turning japanese?

Japan is as close to a second home for us as I can imagine. We lived in Osaka for 3 years with our five young kids. Had another short stint in the Osaka area a few years later. And another 3 years in Tokyo recently. When we lived in Takarazuka (our first stay) we were quite visible. Five very blonde children really caught the attention of the community. I don't know what was most interesting - the number of offspring I had, that they were blonde and blue-eyed, or that we are not Japanese - but we were more than a bit of a novelty for the time and place. I had great neighbors; women who were incredibly generous in helping me to learn (enough of) the ropes that I could function as an independent adult in a culture where I felt like an illiterate, deaf-mute child. (Definitely a mind-expanding experience.) They taught me to cook - wonderful traditional Japanese home-cooking, the kind of thing they made for their families at home. We still love - and love to eat - those meals. As I am always on the look-out for interesting and yummy recipes, when David was in Tokyo last month he asked for the recipe for some chicken meatballs that he had really enjoyed. His host happily obliged and David sent me the recipe by email. The "recipe" was so much fun that I decided it had to be shared.

Chicken  Meatball. How to make Chicken is minced meat.(Proper amount) It's built up much. Something to mix is free. /レンコン(It's done briskly.) or/ごぼう(Delicious.) or/Egg(soft) or/Ginger(Refreshing.) or/Salt and pepper(Simple.) As the above is put in the soup which boiled with a spoon. It's OK in all soup. PS:Various salt of a gift     Please come to a stick of fresh greens and fry!      Noodles are soup, minuteness can also be used.   It's boiled and time is divided in two-, 3 minutes     (Don't weaken soy sauce soup and please have straight.)  Then I'm looking forward to the day when I can meet you again. In literal translation English, I'm sorry. ♪*゜?。+*? ♪*゜?。+*? ♪*゜?。+*? ♪

Hilarious right? Or maybe you need to have some experience living in Japan. Whatever, I loved this. Makes me smile every time I read it. I doubt I will attempt it.

I do love the coasters that David brought back for me though. They are beautiful, thick, letter-pressed paper. I look at them often too. Not sure what I will do with them either but something more concrete than the recipe.

First photo is of Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo. It has recently been moved but it was the world's largest fish market and was totally amazing to visit.