Hot Lemonade: The Latest Thing in Handwarmers

Nothing comes close to piping hot lemonade when you're standing on a train platform and the only thing whistling down the tracks is a bitter wind. Maybe the hot maple syrup drink is even tastier, but we won't know until someone works up the nerve to try it. The fact that a single vending machine offers both hot and cold drinks still amazes me.

The Year of the Rabbit has been delightfully flavorful so far.  Here are a few of my favorite discoveries. 

'Twinkies' for Jim and his banker pals

The seasonal crop of Strawberries and Cream mushroom-shaped cookies are back on the shelves alongside chocolate bamboo shoots with strawberry-flavored icing.

The Ancient Mariner and I inhaled six of these delectable strawberry cream puffs in as many days last week. None of them sat on the counter long enough to be photographed so you'll have to settle for the poster that's propped in Beard Papa's window.

Tully's coffee shops are almost as rampant as Starbucks here. The description on the bag of Dutchman's blend - "deep, spicy, complex" - made me think of my own little Katje and Hans.



"Deep, Rich, Winy" and "Nutty, Sweet, Balanced" for the Ancient Mariner and his bride



Moving Day Again

Japanese people are much better sports about having their ankles photographed than most of the commuters I encountered on the Metro over the past year . . .

Taking possession of a house on base is a lot like buying a house back home, minus the financial outlay. Wednesday we returned to the housing office to sign umpteen documents for Yumiko (of the elegant ankles), Thursday Hiroyuko walked us through the house and presented us with shiny keys, and today the loaner furniture and internet connection guy will appear promptly at 9:00 am and we can start moving out of the Navy Lodge.

Meanwhile, we've been re-connecting with friends, re-visiting a few favorite restaurants, reminding Matt to stay in touch with us while he wanders all over Yokosuka and the base with his buddies, and exploring a few new places. Darlin' Darlene, with less than two weeks to go before she moves to Georgia, found time to wander around Yokosuka with me yesterday. We had lunch at a ramen place, loaded up on plastic zipper cases at the 100 Yen store ("Trust me, Darlene, you can not buy too many of these"), sipped $10 coffee in the ever-so-quaint Cafe de la Paix, and marched into Mr. Donut for glazed pon, angel crullers, and other tasty pastries.

Mastering the Mr. Donut process promises to be a mixed blessing . . .