７月３１日
この暑さにハイビスカスは機嫌良く咲き続けている。
二段に咲く珍しい品種だ。
毎日一輪ずつ咲く。丈を詰めれば一度にもう少し沢山さくのかしらん？
In this heat, the hibiscus is blooming exceptionally well.
It is a rare variety that blooms in two layers.
Every day, one flower blooms at a time. I wonder if we could get even more flowers at once by trimming its height a bit?"
７月２８日
ミスターマスダの母の実家の近く出身のMさんとのお付き合いは六十年を越す。
Mさんの結婚ではミスターマスダの友人を紹介し仲人も務めた。
実家の近くは鰻養殖で有名な所、今年も「土用の丑の日」に臨んで
白焼きを十串も送ってくれた。
三十日を待ちきれず今日、白焼きと蒲焼きで頂いた。
絶品という言葉はこの為にあるかと思う程だった。
The person we acted as matchmakers for their marriage sent us ten Skewers of shirayaki (grilled eel) again this year on "Doyo no Ushi no Hi" (the Day of the Eel in midsummer).
Unable to wait until the thirty day of August, we enjoyed both the shirayaki and kabayaki (grilled eel with sauce) today.
It was so delicious that I think the word "exquisite" was created just for this occasion.
７月２４日
今夏も岡山名産の白桃が届いた。
関西勤務の頃の上司の方が退職後ずっと贈って下さって我家では夏のシンボルの様になっている。
上司が亡くなられて十年程経つが、その後も奥様からずっと頂戴している。
篤く感謝して毎夏賞味させて頂いている。
We received the famous white peaches from Okayama again this summer.
Since my days of working in the Kansai region has been sending them to us consistently, making them a symbol of summer in our household.
It has been about ten years since my boss passed away, but his wife continues to send us these peaches every year.
We deeply appreciate their kindness and are grateful to enjoy them each summer.
７月２１日
七月二十日、夕顔初花二輪。
これは嬉しい。夜の闇に美しい香りが充ちて
とても幸せな時間が流れる。
ミセス・マスダは母親がとても好んだ花だったから、私も
一番好きな花だと言う。
On July twentieth, the evening glory blooms with its first two flowers.
This makes Mrs.Masuda happy. A beautiful fragrance fills the darkness of the night,
and a very joyful time passes by.
Her mother used to love this flower very much, so she also
say it is her favorite flower.
７月１７日
今日は本当に久し振りにミセス・マスダが
ミスター・マスダの大好物のリエットを作った。
ここ数日は猛烈な暑さに見舞われているので
体力を付けるのにはもってこいかなと
バゲットにたっぷりのせ愉しんでいる。
Today, Mrs. Masuda made Mr. Masuda's favorite pâté, which was really long overdue.
We have been suffering from intense heat for the past few days, so it's perfect for replenishing our energy.
We are thoroughly enjoying it, generously spread on baguettes.
７月１４日
これ程暑さが続くと我家では定番料理「ヴィシソワース」の登場となる。
冷たーく、冷たーく冷やして、庭から摘んだチャイブをあしらって、
そして、今日はガラスの器ではなくスープ皿でたっぷり頂くことにする。
With such prolonged heat, it's time for the classic dish "Vichyssoise" to make an appearance in our home.
Chilled, chilled, garnished with freshly picked chives from the garden,
And today, instead of a glass bowl, we will indulge in a generous serving on a soup plate.
７月９日
知らないうちに実生の朝顔が、印度デイゴの枝に
蔓を絡めて成長していた。
今朝がた、これも初花を見せた。四つ並んで咲いた。ゴージャス！！
昨夏、藍色だった朝顔、今年は濃い紫に咲いた。
これはこれで良い。
Morning glories, which I didn't even realize were growing, had entwined their vines around the branches of an Indian coral tree.
This morning, they revealed their first blooms as well. Four blossoms bloomed side by side. Gorgeous!
Last summer, the morning glories were blue, but this year they bloomed in a deep purple color.
That's just fine as it is.
７月１日
文月朔日、早朝、梅雨空の下、朝顔初花を見る事が出来た。
これは嬉しい。
何か所か朝顔を育てているので、これからは朝の庭が愉しみだ。
On the first day of July, in the early morning, beneath the rainy season sky, I was able to see the first blooming morning glory.
I am delighted by this.
Since I am growing morning glories in several places, I am looking forward to enjoying my garden in the mornings from now on.
