Sunday, February 12, 2012
Sapporo Snow Festival
Last weekend, Mike and I headed up to Sapporo for the annual snow festival or as they say it "yuki matsuri" (literal translation). The Riess family hopped on over from Korea to join Us and what a fun time we had. It was super cold on some days, but then tolerable on other days.
We went the weekend before it started so that we could see some of the sculptures being built. Turns out all the massive ones were already built, but we still got to see them making smaller ones. Here's some cool pictures of the process.
There were clearly 100+ sculptures made of either ice or snow in all three of the areas. The main festival site was 12 blocks of sculptures, food stalls, slides, and of course attractions! During the weekend, we all checked out the main festival park, found bars to warm up in, and headed over to the Sapporo Beer Museum. Here is our group shot
The festival officially opened on Monday, so we headed back out see everything. It was really cool. Here are some of our favorites:
In the evening we headed back to see the different light displays and different they looked at night. On Tuesday, we headed over to the Tsudome area, which is where all the cool snow activities were. Here we are on the tube slide
Amanda
Mike
As you can see, it was extremely cold with all the snow, so we headed inside for lunch and some warmth... What says warm better than ramen, beer, and churros
We headed back to Tokyo on Tuesday evening and were ready to get back to warmer weather. We had such an amazing time and were so happy the Riess family came to join us. As for more pictures, well, we do have plenty more and if you have some time, check out the next post for the link. Skim through to see the sculptures because they are amazing!!!
Another check off on the Japan list before we leave.
We went the weekend before it started so that we could see some of the sculptures being built. Turns out all the massive ones were already built, but we still got to see them making smaller ones. Here's some cool pictures of the process.
There were clearly 100+ sculptures made of either ice or snow in all three of the areas. The main festival site was 12 blocks of sculptures, food stalls, slides, and of course attractions! During the weekend, we all checked out the main festival park, found bars to warm up in, and headed over to the Sapporo Beer Museum. Here is our group shot
The festival officially opened on Monday, so we headed back out see everything. It was really cool. Here are some of our favorites:
In the evening we headed back to see the different light displays and different they looked at night. On Tuesday, we headed over to the Tsudome area, which is where all the cool snow activities were. Here we are on the tube slide
Amanda
As you can see, it was extremely cold with all the snow, so we headed inside for lunch and some warmth... What says warm better than ramen, beer, and churros
We headed back to Tokyo on Tuesday evening and were ready to get back to warmer weather. We had such an amazing time and were so happy the Riess family came to join us. As for more pictures, well, we do have plenty more and if you have some time, check out the next post for the link. Skim through to see the sculptures because they are amazing!!!
Another check off on the Japan list before we leave.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Coffee Cup Warmers
perfect for my Starbucks addiction, which only started after I moved to Tokyo. If you ever need to find the ex-pats in the morning, just pass by any Starbucks and you'll see them all.
I found this great online pattern and decided I needed to try it as I have a big project coming up and need to make those sewing lines straight. It was super easy, some fabric, batting, and ironing board cover to help with insulation. here is the first warmer I made and I love that its reversible...The owner of it is now my good friend Jennifer
Works even better for those tall or grande cups. This pattern is on back of the one above. And the daisy fabric from below is on this one, which I am using almost everyday. It really is funny to see the Japanese barista's reaction when I use it!
Made this one for my friend Allison, who loves Starbucks just as much as I do! Good thing I'm seeing her this weekend to hand it over
And because you all know I don't like pink all that much, but do love this color combo, I had to make another one in different colors! Purpler/white dots
So everyone who's seen me with it, absolutely love it and think its a great idea. They even commented that they would pay me for them...Hmmmm, I could make some money.
Anywho, love them and will be making more so I could switch out whenever I want!
I found this great online pattern and decided I needed to try it as I have a big project coming up and need to make those sewing lines straight. It was super easy, some fabric, batting, and ironing board cover to help with insulation. here is the first warmer I made and I love that its reversible...The owner of it is now my good friend Jennifer
Works even better for those tall or grande cups. This pattern is on back of the one above. And the daisy fabric from below is on this one, which I am using almost everyday. It really is funny to see the Japanese barista's reaction when I use it!
Made this one for my friend Allison, who loves Starbucks just as much as I do! Good thing I'm seeing her this weekend to hand it over
And because you all know I don't like pink all that much, but do love this color combo, I had to make another one in different colors! Purpler/white dots
So everyone who's seen me with it, absolutely love it and think its a great idea. They even commented that they would pay me for them...Hmmmm, I could make some money.
Anywho, love them and will be making more so I could switch out whenever I want!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Breakfast Pita
The title says it all and no real explanation is needed
Eggs
various add ins
pita pocket
Cook, fill, and eat
We used 1 slice of cooked bacon, red & green peppers, and onions. Tasty, quick and delicious. Obviously, the side should have been some fruit, but we had quite a few oranges last night and I wanted some potatoes!
I recommend trying this...
Eggs
various add ins
pita pocket
Cook, fill, and eat
We used 1 slice of cooked bacon, red & green peppers, and onions. Tasty, quick and delicious. Obviously, the side should have been some fruit, but we had quite a few oranges last night and I wanted some potatoes!
I recommend trying this...
Gingered Pork with Couscous & Oranges
Look at us being good with those resolutions. Didn't I tell you we were going to keep to the eating healthy and working out unlike others!
Absolutely love the cookbook I got, so we decided to try another recipe.
It was simple, easy, and quick. Gingered Pork with Couscous and oranges. The recipe actually calls for the pork to be on skewers, but we didn't have any and to find them is a hassle. It also calls for grilling them on an actual grill as opposed to the gridle. But hey, we all know that when cooking, substitutions can be made.
Here's the pork and oranges getting those grill marks. And yes, they are on the same gridle, but I kept them completely separate and used different utensils for each
Here's the marinade you put on it right before everything is done. Fresh grated ginger, orange juice, honey. Very tasty
And of course, the final product. I think it would have looked nicer with the skewers, but whatever. And for those of you who are saying, wine isn't healthy...I say who cares, we weren't going to give up everything, because that just isn't us.
Everything was actually tasty and the couscous had some fresh grated orange peel in it, which had an extra flavor. The oranges were a nice compliment to the mains and just what you wanted. Will definitely be making this again!
Absolutely love the cookbook I got, so we decided to try another recipe.
It was simple, easy, and quick. Gingered Pork with Couscous and oranges. The recipe actually calls for the pork to be on skewers, but we didn't have any and to find them is a hassle. It also calls for grilling them on an actual grill as opposed to the gridle. But hey, we all know that when cooking, substitutions can be made.
Here's the pork and oranges getting those grill marks. And yes, they are on the same gridle, but I kept them completely separate and used different utensils for each
Here's the marinade you put on it right before everything is done. Fresh grated ginger, orange juice, honey. Very tasty
And of course, the final product. I think it would have looked nicer with the skewers, but whatever. And for those of you who are saying, wine isn't healthy...I say who cares, we weren't going to give up everything, because that just isn't us.
Everything was actually tasty and the couscous had some fresh grated orange peel in it, which had an extra flavor. The oranges were a nice compliment to the mains and just what you wanted. Will definitely be making this again!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Bonsai
Keeping to my resolutions already....
So the first luncheon of year was this past Wednesday (remember, I'm in charge of that and have to be nice to lots of women when they make me mad!). The speaker was a bonsai master. I was skeptical about the whole thing, but it turned out to be a really great program.
The bonsai master, Mr. Kobayashi, not only talked about bonsai, but did a live demonstration for us. It was really cool to see it change so drastically in so little time. Anywho, I also learnded some stuff about bonsai.
So first the facts and then the pictures
Bonsai is super, super old, but we all knew that. There are apparently 20 different kinds of designs you can choose from, each one highlighting something special. There are also 3, only 3, types of pots to plant them in, and their is a hierarchy of pot, as the square one is the best! Once a tree is trimmed, it does not need to be trimmed again for 3 years, imagine that. You just let it sit there and grow. One cool thing, was how they make the branches grow out to the side. Apparently you can cut out the inside of the bark, making it hollow and then breaking the branch to whichever side you like. Next you tape and wait for it to grow back and get healhty. Sounds simple right, but definitely looks like it hurts.
Ok, enough knowlege, here is the demonstration
Getting started
cutting away
some more working...so bare
The finished product...this style is Mr. Kobayashi's favorite, upright with little leaves. He didn't explain why its his favorite, so don't ask.
And just to show us a great bonsai, he brought along this guy, a 500yr old bonsai (not sure if I believe it, but who am I)
Definitely an interesting luncheon and better than I thought it would be. Bonsai can now be checked off my list of things to see/learn.
So the first luncheon of year was this past Wednesday (remember, I'm in charge of that and have to be nice to lots of women when they make me mad!). The speaker was a bonsai master. I was skeptical about the whole thing, but it turned out to be a really great program.
The bonsai master, Mr. Kobayashi, not only talked about bonsai, but did a live demonstration for us. It was really cool to see it change so drastically in so little time. Anywho, I also learnded some stuff about bonsai.
So first the facts and then the pictures
Bonsai is super, super old, but we all knew that. There are apparently 20 different kinds of designs you can choose from, each one highlighting something special. There are also 3, only 3, types of pots to plant them in, and their is a hierarchy of pot, as the square one is the best! Once a tree is trimmed, it does not need to be trimmed again for 3 years, imagine that. You just let it sit there and grow. One cool thing, was how they make the branches grow out to the side. Apparently you can cut out the inside of the bark, making it hollow and then breaking the branch to whichever side you like. Next you tape and wait for it to grow back and get healhty. Sounds simple right, but definitely looks like it hurts.
Ok, enough knowlege, here is the demonstration
Getting started
cutting away
some more working...so bare
The finished product...this style is Mr. Kobayashi's favorite, upright with little leaves. He didn't explain why its his favorite, so don't ask.
And just to show us a great bonsai, he brought along this guy, a 500yr old bonsai (not sure if I believe it, but who am I)
Definitely an interesting luncheon and better than I thought it would be. Bonsai can now be checked off my list of things to see/learn.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
HAPPY NEW YEAR
And happy year of the Dragon...Let's hope it is a fiery and fabulous year for everyone!
Mike and I are back in Tokyo and ready to enjoy most of the year here before our move. Keep checking back to read about our adventures before its time to go
So resolutions...we should all make them right? Well, we have the usual ones that most people have:
- eat healthier
- exercise more/get in shape
except we have actually kept to them for more than a week! I got a great, healthy cookbook for Christmas and have been using it regularly
We each have our own personal resolutions, so let's hope we keep to those as well. One of mine is to blog more regularly and not like once a month or once every 2 months b/c then you are bombarded with 10 posts to read, if you actual read them.
So one thing, not so much a resolution, I am going to stick to is enjoying our time here in Tokyo and making the most of it.
Wishing you all joy, health, love, and happiness in this new year.
Mike and I are back in Tokyo and ready to enjoy most of the year here before our move. Keep checking back to read about our adventures before its time to go
So resolutions...we should all make them right? Well, we have the usual ones that most people have:
- eat healthier
- exercise more/get in shape
except we have actually kept to them for more than a week! I got a great, healthy cookbook for Christmas and have been using it regularly
We each have our own personal resolutions, so let's hope we keep to those as well. One of mine is to blog more regularly and not like once a month or once every 2 months b/c then you are bombarded with 10 posts to read, if you actual read them.
So one thing, not so much a resolution, I am going to stick to is enjoying our time here in Tokyo and making the most of it.
Wishing you all joy, health, love, and happiness in this new year.
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