Saturday, October 30, 2010

Murder By Agave or Happy Birthday Carole !

In honor of Carole's Day . . . I give you " Murder By Agave "
31 October 2010

Many people think today is Halloween but it is Carole's Birthday of
the blog... " Dry Bones ".
Mystery writer, great blog name, and born on Halloween. . . the whole
package !
I wrote a post about her on 31 August 2010, sorry I can't get the
link to link-up....

I like the name "Century Plant" better than Agave as that is what I
grew up with in Tucson
but all the titles I came up with didn't seem to fit as well as this
one.
Simple and to the point !

Carole, I hope you have a great day and as Marie said... Let there be
Cake !
or something close to it.

murderous. . . parsnip
music. . . The Happy Birthday Song, Andrew Bird

If you would like the real paper card... e-mail me your address !

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Fall colors in Tucson


Fall colors in Tucson, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

Many blogger are writing about the Fall colors where they live.
Trees turning yellow, red, orange and bronze and posting the
wonderful photos to prove it.
I am very envious !

In Tucson we don't have that kind of Fall colors unless you travel up
into the Catalina Mountains.
Tucson is very green in Winter and besides the Mesquite tree not many
trees lose leaves or turn colors.

In the foothills where I live and the Catalina Mountains you will see
snow but Tucson is still very green even in Winter.

Our Fall color comes from the Citrus trees. The green fruit starts to
change from bright green to yellow and many shades of orange.

Plus we get to eat the fruit not just rake the leaves !


So here is some Autumn color from Tucson, bright blue sky, temp's this
week high 70's to high 80's and the color of Citrus !

sunny. . . parsnip
music. . . Sweet Leaf, John Hackett/Moodi Drury

Lemons


Lemons, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

In the photo there are three almost yellow lemons and seven green ones
hiding under the leaves.

Tangelos


Tangelos, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

My favorite the Tangelo.
Some are just starting to turn yellow, soon they will be bright orange
and I will be fighting the birds for some !

Sunday, October 24, 2010

October 25th is Kim Ayres Day

Today is World Wide Kim Ayres Day !

So in honor of Kim. . . Birthday Greeting from Tucson, Arizona

singing. . . parsnip
music. . . Happy Birthday, Shikao Suga

Kim if you would like the real paper card, e-mail me your address.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Breakfast and a Link !


Breakfast and a Link !, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

I was hoping for some Rice, Miso soup and some Fish for Breakfast but
we had all this waiting for us when we came down.
So very happy !

Here is a link to Matunoya Kasen Roykan.
The site is in Japanese but just click on the left side of the main
header to see what the different baths look like and just how
beautiful the Roykan is.
I hope this works !

www.yubara-matsunoya.com/

pretty. . . parsnip
music. . . Cloud Age Symphony, Okino, Shuntaro

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Dinner at Matunoya Kasen


smIMG_5844, originally uploaded by Mollybot.

This photo was taken by daughter mollybot at our dinner at Matunoya Kasen.
When we came down to dinner all Five Dinners were already set up for us to enjoy.
Starting our meal with Tomato Vinegar with Gold Flake in the small Blue and White glass. Very light, so good.
Shashimi in glass plate,
My favorite, Tempura Japanese Fig in pink dish,
Square dish, Octopus, Squid and Kobocha Pumpkin in a Raspberry sauce. sounds weird but Fabulous.
Soup with Japanese vegetables atop it's own burner.

Off to the side were three metal pots atop their own burners cook three different rice dishes and an Egg Custard filled with Scallop and Crab. Dessert was a Steamed Cheese Cake, Sorbet and sliced Orange. Perfect !

happy. . . parsnip
music. . . Ritz, Basiscape


Monday, October 18, 2010

Lobby of the Matunoya Kasen Roykan

Display cases with local art in the Lobby of the Roykan.
There was a sitting room right behind this with comfy chairs just made
for sipping Tea and Reading.
To the right a small charming bar area. Of course I didn't get a
picture of that ! it was so Kawaii (cute)
What was I thinking !

This area is not on any Tourist Map for Foreign travelers. None of the
staff spoke English but that didn't stop them or me.
I think that is why the Hotel was so excited to have us. They never
had foreign tourist before.
Of course Japanese Son speaks terrific Japanese, DIL is Japanese and
they acted acted as translators.
California Daughter speaks some Japanese as does Tucson Son, so they were fine.
I on the other hand, smiled and used the five sentences I know a lot !

silky. . . parsnip
music. . . Sea Of Mist, Nobuo Uematsu

Geta


Geta, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

When walking in the Roykan, you use slippers and Yukata (robe) from
the Roykan durning your stay.
If you wish to walk outside you can slip on some Geta ( outdoor shoes)
to walk around in while leaving your slippers inside to stay clean.

Our room


Our room, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

Traditional room at the Matunoya Kasen Roykan.
If you look all the way through the room to the window that is where
my private bath was.
Not all rooms have private baths, because you come here to be spoiled
in the several larger baths.

That is my suitcase with my Yukata (robe) that I used during the stay
folded on it.

The Tatami on the floor were beautifully painted with flowers.

All the ladies stayed in this room, Artist Daughter, Lovely Daughter
in Law and of course the Princess,
who slept through most of the fun. Japanese Son and Tucson Son had a
room across the hall.

Private bath


Private bath, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

This was my private bath, attached to our room.
The bath room was covered in wood, had a wonderful shower for washing
before the bath using the same fabulous water.
There were several windows that could be opened during the bath so I
could see the lush green valley
and have the cool sweet air surrounding me.
Pure Luxury ! My skin felt like silk.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Yubara Onsen


Yubara Onsen, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

We took the Chugoku Expressway and connected to the Yonago Expressway
that took us to area called Yubara Onsen.
A narrow small valley that has several wonderful Roykan (Hotel ) that
have the most wonderful Onsens (Hot Baths, Spas)
I just thought this sign was terrific and it even had a clock !

The Onsens in this area are famous for the very hot water that has a
high alkaline content as it pushes up through the riverbed sand.
I can tell you that the water makes your skin feel like silk.

The Yonago Expressway is a feat of engineering creativity or
madness, I don't know which. All I can tell you is that this
Expressway is a marvel.
Once you get on it driving west towards the Sea of Japan you are
either in tunnels or bridges. Never once do you drive in the valleys
till you exit.
About two-thirds up the mountains (not super high mountains, the
valleys are very close) the engineers designed the most wonderful
road in the clouds !

amazed. . . parsnip
music. . . Into The Fantasy, Final Fantasy XII

Yubara Onsen Valley


Yubara Onsen Valley, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

This is the stream that runs right down the middle of the Yubara
Onsen. Lush, green and the air smelled so wonderful.
The Roykan that we stayed at is on the left of the stream. I think
the fact it is right next to the road I forgot to get a picture of it.
On my next post I will write about the Roykan we stayed at and hopefully have a
link so you can see what a beautiful place it was.

Yubara Onsen Park


Yubara Onsen Park, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

At the end of the road next to the foot bridge is this small but
charming park with a Fabulous Fountain.
The water comes up from the stream and the run off then returns to the
stream.
One of my all time favorite fountains.

Yubara Dam


Yubara Dam, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

At the end or beginning ? of the road is the dam and to the right the
free open air baths.
On the left you can see how the Roykans are built up to the edge of
the stream or in our case the road.
The stream is crystal clear.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

ComCast Internet messed me up once again !

I have ComCast Internet and to all you fellow masochists you know how
I feel.
Yet again as I was on my computer the internet goes off and on.
It is like a game of hide and seek to see if you can finish your work
before it decides to shut down
and then magically pop on again while what you were working on is lost
in cyber land.
My computer and flickr said it was sent.
And to make this better, I have the charming junction box in front of
my home ... ARGH ! ! !

So the post below is the start of the four photo post I started last
night.
Sorry Eryl I hope this makes more sense now.

My blog is set up one photo/text per post ...
I guess I will have to set-up a new way of posting so I can hopefully
get around ComCast and its great internet service.

very very very... angryparsnip ! ! !
no music. . . I don't know any Death Metal.

Chugoku Expressway


Chugoku Expressway, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

A rest-stop on the Chugoku Expressway.

There are several kinds of rest stops for the traveler on the
expressways in Japan.
They can be small with vending machines (Wonderful Japanese Vending
Machines) and the cleanest bathrooms I have seen anywhere, to stops
with Restaurants, Markets and a Gas Station.
Some like the one above that had several Take Away Food stands. Two
Restaurants, Market, Gift Shop and a Gas Station.
This stop also had two large super clean, designer styled bathrooms.
I am still in shock !

surprised. . . parsnip
music. . . Signpost, Final Fantasy Tactics A2

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Takoyaki ! ! !


Takoyaki ! ! !, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

Yes ! We have Takoyaki !
There was a Takoyaki Stand and If I hadn't just had lunch I would
have walk away with my most favorite take-away food in Japan !
Light fluffy batter stuffed with a small piece of Octopus and shaped
into bite sizes balls of goodness !

What would you like for lunch ?

At this rest stop we had several choices of restaurants. A casual
restaurant and a market with lovely pre-made take-away food at ground
level or the nicer one upstairs with the super view.
I just love when you can see what your choice will look like from the
Bento styled lunch I picked to Chicken Katsu, several Ramen filled
with meat and vegetables, Soba, or Tempura. So many choices and it all
looked so good.

My Lunch


My Lunch, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

My wonderful lunch of salad, tempura, cucumber, tofu, eggplant and
pepper, rice, diakon radish, miso soup and tea.
As you can tell I always order the food that is somewhat harder for me
to find where I live in Tucson Arizona.

This was not like any American rest stop.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Ideas and dinner... oh my !


Ideas and dinner... oh my !, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

A quick post while I am getting caught up from three weeks away,
paying bill, doing laundry and fighting termites and pack-rats that
moved in while I was gone.

I am getting my Japanese travel photos and info set up so I can post
with some semblance of competence,
wahahahahahahahaahahahah. . . . woo hoooo I can't believe I wrote
that. . .

Anyways... Dinner last night . . .
Ramen (noodles) bought at Japanese market
Miso broth (homemade)
Sugar Snap Peas
Sauté mushrooms
Spiced Takuan (yellow spiced pickled radish)
Umeboshi ( red pickled plum)
Napa Cabbage
Some leftover steak

I have a wonderful collection of Hashi, Japanese chopsticks from
plain bamboo to carved lacquered and inlayed ones.
But I always return to this very old very plain Chinese bamboo ones.
they feel so right in my hand that they are my go to ones for cooking and
eating.

Usually. . .
Chinese chopsticks are made from unfinished wood or bamboo tapered to
a blunt end.
Japanese chopsticks are made from lacquered wood or bamboo and tapered
to a pointed end.
Korean chopsticks are metal with a matching spoon.
Not talking about the breakaway take-out chopsticks that everyone
slips in your order.

tasty. . . parsnip
music. . . OST, Kiki Delivery Service

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Kogumachan


Kogumachan, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

Here is a photo of the Little Princess.

She is wearing a shirt and barrette from her California Aunt.
Japanese Son has posted a series of new photos on her blog "Koguma's
View"
Click on the blog on the right column of this page.
She was starting to get the hang of rolling over and talking up a
storm before we left.
Now she is rolling over and lifting her head all the time.
Let the games begin !

smiling. . . parsnip
music. . . Dancing Teddy, OST The Princess Hours

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Gyotakuya Restaurant


Gyotakuya Restaurant, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

After Mia's Omiyamairi ceremony ...
we were treated to a wonderful lunch at the Gyotakuya Restaurant, a
fabulous traditional restaurant by Mia's Japanese Grandmother.

Please read about about the Shinto "Omiyamairi" ceremony the Japanese son posted .
He explained it better than I ever could.

It was truly a wonderful day spent with the people I love.

My blog is set up for one photo per post so be sure to scroll down for
more photos... parsnip

Dinning area


Dinning area, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

The dinning area was small but outstanding beautiful and I loved the
wall painting,
The seating was Japanese so getting down and up for me was a chore but
once down it was comfortable.

Lunch


Lunch, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

This was our lunch and it was all so delicious !
Miso soup, Rice and nine perfect little bites, from my favorite the
Tofu bundle, top right that was wrapped, fried and then soaked in a
light sweet sauce of ginger and ponzu to the pickled Eggplant bottom
left.
I forgot the grilled fish that came next, I devoured it before I
remembered the camera !

Lovely family, wonderful meal, a delightful ending to Mia's big day.

charmed. . . parsnip
music. . . Do You Have A Little Time, Dido

Sunday, October 3, 2010

A Dog a Chicken and a Duck walk into a Bar...

A Dog a Chicken and a Duck walk into a Bar or life with a parsnip...

A very early morning run to the Emergency Ward, hooked up to all kinds
of machines (very sci-fi) sent home with a heart monitor
and then I leave for Japan four days later !

One is a joke and the other one is a maybe a bigger joke ?

I have been in Japan for the past two weeks (minus heart monitor )
visiting family, friends and seeing my new Grandchild.
I had several post lined up but was very tired and just decided to
wait till I returned to Tucson.
Warning. . . starting now I will be posting with my travels around
Osaka, till you all will be screaming with boredom
but . . .
this is my blog and the way I see it is someone has to bore you all
with travel photos and why not me !

Photo is part of the arrival/departing board at the JAL wing of the
Wonderful Osaka International Airport.

Oh My Goodness I Love Japan !

tired. . . parsnip
music. . . Kaze No Tani No Naushika, Joe Hisaishi