Domaine des Bois Lucas

Hi! We have cloudless blue sky today! My runny & sore nose healed but seems like pills causing a blocked nose! My god...

Anyway, some of you might know but I rarely read books. (Maybe that's why I can't think things logically...) Well, one of my co-workers forced me to read a book one day. Since he didn't give up, I said okay, and read 10 minutes a day on the train. Took about a month to finish reading! Ha-ha.

The book was about Junko Arai, who bought a field in Loire (France) to make a biodynamic wine. She has a side job as a wine importer in Japan. I'm not interested in wine, but what amazed me is her vitality! She got the black belt for Karate when she was a college student. Then worked for a company in her 20's, using money for collecting cars and designer goods. But she quit the job and started to take some lessons, such as flower arrangement, tea ceremony, etc... Then one day, she got trapped in wine making. She entered University of Bordeaux to study zymurgy in her 30's. Then she ran a French restaurant in Japan, and held a workshop for wine lovers. However, one day, she was offered to purchase a field in France.

In 2001, she closed her restaurant and flew to France to start winemaking. Sorry in Japanese, but here is her winery info. I didn't know anything about winemaking, but her book explains about that, too. I never knew that the winemaking is such a hard work. I am impressed by her patience! She gives us hope to try something new and never give up!!!

Anyway, in her diary (on her HP), she wrote that she won the lottery to run Tokyo Marathon! She has good luck!!! Hope I can win at the second drawing in December...

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Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve

It is getting cold! The high is around 57F (15C) but chilly with dry air. Time to use heavy hand cream, I guess...

This summer, I bought Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve (5.0 fl.oz.) in NY and now it's doing a great job ;) Last winter, I wrote about my hand care items. I still use them but never enough, you know!!! I use hand cream every time after my hand-wash, so I need to keep a stock!

Changing my story, this afternoon, I went to see ENT doctor while at work because I had a runny nose (it hurt) and couldn't concentrate on my work!!! The doctor said my nose is not that swollen but prescribed me some pills. Should I need to see him?! Hope so... I know it is always cheaper and better to see a doctor than taking pills bought at a drug store! I hope I can go to the GYM tomorrow!!!
I always wash my hands and gargle when I got home, by the way...

I'm gonna go to bed now.
See you again...

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ANDERSEN Bread Contest

Yesterday, I went to Hiroshima to attend the cook-off final of the ANDERSEN's bread contest! ANDERSEN is a bakery. They try to make the most of our “Hygge” (means cozy) time with friends, family or on our own eating bread. They asked us for anniversary recipes using their bread. There were 5 finalists. (amazingly, 4 of us including me were from Tokyo area!) I woke up at 3 in the morning, took shinkansen at 6, and arrived at Hiroshima at 10. But the other 3 said they came a day before and stayed a night in Hiroshima. That might have been a good idea!

The grand prix was awarded to the lady who made croissant fruit cake. She said she makes it for her kids when they do a great job! Mine and others' were the outstanding performance award. My recipe was "inside-out beef cutlet sandwich". Of course I made it for my boyfriend (for his birthday) ;)

After the contest, we had a open sandwich party with judges (the CEO joined us as well). Their open sandwiches were like sushi (with fresh vegetables, meat, fish etc...) and was really great!!! There were more than 10 kinds. I think we (participants) had no sense of shame... we divided all into small pieces and shared each other.

I came back to Tokyo at 10PM. I didn't even have time to sightsee in the city or go window-shopping but I had a good time.

It's a small world!!! Next week, I am going to see the grand prix winner at a different contest!

Okay. I gotta go now.
Good night!

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