Sunshine!! - Lunch at Sumiko and Kenj'i's House

We have SUNSHINE today!  First time in a long time! 

 John took a walk early to see all the cherry petals that had come down in the rain.

Then we dropped the boys off at school and ran a few errands

and then headed to Sumiko and Kenji's House for lunch.

Jill had put together a fun Easter Basket for them...

and it turned out they had put together a FEAST for us!

 

 We entered the house through their lovely garden!

 

and were greeted with this very fun sign!

 and presented with beautiful chopsticks and a

lovely laquered bowl in a box that Kenji had

burned the night before!

 Then Kenji called us all to the table...seems we were 

going to put together some gyoza for lunch.  He had 

already kneaded the pork and the spices together.

 Then he showed us how to put them in the circles

 and wet the edges and press them together...

 There's definitely a learning curve!

 Not too bad though...Sumiko then heated them in the oven.

 She brought out a wonderful sweet bread...

 and sauted chicken and eggplant...

 and we made the sauce for the gyoza...

add a tomato salad with greens fresh from the garden

and stirfried broccoli, mushrooms and peppers

and some sake and we began to enjoy our delicious

"easy Japanese cooking" lunch!

and then she brought out a fig tart and flan...

 and roasted almonds and sweet orange peel.

 Then some magic by Kenji and some good conversation.

 As you enter the house you step into the hallway.  To the left is the tatami room and the right door is into the kitchen, dining area we were in.

 The table in the tatami room was handmade by Kenji. 

 and he does tea ceremonies here.

A quick picture of our gracious host and hostess

with "Jill's parents"...

and one of Jill, Jennifer and Sumiko.

Jennifer is Dave's CO's wife and

it was time to go pick up the boys at school

What a wonderful highlight to our Japan stay!  

Thank you Sumiko and Kenji for your wonderful hospitality!