Thursday, July 31, 2014

Hydrangea and gypsophil

 P7221413.JPGWe have many kind of flowers in our garden. Just cut some hydrangeas and gypsophils to put in a pot at the front. We like to have this kind of blue and white arrangement in summer to provide cool atmosphere. Hydrangea is a shrub,gypsophil is a perennial plant. We thought they were easy to have but reality always goes different! They also need our attention, we need to cut their branches when they grow a lot, we need to get rid of weeds around their bottom. Much harder than expected. Maybe one year plants could be easier to have because we just need to put them into flower beds and pull them out when they die! Neighbours' glasses always look greener :)   Hayaokidori webiste

Friday, July 25, 2014

Hakuba EX adventure

P7121403.JPGWe tried to be a host family for 4 American high school boys the other day. They are around 14 years old saying their parents are younger than I!. That gave me a slight shock :) We got a chance to experience Hakuba EX adventure. I just escaped because I don't like to get higher than ground. But anyway it's awesome being young. They yell a lot while they go ahead. It seldom happens when one gets old like me! We old people often complain our hands hurt, our knees hurt etc. It reminded me of my younger days when I was with them. Thanks staying with us, boys!
Hakuba EX adventure
Hayaokidori website

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Round shape egg plants

NEC_0477.JPGLong time no see!I hope everyone is alright. I got a couple of egg plant today. They are called "maru-nasu" (round shaped egg plants). Usual stuff here in Nagano prefecture. I am originally from Osaka where smaller round shaped egg plants that are called Kyo-nasu are available. Maru-nasu is a lot bigger than Kyo-nasu. Marunasu is a bit harder for your teeth than long shaped egg plants. One of regional food Oyaki has this flavor and personally I like to steam this round shaped egg plants to have some with mastard soy sause. But guess probably not good for mahbonasu, too hard for it. Hayaokidori website