Miyorenji Temple

This is part 2 of the day trip to Kyoto with the KWC. We visited the Miyorenji Temple where we looked at the gardens and some beautiful painted screens and had a wonderful lunch seated Japanese style inside the temple. Enjoy!

Tea Ceremony Museum/Kyoto

On Tuesday, I went with the Kobe Women's Club on a trip to Kyoto. The first stop was a tea ceremony museum. We looked at the exhibits, then the tea master showed us how they make the tea for the ceremony and we were each served a bowl of tea and a sweet to go with it. I can't drink the tea (too much caffeine/gives me a headache) so the Japanese gal beside me drank mine for me. I did practice how to pick it up with the right hand, hold it in the left, then turn it clockwise twice before taking a drink. The beautiful garden includes some rare bamboo trees that have the golden trunk, rather than the green trunk that most have. Next time I will post pictures if part 2 of the trip.

Favorite Father-in-Law

It is with great sorrow that I publish this blog today. My favorite father-in-law passed away today-- last night for most of you--Feb. 13. His presence in our lives will be sadly missed. His stories, jokes and songs were a source of constant amusement. He had a great sense of humor and was so very kind and generous. And one heck of a cook! He loved to read and was skilled as a wood craftsman. I'll bet some of you still have a piece or two that he was always giving away. I'll always treasure the toys he made for the kids when they were small. I deeply regret that the kids and I will not be able to make it back for his funeral. Please keep my husband in your thoughts and prayers as he travels back and deals with everything alone. Peace.

Happy Abraham Lincoln's Birthday

Wish I was there to have a celebration with everyone, Honestly. We'd wear our fake Lincoln beards and stove pipe hats while eating beans and cornbread by candle light! Ah, those were the days. I had hoped to find a picture of Abe to put on here, but haven't figured out how to do it, yet. Anyway, Happy Day!

Birthday, Setsubun & Ikebana

Well, spring has arrived in Japan with Setsubun. This is the day when we throw beans (in our case peanuts) at the devil and force him and all bad things out of our house and lives. I think we were supposed to hang a sardine on the front door to keep bad things from entering, but I didn't have one handy. Also we were supposed to eat our age plus one in peanuts to ensure good health for one more year. We did that and then some, so we should be good to go.
Our darling girl turned 16 this week. We can hardly believe it. And very thankful that we're not in America where she could be learning to drive a car!
Also thought I'd throw in a new ikebana picture.
Not to brag too much, but the sun is shining, the sky is blue with some puffy white clouds and its about 40 degrees F. Looking forward to a really nice day! Hope you have one too.