Chigerie Group Luncheon

It's Friday 12/14, and we're having lunch at the Eagle's Nest at Club Iwakuni on base today. Personally, I'd rather eat at a delicious Japanese restaurant off-base, but the Japanese ladies love to come on base. I guess the grass is always greener . . .

Stan came in to say "hi" & took our picture. Unfortunately, Ingrid & Barbara were at the buffet table when he took this one . . .















So, here we go again with Ingrid, but Barbara is still missing!
















One more time before we leave -- we're all here this time, in front of the Christmas tree. Oops, guess we're totally blocking it, except for the part that's growing out of Ingrid's head . . . Anyway, it was fun -- these are such delightful ladies!

Funny, Funny Grandchildren!

I talked to Lisa today & she was telling me what the twins (Amelia & Natalie, who will be 2 on 12/15) and Andy (4-1/2) have been up to lately. (Pictures, I need pictures ! ! ! ) These are the funniest children -- probably not as much to their parents, but it's hilarious to us grandparents!

Andy has decided to call Joseph (the father of Jesus) "Kevin" and since he's now MIA from their nativity set, everyone is looking for Kevin all over the house.

The girls have eaten all the popcorn that was strung on the tree -- just a few crumbs remain on bare strings. They also take turns wearing the tree skirt around the house. Lisa said she & Larry have just given up; only the top 1/3 of the tree remains decorated this year. They had to put all the wrapped presents in the closet, since the girls decided it would be fun to open them NOW. . .

Of course, Andy's "Mad Cow Disease" continues to come & go. Larry read Andy an article in a magazine showing the little stuffed "germs" that the CDC sells at their gift shop. (Holly & Michael have a wonderful collection!) So, anyway, Andy apparently memorized the symptoms and cures for these & decided he has Mad Cow Disease whenever he prefers to rest on the couch & watch a movie instead of playing outside. It helps his cure. .

Check them out here: http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/plush/6708/images/1432/

Margie Wins a Major Award!

Well, no, I didn't EXACTLY win a leg lamp, but I did win a great mint-scented Christmas candle today at the commissary. I answered (and immediately, I might add, but not to brag) the question of WHAT gift was received on the 11th Day of Christmas, according to the song, "Twelve Days of Christmas." (Of course it's 11 Lords a-Leaping.)

Close up of this honored & valued award & yes it is FRAGILE.















And here it is in my kitchen under the window, in it's deserved place of honor.

Holly Stars in "A Christmas Story"

While we're gallivanting around Japan, youngest daughter Holly's been appearing in yet another play in Birmingham during late November & early December. She played the Mom in one of our favorites, "A Christmas Story" (or "Shoot Your Eye Out" as our family has always referred to it!) This photo appeared in the Birmingham News (photo by Linda Stelter) in an article featuring local celeb "Dollar Bill" Lawson who played the Dad. Check out the theater promo here, under the "Current Show" tab on the left side of the page: http://www.centerstage-productions.org/ -- & don't forget to read her "cast bio" at the bottom of the page.

We're so proud of you Holly -- keep up the good work & hopefully, we'll get more pictures soon, so check back often . . .

Baking . . .

I've been in the Christmas spirit lately, as evidenced by the goodies I've been baking. Here are some samples below. The decorated sugar cookies are flavored with almond extract and sprinkled with decorations. The white cookies in the center are the "pecan puffs," an old Swedish recipe from my first mother-in-law. They are light & buttery & coated with powdered sugar. I think they are my favorites. Fortunately, I don't make them very often . . .
















Below are little bite-size versions of the larger cookies above. I also made dark chocolate-dipped, decorated pretzels & also, haystacks (oops, they're all gone!) which are made from chow main noodles & salted peanuts, mixed with melted butterscotch chips & spooned out to set. It's nice to have these for parties & local gifts. I've already taken some to my chigerie class and our Red Hat Christmas party. Just wish I could share them with my family & friends back home, but they just don't make the long trip very well . . . guess you'll just have to enjoy the pictures!

Sunday Train Ride to Hiroshima 12/9

Downtown Iwakuni

The round-about in downtown Iwakuni. We've driven to the station today to ride the local train to Hiroshima. Notice the tall palm trees have not yet been wrapped for winter. We're still having mild weather (I LOVE it!)
















Stan on the train. We're sitting facing each other because the train is not very crowded yet. When we got to Miyajima however, I moved over & sat beside Stan so the 2 seats facing us were available. Our American butts don't fit as well in the assigned spaces, as the tiny Japanese backsides . . .
















Margie . . .

In the train















Autumn leaves on the hillside.
















Beautifully-trimmed trees

A Christian church from the train.
















Christmas poster in Hiroshima Station.
















We can exit the station directly into this department store & Starbucks, or down the escalator to the street level. We decided to go down to the street & take the street car around downtown.

Brado Pitto's face on this post at Hiroshima Station platform.
















Pastry shop inside the station.
















Fig cake -- Cakes are very popular for Christmas.

Fresh fruit















Melon
















Strawberry, walnut & banana

Downtown Hiroshima from the streetcar.




















Oh, this is our stop -- Hondori Street. Lots of shoppers today.

Here we are at Hondori Street Ginza -- the covered, outdoor shopping street.

We're hungry and are drawn into this coffee shop & cafe. Stan's placing our orders while I procure a table for two.
















A beautiful stairway inside the cafe, but I'm happy to have found a table on the first floor!

Stan delivers our lunch & coffee to our table.

These sandwiches were wonderful with fresh shrimp & tuna salad (we think), and my latte was warm & frothy. Stan preferred plain black coffee, but it was strong just the way he likes.

After lunch, we wander down to Andersen's, presumably to use their nice restrooms, but we are sucked in by the bakery . . .

Pastry chefs handmaking something yummy!

These fresh flowers smelled so good, combined with all the bakery fragrances.

Beautiful breads & pastries for sale in the bakery of Andersen's in Hiroshima.















Santa faces















Plump stars

Look at the expressions on these marzipan goodies . . .















Beautiful breads















I think maybe this sign shows the ratio of white & wheat flour contained in this bread . . .

While in Andersen's bakery, we came across this pastry class for children, under a very large Christmas tree.















Look at these beautiful faces.

The twisted wreaths on the wall demonstrate what the children can make today.

Everyone seems to be concentrating very hard.




















Children watching the pastry chef.















Is this right?