I often find it incredible how a certain fragrance, taste, or even a song can evoke memories. Have you ever had that experience where a certain smell can transport you to a particular time in your life? My Dad said that genmaicha does that for him. Dad recently told me about how his Grandmother used to use the leftover rice from meals and roast the grains to use for making … [Read more...]
Miso Soup
Miso soup for breakfast? Yes, please! When I was living and working in Japan (1998-2000), one of the things that was a bit of a surprise to me was Japanese breakfasts. Traditional Japanese breakfasts often include rice, soup, fish, or egg and natto -- but not limited to those breakfast items. When I had training at my school's headquarters, we stayed at a ryokan … [Read more...]
Curried Egg Sandwich #recipe @Dempsters #Villaggio
One of my favourite sandwiches is the Curried Egg Sandwich. Surprisingly enough, the first time I had ever eaten a curried egg sandwich was when I was in Japan!There was this delightful little cafe my friends and I used to ride our bicycles to on our days off. Usually on a Sunday morning, we'd have brunch at this quaint little place. They specialized in an assortment of … [Read more...]
Japanese Omurice Recipe
When I was in Japan, one of my favourite dishes was omurice. There was a lovely omurice restaurant my friends and I used to frequent in Fukuyama. It's been eleven years since my teaching days in Japan, and every now and then I still get the craving for omurice. Photo found here, via Google Imagesオムライス, Omu-raisu is the English contraction for omelette and rice. The dish mainly … [Read more...]
Okonomiyaki: Bringing a bit of Japan to the Island
My husband, the farmer, used to be a meat and potatoes kind of guy. He always had freshly baked bread with every meal and he always had dessert after every meal. Then he married me. Now, he never knows what he's going to be eating for supper. He loves food and loves the fact that now he gets to sample fare from different countries. He has acquired a taste for … [Read more...]
Why I Miss Japan
I miss celebrating ohanami with friends, students and co-workers. Picnics under the cherry blossoms were among some of the highlights of my two years in Japan.Photo found here via Google ImagesI miss going to the okonomiyaki shop near my apartment when I was teaching in Japan. (Image from here)I also miss Japanese TV shows! Too funny!!! … [Read more...]
Gluten-Free Pizza
I was reading an interesting post by my lovely blog friend, Veronica @ Sleepless Nights. She wrote about the not-so-gluten-free gluten-free pizza advertised at Domino's Pizza in Australia.One of our nieces has Celiac Disease, so I can relate to Veronica's frustration when it comes to restaurants having dishes that are supposed to be gluten-free and end up being … [Read more...]
The Bento Box
This is not your typical lunch box (at least not in Canada, it isn't)!When I was teaching in Japan, one of my students gave me a bento box. It was just a plain double decker bento box with separators/dividers. It also had a spot to store chopsticks. This was perfect for me because I have never been a sandwich kinda gal. Sandwiches for lunch just seemed so boring to me. Plus, … [Read more...]
I Love My Crazy Little Family of Three
Life is certainly never dull with Hubby and Little One to keep me busy.I woke up this morning to see a deer eating some fallen apples in our front yard. I had to do a double take. Too big to be my dog and too small to be a cow. Yay for no runaway cattle today!I don't know why I wake up so early every morning. Little One gets up around 9 or 9:30AM. She went to bed a bit later … [Read more...]
One Year Ago…
It's hard to believe that exactly one year ago, we were here.Today, we are here:With Little One.Little One was supposed to be born on February 3rd. This is her one month "corrected" photo (above). On the 11th she will be four months old! Wow! Can't believe how fast time flies!Hubby says "She's getting bigger! Our hatchling is doing well". 7 lbs (as opposed to 2 lbs, 3 oz at … [Read more...]
Why I Love Jeanna
Jeanna loves candy. Chocolate is candy. Chocolate makes me happy...except when I'm pregnant. When I'm pregnant, chocolate makes me very unhappy (as in very sick and nauseous kind of unhappy). Isn't that sad?I love Jeanna because she is great with leaving comments on my blog. We seem to go back and forth with our jokes and banter on each other's blogs. I like that because it … [Read more...]
I’m so excited…and I just can’t hide it!!!
Why am I so excited? I'll tell you why! Hubby and I met with my OB-GYN yesterday and everything is looking really good with regard to the baby. We are 12 weeks and 1 day pregnant today.What's even better is that for the past few days, I have been feeling amazing! A little bit of nausea occasionally, but no more vomiting!!! My energy level seems to have gotten a boost and I'm … [Read more...]
Another Engrish Post
It's been a while since I have posted an Engrish post! I was going through my clothes and putting away things I will not be able to wear in the next few months when my baby bump begins to show (and later on, when I become huge)! I came across a shirt I bought in Japan that made me laugh so much I just had to buy it.I don't think I've ever worn the shirt, but the Engrish … [Read more...]
Some things I’d like to share with you
One of my new favourite blogs is Rowing and Sowing. I had first heard of Rowing and Sowing via Jimmy's blog. Rowing and Sowing is a beautiful blog with stunning photographs and the most thoughtful writing.Another website I think you should visit is my friend, Josh's site. Josh and I taught in Japan together almost a decade ago. He is a fantastic artist and is full of … [Read more...]
Great new find in Toronto
Not too long ago, Hubby and I had the opportunity to eat at Issmi, a Japanese restaurant in Toronto. Though I am a fan of Sushi Inn in Yorkville, and tend to stick with sushi places that I know and love, we gave Issmi a try. I'm sure glad we did!One of my former students recommended the restaurant, so we decided to make that our meeting place. Hubby and I dined with my former … [Read more...]