I wnder how the year 2013 is like.

The year 2013 has just started.

 One of the big events in my family this 2013 is our son's high school

entrance exam which he will be taking by the end of January.
I wish he could pass it with flying colours

 

 

 Here is a picture of  Sansevieria or the Mother-in-law's Tongue  ,houseplant.

 I've grown it several years now.
This plant needs low maintenance. I seldom water it and place fertilizer

throughout the year and it can already delight our eyes.

 

 

 

It  snowed heavily a few days ago . Everything that were covered with

snow looked beautiful.  White world is fantastic.

 

 

 

I went to see the renovated red-brick building, Tokyo station which was opened

in last October with my daughter during New Year's Holidays.
There was a crowd of people in around the station.　

 The domes on both sides of the building was amazingly lovely.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After   hanging around two stylish big shopping centers near Tokyo Station, we took a walk around the imperial palace and went to another shopping center with my daughter.

 

 

This soft ice cream was taste-GOOD.

When we were in shopping center,  luckyly meeted "Sisimai( Lion dance)" which was performed around the new Year by one or two lions accompanied by bamboo flutes and drums. It was performed as a prayer for household safety and health and a good harvest.

 

 I and my family visited my parents to greet them a happy new year during New Year's Holidays.
 I feel very happy that I and my family got another healthy year again. But there were a lot of demands on my purse at this time. Because, in Japan, adults are supposed to give money to their children or relative's children as  New Year's Gift .

 

  We went to a big Temple nearby to pray our happiness and health.

 

 

 

My daughter  bought her first false eyelashes.   She  tried them on

but we were not able to put them properly. We were not used to putting it on.

 

My father who started doing magic about 20 years ago, taught me

some ways how to do magic   such as shifting a knot of handkerchief

from a red handkerchief to a yellow  one , showing a handkerchief on my

 hand instantl ,restoring torn paper by hands to its original size , restoring a bill

with a hole to its original condition and separating a red ring tied together with

a white rope.   It was quite difficult to  do such magics well. I have to

 practice them again and again to master.

 

 

 

I went to Haiji village(　ハイジの村）　with my family. It was freezing,

but we were impresed by the fantastic ilumination.

 

 

I'm hoping that a lot of people around the world will be happy this year.

I just desplayed a miniature helmet of armor

May 5 is Children's Day, Japanese national holiday, one of long the holidays which make up Golden-Week. This day is celebratede in oder to  wish the healthy growth and happiness of the boys  in the family.

 This is miniature helmet of armor which my parents gave us for my son when he was born. We hope he is always happy. Incidentally, He'll  have soccer game all day long on this May 5.

My Viora is blooming profusely now. Aren't they very dainty? They are easy to grow, but you  should water well in warm and dry wether  especiall when they are planted  in a flower pot.

"Azeleas and tulips "   Azelea flowers is small in number this year. Insects  may had eaten its buds ,I think.

one more of picture of tulips


I harvested some Edible Chrysanthemums to cooked them and squid  in vinegar.
I like a special flavor of Crown Daisy.

 Hear is a pics of  orange Elatior Begonia which was handed out from the school  after my daughter's graduation ceremony. It is placed near eastern window in my living room.

By the way, when I read English web site on gardening, I came across the word of  "1/8" soil". That word is new to me, and I googled it soon, but I didn't grasp it well. I wonder what a kind of soil it is. I only very occasionally have uncertain word like that:)

My Daffodils are at their best!!

Look!! I have a lot of sparkling DAFFODILS in full blossom in my garden.

I do love narcissuses. Why? I charm with their beautiful shape, sweet odor,

eye -catching color , above all they are easy to grow.

Garden Giant(ガーデンジャイアント）＆Trumpet Daffodils(ラッパ水仙)

Thiｓ picture is how  daffodils above were one month before.

These sunny -yellow-color daffodils came out
earlier than other ones this year.

these are much smaller than the  others.

I arranged them with Thunberg Spirea in a black vase.

Spring is in full bloom IN my front door.

Grape hyacinth, attractive bright blue flowers spread freely,

and so do Spring Star Flowers.

Grape hyacinth(ムスカリ/musukari）

Spring Star Flower(花にら/hananira）

 

By the way, I had my daughter's entrance ceremony at Junior High Scool

yesterday.Her homeroom teachers had been men for 6 years, so she hoped

her form teacher would be a woman. And  her wish was realized. Good!!

in front of cherry blossom trees in the school

Children grow rapidly.

We wish her a happy,wonderful life.

The superb outing with my relatives

 My cousin and her family and my family together went to "fruits Park "in Yamanashi Prefecture on one fine day late in  March.When I and my cousin were children,  ofen used to stay with each other's house.And, to our joy, we  have  traveled  in every summer  with each other's family  since the birth of our first child.

Here's a picture of my daughter and my cousin's children against Kofu Basin.

We also climbed "Mt.Yougai :Yougaiyama(要害山）" in the north area of Kofu city.

This is a pics of Mt.Fuji which looked out over from its top.

Unfortunately,the top of Mt,Fuji is coverd with some  cloud.

Here are two photos of its top.This mountain is not so high：Elevation 770 meters high but the mountain trail is really the steep slope,so very hard and tired to climb up. However ,It is easy to go down the hill 

The stone monument says that the birthplace of Singen TAKEDA(Sengoku　busho

戦国武将；Japanese military commander in the Sengoku period)

And then,We stopped by "Takeda shrine" ,too

These are the videos how our children are now.They are making a racket.

We  really had a lovely time.

The hina dolls

 

"The Dolls Festival for girls(hinamaturi)" is coming soon. 

Not elegant the dolls in ancient court costumes is ?

We display a set of dolls ,and pray for the sound growth

 of our daughters at this time of year in Japan.

What a sweeeeet smell!!

My aromatic ume- blossoms are at their best in my garden now.

As I neglected thinning out last year,  don't have  many flowers this year.

I'm reflecting on myself.

                       ♪  Have a lovely weekend　♪

Congratulation!

My ex colleague hold a wedding reacently

It was SO lovely and impressive ceremony

With  my colleagues who used to work together....

We really relished  terribly happy and fabulous time.

I put on Kimono for the first time in the last two years.

We was deeply impressed with her nice direction such as

some nice Videos of her own making, some  big surprises,

very delicious dishes, their warm and nice speach.

She is very considerate , chaming and sensible woman.

I sincerely hope their hapiness.