If you don't find it, make it

There are a lot of things I miss about the US - especially food!  Some of the things I miss, I've been able to find.  For example, when I was pinning for rhubarb, my favorite vegetable shop owner was able to find some for me.  When I thought I was never going to see Greek food again, my husband found an amazing restaurant for us to enjoy.

Sometimes, I just go without.  I stock up when I go to the US.  My best friend makes me green enchiladas with the most mouthwatering sauce made with tomatillos and poblanos.  I buy copious quantities of snacks and spices that I have never found here.

Whenever I can, I pull up my bootstraps and just make it myself.  I've brought several jars of peanut butter, but have not branched out to other nut butters.  We used to buy all different varieties.  Cashew, sunflower seed, hazelnut, and almond would grace our shelves.  We loved to use the grinders at the natural food stores to get the freshest possible nut butters.  Oh, it was so delicious!

Even though we thoroughly enjoy our peanut butter, I needed some variety.  Since the only choices in Japan are sugar-ladened products that have more sugar than nuts, I decided to just make it myself.

On a recent trip to Costco with a friend, I grabbed a bag of raw almonds.  The recipe is pure and simple - roast 4 cups of almonds in the oven at 190°C/350°F for 10 minutes, let cool, and then blend until it reaches the desired consistency.

When I was explaining the process to my friend, she asked when would I add the sugar.  To her, it seemed strange that I wouldn't sweeten it.  But to me, a purist, I don't want anything in my nut butters other than nuts.

It may not seem like much when you can just go to the store and pick up a jar.  But when that store is an ocean away, it is worth the extra effort.  And, frankly, it tasted so good, I might just always make my own from now on.

A package makes any day brighter

When my doorbell rang at dinnertime this evening, I was not expecting anyone.  It was the postman.  He had a package for me.  The postman never leaves a box on my doorstep.  Instead they always deliver to a person.  I wasn't expecting anything, so I was a tad confused.  But it was my name on the address label.

As soon as I saw the return address, I became very excited.  We had sent some friends a package last year simply because they were living abroad and we know how hard it can be at times.  A message or gift from a loved one brings such joy.

When I sent the box of goodies, I wasn't expecting a package back.  So it was a super thrilling to receive the unexpected gift.

Inside was a bunch of Germany candy.  My son's eyes practically popped out of his head.  He unpacked the box one item at a time, staring intently at each item.  I'm sure he was trying to figure out how he could get me to let him eat as much as he wanted in a single sitting.  Either that, or he was trying to figure out what each one would taste like.

We are so grateful for this box of joy (and sugar).  It is so uplifting, even when we're doing pretty good.

Beware in Nara

When we were in Nara a couple of weeks ago, we visited the famous Todai-Ji Temple.  People go to the Buddhist Temple to see the huge Buddha statue and the historic building (that has been rebuilt several times).

It is located in the middle of Nara Park, a lovely park filled with beautiful sights and tons of deer.  Vendors have booths all over selling crackers for people to feed the deer.  Over time, the deer have gotten more and more aggressive.

While it makes many people laugh to have deer come and nibble on their purses and take crackers from their hands, it is too much for others.  Our son decided to not feed the deer, especially after seeing this sign.

While it is neat to see all the deer wandering around the park, it is a bit overwhelming as well.

Keep alert

For over 20 years now, we've been hearing the same announcements at the airport - if you see an unattended bag, report it.  There are signs on various types of public transportation, including buses, trains, light rail, and so forth.  Although it always makes me a bit sad, it reminds me to keep alert for things that don't belong.

Today I saw a sign unlike any I had seen before.  It contained a game within the announcement where people find 10 bombs hidden in the cityscape.

I guess it was eye catching, because it definitely caught my attention.  I felt like it went a bit too far.  But I'm guessing people are paying less and less attention to these notices.  But the need for them hasn't gone away - even in Japan.  As the sense of community in the world decreases, so does the paying attention to one's surroundings.  If you don't stop and chat with your neighbors, how will you tell when something is amiss?

Breakfast of champions

For the most part, Japan is not really into breakfast foods.  Traditionally, breakfast is leftover miso soup and rice.  For those that grew up on western breakfasts of cereal, pancakes, and eggs, a bit of soup and rice just doesn't fulfill the dreams of an epic breakfast.

These days, it is common for Japanese people to enjoy a slice of thick white bread with jam for breakfast.

While I desire to have filling breakfasts, I also want to eat something different all the time.

When we were living in the states, we loved going out for breakfast on weekend mornings.  We would drive across town looking for amazing omelets, pancakes, and, my most favorite, biscuits and gravy.  Although I miss these fun starts to a Saturday or Sunday, I know it is just not part of the culture here.  Japan has a lot of offer, but their breakfast fare is much to be desired.

On Saturday morning, my husband surprised me by taking me and our son out for breakfast to a restaurant in Ikebukuro (before our randoseru purchasing adventure).  I didn't ask questions.  I just followed him as he lead us through the streets.  After all, I don't think a hard boiled egg and toast is something to get excited about.

But when we arrived, I was taken aback.  Eggs, a restaurant from Brooklyn, was an homage to classic American breakfasts.  Omelets, pancakes, and biscuits and gravy were waiting for us to enjoy.  I could have cried.  I didn't realize how much I was missing it until the moment I was sitting there waiting for my food to arrive.  I was overcome with craving that would quickly be satisfied.

Until my food arrived, I happily distracted myself with a cup of tea from the tea bar and my son entertained himself by drawing on the paper tablecloth.

When our orders arrived, my son was overjoyed with his pancakes and "dessert" toppings of sautéed apples and ice cream.  My husband was thrilled with his eggs, toast, hashbrowns, and salad.  But when my breakfast arrived, I found myself raising my eyebrows.

My husband and I finally decided that the restaurant had "Japan-ified" the biscuits and gravy.  Instead of fluffy biscuits served on a plate with thick, creamy gravy, the dish was biscuits in a sausage cream soup.  Although that may not be a very appetizing description, it actually was pretty tasty.  It was just a bit different that what I was expecting.

Going to enjoy an American breakfast was a complete surprise.  It was beyond sweet of my husband to research and find it for us to enjoy.  Little bits of home make life here so much easier.  It is like a little recharge to my batteries.