towards the end of this year

In the northern area must have snow cover worldwide, yet in this region we have not seen the first snow despite of the coldness in the morning with temperature below zero.


After the cold rain some rain drops are shining on some fruits of nandina(ナンテン）.

Rest of them were already eaten by some birds.


 
 
 
 

I often see some white- eyes ,ox-eyes, bulbuls in my garden, besides sparrows which are common birds in Japan are seldom observed recently.




I've read that sparrows have decreased sharply in this two decades because of rice-reduction and fewer suitable space for making nest under the eaves.

 
 
 

 
My husband made a small table for a plate with water and I sometimes put a few of grains of rice on it.


It was effective to invite some sparrows in our garden. This couple (maybe the same ones)is frequent visitor.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

On a yuzu( sort of lime) tree in our garden yuzu fruits have grown in abundance.


I gathered some of them for making some acidic sauce which is needed for winter cuisine called nabemono.

Making it I look forward the day of new year when my sons will come back.

 
 
 
 

I will have a break time after some preparation for Christmas and new year.


To bake bread became to my husband's brother's hobby these couple years, and he sent us home made Stollen from Tokyo.

I've heard that in Germany people enjoy thin Stollen slice by slice waiting for coming Holy night, and the slices become tasty day by day.

a corner for Christmas. the tapestry and the small white tree are my hand made.

神もたぬわれにも聖夜近づきぬ　ショーウインドウに降る紙の雪　haricot




Holy Night is getting up close


even for me who is infidel.


I stopped for a moment


to look at fake snow fall


in a store window

It is going through a period of grief in Japan by triple disaster, earthquake , Tsunami and leak of radio activity, and the end of the year is approaching.

I hope the new year will have a positive sign.

Let me wish you all the best in it.