Food Artistry

The girls have added spice to dinner by becoming food artists....is there such a thing?  Below is Stacia's Tower of Artichoke....

Followed by Arielle's Artichoke in Bloom 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Terrifically Tuesday

This was a busy day. It began with the entire family getting up and out of the house by 07:45.  I usually leave 2 or 3 kids at home on PWOC day. It was nice to have them all in. 

Michael took the kids out for lunch after PWOC. I went out to lunch with two friends. Always a special treat. 

The kids and I went and got hair cuts. Who would have guessed it's been 3 months since we did that????? 

Zander was thrilled that a big box arrived at the post office. He dreamed of what it may contain all afternoon. 

I treated the kids to a mini-cini and then we did a bit of shopping before picking Michael up and coming home. 

Michael began the process of moving us from Japan to California. I believe we are very near to knowing the date we will fly out of Misawa. 

First on the agenda at home was opening the long-awaited for birthday gifts. 

Check out Yuuki trying to get away from all the flinging paper

Bokken Kendo practice swords and a book on the dynamics
 of the sport  for both boys

Compound bow, arrows and quiver for Zander

Nolan is still waiting for HIS main gift to arrive.....soon....soon. The cover arrived today. ::snort:: 

We had a quick dinner. I answered a few ministry emails while the kids did dishes. Michael read another chapter in a rather interesting book he's working through. 

We closed the day with prayer, a Lenten devotional, and  two more chapters from Amon's Adventure. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Panko Roasted Veggies

I found this on Laura's blog - not sure she wants the link shared. It's originally called "Panko Roasted Zucchini  but since has other veggies...and I plan to make it with a variety of Vegetables.....

1 zucchini, sliced
1 yellow squash, sliced
5 mushrooms, sliced
1/2 C Panko Bread crumbs
1/3 C shredded Parmesan cheese (I used nutritional yeast)
2 T olive oil
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Toss veggies in olive oil. Add seasonings, crumbs and nutritional yeast or cheese. Stir gently to coat. Place on a foil lined baking sheet and bake for 25 min at 400*.

Serves 3 - 4.
Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Snowy Sunday

We woke to a snow storm....wind, snow, swirling snow....snow blowing UP and across at the same time....this photo doesn't do it justice. We skipped Sunday School.

It wasn't better at 10:30 - we skipped the 11:00 service too. 

Our hope was that it would blow over in a couple of hours and we could make it in to the base in time for Zander's choice of the Club for his birthday lunch and then the evening service.  That's exactly what we did....and it wasn't that bad by the time we got out. 

Arielle and Nolan were part of a Human video team last night. Kim has been their youth leader for several years and will be moving in a week or so.....and so it was a bittersweet evening.  I have a video but I can't seem to get it from my camera to the computer.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Zander's Birthday Celebration!

Zander (ALEX) has done an exceptional job of waiting for his birthday celebration. We finished eating Nolan's cake last week. We hoped all his gifts would arrive in time to make his cake and enjoy a party tonight. The kids bought him gifts here...only one of our gifts have arrived...but he opted for whatever gifts WERE here and cake tonight. ::grin::

Michael and I got him this. He has vision of taking care of the crows...but we aren't sure our Japanese neighbors would appreciate this as much as he seems to think they will.  He was told he can target practice....and he's adapted and now has plans that involve snowballs and fields. ::snort::

Death By Chocolate - we adapted and used Reeses instead of Twix; Late July cookies instead of Oreo's and Keebler  - so that it was on Zander's eating plan. It was just as good as the original. Every time we eat this I remember the Millers, Rileys and Woolards from San Antonio.  He'll choose his birthday lunch out tomorrow.

We finished the evening with a family circle that involved discussion God as the God who "sees to it" (Provides) - Gen 22.  We discussed the "its" in our lives where we long to watch Him SEE TO IT. We discussed worship being all mixed up with sacrifice and surrender. We discussed WHY God would ask such a thing....we grew...old and young teaching one another. We also read several chapters from Amon's Adventure. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Keeping Warm in Misawa

For the record - the snow is LOVELY, gorgeous, beautiful, fantastic. The cold and ice - not so much. If I could have the heat of TX with the beauty of snow-covered landscape, I would be totally content. ::snort::  I've heard anywhere from 155 in to 159 in of snow so far this winter....I can't find a website to verify. 

BUT I HAVE found a sure fire way to keep WARM in Misawa! 

For those times when running the oven doesn't warm the house quite enough.......

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Spectacular Saturday

We didn't know WHAT to do with Michael home on a Saturday. We could get used to not preaching on Sunday. ::grin::  We did manage to fill the day. 

I sorted through some drawers this a.m.  and did a bit of cleaning. My goal is to get my house clean enough in a month to give the "grand tour" to company. ::snort::  Arielle cleaned. The others played Wii and several read Hiroshima by John Hersey. The book arrived last night and was planned to be used in Unit 4 for Nolan....but he read it all today. 

Stacia and I headed off to a great lunch with a friend and her daughter, at the Organic Buffet by the market down the road. I am committed to using the margin God has provided for finishing strong here - with school, friendships, and exploring (as soon as the roads clear).

While we enjoyed our lunch out, Michael and Arielle made an ice cream cake in anticipation of Zander's birthday celebration. 

Can YOU find the road? 

After lunch, Michael and I headed to the base to check the post office. We picked up on gift for Zander. We stopped at Cafe Aomori for some hot drinks and headed to the ocean. 

•  Picking up one birthday gift - free
•  Hot Drinks - $6
•  Sipping hot drinks on a snow covered beach while talking about the future with my man - PRICELESS.

  A DATE! Mom G we used your gift - thanks! 

Loved watching a gentleman race his radio controlled car along the beach 

This is our van on top of the sea break.....

Looking down the road.....

We have truly been blessed to enjoy  four years living in the farm land of Northern Japan.  I chuckle when I remember how hard we tried to be allowed to live on base - and I acknowledge once again God KNOWS...even when I don't understand.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...