Russian Movie

"Taxi Blues" is a Russian movie, Directed by Pavel Lungin.
It is a dark comedy, bitter heart warming, also about a strange friendship story.

Shlykov is a main character, manly hard-working cab driver- kind of an old fashioned man.
Lyosha is a trotter-type Jazz musician, I would say "new" type of a guy.

The story began the two opposite type people met at the taxi Shlykov drove.

Cinematography and scenes reflects 1990's Russia,
I could enjoyed simply two opposite type of people's really strange and funny story but also I couldn't help to think about what is the meaning of freedom and happiness for human's life.

Matsutake mushrooms

Do you know Japanese mushroom called Matsutake?

They are high-quality mushrooms and expensive, I couldn't have many chance to eat them when I was in Japan.

The other day, I met a mushroom picker at a restaurant and bought Matsutake from him with good price.

Japanese people appreciate to enjoy their flavor, so recipes are quite simple.

My first Matsutake cooking was-

I grilled them, without oils or sauces, strip them to a few pieces by hands and serve them with sauces with citrus juice, also I made Matsutake gohan such as rice cooked with matsutake and Japanese broth.

I think the Matsutake mushrooms have really strong flavor, the best way to cook is using simple method and use small amount.

Happy Sunday

A Japanese second hand book store, I often go there to sip Japanese feeling from the books.

Today I bought bunch of books at the store and was reading at home, in one of the magazine, I found a hat with familiar look.
I was thinking "Well, it is very similar look hat as I made, but why??" and I couldn't believe the hat is mine.
Actually it was my hat, there is my name and the store name I 've sold to.

I didn't know the hat was in the magazine(it is published in 2008) and coincidentally I found it - such a happy thing happened!

Living in a forest

I took a trip to visit my friends in Vancouver island.
They are a couple just moved there from Vancouver, are living in a woods close to a beach.

The otter caught and ate a seagul!

It was a wild life drama(?), a shocking matter.

My friend makes good Japanese homestyle meals always!

Beautiful fresh eggs from a local farmer.

These logs are for their stove, maden by her husband.Amazing!

Where the wild things are

YMI Jeans featured my item on their blog -

http://blog.ymijeans.com/2009/10/06/the-next-big-thing-where-the-wild-things-are/#

Actually, my boyfriend told me about the book(where teh wild thing..) was his favorite when he was a child.

I am from Japan and I didn't know about the story since he told me but I'm sure if I was born in States or North America, it must be a favorite book.

Can't wait to watch the movie.

Golden Mushrooms

I tried Chanterelle mushrooms, they are golden yellow color, unique trumpet like shape.

Even they were simply sauteed and made them taste with salt'n pepper, very flavourfull and good texture.

I heard they can be found in forest.

You can look at more recepies here -

http://www.forestmushrooms.com/recipe/chanterelle.html

slow and steady wins the race

People might be wondering about this title -

actually, slow and steady wins the race is a clothing brand in NY.

Very simple but each piece has unique constractions.

Specially I like their shoes.

http://www.slowandsteadywinstherace.com/