Grandchildren

Thanks, Lisa! Here's Natalie incognito . . .


Meanwhile, Pilgrims & Native Americans enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner at Andy's school!


Pilgram Andy & friend.


Amelia & Natalie -- ready for Christmas?


Natalie & Amelia -- what mischevious faces !

Christmas Cactus Blooms Early . . .

It's only mid-November, but my Christmas cactus is in full bloom!


So -- is it Christmas cactus or Easter cactus? Either way, it's a little confused . . . but aren't these pink blossoms exquisite?

Red Hat Dinner with Men!

On November 15, the Iwakuni Red Hatters enjoyed dinner at Homarezo Japanese Dining Room in Otake. We met at the local station & rode the train to Otake -- a very short ride. The restaurant is just a half-block from the Otake station. Inside, we had a long table to accommodate all of us. Looking to our left . . .


Our dinner was served "family style" -- yummy salad.

Grilled salmon w/veggies


Chicken . . .


And of course, warm sake . . .


Kampai!

Looking down to the right of this long table.

Fried rice

Hmmm . . .

Beautiful pottery in the window . . .

Betsy & Emilie peeking through the sliding doors . . .

Belinda's dessert!

Stan & I decided to share a vanilla & choco ice cream . . .

Looking into the kitchen on our way out. Wow -- this tempura looks good!

A short train ride back to Iwakuni & we're home! What a great evening.

Special Chigerie Class 11/10/08

We're having a special Monday class today because of our visitors from Hawaii: Paulette & her friend, Shirlynne. Jo-san (in the middle) hand-made these beautiful "happy" coats out of kimono fabric for our special guests! We all loved Jo-san's outfit, but were told it was "nothing special -- just a work outfit."

Shirlynne has a choice between pink & gray. Oh, which one will she choose?

Miyako-san tells us about her recent 50th wedding anniversary party that her children gave. She's so beautiful -- it's difficult to believe she's been married that long!

Oh, goody! Jo-san has brought her beautiful shamisen to play today & she's tuning up with her pitch pipe.

As she begins to play and sing . . .


Miyako-san breaks into dance!

Look at the huge pick she uses.

Shamisen means "3-strings" -- read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamisen

I love her cool wooden sandals & 2-toed socks.

Jo-san teaching the ladies how to dance.

and the beautiful dancers . . .

WANT TO HEAR WHAT IT SOUNDED LIKE? Take a couple of minutes to listen & watch this amazing video ! ! ! This is sooooo cool! (although it's my first attempt at video, so a little short.) Just click on the right-facing arrow underneath the pic & enjoy!

Hard at work on our chigerie pictures. The Japanese ladies are doing much more complicated pieces than the Americans, because they have been studying many, many years.

Shirlynn had never done it before, but was determined to make a picture today!

Although Emilie now works & can't join us for our chigerie class, she joined us for part of this special day. We were meeting in the party room in her building & that's the back of Ingrid.

This lady on the left was the very first American to join our Japanese chigerie class. She & her husband just happened to be visiting Iwakuni at the same time as Paulette, so she invited her to come by. What a nice surprise for Sensei Fujii!

Tea time!

Shopping at Nafco

Gas price in mid-November on base -- still $4.53/gal! I'm glad we only buy a tank about once a month . . .


Off base now -- a freight train is above the square tunnel we're headed for.


We're shopping at Nafco today -- kind of like Home Depot. These tables have heaters underneath so you can stay warm in the winter. Japanese homes do not typically have central heat or air, so my friend, Jun-ko tells me she sits at hers not only to eat, but write letters, read, or just relax & stay cozy. The built-in quilt keeps in the heat.

Upstairs in the furniture department - typical LR?


Downstairs -- Lots of lighted (& expensive!) Christmas decorations.


Lion, giraffe & Mickey -- oh, my!


Back on base, the trees are turning beautiful colors for Autumn.



But a pink camellia is still in full bloom!