Hanami Chado 2009

While away in the Chiricahuas, I worried that the neighbor's cherry tree would be past its prime by the time we returned. I needn't have fretted. It was in its full glory the weekend following. The day was sunny and warm - very warm for Eureka.

This year, we had Tea before the drunken revelries began. Pia and I performed tandem Ryokobodate (Tea on a tray) to facilitate serving so many guests. This was an abbreviated Tea ceremony, with no haiken. Pardon our hats, but the sun was very bright.

Hanami Sushi and Sake Picnic 2009

Shortly after Tea was over, Tony and Brian conveniently arrived, both vying for the role of Toshiro Mifune. Neither are "Tea", but they are amusing at a party. Dan brought his "Scattered Sushi" dish, which is a great favorite. As usual, Kristin had only a cameo role. Fie, you pooper of parties!

Karin, Kalen, Dan and D'har spent most of their time in the kitchen preparing many a sumptuous plate of food. In addition to regular rolls, they made a simplified version of Samurai restaurant's Hana Roll, pickled daikon, seaweed salad (OK, it was from the store, but delicious), gyoza and I-don't-know-what-else. For dessert, we devoured Holly's special California-style Sakura Mochi. There were a couple of bottles of sake to slake our thirst.

After the feeding frenzy, we played a game of koob - a traditional Viking game that goes well with sake. Then it was back to the picnic grounds for more sake. Koob is thirsty work!