Tenugui (Japanese-style hand towels)

Tenugui (Japanese-style hand towels) are thin cloths made from cotton that is usually
30 ~ 35cm wide and 90 ~ 120cm long, they are not sewn at the bottom and are thinner than towels, so they dry quickly.
Since tenugui are very breathable and absorbent, they are ideal for the humid climate of Japan. It became wide spread in the Edo period, but even today, various designs are created featuring seasons and everyday items.

I always use them, I tie a tenugui around my head when I work at a kitchen, or I use for kitchen clothes and hand towels.

Today, I made my original Tenugui.
I designed and dyed by myself.  
I used soy milk for design, and Hibiscus tea for dyeing.

You can't really see the design it colored pale brown, but teacher (right on the pic) said that as time passes, it comes out more.
Hibiscus tea took a dye beautiful pink.
I am quite happy that I made one-of-a-kind thing !

SAKURA2012

 a long row of cherry blossom trees in Kamakura

SAKURA under the full moon

the park in the neighborhood

Cherry blossom is SAKURA in Japanese.
The meaning of this word seems to come from the word "Sakura", which bloom in a showy fashion and then very quickly vanish.


Enjoying ''Ohanami'' (Sakura-viewing party) with friends, enjoying seeing Sakura quietly alone in the night time.... many people enjoy Sakura in different way in different places everywhere in Japan. 

We had a long winter this year. This spring came really slowly, we slowly enjoy feel the changing seasons, the warm sun and the fresh air !! yay !! I finally feel spring !!!

3.11

3.11 Each has individual thoughts inside.

It has still continued.
we still have many questions no answered. 
People's anxiety, sorrow, cannot be healed yet.

I joined a memorial service at the Hibiya park (one of a big park in Tokyo) at 14:46 .
I had a moment of silence with 30000 people in the park.
I felt tears welling up with remembering Ishinomaki, a disaster area I went to volunteer, lots other mixed feelings from past one year...

On the TV, They are showing the Tsunami scene on and on as 1st anniversary from the earthquake. but I don't know Tohoku people want to remember what happened that day.
We won't forget the day but that's for our future.

Think myself 
Think my life, and the way to live
Think this country
Think the world

Last year, although it's not answered,  
Everyone has considered our lives.
People who can express their feelings, they are in action.
People who can learn, they are learning.

Each of us are doing what we can.
And living in the present. 

Have a sense of gratitude for 
Things we think it's nothing special,
People we think they are always there.
Then we need to move forward. 


And I want to thank you for my people who's always with me and
people who live far away but always think of me and Japan.
They all encouraged me, and some made donations then sent us.
ARIGATOU people !!!
 

On the way to home, I stopped by the Issiki beach.
The sunlight shining on so strong 3.11.2012.
HOPEs up  !!

Here is a link of my brog from a year ago... I won't forget what I felt at the time.
http://englishgogoerie.blogspot.com/2011/03/lets-keep-our-hopes-up.html

Cloudy Sunday

Cloudy Sunday. 

Taking a Walk along the beaches in Hayama. 

I sat down on the beach, had a little snack time. 

I got a special Hayama cookie, It's so special so I ate just a half of it. 

I took my time to enjoy the taste. 

It was so good, so I was going to eat another half.

when I was about to eat with expectation.

 The another half was disappeared in an instant. 

 It was a kite.

It took me little while to realize that was a kite.

We must be careful when we eat something on the beach.....right !? 

I totally forgot about that.

well, anyway,

He stole the another half of my cookie without even a scratch on my hands !!

  The kite is genius !

Cloudy Sunday,

I was feeling a bit sad that day, but the kite made my day ! 

I just couldn't stop laughing by myself on the beach :D

I hope the weather gets warmer soon.....

I long for Spring !!

January

January always give us a fresh new beginning 

bring us a breath of fresh air

 and new lights.

Catch the new waves.

Life is a journey !

Enjoy your journey 2012 !!

The first star

Changing from a blue sky in the daytime to an evening and then starry sky at night.
I found the first star in the evening.
It was just a tiny dot but tender light.

It's a starry winter night. 

morning moon

One morning, few days after total eclipse of the moon, There was the beautiful moon in the morning.

A friend told me a story of the day of total eclipse.

When he got out a station, all the people are looking up the sky and watching at the moon.
He said ''think about it, all the people in Japan, We were looking at the same thing at the moment. this year was really tough for all of us, but it's going to be alright. I felt like that.''

His thoughts made me feel so peaceful.
and yeah ! Although, we Japanese are such a busy people in this world, unless we don't lose the time looking up the sky and we don't lose the heart that we think beautiful when we see something beautiful, I think we can make a difference even things our eyes can't see.

sunset view

It was beautiful sunset view at Zushi beach yesterday.

through wisps of cloud...

mountain climbing

There is a mountain Sengenyama behind where I live. 

It's an hour and a half hiking trek.
Autumn leaves are not ready yet but it was perfect day for the hike.
So, I went up by myself.

Squirrels were everywhere, welcomed me.
Walked through this way and that way, up and down.....

I felt so refreshed when I got to the top of the mountain.
At the top is a beautiful view of Hayama.
You will see Enoshima on the right. 
It was cloudy, but I heard that on clear day, we can see gorgeous Mt.Fuji from here.

from the mountaintop

As going down the mountain, only like 15 mins, I got to Morito beach which I looked from the top.
Surrounded by the sea and mountains, Hayama, again I realized that it's a nice place !

Morito beach

a cloud and a sunset.

a Heart ?

a Wing ?
It looked beautiful. 

golden sunset at Isshiki beach

footprints

Beautiful day !!

A beach cafe ''BAREFOOT ESPRESSO R134''' has just opened at Zushi beach on last Friday.
Our friend Teruri is working there so I visited her and had a cup of Cappuccino.
They let me signed our footprint on a new outside wall of the store !
This is mine.

 
After, I left my mark, took a long beach walk from Zushi to Hayama.
Strong sunshine ! I was wearing short sleeves and flip-flop in this November. Awesome :) 
What a good day !!
Enjoy in autumnal sunshine !!

Isshiki

a gourmet friend

My friend Yuki returned to Japan temporarily from Australia. We were working together at the Japanese restaurant when I was in Sydney.

We love eating and drinking, and we have the same taste in food and drink. so we often went out and tried to find nice places to eat and drink.


When even she was in Japan, I didn't feel anything changes from when we were in Sydney. We were doing the same thing in here, looking for nice food and drinks ! and drinking beer in the daytime ! haha- ! Kanpai with Sapporo five Star beer and Chorizo from Chozumeya, Kamakura. 

We went to a pizza restaurant ''dada'', which recently one of my favorites.
It reminds me the pizza I ate one Italy.

Margherita

Quatro formaggi

Italian Pizza and Beer ! Good time !!
She went back to Gold Coast Australia couple weeks ago.
I am sure we will get together and enjoy new food and drinks another time again !  

coming of Autumn

Yesterday, I took a walk to the beach...

After the Summer, The beach became so quiet, I hear the sound of waves only.
Clear Autumn sky, cooler wind and beautiful wave music bring me fresh air. 　

As the days become shorter, I realized Summer is definitely over...
Autumn has come....

delicious life

The Japanese hambaagu (hamburger patty)  


The Japanese hambaagu is minced meat mixed with other ingredients, including onions, bread crumbs and eggs, patted and cooked so it is fluffy and juicy.

The other day, my friends and I cooked the hambaagu, it was soooooooooooooo good !


We made it a lot, so next morning, my friend made a hambaagu sandwich with abocado and tomato inside !
that was awesome !
We had it with banana and blueberry smoothie which is my current  favorite breakfast menu ：）

This would definitely be among three of greatest breakfast 2011. 






Spinach paste

I bought a spinach but it was getting bad, so I used for paste, with garlic and olive oil.
I put too much garlic.... but looked ok.
so I made some Bruschetta with the paste and cheese on top. 

and few days after, i cooked pasta with the paste.
it looked like Pesto.
well, next time I will make Pesto sauce.... because my basil in a fridge is also getting bad.... :(  
mmmm...... want to have a food processor !!

Enjoy delicious life !!

Ringo and Yuzu

 hambaagu chefs !! They are awesome chefs ! we should open a cafe together !!

full moon (満月MANGETSU)

Last night, the full moon lighted up the clear night sky.
It was really bright, even lighted my room.

At one time, The farmers who worked late, prayed to the moon for an abundant harvest in Japan.
so even now, many Japanese still enjoy the full moon and offer it dumplings and Japanese pampas grass.
but I didn't prepare those, so I offer it my wine, and made a toast !!
KANPAI (cheers) to the moon !!   
 

Sea and Sky 2011 Summer

Beach house BLUE MOON at Isshiki Hayama.
My Summer 2011, 
I spent most of the time in here.　
I enjoyed working and being by the blue sea spreading out before my eyes and the blue sky above every different day and time... it brings me refreshing breeze into my mind. 
Life is great.....


It's been 1 year since I came back in Japan and start living in Hayama.
I love this place.

here, up some pictures which the sceneries I met in this Summer...




Morning

Last day of Blue moon.

clear sky !

There is a beautiful moment even a cloudy day.

Sunset

pink-colored sky

 

0828　the end of Summer

Walking from Isshiki to Morito, We can see Enoshima beyond.

  The sun setting over the edge of holizon....

Night

in the moon light

I am still basking in the afterglow of this Summer....