Archive for May, 2009

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Written by: adekun on 30 May, 2009 6:34 pm - Filed under: blog — 6 Comments »

It’s been said countless times before, yet it’s surprising just how quickly babies turn into children. It’s also surprising just how quickly the time passes once you have them. Kento will be three in the summer and is already playing older brother; singing and comforting Maya. This month, he managed to take off her clothes and nappy, before seating himself beside her nicely as if nothing had happened. He’s also making his own toilet training efforts; rather than call for help, he’ll slink off to make toilet himself. Maya is just content to smile and make peculiar noises all the time.

Tags: kento, maya

Coughs and sneezes

Written by: adekun on 24 May, 2009 9:23 pm - Filed under: blog — 3 Comments »

We decided against going to the annual air show over at Miho airbase. Not due to the current influenza epidemic gripping the country, but on account of the weather. Instead we had a sukiyaki party. During which we caught a few minutes of a television debate on the effectiveness of facemasks. The panel looked a pretty fair reflection of the general population; perhaps not a healthy debate but one nevertheless.
Since the initial cases were reported overseas there have been a deluge of programmes reporting on shopkeepers stocking up. Hazmat suits the price of a small car etc. Continue reading

Tags: japan, news, politics

Baisen

Written by: adekun on 19 May, 2009 10:55 pm - Filed under: beer review — 2 Comments »

The superb aroma of Sapporo Baisen is created by a unique malt roasting process. This roasted malt is blended with pale malt for a flavor experience so thrilling it even smells delicious.

Brewer Suntory

Style Rice Lager

This has been out about a week. Baisen, Daisen, Weizen, Bison, Heineken, Smeineken, Swineken? The darker colour and flavour is certainly more appealing; even if it looks like the the usual with a kidney problem. It’s a good one and sites firmly alongside the better beers.

Mesclun

Written by: adekun on 15 May, 2009 4:44 pm - Filed under: food — 2 Comments »

A little different to the more common salad mixes, hopefully the following will make good eating.

• ブロンズ 赤 – red buronzu?
• グリーンリーフ – green leaf?
• エンダイブ – endive
• サラダ菜 – lettuce
• チコリ 青 – blue chicory^*
• チコリ 赤 – red chicory
• クレソン – watercress

On the reverse it says; the chicories and endive are sourced from Italy, the lettuce from China and watercress from The Netherlands.
What is green leaf from America (USA?) and Korean red buronzu?

^* blue means green?

Tags: garden, seeds

Summer veg planting

Written by: adekun on 11 May, 2009 7:22 pm - Filed under: garden — No Comments »

A week ago the bulk of the summer veg were planted. The patch they now occupy isn’t the best. Only a year ago it was full of flowers, weeds, and camellia trees. It would really benefit from the ridiculously deep digging the initial beds got. In the back corner next to the potatoes, there are some sweetcorn mounds. Between the stakes: tomatoes, poorly aubergines, cucumbers and peppers. There’s still some pumpkin plants to plant; is it too late to sow a couple of seeds? The chilli pepper seedlings need to get transplanted along with whatever herbs come good.

Tags: chilli peppers, cucumbers, garden, mulch, peppers, potatoes, sweet corn, tomatoes

Micro-weeding

Written by: adekun on 8 May, 2009 11:13 pm - Filed under: garden — No Comments »

Maya’s baby tweezers were put to good use with her in the sling and the seed trays in front. Her mother wasn’t too enthralled, despite the uncluttered seedlings. There’s a reasonable showing from the chilli peppers, hopefully the habaneros will make an appearance soon. Rhubarb looking fine.

Tags: chilli peppers, garden, rhubarb, weeds

Summer veg shopping

Written by: adekun on 4 May, 2009 1:14 pm - Filed under: garden — 4 Comments »

After battling against holiday season traffic and hordes of old people, the bulk of the summer vegetables for planting have been purchased.

• 3 桃太郎 (momotaro) tomatoes
• 3 サターン (sata?n) tomatoes
• 7 アイコ (aiko) tomatoes
• 3 other mini tomatoes
• 3 aubergines
• 5 ピーマン (p-man) peppers

Tags: garden, peppers, tomatoes