Sweet sight to see our four college aged kids together in the states. The boys drove from TX, the girls from OR and the met in CO. Mike was able to Skype with all of them yesterday. He's lucky that way. I MISS these young adults, but am so incredibly happy they had time and wherewithal to meet up this summer even if the parental units are far away. ::snort::
We are starting to plan for the fall. I have a conference in TX to attend....we may all simply jump on the Patriot Express and catch up with everyone before or after the conference. We shall see.
The yukata is a Japanese summer kimono worn by both men and women. The name yukata comes from the word "yu" (bath) and "katabira" (under clothing ). Thousands of years ago court nobles began wearing yukatabira.It gradually became worn by Japanese warriors and then by the general public when the sophisticated Japanese public bath became popular. Today, the traditional Japanese yukata is widely used for everything from festivals, ryokan, summer daily wear to simple night attire. In Japan, the yukata is the most popular daily clothing wear and is beloved for its 100% lightweight cotton fabric. The fabric designs vary from the traditional plain cross hatch pattern to more colorful scenery designs.
(I knew it would tie in to the onsens somehow....)
We entered an incredibly old, authentic Japanese building. Really old...like back in the Meiji or Edo time periods....but I DO KNOW that during WW2 the family lost some of their fortune and gave the mansion to the city of Hachinohe. This is where we came to dress or be dressed for the festival.
We took of our shoes. We walked in and quickly saw a room full of folks dressing. The boys high tailed it back outside. They enjoyed an international discussion between American, Japanese and Brazilian young men. Men the world over drink juice and wait for women to finish dressing. ::snort::
I noticed that one American had worn tights and a tank...wish we'd thought to do the same....but that's fine....the one man wouldn't leave...so Akikosan took us behind rice screens...and we began to transform our dress. Akikosan brought a "professional kimono dresser" in to dress us....who knew?
Beautiful yukata that Akikosan gave Arielle
When in Rome....yeah...derriere photos...to show the Obis....these must have been good, because we were stopped throughout the festival by women who chattered and admired either the tied obis or our rears...I figure it was the obis. (Do note I did NOT make anything up - there's a gentleman in the room).
Do note the slight problem with Akikosan's plan of hiding us behind the rice screen...a bank of windows on one side...
Stacia's tied Obi
Poor Arielle, they tied and tied and tugged and we waited....
A window facing into the room of waiting men and dressers with a window...too bad I didn't notice this before we were dressed. ::snort:: Maybe better I didn't.
Prerequisite derriere photo
This made everyone happy - they put matching flowers in their obis because they are sisters.
No one seemed overly concerned with MY hair...but several were thrilled to get their hands on the blond hair.....
Arielle, Akikosan, Me, Stacia
All those people dressing in one room.....
The mansion was old - as was this tree....wish I'd had time for more photos
Process: Drape the yukata over your body, secure with bungee cords, wrap torso in thick, fabric covered, cardboard...pull, twist, stretch, squeeze, tie bow....take mincing steps to the fancy hair station. The goal is to have a shapeless figure...got me...but that's it....straight, no waist...check the video clip below.
If you'd like REAL directions (and in case you don't believe me about all the layers) view here....
I see the undergarment we need to buy before next time. As you can see there is a "right" way to wear each piece. If you DO get it wrong...you are sure to be stopped and adjusted.
Arielle had the wider obi and had a terrible time trying to eat.
I have so many truly profound topics to blog about....if I could find the time when my brain is functioning, I would blog. LOL
For now....since I've committed to keeping a family journal, we'll forget the profound and go with the typical.
Zander, Stacia and I went to say goodbye to Mr. Jim as he left for another 8 months. Honestly....life doesn't seem fair. He's only been home 3 months. Hard for families to be together, be apart, be together, be apart....and yet we do it. I wanted Twyla to know that she is not alone, that I also think this is simply not nice or fun or a good way to treat troops...but that I know she's going to make it. We said our goodbye, left to run errands so they could have a family goodbye and then....
We went to the beach. Janet told me when we first got to Japan to find a place that is "mine," where I feel at peace and closer to "home" and our older kids....a place where I can go when I feel overwhelmed. The beach is that for me. It was unbearably sad to watch the Patriot Express fly away.....but the silver lining is one more deployment buddy. Deployment buddies are ladies who have no man at home, are willing to drop everything at a moment's notice to go play, share charcoal, sit in an onsen with you when you don't feel like talking but don't want to be alone either.....these are good friends to have. I'm blessed to have several.
Simply amazing what an observant beach comber may find in Japan. ::snort:: This fellow migrated from MT to AK to TX to Japan.
My favorite wave jumping partner
We bought this with high hopes....
Stacia discovered immediately, what Arielle discovers here, it FLIPS in the waves...and holds you under.
Juice from one lemon
3 T. Tahini (or try substituting peanut butter)
2 garlic cloves minced
1 15. oz. can of chickpeas- drain but reserve liquid
1 T. finely chopped parsley
1/4 tsp each of:
cumin
paprika
salt
Put all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend, adding liquid from the chickpeas as needed to achieve desired consistency.
Hummus is good chunky or smooth. Experiment with different seasonings, can also add chopped scallions, roasted red pepper, etc. (Use as dip for veggies, chips, sandwich spread...I'm going to spread it on a tortilla and add lots of roasted veggies. ::snort:: ) My guess is 1/2 Cup = 100 calories (chick peas).
1/3 C Lemon Juice (2 - 3 lemons)
1/3 C Agave Nectar (Xagave)
1 lt Perrier Water (sparkling water)
Mix. Serve over ice. Yummy! My new deployment drink of choice. For more yummy eats click here or link list below blog header. Made with Madhava Agave Nectar 80 cal per 8 oz.
Psst....I now make this with tap water and the kids love it just the same. 60 cal per 8 oz if made with tap water.
I'll share more thoughts and post a zillion photos tomorrow....but for now...let me say attending this festival with Akikosan was a blast.
Crowds like this in America would alarm me....
But the girls were fairly easy to keep track of...the crowds honestly parted and the comments were often and loud. I could get rich if I sold photos of these two.
Jared was easy to spot and by this point seems to be tired of keeping an eye out for his sisters. Poor guy. He does look rather fearsome doesn't he?
I felt totally safe, but when I mentioned going to Tokyo with the kids...Akikosan said she thinks it would be a better idea to wait until Mikesan is home. She said maybe Okinawa would be a better idea than Tokyo?????
Family Portrait
May I say a Victorian corset has nothing over a Japanese Obi
Poor Arielle couldn't eat....
Stacia had no trouble - sweet pineapple
Akiko steered us from the "ice cream" stands to a little man with a cart for "old style Japanese Icesu"....yummm....like a slushy on a cone.
