my way to spend at cafes

When I was in Japan, I often went to cafes alone
to think something or think nothing.
Sometimes I visited cafes to learn interior accessories.

I occasionally go to cafes in SB since I came US.
Californian is really friendly, so some people say something to me
when I spend time in a cafe wearing my favorite cloths or shoes.

As some readers of my blog already know, I love "Peets Coffee".
And the store of Peets Coffee is one of my favorite places in SB.
I can always spend relaxed time there.

Today I enjoyed coffee and biscotti at Peets Coffee
while thinking something.
And I found good mugs and beans of this shop.

To Japanese Friends ;
If you guys want or are interested in mugs or beans of Peets Coffee,
let me know!

neat cup

I like to make and drink coffee, cafe au lait, cappuccino, black tea,
chai etc…, and also like to find neat cups.

When I visited San Diego, I found colorful and lovely tea cup
at "Anthropologie" selling outfits, shoes, bags, kitchen items.

This cup is a little big, so I think to use for cafe au lait.

my trip to San Diego 2

(sleeping seals)

(mother and baby seals)

(practice swimming)

I arrived at La Jolla about 3pm, and then went to visitor center to get
the map of La Jolla village.

It introduced some view points, so I went to "Children's Pool & Seals"
there were many relaxed seals.

A few baby seals practiced swimming, one mother and baby seals spent
the nice time, but almost seals was sleeping.

my trip to San Diego 1

I went to San Diego from Friday to Sunday.
I've been San Diego about 2 years ago, at that time I had stayed
at downtown in San Diego, so I made a reservation the hotel in La Jolla
on this trip.

On my way to San Diego, I stopped by "Umami burger" in LA for lunch.
Umami is Japanese word and one of the basic tastes.
That taste is popularly referred to as savoriness.

Those burgers didn't include soy sauce or other Japanese seasonings, but
I felt Umami from some kind of mushrooms.

coffee and chocolate

I sometimes enjoy coffee and sweets after dinner.
It was chilly today, so I definitely needed hot drink.

There were a few Japanese chocolates in fridge, and
I chose one of my favorite chocolates the name was "REGA".

A friend of mine love Japanese sweets, and we used to
hang out while eating various kind of sweets.
I believe she also would like that.

Japanese sweets

I organized some stuff in my room last weekend, and found the kit
to make "WARABI-MOCHI".
MOCHI is sticky rice-cake and WARABI-MOCHI is one of Japanese
sweets that texture is like MOCHI.

My friend gave me that kit when she moved to Japan, but I totally
forgot about the kit...

I tried to make it.
If I stirred the dough quickly and constantly more, the texture might
have become smother, but it was so tasty!

seasoning almonds

Those are almonds with some kind of herbs and salt.
I got those at olive oils shop where I had introduced on my blog before.

I don't eat almonds often because taste is a little greasy for me.
But those seasoning almonds have various taste and are excellent with wine.

Wine, cheese and seasoning almonds, hmmm, it sounds so good combination!

flask?

That flask-shaped item is coffee maker of "CHEMEX".
I have wanted it, but it's a little expensive in Japan.

I knew CHEMEX was American company by chance,
and checked the price on Amazon.com immediately.

It was half the price of Japan, so I ordered.

I finally got it today!!
I'm really looking forward to brewing Peets Coffee.

traveling to Solvang

(Danish Pancake with whip cream and blueberries at Paula's Pancake)

(Vegetable omelet at Paula's Pancalke)

I visited and stayed 1 night with my friend who had lived in SB
by last November.
First we met at ESL class and knew we were next door neighbors.
We moved to SB almost same time, but it already spent 6 months
until we met.

We could take time to go trip during her staying, so chose city of Solvang.

First day, we enjoyed lunch at "Paula's Pancake", tried wine tasting
at "Lucas&Lewellen", and talked a lot with nice foods and wine by 1:50am!!

Second day, we visited Los Olivos.
We went to "Los olivos Cafe" for lunch, and then tried olive oils and vinegars tasting.

I could spend wonderful time with my friend in Solvang!

yellow flowers

Today is happy day for my family.
My father turned 70 years old and this age is one of commemorative age
in Japan.
Recently I sometimes talk with my parents on a phone, and
I figure it out they are really fine from their voice.

I saw nice scenery along 101 today.
I don't know what kind of flowers those are, but that beautiful scenery
looked like celebrating the birthday of my father.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Spring season in Japan

I love spring season in Japan.
I don't have particular reason, but I believe because I was born in spring.

My friend sent me really neat picture to be able to feel like
I'm there.
He sent me many pictures of seasonal scenery in Japan
since I came to US.

Light pink blossoms are cherry blossoms in full bloom and
yellow blossoms are field mustard.
I have never seen before those colorful scenery.
How beautiful!

If you all have a chance to visit Japan, I recommend spring season.

natural flavor pies

One day, when I strolled along Hollister St., I found so neat pies shop.
After I went home, I searched about website of that shop immediately,
and I could get information what kind of pies there were.

Today I enjoyed pies with my friend.
We ordered apple pie and mixed cherry pie and shared these pies.

Both of pies tasted natural sweetness, especially mixed berry pie had
a rich sour taste of berries.

There are also some kind of Quiches and meat pies, so I will try them next.

Cafe style lunch

When I make soups (clam chowder, minestrone, corn potage),
I always make a lot them and freeze it for my lunch.

It was a little chilly in this morning, so my body slightly got cold.
I was reminded there was frozen clam chowder and focaccia in the frig.

I put the chowder on my favorite soup bowl.
Doesn't it look like cafe style lunch?

Breakfast at Paris in Las Vegas

In the morning to be headed from Las Vegas to SB,
I enjoyed the elegant breakfast at the cafe of "Paris"
in Las Vegas.
The atmosphere of that cafe made me feel like I was in Paris.

I ordered the cappuccino and "white egg omelet with roasted tomato".
I was really curious in the omelet just made of white egg.

The color of that omelet was totally white, I have never seen that style omelet.
Of course, the taste was also delicious.
I will try to make the white egg omelet.

And, I liked the design of the bowl of cappuccino.
So cute!

for the first time in 9 days

I came back to SB in this evening.
Total mileage of this trip was about 2300miles!
Honda Civic of my partner did a great job, so I gave her "Car Wash"
in appreciation of her running.

I couldn't eat rice during this trip.
I really missed rice, so I made up my mind to eat "California roll"
at SUSHITERI near my apartment.
If possible, I want to eat California roll several straights days!!

manly and powerful

Yesterday, forecast said Thursday was rainy and snowy day in Springdale
close to Zion NP, but it was sunny day!

Actually, I didn't expected Zion before visiting, but the scenery of Zion
was manly and powerful.
The blue sky through the　mountain was so beautiful.

I enjoyed 3 short trails and looking some falls.

My trip to visit the Parks in US finished, but this trip isn't done yet.
I will move to Las Vegas tomorrow.

I usually wore denim and hoodie on this trip.
So I will dress up a little bit and enjoy Las Vegas!!

the colorful beauty

Some of my friends told me snowy Bryce Canyon was incredibly
beautiful scenery.

Today, I completely understood the meaning of their words.
The red color of rocks and the white color of snow formed
the great landscape.
I had expected the canyon was covered with snow, so I was thrilled
to be able to see it with my own eyes.

I will visit Zion NP tomorrow.
That is the final NP on this trip.