Setsubun Food

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 35mm, f/2, 1/105 sec, ISO500
 “Ehoumaki” Cedar Park, 2023

It seems like we just celebrated Setsubun, yet here it is again. Yay! As usual, we enjoyed some massive ehoumaki sushi rolls, while facing this year’s lucky direction, South/Southeast. And of course you cannot speak until you’ve finished the whole roll!

This year, we also had soba, which is eaten traditionally at New Years. Since this marked the new year in ancient times, Mariko decided to make soba as well as the ehoumaki. It was so delicious! And now we’ll have double-luck this year.

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 35mm, f/5, 1/105 sec, ISO4000
 “Soba” Cedar Park, 2023

Chilly Ride

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 30.2mm, f/3.6, 1/160 sec, ISO400
 “Piplup and Sign” Cedar Park, 2023

I bundled up at lunch at went for a ride to the nearby hike and bike trail. I wanted to see if there was a lot of tree damage due the the ice storm. On the way there, I rode through our neighborhood and it looked like a tornado had come through! So many trees were broken, and some even were leaning on rooftops.

When I got to the trail, I was only able to ride a hundred meters or so before I had to turn around because the clean up crews were cutting and clearing fallen branches. But I did manage to get a rare selfie! As you can see, it was cold! Still, it was a fun ride and nice to get out after being cooped up in the house for the past three days.

Photo info: Apple iPhone 12 mini, 2.71mm, f/2.2, 1/120 sec, ISO64
 “Cold Selfie” Cedar Park, 2023

Icy Night

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 35mm, f/2.8, 1/105 sec, ISO5000
 “Poor Branch” Cedar Park, 2023

At about 2 am this morning, the icy tree branches started breaking off like crazy around the neighborhood. Our house backs up to a greenbelt, so there are a lot of trees close to us, and I could hear the wood cracking. Lani was also barking and whining, poor girl. I know she just wants to protect us and chase the animals that are making the sounds away, but I couldn’t let her out because it was so dangerous.

I surveyed the damage after it got light and the damage around our yard wasn’t too bad. But while Lani and I were outside, a large branch came down and scared both of us. Thank goodness Lani was at the other end of the yard!

Soonthe temperature rose to above freezing and the ice started to melt. I made a little time-lapse of the trees returning to their normal shape. Enjoy!

Here Comes the Ice

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 35mm, f/2.5, 1/600 sec, ISO320
 “Icicles” Cedar Park, 2023

Well, the icy weather has come to Austin! Schools are closed and the city is urging people to stay off the roads. All the trees in the neighborhood are straining under the weight of the frozen stuff, and many branches have already broken and are lying on the ground. So far we’ve been fortunate to only have a couple of small branches come down in your yard.

Unfortunately, the worst is yet to come, so we’re expecting more damage overnight… We’re crossing our fingers that it’s not too bad!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 35mm, f/6.4, 1/105 sec, ISO1000
 “Icy Trees” Cedar Park, 2023