Flower of the Week / 今週の花

菊

日本にも350種ほど野菊（下記参照）が自生しているが、ヨモギのように食用とされ、観賞の習慣は平安時代頃、中国から秋の重陽の節句とともにもたらされる。万葉集には現われないが、古今集あたりから盛んに歌にも詠まれるようになった。
 

春のサクラに対して日本の秋を象徴する花となるが、それが決定的になったのは、鎌倉時代の初め後鳥羽上皇が菊の花の意匠を好み、「菊紋」を天皇家の家紋とした頃からである。また、九州の豪族菊池氏も家紋に「菊花」もしくは「菊葉」を使用している。

江戸時代前期から栽培熱が高まり、育種が進んで多数の品種が生み出され、正徳頃からは「菊合わせ」と呼ばれる新花の品評がしばしば行なわれた。また、江戸、伊勢、京都、熊本などでそれぞれ独自の品種群、系統が生じた。「三段仕立て」などの仕立ての様式やその丹精の仕方なども発達し、菊花壇、菊人形など様々に仕立てられた菊が観賞された。これらは江戸時代から明治、大正時代にかけて日本独自の発展をした古典園芸植物の1つとして、現在では「古典菊」と呼ばれている。全般に花型の変化が極めて顕著であるのが特徴で、「江戸菊」には咲き初めから咲き終りまでの間に、花弁が様々に動いて形を変化させるものすらある。このように発展した日本の菊は幕末には本家の中国に逆輸入され、中国の菊事情を一変させた。明治時代になると、花型の変化よりも大輪を求める傾向が強まり、次第に「大菊」が盛んになった。花型としては厚物、管物、大掴み、一文字などに収束し、花の直径が30センチメートルに達する品種も現れた。この傾向は菊を日本の象徴として見る思想と関係していると思われ、戦後にまで続いている。

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums, often called mums or chrysanths, are of the genus (Chrysanthemum) constituting approximately 30 species of perennial flowering plants in the family Asteraceae  which is native to Asia and northeastern Europe. 

The chrysanthemum was first cultivated in China as a flowering herb and is described in writings as early as the 15th Century B.C. In fact, their pottery depicted the chrysanthemum much as we know it today. As an herb, it was believed to have the power of life. Legend has it that the boiled roots were used as a headache remedy; young sprouts and petals were eaten in salads; and leaves were brewed for a festive drink. The ancient Chinese name for chrysanthemum is "Chu." The Chinese city of Chu-Hsien (which means Chrysanthemum City) was so named to honor the flower.

Around the 8th century A.D., the chrysanthemum appeared in Japan. So taken were the Japanese with this flower that they adopted a single flowered chrysanthemum as the crest and official seal of the Emperor. The chrysanthemum in the crest is a 16-floret variety called "Ichimonjiginu." Family seals for prominent Japanese families also contain some type of chrysanthemum called a Kikumon – "Kiku" means chrysanthemum and "Mon" means crest. In Japan, the Imperial Order of the Chrysanthemum is the highest Order of Chivalry. Japan also has a National Chrysanthemum Day, which is called the Festival of Happiness.

The chrysanthemum was first introduced into the Western world during the 17th Century. In 1753 Karl Linnaeus, renowned Swedish botanist, combined the Greek words chrysos, meaning gold with anthemon, meaning flower. Linnaeus was the founder of that branch of taxonomy dealing with plants and including the science of classification and identification. Experts say this is probably an accurate description of the ancient species, as it also points out the mum’s need for sunlight. The earliest illustrations of mums show them as small, yellow daisy-like flowers.

Flowers in Every Room Part I

An array of floral arrangements on a mantel, a centerpiece for the dining room table, an urn beautifully filled with seasonal flowers, we come across these images in magazines and movies, but how many of us really have flowers in our homes? It seems like a luxury to have flowers in your home, but it's worth the trip to your local florist. Did you know that the presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in a positive manner? 

Researchers have found that;

1. Flowers have an immediate impact on happiness. All study participants expressed "true" or "excited" smiles upon receiving flowers, demonstrating extraordinary delight and gratitude. This reaction was universal, occurring in all age groups.
2. Flowers have a long-term positive effect on moods. Specifically, study participants reported feeling less depressed, anxious and agitated after receiving flowers, and demonstrated a higher sense of enjoyment and life satisfaction.
3. Flowers make intimate connections. The presence of flowers led to increased contact with family and friends.

Isn't it amazing what flowers can do? I want to encourage everybody to try and incorporate flowers into your daily lives. Flowers may seem expensive and some are quite costly, but if you choose seasonal flowers, they're rather economical.  The following guide lists the seasonal availability of flowers.

Spring

Spring Arrangement from this year

Cherry blossom, columbine, crab-apple blossom, daffodil, dogwood, forsythia, foxglove, freesia, hyacinth, larkspur, lilac, lily of the valley, magnolia, mophead hydrangea, pansy, peony, poppy, ranunculus, rose, spirea, sweet pea, violet, viburnum, wisteria

Summer

Summer arrangement from this year

Asiatic lily, aste, begonia, black-eyed Susan, cosmos, cockscomb, daisy, delphinium, dahlia, gardenia, garden roses, hydrangea, larkspur, lematis, pee gee hydrangea, sunflower, peony, rudbeckia, pansy, poppy, rose, sunflower, violet, plumbago, rosemary, viburnum, zinnia

Fall

Amaryllis, bittersweet, crab apple, hydrangea, ornamental berries, rose, sugar maple, sunflower, autumn foliage, scabiosa, chrysanthemum, cosmos, coreopsis, Gerber daisy, hydrangea, lisianthius, pomegranate, rose hip, salvia, sassafras, sumac

Winter

Dried flowers, evergreens, forced bulbs, ornamental berries, seedpods, acacia, forsythia, fruit blossoms, seeded eucalyptus, tulip, rose

Seasonless

Anemone, Arianrose, calla lily, Casablanca lily, Champagne rose, Dianthus caryophyllus, forced bulbs, freesia, gardenia, ivies, lily of the valley, Message rose, ranunculus, Sarracenia (pitcher plant), Stargazer lily, stephanotis, vines, Virginia rose, white dendrobium orchid

Fall arrangements from this year

Ramblings of a blogger

Julia Child once said, "Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it." I can totally agree with that. I'm following her advice. Found my passion and keeping tremendously interested in it. Things have been difficult lately, emotionally that is. Around this time last year was the peak of my temporary high, enjoying myself and everything life had to offer. But, a few months later, I was in an intractable disposition, caught in a middle of an uncontrollable situation and I caved. You have to go through agony to be unique and different in Japan. But as Anne Morrow Lindbergh once said, the most exhausting thing in life is being insincere, so I'm content that I was honest. I felt stuck then, like I was treading water, getting nowhere. When we're faced with an impossible choice to make standing at a crossroad, when we must choose a path, how do we know, how can we be sure that we're a making a choice that we won't regret?

So, like I mentioned before, I felt the need to quit school and take a risk and try something new. With the progress that I've been making so far, I predict people are assuming that I'm being lazy and living off my parents, showing scant regards towards their money. But I have no intention of living with my parents forever and in the near future I will be on my own, completely independent. In some ways, it's easier to stay here, where everything is safe and familiar but I consider how much more there could be for me out there, if I just took a chance. I don't wanna look back from now in 10 years and regret that I didn't follow my heart. My future plans aren't mapped out to the fine details, but I don't think that's of great significance. Because, I know the kind of person I want to be, unafraid of a challenge and willing to face whatever comes. I will not fall apart in the face of adversity, but rise to the challenge. Other peoples opinions are of little significance, so why bother taking notice eh? I'm doing my own thing, maybe people may not be able to comprehend it, but I'm getting to where I need to one step at a time.

今週の花 / Flower of the Week

アマリリス

アマリリス(Amaryllis)は、ヒガンバナ科ヒッペアストルム属（ヒペアストラム属とも、ラテン名Hippeastrum）の園芸雑種。学名Hippeastrum × hybridum。 多年草で原産は南アメリカ。夏場、ユリに似た六弁の大きい花を2-4個つける。花の色は白・赤・など。春植え球根の代表種で、こぶし大の球根は成長が早く4月に植えると1ヶ月後には開花する。 植え付け、植え替えはソメイヨシノが散る頃が適期である。ヒガンバナ科のほかの植物と同じく、球根などにリコリンを含み有毒。


中輪で花びらが細い目の在来種とオランダなどからポット植えで輸入される大輪で花びらの丸っこい品種があります。在来種は丈夫で比較的暑さ寒さにも強いのですが、花色が豊富で花の大きな輸入品種の方に人気があります。園芸品種の歴史も深く古くは１８世紀頃から改良されています。花色はピンク、赤、白を基調として模様が入るものなど様々あります。

アマリリスは南米のペルーやブラジル等に約70品種の原種があるヒガンバナ科ヒッペアルトラム属の球根性の植物です。属名のヒッペアルトラムは、ギリシャ語で騎士を意味するヒッペオスと、星を意味するアストロンから成ります。1760年代ににヨーロッパに持ち込まれ人工交配が進みました。日本に最初に入ってきたのは1830年ごろとされています。 近代、国内では半丸弁の赤花種などが主流でしたが、第二次世界大戦後にオランダ・ルドウィッヒ社の大輪丸弁種が入ってきました。

Amaryllis

The genus name Amaryllis comes from the Greek word "amarysso," which means "to sparkle,"sometimes called Hippeastrum, which means "knight star".  In Greek mythology, it was the name of a shepherdess who shed her own blood to prove her true love, and in so doing inspired the naming of this bright red flower. Many different cultivars claim the name amaryllis and membership of the Amaryllidaceae family.


Some botanists believe that the Portuguese probably brought the amaryllis bulb to Europe around the early 16th century. It is not surprising that Portugal, Spain and Italy were among the first European countries to introduce the amaryllis belladonna, as it was explorers from these countries who traveled far and wide, returning home with new discoveries to please the wealthy patrons who paid for their expeditions. The presence of amaryllis belladonna in places like the Canary Islands and Madeira gives rise to the theory that its importation may have paralleled the history of the sugar cane trade as well as the slave trade. Amaryllis belladonna arrived in England around the early 18th century.


Amaryllis are become more and more polular as a christmas flower. Holland is a major grower and exporter of the amaryllis, which is in especially high demand at Christmastime for its festive colors. Dutch and South African varieties of this Christmas favorite include bright red, pink and white amaryllis flowers. Many of the holiday varieties belong to the Hippeastrum genus and are native to South America. Christmas amaryllis are products of forced blooming.

ジンジャービア / Old fashioned Ginger Beer

ジンジャービアはカナダでジンジャーエールが発明される以前からイギリスで作られてきたドリンクでジンジャーエールのルーツ、原型とも言えるドリンクです。 ジンジャーと糖分を発酵させて作られる、とても手軽に作れてヘルシーなドリンクです。

ここで、生姜について少し。生姜は効用が凄い万能薬です。 生姜は、民間療法に古来より用いられ多くの人々を救済して来ましたが、生姜の効用と効能は、現代科学でも広く認められ活用されています。生姜の有効成分である「ジンゲロール」には、様々な病気や、加齢現象の敵とされる体内の性酸素を除去する働き「抗酸化作用」が特筆され老化予防の効能と効果が期待されています。

生姜の効用
切がない程ありますが主な効果は以下のようなものです。
・人体の免疫力を高める
・身体を温め冷えを取り除く
・血液の浄化を高める
・コレステロールの低下作用がある
・消化吸収能力を促進する
・生殖機能を改善する
・鎮痛、抗菌、解毒に強い効果が認められる
・酸化防止の作用がある
・咳を抑える
・めまい
・うつ
・強心
・発汗
などで、さらに200余以上の効用と効能が世界で確認されています。

その他の生姜の効能（ジンゲロールの効果）
・血流を良くして冷えを取り、生体機能全般を活性化させる効能
・新陳代謝を促進させ身体の機能を強化させる作用
・風邪、悪寒、鼻水、咳、肩こりの症状を改善・緩和する効果
・血圧を正常にとどめる働き
・冷えを除き、代謝を活発にして体内に滞る余分な水分や脂肪、老廃物の排出を促進させる
・胃液の分泌を促し、消化吸収の機能を強め食欲増進や、吐き気・むかつきを取り除く効能
・大脳皮質を刺激して、新陳代謝を旺盛にし、全身の機能を強化させ病気の治癒を早める働き。

今回はジンジャービアの作り方を紹介します。簡単で美味しいのでぜひ試してみてください。

Ingredients　材料

大4    生姜・みじん切り

1½ 　 レモン・皮をむいてスライスしたもの。

300ｇ　グラニュー糖

小½ 　酒石英

小¾ 　ドライイースト

Directions

1. 鍋に生姜、レモン、グラニュー糖、酒石英と750ｍｌの水を入れてかきまぜながら中火にかける。　沸騰したら弱火で5分煮る。　火を消して冷たい水を1.5リットル鍋に入れてドライイーストも加える。蓋をして一晩涼しい所で発酵させる、又は12時間発酵させる。

2. 発酵後ガーゼでジンジャービアをこしてピッチャーなどに入れる。蓋ではなくサランラップをきつくかぶせて涼しいところにおいて置く。

3. ジンジャービアは炭酸が出てきたら飲み頃です。環境にもよりますが、大体12時間～36時間かかります。冷蔵庫で冷やすか氷をたっぷり入れて飲んでください。

3日後からは味が落ちてきて、アルコールの味が少ししてくるので3日以内に飲んだ方がいいと思います。

レモンの農薬など気にされる方はレモンを塩揉みしてから熱湯にくぐらせるとほとんど取れるので処理してからお使いください。

I'd like to share my recipe for a quick and easy recipe for traditional ginger beer - Ginger beer is a carbonated  drink that is flavored primarily with ginger and sweetened with sugar. Brewed ginger beer originated in England in the mid-18th century and became popular in Britain, the United States, and Canada, reaching a peak of popularity in the early 20th century. This is a perfect drink for a picnic or refreshments for brunch. It's a great way to incorporate a healthy drink to your daily life. Before I get on with the recipe, I have listed below the top 10 health benefits attributed to this multi functional root:

1. Ginger has carminative properties (anti spasmic) and can be used to calm in upset stomach, providing relief for the relief of bloating and gas.
2. The intake of ginger helps stimulate the secretion of mucus, quieting your cough and soothing any scratchiness in your throat.
3. Ginger has been proven (in multiple studies) to treat feelings of nausea, particularly in the form of seasickness, morning sickness, motion sickness and as a side effect of chemotherapy.
4. Ginger contains anti viral, anti toxic, and anti fungal properties, and is used for the prevention of and treatment against the common cold.
5. Ginger acts as an antihistamine and aids in the treatment of allergies.
6. Ginger displays anti inflammatory properties and can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and various other muscular disorders. The chemical components of the root are instrumental in inhibiting the biosynthesis of prostaglandins which are responsible for causing inflammation. Thus the root has proven to be a highly effective form of treatment, in some cases, even more so than the NSAID's that are traditionally prescribed.
7. Ginger contains special enzymes responsible for catalyzing the proteins in your food, thus aiding in digestion and the prevention of cramps. The ancient Greeks used to eat ginger after a large meal in order to ease the digestion process.
8. Due to its promotion of mucus secretion, ginger protects against the development of ulcers, unwanted holes in the lining of your stomach.
9. Ginger has proven to help lower your cholesterol levels and prevent the formation of blood clots.
10. Ginger is often used to settle an upset stomach or treat severe stomach ailments such as dyspepsia or colic. It is frequently used today in developing countries to treat diarrhea. 

Information retrieved from the Hubpages.

This recipe makes just under 10.5 cups of ginger beer. It only takes about 20 minutes to prepare, plus overnight standing, 12-36 hours' fermenting and chilling.

Ingredients

4  tbsp finely chopped fresh ginger

1½ unwaxed lemon, thickly sliced, skin removed (the white pith gives off an unpleasant flavor )

10oz granulated sugar

½ tsp cream of tartar

¾ tsp dried yeast

Directions

1. Put the ginger, lemon, sugar, cream of tartar and 3 cups of cold water into a large pan over a medium heat. Slowly bring to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add 6½ cups of cold water and sprinkle over the yeast. Cover with a lid and set aside in a cool place overnight.

2. The next day, sterilize a pitcher by cleaning them in hot soapy water. Rinse and set aside.

3. Strain the ginger beer through a cheesecloth and pour into the pitcher. Cover the top with saran wrap tightly and leave in a cool place.

4. The ginger beer is ready to drink when fizzy, which will be within 12-36 hours, depending on how hot the weather is. Chill, then serve with plenty of ice and drink within 3 days.

Note: The amount of alcohol is VERY minuscule for the first 2 days, but from day 3, you can slightly taste the alcohol and the beer looses some of it's flavors so drink fast. 

I ♥ December

もう12月！12月といえばクリスマス♥　と言っても今日は暖かくて12月らしくなかった・・・　今日は1日なのでアドベントカレンダーの１を開けました～ｗ　クリスマスまであと24日。 アドベントカレンダーの歴史は１９世紀に入ってからで、そんなに古いものではないらしいです。ある信仰深い家族が２４枚の絵を１２月に毎日一枚づつ壁に掛けていったのがきっかけだったそうです。１８５１年に初めて手作りのアドベントカレンダーが作られ、１９０２年には、ハンブルクのプロテスタント系の本屋さんで、印刷されたカレンダーが販売されるようになりました。今、馴染みのあるチョコレートなどが入っているものではなく、数字の扉を開けると小さな絵が覗けるというものです。僕的には絵の方が好みｗ　１９０４年には"Neuen Tagblatt Stuttgart"という新聞社がプレゼントとしてアドベントカレンダーを新聞に折り込んでいます。皆さんがよく知っているチョコレートなどのプレゼントの入ったアドベントカレンダーが誕生したのは１９５８年のことです。12月はクリスマスを中心に色々紹介していきたいと思います。

It's finally December! Yay! I finally put up the tree about a week ago. I was giddy with excitement that I brought all the Christmas decoration to the living room and unloaded all the boxes. By the time I was finished unloading, I was sitting in a sea of Christmas decoration. lol* The house is ready for Christmas and I'm enjoying my accomplishments. The Christmas tree looks absolutely stunning this year. I'm actually proud of myself this year for clearing up the accumulation of unsightly electrical accouterments under the Christmas tree.

A few days ago, I went Christmas shopping, so I got up early to clean the house and prepare lunch and dinner, I cooked fried chicken, coleslaw and biscuits for lunch. The chicken was damn GOOD! DE-LISH! The biscuits were nice and tender straight out of the oven. The coleslaw was nice and light. I'll upload the recipes soon. The chicken is a MUST-TRY!

Anyways, I was able to purchase gifts for all my family and friends in one outing!! I'm so happy. But it was a long day of shopping, left at 2 and came back around 8. Choosing gifts are an treacherous activity for me. If I make the wrong choice in my gift selections, I'm in risk of sending an unintended message to the recipient right? And if I feel the overzealous need to show appreciation to someone, I'm bound to spend away over budget and literally end up paying for my mistake... Oh, the perils of choosing gifts! I envy those who choose the right gift as easily as breathing.

A box packed and ready to send off to my sister and her family!

Beef stir-fry with broccoli and mushrooms / 牛肉のブロッコリーときのこ炒め

This is a great stir fry when you're in a hurry to prepare dinner or when you don't wanna slave over the stove for a delicious meal. This is a Chinese-esq stir fry, but it uses a lot less oil than standard Chinese stir fries and is much lighter. I use shimeji mushrooms and french horn mushroom aka king trumpet mushrooms, but you can substitute any mushrooms of your choice. If you prepare the vegetables as in the picture below, it cooks nice and evenly. Also, the beef has a tendency to stick to the pan due to the starch, so use a non-stick pan or use enough oil to prevent them from sticking. Here's the recipe;

Beef stir-fry with broccoli and mushrooms
Serves 5

Ingredients
1lb       beef (thinly sliced, paper thin) have the butcher do this and save time.
2          broccoli (cut into florets)
4          scallions
3          cloves of garlic (minced or sliced)
3.5 oz   french horn mushrooms
3.5 oz   shimeji
a nob of fresh ginger root (minced or cut into match-sticks)

Liquid seasoning
2   tablespoon sake
2½ tablespoon water
3   tablespoon soy sauce (make sure it's Japanese soy sauce)
2   tablespoon oyster sauce
1   teaspoon sugar
2   teaspoon corn starch
1   teaspoon powdered Chinese chicken stock (you don't have to use this if you can't purchase it)

Beef Marinade
⅛   teaspoon salt
⅛   teaspoon pepper
1½  teaspoon soy sauce
2    tablespoon sake
2    tablespoon corn starch

Directions
1. In a small bowl, add the salt, pepper, soy sauce, sake and corn starch for the beef marinade, add the beef and mix well. Set aside.

2. Blanch the broccoli in salted water and add a tablespoon of oil in the water, about 4 minutes. Drain and set aside. (If using frozen, thaw before using.)

3. In another small bowl prepare the liquid seasoning by adding sake, water, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, cornstarch and stock. Mix well and set aside.

4. In a large frying pan, add 2 tablespoons of oil and cook the beef. Transfer the cooked beef to a serving platter and set aside.

5. In the same pan, add a tablespoon of oil, garlic, ginger, scallions and the mushrooms and sauté until the mushrooms are cooked. Add the cooked beef, broccoli and the liquid seasoning mix until well combines and serve immediately.

Sorry about the bad quality of the photo... I took it with my phone, my camera was MIA.