I recently blogged Japanese builder Turbo’s goldfish-catching scene over on Pan-Pacific Bricks (you may also have seen the post on VignetteBricks).

Since Turbo’s latest creation shouldn’t need any cultural explanation for those of us who’ve been swindled by “shooting gallery” games at carnivals, I’m posting it here on TBB instead. Here’s Turbo’s shooting-gallery scene:

As I blogged earlier this week, July 7th is Tanabata. Turbo and Inago100 join the summer festivities with two great scenes.

Here’s Inago100’s Tanabata vignette (the text says “July 7th is Tanabata”):

Another favorite summertime activity, generally at festivals, is trying to scoop up goldfish using only a paper “net.” Typical of carnival games everywhere, it’s rather difficult. You have to be quick but gentle, because the paper will get soggy and rip — especially if the goldfish is especially frisky and flops around after you catch it.

Turbo captures this scene perfectly with a goldfish-catching scene:

In addition to chilled soba (buckwheat) noodles with dipping sauce, one of my favorite summer-time dishes is cold silken tofu garnished with green onions and ginger, drizzled with soy sauce. Called hiyayakko, it’s quick, simple, and mighty tasty!!! Mumu and his wife have each created their LEGO versions of this delicious dish. In the Mumu household, they put bonito flakes and Japanese mustard on the tofu instead of grated ginger.

Here’s Mumu’s version (I love the drizzled soy sauce):

And here’s Mumu’s wife’s tofu (the yellow must be the mustard):

The family that builds (and eats cold tofu) together stays together!