The Other Side of the Story: Guest Author Susan Arden: NaNoWriMo. Got Pants? Do...

The Other Side of the Story: Guest Author Susan Arden: NaNoWriMo. Got Pants? Do...: By Susan Arden, @romancebysusan Join me in welcoming Susan Arden to the blog today to chat with us about NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writ...

Norman, the ginger ninja

Two weeks ago, we found an abandoned kitten just behind our house. 

What brought him there, we can only guess and it makes for a horrid world if someone just placed him there. He was frail, left for dead, had a cold, fleas and enough flea poo on his body to make him look as though he had rolled in mud.


We took him in and shared a great ten days together, including with Elbi. Norman grew strong and unabashed and very friendly but in need of endless hugs and love. 

This Wednesday, ever so suddenly in the morning, it took a massive turn for the worse and we had to rush him to the vet. There was little we could do for him - something was ravishing him from the inside out. He had a massive infection and as much as he got better on the outside, he was getting worse on the inside. We took the time off work to be with him and he passed away at 2.45 on Wednesday 18th September 2013.


We are praying for him and putting him to rest today.

I know there are many more cases like this in Japan, and that makes me even sadder.
At least we did what we could for this little cutie. xxx RIP NORMAN xxx

Hibiscus Tea

 

So, my favourite flower is blooming like crazy this summer! I am so lucky...went and getting more in the hope that this trend can continue!
So, now, to put it to good use (not that its beauty is not use enough, but, it's time to lower the cholesterol!)

(This recipe is taken from http://mideastfood.about.com/od/drinkscoffeetea/r/hibiscus.htm)

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup dried hibiscus flower
• 1 cup sugar (granulated) - add more less for taste
• 8 cups cold water

Preparation:

Sift through dried flowers for stems and discard. Place dried hibiscus in cold water and allow to sit for 1-2 days, or until the color has faded from the flowers. Strain the juice through a fine sieve. Toss the flowers and other thick excess you have strained.

Add sugar and stir. You can either heat this up on the stovetop or in microwave or serve chilled. Some people like to add lemon wedges or grate orange zest to add to the flavor. You can also store in the refrigerator for about 5 days.

Instead of sugar, you can try honey and instead of lemon, try lime!

Natural vibes!!

Fuji Rock 2013!!!

This is my third visit to FRF, but my first blog about it!

I want to write just for the sake of remember who exactly I saw and why it was I liked them!!

What makes Fuji Rock so special is its setting - it is on a ski resort, famous in Japan, but it is also in the middle of a forest, but the best bit yet, is that the forest is put to good use and the environment is appreciated by all those who create and atttend the festival. Maybe next year, we can be part of the forest group and help build the boardwalk that allows everyone to experience the forest first hand, including those in buggies and wheelchairs./

FRIDAY..

Arrived just in time for Flying Lotus - DJ behind a screen of visuals and his own shadow






Tame Impala - Australian band - very popular, although I had just that night heard of them!!

Then, Skrillex... BOOM

 

The late night dance soundtrack was provided by DJ Shadow although we were all so pooped that it wasn't long before we had to carry our weary legs home!

A bit of Very be careful on the way home at Crystal Palace tent...lively Colombian beats

SATURDAY...

Aimee Mann...I still cannot believe she is 52!!! She wrote some songs for Magnolia soundtrack and was unassuming and awesome!

Kyte - UK band..again, very humble and enjoyable!

Darkstar..

Karl Hyde...OK

Karl Hyde

Bjork

Bjork...first time live..prefer on CD!









Jurassic 5 - OMG!!!!

Red Marquee - Tribal circus...dance hangout as well as Ganban stage for techno beats!

SUNDAY...

LITE - Japanese instrumental

YoLa tengo..have played FRF before...may have even seen...OK for a Sunday arvo and even better after a beer

Haim - lively...not so great, but watchable

Mumford ~& Sons...Good...enjoyable

Vampire weekend..great festival band

CURE...Just a joy to watch!

Without a doubt, there is something for everyone at FRF...Kids have a forest area to play in, there are four main stages (Green, White, Avalon, Orange court) The Red Marquee..always good for a dance and shelter! , and a couple of extra small ones hidden around the forest as well.

Food is a plenty too -

The world food court

quiche

fresh strawberry smoothie..

Already counting down until the next festival at Naeba!!!

waiting for my sunflowers...

Houtsuki - 法月

BUT..what is this in English??? Desperately trying to care for this pretty plant, but in the few days I have had it, fruit flies have flocked to it and it won't survive if I don't find its English name and learn what to do with it!

gaaarrr

the guy in the shop kindly wrote down the 2 plant names that I was buying that day

What is this??

Have just found out - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physalis_alkekengi

Gosh, I have some research to do now!!!

I have also found out that there is a HOZUKI fair next week in Asakusa!!! I shall try and go!!
http://www.asakusaguide.jp/funky/column01.html

caterpillar invasion !

OK, this isn't really a 'kemushi', it's a caterpillar that will no doubt turn into a beautiful butterfly once we have released it into the wild, but you ain't gonna be a butterfly on our time buddy!

This is 'Sansho' 山椒　that he is eating - a Japanese or Aisian pepper plant! It's adds a nice flavour to our cooking...but only without the caterpillar!

Tomatoes

 We have been enjoying the home-grown TOMATOES of late!!! OMG - Soooooo Yummmm

  

The housewife is back!

 

It's vinegar time once again, this time to be rid of the  fruit flies! 
Simply add some apple cider vinegar to a small bowl with water and washing up liquid.
The sweet vinegar attracts the flies, while the washing liquid keeps them there.

Getting green again!

YUM!

Can't cope, won't cope - we have moved away from the noise and the dirt and found a little piece of zen in a big city of crazy! Lucky. I am back in the garden, hubby is watching his tomatoes, and Elbi is happy rolling on the rug! Time for a deep breath...no more avoiding main roads and hiding on the back streets! Now, we are already there! Suddenly, the city is do-able again!! YOKATTA!

I wasted no time planting those sunflower seeds....!

Even the spider plant is happy!
Cuttings galore for many more plants!

This year's hibiscus! Fingers crossed she survives!