Jun came home from Kindergarten Friday. I remembered to ask her if she had any homework. Yes. Kids in Kindergarten have homework. I SOOOOOO wanted homework when I was in Kindergarten. Really! But I had to wait for YEARS before I had homework. Jun? She has a bit of homework most days. And I hate it. But, that's another story.
So, I remembered to ask if she had any homework. She said 'yes' she had to color a decoration for Thanksgiving. Pollyanna that I am, I once again was thankful that I put her in public school - as I am NOT a crafts person, but enjoyed doing them in school as a kid. I wondered fleetingly if it was a turkey she'd be coloring or a Pilgrim. Maybe an Indian? Jun pulled out her paper. And I started laughing. It was a picture of a rocket ship!!!!! They were going to color them and hang them from the ceiling in the classroom where they would swing around! I laughed and laughed and laughed!
Surely Jun was a little confused? Unless they will use time travel to go back in time to the first Thanksgiving? LOL!
Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Snow Day
Jun and I put our boots and coats on over our PJ's and went out with a ruler to measure the snow this morning. Home schooling and all that, you know! There were about 9" (22.5cm) of snow out there! I mentioned to Ryu that we didn't have a snow shovel. He said to wait till the sun melts it off. My Dad said we will be snowed in till spring, then!
So, Jun and I later found an old heavy shovel in the shed and shoveled a bit around to get the car out of the driveway (into the unplowed road) so I could get the pick-up (that has 4-wheel drive) out. Eventually the switch was finished and we came back in to hibernate for the rest of the day. Can snow make one sleepy? (Ryu wrenched his back Monday, so is excused from hard labor!)
We did end up doing our A is for Angel today. Friends, Family, Loved Ones and Uncrafty Folk like myself - THIS is Origami from heaven! Here's the link for this pre-printed, pre-colored, pre-measured, with folding lines origami angel. Christmas Angel Origami I copied and pasted the picture into Excel to make the angel as big as my piece of paper, but you certainly don't need to do this. I thought we'd be making an angel for the top of our Christmas tree - still no idea where folks around here get Christmas trees (live ones), though a girl from church called to see if I waned to buy a Poinsettia. Anyway, we are well on our way to making the multitude of heavenly hosts who appeared to the shepherds on the hills and sang "Glooooooooooooooooria!" I think they will look nice over the window. Now Jun has me making a flower for the tree. OK. From Origami. OoK. With the directions written in Japanese. OooK. But, folks, it is a HYDRANGEA (ajisai!!!) !!! Those bloom in MAY!
On for our stellar dinner tonight. This one certainly won't make it to Kim's Kantan Cooking! When I was in Japan I "made curry rice" rather rarely. We had it at church EVERY Sunday for the first 5-6 years of our married life, so, who needs curry twice a week? Well, after Sunday Curry stopped, I started making it according to the recipe on the box of roux - more or less. We are a no-onion family and I am a cheap Mama, so our curry was always a bit...soupy. Anyway, since coming to the US, curry is a treat! Not one to be taken lightly. A small box of roux here is $2.50. For the three of us, I use 2/5 of the box at a time and dump in a bunch of curry powder.
But, that's not the half of it. Ryu commented that my curry never seems to taste the same from time to time. No, honey. It surely does not and cannot. I use curry to disguise leftovers. Here's what I mixed together in the pot today before adding that precious 2/5 of a box of curry roux to the rest:
So, Jun and I later found an old heavy shovel in the shed and shoveled a bit around to get the car out of the driveway (into the unplowed road) so I could get the pick-up (that has 4-wheel drive) out. Eventually the switch was finished and we came back in to hibernate for the rest of the day. Can snow make one sleepy? (Ryu wrenched his back Monday, so is excused from hard labor!)
We did end up doing our A is for Angel today. Friends, Family, Loved Ones and Uncrafty Folk like myself - THIS is Origami from heaven! Here's the link for this pre-printed, pre-colored, pre-measured, with folding lines origami angel. Christmas Angel Origami I copied and pasted the picture into Excel to make the angel as big as my piece of paper, but you certainly don't need to do this. I thought we'd be making an angel for the top of our Christmas tree - still no idea where folks around here get Christmas trees (live ones), though a girl from church called to see if I waned to buy a Poinsettia. Anyway, we are well on our way to making the multitude of heavenly hosts who appeared to the shepherds on the hills and sang "Glooooooooooooooooria!" I think they will look nice over the window. Now Jun has me making a flower for the tree. OK. From Origami. OoK. With the directions written in Japanese. OooK. But, folks, it is a HYDRANGEA (ajisai!!!) !!! Those bloom in MAY!
On for our stellar dinner tonight. This one certainly won't make it to Kim's Kantan Cooking! When I was in Japan I "made curry rice" rather rarely. We had it at church EVERY Sunday for the first 5-6 years of our married life, so, who needs curry twice a week? Well, after Sunday Curry stopped, I started making it according to the recipe on the box of roux - more or less. We are a no-onion family and I am a cheap Mama, so our curry was always a bit...soupy. Anyway, since coming to the US, curry is a treat! Not one to be taken lightly. A small box of roux here is $2.50. For the three of us, I use 2/5 of the box at a time and dump in a bunch of curry powder.
But, that's not the half of it. Ryu commented that my curry never seems to taste the same from time to time. No, honey. It surely does not and cannot. I use curry to disguise leftovers. Here's what I mixed together in the pot today before adding that precious 2/5 of a box of curry roux to the rest:
- Leftover beef stew
- Leftover pasta with cheese, turkey and cream of chicken soup
- Leftover oyakodon (chicken and egg in a sweet broth)
- Leftover mixed veggies
- Leftover apple and celery salad with a bit of whipped cream and lots of cinnamon and nutmeg (I microwaved this for 2 min before adding it.)
And you know? It was really good!
And lastly, during our "Let's talk in Japanese" Dinner, Jun was singing the Japanese favorite "Ashita ga aru..." (Tomorrow will come...) song. However she was singing it that tomorrow wouldn't come. I stopped her and said, in Japanese, "Well, I guess if tomorrow doesn't come it will be OK because we will be together in 'tengoku.'" Jun got wide eyes and asked, "Mama is 'tengoku' Boise?" Tengoku means 'heaven.' We howled!
Thanksgiving: I'm so thankful for the snow and the last few days of rest. I've enjoyed hanging out with Jun and helping Ryu with his latest leather project!
Monday, November 29, 2010
November 29, 2010
Well, today was a rather stellar day. It is always nice when one of those comes around. A day that doesn't really need to be edited!
After a breakfast of a rather too toasted bagel (my bad) Jun and I slowly got ready for school. If the calendar on which she records the weather each day that we do school is accurate...it's been quite a long Thanksgiving break for us. Perhaps we needed it. Jun was an eager beaver to get started! First she wanted to write a letter to our friends. I helped her spell the second half. Perhaps you can see where basic phonics ends and American spelling begins:
OY HAD U Fun toym PLAYinG witH (Friend's name spelled correctly) PLAYinG GAMES.
I really think Jun should develop her own language. It makes a lot more sense. She seems to know that "y" makes a long E sound - for those still a bit confused.
Next she DEMANDED that we do Math. So we did a bit of skip counting (counting by 2's). It was quite amazing to me to see how much she had FORGOTTEN during our Long Thanksgiving Break! Especially in the writing department - letters and numbers. But, we persevered and played a game that was enhanced by Mom to include addition and subtraction. She only adds up to her 1's, but ...this game was a number line kind of game. Anyway, we had fun.
Then came Reading. I decided that it would be REALLY nice if we mastered the long A before Christmas's LONG BREAK, so skipped forward a lesson and we started in. Jun really prefers short vowels, but...we kept it short and sweet and there are about 5 2-page lessons in this book, so she should get it eventually! I BELIEVE!
After that came Japanese. She wrote in her hiragana workbook very slowly (tracing) and didn't have to do each symbol 3 times! We were all very pleased!
I've been wanting someone to teach Jun some musical something. But the Kindermusik group I looked into seemed a bit too expensive for the short time of learning. Then I realized that, though there is not a bucket in the world that can carry the tunes that I sing, I still CAN read music! HA! So, we started today with Jingle Bells. Fast notes and slower ones. And the names of a few of them. Then I got the set of bells (that you hit with a stick kind) that her grandfather bought for her for her first Christmas - at least he paid for them - thank you, Ojiichan! And we played Jingle Bell's first few notes. Then Jun played an incredibly beautiful song that she made up. And I kind of wondered why I was trying to teach her music, but...I'll continue!
After a great lunch of the rest of the turkey, noodles, a can of cream of chicken soup, a handful of cheese mixed in and another on top, some corn thrown in and then baked int he oven before being topped with bacon, we went down to the cellar!
Our cellar is not easy to get into. We had to knock the snow off the deck, pry the part of the deck covering the stairs up as it was frozen to the base, and lay back a very very heavy porch just to get to the stairs. Down there we found a thrashed old kitchen table. I really do mean thrashed. I don't know how they got it down there, as we had to trim off the rotten part of two of the legs to get it out. Unfortunately Ryu wrenched his lower back in the process, so, for him, it might not be considered such a stellar day. But, we got the table out and got Ryu all doctored with Ben-Gay. Ryu wants to take the table apart and completely remake it into his dream work bench for the leather projects he has. Go Ryu! I know he will do a great job!
Then Jun and I went up town to do errands. Back to the bank where I unknowingly wore "Hello Kitty" clips all over my hair and they looked at me strangely. I wanted to change yen into dollars today. I expected it not to be easy and I was so so correct! After hours and hours, they figured it out. In the middle of those hours and hours Jun and I went to the Drug Store where I bought a coffee mug I can plug into my car lighter or my computer. Sounds pretty cool to me! And Jun enjoyed herself with the Christmas decorations.
Then to the library where Jun always starts by giving the librarian a big hug and, then, with our books, we went to the PO where Jun entertained other customers while I got things sent to Japan.
Back to the bank where Jun colored and interviewed the bank manager about her family! 1/2 hour later we went to the grocery store where I lost Jun.
You know, I have a terrible habit of loosing Jun. Really! That kid is fast and I am slow, I guess. Also I am a bit lazy and this is a friendly town, so I don't worry like I should (but I DO worry in big cities!) I left her in the check out line behind a person with a ton of stuff. Jun had a little kiddie-sized grocery cart with our few things in it. I went about 9 feet away to get Daddy some coffee. When I finally figured out what kind he wanted and how to get it into the cup, and turned back around...no Jun. No cart. I was really surprised. A nice man asked if I was looking for a little girl. Yep. Well, she went that-a-way. So I did too. There she was at the end of the produce aisle, talking to a store lady. I would like to mention here that that little kids grocery cart had been causing us nothing but sorrow the entire shopping trip because it was noisy and wouldn't go straight. HOW DID SHE GET SO FAR SO QUICKLY??? Anyway, she was telling the store lady she was looking for her Mama who was getting her Daddy coffee. A bit embarrassing. Then we got home after it all and I realized the cashier double charged us for a cheap box of zip lock bags and didn't charge us for a huge box (read expensive here) of trash bags. I was just too tired to care today. Maybe I will bring it up next time I'm in.
Dinner was rice, smoked salmon, otsukemono, miso soup, and Korean nori. Oh, and I had apple salad for dessert. Will we ever get to the bottom of that bowl???
My class was cancelled tonight, so Jun and I cleaned the living room, got her ready for bed and watched "The Little Drummer Boy." I didn't remember any of the story from my childhood, so it was nice to see it again. Then I put Junnie to bed.
The sunny weather, the white snow, the warm home...Ahhh, I'm very very thankful, God for this great day!
After a breakfast of a rather too toasted bagel (my bad) Jun and I slowly got ready for school. If the calendar on which she records the weather each day that we do school is accurate...it's been quite a long Thanksgiving break for us. Perhaps we needed it. Jun was an eager beaver to get started! First she wanted to write a letter to our friends. I helped her spell the second half. Perhaps you can see where basic phonics ends and American spelling begins:
OY HAD U Fun toym PLAYinG witH (Friend's name spelled correctly) PLAYinG GAMES.
I really think Jun should develop her own language. It makes a lot more sense. She seems to know that "y" makes a long E sound - for those still a bit confused.
Next she DEMANDED that we do Math. So we did a bit of skip counting (counting by 2's). It was quite amazing to me to see how much she had FORGOTTEN during our Long Thanksgiving Break! Especially in the writing department - letters and numbers. But, we persevered and played a game that was enhanced by Mom to include addition and subtraction. She only adds up to her 1's, but ...this game was a number line kind of game. Anyway, we had fun.
Then came Reading. I decided that it would be REALLY nice if we mastered the long A before Christmas's LONG BREAK, so skipped forward a lesson and we started in. Jun really prefers short vowels, but...we kept it short and sweet and there are about 5 2-page lessons in this book, so she should get it eventually! I BELIEVE!
After that came Japanese. She wrote in her hiragana workbook very slowly (tracing) and didn't have to do each symbol 3 times! We were all very pleased!
I've been wanting someone to teach Jun some musical something. But the Kindermusik group I looked into seemed a bit too expensive for the short time of learning. Then I realized that, though there is not a bucket in the world that can carry the tunes that I sing, I still CAN read music! HA! So, we started today with Jingle Bells. Fast notes and slower ones. And the names of a few of them. Then I got the set of bells (that you hit with a stick kind) that her grandfather bought for her for her first Christmas - at least he paid for them - thank you, Ojiichan! And we played Jingle Bell's first few notes. Then Jun played an incredibly beautiful song that she made up. And I kind of wondered why I was trying to teach her music, but...I'll continue!
After a great lunch of the rest of the turkey, noodles, a can of cream of chicken soup, a handful of cheese mixed in and another on top, some corn thrown in and then baked int he oven before being topped with bacon, we went down to the cellar!
Our cellar is not easy to get into. We had to knock the snow off the deck, pry the part of the deck covering the stairs up as it was frozen to the base, and lay back a very very heavy porch just to get to the stairs. Down there we found a thrashed old kitchen table. I really do mean thrashed. I don't know how they got it down there, as we had to trim off the rotten part of two of the legs to get it out. Unfortunately Ryu wrenched his lower back in the process, so, for him, it might not be considered such a stellar day. But, we got the table out and got Ryu all doctored with Ben-Gay. Ryu wants to take the table apart and completely remake it into his dream work bench for the leather projects he has. Go Ryu! I know he will do a great job!
Then Jun and I went up town to do errands. Back to the bank where I unknowingly wore "Hello Kitty" clips all over my hair and they looked at me strangely. I wanted to change yen into dollars today. I expected it not to be easy and I was so so correct! After hours and hours, they figured it out. In the middle of those hours and hours Jun and I went to the Drug Store where I bought a coffee mug I can plug into my car lighter or my computer. Sounds pretty cool to me! And Jun enjoyed herself with the Christmas decorations.
Then to the library where Jun always starts by giving the librarian a big hug and, then, with our books, we went to the PO where Jun entertained other customers while I got things sent to Japan.
Back to the bank where Jun colored and interviewed the bank manager about her family! 1/2 hour later we went to the grocery store where I lost Jun.
You know, I have a terrible habit of loosing Jun. Really! That kid is fast and I am slow, I guess. Also I am a bit lazy and this is a friendly town, so I don't worry like I should (but I DO worry in big cities!) I left her in the check out line behind a person with a ton of stuff. Jun had a little kiddie-sized grocery cart with our few things in it. I went about 9 feet away to get Daddy some coffee. When I finally figured out what kind he wanted and how to get it into the cup, and turned back around...no Jun. No cart. I was really surprised. A nice man asked if I was looking for a little girl. Yep. Well, she went that-a-way. So I did too. There she was at the end of the produce aisle, talking to a store lady. I would like to mention here that that little kids grocery cart had been causing us nothing but sorrow the entire shopping trip because it was noisy and wouldn't go straight. HOW DID SHE GET SO FAR SO QUICKLY??? Anyway, she was telling the store lady she was looking for her Mama who was getting her Daddy coffee. A bit embarrassing. Then we got home after it all and I realized the cashier double charged us for a cheap box of zip lock bags and didn't charge us for a huge box (read expensive here) of trash bags. I was just too tired to care today. Maybe I will bring it up next time I'm in.
Dinner was rice, smoked salmon, otsukemono, miso soup, and Korean nori. Oh, and I had apple salad for dessert. Will we ever get to the bottom of that bowl???
My class was cancelled tonight, so Jun and I cleaned the living room, got her ready for bed and watched "The Little Drummer Boy." I didn't remember any of the story from my childhood, so it was nice to see it again. Then I put Junnie to bed.
The sunny weather, the white snow, the warm home...Ahhh, I'm very very thankful, God for this great day!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
A is for Angel
It came as quite a shock a few days ago to realize that when November is over...Advent begins! This is Jun's 4th Advent. I have been sadly remiss in doing much of ANYTHING for any of her 4 Advents! One year a student in Japan gave us a chocolate Advent Calendar from Germany. We happily ate that away. That's about it.
To be fair to myself, HA!, I wasn't raised with an Advent tradition. It wasn't until I joined a Presbyterian Church in So. Cal that I ever celebrated Advent. So, you know, I'm still kind of new to it all. But, I like the possibilities that an Advent tradition provides, to keep one's head slightly above all the commercialism of US's Christmas. Or, to be more accurate, one's CHILD'S head above all the commercialism.
That being said, and all the Advent ideas I've read, been impressed with, and failed to try out, I am going to give it the old college try again this year. At least through the letter "H".
This is not a particularly religious Advent idea I have. However, we will surely supplement with lots of Bible Stories and singing of Christmas carols, so... Here it is through the letter "H." If I get my act together and actually finish through "H" before Christmas, I'll let you know. Also, feel free to share any "post H" ideas you might have that are very very SIMPLE!
A - Make an origami Angel (perhaps it will end up on the top of our tree? Now to figure out where to find a tree. A tree stand. Lights. UGH!!! RCSSSSSS!)
B - Find Bethlehem. We will do a very basic geography lesson on Google Maps to find the current day Bethlehem. Surely it hasn't moved all THAT far in the last 2,000+ years!
C - we are going to take crayons and white candles and make a gorgeous candle that we just might remember to light on Advent Sundays!
D - Oops, forgot I haven't figured "D" out yet either.
E - Make eggnog. I don't think Jun's ever had this! Ours will be non-alcoholic. Maybe I will chicken out and buy fake or pasteurized or whatever eggs so we don't have to think of food poisoning. (How Japanese people live so long with their eggs unrefrigerated at the store and eaten raw over rice every morning, and American kids can't eat cookie dough or drink eggnog, is beyond me! Anyone care to comment?)
F - Make fudge for Daddy. Daddy is already begging for this, so...maybe we will do our ABC's out of order.
G - Bake gingerbread men (and women!) Do I have a cookie cutter for this? Good question! Better check!
H - Hang lights in windows. Better buy said lights first. And figure out how to hang them at the windows. Duct tape wouldn't be very pretty, I don't think!
And that's as good as it gets so far through "H." I tried to think of things that I'd like to do as that gives us a better chance of getting them done! It would be nice to insert some kind of "give a toy to Toys for Tots" and visit the Senior Center for lunch (from our Meals on Wheels Days), and take cookies to the neighbors, and...we'll see!
Thankful: For the beautiful snow. Thankful that God loves us humans even when we are narrow minded, easily disappointed, and disheartened. And I'm not talking about you guys!!!
To be fair to myself, HA!, I wasn't raised with an Advent tradition. It wasn't until I joined a Presbyterian Church in So. Cal that I ever celebrated Advent. So, you know, I'm still kind of new to it all. But, I like the possibilities that an Advent tradition provides, to keep one's head slightly above all the commercialism of US's Christmas. Or, to be more accurate, one's CHILD'S head above all the commercialism.
That being said, and all the Advent ideas I've read, been impressed with, and failed to try out, I am going to give it the old college try again this year. At least through the letter "H".
This is not a particularly religious Advent idea I have. However, we will surely supplement with lots of Bible Stories and singing of Christmas carols, so... Here it is through the letter "H." If I get my act together and actually finish through "H" before Christmas, I'll let you know. Also, feel free to share any "post H" ideas you might have that are very very SIMPLE!
A - Make an origami Angel (perhaps it will end up on the top of our tree? Now to figure out where to find a tree. A tree stand. Lights. UGH!!! RCSSSSSS!)
B - Find Bethlehem. We will do a very basic geography lesson on Google Maps to find the current day Bethlehem. Surely it hasn't moved all THAT far in the last 2,000+ years!
C - we are going to take crayons and white candles and make a gorgeous candle that we just might remember to light on Advent Sundays!
D - Oops, forgot I haven't figured "D" out yet either.
E - Make eggnog. I don't think Jun's ever had this! Ours will be non-alcoholic. Maybe I will chicken out and buy fake or pasteurized or whatever eggs so we don't have to think of food poisoning. (How Japanese people live so long with their eggs unrefrigerated at the store and eaten raw over rice every morning, and American kids can't eat cookie dough or drink eggnog, is beyond me! Anyone care to comment?)
F - Make fudge for Daddy. Daddy is already begging for this, so...maybe we will do our ABC's out of order.
G - Bake gingerbread men (and women!) Do I have a cookie cutter for this? Good question! Better check!
H - Hang lights in windows. Better buy said lights first. And figure out how to hang them at the windows. Duct tape wouldn't be very pretty, I don't think!
And that's as good as it gets so far through "H." I tried to think of things that I'd like to do as that gives us a better chance of getting them done! It would be nice to insert some kind of "give a toy to Toys for Tots" and visit the Senior Center for lunch (from our Meals on Wheels Days), and take cookies to the neighbors, and...we'll see!
Thankful: For the beautiful snow. Thankful that God loves us humans even when we are narrow minded, easily disappointed, and disheartened. And I'm not talking about you guys!!!
Saturday, November 27, 2010
English English?
As I was teaching tonight, I was reminded of a question I have about some reading books Jun is using. And I realized that there are sure to be a few folks who read this blog who can clue me in!
The books are a part of the Usborne Miniature Editions. And, they are all written in the simple present tense. For example:
Farmer Dray picks up Poppy and Sam, and puts them on Dolly's back. Then he climbs up behind them. "Off home, now. Hold on tight," he says, as Dolly plods along.
My questions:
The books are a part of the Usborne Miniature Editions. And, they are all written in the simple present tense. For example:
Farmer Dray picks up Poppy and Sam, and puts them on Dolly's back. Then he climbs up behind them. "Off home, now. Hold on tight," he says, as Dolly plods along.
My questions:
- Are they written in simple present tense for early readers?
- Is this a British English thing? I've never seen it before.
- Is this used in other English speaking countries?
- Do people talk like this when telling stories, or is it just a form of writing?
Questioning minds, and all that, until I get into the story, I keep stumbling over the "says" 's wanting desperately to tell the story in a PAST tense!
Thankfuls: It snowed again today. And the washer that we thought was broken just needed a breaker thrown for it, apparently. I guess with this season's changes, we still have lots to learn about living in the US!
Friday, November 26, 2010
BLACK Friday - Never Again!
Well, I looked up "Black Friday" for a student. All of you probably knew what it meant all the time, but... It means that retailers will go from "aka ji" - being in the red financially, to being in the black - making a profit.
We were not able to help them out much.
We went to the mall. I am serious. I haven't even BEEN to a mall in well over 2 1/2 years, and even then, I don't think I went to this one.
Now, talk about Culture Shock! Or Reverse Culture Shock! I used to love to take the bus down to the mall with a friend when I was in Jr. High. I used to love to go to the mall with a friend when I was in college. I used to love to go to the mall by mySELF when I worked at a college in the mid-west. But, to be fair, those days weren't Black Fridays. Did they even HAVE Black Friday back then?
My advice for those who want to acquaint themselves with this US custom, is to go through the following steps. Preferably - one step per year, unless you go to the mall often.
We were not able to help them out much.
We went to the mall. I am serious. I haven't even BEEN to a mall in well over 2 1/2 years, and even then, I don't think I went to this one.
Now, talk about Culture Shock! Or Reverse Culture Shock! I used to love to take the bus down to the mall with a friend when I was in Jr. High. I used to love to go to the mall with a friend when I was in college. I used to love to go to the mall by mySELF when I worked at a college in the mid-west. But, to be fair, those days weren't Black Fridays. Did they even HAVE Black Friday back then?
My advice for those who want to acquaint themselves with this US custom, is to go through the following steps. Preferably - one step per year, unless you go to the mall often.
- Drive by the mall
- Find a parking space at the mall
- Find the entrance to the mall near a department store you want to visit. Do not Enter!
- Try to come up with tricks to remember where you parked the car. Do NOT leave the car this year!
- Enter the door of the department store you want to visit. Try to find the escalators, elevators, restrooms, other exits to the outside and...if you aren't too exhausted - the exit to the REST OF THE MALL. DO NOT leave the department store this year.
- Enter the same department store and try to find the section of the store that has clothes that FIT YOU! HAHAHAHAH! Good luck!
- Now you are well on your way to passing the Department Store test! It is time to venture beyond the Department Store entrance to the REST OF THE MALL! Do NOT enter any stores, just try to find the Food Court. Priorities!
- OK, you can park, get in and out of a Dept. Store, change floors, find a restroom when needed, walk through the REST OF THE MALL and even find nutritious? sustenance. You are ready to explore the rest of the STORES! First, go into every single store along the right side of the MALL ENTRANCE. If you always keep to your right you will eventually find your way out of any maze. It said so in a book. Walk in and out and TRY to remember if there is anything in said store you ever want to see again. Of course, said store will either move or close before next year, but...this is a trial run. Practice is EVERYTHING!
- Now you are ready to visit the MALL on a weekend! HURRAY!
- Well, it is finally Black Friday Year. You have taken 9 long years to prepare for this day. Don't expect too much from yourself. Don't let your kid get a glimpse of the man in the red suit and hat who, "Even if Santa is just pretend, Mama, will he come to OUR house?" "Why is he not pretend in Japan and pretend in AmerEEEEka?" And ... BUY SOMETHING!
As for me, I am going to the mall during the most expensive boring season when NO ONE is around. Maybe a Tuesday morning. And I will keep my hand on the right hand side wall. And tie a ribbon to the car!
Thankful: Well, that we got home and that the hose that had broken in the laundry room was in the shop, so the shop with lots of holes in the floor and walls is what flooded all over and...I'm trying to find a reason to be thankful that it was hot water that gushed all night! ARGH!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
On the Road Again!
Well, Kurushiiii (see yesterday's post) has hit again! We had leftovers for breakfast! Jun likes pumpkin pie and olives! I am happy!
We are leaving my folks' this morning to head for home. It is a beautiful sunny day with blue sky and snow on the ground. Our Mrs. Clause (see a previous post) leaves from Boise on Friday, so we will be making our way there today.
Tomorrow is Black Friday, as Gina helpfully reminded me. And...we have about 3 shops we want to stop by. We would be stopping by even if it wasn't Black Friday, as we will be in the Boise (read: City with STORES) area, but... Black Friday, for those who wonder if Easter is almost here (THAT Friday is Good Friday, though why it is Good, when Jesus is killed...anyway), Black Friday is a crazy cheap, day after Thanksgiving SHOPPING day. Many stores are open way before we will even think of getting up. THAT special toy is often released that day and...well, the day is just crazy. But, I must admit, most of my info about Black Friday comes from the newspaper. I usually use the day after Thanksgiving to continue Kurushiiii and eat leftovers, play games, do puzzles and sleep!!!
I hope you all have a great day, and those celebrating Thanksgiving today, this week, this month, or this YEAR, and to those who don't, May God Richly Bless You and Protect You and Your Precious Families!!!
Ittekimasu! (Wanna translate THAT?)
We are leaving my folks' this morning to head for home. It is a beautiful sunny day with blue sky and snow on the ground. Our Mrs. Clause (see a previous post) leaves from Boise on Friday, so we will be making our way there today.
Tomorrow is Black Friday, as Gina helpfully reminded me. And...we have about 3 shops we want to stop by. We would be stopping by even if it wasn't Black Friday, as we will be in the Boise (read: City with STORES) area, but... Black Friday, for those who wonder if Easter is almost here (THAT Friday is Good Friday, though why it is Good, when Jesus is killed...anyway), Black Friday is a crazy cheap, day after Thanksgiving SHOPPING day. Many stores are open way before we will even think of getting up. THAT special toy is often released that day and...well, the day is just crazy. But, I must admit, most of my info about Black Friday comes from the newspaper. I usually use the day after Thanksgiving to continue Kurushiiii and eat leftovers, play games, do puzzles and sleep!!!
I hope you all have a great day, and those celebrating Thanksgiving today, this week, this month, or this YEAR, and to those who don't, May God Richly Bless You and Protect You and Your Precious Families!!!
Ittekimasu! (Wanna translate THAT?)
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Pre-Thanksgiving!
We are going to have an early Thanksgiving this year. The "real" day is Thursday, but we need to travel that day to get our friend closer to her departure airport. I thought...None of the people who will be at the dinner work or are in school or have any other plans, so we can celebrate Thanksgiving WHENEVER we want! Can't wait till tomorrow!!!
- Roast Turkey Breast
- Roast Elk
- Stuffing
- Yams
- Gravy
- Apple Salad
- Pickles
- Olives
- Cranberry Sauce
- Pumpkin Pie
- Cherry Pie
- Cranberry Pudding (My favorite fall dessert!!)
Friday, November 12, 2010
Homesickness? Nostalgia? RCS?
I was perfectly shocked the other day. By myself, in fact. I was somewhere and Christmas music came on. And I suddenly felt an insane homesickness for Japan! Japan and Christmas and homesickness???
I was used to the US's frenzied December Christmas party, shopping, church events and all out craziness of Christmas when, in October, I went to Japan to live for a year - ended up being 2. So, I thought I'd be fine missing a Christmas at home. It was the worst Christmas of my entire life. At that Christmas I realized - for the first time - that Christmas, for me, was my FAMILY!
So, I didn't miss a Christmas at home for years after that. Then, about 13 or 14 years ago, I moved back to Japan, in the fall again, for 6 months - THAT turned into 10 years. Going home for Christmas just 2 months after spending all that money to come to Japan is/was just silly, so I spent that and the next 9 Christmases or so in Japan.
The first of those Christmases shocked me again! Ryu and I - not yet dating, but friending - left a Christmas Eve party at church and were walking to the station. I saw men hurriedly taking down Christmas banners and decorations from the Isetan (big department) building and putting up New Years' stuff. On CHRISTMAS EVE!!! Quite surprised!
But, i really did enjoy my subsequent Christmases in Japan. I enjoyed the chances to talk to my students about the beginning of Christmas from the Bible. I enjoyed having mini parties for them and cooking treats that were new to so many people. I felt like Christmas in Japan was more of a "real Christmas" than Christmas in the States - especially as there is not much emphasis in Japan on shopping or gift giving. Good old Santa just brings one gift per kid in Japan, you know.
Then came Christmas with our very own kiddo! Wow! That makes Christmas extra special. When Jun was 2 we finally made it home for Christmas! It snowed Christmas Eve and was wonderful, quiet, spiritual, special and delicious. We shared dinner with a wonderful couple, the husband of which is now looking down on us from heaven.
Suddenly a Family Christmas in the US seemed to be the most wonderful of all! Now that we are here in the US - why would I become homesick for or miss Christmas in Japan??!?!?! Maybe it is Reverse Culture Shock? Maybe we all miss what we've grown used to. Maybe nostalgia is just unexplainable. Maybe I'm just going crazy?
Anyway, we know where we will put our tree. We have the sled ready for snow. I plan to reteach Jun my simplified Christmas Cantata for Kiddos, and, yep, I miss my students and friends something awful! So strange!
Thankful: For the great day we had, watching corn get harvested, meeting new people, and having lunch with Grandma and Grandpa. The school where we played had the coolest see-saw! Even Grandpa and Grandma rode it!
I was used to the US's frenzied December Christmas party, shopping, church events and all out craziness of Christmas when, in October, I went to Japan to live for a year - ended up being 2. So, I thought I'd be fine missing a Christmas at home. It was the worst Christmas of my entire life. At that Christmas I realized - for the first time - that Christmas, for me, was my FAMILY!
So, I didn't miss a Christmas at home for years after that. Then, about 13 or 14 years ago, I moved back to Japan, in the fall again, for 6 months - THAT turned into 10 years. Going home for Christmas just 2 months after spending all that money to come to Japan is/was just silly, so I spent that and the next 9 Christmases or so in Japan.
The first of those Christmases shocked me again! Ryu and I - not yet dating, but friending - left a Christmas Eve party at church and were walking to the station. I saw men hurriedly taking down Christmas banners and decorations from the Isetan (big department) building and putting up New Years' stuff. On CHRISTMAS EVE!!! Quite surprised!
But, i really did enjoy my subsequent Christmases in Japan. I enjoyed the chances to talk to my students about the beginning of Christmas from the Bible. I enjoyed having mini parties for them and cooking treats that were new to so many people. I felt like Christmas in Japan was more of a "real Christmas" than Christmas in the States - especially as there is not much emphasis in Japan on shopping or gift giving. Good old Santa just brings one gift per kid in Japan, you know.
Then came Christmas with our very own kiddo! Wow! That makes Christmas extra special. When Jun was 2 we finally made it home for Christmas! It snowed Christmas Eve and was wonderful, quiet, spiritual, special and delicious. We shared dinner with a wonderful couple, the husband of which is now looking down on us from heaven.
Suddenly a Family Christmas in the US seemed to be the most wonderful of all! Now that we are here in the US - why would I become homesick for or miss Christmas in Japan??!?!?! Maybe it is Reverse Culture Shock? Maybe we all miss what we've grown used to. Maybe nostalgia is just unexplainable. Maybe I'm just going crazy?
Anyway, we know where we will put our tree. We have the sled ready for snow. I plan to reteach Jun my simplified Christmas Cantata for Kiddos, and, yep, I miss my students and friends something awful! So strange!
Thankful: For the great day we had, watching corn get harvested, meeting new people, and having lunch with Grandma and Grandpa. The school where we played had the coolest see-saw! Even Grandpa and Grandma rode it!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Daylight Savings Time!
You know - as in "Spring Forward" "Fall Back"! Or, if you are not part of the Daylight Savings Time world, you may not know. But, most of the US changed the time of their lives Sunday the 7th at sometime in the middle of the night.
Living in Japan for 13 or so years this past stretch, DLST has not affected me much. Except for when calling the States. Were we 17 or 16 hours ahead???? This does not mean that I have not THOUGHT about DLST many many times WHILE living in Japan. And LONGED for it! Let me explain.
When I was a kid, we walked down a brushy, tree-ey narrow-ey path down the hill to the highway to catch the bus. When school started in September, it wasn't all that bad. But as time went on, the morning walks got darker and darker. Then, one day in the fall, miraculously, we'd be early to church and the sun would come up an hour earlier and we could walk rather safely to the big highway and wait for the bus with a bit of sunlight.
Fast forward to my life in Japan. Actually this was a work related visit to Japan, but... A colleague and I decided to climb Mt. Fuji on the spur of the moment. We took a bus to station 6 and then started walking in the quickly darkening evening. We turned on lamps strapped on our heads and kept walking with our jingly bell walking sticks. We took a few puffs of oxygen as the air got thinner and, happily made it to the top of the mountain (this post is not being written to describe the horrors that have been put upon this beautiful mountain. ARGH!) in time to see the sunrise - about 3:30 am. That was the first and only time I was happy to see a sunrise at such an early hour!
All summer Japan's farming community is up and moving way before, in my humble estimation, God meant for people to be up and moving. And then, when the sun stays "up" till 7:00ish (in the Tokyo area) we are supposed to be so happy! Come now, my dear friends, WHO needs sun at 3:30 am, and who WOULDN'T like a little sun on a warm summer evening. Though, that last sentence did make me think. Japan's hot and humid summers may NOT be when they want longer "sunshiny" evenings. Hmmm. Well, anyway, I DID!
So, I have really enjoyed our summer in the US! The sun came up properly around 6 or so and went down around 9 or 10pm. I was in heaven. Then the sun started coming up around 7. Still OK. Then it was 8:15ish! That is too late. I CANNOT get up if the sun refuses to cooperate. And laying in bed till after 8 is just not right.
Now our world is back in a better "light" mode. The sun comes up around 7 and goes down by 7. That works for me very very well!
But, OOPS - I just read the label on the calendar. Daylight Savings Time has just Ended. Hmmm. Now I'm confused. But, what's new? Since coming back to the US, I am usually a bit confused or about ready to become confused. So, I'll close and just say - confused or not - I'm happy!
Thankful - for the sunny day we had today!!! I NEED sunshine!
Living in Japan for 13 or so years this past stretch, DLST has not affected me much. Except for when calling the States. Were we 17 or 16 hours ahead???? This does not mean that I have not THOUGHT about DLST many many times WHILE living in Japan. And LONGED for it! Let me explain.
When I was a kid, we walked down a brushy, tree-ey narrow-ey path down the hill to the highway to catch the bus. When school started in September, it wasn't all that bad. But as time went on, the morning walks got darker and darker. Then, one day in the fall, miraculously, we'd be early to church and the sun would come up an hour earlier and we could walk rather safely to the big highway and wait for the bus with a bit of sunlight.
Fast forward to my life in Japan. Actually this was a work related visit to Japan, but... A colleague and I decided to climb Mt. Fuji on the spur of the moment. We took a bus to station 6 and then started walking in the quickly darkening evening. We turned on lamps strapped on our heads and kept walking with our jingly bell walking sticks. We took a few puffs of oxygen as the air got thinner and, happily made it to the top of the mountain (this post is not being written to describe the horrors that have been put upon this beautiful mountain. ARGH!) in time to see the sunrise - about 3:30 am. That was the first and only time I was happy to see a sunrise at such an early hour!
All summer Japan's farming community is up and moving way before, in my humble estimation, God meant for people to be up and moving. And then, when the sun stays "up" till 7:00ish (in the Tokyo area) we are supposed to be so happy! Come now, my dear friends, WHO needs sun at 3:30 am, and who WOULDN'T like a little sun on a warm summer evening. Though, that last sentence did make me think. Japan's hot and humid summers may NOT be when they want longer "sunshiny" evenings. Hmmm. Well, anyway, I DID!
So, I have really enjoyed our summer in the US! The sun came up properly around 6 or so and went down around 9 or 10pm. I was in heaven. Then the sun started coming up around 7. Still OK. Then it was 8:15ish! That is too late. I CANNOT get up if the sun refuses to cooperate. And laying in bed till after 8 is just not right.
Now our world is back in a better "light" mode. The sun comes up around 7 and goes down by 7. That works for me very very well!
But, OOPS - I just read the label on the calendar. Daylight Savings Time has just Ended. Hmmm. Now I'm confused. But, what's new? Since coming back to the US, I am usually a bit confused or about ready to become confused. So, I'll close and just say - confused or not - I'm happy!
Thankful - for the sunny day we had today!!! I NEED sunshine!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Tsugi kara tsugi he
Kind of means, "One thing after another." Or, "If it isn't one thing, it's the next."
Kind of means, "Our friend fixed our leaking toilet and now the shower leaks - again."
Kind of means, "I got the bird (25ish lb. turkey) cooked and delivered, and this afternoon a mouse made its appearance under the desk where I am NOW SITTING!"
Kind of means, "After all the laundry we took to grandma's, why is there a full laundry basket at HOME?"
Kind of means, "When I made Jun wear her nice new white tennis shoes to church, why didn't I make her take them OFF before she went outside and played in the MUD?"
Kind of means, "When you bounce a check, your library book turns up overdue too."
Kind of means, "When your car gets a new transmission, you freak out when the anti-lock brakes shake the whole car on a rainy day."
Kind of means: Life is a journey. With mountains and valleys. Rivers and deserts. And if you spend time, like I have today, reviewing all the less than great stuff, you will run out of energy to deal with the less than great stuff that is sure to come tomorrow. Because, life is a journey! Even when it rains!
Thankful? Hmmm. For the sweet little girl in the beautiful dress, with a dirty face who sat on my lap at church tonight and gave me a hug. I don't even know her name. But she was sure a touch of sunshine! Nope - not Jun. Another of God's angels!
Kind of means, "Our friend fixed our leaking toilet and now the shower leaks - again."
Kind of means, "I got the bird (25ish lb. turkey) cooked and delivered, and this afternoon a mouse made its appearance under the desk where I am NOW SITTING!"
Kind of means, "After all the laundry we took to grandma's, why is there a full laundry basket at HOME?"
Kind of means, "When I made Jun wear her nice new white tennis shoes to church, why didn't I make her take them OFF before she went outside and played in the MUD?"
Kind of means, "When you bounce a check, your library book turns up overdue too."
Kind of means, "When your car gets a new transmission, you freak out when the anti-lock brakes shake the whole car on a rainy day."
Kind of means: Life is a journey. With mountains and valleys. Rivers and deserts. And if you spend time, like I have today, reviewing all the less than great stuff, you will run out of energy to deal with the less than great stuff that is sure to come tomorrow. Because, life is a journey! Even when it rains!
Thankful? Hmmm. For the sweet little girl in the beautiful dress, with a dirty face who sat on my lap at church tonight and gave me a hug. I don't even know her name. But she was sure a touch of sunshine! Nope - not Jun. Another of God's angels!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Happy Anniversary to Us (Small "s")
I was all set to tell you about the HORRIBLE bicycle ride/walk I just FINALLY finished with Jun and opened up the computer to be reminded by so many kind folks - OK, 2 - that it was my - OK, our - anniversary!
Jun was a little disappointed that an anniversary wasn't like Halloween, where one got LOTS of candy. We told her it was more like a birthday. And, if you've read my posts about birthdays - they are pretty lame by most Americans' standards.
However, our anniversary will eventually be wonderful because some friends of ours gave us a gift certificate for a KOBE Beef dinner - all the works! Including dessert! Yep, that's what makes a meal for me! Oh, and babysitting!
Nine years ago today, at a small church in Oregon, on a sunny autumn day with all my family, in-laws and their kiddos in attendance and with most on the platform, I and I exchanged vows. Not a typo. I had asked Ryu to memorize his vows so he wouldn't have to repeat after the minister - knowing that that can be hard and long and painful to watch. So, instead, he didn't memorize his vows and ended up repeating his vows to ME! Model and Repeat! You can see my lips moving first in the video. The line I've KEPT modeling and repeating is, "all that I have I give to you," and then freely borrow whatever I want from his drawers, closet, etc. I do restrict my borrowing to apparel - mostly. Ahhh. Another reason to battle the "fall five" now! I hate to shop!
I'm thankful for a man who accepts me and knows me better than I know myself! And who does dishes, vacuums, folds laundry, puts Jun to bed, cleans the bathroom...etc. He's the best!
Jun was a little disappointed that an anniversary wasn't like Halloween, where one got LOTS of candy. We told her it was more like a birthday. And, if you've read my posts about birthdays - they are pretty lame by most Americans' standards.
However, our anniversary will eventually be wonderful because some friends of ours gave us a gift certificate for a KOBE Beef dinner - all the works! Including dessert! Yep, that's what makes a meal for me! Oh, and babysitting!
Nine years ago today, at a small church in Oregon, on a sunny autumn day with all my family, in-laws and their kiddos in attendance and with most on the platform, I and I exchanged vows. Not a typo. I had asked Ryu to memorize his vows so he wouldn't have to repeat after the minister - knowing that that can be hard and long and painful to watch. So, instead, he didn't memorize his vows and ended up repeating his vows to ME! Model and Repeat! You can see my lips moving first in the video. The line I've KEPT modeling and repeating is, "all that I have I give to you," and then freely borrow whatever I want from his drawers, closet, etc. I do restrict my borrowing to apparel - mostly. Ahhh. Another reason to battle the "fall five" now! I hate to shop!
I'm thankful for a man who accepts me and knows me better than I know myself! And who does dishes, vacuums, folds laundry, puts Jun to bed, cleans the bathroom...etc. He's the best!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Futon Cover - Remake
It really has nothing to do with green grass, but I was always a little dissatisfied with our top futon in Japan. It worked better after I made two singles into a queen size and got a cover for it/them. But, I wasn't too awfully sad that we couldn't bring it with us to the US.
Enter - the US. And thrifty, cheap me! We acquired a filled bedspread with ruffles, a really soft pink blanket and a wonderful top sheet (that I NEVER used in Japan because of the futon cover we used!) So, we have fought with sheets and blankets slipping here and there for the past six months.
I have had an idea for about five of the past six months, but didn't know what the weather would be like here in Oregon during...anytime at all! Now I am an expert on a "very warm year with a late summer and a late fall" in this part of the world.
So, I took my idea into hand and made it a reality. It is cold enough here in the summer to need to sleep in long pajamas and use a sheet and a blanket. Days are hot, nights are not. Think: desert! So, my idea will be PERFECT for spring, summer and fall - at least!
First I sewed around the outside of the bedspread and then CUT that ruffle right off. We are not ruffle people. Except for Jun. She LOVES them. Then I attempted to center the sheet on top of the blanket and sewed it up on three sides. Lastly we shoved the bedspread in and MADE IT FIT! We think we need to come up with an idea to secure the bedspread inside the cover, but...we have discarded about 10 ideas already, so...
Now we have a top bed covering that is made of a nice soft blanket in the winter. In the summer we will take the bedspread out and turn the cover over for a great sheet/blanket combination.
Right now Ryu has the bed made with this plus two more blankets. I am TOO HOT! But so happy that he made the bed that I've done nothing about it!
Thanks: I'm thankful for my parents and all that they are always doing to make our transition to life in the US as easy as possible! We REALLY appreciate them and can't WAIT to celebrate Ryu and Jun's first Thanksgiving in the US with them!!!
Enter - the US. And thrifty, cheap me! We acquired a filled bedspread with ruffles, a really soft pink blanket and a wonderful top sheet (that I NEVER used in Japan because of the futon cover we used!) So, we have fought with sheets and blankets slipping here and there for the past six months.
I have had an idea for about five of the past six months, but didn't know what the weather would be like here in Oregon during...anytime at all! Now I am an expert on a "very warm year with a late summer and a late fall" in this part of the world.
So, I took my idea into hand and made it a reality. It is cold enough here in the summer to need to sleep in long pajamas and use a sheet and a blanket. Days are hot, nights are not. Think: desert! So, my idea will be PERFECT for spring, summer and fall - at least!
First I sewed around the outside of the bedspread and then CUT that ruffle right off. We are not ruffle people. Except for Jun. She LOVES them. Then I attempted to center the sheet on top of the blanket and sewed it up on three sides. Lastly we shoved the bedspread in and MADE IT FIT! We think we need to come up with an idea to secure the bedspread inside the cover, but...we have discarded about 10 ideas already, so...
Now we have a top bed covering that is made of a nice soft blanket in the winter. In the summer we will take the bedspread out and turn the cover over for a great sheet/blanket combination.
Right now Ryu has the bed made with this plus two more blankets. I am TOO HOT! But so happy that he made the bed that I've done nothing about it!
Thanks: I'm thankful for my parents and all that they are always doing to make our transition to life in the US as easy as possible! We REALLY appreciate them and can't WAIT to celebrate Ryu and Jun's first Thanksgiving in the US with them!!!
Monday, November 1, 2010
24.78 lbs.
We'd been in the US for about 6 months, and were finally feeling a bit settled in. I decided it was time to stop simply warming the pew at church and being thankful that Jun had Children's Church classes to attend so I could sit and hold my husband's hand in church and LISTEN, and start getting a bit involved. I dubbed October, "Get involved in church month."
The next day or so after this decision was Sunday. The Children's Church leader sidled up to me and asked me to teach Children's Church to 1st and 2nd graders for the month of October. Sure! I noticed that they needed volunteers for delivering Meals-on-Wheels for a week and thought that sounded like something Jun would enjoy helping with - so I said 'yes'. Then I decided to go to Adult Sunday School when I could, as I was teaching the kiddos during service. About that time I got a phone call from another woman in the church - can you tell the church directories came out just a little while ago? SMILE! - and asked if I'd make a salad for a funeral that was going to be held that Wednesday. Of course!
And we enjoyed ALL of those events. I taught BOYS in Children's Church! Too fun! And we did lots of fun things! We ended up doing Meals-on-Wheels for two weeks, and made a very sweet friend or two. Everyone fell in love with Jun and we ended up coming back to the Senior Center quite a few times to eat lunch with the folks that are able to make it there! Perhaps that's where some of the fall-five came from! YUM! And the salad went over well, too, I heard! I made my Grandma Esther's Apple Salad. And we brought homemade chocolate chip cookies to donate to the Halloween Harvest Party last night.
That all brings me to the 24.78 pound turkey defrosting in the bottom of my fridge. I've agreed to bake one of the four turkeys that will be served this coming Sunday at our church's ... something dinner. We lost our bulletin. Perhaps it is an Early Thanksgiving Dinner? Anyway, this just makes me laugh. There is no reason that I CANNOT bake this turkey. However, I haven't baked a turkey for around 10 years AT LEAST! And those early turkeys weren't for everyone to see. And I doubt they weighed 24.78 pounds! I did find out today that I was to bring the turkey sliced and on platters, so it won't have to look nice - that helps! I don't know, I just don't feel old enough to be entrusted with 1/4 of the meat for the church's dinner! There are MANY very experienced farming cooks in our church!
However, when I told Jun how old I was the other day, she responded, "WOW, Mama! You're an ADULT!" So, I guess I'll read up on turkey roasting and DO IT!
I'M THANKFUL FOR: A home with a yard where I can see the beautiful leaves turning and the beautiful autumn sky!!!
The next day or so after this decision was Sunday. The Children's Church leader sidled up to me and asked me to teach Children's Church to 1st and 2nd graders for the month of October. Sure! I noticed that they needed volunteers for delivering Meals-on-Wheels for a week and thought that sounded like something Jun would enjoy helping with - so I said 'yes'. Then I decided to go to Adult Sunday School when I could, as I was teaching the kiddos during service. About that time I got a phone call from another woman in the church - can you tell the church directories came out just a little while ago? SMILE! - and asked if I'd make a salad for a funeral that was going to be held that Wednesday. Of course!
And we enjoyed ALL of those events. I taught BOYS in Children's Church! Too fun! And we did lots of fun things! We ended up doing Meals-on-Wheels for two weeks, and made a very sweet friend or two. Everyone fell in love with Jun and we ended up coming back to the Senior Center quite a few times to eat lunch with the folks that are able to make it there! Perhaps that's where some of the fall-five came from! YUM! And the salad went over well, too, I heard! I made my Grandma Esther's Apple Salad. And we brought homemade chocolate chip cookies to donate to the Halloween Harvest Party last night.
That all brings me to the 24.78 pound turkey defrosting in the bottom of my fridge. I've agreed to bake one of the four turkeys that will be served this coming Sunday at our church's ... something dinner. We lost our bulletin. Perhaps it is an Early Thanksgiving Dinner? Anyway, this just makes me laugh. There is no reason that I CANNOT bake this turkey. However, I haven't baked a turkey for around 10 years AT LEAST! And those early turkeys weren't for everyone to see. And I doubt they weighed 24.78 pounds! I did find out today that I was to bring the turkey sliced and on platters, so it won't have to look nice - that helps! I don't know, I just don't feel old enough to be entrusted with 1/4 of the meat for the church's dinner! There are MANY very experienced farming cooks in our church!
However, when I told Jun how old I was the other day, she responded, "WOW, Mama! You're an ADULT!" So, I guess I'll read up on turkey roasting and DO IT!
I'M THANKFUL FOR: A home with a yard where I can see the beautiful leaves turning and the beautiful autumn sky!!!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Thanksgiving Dress Rehearsal
I can never remember when the REAL Thanksgiving is in the US, now that I live according to the Japanese calendar. And, since no one here has the "real" Thanksgiving off anyway...I guess it doesn't matter!
The last time I remember celebrating Thanksgiving was the year Ryu and I got married. 2001. I guess Thanksgiving is a holiday that takes more than just two to do - for me anyway. Well, we've been "three" for a few years now, and this year Jun is into holidays. She loved Easter and Fourth of July (in the US), so we plan to have Thanksgiving with some Japanese friends of ours.
They just had baby number two in September, so we will be bringing dinner to their house. I know a few people think I'm pretty crazy. Well, yes. But, their house is ten times larger than ours, so the kids will have more room to run and play and maybe the adults can relax a bit - especially if all the food is made ahead of time. That's the plan anyway.
Extremely uncharacteristic of me, I decided to practice some of the new dishes I want to make this year on my family before subjecting friends to them. I have NEVER done this before, but, I figured - we have to eat too! And, if Ryu likes something, probably many Japanese friends will too.
If you have read my Food Blog, you might remember that I hate to cut butter into flour. So, the thought of making pie crust - let alone rolling it out...and THEN carrying it on the train... not going to happen! So, pumpkin pie was out before I even thought of it. But, pumpkin IS important. So, I dreamed of having a super moist pumpkin bread, kind of like a pudding. And I found a recipe online for pumpkin bread pudding! I made some tonight and...I was quite surprised at how good it was! It is a keeper. (Recipe posted on Food Blog...soon).
Then, we've decided to do chicken drumsticks for our bird. Drumsticks - with the bone in - are rather unusual in Japan and often saved/eaten at Christmas Eve. So, though it is a "you've got to be kidding, this is a Thanksgiving food?" for family in the States, it is a treat here in Japan. I tried a baking sauce on some breast meat tonight. Lemon and garlic. Wow! Powdered garlic is quite strong. I'll tone it down a bit, but it looks like a go too.
I have the hardest time finding frozen cranberries in Japan - every year! So, this year when I saw a bag of frozen berries (cranberries, strawberries, blue berries and raspberries) I snapped it up. Today after lunch Jun and I separated the blue and crans from the rest! I'll make a jello with the raspberries and strawberries and a cranberry/blueberry cake with vanilla sauce with the rest of the berries.
We'll have apple salad, mashed potatoes with bacon and sour cream (or drained yogurt), and Japanese style green beans. Ryu thinks we don't need gravy, and I can't imagine carrying that across town. Oh, and I'll teach my friend to make the easiest ever baking powder biscuits (using oil rather than butter/shortening), and we will call it a meal. She may be making apple pie too. We'll see!
So, it looks like, if everyone stays healthy, we will actually celebrate Thanksgiving this year!!!
The last time I remember celebrating Thanksgiving was the year Ryu and I got married. 2001. I guess Thanksgiving is a holiday that takes more than just two to do - for me anyway. Well, we've been "three" for a few years now, and this year Jun is into holidays. She loved Easter and Fourth of July (in the US), so we plan to have Thanksgiving with some Japanese friends of ours.
They just had baby number two in September, so we will be bringing dinner to their house. I know a few people think I'm pretty crazy. Well, yes. But, their house is ten times larger than ours, so the kids will have more room to run and play and maybe the adults can relax a bit - especially if all the food is made ahead of time. That's the plan anyway.
Extremely uncharacteristic of me, I decided to practice some of the new dishes I want to make this year on my family before subjecting friends to them. I have NEVER done this before, but, I figured - we have to eat too! And, if Ryu likes something, probably many Japanese friends will too.
If you have read my Food Blog, you might remember that I hate to cut butter into flour. So, the thought of making pie crust - let alone rolling it out...and THEN carrying it on the train... not going to happen! So, pumpkin pie was out before I even thought of it. But, pumpkin IS important. So, I dreamed of having a super moist pumpkin bread, kind of like a pudding. And I found a recipe online for pumpkin bread pudding! I made some tonight and...I was quite surprised at how good it was! It is a keeper. (Recipe posted on Food Blog...soon).
Then, we've decided to do chicken drumsticks for our bird. Drumsticks - with the bone in - are rather unusual in Japan and often saved/eaten at Christmas Eve. So, though it is a "you've got to be kidding, this is a Thanksgiving food?" for family in the States, it is a treat here in Japan. I tried a baking sauce on some breast meat tonight. Lemon and garlic. Wow! Powdered garlic is quite strong. I'll tone it down a bit, but it looks like a go too.
I have the hardest time finding frozen cranberries in Japan - every year! So, this year when I saw a bag of frozen berries (cranberries, strawberries, blue berries and raspberries) I snapped it up. Today after lunch Jun and I separated the blue and crans from the rest! I'll make a jello with the raspberries and strawberries and a cranberry/blueberry cake with vanilla sauce with the rest of the berries.
We'll have apple salad, mashed potatoes with bacon and sour cream (or drained yogurt), and Japanese style green beans. Ryu thinks we don't need gravy, and I can't imagine carrying that across town. Oh, and I'll teach my friend to make the easiest ever baking powder biscuits (using oil rather than butter/shortening), and we will call it a meal. She may be making apple pie too. We'll see!
So, it looks like, if everyone stays healthy, we will actually celebrate Thanksgiving this year!!!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Jesus, Thank You So So Much!
Today is the US's Thanksgiving. At least it is today, here in Japan. I haven't been part of a Thanksgiving celebration since my hubby forbade me from ever cooking turkey after 1/2 the Thanksgiving party goers got a mild form of food poisoning. The kind that hits a couple of days later, so you really aren't 100% sure it was your fault, but...THAT many people don't catch colds simultaneously!
I wonder if my family remembers the Thanksgiving I didn't even COOK the turkey. We all sat down to dinner, I pulled the turkey out of the oven. Stone cold. Raw. I have a wonderful family. We had THAT dinner a few hours later.
So, today is a regular day for us. Cold and rainy. Jun and I taught English this morning. Well, she spoke LOTS more Japanese than English, but, maybe I did too!? LOL!
But, I didn't want to forget to share my THANKFUL feeling this week.
Monday night, our friend, Tammy was here, so Jun and Ryu and I were all in the "big" bed. The "big" bed isn't big. It is a simple old double. Great for two, when one doesn't move around much. But, be that as it may, I was laying squashed between a sleeping Ryu on one side, and a sleeping Jun in the crook of my arm on the other. I was too excited and wound up to sleep, but lay there, feeling such a fullness and contentedness in my heart. God has given me two wonderful gifts that I value and treasure and love a whole lot!
Thus the title, Jesus, Thank you so so much!!!
I wonder if my family remembers the Thanksgiving I didn't even COOK the turkey. We all sat down to dinner, I pulled the turkey out of the oven. Stone cold. Raw. I have a wonderful family. We had THAT dinner a few hours later.
So, today is a regular day for us. Cold and rainy. Jun and I taught English this morning. Well, she spoke LOTS more Japanese than English, but, maybe I did too!? LOL!
But, I didn't want to forget to share my THANKFUL feeling this week.
Monday night, our friend, Tammy was here, so Jun and Ryu and I were all in the "big" bed. The "big" bed isn't big. It is a simple old double. Great for two, when one doesn't move around much. But, be that as it may, I was laying squashed between a sleeping Ryu on one side, and a sleeping Jun in the crook of my arm on the other. I was too excited and wound up to sleep, but lay there, feeling such a fullness and contentedness in my heart. God has given me two wonderful gifts that I value and treasure and love a whole lot!
Thus the title, Jesus, Thank you so so much!!!
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