the belly chronicles

nabe cozy

It really is all relative, isn't it? Today, I'm talking about wintertime. It's all shivers and parkas and boots here (myself included in the parka and boots, maybe not the shivers), but it reaches the 40s every day with the sun shining clear and bright. We are learning so much about the cultures of the 45 countries represented at YIS, and in this season, we're learning about the thickness of our blood. To Aussies and Thais and Indonesians, it's downright cold. To Minnesotans and Canadians, it's like April.

Nonetheless, it's chilly in Minnesota in April and chilly here now. What better time to explore the Japanese hot pot?

This nabe pot was my present under the tree this year, and it's gotten some good use as we try to figure out what to put into it. I've got a new book coming next week that will help me find some more traditional combinations than the pork and clams that we choose collectively in a family trip to the market, but each time we've made it, we've enjoyed the soup and the time sitting and talking as we waited for it to cook.

The pot even came on our New Year's trip to the Izu peninsula and I got to go shopping with our new Japanese friend to choose the ingredients. I think we're starting to roll here with giant prawns, salmon, clams, tofu and veggies.

May you have warm cozy meals in your hearth this season. Unless, of course, you're in Australia, in which case I hope you enjoy your snags on the barbie.

 

and some more holiday crafting

In the midst of all the toy frenzy, for Chanukah I was able to crank out a small handmade project for each kiddo. Miel got a soft pink and purple fuzzy scarf, cozy enough for every day.

And Isaiah got this messenger bag. I had so much fun making it. At least mostly, till the end when I wanted to tear my hair out! It's from the book One-Yard Wonders, the same book we used for Isaiah's teacher's bag.

It was originally for his drawing supplies, since those little fingers need to be busy all the time, but now it seems to make a convenient case for his growing Bey Blade collection. Go figure :)

for the sake of making

In the spirit of catching up a bit on the huge gap--initiated by our first visitor, Dale, back in November--I've got a few posts ready for you about holiday crafting and pre-holiday travel. Now you can't blame Dale for showing us such a great and full time that I couldn't even tell you about it, but as we gear up for our next VIP visitors, I think I'd at least better catch up a little and bring us all up to the present.

Ahhh...holiday crafting. This year was interesting in the crafting department as in so many other ways. Since we've come to Japan, since my kids are both in school each day (Miel just in the mornings), and since I'm not working at all for the first time in most of our family life, I have LESS time for the usual things...cooking, making, nature walking. Yes, a paradox I can't really explain, except in terms of time warps and such. But, time management has always been a big one for me, so it's no surprise really.

So, I've let go of a lot of things. (We'll talk about my changing relationship with cooking in another post.) For this reason and a whole bunch of others--overcompensating for the nature deprivation, wanting the kids to fit in, needing more toys as a result of city living--I found myself at Toys R Us 3 times and I really caved on some of my values when choosing what Santa could bring the children. Case in point, Miel received a Disney princess castle on Christmas morning (purchased by me!!). This breaks 2 of my toy "rules": no new plastic and no branding (especially of old traditional fairy tales!). Anyway, I won't get started ranting, but you can probably feel the indignation rising in my chest just reading this.

Fortunately, I found that balancing a few handmade things into the mix helped me feel a bit more grounded into our family values. And that's what I really wanted to share with you today...

 Isaiah and I had great fun making this collapsible shopping bag for his teacher. He chose the fabric at the store, sewed pretty much all of it,

and was really proud of his work!

It's from the book, One-Yard Wonders, which is my first sewing book and a perfect beginner one because everything is just one yard. So, even if I mess up, it probably hasn't cost me that much time or money that I can't go back and do it again. Each project teaches me a new skill or two, and I'm really falling in love with sewing. I don't think Isaiah even realizes what a beginner I am and how lucky we were to have had a successful project.

He brought some sweet bookmarks for his classmates to their end-of-year party. Again, he did all the sewing, writing, and decorating and felt really good about the making. He might not have the energy to pick up one sock off the floor, but he's always liked having a serious job.

Miel also made some for her friends, and our little flurry of pre-holiday making got us all in the spirit.

chiling out

On the eve of returning to school after a luxurious 3-week winter holiday,

take one family to the mountains,

add a gaggle of friends

and a couple of monkeys.

Add a scenic wintry waterfall

and a warm and cozy log cabin,

And you get a happy, tired, yet somehow refreshed family :)

just a few reasons why maybe i'm not writing so much

It's kind of embarassing when an Onion article speaks your truth.

ps...The birthday was soooo sweet. The birthday boy seemed to be in touch with some bittersweet feeling of growing out of his babyhood. He was soft and kind and cuddly and tender. And he got to hang out with big kids the whole afternoon...at a fun place...in Tokyo...and go out to lunch and dinner.

It's kind of sad that Miel's 1/2 birthday falls the day before Isaiah's birthday. As he opened presents, put on his crown, beheld the birthday banner, she squeaked, "I guess a birthday is more special than a half-birthday."

 

6 spins around

On the eve of Isaiah's 6th birthday, I'm focused on preparing myself rather than bustling around with the preparations. We'll be going on a Tokyo outing tomorrow, a cabin for the weekend, and having the ice skating party next week, so all I need to do tonight is the hang the birthday banner, add another star onto the birthday crown, and reflect on these 6 years with this growing boy.

He's still a cuddler. (Yay!) He's still an adventurous eater...a boon here in Japan's foodie paradise. He still is happiest playing a sport with a friend. He's still a resilient traveler and friendmaker who has lived more places than some adults I know. He still fills my heart with love and the house with noise and stuff.

There is something about this birthday that definitely seems more epic. I know I say that every year, but still. When you graduate from the birth-5 crowd, you're a full-fledged kid.

I wish for him to live his dreams with joy. And I wish for myself to let him grow and go with grace. (But let's just share one little flashback, one more time.)

ps...I know it's been pretty quiet around here lately. My mid-winter hibernation. But there's much to share and catch up on, so I think I'll be showing up a little more regularly. Thanks for being here...it's more fun to be in touch with you than off in my own orbit :) Tho' some personal orbit time is essential for us all, no?

Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu!

May the Year of the Rabbit bring you closer to your heart's desire!