I Went Shopping - Sakura Matsuri Edition

Near Piccadilly Circus, lies a stretch of bakeries and chocolatiers: La Duree, La Maison du Chocolat, Godiva, a who's who of fabulous displays of sweets.  They went all out for Easter, perhaps especially La Maison du Chocolat, who had a Safari scene reminiscent of the film, Madagascar.

Lions!  Giraffes!  Hippos!  And also snuggling bunnies!

The Japanese confectioners, Minamoto Kitchoan celebrated Sakura Matsuri with this beautiful window display.

There were more inside!  So many beautiful little treats, and all gorgeously displayed.  I was too embarassed to take pictures inside, so I came home for a photo shoot.

The one on the left is Sakuramochi (with leaf).  The cherry blossom and the leaf were pickled, like less pungent umeboshi.  The one on the right, Sakuradaifuku, had a gently flavored bean filling.  Both were good, and I think I liked the Sakuramochi better, the sourness of the cherry blossom and leaf added a nice complication to the fragrant sweetness.

I love the cherry blossoms.  When I worked at the Brooklyn Museum, I would take walks at lunchtime in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to check on the flowers.  And at the height of the blossoms' opening, the Esplanade would fill with people, and the petals would shower down like the prettiest, most delicate ticker tape parade, and everyone would be so glad that it was spring!

When I arrived in London, I was so pleased to see that the tree outside my window was in full bloom.  With every rainstorm and every strong gust of wind, I worry the petals will come raining down, but look!  They are still reaching out to the sun and calling to the bees.

Happy Spring!