#SundaySupper

Budget-friendly recipes is the topic of today’s #SundaySupper. (You’re invited to join the chat around the virtual Twitter dinner table. Scroll down for detail.) After pouring over pages of potential budget-friendly goodies, I landed upon the site of King Arthur. Photos of their pumpkin cake donuts looked irresistible. Pumpkin cans are aplenty in the Ninja Baker’s kitchen. Have you noticed canned pumpkin goes on sale during the holiday season? Well, with their long shelf life, I stocked up...Originally I set out to replicate the King Arthur recipe. Something felt off. The still small voice was talking. 

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Last night I was in the presence of master storyteller and shamisen musician, Kunitoshi Kineya. (The shamisen is a 3 stringed lute, which has entertained the Japanese since the 1300s.)  Whilst sitting on the soles of his feet seiza-style (a killer on the knees!) and strumming his shamisen, Kineya-san transported the audience... 

Have you ever tripped and found yourself sprawled out on the sidewalk? I’m not speaking metaphorically. I woke up anxious about my massive to-do list. I  pushed the feelings aside. Women are masters of multi-tasking, right? Starbucks in hand, I was determined to check off the items. Life had other plans. Preoccupied with “priorities” while scanning Santa Monica storefronts, the jagged sidewalk escaped my attention. Splat!

Autumn is a time when green leaves transform into magnificent hues. (Hopefully, we human beings also mature with the changing seasons!) In my pursuit of the true meaning of home during my summer and autumn in Boulder, the classic film, E.T. slipped into my mind. (Quotes from the film such as “E.T. phone home” and “I’ll be right here,” have choked me up a bit.) In honor of Elliot luring E.T. out of the forest with Reese’s Pieces...

Fall temps are fully evident in Boulder. 'Tis the season for the richly hued green and orange acorn-shaped squash. Destiny or serendipity introduced me to the acorn squash. (Did you know National Acorn Squash Day is September 7th?) These beauties would’ve been brilliant simply baked with splashes of oil and soy sauce.  However, I do love ramen noodles. So... 

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As autumn draws near do you find yourself slowing down or moving faster? Currently, Boulder, Colorado buzzes with the return of college kids. The youthful energy is palpable. Red shopping carts zigzag like bumper cars down the aisles of Target. The scene is reminiscent of Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish markets where quick action is required to snatch the best tuna. 

Delicate raspberries and puckery yuzu citrus are a heavenly flavor combo so I’m contributing No-Bake Raspberry and Japanese Yuzu Citrus Bars for a Summer Chillin' themed Sunday Supper. Crushing Pocky (Japanese chocolate covered biscuit sticks) for the crust of my Summer Chillin’ dessert, I thought about all the “cool” festivals which occur in summertime Japan. Like the Tanabata Festival. The Japanese festival celebrates the one night where the Romeo and Juliet of the star system...

With the flowering of Japanese cherry blossoms (sakura) in Japan, poetry, songs, picnics and sweets flood the marketplace. The Sakura, Sakura (cherry blossom) lullaby is the infant’s introduction to music. As Megadeth rock band ’s former guitarist Marty Friedman will confirm, mothers and grannies are not the only ones singing about cherry blossoms.

As delightful as Chunky Monkey Vegan Banana Bread is to David; FOX TV's Bones fans delight in his artistic gifts. He’s the creative genius behind the computer and Angelatron graphics on the show. My Renaissance man husband is talented and smart. (He tested two points below genius on an IQ test.) However, what I appreciate most is his huge heart...

Dad played a decorated war hero, General MacArthur on NHK TV. (The PBS of Japan.) In real life, medals never dangled on my father’s chest. Yet, he’s always been my hero. His gentle spirit and generosity continue to influence and inspire me.

Fond memories of Dad are popping up as I prepare for the #SundaySupper Father’s Day Feast. Dad loves fine wines and chocolates. Vivacious strawberry, raspberry and watermelon flavors color Gallo Family Vineyards’ Café Zinfandel...