Beating the heat.

As I write,it is actually a wee bit cooler than it was this time last week.No need for the A/C at the moment as it is only just over 30C and the humidity is down to 70%.We have had a few amazing thunderstorms and since then,things have been improving.

But it is still HOT and just thought i would introduce a couple of ways that our family has been beating the heat this year.

Number One.

The best apple drink ever known,100% homemade and so easy.In Japan it is known as "Apple Sour".There are 3 ingredients; apples,rock sugar and vinegar.The apples are sliced,skin on,and placed in a container.You add rock sugar and vinegar.Stir the contents once a day for a week and hey presto,you have your drink.You drink it diluted with water(or shochu ) and it is cheap,very healthy(all that vinegar) and so refreshing.

Number Two.

The paddling pool.This actually only concerns Annie and Kenichi as I have been banned by Annie as my tummy is too big(and also,I don't think I would ever manage to get out if I did flop in).We bought a new pool this summer and although rather needs no blowing up and folds down for easy storage.It was also cheap at 1,500 yen.But as you can see,it needs rather a lot of water.However,during the summer,we only take showers .We figured out that what we would be saving on bath water could be used for the pool.And our water bill has actually decreased as we only fill the pool once a week or so and it lasts.And what better way to spend the hottest part of the day.It has been a life saver for me as it has been too hot to take Annie to the beach in the past weeks so when Kenichi is working or off doing things,Annie gets to have fun at home and I don't have to risk life and limb but taking her to the seaside alone.And a number of her friends have also reaped the benefits may I say;)

Number Three.

This applies to Annie only...her own way of staying cool in the other sense of the word.The picture below was taken about 2 weeks ago when everyone and everything was melting;The A/C was on all the time and even then we were still sweating.One morning,Annie put on one of her favourite summer dresses(thanks Rebecca;) ) and then decided that it wasn't cool enough.So she added a fleece hat and denim jacket and after the picture was taken,pink rain boots.She was really happy with the outcome and went to daycare happily unaware that even by just looking at her in her setup caused everyone to feel that heat even more.And in fact the photo is slighty blurred as my fingers were sweating so much that I couldn't get a proper grip on the camera.