Ready for trip

I'm heading to Japan tomorrow morning !!!

Very excited!!!

Before I leave, I've prepared some food stocks for my hubby who is coming back earlier than me.

He has to survive for 3 weeks alone...

So,

Look at pics!

Maybe enough ?

And cleaned my car;-)

At car wash

Lovely preparation,


A xx

Each stage in life

Everyone has a different life.

Different colors !!!

All colors are beautiful !

Each lifestyle, thinking, personality...

I think especially a modern society respects the human rights of each and every person.

Everybody can go through he/her life how to make it.

So,

This is a just example,,,

New Wine Bar " VINO BRAVO "

He started a new wine bar " VINO BRAVO "in Nov.

In fact he used to work as lawyer in a law firm where my husband is working.

Monthly Free Paper " NORTH SIDE "

This bar in there

Interesting life, isn't it ?

Lawyer or owner ?

Which is the best way that he can enjoy ?

Hmmmm

I see ^^

I've never been there, but it's very near my place.

Just 2 min !

So,

I'll go and taste some lovely wines and dishes any time soon.

With who ?

hehe^^

Anyway,

Life is beautiful !!!


Lovely color,



A xx

Karate at beach !!!

The final karate has come this year again.

Nice contrast !!!

Beauuuutiful angle ^^

It's an annual event that the last karate is held in Balmoral beach.

Like a Christmas karate party ^^

Normally they practice inside the gym.

Like this

Well...

My first son started karate in May 2009 when he was 4 yrs and 10 mos.

And my little one just started in July 2011 when he was 3 yrs and 7 mos.

So, that event was third time for big boy and first time for small fighter^^

It was so much fun !

Ball game

After some games, we shared some afternoon tea.

I baked and brought chocolate muffins ...^^

And some parents brought some snacks for share.

A teacher " Jenny " prepared some fruits, lollies, juice and so on, well organized !!!

And,

The weather was perfect, thanks god !!!

Actually


Last year we've got a downpour of rain....

So,

We had to spend a special time in the gym same as usual.....><

But this year was good !


Sunny clear sky made all of us happy^^ !!! hehe

Can you see? They're running !

Of course I took away a usual FW coffee at a cafe nearby .

It was nice, though a price was a bit tourist price $3.5 ( normally $3.0 ).

For me as well ^^



Eventually 

We stayed there till 5:30 ( regularly a karate class is from 4:00-4:55 ).

Thank you for everything, Jenny !!!




Lovely closing karate,


A xx

Friends with my coffee

I'm having a large flat white at home.

With a fruits cake;)

Cake w FW which I made

Mmmm it's great!!!

I got it from my mum friend whose son is in the same class with my boy.

She baked it with her girl friend's recipe.

Something like an Europe flavor, hehe (^^)

Thanks, Leanne!

BTW,

I love an avocado dish for healthy.

In fact I have to eat more cholesterol-rich foods, because I have a problem of less cholesterol in my body.

But....

Unfortunately my family except for me doesn't like an avocado....

So

I only have that chance when I eat out.

At cafe,

I always order dishes with avocado!

I can show lots of pics w my friend avocado;)

Well,

How many times did I say " Avocado "? too many....^^;


Lovely health,

Lunch A

Lunch B

Lunch C ...nothing change? hehe^^

A xx

Christmas season !!!

The largest Christmas tree in Sydney

Beautiful GPO !!!

Looks gorgeous !!! doesn't it ?

It's " The Martin Place Christmas tree " in the city.

http://www.sydneychristmas.com.au/major-events/martin-place-concert/

And " The GPO (General Post Office ) " next door.

My husband took I and my boys there to show it on Sun night.

It was beauuuuuuutiful !!!

And

Massive !!! 21 metres high ...haha

It was a good surprise actually.

On the other hand, a bad surprise was soooooo cold weather.

Yes.... it's true.

December is properly called " Summer ".

Summer Christmas season has come!!!

But ....

It's a completely not summer...like a winter...

Rainy windy cold wet ...

Today was very miserable day...><

The highest temperature was 16 degrees.

OMG !!!

Where is the sunny ?

Where is a Santa in a swimwear?

Please come back for Christmas season !!!

Why?

The time doesn't care about the weather....

I got my little one's Christmas party last Fri.

After the concert we had a buffet style dinner party.

Party food which I cooked

 

Chicken n tofu cakes w teriyaki sauce

I enjoyed it with other parents ^^

But ,,,,,

Outside.

Yes,

Freezing outdoor... 

I miss hot hot Christmas^^

Christmas concert

Fake santa !!! (my son said ...^^;)

Lovely Merry Christmas,



A xx

Japanese inspired Macarons cafe

Café Cre Asion
http://www.creasionmacaron.com/


Last Monday I went there with my friend Kayo-chan and my little one.

It is one of the latest cafes and macaroon shops around Sydney.

Actually,

The cafe's address says " Surry Hills "
which is called "Fashionable city " so I supposed that it was in the middle of Surry Hills.

But that's obviously located in the end of CBD Sydney.. haha...

And

It's situated along Alberta Street, a narrow narrow n a bit dark ... unfortunately feeling sad..

Good hiding place? Or desolate?

So I guess its business is gonna be hard if customers through word of mouth will have had enough.

Inside the cafe it has a nice atmosphere, feeling like Japan " Omotesando ".

They create a wide range of fusion-style macarons with unusual flavours – chai, Hoji tea, green tea, plum wine etc...

Beautiful !!!

I chose " Hoji tea sesame " and usual coffee Flat white.

Macaron cost was $2.7

The Macaroon had a gentle, soft and creamy taste....yummy ^^

It was relaxed time, sitting on a stylish low chair.

Interesting !!!

And I was impressed by charcoal blocks to purify the water.

Taste was nice and fresh.

Purified water

Lovely search for new cafe ^^


A xx

Dinosaur Treasure Hunt Party

It was a big issue as his mum.

But I think it was a big success, hopefully everyone had a good time^^;.

Well,

As far back as before the party.....

I've been asking what he would like to do a party.

And he decided to have a dinosaur treasure hunt party for his 4th BD.

Alright!!!

I love organizing especially a party... hehe

Especially for my adorable son.

I'd love to do it.

It was funny...

Because till the party( it was since early Oct ) my mind was full of dinosaur dinosaur.... (^_^;)

I got a lot of dinosaur toys, dinosaur invitation cards, dinosaur party sets and lollies bags and an inflatable 80cm dinosaur and so on.

Treasure map

Pinata

Signature color was green.

Dinosaur dinosaur dinosaur

Shooting an inflatable using water gun

I decided everything.

Maybe I just had a big fun for myself... hehe...

Actually it was small party, guests were 6 kids, 6 adults^^

Only his best friends !!!

It's interesting because his preference is quite different from my first son.

The first one prefers to invite lots of friends.

I fact, last year he invited a whole class ( 20 friends ).

And this year he did invite 19 boys with who he wanted to play.

I'm looking forward to seeing how they will be grown up.

At Clifton Garden Reserve in Mosman

Anyway,

Happy birthday !!!

Dinosaur cake

Lovely fascination,


A xx

Wine & olive in Manly

It was beautiful day last Sat.

I think the highest temperature was 26 degree.

Playing w water

Fantastic!

Look at this photo!!!

It's the Manly beach ;-)

Famous place !!!

There are lots of people by the sea.

Wow!

I didn't swim there, but I enjoyed afternoon white wine with some olives, tuna sashimi tataki, bread at a restaurant.

Relaxed time

While my son was enjoying his friend's " HQ Skate BD Party".

Thank you for giving me a chance for drink !

Hehe (^^)


Lovely best Sydney !!!

" Manly Corso "

A xx

Girls talk w chocolate fondue

I went out for celebration of my friend Sofya's birthday on Thursday night.

Of course without kids

Yay !!!

Thanks, my kind hubby!!!

It was a nice catching up.

I'm so lucky, I got lovely close friends, Celina from Argentina, Karina from Latvia, Sofya from Russia.

Actually one more, Esin from Turkey who has been away.

(from the left )Celina, me and Karina

Very colorful, means international(^^)
But we're similar.

We often get together and enjoy a chat, share our worries, cheer each other up.

So they're treasured for me ;-)

Of course, I have a few reliable Japanese friends as well.

(from the left) Sofya, Celina and me

Hehe... (^_^;)

BTW,



We went to the " The Mayor Bar and Dining  "which has just opened few weeks ago in Cremorne.

http://www.themayorbar.com.au/

" Chocolate fondue with fresh strawberries & marshmallows $ 15 "

We ordered a signature cocktail " The Mayoress $17 "which was mixed gin and rose, some fruits.

I really loved that combination !!!

Gorgeous!

Yum !!!

Sparkling !!!

It had a good atmosphere, though most of customers were not young people...

Anyway,


Lovely girls talk,


A xx

Bite size foods

I love cooking, especially love making a finger food.

Favorite category...

I'm so happy because I've got new recipe book which title was " bite size " !!!

 A lot of hints!

My close friend gave me^^ !!!

Thanks !

I'm really looking forward to trying a new recipe.

wanna try like this menu

Also love viewing it.

Actually

I tend to cook dishes matching wine....(><) as I like drinking....

So normally I make 2 types of dinner , one for adults and the other one for boys.

Yes, it's true.

I know it's a lot of work, but I wanna make different meals.

For boy's health?

Yes yes !!!

Maybe for my pleasure of nibbling with wine

Favorite recipe book " Rock Pool  "by Neil Perry

Yes !!!

Hehe...

Anyway,


Lovely inspiration,



A xx

BBQ at Davidson Park

BBQ season has come !!!

Finally I've got a BBQ grill and some tools at BBQ Factory.

Yes....finally

I've used BBQ facility wherever beach, park, river...before I got it.

So immediately, I went to the Garigal National Park with my family.

Gorgeous BBQ !!!

This park is called " Davidson Park ".

There were lots of picnic areas, though we all had to pay $ 7 for parking.

Beautiful weather !!!

Yummy foods, wines, boy's smiles ^^


Cheers !!!

to Sydney !!!

Yes, that's the " Sydney " !!!

I'm sure it must be a memorable experience for my boys.

Fishing, but failed...no fish

With nature in the fresh air

Seeing beautiful sky

Enjoying a kite

Lovely wildness by BBQ,


A xx

Ready for sending Christmas cards

I often realize that enjoying the socialization could be so meaningful.

The encounter is a treasure for me.

Indeed !!!

Actually I order Christmas cards since last year from my friend whom I met at my son's school.

Christmas cards !!!

She's lovely !!!

She's working as a trader of Phoenix Trading.

http://www.phoenix-trading.com.au/web/corp/area/home/?finala=10&bid=10474fe0cfb22734090fe237f5e08b194f7cc9d1

She's selling lots of greeting cards, gift wraps, stationery...etc at a low price at home.

$3 each for bd cards, $ 10 for 10 Christmas cards

Yes, very cheap but lovely design...


Good !!!


Because I need a lots of kids birthday cards at my son's friends party.


A bd card is necessary for a bd party, so its selling is very useful for me.

catalogs

The system is very simple.


She organized a wonderful morning tea party at her place, so I just come around to see some samples, catalog and then I can email her later for order.

It's also a nice catching up.

I could meet a lot of school mum friends there and enjoy a chat.


Hehe...


I really love sort of meeting ^^

And love cards !!!

Look at them !!!

plenty of stock

Pretty, aren't they?

I'm excited with sending them to friends and relatives in Japan.

I can't wait for Christmas ^^/


Lovely socialization,


A xx

9th Wedding Anniversary

9 years old....?!

Yes, it's true...Time is flying...

（Sigh...）haha

I wonder whether I've being really happy so far.

I'm a mum of 2 boys now.

I got married on 2nd Nov 2002 and I had a first baby boy in 2004, Japan and then I've got second one in 2007 U.S.A.

Are you ready for next memorial year " sweet 10 years"?

I think I'm really enjoying my life, though it's no use being toooooo ambitious.

Hehe.... I know.

I could find myself in reviewing my life not only at a wedding anniversary but each big event.

Especially wedding anniversary might be a most important opportunity of recognition being happy for me.

Just realization,

Appreciation,

Thinking of a brilliant life,

Making a goal

With dream

Wishing all my family lots of happiness.

Sorry for long talk to myself...^^;

BTW,

On Saturday I had a wonderful anniversary dinner with my husband.

Actually I went 3 restaurants !!!

Too much drinks and bills....>< haha

But I had a memorable time with delicious dishes.

First restaurant was WAQU where we could have modern Japanese dining in Crows Nest.

http://www.waqu.com.au/

Actually I'm familiar with the owners because my second son n their son are close friends^^

We ordered five course with matching wine.

Main " Roasted Duck with hoisin jus, mango puree, zucchini zukushi, crispy prosciutto

They were amazing !!! We were surprised with delicate cuisine.

Lovely dessert party !!! .

Thank you so much !


I knew I was full plenty, but moved to second restaurant by taxi... hehe

Ocean Room in Circular Quay

Cocktail with vodka, peach

No more drink ?

Yes--!!!

It was special, so go go--- next ! Completely drunk....^^;

" Mayor " with beer Coopers, some nuts

We moved again by taxi to new opened bar " Mayor " where was very close to our place.

Finished ?

Yes, I was stuffed...

Interesting day, wasn't it ?

Of course, next day I got a hangover.... sorry boys....

Anyway,


Lovely anniversary,




A xx