What is in your cup?

[vulcan_girl]

Mexican Coke - made with real sugar!

[Stitchawl]

Here I am back home again, and I'm here to rest
All they ask is where I've been, knowing I've been West
I'm the family's unowned boy, golden curls of envied hair
Pretty girls with faces fair
See the shine in the Black Sheep Boy

Home is the hunter, home from the hill; and the sailor home from the sea.

Hello everyone! We have returned safe and sound from a wonderful week of riding! Almost perfect weather, we only had 45 minutes of rain on one late afternoon, and never too cold. The onsen (hot springs spas) were beautiful and comfortable, the ferry ride down and back was pleasant, and we had a delightful vacation. I didn't do as much reading as I would have liked, but this time I did remember to bring my tea, so it was daily doses of Black teas in the middle of a Green tea world!
(Next trip I'll also pack a proper sized mug!)

I've put a few low res photos into an album here so you can get an idea of what we were seeing.

On the last day on the roads, we passed something like an antique shop, and found these for sale...



I bought the set on the bottom left even though we don't have a fireplace.

It's nice to be home once again.


Stitchawl

[Stitchawl]

My friend Bruce said "Home is where you don't have to put paper on the toilet seat." Bruce was a wise fellow. But I say "Home is where you can get a decent sized cup of tea!"


Stitchawl

[bjones6416]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

My friend Bruce said "Home is where you don't have to put paper on the toilet seat." Bruce was a wise fellow. But I say "Home is where you can get a decent sized cup of tea!"


Stitchawl

Glad you had such a good week! I'm off to look at your pictures...

[bjones6416]

The pictures are great, Stitchawl! A little trip for me without leaving my chair this morning!

Is that Goddess of Mercy statue as big as it looks?

[desertblues]

cold black Arabica-coffee

[astra]

Great to have you back with us, humble MR taverna denizens

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

I've put a few low res photos into an album here so you can get an idea of what we were seeing.

Fantastic pictures.
Thanks!

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

On the last day on the roads, we passed something like an antique shop, and found these for sale...

Looks....vintage
If I were not such minimalist, I would get one for my house if I ever came across something as exquisite.

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

My friend Bruce said "Home is where you don't have to put paper on the toilet seat." Bruce was a wise fellow. But I say "Home is where you can get a decent sized cup of tea!"

I could not agree more.



With both of you



This Saturday morning is a bit brighter than the previous one i.e., my acute viral disease is retreating.
I have drunk a few enjoyable cups of tea.
Assam Harmutty, Emperors Yunnan and 3 cups of Ahmad's English Breakfast.
I opened the latter today in the morning because I finished Tea House Emporium's English Breakfast a few days ago (I have another bag of the tea but it will have to wait because the Want-to-be-drunk List is long...patience).
It is nice. Not as good as some Assam's but better than Taylors of Harrogate's Pure Ceylon or Tea Room Blend and on par with Tea House Emporium's English Breakfast.

[maianhvk]

hot chocolate

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by bjones6416

The pictures are great, Stitchawl! A little trip for me without leaving my chair this morning!

Is that Goddess of Mercy statue as big as it looks?

Bigger. Too late right now, but tomorrow I'll put up the 'poor' photo of the statue, with the building in front of it so you can get an idea of the size.


Stitchawl

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by astra

Looks....vintage
If I were not such minimalist, I would get one for my house if I ever came across something as exquisite.

Not just vintage... Old! From back when everyone used charcoal fires for their cooking. These were made to sit on the iron holders that go right into the coals. Instead of chimney fireplace cooking, the fires were made in the center of the room, on a bed of sand, the smoke going up and out through a hole in the roof. For old wooden houses with paper walls, there sure were a lot of fires inside. For warmth, the kitchen and living rooms had charcoal heated 'kotatsu,' pits about 4-5 feet deep with burning charcoal at the bottom. Folks would sit with their feet dangling down into the pit, a table over the top of it, with a quilt holding the warmth inside.

These days folks use an electrically heated kotatsu. but it's still a very common way to keep warm. Many people will even sleep under them!

I prefer the old charcoal ones... as long as I'm not the one who has to wake up early to get them started!

Stitchawl

[astra]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Not just vintage... Old! From back when everyone used charcoal fires for their cooking. These were made to sit on the iron holders that go right into the coals. Instead of chimney fireplace cooking, the fires were made in the center of the room, on a bed of sand, the smoke going up and out through a hole in the roof. For old wooden houses with paper walls, there sure were a lot of fires inside. For warmth, the kitchen and living rooms had charcoal heated 'kotatsu,' pits about 4-5 feet deep with burning charcoal at the bottom. Folks would sit with their feet dangling down into the pit, a table over the top of it, with a quilt holding the warmth inside.

These days folks use an electrically heated kotatsu. but it's still a very common way to keep warm. Many people will even sleep under them!

I prefer the old charcoal ones... as long as I'm not the one who has to wake up early to get them started!

Stitchawl

What a bizarre country Japan is.


A cup of Natela's Gold Standard (Georgian white).

[pdurrant]

Coke Zero #2

[Aurora W]

Kamiya Papaya Oolong

Thanks for the photos Stichawl - looks like the weather was fantastic!

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

These days folks use an electrically heated kotatsu. but it's still a very common way to keep warm. Many people will even sleep under them!

My favorite manga-ka drew her characters sitting around a kotatsu in one of her art books. She also talked about how she liked sitting at one, but it made getting any work done difficult.

[astra]

I cannot imagine how they sit there.

I cannot sit on the floor with crossed legs. Lotus position. Never could. My legs get numb. It was my bane in the Army. When sergeant knew we are about to faint he would allow us to sit down. Only with legs folded neatly beneath us. So, I had to stand because I could not sit otherwise.
I have heard long time ago that in Japan it is an offence if you stand up from your knees or Lotus positions during tea ceremony.

[wannabee]

Reporting back from about three weeks ago. The Ginger and lemon grass tea mixed with green tea was absolute crap! Brew one or the other but don't mix. Yuk.

Meanwhile I decided to add chili to the juice this week.

I like it. trouble is . . . . I make it for my wife as well who should have had more of a say in HOW MUCH!

Burning lips. . . . lovely after taste, yum. If you like chili [I do, not so much Tracey]

How do you fix a week's juice with too much chili in it? I think you just start all over again. I need more jars! and more carrots, apples, pears, celery...... Oh well...great inventions are discovered by mistakes. I like it!