Heart in the sky

I caught a heart-cloud the other day! Yup, the day when I was out without my camera. Grr..


But Bear did capture this one for me in Summer. ;)

Summer + Sunflowers

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Summer in Japan has lingered longer than should this year, burning amok and causing quite a depressing harvest. Bear's friend who owns an apple plantation shakes head at the subnormal dip of temperature, for it's not helping the apples glow red and bright.






So, for farmers who decided better to nourish their fields with Sunflowers than to do a regular plot, I'm really happy for them; and for another reason : This Summer is sure bursting with Sunflowers.





For weeks we've been surrounded by beds of them, dominating from field to field in loud yellow. This sweltering season is definitely more bearable with these darlings around. =)















And here's Bear, who've just 'rescued' a trampled sunflower to an upright stance ~ Definitely one of the kindest guys I've known my life... His gentle soul a blessing to have beside.





Praying... that Lord our God of abundant grace and mercy, will always shine His face upon us like the glorious Sunflowers... Amen.

The Lord bless you

and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine upon you

and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you

and give you peace.

Numbers 6 : 24-26

Blessed weekend!

The peaches are travelling

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These days may be roasting at 35 degrees celcius or so, but the body is cleverly adjusting! =D In fact, we're enjoying Summer's treats like gelatos and delicious fruits.


Summer would mean that fridgey will smell like mouth-watering white peaches ( 白桃 ). Japan's white peaches are nothing I've come across in my earlier living years.


First, the trees are really pretty in Spring.







Then, the fruit looks sexy and tastes wicked good in Summer!







I love sinking teeth into the tenderly soft flesh that sends a honeyed waterfall down my cheeks and throat. But it's a little blue everytime having them - I so hope to bring peaches home for dad someday! He'll love em.


Guess what? The peaches A.R.E. going home this year. I'm travelling in 2 days!! Yay!!


And I get to use Piggy's handmade pouch this trip, how timely! ;)


As for Bear, he'll be one baking cookie in Japan. =P Ohh he'll be fine, summer nights are cool!





























He gets all these to himself at the comfort of home. ;P Plus more peaches from fridgey!
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So see you from Singapore!

Gluttony

It happens.


Besides, S's recent visit helped reason the sweet binge - summer is a bad time. Flowers are done for, heat; there is. So get the tickets to sweets.


Grin... But grins didn't last when S arrived and started complaining about her earlier stay in boring Saitama.


Err... welcome to Matsumoto.







We went to the 'national treasure' Matsumoto castle, and the other 'must-see' landscapes. But of course, nothing here impressed typical Singaporean S.










Matsumoto couldn't have measured up to Singapore even a century later like S summed it - the environment looks desperately behind. There's nothing to see. People are cold. Shopping is atrocious, stuffs are expensive so it explains why she's not paying.


The only good would have to be food. Oh yes, Singaporeans looooove food.


Anything else appealing must be Bear. For S made eyes at him under my nose so frequent I had to find my jaw many times.


I don't know but I was like amused, bemused. And I mused... Was it the summer heat? (@@) But I gotta thank S for helping me remember the charm in Bear.. Seeing each other everyday makes one oblivious of lines and nature that fine.



' Blah blah blah... I can't believe why you're living here.'



Ok. Nobody believes that I didn't get married in order to live here.


Hey Bear, got that? Nobody like S would marry you if it means staying here. Heh!



Nevertheless, I totally get S you know, in my very Singaporean instincts. But the Matsumoto-nic facts aren't making me trade my greater blessings.



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So, it's HERE I'm living. Laid back, simple, and I breed a safe degree of gluttony. It's alright, no Singaporean is watching. =P

Homegrown

What? What Hydrangeas? Mine have crashed and burnt since the first day of Summer.





How can Jap's summer be so hot?!?! Some regions were even having 39.4 degrees celcius yesterday!


Given the oven-like climate, it's hard sitting still even for lunch. Only by night when the breeze is cool and inviting, I'm finally acting human. There's a regimen of sitting by the window before bed, to watch the stars and ease the nerves before bed else I couldn't have slept after all that day of fidgets.





And do my careless gaze across the room like the other night, and I caught Rowndy, whom I've forgotten to blog about out of busyness, showing signs of withering. It has fully bloomed since 3rd May, 23 blooms in total, and lasted this long. =)











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Yup, Rowndy is a darling to have, my homegrown pride whenever friends shower praise over it ( well, those friends who understand orchids ). I just hope that it'll be kept healthy always...


While Rowndy is soon retiring to a dormant state again, look what I'm starting to ganer to the table.





' Very very sweet tomatoes. Wait a minuite, are they.... '

' Yes sir, they are our very homegrown. '

Summer!

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We're in the first legs of a brand new Summer! The temperature rocketed to 31 degrees celcius after the cooling monsoon. Pant pant...





It's gonna be a cool season anyway : lotsa ice-cream, desserts, shopping and long drives.


Good news, my spouse-visa is renewed to a permanent one! You have no idea how much trouble it takes to settle documents in this country, so Bear is totally elated about having it done. =)





We'll be receiving 2 complimentary trees thanks to having our place merged with Matsumoto. And finally found the most suitable symbol tree for the landscape. =)





So, things are looking good though the unforgiving heat can be quite a pain. For the time being, I'll just concentrate on hydrating myself and keep an eye on progress of stuff... =)


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Special thanks to friends who've mailed with concern. I had to be away to see to things thus the lack of posts. Praise be to God, He's smoothed out even the most knotty issues - miracles that constantly remind us that our God is in control.

I'm definitely back, on a good note! ;)

Glorious summer night

Summer of 09 has absolutely left in a hurry. A week or so of hot brew is all I can remember,with the rest nice and breezy. Now that I'm typing this, the weather forecast is declaring today as a ' fair-weathered autumn day ' and yes, I'm already putting on my fleece jacket.

We managed to catch the last fireworks of summer this year, and we're incredibly blessed as many other prefectures have had their events terminated due to economy blues.

Neither did the local organizers stinge on the crackers, and the recent new works ( 新作 ) were truly one of a kind. WOW!

Unlike my usual self, I rested my camera for the most of the evening to relish the show. Honestly, I didn't expect us to turn up for the fireworks display this year, so it all felt extra special, or even priviledged... Anyway, here's sharing the very few pictures of the night.


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A splendid evening it was though it must have been 15 degrees or so. We were smart to be prepared with some warm clothing. You should see how the others, kids and elderly alike, dressed in their cooling summer outfit, some sleeveless, and I couldn't help feel bad. But I guess the exhileration of watching the glorious combusts must have warmed many from within, for everyone stayed to the end of the show.

Prelude to the fireworks, everybody wowed and watched the beautiful full moon raising from behind the mountains, illuminating the waters and excited faces. For the first time, I was admiring the full moon with full appreciation and , hmm... for a moment, I thought having some mooncakes at hand would have made everything perfect. =P

Nevertheless, it was a beautiful Summer night to remember. =)

Up, up and away...

Japan has resumed from the odds of the Obon holiday : awful congestations and sweaty hordes!! We actually stayed within the prefecture to avoid frustration, and gladly embraced the break that came timely. =)

With the majority flocking out of town, this place is perfect for leisure shopping, gourmet experience and light travelling. Nicest of them all, Bear put us on a hot air balloon. =D

It was our first time on this carrier that flies!

Huge, plumply round and invitingly colorful, they made me forget everything! My boldness got the better of me, I opted for the fella that is arranged to rise higher and ooops... my knees started giving me away before the flight is halved at 15th storey!

It all began when you realize that you're peeping out from a weaved basket, and the cute balloon just never stopped elevating! 6 of us passengers and pilot, put our faith in a basket and a balloon, how's that?

Anyway, the pilot's advice to look up and far, helped. I bet the balls of fire expelled from the burner eased many cold feet too. =P By the peak at 30th storey, fear left me and I was happily admiring surroundings. =) Here you go, a sleazy panorama of a quiet countryside.

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Knowing that many have been disappointed due to climate jitters, we're totally thankful for the great weather that enabled this event! This is by far, the best experience of the year. =D

Ask me if I'll try again given the chance. Absolutely. ;) But I'll still need the Bear's paw to make myself comfortable. =P