Welcome to Hirochan's World

“Year of the Ox” illustration entered for the Japan Fair mascot contest 2021.

My “Peekaboo” self-portrait Valentine GIF.

Everyday could be National Pancake Day. A little Totoro shaped one agrees. Yum.

Valentine’s Day Dinner Menu: Main Course Wagyu beef Steak Patagonian shrimp Asparagus Dessert Chocolate-covered strawberries resting on Graham crackers

My “Lovely Heart” self-portrait Valentine illustration.

We had snow this weekend in WA. Everything is covered with fine powder snow. Stay warm!

My “Year of the Ox” self-portrait Lunar New Year illustration.

Gyoza potstickers filled with ground pork, chives, green onion. They are now pan fried with golden colored wings. Enjoy it with soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil for dipping.

Lunar New Year display at the Renton Uwajimaya store. The lion swallowed a whole cabbage!

Today’s phrase:  Welcoming spring

Eho-maki is eaten on Setsubun, Spring Festival, in Japan. These fortune sushi rolls are not supposed to be sliced in order to retain good luck. You eat the roll whole from one end to the other in silence while you make a wish. Do not forget to face toward the blessing direction which varies every year while eating. For 2021, the direction happened to be south x southeast.

My “Spring Festival oni mask” self-portrait illustration.

Using a donabe a Japanese earthenware pot, is traditional way to cook rice. I made brown rice with beans and sprinkled grated sesame seeds on top. It is that simple.

Happiness is getting wrapped up in the season. Happiness is a warm puppy.

I can’t wait for backyard barbecue and smoked brisket in summer.

My “Sick” self-portrait emoticon sticker.

To-go lunch from Tres Sandwich House. Something special about their bread. It is super soft and tasty.

Lunar New Year displays are out at Bellevue Square.

The last of Boston butt pork and tofu swimming in hot broth pool.

Today’s proverb: Fast as the wind, silent as a forest, ferocious as fire, and immovable as a mountain.

Hand roll sushi party the first time in 2021. Let’s roll!

Sure it is. America’s number one finger hat.

Sun was about to set from the hill where the grotto sits at Saint Edward State Park.

Short trip to Saint Edward State Park.

New Year celebration dinner menu Chestnut brown rice Namasu (pickled vegetable) Pot-au-Feu with Boston butt and purple potato

My “Mad” self-portrait emoticon sticker.

New Year celebration dinner menu Chawan-mushi (Steamed egg with shrimp, shiitake mushroom, spinach, seaweed, and chestnut) Shrimp and ravioli with tomato sauce (Our favorite ricotta and lemon zest ravioli from Trader Joe’s)

Today’s proverb: There’s no place like home.

New Year celebration dessert Mochiko cake (Sweet rice flour and Adzuki red bean cake dusted with cocoa powder and powdered sugar)

This is our first time visiting Cabela’s in Lacey, WA. They have a museum with taxidermy animals and an aquarium with live fish. It was such a unique experience.

Day 4 of New Year Celebration dinner menu Namasu (Pickled daikon radish and carrot) Pot-au-Feu (Smoked Boston butt, purple potato, onion, carrot, yellow squash, Gobo burdock, and Brussels sprouts)

We drove by a local coffee stand in Black Diamond with Christmas decorations. There were a lot of nutcracker soldier statues, Santa Claus, and a wreath on the roof. A perfect stop for a photo break.

Day 3 of New Year celebration dinner menu King Salmon Baked Brie Broccoli Bagel chips

I want this Snoopy tree for next Christmas. The photo was taken in front of Hallmark store at Crossroads mall in Bellevue.

Another year spending every day with Paws calendar. Thank you for the friends who sent it to us. We appreciate your kindness.   

Day 2 of New Year celebration dinner menu Ozoni (Mochi in broth with topping of shrimp, kabocha squash, fluffy fish cake, seaweed, and green onion) Inari (Soy bean pouch filled with sushi rice)

Two gangsters are still rocking!