tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28546387336560936772024-03-05T04:35:29.237-08:00this boundless lifetam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-29386242664948098842011-04-26T07:40:00.000-07:002011-04-26T08:47:01.493-07:00One Week!Only a week left of living in Tsurui Mura Hokkaido Japan.<br /><br />For the last three weeks, we have been undoing what we have done here in the last three and a half years! As I busily pack boxes and bags and say our good-byes to the many friends we have made it is surprising I have had any time to notice what else is going on around here.<br /><br />The Japanese cranes are no longer coming to the village to feed but are instead feasting on fish, frogs, insects and more in the marshland. The couples are taking turns sitting on their eggs keeping them warm and guarding them from fox, weasels, and birds of prey.<br /><br />The pussy willows are transforming into yellow balls and some are already leaves.<br /><br />Birds we have not heard since October sound happy to be back.<br /><br />The third baby pony and the fourth dosanko foal were born.<br /><br />What will this last week bring?<br /><br />I'll let you know.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPw8r1yYDWaZPhiej7MaLKkoIr5KPYUBBLBWwHWsuoHydHiSifCJ3PU6sZ972ZRQOQbJ5h9s9XO_KS8M8zQ9T6p8hw1qOdUHDKspisYjJ9JG_neW0Gc8oDa2sk5WCbgNNTRsRDf2fQTqU/s1600/foll+moon+flight+midori-san.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPw8r1yYDWaZPhiej7MaLKkoIr5KPYUBBLBWwHWsuoHydHiSifCJ3PU6sZ972ZRQOQbJ5h9s9XO_KS8M8zQ9T6p8hw1qOdUHDKspisYjJ9JG_neW0Gc8oDa2sk5WCbgNNTRsRDf2fQTqU/s320/foll+moon+flight+midori-san.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599908015037528578" /></a><br /><br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-59469103668719961982011-04-04T04:21:00.000-07:002011-04-04T04:58:30.835-07:00Easter Hunt<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPZfIsihMSigTOGY_T7P28CnjuPR23jhyWdNzQOkQxfc2UVNnEiB1hEPx6cmo9y3vXYqdFcdmPv8qhe0Nkwl5LDTD2pFOTD5AwFkxhXBcEYmvrHwGbuZsyNjy9mES2xAHpUBDO2jDDt4/s1600/easter2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPZfIsihMSigTOGY_T7P28CnjuPR23jhyWdNzQOkQxfc2UVNnEiB1hEPx6cmo9y3vXYqdFcdmPv8qhe0Nkwl5LDTD2pFOTD5AwFkxhXBcEYmvrHwGbuZsyNjy9mES2xAHpUBDO2jDDt4/s320/easter2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591689632695317138" /></a><br />With snow still on the ground it seems strange that the Easter Bunny would be out hiding eggs...but luckily for us...he showed up early on the ranch so that our tNt Adventures in English students could enjoy an Easter Egg hunt in the forest!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtzF-ySEmiIHcrp2tCk_m8sh_w90QrhzyWhcKZSCwT4KGEGlg1iKrixRkuXACyvAWm-WUpwNeMB0q-PNeD2FjuQLy3YITSoi1CyaPViZFVY7s3iOkGKHzw9j31bZ6dn3b6Q7WGolifv0/s1600/bunnyforest.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtzF-ySEmiIHcrp2tCk_m8sh_w90QrhzyWhcKZSCwT4KGEGlg1iKrixRkuXACyvAWm-WUpwNeMB0q-PNeD2FjuQLy3YITSoi1CyaPViZFVY7s3iOkGKHzw9j31bZ6dn3b6Q7WGolifv0/s320/bunnyforest.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591688523199914354" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvfJzzIEypxoOFAHCt-FoaLbWQZ_tAbVEyMAwEZS6iklic6mpQdQwJJHsH_BCAV5Fbbh7odhhvHZVZw00uZnsexP5tQj4Wanxq_5hKBYyC8R41kcayqrVYOcezgXHodMmpSUlQidZ8GA/s1600/eastertree.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvfJzzIEypxoOFAHCt-FoaLbWQZ_tAbVEyMAwEZS6iklic6mpQdQwJJHsH_BCAV5Fbbh7odhhvHZVZw00uZnsexP5tQj4Wanxq_5hKBYyC8R41kcayqrVYOcezgXHodMmpSUlQidZ8GA/s320/eastertree.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591693705080122162" /></a><br />Thanks to the charity event a few weeks ago, the Easter Bunny's treats had a real Canadian flavour!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn81Hb3Vdk4cCAPMxKBcKrH4o8s9K9_VC8ZsbvMp6n7tmRQGJw1P6LURUt1zeqvrYEK3tTa4D2neLUAjJHAR6kNjOWbnPMnqpX_zvZGDghfuUXesXeKOuiTHm99Qt-2VN3mvksfBBI0Ns/s1600/eastertreats.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn81Hb3Vdk4cCAPMxKBcKrH4o8s9K9_VC8ZsbvMp6n7tmRQGJw1P6LURUt1zeqvrYEK3tTa4D2neLUAjJHAR6kNjOWbnPMnqpX_zvZGDghfuUXesXeKOuiTHm99Qt-2VN3mvksfBBI0Ns/s320/eastertreats.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591693703071695042" /></a><br /><br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-91516957489543802102011-03-28T06:24:00.000-07:002011-03-28T06:40:01.519-07:00Just Missed HerWe were in Kushiro City all day running errands.<br />At 6:30 pm, just thirty minutes before we got home...a baby dosanko horse was born.<br />She was already standing and trying to nurse when we got to the stall.<br />It is about 1 degree Celsius tonight and the little one was shivering.<br />I put some fresh hay around her and soon after our landowner arrived with a warm blue blanket.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vI-5-XsUdO698EHBeWGCMbp_Iesqt24yQDmr9DNn-R41s7Nm3l223Fr6WVxQV4bq07O3_u13ZOG7Q9m_ZxBy39C2TIhUU11C-kbiD4ZvVQrKdqEMfLV9UURbVkzeRK89V448PZKMQwU/s1600/horse5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vI-5-XsUdO698EHBeWGCMbp_Iesqt24yQDmr9DNn-R41s7Nm3l223Fr6WVxQV4bq07O3_u13ZOG7Q9m_ZxBy39C2TIhUU11C-kbiD4ZvVQrKdqEMfLV9UURbVkzeRK89V448PZKMQwU/s320/horse5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589124344772571330" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ppgQQ74-M4wqoFrciGAk_V0iaIJMxBDlSbObLtdvvgwP3oaId2eY9aUjjTcdmZHWSZg5nqWE8RnqQTl_vd5xWaZPgZd2CmSzXOpFFEMDw_wdPlyfnkhZ_IsubTJAZwDljGuEWInfuLE/s1600/new+baby+horse4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ppgQQ74-M4wqoFrciGAk_V0iaIJMxBDlSbObLtdvvgwP3oaId2eY9aUjjTcdmZHWSZg5nqWE8RnqQTl_vd5xWaZPgZd2CmSzXOpFFEMDw_wdPlyfnkhZ_IsubTJAZwDljGuEWInfuLE/s320/new+baby+horse4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589124348735127826" /></a><br /><br /><br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-22804242642324494482011-03-27T04:33:00.000-07:002011-03-27T05:00:23.937-07:00Delicate Spring<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4jpXkppPD131J_vrfLHxRgHnHQjDpcmtFKdl_NmLAcl9sB2E8L0ruip2hOGM8ONLPdR0lAQiJJYk25USLyX2bbseLQ3uww8D-IInoc3qdfAo-Tf7-5KSwfTDaWL3lyQzxYmARjKeo28/s1600/bursnow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4jpXkppPD131J_vrfLHxRgHnHQjDpcmtFKdl_NmLAcl9sB2E8L0ruip2hOGM8ONLPdR0lAQiJJYk25USLyX2bbseLQ3uww8D-IInoc3qdfAo-Tf7-5KSwfTDaWL3lyQzxYmARjKeo28/s320/bursnow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588725009920628930" /></a><br /><br />Spring in a northern climate like Hokkaido is really special. Signs of this season appear slowly as if wary that another cold spell will come. <br /><br />There is about 20 centimeters of snow here now and the white fluffy stuff is still falling from the sky. Saturday was warm with very little snow on the ground. It was a great opportunity to observe and celebrate signs of spring.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDutSuXxDBCFApsw-_IlHbXWVgvhC8cGq76x5Ajw4Zyjnte8k1fgWfjp92NCeTas_3DyX7BGPIMM1Qc8u8hwsvakRnqwWoIZCDE4ne62qEKNhLnzy-S7OEAFrQiXOdsRLXm0XT6s1vauc/s1600/burnodo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDutSuXxDBCFApsw-_IlHbXWVgvhC8cGq76x5Ajw4Zyjnte8k1fgWfjp92NCeTas_3DyX7BGPIMM1Qc8u8hwsvakRnqwWoIZCDE4ne62qEKNhLnzy-S7OEAFrQiXOdsRLXm0XT6s1vauc/s320/burnodo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588725015057087074" /></a><br />In the last few weeks we have seen lady bugs, pussy willows, and the new baby pony.<br />The first edible mountain plants of this season are butterburs (<em>fukinoto</em>). We went down to the river to pick these bitter greens. We then washed them and fried them up in tempura batter.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkz1qXibbGgibnEjBwixt9PI25CxRT70MnMA0DLKSa20DvPaztW9lqw9qgjHGSJ9u7WIcyg5T-qJoeCgz5pxpcCxjsnTh7JQV6Kg5hoktD7qW_QG3wqi2v8xVuyci3Qavz8aMUhh9B4bM/s1600/washburs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkz1qXibbGgibnEjBwixt9PI25CxRT70MnMA0DLKSa20DvPaztW9lqw9qgjHGSJ9u7WIcyg5T-qJoeCgz5pxpcCxjsnTh7JQV6Kg5hoktD7qW_QG3wqi2v8xVuyci3Qavz8aMUhh9B4bM/s320/washburs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588725017764801730" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvba9N6-gg7hCPUTrvyduOzX_3G1l-3V-k18Woi6YC567VaRp-eC1-QceucOXyaFBdfORuwudOwCOsdf9XmneJuYXZ4Q1BqQOO2ocoPCWfzF5FOiVDZPzc0oQqY-CoB_9L46Iw97qMRo/s1600/burfry.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvba9N6-gg7hCPUTrvyduOzX_3G1l-3V-k18Woi6YC567VaRp-eC1-QceucOXyaFBdfORuwudOwCOsdf9XmneJuYXZ4Q1BqQOO2ocoPCWfzF5FOiVDZPzc0oQqY-CoB_9L46Iw97qMRo/s320/burfry.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588725011697489490" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkxz04pxyivt9vdknV68fxJv1v5HRZ3WS1T58RTsWfBIyNK4r1IwBZmGXbfV_0JMnlmvri77zCCBDIzjZTw2W9B8Wju3m669FiWOqFBLW5GxTkOm8uWXYILmhCPc5vPhX2YFU0MS9Edk/s1600/tempuraburs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkxz04pxyivt9vdknV68fxJv1v5HRZ3WS1T58RTsWfBIyNK4r1IwBZmGXbfV_0JMnlmvri77zCCBDIzjZTw2W9B8Wju3m669FiWOqFBLW5GxTkOm8uWXYILmhCPc5vPhX2YFU0MS9Edk/s320/tempuraburs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588725021350934034" /></a><br />They were a little bitter but very delicious. The kids liked them too!<br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-27965098048604911912011-03-21T20:32:00.000-07:002011-03-22T05:39:54.008-07:00Easter at the Auction!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKo-dfsmzxzdTBUs2fuO1e-GVxPThN__heQIRnUNuG3ATqojPUkUyrJdU_vvjajFFEgvZ84QTU5dbpjO9aE9VAf04piOvkM0DTbm3FlvIU7zZCnBMq2_LV1Xjw2r1iSmgAan1J0LB1-mE/s1600/easterauction.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKo-dfsmzxzdTBUs2fuO1e-GVxPThN__heQIRnUNuG3ATqojPUkUyrJdU_vvjajFFEgvZ84QTU5dbpjO9aE9VAf04piOvkM0DTbm3FlvIU7zZCnBMq2_LV1Xjw2r1iSmgAan1J0LB1-mE/s320/easterauction.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586745373699067138" /></a><br />When Ryan held up these bunny and egg jellies on a stick, I yelled out...<br />"Easter!"<br /><br />Not many others in the room knew what I was so excited about because Easter is not a Japanese holiday.<br /><br />I haven't been in Canada for Easter in three years, so I was even more excited to see the solid chocolate bunnies appear! I bid on these and then my friend Julia, who had outbid me on the Easter jellies donated the jellies to me too!<br /><br />All of these Easter treats will end up in the Easter Bunny basket so that he can hide them in the forest for our <em>tNt Adventures in English </em>Easter Egg Hunt!<br /><br />So how did Easter candy end up at the charity auction? Mrs. Wakiko Yule brought them from Canada. She and her husband live in Alberta Canada and they were just here visiting their son Chris who plays for the <em>Kushiro Cranes Hockey Team</em>. Mrs. Yule was kind enough to donate some of the Easter souvenirs to the auction.<br /><br />And am I ever happy she did.<br /><br />It is going to be quite the Easter Egg Hunt!<br /><br />Here are some photos from our last tNt Adventures Class. <br />We had the kids and moms build a fire all by themselves. They then made campfire bannock over the hot embers!<br /><br />The recipe is super easy:<br /><br />2 c flour<br />1/2 tsp sugar<br />1/2 tsp salt<br />4 tsp baking powder<br />1 1/2 c cold water<br /><br />You mix all the dry ingredients first and then vigorously mix in the cold water. Pour batter in a hot oiled pan and cook until brown on both sides. Poke the middle with a toothpick 'til it comes out clean. Then enjoy!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCnHDBdsxsPrC4oEdo1pa4L20GthrTcwGV6XAIxTnGqhyphenhyphenqKYzonfyWSKFHNFmVnQUIDmd8Tntq1MjEAAkTd-KPdmuZAzjk9oRmvjQFMSuUz0PGpjsT_YocuGVP1mOBIooJSBLwGcm7jA/s1600/team.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCnHDBdsxsPrC4oEdo1pa4L20GthrTcwGV6XAIxTnGqhyphenhyphenqKYzonfyWSKFHNFmVnQUIDmd8Tntq1MjEAAkTd-KPdmuZAzjk9oRmvjQFMSuUz0PGpjsT_YocuGVP1mOBIooJSBLwGcm7jA/s320/team.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586747803075382274" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXsH-CB2YXpDjf4X1n_qpU-L2Zkyrsma2-nG1TXRDktp5pql-CkPcMm5KXPL85xo8oxcIbGC_KnGsNGODeOxPo8BpzqE6PpLa8xcuaK08WxgNVgUy1hUOQQTSmMdtPPhbOQ4sIznjelM/s1600/match.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXsH-CB2YXpDjf4X1n_qpU-L2Zkyrsma2-nG1TXRDktp5pql-CkPcMm5KXPL85xo8oxcIbGC_KnGsNGODeOxPo8BpzqE6PpLa8xcuaK08WxgNVgUy1hUOQQTSmMdtPPhbOQ4sIznjelM/s320/match.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586747788678688242" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLA8tbiT0w2Agc8nqiTyU-aks6C_GeNG6Rken-5jvGuMeyORIN_Nf5sWyBQ8LNQEqDPpyfMnGgt_VwGUSyxbBQdGoUi1RWejKlMm9TPR7GM8ZVsLZybdnsmMpXl64tYzxSapyJsg37FSc/s1600/kufire.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLA8tbiT0w2Agc8nqiTyU-aks6C_GeNG6Rken-5jvGuMeyORIN_Nf5sWyBQ8LNQEqDPpyfMnGgt_VwGUSyxbBQdGoUi1RWejKlMm9TPR7GM8ZVsLZybdnsmMpXl64tYzxSapyJsg37FSc/s320/kufire.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586747794158384626" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNS3Ae7hYCpDV7X__gvFyFBb3xJLrkPw-WNW_YknAzYuqYFhY29fOzeQ7WKblz_tj4qr9gBgQ3dQpaWDMfNzM1MsCVOAMLDbCqxmhqRzGs0nuDS7JIpTEwyZQpjotLsOXdXPqCwDFOKE/s1600/minfire.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNS3Ae7hYCpDV7X__gvFyFBb3xJLrkPw-WNW_YknAzYuqYFhY29fOzeQ7WKblz_tj4qr9gBgQ3dQpaWDMfNzM1MsCVOAMLDbCqxmhqRzGs0nuDS7JIpTEwyZQpjotLsOXdXPqCwDFOKE/s320/minfire.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586747804260820674" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMqB-ZHox1tcsYuGDOZxerBIvAmYWc-d9z_tvH7AH4R4GhMI4YBRMc__4UhX7nPVsX-h9J_3tH5s9JV60McCIt9tBfObRD1fuLAb-i5wWijesPBvF2ExPIKpG8U087IWsr_BxlR3Hs14/s1600/honeyban.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMqB-ZHox1tcsYuGDOZxerBIvAmYWc-d9z_tvH7AH4R4GhMI4YBRMc__4UhX7nPVsX-h9J_3tH5s9JV60McCIt9tBfObRD1fuLAb-i5wWijesPBvF2ExPIKpG8U087IWsr_BxlR3Hs14/s320/honeyban.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586747796958820834" /></a><br /><br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-47479933281433804982011-03-21T04:56:00.000-07:002011-03-22T05:33:41.601-07:00Spring Moon Brings Early GiftToday is the first day of spring, an actual holiday in Japan called Shunbunnohi (<em>Spring Equinox Day</em>).<br /><br />Here on the ranch, I look forward to new life arriving! The first pony was expected to be born on March 31. <br /><br />A few days ago the moon looked super full because it was the closest it has been to the Earth in 18 years. <br /><br />I don't know if the moon had anything to do with it, but little baby pony 'Luna' arrived the evening of March 18. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVatXf5NZ3vv-4vm1VuGIBD3dhTdwfsDcBn3iplMAhmLFGmyzaAt7w5N07fcqKrBE_q3na_YRbRTiAtK91qK9IuK9jhZDul3h6l4-1WKLE8L8iDCG1WbKMWBBjiqQYOdBzAtj691SY5r8/s1600/luna.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVatXf5NZ3vv-4vm1VuGIBD3dhTdwfsDcBn3iplMAhmLFGmyzaAt7w5N07fcqKrBE_q3na_YRbRTiAtK91qK9IuK9jhZDul3h6l4-1WKLE8L8iDCG1WbKMWBBjiqQYOdBzAtj691SY5r8/s320/luna.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586504816079678482" /></a><br /><em>Here you can see that Luna is not quite as dark as her sister Janet and she has a very appropriate white circle on her forehead.</em><br /><br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-23116835413046521752011-03-21T04:34:00.000-07:002011-03-21T05:39:53.931-07:00ActionOur friends run a English school called <em>Green Hills </em>and they also have a charity shop where they sell fair trade goods that are made in Japan and in many other countries. <br /><br />Last night this kind couple hosted a charity auction. Family, friends and students donated used and new items and after the bidding was done, 160000 yen (almost $2000 Canadian) was raised. The money was then donated to Red Cross Japan to help those impacted by the tsunami that happened in northeastern Japan only 10 days ago.<br /><br />A few of us talked about how lucky we are to be living in Hokkaido where we have food, fuel, clean air, heat, water... The charity event was a good community builder and a way for us to help our Japanese neighbours.<br /><br />Thanks Ryan and Kyoko!<br /><br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-75647364184028303642011-03-13T03:06:00.000-07:002011-03-22T05:43:34.915-07:00As UsualThings were pretty much as usual yesterday. We had our two kids classes in which we spent the beginning talking about our concerns regarding the tsunami. But the rest of the time we enjoyed time down by the peaceful river. I taught the children the 'Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes' song and then had them review some of the body parts by creating faces using rocks, snow, and even river water.<br /><br />I think they've got them now.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxImp8BwbpfCtvtDVw8O0fa1onhg6NSEGrCRGU6IX-eG4l0gYB-D6OZ4Pw8QbnSmKC82j2SderP4BLWDhg_JsAMvF1LhHtDgY1GHjnritF-4ZiK_wLNeQjCKrmrUKljjrkfyXFTlj03E/s1600/rockfaces.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxImp8BwbpfCtvtDVw8O0fa1onhg6NSEGrCRGU6IX-eG4l0gYB-D6OZ4Pw8QbnSmKC82j2SderP4BLWDhg_JsAMvF1LhHtDgY1GHjnritF-4ZiK_wLNeQjCKrmrUKljjrkfyXFTlj03E/s320/rockfaces.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583511551881809666" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9h4iK1Pgbenpeq0jIPFul2RmedDbQhsT5G0N-TbrG9DY8py7nmTnfxdD0afKXokhqJRgImxBoFpq43B8fYM-6Bv9EWP0AzfJ8qpyoOR9TbrEJo0OQ9WIEeq37VjPCP8gS-iiOeA5G9wY/s1600/waterpaint.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9h4iK1Pgbenpeq0jIPFul2RmedDbQhsT5G0N-TbrG9DY8py7nmTnfxdD0afKXokhqJRgImxBoFpq43B8fYM-6Bv9EWP0AzfJ8qpyoOR9TbrEJo0OQ9WIEeq37VjPCP8gS-iiOeA5G9wY/s320/waterpaint.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583511552506062082" /></a><br /> <br /><ahref="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9sgDyTSsSMEyTCui2SHXaoLJ2QGuNu6stWJJCa7q4krkkI0RHo_SHfq2jmk87c8PLZCtAN4v7NId8VB-C29kclvsGAP7w3yzIYhM_DcWv6RXlHisEowV4apQyaVwKOV5RHkjIan1Dao/s1600/willowsled.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9sgDyTSsSMEyTCui2SHXaoLJ2QGuNu6stWJJCa7q4krkkI0RHo_SHfq2jmk87c8PLZCtAN4v7NId8VB-C29kclvsGAP7w3yzIYhM_DcWv6RXlHisEowV4apQyaVwKOV5RHkjIan1Dao/s320/willowsled.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583511547805911634" /><br /><br />Being on the farm and disconnected to the pulse of the big city makes the tsunami disaster in northern Honshu seem very far away. Our friend just called from Kushiro (the closest city to our village). He wanted to let us know that each driver can only fill their car with 10 liters of gas at each fueling station. <br /><br />Customers that Tomohiro is meant to guide and friends from Yukon Canada who are meant to visit us this week are reconsidering their holiday plans. <br /><br />These are such minor inconveniences when considering what is going on in other parts of Japan . <br /><br />One thing is for sure. When things like this happen close to home it makes me appreciate all I have even more.<br /><br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-71358422062468781292011-03-12T00:27:00.000-08:002011-03-13T01:51:51.196-08:00Tsunami AlertWhile running errands in Kushiro city yesterday we took a break and had a snack in our car. The warm sunshine shining through our windshield, and the view of flags blowing in wind and little girls laughing and playing in the snow on their walk home from school was enough to distract us from the wave-like 'dance moves' our car was making. As the girls passed and the movement continued, we realized that we were experiencing an earthquake!<br /><br />Since living here in Hokkaido, I've experienced a mini quake about once a month. But this one in our car was the longest one I had ever felt.<br /><br />Once the earth stopped moving, we headed to the bookstore to feel two more tremors. Not enough power to have books tumble off the shelves but enough to have the hanging lights and signs above our heads to swing...Enough to get us and a few other concerned customers out of the store.<br /><br />As we waited in the parking lot we heard loud speaker announcements that Tomohiro translated to be...This is a tsunami alert. Get away from the coast. Go to higher ground. Go into the closest shopping mall.<br /><br />So we headed home, which is inland, all the while listening to updates on our car radio. We found out that the earthquake happened in the Pacific Ocean about 125 kilometers from Miyagi Prefecture which is on the northeastern coast of Honshu - The main island of Japan.<br /><br />We too live in Northeastern Japan but on the northernmost island of Hokkaido.<br /><br />I received many e-mails today with the subject...Are you OK? <br />I responded with...We are fine!<br /><br />After going to our landowners' home last night and watching television footage of the destructive tsunami in 'northeastern' Japan, I understood why family and friends were so worried about us.<br /><br />Thanks for your concern everyone.<br /><br />The evacuation alerts in Kushiro were a precaution and hardly any damage was done aside from some flooding in areas closest to the fisherman's wharf.<br /><br />Please keep our neighbours in northern Honshu in your prayers. And we will do the same.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5sT0S-r1laoiEhLBAGOcDNzozU8Q7Ag-Y06JqaIhficOvg9mVhRPfj_lzDZ7W2s8zP5-w0A3wFc97wzy7wHiZc_StDxKpyworL3-_WPgtTUzMG8u3PampL6UmTQitGI0MVL-VjTZ1Dw/s1600/sendai.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 203px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5sT0S-r1laoiEhLBAGOcDNzozU8Q7Ag-Y06JqaIhficOvg9mVhRPfj_lzDZ7W2s8zP5-w0A3wFc97wzy7wHiZc_StDxKpyworL3-_WPgtTUzMG8u3PampL6UmTQitGI0MVL-VjTZ1Dw/s320/sendai.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583119489413482914" /></a><br /><em>Miyagi prefecture is in north eastern Honshu (the main island of Japan)</em><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmGdyIZA6G-xZlLz-5_yliyOMDiSTjVqXbYvSgOo8uEtU0ELwghTx80f83JFMWDCchsSmlUdOoc7RBUj17gKEheqAXBGMeXohZGSZ_IDS3i6y0_MLH-d2E354L_YlJv2Ub1ZnsxJpLWk/s1600/map+of+japan.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 296px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmGdyIZA6G-xZlLz-5_yliyOMDiSTjVqXbYvSgOo8uEtU0ELwghTx80f83JFMWDCchsSmlUdOoc7RBUj17gKEheqAXBGMeXohZGSZ_IDS3i6y0_MLH-d2E354L_YlJv2Ub1ZnsxJpLWk/s320/map+of+japan.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583115447148424738" /></a><br /><em>You can see here that Hokkaido is the northernmost Island of Japan. Quite far from where the earthquake happened.</em><br />Much love from Hokkaido.<br /><br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-20323457206087234122011-02-14T06:10:00.000-08:002011-02-14T06:21:07.175-08:00It's for the BoysWomen only give men gifts of chocolate on Valentine's Day.<br />They give it to their friends, co-workers and to the special guy to whom they wish to confess their love.<br /><br />It is then the men's turn to return the favour on White Day....a month after Valentine's Day.<br /><br />Today, I received a hand-made Valentine's Day card in the mail from my sister and Mother. It was a joint effort in which they glued photos, attached heart stickers, and wrote funny comments. <br /><br />I can't begin to express the magnitude of joy I have when I open these unexpected gifts that come all the way from Canada to Japan...and on the actual day. How on earth did they manage that!<br /><br />Happy Valentine's Day everyone.<br /><br />With love,<br /><br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-35079206695395131462011-02-09T00:49:00.000-08:002011-02-09T04:02:52.211-08:00Three Months to go!We have three months left living in Hokkaido before moving back to Yukon Canada.<br /><br />These days, many visitors are gracing our doorstep plus I have been busy teaching, learning pottery and now...taking Japanese cooking lessons! <br /><br />For my very first lesson I made a fried omelet roll (tamagoyaki) and boiled spinach with a peanut sauce (hourensou no ohitashi pinatsudare).<br /><br />Before eating we say "itadakimasu!" which literally means, "I receive".<br />After eating we say "gochisousamadeshita" which means "It was a real feast".<br /><br />Here I am with my super talented cooking teacher, Keiko.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBi_kc0mX6pcz2ykNo1GsFH1w20R_Z4saUzu-wuB8Mi3lb3o27dlsjWgE6Zm_iXCaxzKn6I_wzSVNzgvJKcLeLyBOVa6hkXwfYDy5oJkKSfyh7dEvz_ZrTkrR8iHcg6fzQOI3s0w1rE0/s1600/cookingclass.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBi_kc0mX6pcz2ykNo1GsFH1w20R_Z4saUzu-wuB8Mi3lb3o27dlsjWgE6Zm_iXCaxzKn6I_wzSVNzgvJKcLeLyBOVa6hkXwfYDy5oJkKSfyh7dEvz_ZrTkrR8iHcg6fzQOI3s0w1rE0/s320/cookingclass.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571656433127227346" /></a><br /><br />I am looking forward to trying some of the recipes I am learning in my homeland very soon.<br /><br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-65997922826034578272011-02-07T03:22:00.000-08:002011-02-09T04:10:47.832-08:00Age really is just a number...A few months ago I got an e-mail from my friend from Canada and in it she wrote that she and her husband took their 88 and 91 year old mothers to Mexico! They even braved taking public transit and, "<em>like Elvis, ( ) got "all shook up</em>"! <br /><br />We recently had a guest who stayed with us a few nights at our mountain hut. She's in her 30's but equally inspiring as she is currently training for a trail race in Nagano that is 110 kilometers long. Her favourite activity while visiting us here was chopping firewood. Her energy is sure to keep us warm for at least three weeks.<br /><br />Our journey to Wakkanai included an adorable 75 year old mountain climbing woman. At breakfast one morning she told us that <em>she started climbing mountains at the age of 60, she loves traveling without her husband, and that she is "uncontrollably positive". </em>At one point we stopped at a good photo spot. The wind was so strong and icy that my teeth hurt when I smiled. No one except for the 75 year old mountain climber wanted to get out of the warm van. Thankfully her attitude was enough to get me out the door too.<br /><br />These ladies stories remind me of two years ago when I met Naomi, the 89 year old grandmother who traveled from America to Tsurui-Mura Japan on her own so she could be with her family.<br /><br />Doesn't hurt to repeat the wise words she said to me:<br /><br /><em>Do what you love...life is too short to do anything else!</em><br /><br />I love walking to our cabin under a starlit sky. So that is what I will do now.<br /><br />Happy Chinese New Year everyone!<br /><br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-40600594782601935882011-01-07T07:47:00.000-08:002011-01-07T08:07:02.419-08:00This is Wakkanai!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipS0ckAmmP_GKkcxq0zQPLyfkYTbttCVW9cYtbkFTAEc1F6vt23y2T8pQIPZvPu86BNLNDMu4b5RRwYqsNeHLQRDxqzt2mI62tArNjQEEd_2dsnWQqcw5nrN4oK_bFQVHrCWQxI8eRIbo/s1600/wakkanaipoint.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipS0ckAmmP_GKkcxq0zQPLyfkYTbttCVW9cYtbkFTAEc1F6vt23y2T8pQIPZvPu86BNLNDMu4b5RRwYqsNeHLQRDxqzt2mI62tArNjQEEd_2dsnWQqcw5nrN4oK_bFQVHrCWQxI8eRIbo/s320/wakkanaipoint.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559471987322343202" /></a><br /><br />This is Yoriko-san and me at Cape Soya in Wakkanai, Hokkaido!<br /><br />The Northernmost point in Japan didn't disappoint with a temperature of -8 degrees Celsius and freezing-cold strong winds.<br /><br />The trip was about 500 kilometers (one way) from Tsurui-Mura Village. We spent the night, tooks some time to look at some spotted seals in the morning and then headed back home.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsj2yZPN0piZIvoezK_MLbZ0vRcoErFuH3-0GMoGRoXqqZ8J9v1MLYwGg6Y9rBRDoeAcKlVIvoiN1OaemzdoiiQpCf39evROIiEytHOe4dsQWYFtgFXolsFZS_1hwWTHr3HvW7zFHgkIA/s1600/spotted+seals.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsj2yZPN0piZIvoezK_MLbZ0vRcoErFuH3-0GMoGRoXqqZ8J9v1MLYwGg6Y9rBRDoeAcKlVIvoiN1OaemzdoiiQpCf39evROIiEytHOe4dsQWYFtgFXolsFZS_1hwWTHr3HvW7zFHgkIA/s320/spotted+seals.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559474967450072274" /></a><br /><br />Thankfully our friend Makoto-san was in the drivers' seat. It was a little scary when the high winds blew snow across the roads causing frequent white-out conditions.<br /><br />Dangerous. (<em>Abunai</em>)<br /><br />But exciting too. (<em>tanoshikatta</em>)<br /><br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-67808941147971264072011-01-05T01:48:00.000-08:002011-01-05T02:03:56.126-08:00What's a Wakkanai?It's a place. The northernmost place in Japan. And I am going there for two days. <br /><br />Apparently you can see the Russian island of Sakhalin from Cape Soya.<br /><br />When I get back I'll let you know a little more about Wakkanai.<br /><br />Wakkanai...sounds like a location where I should be doing the hula. Don't you think?<br /><br />But the northern winds and ice won't allow me to take off my touque and mittens never mind put on a grass skirt and move like a tropical sea!<br /><br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-91253558987890414922011-01-03T00:43:00.000-08:002011-01-04T00:55:08.119-08:00Year of the RabbitThe card sending tradition in Japan is all about wishing others a Happy New Year! Postcards (<em>nengajō</em>) are sent annually to family, friends, work colleagues...<br />Here are some of the cards we have received in the mail so far.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3UINxSnwaGa1Hmyd1J38rzjl3chALrCTI8eR7jGjIwGcYi8ows5Pv-1POym0fD0lj5ni9rg_mdBogyIQOURhCHo7S1tB7ZTb9vQBXWPLNPmbFLMsl7rJK1y3LRYtLK1-2rQKVDW1bus/s1600/newyearcards.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3UINxSnwaGa1Hmyd1J38rzjl3chALrCTI8eR7jGjIwGcYi8ows5Pv-1POym0fD0lj5ni9rg_mdBogyIQOURhCHo7S1tB7ZTb9vQBXWPLNPmbFLMsl7rJK1y3LRYtLK1-2rQKVDW1bus/s320/newyearcards.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557878527503388818" /></a><br /><br />If you look closely you will see that many of the cards have pictures of bunny rabbits on them.<br /><br />Before 1873, Japanese New Year was based on the Chinese lunar calendar. Even though the Japanese now follow the Gregorian calendar, they blended the two cultures by having New Year's celebrated on January 1 and by recognizing the Chinese zodiac sign of the New Year. The Chinese zodiac has a cycle of 12 years. Each year is represented by a different animal. <br /><br />And 2011... is the rabbit. <br /><br />Happy Year of the Rabbit everyone!<br /><br /><em>(shinnen) akemashite o-medetō-gozaimasu </em>(Happiness to you on the dawn [of a New Year]) <br /><br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-60677773434827137252010-12-19T05:48:00.000-08:002010-12-19T06:03:27.404-08:00Country Christmas TreeI cut up lemons and dried the pieces on the kerosene heater that is in our classroom. The students helped us tie ribbons to the lemons and string popcorn. We chopped down a tree and carried it up to the cabin. And then we decorated it together. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dVG4baiXimySnItxFpg3qx67NhQiS_Qq9c8A7HZCE9wWceZ4QlJPeAfmOiH7PDpQ7RlTXED92QWDZUQw8ErGe1OerpReggCe-JfEHQegzOcfprfIzpH9XiPurAZ5T-mLIZRBZAInwyk/s1600/lemon+on+tree.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dVG4baiXimySnItxFpg3qx67NhQiS_Qq9c8A7HZCE9wWceZ4QlJPeAfmOiH7PDpQ7RlTXED92QWDZUQw8ErGe1OerpReggCe-JfEHQegzOcfprfIzpH9XiPurAZ5T-mLIZRBZAInwyk/s320/lemon+on+tree.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552391317170577794" /></a><br /><br />There is no electricity in the cabin so our pine is illuminated by the almost full moon and candlelight.<br /><br />It really is a country Christmas tree.<br /><br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-59246212268615358972010-12-13T16:57:00.000-08:002010-12-13T17:31:41.306-08:00Cabin Completion<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTmdF5Jn5NAgPoyBDifuJmnTw1lsY96spz3z0I5KlVhVhQEYYgZj0ezzuHtmUzB-_Ct8R1ISOD9dlj-jdpwMQExscYq1VVFxWti8FOxTHBE9yJLtNWjAU2MLY4um-ciNIFcsXg8vyfP0/s1600/ourcabin.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTmdF5Jn5NAgPoyBDifuJmnTw1lsY96spz3z0I5KlVhVhQEYYgZj0ezzuHtmUzB-_Ct8R1ISOD9dlj-jdpwMQExscYq1VVFxWti8FOxTHBE9yJLtNWjAU2MLY4um-ciNIFcsXg8vyfP0/s320/ourcabin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550337877235598914" /></a><br />Here we are with a few of our friends on the very last day of completing our little cabin. We just finished painting the floor and are on the deck watching the sunset and celebrating. <br /><br />It is good to be done but the feeling is bittersweet. Many weekends were spent together with friends working side by side, laughing, chatting, scratching our heads in confusion, taking coffee and lunch breaks as we built this little place.<br /><br />But now it is time to spend time here listening to the crackling fire, reading books, drinking tea, sharing meals.....<br /><br />Would you like to see inside?<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMx69EVuOeYAr_ktRC9gc-jtpool9ODspVEXFKVPP2VuYQrOi6clhC7vvsLN-wqXdT7zbmuYB9bObRYeuC50FI8Mw6NuyUm6dGfNQNwrJAsbHv9Up-F_-cH1urpxmJvNseGn500iHxNM/s1600/cabin+rooms.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMx69EVuOeYAr_ktRC9gc-jtpool9ODspVEXFKVPP2VuYQrOi6clhC7vvsLN-wqXdT7zbmuYB9bObRYeuC50FI8Mw6NuyUm6dGfNQNwrJAsbHv9Up-F_-cH1urpxmJvNseGn500iHxNM/s320/cabin+rooms.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550337883371186242" /></a><br /><br />There is a little boot room and kitchen to the left...you can't see them in this photo. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmpuHCwC1YtdP27BvGNIs5iuEWUKP19GBYvYD5gFmf3E02a8Bij418s7WsMs2yeBajT2MRa4hc_cqfzMRaHejYtHyldRz_vNt3bmYzAMbTYIqSRmTcmb6rOmFtxcY_ieGuD9KkH8HfLY/s1600/yorikosan+photo6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmpuHCwC1YtdP27BvGNIs5iuEWUKP19GBYvYD5gFmf3E02a8Bij418s7WsMs2yeBajT2MRa4hc_cqfzMRaHejYtHyldRz_vNt3bmYzAMbTYIqSRmTcmb6rOmFtxcY_ieGuD9KkH8HfLY/s320/yorikosan+photo6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550340402779215010" /></a> <br /><br />My husband is sighing with relief. After reading many books, consulting with many people, getting sore muscles, thinking of very creative ways to get recycled materials and other supplies we needed...he did it!<br /><br />His hard work was all worth it because this little place is as cozy as it looks!<br /><br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-24014564760903910842010-12-09T04:34:00.000-08:002010-12-09T04:50:07.589-08:00Running in the Classroom<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNK2sjia_mNAL5ZMeolpJoh9sKVFBgcpeOl_EEod3pGq4M-nREaFN2hF-wpxSN3lcSL3ie_JK-0iGFyuYW0RTzi5kjqwWKtRybzjulKmrcjTB7Zo9LhpiNinEWW-xOew0x1u3BXqHI5Q/s1600/PC041995.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNK2sjia_mNAL5ZMeolpJoh9sKVFBgcpeOl_EEod3pGq4M-nREaFN2hF-wpxSN3lcSL3ie_JK-0iGFyuYW0RTzi5kjqwWKtRybzjulKmrcjTB7Zo9LhpiNinEWW-xOew0x1u3BXqHI5Q/s200/PC041995.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548660889100982562" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPOjhQvCYq5GXycYNSymtndijnXMgc7O6UkIP5W884gVE4nZMsxXIb9PCxnReHiKmpAzHMnXUJ2VHvhqqvPuwsqalv_IPFFyBenEefML6lAhs4l_tQhVwgvy0f6FRxC3PZUzmiLuLOTM/s1600/PC041996.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPOjhQvCYq5GXycYNSymtndijnXMgc7O6UkIP5W884gVE4nZMsxXIb9PCxnReHiKmpAzHMnXUJ2VHvhqqvPuwsqalv_IPFFyBenEefML6lAhs4l_tQhVwgvy0f6FRxC3PZUzmiLuLOTM/s200/PC041996.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548660884392301250" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGymlhe8wMAPN_I8yDjo2yxPUZLB59HKjU71KMAYQXHcszGMdllYJPPs561m5vMX0pUO1QQ3u5yY040FnbxtwC1grenDsWuS5yMPyO9ymwjefB1DcvknQfS2_8LWQfm31hlQCb0TmPJg/s1600/PC041992.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGymlhe8wMAPN_I8yDjo2yxPUZLB59HKjU71KMAYQXHcszGMdllYJPPs561m5vMX0pUO1QQ3u5yY040FnbxtwC1grenDsWuS5yMPyO9ymwjefB1DcvknQfS2_8LWQfm31hlQCb0TmPJg/s200/PC041992.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548660893537843346" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVYB3xx5x-Tl76KFNxAfLKnM4LQ5rQDWPNzr6yIaTujXxx4UFD5rTrokToRoTMovOA5HDs8XL4UstCCYRta4d-tXWBH9iygDzyC-uMpvzyh2OMmsJ5ymGT6E4BTR_-wUvRTEX6xEH0Ug/s1600/PC041990.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVYB3xx5x-Tl76KFNxAfLKnM4LQ5rQDWPNzr6yIaTujXxx4UFD5rTrokToRoTMovOA5HDs8XL4UstCCYRta4d-tXWBH9iygDzyC-uMpvzyh2OMmsJ5ymGT6E4BTR_-wUvRTEX6xEH0Ug/s200/PC041990.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548660897224671922" /></a><br /><br />In order to visit the old Mongolian oak, you have to travel up and down some hills. <br />The kids were keen to make this fun and race to a few finish lines!<br /><br />Notice there is no snow here yet!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphEAGd5XCBiawAsa1JD-t2KC9D87ipV5op9H-Ikffei7u_Zwki7g9VuG0hmSEG3lv7SfhLcKLe0rs_AaMu_xBJ4-fIDNLVpjmHZHbWtIoBpJ8xMY4wUhyxfc5XkOHzQai_Axi30vIeWk/s1600/oldoak.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphEAGd5XCBiawAsa1JD-t2KC9D87ipV5op9H-Ikffei7u_Zwki7g9VuG0hmSEG3lv7SfhLcKLe0rs_AaMu_xBJ4-fIDNLVpjmHZHbWtIoBpJ8xMY4wUhyxfc5XkOHzQai_Axi30vIeWk/s200/oldoak.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548662681593396034" /></a><br /><em>Admiring the Old Oak.</em><br /><br /><br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-33619159005236783842010-12-07T06:57:00.001-08:002010-12-07T07:19:54.569-08:00Life in the Fast TrainAt the end of October we traveled south to a friend's wedding in Hagi City which is in Yamaguchi Prefecture on the Island of Honshu (the main Island of Japan).<br /><br />We spent some time in Hiroshima visiting family and then took the shinkansen (bullet train) to Yamaguchi City. <br /><br />This is a photo I took of us in the shinkansen window as we sped through a dark tunnel. These trains travel at speeds of up to 300 kilometers and hour.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHTmyuNfqIjI3y6K84P7u_WRxoI3KUH4MWz19RvvCtDwQLW-oKg0Tg0OpKHXPsAfYHhVG4Dn5WM6B52DG53ID7AVb9OOPuFjlu9RQzkqyZQ6u7fn9Hltd4O1k7RK0mvOaiB_kYiS5SpQ/s1600/shinkansen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHTmyuNfqIjI3y6K84P7u_WRxoI3KUH4MWz19RvvCtDwQLW-oKg0Tg0OpKHXPsAfYHhVG4Dn5WM6B52DG53ID7AVb9OOPuFjlu9RQzkqyZQ6u7fn9Hltd4O1k7RK0mvOaiB_kYiS5SpQ/s200/shinkansen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547960152200464450" /></a><br /><br />It is exciting to see other parts of Japan.<br /><br />But I am always happy to come home to our much slower life on the horse farm.<br /><br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-25025668492007840322010-12-01T05:28:00.000-08:002010-12-01T06:13:46.930-08:00Christmas Past and PresentI spoke to my Father on the telephone today and asked him how he used to celebrate Christmas when he was a kid growing up in Croatia. <br /><br />He said that his family would go out to find a tree on Christmas Eve. It would be small enough to fit on the kitchen table. Straw was put beneath it and candies, glass balls, and homemade decorations would be used to make it festive. <br /><br />My Grandmother would put a pork roast, (specially selected by Grandpa - who was a butcher), into the oven and the whole family would head off to midnight mass. By the time they would come home it would be very early Christmas morning...that roast and many other fixings would be ready for eating. <br /><br />A turkey was later eaten for Christmas Day dinner.<br /><br />At this point in the conversation my mouth began watering. Dad was surprised when I told him that I could not buy a pork roast or a turkey in the grocery stores here. I reminded him that most Japanese people do not have ovens...where on earth would they cook them?<br /><br />The popular item to eat at Christmas in Japan is Christmas cake that you buy from the convenience or grocery stores. These cakes are often topped with cream and strawberries and come with birthday candles. I have asked a few people, 'What are the birthday candles for?' So far, no one has been able to answer my question. In Hokkaido (the most northern and coldest area of Japan) these popular cakes are often made out of ice-cream!<br /><br />Holy Icebergs Santa!<br /><br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-47567390146138624252010-11-22T02:46:00.000-08:002010-11-22T02:51:17.293-08:00Horse Blessing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfspG9-zza6aHes1_LR0qbTD4iWE1ljQbedzjWCjukLObQtRupkkGhLBvb8ZJ4opgY31SImViRbjcNPKA6fN1LNHRd5I72eCbnpRqEuQ6CJg-wUlilhRiqAeHtl7P5yBOyYvYNhx6svHY/s1600/horse+blessing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfspG9-zza6aHes1_LR0qbTD4iWE1ljQbedzjWCjukLObQtRupkkGhLBvb8ZJ4opgY31SImViRbjcNPKA6fN1LNHRd5I72eCbnpRqEuQ6CJg-wUlilhRiqAeHtl7P5yBOyYvYNhx6svHY/s320/horse+blessing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542324699297859298" /></a><br />Walking in the field we came upon about 40 dosanko horses.<br />Some of the curious younger ones gathered around us to say hello.<br />It was a gentle encounter.<br />We were blessed.<br /><br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-56783121956760313642010-11-04T05:17:00.000-07:002010-11-04T05:48:40.576-07:00Gift Of WarmthOur landowners had a bunch of extra wood that needed a home. <br /><br />Friendly hands helped us wrap it around our cabin.<br /><br />Those same hands plus a few more purchased this little wood stove for our cabin warming gift.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4r72mhsZIY9b0GyFalOY7yfRoQqOfBI6o8ziZ2noq9Aw8JlQZPaP3atEGseEDn7tZ4Ss_E2J-h5d4tVSdRtB9BkTYMQSS6XNUu7l5765f4crT-GKJwjUF5vMcMRqgYCbw_Nmg-9GXp8/s1600/woodstovedutch.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4r72mhsZIY9b0GyFalOY7yfRoQqOfBI6o8ziZ2noq9Aw8JlQZPaP3atEGseEDn7tZ4Ss_E2J-h5d4tVSdRtB9BkTYMQSS6XNUu7l5765f4crT-GKJwjUF5vMcMRqgYCbw_Nmg-9GXp8/s320/woodstovedutch.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535675288140179522" /></a><br /><br /><br />Across the ravine, snow has fallen on the Akan Mountain.<br /><br />For many reasons the fire feels so good tonight.<br /><br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-67580846314412659262010-10-26T02:44:00.000-07:002010-10-26T02:53:53.088-07:00Cabin UpdateThere is sooo much I could write about our little mountain hut in the woods.<br /><br />For now, I am just going to give you a few images.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4UtmgBKA3S2NF83WvLFUmy-pII-Cd01ER8ObubNb5ZpyBCh7cYE7mEzrNReqs-Q4D2HWRugmtLeV_wb7dkEZ6fp2MXnFxXAevbx98LHhVivWThYqxV6YKRZ2lWjrgjTHnMZTp8nFmsQ/s1600/deck+view+with+firewood.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4UtmgBKA3S2NF83WvLFUmy-pII-Cd01ER8ObubNb5ZpyBCh7cYE7mEzrNReqs-Q4D2HWRugmtLeV_wb7dkEZ6fp2MXnFxXAevbx98LHhVivWThYqxV6YKRZ2lWjrgjTHnMZTp8nFmsQ/s320/deck+view+with+firewood.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532289552745864274" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYe-6VIitVM649wNMdO9l1LcpMd61hxmnasAxeE5lDmP8M_mZw4KXFIHB-qxA6Jk_JrQsEk_1Mav579ePlykFYmPUHGbmJAcAperyeUgQk9y3k47R7a-7b902xa_jvVUJPEFFe1Ruibw/s1600/cabin+with+wood+and+sun+window.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYe-6VIitVM649wNMdO9l1LcpMd61hxmnasAxeE5lDmP8M_mZw4KXFIHB-qxA6Jk_JrQsEk_1Mav579ePlykFYmPUHGbmJAcAperyeUgQk9y3k47R7a-7b902xa_jvVUJPEFFe1Ruibw/s320/cabin+with+wood+and+sun+window.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532290066749144850" /></a><br /><br />More to come.<br /><br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-2359277399750087142010-10-26T02:27:00.000-07:002010-10-26T02:42:37.048-07:00What a flu can do!Just recovering from the flu, so, here I sit in front of the computer screen again.<br /><br />Hope you are enjoying my writing frenzy!<br /><br />I've been taking pottery (<em>togei</em>) classes in Kushiro City. This is my first creation! <br /><br />This 'simple' coffee cup is HEAVY. Apparently, the more your practice, the lighter your creations get.<br /><br />It may be heavy, but drinking out of this cup made by my hands is wonderfully satisfying.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgwgk9YTsHCzbyeQRwqpl0mXbZbnYQm7oVJUqxMHZoytLgslVQejWQEW3_AoUljsQCMWfAgtCHDVDunLFpyQU6Y3XWNg9dFUGSm8DvlfYlr-Et4wXAp0vJu_LPu0KamVtOZ4naesrOEs/s1600/tammy's+cup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgwgk9YTsHCzbyeQRwqpl0mXbZbnYQm7oVJUqxMHZoytLgslVQejWQEW3_AoUljsQCMWfAgtCHDVDunLFpyQU6Y3XWNg9dFUGSm8DvlfYlr-Et4wXAp0vJu_LPu0KamVtOZ4naesrOEs/s320/tammy's+cup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532287504523796034" /></a><br /><br /><br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854638733656093677.post-13232603006156616522010-10-25T18:34:00.000-07:002010-10-25T19:16:28.463-07:00Halloween PastOur <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">tNt</span> Adventures in English</em> class celebrated Halloween by making a fire, doing fireworks, carving pumpkins into Jack 'o lanterns, and trick-or-treating.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cp9lJK0WdTrRDk-InBM_2EMb5a66hU5V0kgCyx9vCgi863n6xE0z1X7cqfRWvgG8WWFsWNqW7sUdogUtTIT6XB2xkUsUHu1w3-BNmSIS3GRcUgSM61YyFCdM32kjnMxwap3kTVtB3K8/s1600/fireworks.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532167864301911282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cp9lJK0WdTrRDk-InBM_2EMb5a66hU5V0kgCyx9vCgi863n6xE0z1X7cqfRWvgG8WWFsWNqW7sUdogUtTIT6XB2xkUsUHu1w3-BNmSIS3GRcUgSM61YyFCdM32kjnMxwap3kTVtB3K8/s320/fireworks.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblqGeXV1MbozE1REF5ROTT2O9oYo440A3DAutplq5ejxW4QvCIX9WBZ1ohp393OMOa_ziUdYdbO0KuiShAuek2tC-JDlTqlTMncxvFHiD15YTJ22_JAaRsiZ_ZLddJAl54qyLynswtJk/s1600/nonchanrabbit.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532167868794120210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblqGeXV1MbozE1REF5ROTT2O9oYo440A3DAutplq5ejxW4QvCIX9WBZ1ohp393OMOa_ziUdYdbO0KuiShAuek2tC-JDlTqlTMncxvFHiD15YTJ22_JAaRsiZ_ZLddJAl54qyLynswtJk/s320/nonchanrabbit.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Halloween is not a Japanese tradition. So when trying to explain how we do things back home, I really have to think about how we celebrate or celebrated these special days. <br /><br />Here are some of my childhood memories of Halloween.<br /><br />A few days before Halloween, Mom would take us to the store or the pumpkin patch so that we could pick out a few big ones. On Halloween morning she would help my brothers and I carve our pumpkins into a Jack ‘o lanterns. Just before dark on Halloween night, we would put our candle lit Jack ‘o lanterns in our front window. This was a sign to other children that our house was a place where they could come to trick-or-treat. The seeds that we scooped out of the pumpkins would be roasted in the oven. They were very tasty when sprinkled with salt.<br /><br />Trying to decide what to wear for a costume was sometimes difficult. There were a lot of laughs when my little brothers would dress up like old ladies. They would wear wigs, high heeled shoes, dresses and even lipstick!<br /><br />I was very fond of a lion costume I used to have - a mask with a lion’s face and a brown one piece jumpsuit that had a tail attached to the rear end. I think I wore that costume for three years in a row!<br /><br />When we were little, Dad would take us out trick-or- treating. When we got older, we would go by ourselves and pillow cases became the candy bags of choice. The goal was to go to as many houses possible so that we could fill our cases before the neighbours ran out of treats.<br /><br />I think only those mean boys who stole other kids treats came home with full ones.<br />Hopefully most of their teeth have fallen out by now! <br /><br />At home, our parents would be sitting in front of the crackling fireplace waiting for us to return with our loot! We would dump our bags out onto our family room floor so they could check all of the candy to make sure that none of it was tampered with. Stories of poison or <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">razor</span> blades put in candy were on the news...<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">possibly</span> only urban myths? My parents eagerly accepted any rejects - In my case, they could have all of the black licorice they desired!<br /><br />It would take about a week for me to eat all of my candy. I ate most of it on Halloween night!<br /><br />How on earth did those seldom few I knew save their sweet morsels until Easter? This I will never know!<br /><br /><div>Happy Halloween!</div><br /><br />ttam...http://www.blogger.com/profile/15065306900990703042noreply@blogger.com3