Date Night - February 2010

It's date night, and we shared our once a month night off with our good friends, Annie and Garrett. Annie made reservations at this very cool restaurant called Japonism. We indulged in a 10 course dinner/nomikai. A nomikai is an all you can drink, set dinner, set price. The 10 course meal was amazing, traditional Japanese food with a modern flare. I really enjoyed the sashimi and the nabe....yummy!!






Of course all the unusual foods go down a bit easier with a few beers!

There was a fun group seated next to us and they were a bit fascinated with us foreigners. They were so cute when we asked them what the red drink was that they were drinking. They informed us it was a red beer (tomato juice and beer). We order a round and had our picture taken together. They were pretty excited to have their photo taken with us, too funny!!

This was Annie and Garrett's first time to have a red beer. I was shocked!! It must be a Kansas drink?? I was thrilled to have a little taste of home!

It was a fun night, good food and good friends!!

The girls had a good time with Miss Stacey as well. After a fun filled movie night, they convinced Miss Stacey to let them sleep in the same bed. They've never done this before!! I was amazed they actually fell asleep!!

Kimono Photos

A couple weeks ago we visited a photo studio to set up Rylee and Avery's professional photo session. We had so much fun selecting the perfect kimonos for the professional pictures. The picture above shows the runner up kimono selection.

Professional picture day has arrived and Rylee was loving every minute of the pampering. Both, Rylee and Avery, had their hair and make-up done.

Rylee's hair and make-up are done and she is already starting to feel like a Japanese princess.

The process in putting the kimono on was quite a detailed ordeal. There are so many layers and folds, it took nearly 20 minutes to get it on.

Rylee did so good standing still and being patient through the process.

The kimono was about 6 feet long, but with all the folding it ended up fitting Rylee perfect.

Rylee has transformed into a Japanese princess and is ready for her photo shoot!

Avery's turn! Mommy forgot to put her in a bottom down shirt, so she go to wear this cute little wrap for her hair and make-up process. Avery's already feeling very special.

Avery also did very good setting still for her hair and make-up!

Avery's kimono was a lot less complicated, it only took about 10 minutes to get on. And thank goodness, not sure how much more setting still she could have handled.

Japanese princess #2, all ready to smile for the camera!

It was a fun day of photos. We are eager to receive the professional picture in a month. The girls really did so good and I think they really enjoyed the experience!

Taditional Japanese Tea Ceremony

Thanks to my painting sensei, Yoko Mohri, I was able to view and participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. It was Yoko who suggested I see this before I returned to the states. She informed me that this is an important cultural tradition that has continued through generations. Luckily, Yoko has some good friends that meet monthly to practice the special and very tedious process. They were so kind to invite me to view and learn this special skill.

These were the special sweet treats that were served to the guests. Each person was served tea individually. When it was your turn to be the special guest, you took each treat, but could only eat one. This was only one of the many, many rules to the tea ceremony. It is such a specific process it would take much training to perfect the systematic ceremony.

There is a special way to hold the tea bowl and it must be turned twice before drinking. Then only one sip is to be taken. After that you set the bowl back down give thanks for the tea and then consume the rest.

turning the tea bowl

The lady in the purple kimono is performing the tea making process, this takes a good 15 minutes to make just one cup of tea. Like I said, many rules and steps to this traditional skill. The lady in the pick kimono is the tea ceremony sensei.

After viewing three ladies, it was my turn to give it a try. Luckily, the very kind and patient sensei walked me through the detailed process.

After taking my turn making and serving the tea, then I got to be the special guest to receive the tea. Before for receiving the tea you must eat one sweet snack. The green tea is a little bitter and the sweet treat prepares the mouth for better enjoyment of the tea.

I was really glad I was able to participate in this experience. Everyone was so kind and eager to share this special tradition with me. I hope to participate one last time in April before we leave.