この帰国中めずらしいことがあったので、お披露目させていただきます。 A something unusual thing happened, during our return home to Japan.
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At the house of my mother-in-law (Bruno's mother). One late afternoon... when I came to the kitchen to help mother for dinner prep., I saw Bruno there! He is a type of old Japanese man (who doesn't enter the kitchen = never cooking), he usually doesn't come to the kitchen other than taking beer bottles from the fridge. Mother said that we were going to have Hoya for dinner... so, he might help for the preparation because it's his special favorite?!?!
He stands in the kitchen with his mum! It was the first time I saw that scene, in our married life of 25 years, I believe. Suddenly I went get my camera from the other room, to take photos of this rare event.
Through to the lens of the camera, I've watched the scene over there of mother and son for a while... Then, I forgot taking the photo of Hoya! Their appearance before processing was so unique.
カメラのレンズを覗きながら、 その向こうの親子の様子に しばらく見入ってしまいました。
あ、処理前のホヤの画像 撮り忘れた！ あの素敵な姿をＵＰしたかったけど。
Hoya is known as marine products specially in Miyagi prefecture. It is called "pineapple of the sea" because of its unique appearance. I felt that it was weird when I saw the figure for the first time, though. It was just in season and fresh ones were there in the market. Because the freshness is easy to lose, it's hardly to be found in other prefectures.
＜Preparation process＞ Cut off two tentacles?（the part which stuck out) first, make a cut to outer shell, take the inside part out, remove some black/brown bits carefully. Apply salt all around, then rinse it under the running water. 二つのツノを切り落とし、殻に切り込みを入れて中身を取り出し、黒っぽいもの （内臓かな～？）を除いてから塩でもみ洗い。 Cut it into small pieces, sprinkle a little-some vinegar over, then add sugar and salt for the marinade. 流水できれいにしてから、食べやすい大きさに切り、酢で〆てから、砂糖・塩少々 で味付け。 こんな順番でしたっけ？
After marinated, they added chopped fresh Wakame (sea vegetable) in, which made the looks nice with the color contrast and also the texture beautiful. Completed! "Hoya-zu" (Vinaigrette marinade of Hoya)
アンザック（ANZAC）は、Australia & New Zealand Army Corps の略で、毎年4月25日は、第一次世界大戦中、連合国軍として参戦し遠征したトルコのガリポリで戦った オーストラリア＆ニュージーランド連合軍（ANZAC）の兵士と、国のために尽力した人々のために追悼を行う日とされています。 激戦地での戦いで多くの兵士が亡くなり、人口の少ないニュージーランドでは、大きな損失だったとのことです。 ガリポリ半島にANZAC軍が上陸した日（1915年4月25日）に由来して、この日を記念日と制定されました。 今では第一次大戦だけでなく、全ての戦いに参加した人々のための追悼の日となっています。
早朝、Dawn service （夜明けの式典）が行われます。 夜明けと共にガリポリでの奇襲上陸作戦が始まったからということで、各地で夜明けに 行われます。 日の出が遅くなっている南半球のこのあたりでは、午前7時から。 まだ暗い中、バグパイプの神聖な音が、レイクフロントに集まった人々を静かに誘導し、 式典が始まりました。 日の出に合わせて黙祷。
Long-awaited chocolate was delivered! 待ちに待ったチョコレートができた！
Chocolatier, Tanja's new project was started last year, which was the chocolate combined with special flavours inspired by Japan. She looked for suitable kind of SAKE adapting to the chocolate, found YUZU (Japanese citron) producer in the North Island and got the fresh fruits, then finally completed the project the other day. I really looked forward to it by having participated in her project.
What, actually, I helped were: asking the opinion of Japanese SAKE specialist about the kind of sake to use, checking Japanese chocolate market, and this package design.
A character of "和" (WA) パッケージには大好きな一文字を。 The meaning is..... Japanese style, harmony, softening, and easing up.
さすが半紙はかすれ が綺麗に出るなぁ 半紙に印刷できたら いいだろうなぁ
Writing on Japanese calligraphy paper, it looks neat!
Though it actually became the material which is similar to the tracing paper, the texture is very cool and looks Japanese sweet gift quality. 結局はトレーシングペーパーのような紙になった けど、この質感もなかなかクールで良い感じ！
The flavor was written in both English and Japanese.
フレーバーは日本語と英語の両方で表記。
「あなたの名前の刻印を入れたら？」 という彼女の意見に、 そうさせていただいちゃいました！
As her suggestion, I put the carved seal of my name beside.
Each piece is truffle type having full-bodied deep taste. Adding the flavour of Japanese ingredients which were selected carefully made those have unique combination. The each flavour spreads in a mouth and melts with chocolate... Really delicious!
The image of Japan that Tanja has is expressed in this chocolate, I believe. It can be nice gift or souvenir from Wanaka. Though the price planned as $28/package, it became $20 as special limited products. For more details, inquiry, and purchase, please contact to: THE CHOCOLATE WORKSHOP
Daruma is a traditional handmade Japanese wishing doll (or charmingly referred to as a "GOAL DOLL") that keeps us focused on achieving our goals! It is a centuries-old tradition from Japan that is positive, motivational, and fun (and it works) !!
Here are the FIVE simple steps to using a Daruma doll: 1) Decide on a specific goal we are determind to achieve. 2) Draw one of Daruma's blank eyes. 3) Place Daruma somewhere visible so that while he focuses on our goal. 4) Once we've achieved our goal, draw in Daruma's other eye to say "Thank you!". 5) Yay!! Write the goal we achieved on the back of our Daruma!
I decided to do on Daruma yesterday of my birthday.
Preparing of "Sumi" ink and a writing brush, I drew an eye on him to infuse a spirit into him. Then keep him sitting on a shelf where I can see him (he can see me) always.
My wish is a big project, and it seems to take more than 2 years even if the wish came true. So it will be at least 2 years later that the both eyes are contained to him. Really hoping he is all right such a long period with only one eye.
An introduction of my dogs this time. 今回は、我が家の犬たちのご紹介 ***************************************************************************************** BJ （ビージェイ）： Boy Born in Oct. 2007 (2007年10月生まれ) English Pointer (犬種：イングリッシュ･ポインター） Firm body with good muscle / Excellent reflexes / Good eyesight （as he is a hunting dog) 筋肉質で痩せ型・運動神経抜群・目が良い（ハンティング･ドッグだしね） 生後7週目で飛行機に乗って北島から我が家にやってきました。 3ヶ月くらいまで家の中で大事に大事に育てられ、手のひらサイズだったのが、みるみる大きくなってキッチン･ベンチの上の食べ物に届くくらいに成長したので外犬に。 しつけが大変で手がかかりましたが、最近やっと大人な性格に。 おぼっちゃん育ちのためか、気ままで自己顕示欲が強い。
***************************************************************************************** ALANTA (アランタ）： Girl Born in May 2006 (2006年5月生まれ) Huntaway (犬種：ハンターウェイ) Obedient / Gentle / Move slowly but eat quickly / Poor eyesight (she needs eyedrop everyday for her cataract) 従順・控え目･動きはドンクサイが食欲旺盛・目が悪い（白内障で目薬が欠かせません） もともとはファーム･ドッグ、諸事情により羊を怖がり働けなくなった頃、我が家にペット犬として迎えられました。 ファームの厳しい環境で育ったので、しつけは十分に行き届いていて従順。 ライバル犬たちとの競争の中で生活してたので超早食い。 何でも丸呑み。 人の多いところが苦手で、町中では人が怖くて散歩できない。
***************************************************************************************** The lake shore, so beautiful ! It's our walking course everyday. 毎日の散歩コース、夏の湖畔はこんなに気持ちいいのです！
Alanta アランタ BJ ビージェイ
BJ swam to the offing soon. He is good at the long-distance swim, too.
********************************************************************************************* Care of dogs, it's basically Renon(my daughter)'s work. 犬たちの世話は、基本的には娘のレノンの仕事。
On the toothbrushing day: この日は歯磨き：
Open your mouth, BJ
はい、口あけて～・・・
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” Is it my turn next...? ” Alanta was watching, it seemed to be uneasy.
「次は私の番？」 不安げに見ているアランタ
Ok, the other side...BJ
反対側も磨こうとしたら・・・
What?! You ate it!
あれえ、食べちゃった！
We read the packet well...then, found that it should be fed to him as it was. (not a tooth brush !) We were wrong!
昨年、ワナカでショコラティエとして活躍中
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