Yard-work, Subs, and Curry

"Trimming Olive Tree" Torrance, 2018
Photo info: motorola Moto G (5) Plus, 4.28mm, f/1.7, 1/1034 sec, ISO64
“Trimming Olive Tree” Torrance, 2018

こんばんは。How’s it going?

Today was yet another traditional family activity: trimming the olive trees at my parents’ house. 😆 Usually, my brothers and I will climb the ladders and trim the trees, and the kids will clean up the ground and pack the branches and leaves into the garbage bins. This year, Koa wanted to help out on the ladder so he spent some time trimming the front yard tree which is a little smaller than the backyard tree. That’s classic Koa – wanting to give new things a try!

"Tree Work" Torrance, 2018
“Tree Work” Torrance, 2018

For lunch, my mom made submarine sandwiches, which she always makes for us when we visit. It’s one of those meals that is a can’t miss but is a challenge to fit into the meal schedule, which often gets crowded! Mariko says I need to study how my mom prepares her subs, since when I make them at home they don’t taste the same. 😄 So I took lots of photos this time! Of course after 40 years of subs, I know how to make them just like she does, so we’ve come to the conclusion that it’s just the fact that grandma Fuji made them that makes them taste better.

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Another tradition is dining at CoCo curry house, and testing our tolerance for spiciness. This time, just Koa and I tested our limits, with Koa ordering a level-7 curry while I had a level-9 curry. I’ve had level-10 the past couple times, so I figured I would try something new. 😄 It wasn’t too spicy, actually, but the rest of the family’s milder-level curry was reportedly spicier than normal. Regardless of spiciness level, the curry was delicious and it was a fun dinner.

"Level 9 Curry" Torrance, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO1600
“Level 9 Curry” Torrance, 2018
"Curry with Cream" Torrance, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO1600
“Curry with Cream” Torrance, 2018

I hope you had a nice day!

またね~

"Sunset" Torrance, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/220 sec, ISO200
“Sunset” Torrance, 2018

Curry Nite 2

"Curry and Eggs" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/3.2, 1/100 sec, ISO1250
“Curry and Eggs” Cedar Park, 2018

こんばんは。As you can see from the photo, it was Curry Nite at our house! Actually, this is day-2 curry, so it’s even better… and we cooked up a few eggs that my coworker’s chickens “donated” to us. The yolks are really bright and tasty, although in the photo I bumped up the vibrance a bit because I like the look.

We still have a lot of curry leftover, so it will probably go into the freezer so we can enjoy it farther down the road. Curry is one of the big three in Japanese home-cooking as far as I’m concerned. The other two being Oden and Nabe. But you can’t beat a big pot of curry IMHO!

I hope you had a nice Wednesday!

またね~

Quick Curry and Boiled Egg Method

"Messy Curry" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/4, 1/100 sec, ISO3200
“Messy Curry” Cedar Park, 2018

こんばんは

This evening Mariko got called into work unexpectedly so she couldn’t finish preparing the curry she planned for dinner and left it up to me to put together. Actually, my job was really easy. I just had to run to the store to buy some curry blocks, then add them to the beef stew that was waiting in the Instant Pot. For this one, I used a half portion of hot Golden Curry, and a half portion of hot Java Curry.

It was yummy, but the special thing about the dinner was that I made some eggs that my coworker’s chickens had produced. They were so delicious!

Speaking of that, we have been using a new technique to boil eggs. It’s the best method to boil eggs we have found because it’s relatively fast and the eggs peel easily. Here’s how you do it:

  1. Put the eggs in a pot with about 1-2 cm of water in the bottom.
  2. Turn the heat on high until the water boils. It won’t take long since there’s not much water.
  3. Cover and reduce the heat to low.
  4. After 5 minutes, turn off the heat, and set the timer for 8 more minutes.
  5. Cool the eggs under cold water, peel, and enjoy!

I hope you had a nice Friday!

またね~

******************

Curry Nite

"Curry Nite" Cedar Park, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2, 1/100 sec, ISO800
“Curry Nite” Cedar Park, 2017

こんばんは。How’s it going?

The weather forecast for tomorrow is a chilly 55° F, which kind of crazy because it was 81° F today. And then Wednesday the high will only be in the 40s. The important thing about that drop in temperature is that it means it’s a great time for cold-weather meals!

Tonight we enjoyed a yummy Japanese curry, 🍛 with pork and potatoes, accompanied by a “Christmas” macaroni salad. It had red and green pasta in it, hence the name.

We all love curry year-round, but it’s especially great in the Winter. I can’t wait another cold-weather favorite: Oden. I know it’s coming soon!

I hope you had a nice day.

おやすみ

Curry and a Sketch

"Curry Nite" Cedar Park, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/25 sec, ISO3200
“Curry Nite” Cedar Park, 2017

Just like the title says!

For tonight’s sketch, I looked at a reference photo of Koshiba Fuka 小芝風花 for the hair, but the face I drew from scratch. I’m happy with how it turned out! 😄

"2017.10.12 Sketch" Cedar Park 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/3.2, 1/100 sec, ISO400
“2017.10.12 Sketch” Cedar Park 2017

To see all the sketches I’ve been working on, you can check out the Flickr album “My Sketching Journey”, or my Instagram account barron.sketches which I created just for posting sketches, watercolors, and stationery items.

I hope you had a great day!

またね~