Welcome to Japan Party and Double Blossom Festival

It was so nice today to see Kozue and Susumu my host family from 2012.  I felt so honored that they would give me a Welcome back to Japan party.  I will never forget the wonderful time I had with these 2 very special people.

It was wonderful also to see Mioko another very special friend.....

Some men talk going on here!!

A gift from Mioko which I especially loved the painting of the dragon done by the famous one stroke painter in Nikko Japan.  The artist can paint the body of a dragon with a single stroke of the brush.  This delicate technique is known as hitofude ryuu.  which literally means a dragon with one stroke.

Thank you Mioko for a very thoughtful gift.

It is so nice to see Susumu and Kozue, again thank you for a fabulous party.

Susumu clowning around 
I loved to listen to everyone and talk about things we have been doing.

MY buddy Susumu

Susumu showing a few of the guests how to use the swords he made.  LOL, so much fun watching them all practice.



Wow, we are lucky to have such wonderful amazing friends.

Decided after the party we would pack and go to a Double Cherry Blossom festival. The flowering trees were absolutely beautiful flowers.

The FABULOUS 4 :-)

We saw the shinkansen ride at the festival and we ladies decided to take a ride.  Loads of fun when a group of fun ladies get together.  

We are the captains of this train Woot Woot

Time to relax and watch some entertainment at the festival.

 More beautiful blossoms to look at :-)

Looking good in that hat Mr. Marlon Charles.

Ate dinner tonight a ramen place that was called Volcano.  The first time for Marlon to eat here I'm happy to say he enjoyed it.

Kozue Visit - Lunch at Bell Mall

I spent the morning shopping with Teresa and Valarie and Kensho.  Then we met Kozue for lunch; she is my host family member.  I picked this place to eat at the mall that was called baguette. We waited in line to be seated.  Baguette is famous for serving many varieties of bread as appetizers before you eat.  Valarie, Teresa and I met Kozue for lunch at Bell Mall in front of the bells. 

 I so enjoyed this lunch, I ordered gratin potatoes for lunch and it was very good.  Last time I was here I hated the cheese on anything as it never tasted like cheese. It looked melted but it was hard and just not the way its made in Ohio.  Now the cheese is great and melted along with a great taste.  I was dropped off first and told Teresa and Valarie I will see them Sunday and Monday.  The sunset tonight was gorgeous.

I stayed upstairs until I heard Susumo talking out loud.  At first, I thought he was playing with their cats but come to find out it was their grandson Louie.  I enjoyed playing with him.  Susumu made me grapefruit shahi which turned out to be very tasty.    Susumu placed Louie in front of their piano and Louie enjoyed trying out his playing ability on the piano.

Susumu played along with him at times.  It was nice to watch the two of them together. 

 Susumu put some pumpkin seeds he had got from China in a skillet and heated them up.  I did enjoy eating them with him.