Netherlands last week, fell in love at a glance. A sleepy shop clerk told him that only Japanese people purchase this rabbit girl, apologizing lack of an official box. No problem at all — who need it when they never think of selling you to others? Please share a job to store coins with our pink piggy.
Sakura Bonbon
StandardJust terrific, aren’t they? 八重桜 in 乙戸沼 Park is now in 80% blossom, seems the best for Mei-Shun. She drove Shin to the nearest station in the morning, turned to the opposite direction to home. Surrounded by aromatic pink of cherry and refreshing green of shell-like gingko baby leaves, she did some stretches. Walking had to be spared to reach her favorite hair salon in 高輪, Tokyo on time.
Tsukushi, Tsukuba
StandardHere Mei-Shun found 土筆, horsetail girls field. Sooo cute, aren’t they? They made both of her mind and body feel refreshed before visiting 水戸 for a lecture in the afternoon. Summer came into spring a few days before, made cherry blossom there in full 2 weeks earlier than usual. Freezing winter with heavy snow especially in 北陸=hokuriku region would be followed by torrid summer, they say.
Spring Soon
StandardMei-Shun walked to the nearest shrine after almost a month. Nothing is planted in paddy field on the way to there, while the soil is well mixed and softened in preparation. Snow fell last week still covers shadowy part of shrine garden. A plum tree stands next to Gods’ residence has a lot of buds on the other hand, looks dreaming of the first blow of these little rings into white flowers.
Winter Flower
StandardMei-Shun met with Shin at one of their favorite restaurants in Takanawa, Tokyo. They make it a rule to date on lunch when the former goes to a nearby hair salon for a cut or curling. It was their great pleasure to greet again this birdy always welcomes them in 椿=tsubaki, camellia room. Dishes were all superb as usual, including 治部煮=jibu-ni, simmered vegetables, 麩=fu, steamed wheat gluten and meat.
Joy at Fukushima
StandardIt has nice 駄菓子=dagashi, Japanese traditional tea-time sweets. Not only taste simple and good, they also look so lovely that both adults and children can enjoy. Mei-Shun’s favorite is もも餅, peach rice cake while mom-in-law’s 松茸, matsutake mushroom. Shin knows well the latter, advised his wife to choose it as a souvenir. By the way, his first business trip in 2018 is to this city from today.
Japanese Culture@holiday
StandardSo this year’s ornament 戌=inu, dog and another cat have come to Shin and Mei-Shun. You can meet these cutest 丸=maru, round-shape animals at Fukushima Airport. It features a lot of items related to “Ultra-man” serial TV programs as well. Many figures are displayed at the entrance hall, attracting mothers with prams to take photos. A postbox is painted in colors of hero character.
Windy Walk
StandardMei-Shun put on a thick track suit under a down jacket, followed by earmuffs, gloves and a cap. Tall trees around her home were swaying a little at the top in the morning, allowed her to be in good time to walk out. 日先神社 has already begun preparation to serve us from coming new year. Tiny reception desks for 巫女=miko, shrine maidens are covered with snow-white cloth.
Lecture for U
StandardMei-Shun has done a course to be a legal guardian, hoping that she could contribute to hyper-aged Japanese society through this system. Her result of qualification test will be informed in a week. DVD lectures were aired at a community center in Ishioka City where a nice confectionary shop 羽鳥屋 serves nearby. European/Japanese sweets are displayed neatly, tastes great with reasonable price.
meishunkikunoe 