"A Fairy Tale"

"Life itself is the most wonderful fairytale of all."

-Hans Christian Andersen

I do not think I will ever

fully

"grow up".

It just isn't possible

when so many magical,

whimsical things

exist right outside my window.

Adorable Kaori,

the school nurse.

Elegant Yuko,

my link to Japanese culture.

A note about a hakama

{i.e. the thing I'm wearing}:

it makes your butt COLOSSAL.

Just sayin'.

Spring is twirling down the tree branches

and blossoming,

clothing the naked bark

in pinks and pearls.

A soy sauce vat.

The ladder was quite stable,

however,

climbing it in a hakama

was an adventure all on its own.

Traditional sweets

with a modern twist:

angel-thin somen in the middle.

Classic somen.

Somen sushi.

Tempura

at its finest.

{Though I'm still bewitched

at the thought

of Akemi's shrimp tempura recipe.}

Purple rice.

Ah, lovely.

Taiyaki.

Traditionally, it keeps anko

in its belly,

but I coaxed it into swallowing custard

for my sake,

as anko is a pucker too sweet

for my lips.

The peaceful shrines

in this country

offer the weary mind

a very welcome rest,

especially when one is dressed for the occasion.

{Music via Ingrid Michaelson}