Setsubun Party at Consulate

                                                         

To celebrate the coming of Spring, we went to the Japanese Consulate for their Setsubun Mamemaki Ceremony.

One of the cute "oni"
volunteers.

Oni masks.

The garden was set
for seating guests.

  

Masayoshi Kazato,
executive director of the all Japan Sushi Federation 

He explained that all sushi chefs must know about bacteria, parasites, cleaning and sharpening knives, cutting methods, and preservation of fish and rice.

Always make sure the chef dips his fingers in vinegar before making  sushi (about every two or three).   Vinegar serves as flavor and helps keep germs down in the rice and on the fish.

Ehomaki sushi traditionally
eaten in one gulp for
luck.

Chef Kazato making Ehomaki
for guests.

The Mamemaki (bean
throwing) ceremony.
Here is the Red
Oni being chased out
by the children.

So out comes the big bad
Oni.

   

Here comes the Consulate
General to save the day!

                         "Oni wa Soto, Fuku wa Uchi"
                        (Demons out, Luck in)
                         Here's to a good 2014.

Treat for Pudgie and Penny

  French toast (whole grain bread dipped in eggs and soy milk and fried in butter and coconut oil) for lunch attracted Penny and Pudgie but not R, who had plain toast with almond butter.  

Not the fluffiest or tastiest, but Penny devoured her piece.

Of course, Pudgie came to investigate.

Our love bird Pudgie prefers only walnuts, apples and bird seed but will eat egg and french toast.
He is 14 years old and keeps well by flying and perching above Penny.

Penny's paws.
Her nails look like long scary claws because they're black like the  fur points above them.

See?  Not scary.