Memo: Today, i am *braving* the wilds of Okayama (our minor provincial city) in search of brussel sprouts, yams (not sweet potatoes, *yams*), celery etc for festive goodtimes.
As you will notice in the dispatch i sneak a mention about Ichiro’s Christmas present and yes, discuss my magnificent Santa Claus beard as i am clearly *A Method Actor*.
Updates:
The Japan Agricultural outlet was almost bloodsport of grandmothers jockeying for produce. Survived.
Somehow I came home with celery that’s over a meter long, a daikon radish almost the size of my leg, and a whole lobster + intended brussel sprouts & variety of potato/tubers.
One note, 95% of our groceries come in a weekly delivery service from the co-op (not a cute little neighborhood co-op but like a national co-op) but some more obscure/specialty things required a little bit more adventuring. I really don’t leave the house aside from the post office, hospitals and nursery school.
Festive times impending at Tsuchida Cottage / arborist wife perks equals Christmas tree, cut yesterday (from private land by Oka-san) – its sappy and prickly (and rare!)
Feeling really grateful for a well -timed, well-received – very welcome and unexpected gift that is sparking up the Festive season with Transit goodness. Beside the sweet Translink sweater came a scarf and toques
PS will get a picture with the 3 of us in matching @TransLink toques soon.
Finally:
daikon and celery measured upon request (90+cm)
and tree “installed” with wooden braces, heavy rocks/stones in a crockery vessel (which recently held umeboshi)
Bailey’s Irish Cream arrived by courier, Kahlua acquired, cutlery ordered, various schemes considered. Bill Janovitz’s Christmas shuffle playlist tested. Carry on.
Is the celery longer or do they just keep the tops on? My grandfather grew celery in his garden and I remember it was huge too and quite green. Not pale like the stuff we buy. My grandmother used the celery leaves on her cooking. The celery we have at the store has the leaves removed.