Easter-ly

The kids wanted to make their own Easter baskets this year, so I brought out the sewing machine and let them have at it.   They did such a good job and had so much fun making them that they even made one for cousin Abbie.  Then, of course there was the dyeing of eggs and the eating of entirely too many jelly beans and chocolate.  Now, I am left wondering how many people actually eat their eggs after Easter is over and done.  Honestly, the thought of eating them kinda grosses me out.  I will probably toss them in the trash tonight after the kids go to bed.

Oh, That's Just Me Humming Jingle Bells

Ah, the holidays are fast approaching. Thanksgiving (oh, what I wouldn't give for turkey and stuffing and lots of gravy) later this week and then before you know it, it'll be Christmas.

Happy to say, that I have finished shopping for everyone except Hubs. My own husband and I can't think of a single thing. Well then, ask the man, you might be thinking to yourself right now, but ask I did and the answer revealed nothing. Or, perhaps, it revealed everything. Of all the things that can be crisply wrapped and topped with a shiny bow and cascading ribbon, he just shrugs and says he doesn't want anything. But don't worry, I've got Bailey on it. I am sure he will come up with something.....

I finished up shopping for the kids last week and I got some really great deals at Gap. A lot of their autumn stuff was marked way down and I got two shirts, a sweater, a skirt and shoes for Sophie all for the unbelievable price of 3000 yen (about $30 give or take). The sales clerk said that because we had had a fairly mild autumn that people where buying more short sleeved things than long sleeved ones, so when it came time to put out the winter stuff they had tons of autumn-y things that had to go at really deep discounts. Unfortunately, they didn't have much in Bailey's size so I headed to another store to get him a couple of shirts (one, of course, is Thomas).

I am so ready for the holiday season!!

Make Sure It Is A Boiled One Before You Crack It On Your Head

How can you tell it is the day after easter?

When Bailey asked for a snack today, I suggested:

a hard boiled egg with salt,

or an egg salad sandwich,

or a deviled egg,

or white rice topped with boiled egg and soy sauce.

Needless to say, he choose one piece of Easter chocolate over the egg options and our once beautiful, colorful Easter eggs are now merely a decoration in the entry way.

Giving Thanks

There is no turkey, no stuffing, no pumpkin pie.

There is no parade and no football.

There are no relatives coming in for the holidays.

There is no kid's table or good china on the adults table.

There are no ties on the boys and no cute, frilly dresses on the boys.

But, there is a lot to be thankful for and tonight as I think about what I am thankful for, I realize that Thanksgiving can happen anywhere and at anytime. Even if some of the pieces are missing, the feeling remains.

Happy Thanksgiving and remember to keep the feeling in your heart all year long.

A-Z Holiday Wish List

As the holidays approach, I miss back home more than I usually do. Nothing eases that homesick feeling better than humor, so here is my A-Z holiday wish list.

A is for applesauce
B is for baking cookies
C is for carving pumpkins
D is for driving around to look at Christmas lights (No Little Vegas here in Japan)
E is for evergreens (I miss having a real, live Christmas tree)
F is for family, friends and food
G is for getting up early Christmas morning (I still can't let anybody sleep in)
H is for homemade rolls
I is for icicles (I miss the snow!)
J is for jingle bells
K is for Kandy Kanes (I know, the spelling, the spelling!!)
L is for lumpy mashed potatoes (What? I like the lump!)
M is for Magic Of Christmas (I remember it playing on the radio)
N is for nutty fudge (Nobody makes it like Mom)
O is for ornaments (like that clothes pin reindeer one of us made)
P is for pretty wrapping paper
Q is for quick (what you have to be to get the best food)
R is for rum sauce (great on pound cake, pumpkin pie, almost anything)
S is for Santa Claus (a fat, jolly one not a tall, skinny one)
T is for turkey ( I was desperate one year and tried Spam turkey in a can- yuck!)
U is for under the mistletoe
V is for velvet dresses and patten leather shoes
W is for white christmas (even just a few flakes would be nice)
X is for x-cellent hot chocolate (with lots and lots of marshmallow fluff)
Y is for yuletide cheer
Z is for zombie (and other trick or treaters)

Now, lest you think I hate Japan, here are some great things about the holidays in Japan.
1. Christmas cake (shortcake, strawberries, lots of whipped cream- Yummmmmmyyyy!)
2. Our Christmas tree (she may be tiny but when you turn on the Christmas lights she is a sight to behold!)
3. No oven=very little clean up
4. Whole roasted chickens from KFC fill in for turkey nicely
5. The 100 Yen Shop has Christmas decorations galore
6. The Christmas CD Hubs bought for me last Christmas (just put it on repeat and it is almost the same as the Magic of Christmas)
7. Yummy pudding and o-zoni my MIL makes

Ahhhh, now that feels better!

Celebrating Japan Style

A few people who commented on my post for the Holiday Cooking, Blogger Style post asked about celebrating in Japan.

This is a picture taken of the food at Bailey's birthday last year. There are lots of finger foods including fried chicken, shrimp, tempura, cheese and little smoked sausages. The birthday cake is of one of his favorite Japanese characters- Anpanman. For my husband's family, at least, these are typical foods for Christmas as well.

Christmas is usually celebrated by families with young children or young couples. The New Year's holiday is probably more widely celebrated. Typical foods for New Years are ozoni and osechi. I will try to post some recipes later.