Author: Tomoko

Bee’s Business & Mail Service

This charming business is a Gem in Boulder City!  The owner, our dear friend Jean Dodge, efficiently runs the business service, called Bee’s Business & Mail Service at the location of 1400 Colorado Street Suite C, Boulder City, Nevada 89005. She is a super talented woman with many skills, with not only regular USPS, UPS, FedEx mailing, Receiving and Forwarding of mails domestically and internationally, Printing Materials, and temporally use of Internet Access inside of the office, she has licenses for Notary Public, Business Registrations, and Marriage Officiant!!!

If you ever need office and mailing needs, please visit Jeanie at Bee’s Business & Mail Services.  WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!

Cutest sign!

 

Front Door
She created such beautiful garden in front of her business!

Tonight’s Dinner

Since Rob loved tonight’s dishes, I am posting them!

From the top, Chicken Katsu (breaded chicken), Braised Eggplant (sweet, salty, and spicy graze), and Mashed Kabocha Squash (Japanese squash, very meaty; I made this in place of rice).

Yummy! 🙂

Chicken Katsu
Braised Eggplant
Mashed Kabocha Squash

Sunday Morning Bike Ride

Another fun Sunday Morning Bike Ride this morning!

A bit breezy yet it was such perfect temperature for riding this morning.

We encountered three animal species today other than regular “homo sapiens,” and they were Big Horn Mountain Sheep, Coyotes, and Geese!

Unfortunately we could not take photograph of Wylie Coyotes, but we managed to get pictures for Big Horn Mountain Sheep and Geese.  There Geese were not regular ones around here, must be on their way of seasonal migration travels.

We were able to see sheep in very close distance today.  They were too busy munching nice green grass 🙂

Handmade Cushions by Mom

My mother has been very crafty all her life.  She had several beautiful Kimonos which were stained in few places at the hem, and could not wear them any longer.

She decided to give those beautiful fabric another life, by making cushion covers!  It is very delicate silky fabric, with beautiful patterns.

They make the house bright and welcoming!

When I opened the postal package, the distinct sent of Kimono fabric brought me back to my home I grew up.  I loved the times when my mother occasionally brought out kimonos and opened up the special paper covering of each layers of them, which gives out the whiff of scent, hard to describe, yet noble and elegant.

I will always be thankful for my mother’s kindness and her wisdom in many facet of life.

Turkey Burger with Grilled Onions and Salad

Turkey Burgers with grilled onions and Salad

Turkey Burger with Grilled Onions and Salad

Good for quick lunch. Low carb, but this makes my tummy very satisfied 🙂

  • 4 patties Turkey Burger Patties (Frozen or make your own) (For Frozen Patties, make sure to buy BUTTERBALL brand, not others!!!)
  • 1/2 Onion (sliced)
  • 2 cups Salad Greens (We like the packaged Half & Half Greens at Albertson's)
  • 4 slices Cheddar Cheese
  • 1 small Roma Tomato (sliced)
  • 1 small Carrot
  • 3 tbsp Gobble Powder (mix of many kinds of herbs, salt, and pepper – recipe will be posted later)
  • few leaves Fresh Basil
  • As needed Your favorite Dressing

  1. Season Patties with Gobble powder and place them on Grill, with medium high heat, then grill 8 mins first, flip them, place sliced tomato pieces on them, place Sliced Cheese, then continue to grill for 7 mins.

  2. Slice onion, sauté them in small frying pan with Olive Oil, season with salt and pepper.

    Place them onto the grilled patties 🙂

  3. Wash greens, dry them well, then place in a ball. Chop up one Carrot (I used the peeler) and fresh Basil leaves and mix them with greens. Serve with your favorite dressing.

    Bon Appétit !!!

Main Course
American

 

Japanese Sakura (Cherry Blossoms) in Kyoto and Ashiya

Sakura in Kyoto
Sakura in Kyoto
Sakura in Ashiya
Sakura at my Mom’s

My mother in Japan had a little trip to Kyoto, and enjoyed walking under the nice Cherry Blossoms Trees along the river.

Around this time, my hometown of Ashiya-city and surrounding regions are in peak season of Sakura (Cherry Blossoms), and it is customary to have leisure outings at many famous viewing spots.

The third picture was taken by one of my hometown friends in Ashiya.  Those black and white buildings are actually Condominiums, I remember the time when I was still in grade school, that my Dad took us to see the model rooms when they started to sell.  It was designed by Japanese-American Architect, Minoru Yamasaki, who designed the famous twin towers (World Trade Center) in New York.

Oh I miss Japanese Sakura so much, and I say that every single year in Spring time.

Japanese Shumai

Japanese Shumai

Japanese Shumai

Cheating version of Shumai because it is steamed on Frying Pan, not with the official bamboo steamer!

  • 400 gram 1/2 ground beef, 1/2 ground pork mixed
  • 1 small piece Grated Ginger
  • 1/2 each minced onion
  • 2 tbsp Corn Starch
  • 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Cooking Sake
  • 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
  • 12 pieces Wonton Wrap
  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil

  1. Mix the minced onions with a dash of cooking oil, salt, and pepper. Cover lightly then microwave them for 15 seconds. Set aside.

  2. Mix the ground beef and ground pork very well till becomes sticky. Add the seasonings of grated ginger, corn starch, soy sauce, cooking sake, sesame oil and cooked onions. Mix well. Make 12 meatballs and place them onto the cookie sheet.

  3. Place one piece of wonton wrapper onto one meatball, and repeat till all 12 meatballs are covered. Then using your fingers, press the wrapper around the meatballs to create the Shumai shape. Press the top portion to make them flat.

  4. Pour the frying oil in the pan, then place all the shumai pieces in. Pour 3 tablespoon full of water into the pan, and place a lid. Cook in low heat for about 8 mins.

    Turn them upside down to cook the bottom of shumais for about 3 mins to brown them.

    Serve them with soy sauce with small amount of ground mustard mixed together.

Main Course
Japanese

Mashed Acorn Squash

 

Mashed Acorn Squash

Mashed Acorn Squash

  • 1 each Acorn Squash
  • 2 tbsp Cream Cheese
  • 1 tbsp Sour Cream
  • 1 tbsp Melted Butter

  1. Wash one whole Acorn Squash, place onto the plate, then microwave for 5 mins.

  2. Take out the Acon Squash from microwave (be careful, it is very hot) then cut it into half. Scoop out the seeds, then place them flat side down onto the plate, with splash of water on the plate. Place it back to microwave to cook additional 5 mins.

  3. If needed, increase the cooking time till the squash becomes soft. Scoop the meat into the bowl, add the dash of salt and pepper with the above noted other ingredients, then mash it all together. Serve 🙂

Side Dish
American