Golden Toffee Blondies

Arielle and I made these today from Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove Cookbook. These were a big hit. I even heard someone say, "I think these are better than brownies."

From the cookbook....

1 C butter (2 sticks)
1 3/4 C light brown sugar (Rapadura)
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 C all purpose flour (Prairie Gold)
1/2 tsp salt (sea salt)
1 12 oz package of semisweet chocolate chips (could 1/2)
1 C toffee bits (such as Heath)

Preheat oven to 350*. Line a 9 x 13 pan with foil, pressing foil so that it fits snugly into corners of the pan and overhanging edges serve as handles. Lightly butter foil.

Melt butter. Beat with sugar 1 minute. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until combined and light in color. Add flour and salt and beat until combined. Fold in chocolate chips and toffee bits

Pour batter into pan. Bake 25 minutes. Blondies will be golden brown on the edges yet still soft in the middle. Do not over bake.Transfer to a wire rack to cool. When completely cool, use foil edges to lift blondies out of pan and cut into squares.  (We couldn't wait).

Tip: The key to moist blondies is making sure you don't over bake them. The top of the bars should be shiny, yet the middle of the bars will still feel soft to the touch.

Ours didn't have toffee, and we used Rapadura instead of brown sugar, and fresh ground whole wheat instead of refined all purpose flour....I can't imagine how rich these would be if I'd had toffee. I will cut the chocolate by 1/2 next time....or make them plain. Very good.

More recipes here. 
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Yabusame ~ Uma Samurai

Erika told us that Towada would be having Yabusame today and tomorrow. I visited the website, I watched the You Tube clip at the site, we wanted to go. We couldn't find clear cut directions to Chuo Park. Google failed me, there are about 6,000 Chuo Cohens in Japan. ::snort::  I finally hit on calling Melissa for directions. SHE KNEW HOW TO GET THERE - Thanks, Melissa. They were perfect, right down to running the red light on the bridge over the river. When I pulled up they were honking at a lady parked on the bridge. ::snort::

We felt a bit ripped off. This is SUPPOSED to be Cherry Blossom time. All the festivals are going on - but there are no Cherry Blossoms. In the You Tube you see the archers riding between rows of Cherry Trees.....and the park would be gorgeous if all the trees were blooming.  The good news is that it's only 26 min from our door to this park.We'll go back as soon as we see blossoms in town. LOL

Yabusame is the name we were given. I can't tell you what it means, as it isn't in our Japanese/English Dictionary. Google tells me how to pronounce it but not what it means. Strike 2 for google today. ::snort::

This was the first time I took the kids and ventured to a new spot in Japan. I discovered that outside of Misawa folks really are more interested in Americans. ::snort:: I also discovered that they are VERY friendly to a mom alone with children.

We were BLESSED by a gentleman who took a liking to our family. He chatted up a storm. We found out that writing English is very hard. That George Bush  was an honest man. That Katakana is very hard to learn to write (yes, we knew that) and that these were "Uma Samarai." THAT I can translate - horse knight. The twist to this event is that all the competitors are female. There was an instructor who was male.

They ride FAST down the lane and pull arrows, shoot, ride a few more yards and do that three times in one run. When the umbrellas go UP it means they hit the target. Who knew Samurais wore Levis?

Here are a couple of many of the video clips we took.

This was a fun spot to walk around and observe.

One Mom and Grandmom were excited when they saw Stacia and I walking....they called me over to say they had bagels...but it didn't sound quite like bagels. They proudly showed me and I said, BAGELS - oishi.....so they took me to a little boy who was walking around the grounds selling bagels. He made our day and we made his. LOL Speaking of food....Stacia was the hit of the "food court". I had to buy SIXTEEN yakitori and we also had bagels, potatoes and drinks......all for about $20. Festival food is cheaper than eating in town.

This is the way to picnic...tatami mats and low tables...we only had to remove our shoes.

Jared was a trooper. He came with us. When he was ready to come home we did. This was fun to see on the way home.

What can this mean?

We dropped Jared at the house and the rest of us went to the beach.  I'd been a bit melancholy seeing something new in Japan without Michael. This is OUR beach, so it seemed a good way to regain equilibrium.....and searching for sea glass always calms me.  The trench is back again, Mike.

When we walked up, Stacia said, "It's not snowing!" ::snort::

Back at home we rode bikes, played 4 sqaure and basketball. Zander was surprised that I could make baskets.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

TGIF

This has been a HECTIC week.

Today began with roughing out one more retreat session. *I'M* being blessed and can only pray that others will be too.

I took a chance at 6 a.m. our time, and was able to reach Mom Mary in the rehab center. A great talk. She sounds so good.

I ran up to the base to pay our Japanese vehicle taxes. I was supposed to do this on Tuesday, but Jared had surgery.  It went smoothly until I hit the base portion of the party. The current base registration is simply NOT with the rest of the paperwork. Not in the glove box, not in any of the many plastic folders I brought in....gone. I'll have to go back up and take care of that Monday. No one was at Pass and ID as all were at this big tax party. LOL

I got home in time to get school done....Zander read the first 5 I See Sam books while I was gone. We are reading about the Judsons - Missionaries to Burma this week.

Bible Study - We're doing a seven week study titled Anointed, Transformed and Redeemed. I LOVE that it is written by three teachers and the DVDs feature all three ladies: Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore and Kay Arthur. I'm very familiar with Beth Moore and Kay Arthur - it's been fun to meet Priscilla Shirer....and to see the differences in how they teach Scripture...and their obvious respect and love for each other....makes me wonder why their "disciples" seem so hell-bent on forming up camps and getting defensive if someone doesn't like "their gal". ::snort::  Anyway - this was week 2 of Beth's lecture....and it was good....and we'll now have week 2 of her homework.

We had just enough time to go mail a package to Michael (and pick up another one - this one a gift I'd ordered for our training in June) and then on to the nursing home. I love these visits.

Stacia is still a bit shy. I learned the Japanese word for that today - but I've forgotten it already. ::snort::

LONG day.
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

The day began with quiet hours working on retreat sessions. Thanks, Michael, for the tip about thinking of it as ONE BIG MESSAGE rather than five messages. That helped - it's all about the mind. ::snort::  I've got 3.5 of the messages ROUGHED out - and that means - rough. LOL

Annette invited Renee, Connie and myself over for breakfast. I love these gatherings and Annette is the "hostess with the mostess".  She's amazing. Renee will be leaving us until 12 June, it was a nice time to relax and visit before she leaves.

I went to the chapel and FOUND the ONE medal dec that Mike needed. I can't find the rest, but who really cares?

Stopped by the commissary.

I went to the post office and discovered TEN packages. A book to review LAST WEEK, school books and a necklace.  I've been very happy with the service from Academic Success for All Learners.  They make the "I See Sam" books that several have recommended I try with Zander.  Unfortunately, it appears I put the starter set in my basket TWICE....so now I'd really like to find someone local to sell set 1 and set 2 too.....

Zander read book one today.....and was quite pleased with himself....all old sounds he knows. I'm going to have to look to see how they mesh with the "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons". I figure the review is sure to be a confidence builder.  The starter set came with "tutor instructions" - guess I'd better read them tonight.
We did school after lunch.

I visited with Windy about some retreat registration "stuff".

We had dinner and then welcomed Akikosan for Japanese Lessons. Wow - it's getting complicated. The grammar is totally opposite of English. For instance.... "What is your favorite at McDonald's," is literally translated, "Your McDonald at what favorite is"? I mastered this phrase in Japanese....may be more useful than learning how to ask a gal to the club for sake. ::snort::

 Our homework promises to  be  fun. We have to write Hiragana phrases (and that's not so fun), then she'd like us to go to Maku and pick out our dai suki meals. (McDonald's - favorite meals). I'm to try HER favorite and tell her what I think, "Sunnyside Terriyaki burger and potato/bacon pie".

 I told her this sounded like a huge cholesterol attack waiting to happen. I can't imagine what she's talking about. Of course, we'll have to go investigate.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Take a walk with us....

Not only did we do laundry ... but SCHOOL.:: Snort:: Nolan and Arielle had piano lessons. I taught the boys that housework can truly be fun.

After school we went on a long walk - an hour. It was cold by the time we got home. Really windy - seems we're in the midst of gust warnings today.:: Snort:: I wouldn't trade the walk for anything. The younger three came with me. I showed them various farming things ..... and the Japanese neighborhood "across the way ".... We were able to talk to several on our walk. I need to get back to my prayer walks around the neighborhood.

We've watched our shed through summer, fall and winter ... now it's spring. We can tell it's spring because all the farmers are tilling the fields, tilling in manure, and the snow is gone. I guess there is a planting manure season and a fall manure season.

In the fall, they created these raised beds, planted onions and covered it all with plastic. When the snow melted.....

The last few weeks they've been planting and then building these little "tents" around the rows .... This would be easier than bringing my planters in every night .... I may have to go buy supplies.

You can see the holes to let water in ... and there are green little plants inside ... though I couldn't figure out type of plant. Nani desu ka? Didn't bring me an answer I understood .. ...

Sweet ... sweet ... SWEET .... he really IS forming relationships quite well. My heart is full.

Getting away from the neighborhood allowed us to hear BIRDS. It appears we do have birds other than crows in Misawa.

The mother lode ...:: snort:: Pewwwww ....

We walked down and across the fields to a community of what appears to be farmers.

A closer look, shows the glassed in rooms for drying laundry that are common in many homes. Some have sheds with windows all around just for drying their laundry .... this is something to consider.:: Snort::

Since I'm rather taken with Japanese laundry techniques .... note the balcony of the very fancy home above. This is what I was going to do before Akiko talked me into trying the laundry stand.

Just like mine ... but staying upright .... don't get it.

We saw signs of spring over in this neighborhood ...

Our irrigation ditches are still empty ... but these are running ....

It didn't take Zander long to make the connection (Japanese neighborhood in the background).

It got cold and we decided to head for home ..... the red roofs in the far distance, across the fields

The ditches nearer our home are still dry ...

She does charm the obisans and farmers.

Back at home, I made dinner. Since Stacia's insistent request last week, I know you all wonder if I'm cooking. I made ranch potato wedges, Baked chicken breasts and garlic bread. This is an easy meal, and EVERYONE eats it.

Seven months ago we were disappointed not to be moving into a base home. We earnestly sought permission to stay on base. We eagerly looked for living close to base. We see now, how God richly blessed us. Nature refreshes me. We've only to leave "little America" and we're out in nature ... in fact .... I can simply walk to the far side of my home and I see fields and horses ..... I do this often and drink in the renewing wonder of God's creation. Seriously, THIS is why I hang laundry. I love the little breaks outside to watch the birds, horses and fields ..... I love the discussions with laundry helpers and on those rare instances when none of them volunteer to help, I love the solitude breaks in nature. So far, they aren't building in the fields behind us.

A stolen van, new ministry role for myself, off-base home, deployment after an International move .... None were in our plans, but each was in God's plan ..... and I'm truly in a great place . I'm walking in the facets of His plan for our lives - with delight. None of this is meant to give the impression that I don't desperately miss Michael or worry about him, I do. However, I take great joy in knowing we are in the hands of a sovereign God. As Mom and Dad taught me years ago when we lived in Southern Mindanao with rebels and martial law ..... "We're always safest in God's will." Most satisfied too, I think.
Choosing Joy!
© 2010 D.R.G.
~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God ...

Zander's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Lord,

Thank you for my Dad and Mom and my whole family. I love them very much. Thank you for so many new friends. Please comfort my friend in San Angelo (Everson) for I know he misses me very much. ":: Snort: :

I'd say Zander has learned to interact with others and form relationships. It makes me tear up when I think of where we were 5 years ago. This would be a good time to mention that we had some shirt and lip chewing when Mike left ... but no head banging and such. I didn't see a huge regression. He continues to ask we pray that Dad has a safe war ... all signs that he's engaged in family life .... and I'm so very thankful myself tonight.

Choosing Joy!
© 2010 D.R.G.
~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God ...

Thunder and Rain - From Michael

It has been about a week now that there has been a steady reverberation in the distant mountains. Lightning has been sparking on the mountain tops that surround us, and thunder has been echoing across this rather vast valley. It brings back memories of Colorado in the Spring time. On a clear day you an see the snow-covered mountains behind those which are nearer. They apparently are the beginnings of the Himalayas. Rather impressive. I will post a pic of the "much-snow-ee-a" ones later - when it is clear.

Choosing Joy!
© 2010 D.R.G.
~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God ...