I went to Rye in April. According to a Japanese travel magazine Rye is a lovely small town
with a medieval atmosphere and we can see picture book scenery everywhere in there.
Many people were attracted by this town. Henry James, an American writer who spent most of his writing career in Britain, was also one of those.

The place I was most impressed with was an old cafe, The Apothecary. I happened to stop there to get out of the rain. I heard that the cafe was renovated from an old pharmacy. Warm old furniture created a good atmosphere. At the cafe I saw local elderly people. Some were reading a book or a newspaper and some were enjoying a chat. They looked like they knew each other because they exchanged greetings. I thought it would be good if I had such a place when I get old.

I like one-pot recipes. They are very simple but we can eat various foods at once. I often cook a one-pot chicken with favorite vegetables.　At first, in a pot, fry a season chicken with salt and pepper on each side until golden brown and remove them. Next cook the onion and garlic until soft in the pot. Slip the chicken back into the pot and add favorite vegetables with olive oil, salt and pepper. Then braise them with a small amount of water. Chicken becomes tender and soup is very tasty. Today I used celery, mushroom and broccoli in a fridge. I like to add cherry tomatoes too.

I went to Paris Giverny last summer to visit Monet’s garden. People who have been to Giverny said that I would be able to see all of the village in half a day. But I stayed overnight because I wanted to have a relaxing time. In more detail, I wanted to enjoy the tranquility of night and the fresh morning air.

We stayed at a wonderful B&B, La Dime de Giverny. The owner was very friendly and told us that he was a graphic designer and renovated hard a 18th-century house by himself. He introduced us to his lovely cat, too.

We had a dinner at a nice restaurant, Restaurant Baudy, near the B&B. We enjoyed local homemade dishes at outside on the terrace. All of the food was simple and really good. I had an Omlette Avec Canard Confit as a main dish. I heard that this dish was mom’s cooking for people of Giverny.

When I just came to London I didn't know how to cook Japanese dishes with British foods. At first, I went round and round in a supermarket because I didn't know what and where things are sold. I mistook turkey for chicken and confused parsnip with murie radish. But I have gotten used to that now and enjoy cooking.

This is crispy fried chicken with sweet-sour leek sauce. Recipe is very easy, so if you like, please try it.

How to cook crispy fried chicken
1. Cut chicken in bit-size pieces and sprinkle some salt and pepper.
2. Dredge the chicken in potato starch.
3. In a deep frying pan or a wok, heat vegetable oil to 180 degree Celsius.
4. Fry the chicken in the oil until golden.

How to make sweet-sour leek sauce
Chopped leek (2tbsp), Granted garlic and ginger (1tsp each),
Soy sauce, water, vinegar, sugar (2tbsp each), Sesame oil (1tbsp)

I dressed vegetable salad with sesame oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. 

I got up earlier than usual Saturday morning and went to a farmers' market with a bouquet in mind. There is a small stool that I like. He sells lovely roses and wildflowers. I can't decide which to buy because they are all wonderful. Today I chose a garden flowers bouquet. It brought the atmosphere of summer garden in our flat.