Category: Slice of Life

New Toshiba Rice Cooker

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 35mm, f/2, 1/75 sec, ISO800
 “New Rice Cooker” Cedar Park, 2026

We got a new rice cooker, the Toshiba 5.5-Cup, and it’s been great so far. I’ve already made a couple batches of jook using both short-grain and long-grain rice, and both turned out really well.

The old Tiger model in the second photo served us faithfully for about 15 years. It was still working fine, but the inner pot coating had started to peel, so it felt like the right time to move on. It also had a fully Japanese menu, which meant I was never using it to its full potential. We found a Japanese family to pass it along to, which felt like a good ending. I hope it gives them another 15 years. 😊🍚

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 35mm, f/4.5, 1/45 sec, ISO800
 “Old Rice Cooker” Cedar Park, 2026

Mabo Tofu Dinner

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 35mm, f/3.2, 1/55 sec, ISO800
 “Mabo Tofu Dinner” Cedar Park, 2026

Mabo tofu and gyoza are such a nice combination. We had Japanese-style gyoza, which has a thinner skin than Chinese-style. I love both, but there’s something about that delicate wrapper that makes the Japanese version feel a little more refined to me. The thicker skin on Chinese style are a lot more filling, though. Either way, it was a great dinner. 😋

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 35mm, f/3.2, 1/18 sec, ISO800
 “Gyoza Plate” Cedar Park, 2026
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 35mm, f/3.2, 1/80 sec, ISO800
 “Mabo Tofu” Cedar Park, 2026

Anko Wants A Taste

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 35mm, f/2, 1/90 sec, ISO800
 “Curious Anko” Cedar Park, 2026

Anko really wanted a taste of our ravioli tonight. She tries to play it cool up on the table, but we know exactly what she wants! 🐱🍝

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 35mm, f/2, 1/90 sec, ISO800
 “Curious Anko” Cedar Park, 2026

New Glasses, New Prescription

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 35mm, f/2.2, 1/105 sec, ISO800
 “New Glasses” Cedar Park, 2026

I visited my eye doctor recently and got a new prescription for my glasses. I’ve been using eyebuydirect the past few years, but this time I went with eyeconic since it links directly to my insurance, making it easy to use my employer vision benefits.

I found some frames I really liked, and I am happy to report that they fit great and the lenses are wonderful. Ordering glasses online can be a little hit or miss, but I am thrilled to have hit the jackpot with these. 👓✨

Curry Class Payoff

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E5, 35mm, f/4.5, 1/40 sec, ISO800
 “Homemade Curry” Cedar Park, 2026

Last month Mariko attended a curry class, and tonight she put what she learned to good use with an incredible Indian curry. The flavor was so complex and delicious, way more interesting than a Japanese curry made from cubes (although I love that too!).

And of course we had to have egg with our curry, as always. 🍛🥚

Anko Claims the Socks

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/25 sec, ISO800
 “Anko and Socks” Cedar Park, 2026

Yuzu is usually the one hunting socks in our house, so it was surprising to see Anko sitting next to this pair. I’m not sure if she caught them herself or just claimed the credit, but I had to snap a photo anyway. 🧦🐈‍⬛

Sky Watching From The Loft

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/3.2, 1/800 sec, ISO400
 “Golden Clouds” Cedar Park, 2026

When we’re hanging out in the living room in the evening, I can see the sky starting to turn colors through the window. When it goes orange, pink, and purple like this, I know it’s time to head upstairs to the loft window and see what kind of shots I can get. Tonight was pretty nice! 🌇📷

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 27mm, f/2.8, 1/350 sec, ISO400
 “Deep Pink Clouds” Cedar Park, 2026