Happy February, all!
I don't know about you, but this month is a little special to me. For one, as a New Orleans gal this month is all about celebrating Fat Tuesday, or as we natives call it, Mardi Gras.
Laissez les bon temps rouler, mes amis!
I hope to order a King Cake from our family friends, the Haydel's, so we can enjoy one before the season is over. Also, I think it would be nice to share. King Cake, coffee, red beans and rice...can you think of a more wonderful meal to have with friends?
February is also the month for all that football madness culminating in the Super Bowl.
Courtesy of Getty Images/Ronald Martinez
Last year was extraordinarily special. The New Orleans Saints brought victory to our city! It was an emotional win filled with tears, laughter, and humility. We'd never been prouder to call New Orleans our home, and even though they didn't pull a repeat this year (and let's be honest, no one ever has), it hasn't taken any shine from their much deserved triumph. Bless those boys!
February is more widely known for Valentines Day. I've never understood why many people dread this day. The commercialism aside, at its heart, to me, this day is about celebrating the love you have with the people in your lives. That's just how I was brought up.
I understand that we want to spend that day with a special someone. But we can take comfort knowing we already have special someones. Fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, relatives, friends...there are numerous people that we love and share our lives with. I think there's alot of hullabaloo out there that renders us a little crazy around this time.
I try to have fun projects around the house for the children, and maybe give them a little something special on the 14th.
For the most part we focus on us and our relationships. We try to do this every day, but on Valentine's we take the time to really celebrate them.
I'll celebrate with you, too, if you'd like!
February is a month that also holds personal meaning. I was born this month, after all! The 15th marks the day I made my grand debut into this world, and each year I relish the days as it approaches.
I've never been one to mind getting older. I embrace the years as they go by for the simple fact that life really does get better with each passing year! At 29 I never imagined I'd be able to have another child, let alone live in a foreign country several years after that. Did I ever envision singing on stage at the Kennedy Center or in a world competition choir festival in Gorizia, Italy when I was 16? Never!
It only goes to show how unpredictable and exciting the future can be. I've been blessed with countless friendships, some which have been maintained, others which have, sadly, faded, but to think that some of my best and closest came in my later 20's never would have crossed my mind.
These next few days I'm celebrating a few of these special moments with thoughts and projects...maybe a little look into my birthday wish list as well!
Let's kick it off with these beauties, shall we?
Juliska's Berry and Thread teapot, sugar bowl, and creamer top my list this year. Why? Because all of my teapots are in storage, I don't have a creamer and sugar bowl for entertaining, and taking tea with Eldest isn't quite as easy (or stylish) without the proper serving pieces.
Husband will tell you I've been on the hunt for a sugar and creamer since our move to Tokyo, but they're either ridiculously priced, or ugly as sin. Juliska is a lovely combination of form, style, and really has that casual elegance that reminds me of the South.
Don't y'all agree?
Why it's taboo to make a to do about your birthday once you're past the age of 21 I'll never understand. I'm thrilled to be alive. I'm fortunate to have one to celebrate. God has blessed me with enriched years, and I'm still so young!
What will be next? What joys and wonders will the next few years bring? I can only imagine. I pray for health and happiness, grace and guidance, forgiveness and fortitude, not only for me, but for my children, my family, and my friends.
Welcome February! I'm so glad you're here.
I saw a four foot tall, stylishly designed burlap bag. Supported by a metal frame~not dissimilar to a burlap laundry hamper~I peeked over the top to see an inspiring sight.
Almost filled to the brim, the entire bag held cleaned bottle caps, ready to be taken and recycled.
It made me smile, because the Japanese take green living pretty seriously. They have their carbon footprint, don't misunderstand, but it's nice to see that some people really do talk the talk as well as walk the walk.
Taking the time to clean each bottle cap before being placed into the large sack? Shows even more care.
Kudos to you Starbucks of Azabu-Juban. You've earned yourself a very loyal customer.
Once upon a time there was a sweet little lamp from IKEA.
It had a special place of honor upon the scallywags book case in Japan, a very good place to be. Unfortunately the little lamp was sad. It wanted to fit in in its new home, to feel youthful and bright.
Her heart going out to the little lamp, the Lady of the House found a lovely fabric that suited both the scallywag's room, and the little lamp's needs.
Working late into the night and with careful hands, the Lady of the House tenderly wrapped the little lamps' shade in its new covering, gently and slowly, pleating and tucking the fabric along the way.
After a while, the Lady sat back and inspected her work. The lamp shook in excited anticipation, then lit up brilliantly upon seeing its transformation.
For now longer was it simply a lamp from IKEA.
Now, it fully belonged to the little boy...
And the lamp was happy.
The End.
It's amazing how much more active we were in the peak of Summer! Tokyo's winter weather is just fine and not that off-putting. Still...our fingers get icy, I struggle to get my son to wear a hat while walking around, and as unseemly as this may be to admit, our noses start to get an annoying drip after a little while.
It's very different when you don't have a car to protect you from the elements. You just have to put on your big girl panties along with your winter gear and get out and brave it. Don't misunderstand. It's not like we're in New York~we're actually the most south we've ever been.
But being a real Big City Girl definitely has it's "ah-ha" and "I wish I had my car" moments.
In any case, it's funny how we didn't seem to mind glowing to death on sweltering days (though I know we really did).
On one of those hot days in September the children and I headed out to the area of Harajuku for a Sri Lankan festival.
Our maid is from Sri Lanka, and she didn't seem to impressed with all of the hullabaloo, but I figured when in Rome...
It's a treat to expose the children to different cultures. They love to get out and about, and I like being able to catch a glimpse of the tastes, sights, and sounds of other lands.
It stirs my blood.
We met up with some friends before heading out and watched the Elvis dancers for a while. My Lord are they entertaining!
Better known as the Rockabilly Boys, these men, and some women, pay homage to the King by donning his trademark 'do, and clothes resembling those from Elvis' Rockabilly days. And then they dance.
They are a joy to watch!
Remarkable.
And they have the most fun as they jump, jive, and shake their hips!
Elvis would be delighted with their tribute.
We parted ways with our friends after a little while, and as the heat really was starting to pour down, headed past the beautiful dresses,
the outrageous and fun earrings,
and straight to the soft serve stand. I know two young people who were beside themselves with happiness!
Will you look at those red cheeks? They both looked ready to burst into little balls of flames.
The children both enjoyed their frosty treats as we walked the grounds of the festival. We watched women in their traditional garb, dancers perform on stage, and festival revelers picnic in style!
For the most part we walked around taking in everything~which was what we had set out to do in the first place. It was special, though, as we went in fearlessly, and without Husband the tour guide.
Tokyo is constantly playing host to other cultures and their celebrations, just as they do for their own. It's one of the greatest things we get to experience as expats. This blog has really become a great scrapbook, and for that I'm so thankful it was started.
Where else would I document these memories? How else could I share them with family and friends?
Now that we're all in better health and well-rested, I'm looking forward to seeing what winter festivals Tokyo will have. They'll be worth braving the elements for.
And maybe this time I'll pick up a little something sassy...
Or not.
A lovely Monday to you all!
