Sakura in Yoshino

A week ago, Saturday, we traveled 3 hours by train each way to visit Yoshino which is known for it's beautiful Sakura trees.  It was so beautiful.   We went with my friend Joya who is also an expat, but with the added benefit that she speaks Japanese.  We traveled by Shinkansen (bullet train) and two other trains south of Kyoto to Yoshino.  We thought it might be really busy because it was the height of Sakura bloom season.  Fortunately the weather wasn't very good, so I think the crowds were lower.

We waited until the sun hit the lonely tree on the hillside to capture this picture.  

It glowed in the sunlight.  

It took me a few shots before the bird posed just right for me.

I like mossy stone walls.

Volunteers along the path.

Sakura covered the hill sides.

We were given paper flags when we were leaving because a member of the Royal family (supposedly the Prince) was arriving.  There was a large welcoming crowd and we had to ask what was going on.  Unfortunately he didn't arrive before we left on the train.  If you ever plan on visiting Japan definitely make it in April.  It may be crowded, but it is worth it.

Spring from Japan

Hello there.  I'm sorry that I've been MIA from Elderberry Street. There has been so much going on here that I feel a little overwhelmed trying to narrow things down to tell you.  I could fill every day here with something, usually something really fun and cool.  I wonder how I'll handle life when I'm back in the U.S.?  We've even gone back to California again since the last post.  My husband had meetings and I stayed an extra day to play with friends.

I've titled this post, Spring from Japan.  Basically because Spring is ALL OVER JAPAN these days.  And it is amazing.  We've been on a hike from Tsumago to Magome.  I thought it was HARD.  Nobody else did.  Stopping to take pictures every other step didn't help matters.  * I've decided to keep this post just about the hike because there are too many photos to share.  I promise I'll post again this weekend with photos from Yoshino which is a famous location for Sakura.

Immediately when I got back to Japan I helped with a Ladies Retreat from our church.  It was at a monastery which was barren and cold.  Kind of like you'd expect, I guess.  There wasn't much warm water either.  I was in charge of the crafts.  I know that's a shocker.  We made journals because the theme was about The Great Love Story.  They were able to use them for the remainder of the retreat.

Here are the wonderful ladies that were there the second day. It was such fun to be involved with.

Back to the hike.  There were eleven of us.  We drove an hour and a half to Tsumago and hiked down to Magome.  It didn't feel like down to me for the majority of the hike.

At this point I was very happy to be finally going downhill.  That is just a taste of the beauty we saw that Saturday.  I've also been playing with kids, visiting the park for Sakura season and all around having fun.

 Grace and Lucy are absolutely adorable.  They noticed I was taking pictures and the show began.

 On my way home from the park I caught this Quince with the Sakura in the background.  

My neighbor, Meryl, was all dressed up for the tea ceremony, but her little boy was on a different time schedule.  

I'll leave you with this.  A serene little spot on my walk home the other day.  

Signs of Spring

I enjoyed our monthly antiquing fun last weekend. 

 Last year they used baby chicks, this year, baby bunnies.

 I wish this photo was clearer, because the detail on this bed was stunning.

Yard Work

 Spring means cutting back grasses and pulling weeds. 

It's easy to get distracted by pretty blooms, though. Yes, I keep my phone close by.

 Afterglow Echeveria and Santa Barbara Daisies (Erigeron).

 Margarita Bop Penstemon

 I added a little Ranunculus to the mantle.

I wish they looked like this forever.

Happy Succulent Spring!

Years ago, I might not have recognized the beauty of succulents. During our years of living in the Midwest and New England succulents were not in vogue.  Now, living in Southern California, they are a necessity. I visited a new-to-me nursery last week. They had some lovely containers and gardens to walk through. 

 You could plant in an old washing machine.

 Or an old bathtub.

 Just gorgeous all jammed packed together in this pot.

 Echeveria

 Aeonium

 These two different rose bushes looked beautiful together.

 I took this little beauty home with me.

Only to have it spill over twice in my car on the way home. 

I did salvage it, but couldn't get it all to fit back in.

Here's a view of our back slope with a little peek at our new garden shed. 

Happy Spring!!