Well I’m pretty wiped out from the last bunch of days but glad I was able to step up for the family and friends for a good time despite a few setbacks with my health and too many projects.
Switching holidays from Christmas to New Year’s here at Tsuchida Cottage
(Don’t eat this orange, there’s plenty more inside)
Family outing to the post office because that’s how we are.
Still can’t decide which one is cuter. Guess it’s a tie. I’m completely smitten daily.
3 styles of nengajyo / new year post cards in the last batches (for this year).
About 300 total between international/domestic family & friends plus wife’s business and associates.
All handmade/stamped with affection. Grateful for an oddly fantastic year.
It’s the year of the tiger after all. Not sure the significance but I used the stamps liberally nevertheless. meow
For final holiday maneuver, must break down the last of this turkey.
I don’t really know what I’m doing but… guess take off the meaty bits by hand and then simmer the carcass for stock? With the leftover celery etc.? Strain it & bottle/bag it? Let’s try (Half in a big cooking pot and half in the slow cooker… Anticipating six hours)
We made Miso last May 4th and stashed in a ceramic vessel found when tidying up tool shed.
Holy smokes! Miso turned out great! No mold problem, not overly salty, great texture and mellow yet bright flavor profiles. Just took a little small sample but will try in larger quantities over New Year’s. I feel like I really earned a Japan merit scout badge today.
Meta Note:
Noting I’ll end up with about 216 posts at my mixed media creative life archive (you are here) this year (not including ones that were backfilled/backdated). Not bad for a Gen X slacker/new pappa – especially considering everything else that went on this year.
Hoping to review/recap my 2021 Intentions + Annotations soon (typed last year with coffee) – already have a few notes scribbled for 2022 (mostly less paperwork and big projects, more just creating)
This last year had the curious nursery school project, the hugely satisfying house reno project, and the (unsatisfying) emigrant tax project (including a complicated dominos of transactions). Plus did lots of work on my health situation (i deal with #MECFS).
Plus loads of mailouts, supporting friends and charities, but did take on at least 1 too many projects.
Should i give myself “grades” on the previous list?
i.e.
ukulele playing B+
Japanese writing C-
pickling/fermenting A-
postcard store C+
great pappa/hubbo A+ 🙂
etc ??