lunch diary 1229 Usual last last week of this year

Monday; We went to an apple orchard to  buy the last apple of the year. We also got a  lot of souvenirs. On the way home we had lunch at Chinese restaurant "Bamyan". Oh, "the robots are serving the food." "Should I  take it myself?"  When I  was thinking  that, a clerk came and served me. which one was correct?

Tuesday;  It's strange that I didn't know until now. I found a bottle "beef bowl sauce". It is produced by Ebara food company, so I thought probably it won't be spicy. It was  correct.  But what I made was “Pork bowl”. Well, the number of commercially available sources has increased. whatever. Later, I found out that there was also a sauce for "Pork Bowl", but for now, I use this as well.

Wednesday; we had "brand beef tong" in the freezer, which we bought last month. They were not as stiff as we thought. However, we forgot what Sendai beef tongue tasted like. So, as a lunch item, I'm not sure if it's expensive or reasonable as a brand.

Thursday, I am going to cook some  new year's dishes. So, I started preparing for them, so our lunch was "lunch box" Yuki bought at a nearby supermarket. From tomorrow, the number of people will increase, so the delicatessen will increase, but that's okay. Let's cut corners.

Anyway, the fact that "New Year's decorations" were made means that everyone, including my mother and mother-in-law, is doing well. It is really grateful, isn't it?

Good morning 1229

 

We have no plan, today. 

Probably we go to a nearby supermarket. We are going to spend today lazily. 

Yuki starts organizing his music score.

 I also start reviewing my book list. 

We have something to do. 

Good morning 1228

 

It is the last day fir Yuki to play tennis this year. I was going to go to the gym, but I decided to stay home today. One student comes. 

Today’s mission is to get full heaters with kerosene.

The eaters in my house are  portable, basically There is one in each room. Can you guess how many there are? Now there are two members in my house. Tomorrow it is the Kant day for kerosene to be delivered.  

Good morning 1227

 

Our house is changed into new year’s decoration. 

Kitchen fan is cleaned. Our winter cleaning is finished. 

Today it is a ten times point day at a nearby supermarket. I have to go and get some special ingredients for new year’s. 

Good morning 1226

 

Christmas week has gone. New Years vacation is just around the corner. I will change our decoration for the New Year.

 Though it is not sure, we will go to an apple orchard to get “bamboo” for the decoration today.

lunch diary 1225

Monday; They are frozen spring rolls. I deep-fried them a lot.  

We  bought them at a bargain price at "GYOUMU supermarket (mainly customers are shop owners) Also we did walking.

There was one winter rose blooming on the way, but there were rose fruits called "rose hips" around it. I thought that I wanted them but I didn't know the house owner. so I didn't ask. Anyway we walked enough on the day. So I spent the after reading books.

Tuesday; it is day of  half price day for frozen food at a local supermarket. This is "dumplings that don't need water, oil, or a lid" .(according to TV CM) Surprise. They are "Osho (king) gyoza- dumplings".  It was half price, so it was 210 yen. It was like a professional skill.  In front of the supermarket, there is a famous local gyoza shop, but on half-price days, Osho gyoza is more inexpensive..

Wednesday; it was cold. The forecast was supposed to be sunny. It was cold even for having pot-dish " nabeyaki" so I drank cocoa Will my cholesterol rise again? 

If tempura is added to nabeyaki, it will be gorgeous, but cooking tempura is troublesome. It's expensive to buy and troublesome. As long as we have green vegetables, isn't that enough? (I think) 

Additionally the new car came this evening. The previous car has been ridden 120,000 km. Say special thanks to the previous one, and say hello to the new one.

Thursday: It's raining, so my husband doesn't play tennis. I had Yuki drop off and pick me up to the gym. During the 30 minutes of machine training, he was finding side dishes at a nearby supermarket. The budget was 500 Yen... Surprisingly well done. He found two dishes with  red tags. Both husband and wife are now living well in their (our) retirement life. However, they were  all about carbohydrates. I also cooked rice with rice cooker...whatever.

Friday; it was  cold. I was not feeling well. So, our lunch was takeout "kalbi bowl". Recently a new shop opened, Yuki and like it. I like it. Actually, it's a little more expensive than a regular beef bowl restaurant. whatever. It's not a soft type, it's a crunchy type of ribs. It's very helpful to have a store where we can easily take out in the neighborhood.

Happy holiday!

 

They are this year’s small gift from me to my friends. They are cans for aroma. I stocked then. 

I just two candy in each one, and presented to my friends.

We spend quiet weekend. Happy holiday!

Good morning 1223

 

Yesterday, though it was very cold, I went to the gym. It was good.  Some members who come to the gym at the same in the same time as me were the last time to come this year.  We exchanged the phrase “have a great holiday”.

In the evening a neighbor came.

Well, today’s our mission is going to dentist in the evening. 

Good morning 1222

 

It is raining. According to the weather report it will stop in a few hours. It is not sure tennis court will be open or not yet. 

Whether I go to the gym is another thing. But raining makes me lazy. 

Yesterday a friend dropped by. She presented flower pots she arranged. Our entrance became really bright.

I baked cinnamon bread for her. 

Good morning 1221

 

Yesterday, the meeting or chatting with  just two members including me  was fun. In the afternoon, I also had another 40 minute chatting. 

How I can expand this’s activity?  Anyway it is important to going on. 

Today’s evening Yuki’s car will change into a new one. The new one is smaller than current car, but it is all right. The new one is close to a Jeep. 

My today’s mission is going to the gym. 

Good morning 1220

 

Yesterday we visited a shrine on a “small hill. For me it was like climbing a mountain. So I spent the rest of the day lazy. ( though I usually spend most of  the afternoon lazy.) additionally I did yoga stretching much longer than usual at night. 

Today I hold a zoom meeting of our picture book club. Anyway this meeting is continued. Now there are two regular members including me. 

Good morning 1219

 

A new week or Christmas week has started. 

For students, it is the last week to go t school this year. 

World Cup game finished. So, Yuki went to sleep agai after breakfast. Anyway he woke up, took out the garbage, had breakfast, and went to his room. 

Today we have no plan, though the last mission of cleaning kitchen is not done yet. 

We might visit a shrine nearby to refresh. 

lunch diary 1218

Monday;　I made three kinds of topping on the rice. Each of us put them as much as we wanted.　I thought there would be cooked some minced meat left, but all of them has gone.

It was a warmer afternoon than we expected, so Yuki changed the tires of the car to winter tires.　He doesn't play on snowy days, so we don't think we'll go out basically. but having winter tires make us relieved.　Anyway he could still replace them by himself. Of course it really helped our household budget.  

Additionally he bought "Happo-shu" which  is a kind of carbonated liquor. It usually looks and tastes like beer.

Tuesday: it was a rather cold day. I made Curry udon-noodle hotpot with lots of green onions. It made warm us up.　On this day, it was my performance day at café Karaku in the afternoon.　This time my friends story telling is all right to be open to the public.  

We are surrounded by Christmas atmosphere when we go to the store.　I am supposed to make  apple tarte tatin at home for our Christmas.

Wednesday; Sorry for the bad photo.　Stir-fried cabbage and beef with sweet soy sauce.　It was all right to change to winter tires, but one of the tires' center cap came off.　Yuki says, "It's an accessory, so it doesn't matter for running." But it bothers me.　However, it's not a new tire, so it seemed to get it so easily... Finally we  found a used one on the net.

Thursday;  I cooked  garland chrysanthemum. This year, the garland chrysanthemums seems to be a bountiful harvest, so thankfully, someone sometimes gives it to us.

In the afternoon, we walked to a new drug store that opened yesterday. Even though it was open yesterday, and in the middle of the day, there was a long line at the register. All items were 10% discount on all items, but at another shop it was the day of 10 times points, so we came back empty-handed. Anyway  this is the 4th drug store near my house. Why?

Friday I steamed mizuna with fish. It was the first time to cook fish for this week.

But, "It doesn't seem to be enough" ... "Meat at night". Yuki said. Well, what shall I cook at night? In the morning, I attended a "haiku meeting". This time, my haiku was also selected. "Keep plugging away　With  two rice  bowls  Christmas" .  We'll Spend Christmas as usual. New year meeting is waiting.

Good morning 1216

 It is not painful today as it was yesterday.  I didn’t go to any clinic. I did yoga longer than usual in the afternoon and at night.  Today I have a Haiku meeting. A weekend comes. YukiKs role of winter cleaning is almost finished. He added ‘scrubbing bathroom h shower his role. Then he bought some new scrubbing kits and detergent. By watching TV , he was really interested them. A kind of detergent was sold out, so he  got it online. “Scrubbing in December is his new hobby” he accepted this phrase. 

Anyway our last mission of winter cleaning is cleaning the  kitchen fan.

I

Good morning 1215

 

My lower-waist hurts. ( not lower-back) .

My regular acupuncturist is off, today. I might go osteopathic clinic to eat massage. 

Anyway it is cold today. 

Next Yuki’s  new car comes. “According to our schedule” our retirement savings was used.(decreased)

Quiet Christmas comes in a week, doesn’t it?

story telling "Christmas gifts" by TAKEHISA YUMEJI at cafe Karaku

Yesterday it was my performance day with my friend at Karaku.

She reads an classic Japanese story. Takehisa Yumeji is a very famous painter and a poetry. He also writes some novels.

Anyway I added subtitle translated in English by me.

And thanks Ms.J --- to allow to use your photos.

troubleshooter 1210

The following advice column might sound nothing special for foreigners whose native language is English. However the column written in English made me very surprised. Because the counselor expresses her love or affection to her husband very frankly and honestly. Probably she might had experienced very hard days before she married. 

-------------------------------------------------

 I want to keep distance from my mother and elder sister

　

My relationship with my mother who is in her 80’s and my elder sister is painful.

I’m in my 50’s. I’ve been nursing my husband for 10 years.

My mother has always been doting on my elder sister only. When it’s convenient for her, she asks a favor or says nasty things about our relatives to me.

 My elder sister lives near my house. When the three of us are together, she always butters her up, when she and I are together, she always says nasty things about my mother. And she always speaks in an authoritative tone to me.

My father passed away in his 50’s from cancer. At that time my mother was busy with her work, so I was in charge of nursing him.

After my father passed away, I lost my place in the house, left home and married my husband. He is a savior, he came to my rescue from my mother’s house. He is really gentle, so I don’t care nursing him.

Now I want to keep distance from my mother and elder sister, but instead give priority to my husband and live with him peacefully.　However my father willed “get along with your sister”. I sometimes feel sorry for my mother. What should I do?

The answer of an advisor who is a writer, is

------------------------

Life is not always calm, we have a tailwind, a head wind, or sometimes storm.

However you are really happy though you are nursing your husband who you love as your savior, aren’t you? You focus on your life and live calmly and quietly. You have done enough because you nursed your father as much as you could 

It is said that children who weren’t given enough love from their mothers tend to not be free because of being hung up on their mothers. You can’t go against your mother or your elder sister. You might be hung up on them.

However parents usually want their children who left their nest to be happy, even though they feel lonely. You believe it. You only tell your mother frankly “Sorry, Mom. Now my priority is my husband. I am nursing him. “

If you bear pain and push yourself too hard, nothing good will happen. It’s a good excuse to say that your priority is your husband. So you should keep distance from people who give you pain. Whatever they say, you hold your freedom of mind, and control your happiness by yourself. 

Good morning 1212

 

A new week has started.

Today we have some errands, so go out. 

Now, we are thinking , even though we have just finished breakfast, what  we will have lunch ‘outside’. 

Or, we might eat ‘takeout’ at home. 

Our usual days are always based on what we eat. 

lunch diary 1211

Monday;  Our eldest daughter came and stayed one night.  I forgot taking the photo of the  lunch picture at  "Gyukaku" which is a grilled meat restaurant." It was really nice service to serve  chocolate and hot green tea at the end. They gave us a relief. Recently, there are many "all-you-can-eat" menus at grilled meat restaurants , so we are grateful that they offer individual lunches at a reasonable price. I would like to keep the price unchanged, what do you think? 

My eldest daughter says that she may not come at end of the year, so we visited a shrine to thank for this year, and ask next year's peace and improvement.

Tuesday; we were supposed to have lunch separately, but each schedule changed so we got together. She wanted to eat heavily , so we went to a A long-established restaurant. The still offer at 880 yen for lunch. It is very  is attractive.

I asked "My rice was "just a little". " Although it is not in the picture, she had a horse mackerel set meal with soba. My husband had curry rice with "kakiage" deep-fried mixed vegetables soba.

After eating well, she  returned to Tokyo, saying, "I don't want to have dinner today." My husband had usual dinner.

Wednesday ; Our usual days came back. It's my specialty:  lettuce fried rice. At this time of year, I don't like fresh cold lettuce in salads. lettuce? No, this is a "Sancyu". When we have grilled meat, we eat meat wrapped with it.

A lot of apples also arrived, and I made an apple candle with the pointed leaves like fir leaves.

Thursday I cooked the famous "Fukaya green onion'' I used it up and served  as a bowl of green onion. I didn't know that "Fukaya green onion" itself became a season word for haiku. Because it is famous and expensive. Thanks to my friend who sent it.

On this day, I finally resumed walking exercise. I hope the warm days continue.

Friday, The lunch looks like the same of the yesterday's. But I used burdock. I also had green onions again.

I cooked a lot of  whole yuzu which were simmered with honey,  and they were  so good that I made them again for the second time.

I made a lot of beef, green onion, and burdock stew, so I thought  we had  enough for dinner. But Yuki said " I wanted something else"  so we went to "Matsunoya", which opened nearby recently and took out a piece of cutlet for "his" dinner.

an article of "Ms. Mieko's home library

 My project "Ms. Mieko's home library" was introduced on an article.

So I tried to translate it in English.

Ms. Mieko’s home library

A new “MIN TOSYO” private library has opened in Utsunomiya. 

The main collection of “Ms. Mieko’s home library” is English picture books.

Though she runs her English school, it will close next year. She was thinking about how to make her English picture book collection useful after she closes her school. She found the group of “MIN TOSYO”, and joined the group. Now Ms. H is a director of her library. (Well, she has a staff, who is her husband who retired recently.) 

About thirty years ago, she opened a piano school at home. Then her family joined a voluntary group and started to accept international students, then she also started her English school.

At that time foreign countries’ culture or events like Halloween, Easter and so on were not so popular. So she started to collect English picture books to introduce such culture or events easily with fun,

She also got the picture books which were translated in Japanese. She says it is really interesting how they are translated in Japanese. 

She says “I would like others to enjoy these books with ease and fun.” with a good smile. Now she is organizing her private library project little by little.

Some of her books are already out of print. Listening to her explanation of these books, feeling her affection for these books, and talking with her were very wonderful and very precious time for me. 

Ms. H also does voluntary reading of English picture books at Utsunomiya East library, though for a while it was stopped because of this coronavirus pandemic.

---------------------------

In Utsunomiya there is an official private library. "Official" means there library is registered on the list of MINTOSYO. My library isn't registered.

At the private library, they introduce some of my books.

Good morning 1208

 

It is sunny again. 

I will do exercise as much as I did yesrerday.

Yesterday, I did “too much” exercise. Going to the Gym in the morning and in the afternoon I did walking for longer distance than I thought. But it was over 6000 steps. 

The exercise seemed to be too much for me. The rest of the day I didn’t want to do anything. 

On the other hand I realized that my less physical power. This coldness is one reason. 

Anyway I have to train my self physically. 

Well, I wrote what I thought —- I don’t know what I will be a lie to do today. 

Good morning 1207

 

Usual days of two of us have started. Yuki has already left to play golf. Got these two days it was very cold. Today it seems to be sunny and warmer than yesterday. Lucky him!

I am going to go to the gym. 

Good morning 1206

 

A few minutes ago, my elder daughter left here. We had breakfast together. Yuki is still sleeping, because he was watching the soccer game for the midnight. Unfortunately Japan couldn’t win. 

Probably she won’t come this new year vacation. So we went to a shrine to say thank of this year, and pray for the next year yesterday. Though it was raining we had a good drive. Of course the driver was Yuki. 

Good morning 1205

 

A new week has started. It seems to be colder than yesterday. Yesterday I made this star-cereal bar and have a friend.

Today my elder daughter comes to update her driver’s license. So Yuki stays home without play tennis. We are going to eat out something outside. 

lunch diary 1203

Monday; It's a crabmeat omelet. But it's not real crabmeat. It's imitation crab called "Kanikam" . My husband saw "Kanikama Best 10" on TV and went to buy the imitation crab, but we couldn't find them.

In the afternoon, we went to my friend who has large field, and got some vegetables. How do I cook them?

Tuesday; Misuji ( top blade) steak.  We could get them on sale at a supermarket. But enough. I sautéed leaves of radish quickly. The green color shines as garnish. I haven't used the carrots my friend gave yet. Anyway I froze the fresh leaves. I hear that it will be flakey naturally and a substitute for parsley.

Wednesday; The expiration date of preserved rice is coming soon. This week, we are going to eat up them all. 

A lot of persimmons have suddenly arrived, and I tried to used them up cooking for  jam, dried persimmons, and so on.

Thursday; We got lot of Shungiku, garland chrysanthemum. I cooked them lavishly.

I also had a lot of cinnamon, so  in the afternoon I baked cinnamon bread with HB. It smelled good in our house. Well, some people are not good at it.

Friday; This is Tasai. My image is that Tasai suits to beef. I bought some beef. In the old days, we think that it was only served at Chinese restaurants. We are happy that we can enjoy various things now.

Good morning 1202

 

Japan won. Yuki got up early to watch the live game. I was not going to do it. But —- I am sleepy now.

Yuki said “ I got up very early naturally, it was miracle, so this miracle brought victory to Japan”. I think a lot of Japanese people said the same thing.

I baked cinnamon bread with HB. Today’s breakfast is fruit, fruit, and fruit. 

Apple, persimmon jam, and yuzu citron &carrto jam.

P.S about yesterday's peanuts article, my friend shared this site. Thanks.

Good morning 1201

 

December has come. 

Though probably we will spend our days as usual, we feel busy. 

We share roasted peanuts to our friends. Here in Japan (or Utsunomiua) it is not so easy to get uncooked peanuts. And I think fresh roasted peanuts are tasty. Actually our friends seemed to be happy.

Well, we hear “be careful! If you eat too much peanuts, you have a nosebleed!”

Have you heard of it?

P.S my friend shared this site. Thanks.