Random Thoughts on Japan

The kids and I are reading library books, watching documentaries and surfing websites.....here are some of our random discoveries from today:

• It is RUDE to tip in Japan. (De'Etta tips 20%; Mike is thrilled to hear this piece of culture).
• Kim tells me that she pays $4 for 3 apples in Tokyo - but they're bigger than we get here.
• Kim told us that honeydews go for $100 (first she said watermelon and that was truly alarming).
• It is 5,978 miles from Josiah's apartment to Misawa.
• It is 4,487 miles from EBC to Misawa.
• It was 6,915 miles from EBC to Davao City, Philippines.
• This is the first "Homeschooling in Japan" website I found...I haven't a clue what it says but it makes me smile BIG to stare at it. We are very excited for this Asian Adventure!

Oh, oh. Zander just asked Mike, "Dad, will I ever see Everson again after we go to Japan?" I better go...

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Random Thoughts on Japan

• There are 123 Dairy Queen's in Japan according to Jared's Google search. I assume there will be one "near" us.

• It's been colder HERE the last 2 - 3 days than it has been in Misawa - go figure!

• The average speed driven in Tokyo is 17 mph (can you say traffic jam?) according to the documentary we watched.

{Sorry if our fascination with Japan bores our readers...it's big news around here. It's rather easy to motivate any learning that I can tie in to Japan these days. ::snort::}

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Family Night

Confession: Yesterday, Bobbie Jo participated in "Crock Pot Thursday". I shared with her that I forgot to turn my crock pot on. I turned it on today and we had a yummy roast, roasted asparagus and home made french bread (I'll find a recipe before I do this again - way to much dough). ::snort:: It worked out well for the roast to be tonight as Mike and Josiah were both here.

We were sitting around the table after dinner and Stacia asked Jared and Josiah to dance with her. Jamin was at work.

I have rotated this photo 3x and it keeps copying this way...Stacia's expression is priceless.

Dips...

Spy Alley

Wild Nerf Battles

We also spent time checking airline prices from Seattle to Tokyo, from Anchorage to Tokyo, from Tokyo to Misawa...tried to find the "bullet train" prices....and then decided not to think about it any more tonight. ::snort::

Jamin is home and the big guys and Mike are having a discussion. I'm done.....and going to join them.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Selective Service

Another young man - another milestone....











I did NOT take these photos - Mike did. I was picking up produce at this time. See this is a FAMILY endeavor to keep the blog running. ::snort:: Jamin informed me that if the draft is brought back and he's drafted, he'll apply for Goodfellow and learn a language.....let the government pay for his language training for missions. LOL

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Breakfast Cookies

{I sampled one of these at Deja's today when I picked up my produce. In keeping with my new intention to get rid of cookbooks....I am NOT writing this one down...right on to the computer it goes. ::snort::}

1 cup butter, melted
¾ cup honey
2 eggs
1 t. salt
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. baking soda
1 t. vanilla
½ cup buttermilk
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups whole rolled oats
1 cup raisins or chocolate chips (or dried cranberries)

Mix butter, honey, eggs, salt, cinnamon, soda, vanilla and buttermilk. Stir in flour and oats. Fold in raisins or chocolate chips. Scoop heaping tablespoons of dough onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Allow cookies to cool 3-4 minutes on cookie sheet before removing cookies to cool on a wire rack.

Deja found these at Heavenly Homemakers...a site I immediately entered into my reader. ::snort:: Go check it out.

For more recipes check our Recipe Index (also linked in the sidebar).

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Tim Hawkins' Favorite Restaurant

In honor of Jamin and Josiah....

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Taco Soup

{A friend @ Elmendorf used to make hamburger soup. I was hungry for it earlier this week, but couldn't find her recipe. This is close, and CERTAINLY tastes better than it looks.}

1 - 2 lbs Ground Beef (turkey - used less)

1 pkg Taco Seasoning (used 1/4 C of my Taco Seasoning)

1 pkg Dry Ranch Dressing Mix (skipped)

2 Cans Chili Beans (used dried beans)

1 C Kernel Corn (used fresh)

2 Cans diced Tomatoes

1 Can (I used 15 oz) Tomato Sauce

I also added:

1/2 C onion

2 C water (no liquid in my beans or corn)

To garnish at the table:

Tortilla Chips

Sour Cream (Plain Yogurt)

Cheese (Shredded)

Avocado

Brown meat and onion. Add seasonings. Add canned items. Simmer. To Serve: Place crumbled tortilla chips in a bowl, spoon soup over, top with sour cream, and such as desired.

Obviously, this was still fairly thick if Jared ate his soup with a fork. ::snort::

For more of our favorites recipes, visit my Recipe Index (and linked in the sidebar).

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.