Aguri no Sato

Today, I went with Ryan's class and another 5th grade class to Aguri no Sato in Misawa.  It's an agricultural center with several greenhouses, a market, and an organic restaurant.  Since we all brought our lunches, I didn't get to try the restaurant; however, I've heard the food is wonderful!

We had to leave the other bus behind on our way out - the bus driver hit a light on top of the security gate and had to switch busses.  

In the strawberry green house; rows and rows of strawberries!

Here is an actual beehive with bees buzzing all around.  They have to pollinate...

In the "tropical" greenhouse.  

Ryan is eating his lunch with friends (and pretending I'm not there.)

Papayas

The kids had a blast feeding cabbage to the rabbits.  

While the kids were busy looking at the animals, some of us chaperones relaxed in the foot onsen!  

Omurice

Today in cooking class, we learned to make Omurice, which is basically fried rice wrapped in an omelette. Our instructor, Tomo-san made the fried rice with garlic, onions, chicken, and none other than ketchup!  I didn't realize how much the Japanese like ketchup, so I'm assuming this is a very contemporary dish!  If you like any type of rice and egg, this dish is for you!

Parboiling the daikon for the soup (side dish.)

This is the top of the daikon radish which was cooked, cooled and cut very fine to use as a garnish.  

The vegetable soup (with a chicken dashi stock) on the left, and one omelette in the process on the right.  

O.K.  This is the plain rice with butter, salt, pepper, and the main ingredient - KETCHUP!

One lady in our class kindly volunteered to make all of our omelets...

Kate is sauteing the garlic and the chicken is almost ready to go into the wok.

The onions (2 of them) were sauteed in another pan, then added to the garlic and chicken. 

Once the rice is added to the other ingredients (or vice versa) it's time to roll it all into the omelet - burrito style. 

The finished product, garnished with the cooked daikon leaves and more ketchup.  I enjoyed the rice part, but had to pick the egg away - nothing against this recipe, but I don't like eggs unless they are scrambled and have a ton of cheese in them!  ;-)

Christmas Time is here!

Yesterday, we put up the Christmas tree and decorations around the house.  After dinner, the boys and I watched "A Christmas Story" while Chris was out to a going-away dinner.  It will be the first of many times we'll watch that movie this season!

It was Ryan's turn to put the angel on top this year.

I bought the boys their own trees for their rooms this year.  This is Ryan's.  

And here's Brandon's.  

Ready for Santa to put presents under the tree!

Plenty to be thankful for!

I hope everybody had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Even though we're miles away from our family and friends in the States, we are still able to enjoy the holidays with our Misawa friends.

I researched the internet for different decorating ideas - I used lentils in glasses with a tea light for these.

These turned out to be my favorites - stemless wine glasses filled with fresh cranberries.

This year's spread (minus the desserts.)

Nina and Rose

Ryan went for the leg this year and ate the whole thing!  Brandon  actually tried sweet potato casserole (only eating the top) and pumpkin pie for the first time.

After that big meal, we sang and danced to Rock Band and karaoke.

Eric and Chris discussing the next Karaoke selection.

Hanging out with the kiddos. 

Potlatch

Last Tuesday, the 5th graders in Ryan's classes put on a "Potlatch" to show their Native American projects and explain them to everybody.  Ryan didn't like talking to strangers about his project, but he did well anyway.

Angelica with her Kansa tribe project.  

Ryan and his Blackfeet tribe project.  

Aomori Big Buddha - Fall

Today, we all went to see the Big Buddha (Showa Daibutsu) in Aomori.

You can see the stones you can walk on to the right of this sign.  Evidently, these are the pressure points - or maybe there are different meanings in the different parts of the feet.  I need to find out about this sign.  

Close-up of the rocks...Mom and the boys walked on them during the summer, but it was a bit too chilly to do it this time.

These are some sort of prayer requests (or maybe praises.)  You buy the little wooden signs at the entrance, write your wish, request, etc. and hang it up in front of Buddha. 

Trying the wish bell.

Just taking a break.

Trying some complimentary green tea.