03/21/2026
Cherry blossoms arrived early this year.
We are lucky to live in a volcanic region that is similar to Japan in so many ways. The same trees, the same ocean, the same produce, the same seasons. It helps us stay in sync with how we cook and how we live. Yesterday was the equinox. Today is the first day of spring which means new menu begins the first week of April.
For the past few mornings, Ryan and I have been walking our usual loop. Coffee on Water Ave, across the Steel Bridge, and back over the Madison Bridge. Yesterday we brought the whole family. Ume onigiri, hojicha in a thermos, sitting by the river and watching the petals move across the water. At one point, a giant seal kept surfacing, as if he had joined us for the morning.
In the Japanese 72 micro-seasons, this is the moment when blossoms open. It doesn’t last long. This is not something to hold onto, but something to notice as it passes.
Portland is stunning right now. If you have time, take a walk today.