Has it really been a week and a half since I last posted? Where does the time go? Things have been busy here in temporary Fuji Headquarters. We’ve been working on doing things like housing, buying cars, and have also done a pretty good job decimating the ant population of Irvine. We have maanged to have some fun as well though. Last weekend we drove up to Santa Barbara and went to their annual French Festival.
You never knew that the Mona Lisa looked so much like me did you?
We’ve also been taking advantage of all of the wonderful produce that is in season. In Japan fruit is extremely expensive, so it is a treat to be in the US where it is very affordable in comparison! For example, a small watermelon would usually cost around 1500 yen (roughly $15 US) in Japan. That’s probably why we bought one the other day and I promptly ate half all by myself with a spoon.
Yesterday I took advantage of some gorgeous strawberries and raspberries and made a batch of raspberry freezer jam and two batches of strawberry freezer jam.
Being so close to my parents we also have taken advantage of seeing them and of my mother’s phenomenal cooking, like this blueberry apple pie that she whipped up last night.
Despite the heat of summer, I’m thinking that Ada Louise Huxtable was right when she said, “Summer is the time when one sheds one’s tensions with one’s clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all’s right with the world.”
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Good to see that you are taking some time to relax!
Looks like a nice time. :)
Looks like you had so much fun. Seeing you in those festival pics made me miss Paris that much more!!
I WANT to go the French Festival!!!! Let’s meet up there next year. I am glad you are transitioning well.
mmmm, look at all of that great fruit!
you don’t even need to go to paris lol
Paris plage started today it’s a lot of fun
you ‘re making a georgous mona lisa
Fun! I love going to any festival that involves FOOD! I’ve been wanting to make some freezer jam…looks good!
fun! how i miss california and all of its glorious produce.
I think I’ll be seeing that pie in my full-length mirror for a few weeks. Sigh.
So much FUN!!!! Sorry to be MIA for the past few weeks. We need to catch up. MMMMMM…watermelon!
Cafe Rio is waiting for us!!! :) Great job on the pie Fuji Mama’s Mama! I think I will have to copy that.
Freezer jams the best.
I have a lot of family in Irvine…know the Pendrods?
You make a GREAT Mona Lisa! But we’re are the eclairs?
As expats living in Japan ourselves, we were just starting to dig into your blog in Japan, and now you are back. oh well! Our loss! Enjoy being back home…
Best,
Mike
(www.kasdanfamily.blogspot.com)
Oh, the produce! Makes me want to cry! I am such a lurker on your blog–I’ve taught English in Japan the past year and have one week left. I can’t wait to buy fruit again. Your blog has really been so helpful as I’ve adjusted to life in Japan. I have a 17 mo. old and am just dreeeading the flight back to LA, though. Any tips? Thanks for such a fun and helpful blog!
Wow, a French Festival?! Totally unfair, that must’ve been so much fun! :0) I’m glad you’ re enjoying the good things about being back in the US of A! :0)
the french festival??? what is t?
i d like to eat thees fruits…
how long did you stay in japan?