Setsubun

Yesterday was Setsubun. February 3rd, which is one day before Risshun (the first day of spring according to the lunar calendar), is called Setsubun in Japan. It's not a national holiday, but mame maki (bean throwing) ceremonies are performed on Setsubun.

Traditionally, people throw roasted soy beans at home, shouting "oni wa so to" (get out demons) and "fu ku wa uchi" (come in happiness.) These beans are called fuku mame (fortune beans.) It is believed that people can be healthy and happy if they follow this custom and eat the number of soybeans of their age plus one.

We celebrated at our Japanese school. It has become so much more than a place to learn the language for our kids but also the customs and culture of Japan.

Our teacher does an amazing job. She built the entire lesson around Setsubun themes. The kids had to find demons of certain colors she called out to practice their colors. So many fun things and all the while learning about their culture and language.

She even commissioned some kids from other classes to come and act as the demons for our kids to throw beans at. Of course they thought this was a blast!

Pamplemousse French Toast

I am kind of in love with grapefruits. I remember my Mum cutting them up for us with the wooden handled grapefruit knife and scooping the juicy pieces out for breakfast.

It's the height of grapefruit season and I have been eating one every day. I made a delicious and easy breakfast the other day. This would be a fun thing to surprise your sweetheart with on Valentine's Day!

• 1 pink or Red Rio grapefruit
• 4 tablespoons butter, divided
• 2 tablespoons slivered almonds
• 1/4 cup plus one tablespoon maple syrup, divided
• 3 eggs
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
• 8 slices Challah or country-style bread (about 3/4-inch thick) I didn't have any on hand so I used regular 12 grain.

Cut a small slice off each end of the grapefruit and stand it upright on a cutting surface. With a knife, remove the peel from the grapefruit in strips, maintaining the curved shape. This is a great way to cut up/peel citrus of any kind.

Holding the grapefruit in one hand, cut out the segments of fruit between the membranes.


When you are done, squeeze the remaining juices from the skeleton of the grapefruit into the bowl, and put aside.

In a small sauté pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and add the almonds, 1/4 cup of the maple syrup, and the reserved juice. Bring to a simmer and cook until the consistency of light syrup, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Toss in the grapefruit sections. Stir very gently to coat the sections and set aside.

Beat the eggs with the milk, the remaining 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, and add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat and melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Dip 3 or 4 slices of bread into the egg batter and cook until golden brown on both sides. Remove to a heated platter or keep warm in a low oven. Repeat.

To serve, place 2 slices on each plate and top with the grapefruit.

While You Were Out

I am gathering stuff to re-do Ellie's room in a "while you were out" style. I want to ambush her with a complete room re-decoration so I'm starting to design in my mind.

I picked a paint color today: Pixie Violet (see below):


I may go with the shade darker "pristine Petal" but that would be a big leap in the depth of the color.

I was inundated with samples of ghastly, obnoxious purples but this one stood out as "the one".

Will keep you updated on the process.

Valentine Wreath

I'm not sure if I am looking in the wrong places but the first year I decide to actually decorate for Valentine's Day, I can't find anything I like! So, I have been looking for ideas on things that are easy and cute to make. I love how this wreath turned out!

You need:
-about 1 1/2 yards of fabric
-pencil
-glue (I used Tombow)
-styrofoam heart wreath



Start by cutting your fabric into squares of about 2x2 inches. Use pinking shears to avoid the fabric fraying.



Put the point of your pencil in the center of the square and wrap it up. Dip the tip into some glue:



Poke the tip of the pencil with the glued fabric into the foam heart:



Keep working your way around the heart, avoiding the back so it will lay flat on a surface.



Beautiful!

Made By You Mondays

I've decided to start participating in a blog link up called "Made by you Mondays". Each Monday, I will showcase a hand made craft, new or a past one, to show to new visitors to my blog! Check out the cute projects others' have made by clicking on the banner below. Lots of inspiration!

Valentine Banner

I made a cute Valentine banner for my hallway table yesterday. Very easy and affordable!

You need:

1 roll of crepe paper streamers (I used white)
2 colors of cardstock
ribbon
glitter
glue
chipboard letters

First, we will make the crepe paper rosettes. I cut about 40 cm (16") of crape paper and folded it fan style. Fasten with a staple as close to the edge as you can.



Pull the ends together and fasten at the top on the backside with a little tape.



Make as many as you need for whichever phrase you decide to use.



Glitter the edges. I used Martha's Glitter Glue and Martha's glitter.



Layer on 2 circles. Base is a 4 1/2 inch circle, then the rosette, then a 3" circle, followed by your glittered letters.

String it onto some co-ordinating ribbon. The method I used for this was to use an exacto knife and cut 2 slits close the the top of the circle and thread it through.


Happy decorating!

New Year, New Word

I was thinking about which word would define my year this 2010 on New Years Eve. Yes, leaving it until the last minute! The husband announced to me that typically in Japan on NYE, everyone gets organized for a fresh start for the new year. So, we took the entire day to de-clutter, clean, and organize.

Spent the evening with friends and woke up the next morning and it was absolutely lovely!

So, my word for 2010 is Organize.

I'm not just talking about stuff. I'm talking about time, finances, priorities. There are so many ways in which I want to organize my life and our family and my attention will be in doing so this year.

What is your word for this year?