{Japanese Fireman's Happi-Coat from my 2007 Trip}

Guess this time I need some help from my dear Japanese readers... 

When we each received one, at the Sayonara party in July of 2007, I guess we were told it was a Japanese Fireman's Happi-Coat.
But I don't know anything about it. 

If you know more about its meaning, according to the Kanji symbols, please let me know!

Yes, I was fortunate to be one of two chaperones (pictured to the right) and also the team leader, for a group of 6 teenagers from Dublin, Georgia to visit our Sister City of Osaki in Japan.

We all received such a heavy, black cotton, Fireman's Happi-Coat!

Sorry, but I cannot read these characters in Kanji...
~0~
Okay, here is the FULL explanation; thanks to blogger friend Miyako from Orchid's Daily Voice:

The fireman's happi-coat is made of thick cotton (I think yours as well) and it soaks water well. They used to wear them pouring water over themselves to fight against fire.
Nowadays the coats are mainly for ceremonies.
The Kanji characters mean:
Osaki-city must have Sanbongi-town; its town's name. Yes Sanbongi-town is where we stayed!
 means 'fire company'
and means 'head of the company'.

The large Kanji in the back resembles the very same as the top 3 on the front's left side... 
But to me it is a puzzle!

It did not come with a sash so I had to make my own.

With a roll of Offray ribbon and some DMC cotton thread, I managed...

Shiny DMC 5, black cotton thread from France.

Yep, two hand crocheted belt loops and I did sew them onto the cotton fabric.

For the sash I did stitch two layers of ribbon together after first having made a diagonal seam in both ends.

Here I am wearing my Japanese Happi-Coat, complete with self-made sash and together with the Zori Sandals...
Photo is taken on our balcony next to last year's polyurethane balustrades from Vintage Woodworks, Texas on the Italian CERDOMUS ceramiche tiles that Pieter laid himself.

Related link:
{10 Things to Learn from Japan... after the Earthquake and Tsunami!} | previous post by me showing the special LOVE gift I bought for the mayor of our Sister-City
{Japanese Yubikan from 1692 that I visited at Iwadeyama Osaki JAPAN, collapsed by earthquake} | previous post by me showing our group during visit of building that collapsed...
{News from Our Sister-City Osaki in JAPAN + Join NISSAN with Donation!} | previous post by me showing pictures from my visit

{Barlow Tyrie Capri Lounger with Cushioned Velour Cover}

In a comment on: 'Our now WHITE Barlow Tyrie Ltd Capri Lounger with Wheels', there was concern that I would have to lie on it like a fakir... Rest assured Marianne from Biebkriebels (Library-jitters) we do have a very lovely white Cushioned Velour Cover...

This is IT. 'Our now WHITE Barlow Tyrie Capri Lounger with Wheels' and a very soft Cushioned Velour Cover... on the Italian Cerdomus tiles.

Marianne from the blog Biebkriebels (Library Jitters) did write: Everything is ready to enjoy, but with a pillow I hope... To which I replied: Yes sure, there is a very pretty and soft chaise cover in white... Otherwise you would be lying down rather fakir like!

There are even three handy side pockets...

Heaven for reading some magazines while snacking on some cherries!

The Velour Cover looks still a bit wrinkled here, as I just had taken it out of its plastic storage bag for winter.

All in the softest 100% cotton with Polyester filling.
Not too bulky for propping it inside the washer.

 Complete with pillow...

Frontgate Cushioned Velour Chaise Cover...

Another great find!

Related link:
{Our now WHITE Barlow Tyrie Capri Lounger with Wheels} | previous post by me

{Our Fragrant Hosta Flowers}

In our wood garden we do have lots of different hostas along the walking trail. In July those Fragrant Hosta Flowers were showing their best. So we tried to capture some of their beauty for you to share...

This photo is from August 7.

Fragrant flowers must also mean that they are very sweet, looking at all those ants!

The first photo did not entirely reveal the wilted flowers at the bottom...

They last but one day!

Only two days later, now the top buds have opened into flowers.

This one had leaves in one color.

Just to give you an impression. You see some Liriope blooming and behind the big tree are swamp lilies. Here in front is a variegated hosta blooming.

Squatting down to the hosta's level you can now see its pretty fragrant flowers.

Most of these white fragrant hosta flowers are a bit lilac tinted...

Again, ants are on the flowers and buds so they must be sweet!

Looks great with some rain drops still on them.

Those buds definitely are a bit lilac tinted...

Such beauty for only ONE day!

This golden leaved hosta is on our patio as one of our pot plants.

In mid June it had these lilac buds.

Do you grow any fragrant hostas?

{Silver Repousse Pastry Server with Cherubs}

This is such a lovely Silver Repousse Pastry Server with Cherubs. Would make a perfect bridal gift or as a very special, romantic gift.
Again this is only available at my on line Boutique and I will as always, do ship Worldwide.

Just click here: Silver Repousse Pastry Server with Cherubs in order to go to my online Boutique.

One can only admire the talented silver smith that once created this ornate piece in solid repousse silver...
Perfect match with the beautiful hand crocheted table topper by blogger friend Susan from Ava Grace's Closet's Mama.

Yes, I certainly love to use our roses whenever I photograph beautiful silver pieces. It is such pure romance.

Together with a healthy piece of dark chocolate, filled with dried apricots, nuts and seeds, that I made myself, it displays very well.

Here you can see the silver mark which is German.
First the 800 is visible, followed by a half moon and a crown.

 On Page 21 of Johanna Gehrlein's book: Rosen-Bestecke you can see those silver marks shown in the 1st and 2nd image, resembling a half moon and a crown.

Johanna's excellent book Rosen-Bestecke, about Rose Silver flatware has always been such a great reference!

Sold out...

Related links:

{Splendid book about Silver Rose Flatware} | previous post by me

{Antique German REPOUSSE Silver ANGELS Napkin, Letter or Card Holder} | previous post by me showing similar cherubs, angels or putti.

{Antique German REPOUSSE Silver Roses Napkin, Letter or Card Holder} | previous post by me 

{Ixora}

On our patio we also have the exotic tropical plant Ixora and it looked so lovely on July 4th. Due to plenty of late afternoon showers, like in the tropics, it was quite happy!

A bright yellow color with touches of pink...

Far more common is the red variety which you already may know.

But look; only six weeks later but after a dry spell...

Looking all perked up after a generous 'drink' from the green hose in the back...

Without water there will be NO LIFE!
It is still very hot and dry in Georgia/USA...

{Variegated Blue Flax Lily}

On our new patio we also do have two Variegated Blue Flax Lilies. Let me show you the one that has tiny  blue flowers. They were rather tricky to photograph but I got some photos to share with you...

As mentioned above, they are rather tiny!

This gives you more an idea of the entire pot plant and the tiny flowers...

Beautiful variegated leaves, that in itself is already striking enough.

But such a lovely bloomer too; almost continuously and in winter they ought to show blue berries as well.

So pretty how they open from closed buds into a lovely blue flower...

Really fragile looking...

Looking now towards the street.

Do any of you have this Variegated Flax Lily?

{Growing Pomegranates the Ancient Persian SuperFruit}

Since August 2012, we are trying to grow our own Pomegranates, the Ancient Persian Superfood...

Close to our gazebo we did plant this pomegranate and a bit farther away a 2nd one...

Yep, the price is still visible; US $ 18.00

On May 26, I did spot this very first bloom! Already browned from the rain...

Wow, we were hoping to see the setting of the FIRST ANTIOXIDANT SUPERFRUIT!

Its blossoms got rained off the shrub; no hope for any fruits this year!

History of Pomegranate - The pomegranate is one of the world's most ancient foods and originally came from Persia...

Pomegranate Juice Is a Powerhouse of Antioxidants

Beats even Red Wine and Green Tea

It is supposed to have positive effects on diabetes...

Persian origin and does melt away belly fat...

The Basis of grenadine. Do you recall that lemonade syrup? As a child we got it served over vanilla pudding and also as a summer lemonade.

Beneficial effect on our performance between the sheets are even attributed to this super food for super Valentine

The above is being translated from Dutch, using Bing.

Hoe gezond is de granaatappel (original Dutch text, you can click it)

What Does It Take for Pomegranate Trees to Produce Fruit? Pomegranate trees are self-fruitful, with both male and female flower parts on a single tree. Insects and hummingbirds help spread pollen from flower to flower, allowing fruit to form when conditions are right.

The above link did explain it very nicely but meanwhile for 2014, we will not see any fruits...

Maybe best bet is to buy some Anardana seeds or powder... See for more info below via links.

Do any of you have their own Ancient Persian Superfood?

Related link:

Super foods: pomegranate | The Telegraph UK
Spice Hunting: Anardana, Dried Pomegranate Seeds | soaking those seeds for a couple of hours they are a great spice to use in sauces or braising liquid. Try adding them to marmelade, together with orange peel and cinnamon...

What Is Anardana? | More information from wiseGEEK
Pomegranate | Cultural history and Culinary use

{Picket Fence & White Hibiscus}

One would never tell that only this past December husband Pieter redid our Vinyl Picket Fence by digging out a trench, pouring concrete and putting concrete blocks on top. He had to remove the Picket Fence entirely and even extend it with two more sections. Now there is no tell tale sign that we ever had a huge pine tree that got cut down and having so much digging done. The grass grew very well with almost a daily shower this entire summer. Only the last week or so has been without rain, except for Tuesday. So it looks quite lovely together with the White Hibiscus at the end.

We can't recall any summer as lush as this year's...

Photos taken by husband Pieter, except for the top one. One can tell that he too enjoys our new camera...
There is a lot of pollen for the hummingbirds and the bees to feast on.

Such a lovely green-white setting!

We love these great Gothic Picket Vinyl Fence Panels!
And we are blessed for having this part of the water control project completed before the spring.
With that much rain we have had, we were safe now.

With a view of our new tiled patio in the front of the house... Plants are very happy this summer!

The huge Southern Magnolia is so spread out.
Clouds are visible again on this mid June day; preparing for a late afternoon shower...

Related link:

{Our New Retainer Wall & Vinyl Picket Fence} | previous post by me
{65 Year Old Pine Tree Cut Down} | previous post by me

{Our Hibiscus syriacus 'Diana' - Rose-of-Sharon 'Diana'} | previous post by me

{Hoya Carnosa Nectar for Hummingbirds}

After a post about limiting sugar in our daily diet, another post about the yummy Nectar for our Hummingbirds from the Hoya Carnosa blossoms.
We do keep our Hoya Carnosa - Wax Plant, in the gazebo during spring, summer and autumn.
Easily accessible for our Hummingbirds to enjoy its yummy nectar!

Husband Pieter captured this great photo!
A hummingbird has to consume about twice its body weight every day!
Just imagine if we would have such a high metabolism...

Related link:
Our Hummingbirds on July 19, 2011 | On YouTube

Hummingbirds | Educational Resources link
{Our Fragrant Hoya Wax Plants in October} | previous post by me
{Our Fragrant Hoya Carnosa - Wax Plant} | Previous post by me