Hatsuhanami

We had an ohanami (cherry blossom viewing) picnic yesterday, a bit late in the season but our usual spot still had enough flowers on the trees to enchant Shuma. It was his hatsuhanami (first hanami) and was very well timed, as he's starting to really notice stuff around him.

Above is the view I had, and below is our picnic. Nothing fancy, just home cured gravlax and cream cheese on whole wheat (still loving my new breadmaker); cherry tomatoes; fava beans; pineapple; leftover tuna, red pepper and shungiku (chysanthemum greens) frittata; and ham-wrapped carrot sticks. A proper Japanese style bento would have been nice, but until Shuma either grows up or learns to nap, sandwiches it is.

Shuma was kind enough to pre-moisten our sake cups. After that they were filled with sparkling sake, which I bought because it was the only small bottle of sake from the Tohoku region I could find. I didn't expect much but it was nice, although more like cheap Asti than sake. Not that there is anything at all wrong with cheap Asti, but right now northern Japan needs all the help it can get.

Shuma's interest in cherry blossoms, like most things, revolves around whether or not they fit in his mouth. So after having to pry theseventh petal out of his hands or mouth we gave up letting him play with them. So he just enjoyed the view, and we enjoyed viewing him enjoy the view, and much enjoyment was had by all. A very good hatsuhanami.

More pictures are here.

Comments

[Onion Blossom]

We continued to support Japanese fairs during the crisis and north Japan products now. Sake seems like a good choice. We saw a Fukushima sake on the menu of Itacho sushi chain the other day and ordered it. Thanks for highlighting your support!

Good for you. This makes me wish I could drink more. But I don't think things will improve in Tohoku anytime soon, so when Shuma is fully weaned it won't be too late to start doing my part! -Amy

[ria]

hehe Shuma is so damn adorable. He is looking preciously cute with the stripes & white cap.

Thanks! I do love stripes on babies. -Amy

[kat]

lovely picnic! I've been buying rice from the region.

That's great, Kat. I'd just bought a giant bag of rice from Costco when the earthquake hit, and it's going to be a loooong time before I get to try some Tohoku rice. -Amy

[illahee]

i love the picture of shuma touching the flowers on the tree. so cute!

Thanks! He wouldn't have done it a few weeks ago, it's only quite recently that he's taking an interest in things (other than toys) around him and trying to touch them. I'm very pleased with the timing! -Amy

[takiko]

The first picture is so cute!
Shuma was an appearance of facinating in cherry blossoms.

[Lili]

First hanami for Shuma!
Thanks for all these beautiful pics.. Nature is wonderful and Shuma is always so cute and so funny!! I'm sure he enjoyed picnic with Mom and Dad :)
Yummy picnic!! I wish I was there XD

[Emelie]

That first picture is pure magic. ^-^

[becca]

the sakura looks beatiful! as does shuma! i spy you have an ergo?-they're great aren't they! what have you attached to the straps? it seems like a great way to protect them from drool..might have to be a copycat and do something similar to ours..mika is starting to dribble a LOT!

Yup, it's an Ergo and we love it. Those are baby leg warmers (are those available where you are? they're hugely popular here). I'd been seeing other parents doing it and wondering the same thing as you, and when the drooling started I figured it out for myself. Not only does it protect the carrier but it lets me change the look of my rather plain carrier. -Amy

[Catherine]

Shuma et son sourire de charmeur.....ADORABLE!