July 3: Shrimp Scampi

July 3rd is our last cooking lesson.  I will be cooking.

Tamami asked for seafood.  Seafood she will get!

Our menu:

• shrimp cocktail
• shrimp scampi
• roast salmon on vegetable soup

See you tomorrow!

Special Class: How to Make a Slideshow

Spring term ends this week.  Thank you, all students!

Summer term begins July 13th.

During the 2-week vacation, we will have a special mini-course:

How to Make a Slideshow

• Microsoft Photostory3
• two 90-minute lessons
• link to free software download (Japanese or English)
• all information needed to make a slideshow
• practice on Kyle’s computer
• make your own slideshow at home
• 5,000 yen

If two or more students are interested, we will do this in their regular class time.

For example: On Monday, 4 students have already said that they would like to take this special lesson.  These 4 students will study How to Make a Slideshow at their regular class time, June 29th and July 6th.

If you would like to take these special lessons, please ask me.  Ask your classmates, too.

They can make slideshows.  You can, too.

June 12: Meatloaf

On Friday I’m going to make meatloaf.

If you come at 8:00 I’ll teach you how.  Then we’ll have meatloaf together.  Great!

Also…

A couple of people have asked me about a SLIDESHOW class.  I’m thinking about a 2-lesson class between this term and next.  What do you think?  Would anyone like to take a class,  “How to Make a Slideshow”?  If so, please speak to me about it.

Bon voyage, Tomoki-sensei

We had a bittersweet class last night.  It was our final interior design lesson.  Students Shigeko, Yoko, Satoe, and Kyle presented their homework projects.  Tomoki-sensei said he was pleased with them all.

After class, we had a surprise farewell party.  All of the students brought food.  Noriko brought something extra special: a song.  She sat at the piano, and sang “Caro mio ben.”  Wonderful!

At the end, we all sang “Usagi oishi kano yama.”  Not so wonderful.  But it came from the heart.

Tomoki is a very good teacher.  He has a passion for his subject, and he is able to share his passion with his students.  He also has a lot of interesting ideas, and a strong design sense.  I deeply admire his modesty, commitment (he spent a LOT of time preparing his lessons), his humour, and his unfailing cheerfulness.

Today I had my last private lesson with Tomoki.  He leaves Japan now, to study interior design in San Francisco.  We wish him well, and we welcome him back whenever.

And so, goodbye until next time!

Finger Lakes Wine Class

COMING SOON

Shigeko and I brought back wine from the Finger Lakes.

This area makes very good Riesling wine.

We have 4 bottles.

Later this summer, we are going to have a little Finger Lakes Riesling tasting/lesson.

When?  Not decided yet.

But soon.

May 18th – Back to School

Shigeko and I are back from Canada.  We had a great time.  It was good to see my family.  Thank you, students, for your patience!

We’ll have regular classes from May 18th.

Besides seeing my family, we took a little trip into New York State.  We went to Buffalo, to the Anchor Bar.  We had Buffalo wings there.  Great!

Let’s have Buffalo wings this week, after Tomoki’s interior design class.

Okay, Tomoki?

May 2: Interior Design & Steak Sandwich

This week, Tomoki takes interior design to a location in downtown Fukuyama.

He will show us how an interior designer approaches an empty space.

Very interesting, as always!

I’m going to make steak sandwiches.  And I think we’ll have a nice red wine.

So then, this week’s class will look something like this:

Great!

April 24: Design 3 & Meatballs

Design class #3 is going to be very interesting.  Tomoki has shown me his plans.  Great!

I’m making my grandmother’s sweet & sour meatballs.

Tomoki, my friend: I feel bad about putting your face on muffins and wild pigs all alone.  So this week, I am joining you on the meatballs.  We’ll be meatballs together, my brother!

Yumiko asked for the recipe.  Here it is:

Sweet & Sour Meatballs

• 1/2 kg ground beef
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 Tablespoon bouillon powder
• 1/2 cup milk

Make small meatballs.  Brown them in a frying pan.  Put them into a Dutch oven or casserole dish.

For the sauce, mix

• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• 1/6 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 cup crushed pineapple

Pour this sauce over your meatballs.

Bake in oven at 180 for 90 minutes.  OR

Cook on stove at lowest heat for 90 minutes.

Thank you, Grandma!

April 17th: Interior Design 2 & Muffins

This Friday’s Interior Design class is going to be great!  I looked at Tomoki’s preparations today.  I was very impressed.

I am going to make my grandmother’s banana & chocolate chip muffins.  I have some very old, very black bananas.  Perfect!

Okay!  Tomoki and muffins!

April 10th: Design & Wild Pig

Friday April 10th is Tomoki’s first Architecture & Interior Design class.  I have seen his preparation, and I am impressed.  It’s going to be a great class!

I am going to cook some wild pig.  Tamami gave us some pig meat last term, and we didn’t get to cook it.  Tomorrow is a good opportunity.  So then, tomorrow evening we’ll have wild pig and Tomoki.

IF there is time, I may also bake banana & chocolate chip muffins.

I’m hoping to see our Friday Night Regulars and some guests!