Category: Cooking

Posted in Art, Cooking, Family, Feelings, Food, Friends, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Mt. Fuji, Shrine and Temple, Tokyo, Work

Akemashiteomedetogozaimasu (A Happy New Year)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I worked till 31 December 2019 on New Year’s Eve.

It was so quiet in Ginza.

I could be only one working in my office building.

Even Japanese government office close from 28 December – 3 January to celebrate New Year.

My boss called and allowed me to leave earlier; I left happily at 2:45 pm.

I was feeling sentimental looking at last sunset of 2019.

I went to pick up my niece.

The road was clear so there was no traffic.

I wanted to surprise her so I decorated her room with balloons while she was taking a bath.

I succeeded it!

She was so excited!

I also took a bath to welcome new year freshly.

We ate soba (buckwheat noodle) for tradition, wishing for a long life like soba.

It turned midnight…we greeted Akemashite omedetogozaimasu and A Happy New Year then popped a party cracker!

We all got excited for a while and went to bed at 1:30 am.

I woke up lazily on Gantan (New Year Day).

Most of shops and restaurants closed today.

We ate Osechi (New Year Dishes) for brunch.

Each dish has a meaning.

For example, Kurikintoki which is made by sweet potato and its colour in gold means wishing to have gold (richness), etc, etc.

And Ozoni (chicken, vegetables and mochi/rice cake in soup)

After brunch, we paid a visit to our family shrine, Tenso Jinja (Tenso Shrine) for New Year prayer.

I wrote my wish on Ema (Wish Designed Board) and I used this picture for my New Year Greeting eCard.

We had a break after returned from the shrine.

Niece and I made Monaka.

We fill Anko (sweet bean paste) on monakanokawa (monaka shell/wafer).

We can adjust the amount of anko.

There are ume (plum) and fukuro (owl) shapes.

Based on astronomy, I believe nothing much of difference from yesterday’s; however, it is the first sunset on New Year’s Day.

I look forward for more adventures in 2020!

Akemashiteomedetogozaimasu!

Posted in Choco-chan, Cooking, Feelings, Food, Friends, Health, Mt. Fuji, Restaurants, Shopping, Tokyo

Saturday Quest

Posted on by sonokotchi

I woke up at 6 am.

Poor Choco, he couldn’t have his morning walk because I had a list of quests for organizing a birthday for my friend today.

– Clean

– Decorate rooms for Halloween

– Cook lunch

It was a challenging day because I had a dentist appointment at 9:30 am in Roppongi so I had few hours to complete the above.

Furthermore, I also had chiropractics/massage appointment at 11:30 am – 12:50 pm in Ebisu.

My friends are scheduled to arrive at 1:30 pm.

Between dentist and chiropractic/massage appointment, I had 45 mins gap.

I decided to have a break at Starbucks by using a complementary ticket which I received it when I purchase a tumbler.

I had a Halloween Red Night Frappuccino.

This time, I learned that it’s difficult to enjoy Frappuccino by this thin tumbler.

I struggle to mix the flavors and to get white chocolate brownies. hahaha

After I finish my chiropractics/massage, I quickly returned home to receive friends at 1:30 pm.

I prep lunch so that I can cook to serve warm food when I receive them.

We sang birthday song and enjoyed a cake from Ogawaken Shimbashi • Meguro.

It was a lovely day.

I took Choco for a long walk in the evening.

Posted in Cooking, Feelings, Friends

Home Made Sangria

Posted on by sonokotchi

My friend gave me a half sized red wine.

It’s red wine so I kept it at room temperature during summer.

A room can be hot during daytime with sun.

I kept the bottle in shade but it was damaged.

I don’t want to waste it so I made sangria with orange, lime and blueberries.

I enjoyed it and will try it again.

Posted in Cooking, Feelings, Food, Friends, Shop, Tokyo

Long Day

Posted on by sonokotchi

I woke up at 5 am to send off my boss family at Imperial Hotel Tokyo at 6:30 – 7 am.

I did not have any tears when I saw him. He is just transferred to Hq. It is obvious that we’ll still be in touch to follow up projects.

Meantime, Sayonara and thank you for being a boss.

I celebrated my friend’s birthday.

I cooked lunch and other friend brought a birthday cake from 365 nichi (365 Days).

It was fun talking over food, cake and red sparkling wine.

Happy birthday My friend!

Posted in Cooking, Feelings, Food, Friends, Work

Farewell Lunch for Boss

Posted on by sonokotchi

My boss will be transferred to the headquarter on 30 June 2019.

I invited Boss and his family for lunch at my house on 15 June 2019.

I didn’t have much time for preparation so I prepared simple Temakizushi (Hand Rolled Sushi).

I don’t know their preference and I thought it should be fun for children to make their own.

Furthermore, I can save time for cooking. hahaha

Thank you Boss.

Posted in Cooking, Feelings, Friends, Restaurants, Shopping, Tokyo

Celebrating Birthdays (13 April 2019)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I invited my school mates and we all celebrated BIRTHDAYS.

I need to spell birthdays with s because we celebrated my birthday on 3 March, other friends’ birthday on 15 March and 7 April and Choco’s on 15 April.

We prepared a birthday cake with a birthday plate without name.

We sang birthday song starting for me, then I brew candles; lit candles and sang a birthday song for other friends…and for Choco, too!

He couldn’t have a bite but he seems interested in a Joel Robuchon cake!

I cooked Chinese for five for dinner and they cleared all.

Time flys and we chatted past 11 pm.

It was fun to reunited!

I shall plan again for Summer…?

Posted in Cooking, Feelings

Tacos Rice

Posted on by sonokotchi

I still have Tacos topping left overs; therefore, I made Tacos Rice for brunch.

I heated up brown rice and all Tacos toppings on the plate.

I also enjoy Tacos with Rice when I’m out of hard shells.

Posted in Cooking, Family, Feelings, Friends, Shopping

Ad Hoc Dinner

Posted on by sonokotchi

We went to Keisen Flower School to check closing sales items.

I bought these three items; I will terribly miss the school.

After visiting the school, I invited my friends for tea at my house because Mom went to buy cakes for her friend and us.

We had so much to chat so my friends stayed for dinner.

I went to grocery shopping to prepare simple dinner.

Again, it was simple and I bought a ready-made chicken to save time.

A whole chicken is just nice for four of us.

I like to host gathering at home so that we can talk freely (not worrying about others), stay long as we want (staff won’t chase us out) and I don’t have to walk back home (especially in cold!).