FEEL GOOD FRIDAY

The Girl Next Door Grows Up Blog started this Feel Good Friday meme. Pick one of her prompts and write about it on your blog!

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Am I cute or what?

They couldn’t take off 20 pounds and twenty years but otherwise I love it.

It was so much fun. I wasn’t going to get this photo shoot until some of you encouraged me. Thank you very much. I’m glad I did.

It was a blast.

They were nice as could be young people working there.

I didn’t ask, if I was their oldest ever person to come through.

They say you can bring your own camera and take more pictures after they have you all done up. I brought my camera but I didn’t have anyone to take the photos.

I would have tried the long arm thing, but the photographer took me outside and took about ten shots with my camera. She didn’t have to do that and I appreciate it very much.

Would you like me to pour you some tea?

Just don’t ask me to get up from the floor without help. XD

 

SHOPPING IN JAPAN

Today is my last day in Kyoto. I have places to go and shopping to do.

I wonder how early the stores will open. I know the department stores don’t open until 10 AM.

I am thinking of studying the way of tea.

So of course I need a kimono.

Actually I bought a beautiful green kimono the last timeI was here. Today I would like to find an obi and cord and whatever else I need to complete the ensemble.

I’ll post pictures when I get home.

And today is my last chance to get sesame tofu.

I want new geta.

and stationery

and spices…

Copyright Jeanne Litt 2010 All rights reserved.

 

Harvesting Coffee

Coffee blossoms

My husband was talking with a neighbor one day. The neighbor noticed our coffee trees and said,

Oh, is it much work to grow coffee?

My husband immediately replied,

No, not at all.

I was standing behind him and my jaw dropped!!!

What do you think?

Here’s what I do to harvest coffee.

Plant the trees with some gypsum to help neutralize our alkaline soil.

Add pine needles to further acidify it,

Water and fertilize heavily.

Prune.

Pick the coffee cherries as they turn red.

Discard any that float.

Take the outer red skin off.

Ferment for 24 to 48 hours, no longer.

Dry the beans in the sun for about two weeks.

Crack off the parchment coating.

(My husband did discover that gently crushing the beans between two boards made it much easier to get the parchment off.)

Green beans on the left, parchment on the right.

Store the ‘green’ beans until ready to roast. Then roast, grind and enjoy a great cuppa as seen here.

The coffee trees  aren’t suited to this desert and lower altitude, so I spend extra time hosing them off to make them think they don’t grow in the desert.

Does your husband think things happen easily? I would never say it isn’t any work to harvest the coffee like my hubby. He is however, a master of making things easy. It’s one of the things that attracted me to him. In addition to figuring out that crushing the parchment makes it easier to remove; he also discovered that smashing the ripe cherries between two cutting boards speeds that process up by 80%. He put water lines on our plants and cut my watering time by about 95%. I love efficiency, so I can do more things.

I have my comments off because I won’t be home till next week. Today I am spending my last day in Kyoto, Japan. I must eat some sesame tofu, (made from sesame instead of soybeans). It’s so yummy. I wish I could give you some. XD

© 2010 Jeanne Litt, All rights reserved.

 

I’m off to Japan

I’m writing and scheduling this post Sunday night because I leave early Monday morning. I arrive in Japan on Tuesday evening because of crossing the date line.

By ~ezs Miss Izs

In Japan they will make you up like a Geisha and take your picture. I saw someone who had it done and couldn’t recognize her at all.

So guess what? This could be me. It could happen. I’m just sayin’.

Do what you love this week.

 

© 2010 Jeanne Litt, All rights reserved.

 

Project Linus

On the Big Island here, there is a Project Linus group that collects blankets for children in need of comfort.

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I love to make blankets and so I’ve been donating them. I didn’t think to take a picture of them but they are humbly made with cute fabrics.

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There is a fabric store, Discount Fabric Warehouse, that supports the project in many ways.

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Yesterday when I left off blankets, they gave me coupons for $5 off my next purchases at their store.

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Is this a great deal or what?

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Ah joy, I got some Hawaiian fabrics to bring on my trip and give as gift to a fashion designer I am going to visit.

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A blessing of comfort to each of you.

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© 2010 Jeanne Litt, All rights reserved.

 

Yarnbombing

Binary Ape

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Have you seen this?
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People have been covering public objects with yarn.
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One lady in California, who remains nameless spends 12 hours a day spinning and knitting these in East Bay area.
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According to Wikepedia, it started in Texas as a use for leftover yarn.
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>>>WonderMike<<<

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I’d love to join in, except I have orders for 6 blankets to do first, so I’m not committing. XD