parley view parsnip. . . Monday Monday

Beginning of a new week.

 When I am not taking thehamish to his two vets appointments,

for his eyes and more liver tests.

I will be working in my garden this week. I am so late starting.
Summer is almost here in Tucson.

But I will make up time because I have some of the best helpers.

This is a garden we planted 3 years ago.

 thehamish is helping me.
hahhahahaha

yesh i thehamish is planting chkikin' strips

need to grow them now
are they ready now ?
yert

.

 Watson and thehamish guarding the garden from chkikin' strips poachers.

yesh i thehamish and Watson are gud watch dugs

 Watson has a sweet tooth and he likes strawberries.
........

Now back to Monday.

Today we transplanted some succulents. 

I don't especially like succulents but here in the desert it is cactus in the sun 

and succulents in the shade. So I look for the ones that have some interest for me.
Either in shape, color or size.

 Kalanchoe Luciae.

 .

 Love the pale aqua flat leaves with a blush of rose red on the edge.

The leaves look more lime green in these photos but they do have a aqua tint.

 Echeverig Medalion
.

 Love the burnished rose bronze leaves with the edge of bright lime/yellow.

It also picks up the rim of of the pot nicely.

 .

 Of course here is my helper.

 Goodness 

How can that be comfortable ?

 ummmmm i thehamish  is sleepin'
not bother me

 

 workin' is hard

chikin' strips gud

.........................................

And here is your pretty for the start of the week.

The Century Plant is growing like crazy.

That is one huge stalk !

The Agave expels so much energy as the stalk grows so fast and then blooms

no wonder the plant dies after it blooms.

garden. . . parsnip

music. . .Monday Monday,  The Mammas & The Pappas

Square Dog Friday and Cephalopod Coffeehouse.

Best day of the week is here

Square Dog Friday !

So lets woof it.

But as it is 27 March that means it is time for 

The Cephalopod Coffeehouse.
.

Again The Square Dogs have allowed me to use

part of their blog to post my book review.

No arbitration needed this time. The space was allowed

and the extra chkikin' strips were devoured.

..................

 i thehamish is doing work work work hard work

laundry day

oh woe 

woe is me

i am workin' hard

 lookin' at all the toys needed to be washed

.

 too much washin' to do
woe

 all ready

 makin' it go now hittin' the button

 waitin' for the washin' to be done

Watson is sitting on the blankies that are next

 now into the dryin'

oh woe is thehamish waitin' waiting' waitin'

woe
woe is me

.

finallydry
no more woe

yert !

................

Cephalopod Coffeehouse

izakaya
The Japanese Pub Cookbook
Mark Robinson

Where to start ?

Izakaya best word ever when living in Japan.

Visions of small plates of fabulous fresh food served with beer and sake.

More like an  English pub or a Spanish Tapas Bar than an American Bar.

I adore them.

This book shows how the izakaya are the cornerstone of Japanese cuisine.

From comfort foods to the innovative dishes of a very diverse pub culture.

.

Full of information on on izakaya history, recipes, ingredients, spices, 

sake, beer, cocktails and even a "how to on ordering" part.

A history book, guidebook and cookbook all tied together.

.

Author Mark Robinson takes you eight different pubs. 

Some that have longs histories and a few newer ones.

The author is very familiar with each of them and shows the difference,

from the super tiny to the newer "style" izakayas.

All were chosen for their variety, quality and ambiance.

Brilliant photos by Masashi Kuma.

makes you wish you were sitting there eating and not just reading this book.

.

.

After drooling over the photos of the dishes of food, 

the 60 recipes are printed after each of the divided sections.

The only problem (if it is one) I love my Japanese Potato Salad better.
It is from my Daughter and is so outstanding,
 that my Japanese DIL asked her for the recipe.

Included is the Mashed potato salad recipe which is also very good.

The Ume-shiso rolled chicken is beyond tasty.

Scrambled Eggs with Sea Urchin and Lobster Sauce, 

Grilled Rice Balls with Vegetable Miso even Green Beans with Sesame Sauce

So many of my favorites.

I sometimes just pull the book out and just leaf through it. 

Brings back wonderful family memories.

I am not very pleased today by my photos.

I was in a rush by many doggie needs today

and used my camera which really is not as good as my phone.

But loading the camera photos is easier that the phone photos so....

I messed up. But believe me the photos in the book are swoon worthy !

....

And just because I can here is you pretty to start the weekend.

A sunset to remind us,  run run run fast 

and get ready,  the summer monsoons are coming.

Family, food and good times.
Have a great weekend.
Plus
Go Arizona Wildcats !
 We advanced to the  Elite Eight !
And a rematch with No. 1 seed Wisconsin. It is going to be a battle.
Wisconsin turned the tables last year and beat the Wildcats in overtime.
Yea haww  Go Wildcats !



happiness. . . parsnip
music. . . Dancing In The Street,  Martha and the Vandellas

Wednesday in Japan and Tucson mash-up

Looking for a certain photo I needed,
I found these instead.
Of course.
So for today a Japanese and Tucson mash-up.
Made me smile.

.

 Bought this Totoro at the Osaka Airport

.

 Totoros at the bakery.

Yes, I ate the ears first.

.

 Totoro wind chime

.

Making  Takoyaki at a posh restaurant.

.

  

Octopus has never tasted so good..

Best street food ever.

.

 Granddaughter modeling hats for an Ad campaign

.

And here is her Daddy !

 My oldest son at his first day of school.
Sensei David has been teaching at University in Japan.
But for a few years he has changed offices.

 He is the first non-Japanese to head the department of 

University International Exchange at his school.

His University has an exchange program/schools in New Zealand and Australia.

He is traveling quite a lot and for now enjoys it.

When he completes his Masters he will go back into teaching.

..............

And just because I can, here is your mid week pretty.

Daughter made Vegetarian  Pad Thai

Lovely !

happy. . . parsnip

music. . . The Mashed Potato,  Dee Dee Sharp

parley view parsnip. . . aliens from outer space

Spring is here and going strong in Tucson.

In fact we are about half way through spring.

Anything that blooms has or will be blooming as much as it can,

before the heat of summer is upon us.

As I said last week my Century plant is going to bloom.

I swear it grows 6 inches a day.

I think it is an Space Alien !

.

 8 March

 18 March

.

 22 March

 It is growing !

weeehooooweeuuuweoooooooooooo

 Myers Lemon Tree

.

 Some succulents and another Space Alien plant blooming its heart out.

.........

And here is your pretty to start the week

After swimming class,

talented Granddaughter always has a snack.

It can be anything, she is crazy about tomatoes and fruit

but today it was the biggest doughnut I have ever seen.

 Enjoy today and eat a doughnut if you can !

sprinkles. . . parsnip

music. . . Strangers to Ourselves,  Modest Mouse.

Square Dog Friday. . . We are back !

Square Dog Friday is here !

Best day of the week.

We all know the drill so lets woof it.

............

We had some rain, beautiful rain

 yesh i thehamish is havin' picture taken'
mum nice tall person who feeds us tellin' me
go go go sit in grass noooooooooo grass is wet its' got water on it
im' not liken that
.

i tehhamish is not likin' this

thehamish is scotty but not likein' wet stuff from sky.

i goin' now
sittin in thewet grass
as if

.

 here is i the gud dug thehamish sittin' by my stuff
mum nice tall person who feeds me moved all my meds
i am taken over mums space over washer and dryer
i thehamish is sorry
yert

Yes, I the mum of thehamish have so many pills, eye drops and injections
to give him everyday at different times, it is just to much for my tiny brain.
So I lay the meds out every morning and after I use them I place them back in the dish.
This is the only way I found to keep control.
yert !

 ummm you expecting us to play with a very cute sock toy without a squeaky ?
Please put down the camera and throw the no squeaky toy.
thehamish and I will chase it. Even if you forgot the squeaky.
Even if I can't hear the squeaky, I know when it is not there.
Please remember the squeaky next time.

The sweet Watson.

Just look at those beautiful eyes.
I can't even tell you how much I love him.

..................

And just because I can, here is your pretty for the start of the weekend.
Thursday sky at sunset.

 The rain storm is leaving Tucson but not before some beautiful clouds
at sunset.

The mothership rising and getting ready for take off.

medic . . parsnip
music. . . Blue Black Sky,  David Bridie