House Built on the Rock - Matthew 7

Dan-san’s Hearing-Aid News

2012-02-10T23:01:00.001-06:00

Thank you for many phone calls and email messages asking about Dan-san’s new hearing-aids. This is Dan-san’s hearing aid update.

This is Dan-san’s hearing aids in the box. Dan-san has been taking out his hearing aids before going to bed, and keeps them in this small box with these black small beads. He doesn't know what the beads are made from.

Every morning Dan-san put the hearing aids in his ears as the photo shows, and adjust the volume of the sound.

Can you see his hearing aids in his ears?

Now, he is ready to go out for a walk.

Many things have been happening using the hearing aids. Here are the sounds that Dan-san is amazed at:

• Foot-steps during our daily walk
• Birds chirping
• Crumple of newspaper and paper
• Dan-san said amazingly, “Steam is coming well this morning. I hear the sound of steam.”
• TV volume comes down from 25 degrees to 15 degrees. However, he has still been using the caption. It may be his habit.
• The car radio volume comes down lots. Hiroko’s ears no longer hurt.

Is there still more? Using the hearing aids many sounds can be heard, but Dan-san said he can’t tell which direction the sound comes from.

He has been noticing many sounds and enjoys it. He loves to hear the birds chirping even though he can’t tell which direction the beautiful sound come from.

Hiroko appreciates most of all that with his hearing aids he can hear Hiroko’s soft speaking voice from behind him. How many times Hiroko had to think about his hearing ability in the past 5 years. This happened every day before having hearing aids that Hiroko asked him to do something but he didn’t do it, because he didn’t hear Hiroko.
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In the Bible there are many verses about the ear that is not to hear, or to hear. Recently Hiroko has been thinking about the idols, so she would like to quote these verses regarding the idols who have the ears but can’t hear.

Psalm 115:3-9
“3Our God is in heaven;
he does whatever pleases him.
4But their idols are silver and gold,
made by human hands.
5They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see.
6They have ears, but cannot hear,
noses, but cannot smell.
7They have hands, but cannot feel,
feet, but cannot walk,
nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
8Those who make them will be like them,
and so will all who trust in them.”

There is not too many sounds to hear, only one sound Hiroko wants to hear.

Greeting for Opening the New Blog

2012-02-01T23:20:00.016-06:00

Thank you for visiting The House Built on the Rock. I would like to give special thanks to the people who leave their comments all the time.

“I’d like to make curry. Where is your recipe in your blog?
“I can’t tell you right in this moment.”
“Well, teach me right now, please!”

Hiroko has had such conversation many times, so she has been thinking over the last year of putting her recipes together. After giving this much thought, a new blog was opened.

Title: From Scratch at the House Built on the Rock
Address: http://oishiikai.wordpress.com

One recipe, “pilaf” based on Hiroko’s blog friend Hakoniwa-san’s recipe is posted in the blog. Give thanks to Hakoniwa-san.

Hiroko will post her old and new recipes one by one, so please make use of them for your dinner. Please let Hiroko know if you want to have some recipes.

Thanks again to you for visiting Hiroko’s blogs.

Hiroko

House Build on the Rock – Matthew 7 http://htsukasa.blogspot.com
From Scratch at the House Built on the Rock http://oishiikai.wordpress.com

Cleaning Ears, Life

2012-01-18T23:34:00.010-06:00

Dan-san has been experiencing a hard time for hearing for last 5 years. He was told ear wax filled his ears at the hearing testing place, so went to the otorhinology.

This is his initial treatment room. The doctor used a small tool looks like Japanese ear cleaner. Hiroko screamed with surprise to see the wax taken out and rolled down on Dan-san’s shoulder. The doctor told Hiroko quiet, the hearing test is going on in the other room. Hiroko was shamed of screaming.

Can you see the three black dots in these photos? These were fall off from Dan-san’s ears. The big one was from his right ear, and another two were from his left ear. Wouldn’t you scream when you see these BLACK things fall off from the ears?

After the initial treatment, the doctor dropped some liquid in Dan-san’s ears, and let him wait 10 minutes to do final clean up in the other room, and then the hearing test. The person who performed the hearing test asked Dan-san that how long he has been suffering with this hearing problem. Dan-san told her about 5 years, she looked at him with smiling.

At the reception area Dan-san made another appointment 6 month later.
Dan-san has been using Japanese bamboo ear cleaner all these years.

These are the Japanese ear cleaners Dan-san and Hiroko own.
If these ear cleaners are not working to clean the ears, Hiroko should be thinking to visit cleaning her ears at the otorhinology. She was using the same type of a ear cleaners.

Well, finally, Dan-san was seriously thinking about purchasing the hearing aids. The hearing aids are very expensive - $4,000 to 6,000 for both ears, and it seems not working. Many Dan-san’s friends who are wearing hearing aids do NOT hear well.

Please take care of your ears.
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Bible tells us in Genesis 1:26, 26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

How amazing a human body is! Look at your whole body. Even these small ears are contained very delicate structures. It is wonderful and amazing.

Have you ever thought about how a baby is conceived and the baby is born at the certain time. It is one of the big miracles.

Hiroko meditates on these thoughts, and then, she can’t think the human being is progressed from a monkey. Can you?

Please leave your opinions or comments. Thanks!

Winter Is Here

2012-01-14T01:01:00.012-06:00

Finally, winter reached Chicago. The blue sky and warm (50 degree) weather days are over. Until January 11, Chicagoans, except children and dogs, enjoyed the early spring like weather. Then, the change came over night.

On January 12, the sky changed into gray, and cold, cold (20 degree) morning we experienced. From the sky, white things were falling down.

The warm blue sky, and the cold gray sky and snow was falling

Officially 4.9 inches snow fall, but some areas were 8 inches.

It was a cold and snowy morning. Instead of walking exercise, we did snow shoveling. The pictures of many children and dogs playing, making a snowman, throwing snowballs, and running around in the snow, were shown on TV.

Squirrels’ nests were found when those pictures were taken.

Can you point out the squirrels’ nests? Hiroko has always been wondering why a squirrel makes their net on the top of the branches. For protecting from the intruder, making many nest to appropriate the temperature.

Hiroko looked for the information in the internet about a squirrel making nest on the tree top.

These photos are borrowed from Google Image.

There are two types of squirrels. One is called the tree-squirrel and other is ground squirrel. According to Art Shomo, the editor of West Virginia Wildlife and a public information specialist stationed in Charleston, there are 365 species of squirrels in seven families.

The special features of the tree squirrel are having a thick bushy big tail, eating seeds, nuts, mushroom and small insects, and keeping the seeds under the ground. They do not hibernate even though they live in the area of cold. They leave their nest in the early morning and look for their food and return to the nest early evening. Hiroko noticed that there are no squirrels after 2 or 3 P.M.

On the other hand, the special feature of the ground squirrel are short tail, grass eating animals, living in the hole digging at the glass or sand plain. Some are living in the high mountain. Many of the ground squirrels hibernate.

Please read the interesting article about squirrels at http://wvdnr.gov.wildlife/magazine/archive/04Winter/clumps_of_leaves.shtm

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Here is interesting story in the Bible, God who created the seasons is controlling the weather.

Mark 4:35-41 Jesus Calms the Storm
35That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Please leave your comments if you have any questions or your suggestions.

2011 Christmas Celebration

2012-01-07T22:25:00.014-06:00

2011 Christmas fall on Sunday. It was very wonderful to do public Worship Service with man other Christians on the Christmas day. Almost every 5 years Christmas falls on Sunday.

On this Christmas Sunday, many Christmas carols and Hymns were sung to our Lord God, because many children were worshipping together with adults. After singing those praise songs, “Charlie Brown and Christmas” was shown.

The main idea of the story is:
“Charlie Brown and his friends decided to have a Christmas tree for their play. Charlie Brown and Linus left for the tree market to get the tree, and chose little tree. They return to the school auditorium with the tree and everybody laughs at Charlie Brown, especially Lucy. Charlie Brown begins to wonder if they really know what Christmas is all about, loudly asking the question in despair. Linus quietly says he can tell them, and walks to center stage to make his point. Linus quotes from Luke 2:8-14.
‘8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Charlie Brown now realizes he does not have to let commercialism ruin his Christmas, and quietly picks up the little tree and walks out of the auditorium. The rest of the gang, having also heard Linus’ recitation, began to realize they were a little too rough on Charlie Brown and have quietly followed him from the auditorium. Linus goes up to the little tree and gently props the drooping branch back to its upright position, ornament and all, and wraps his security blanket around the tree. The kids then start humming the Christmas carol, ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’ and give him a rousing ‘Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!’”

After finishing to show the Charlie Brown, Pastor preached the meaning of the symbols of Christmas tree. i) ever green has been used for Christmas tree. The word of ‘ever’ makes Christian to realize ‘everlasting life’ given by the grace of Jesus Christ ii) lights on the tree let Christian to know the Light of Jesus Christ, and all Christians should be the light of the world, iii) the ornaments, a star or an angel, on the top of the tree: Angel is a messenger of the Lord God who announced the birth of Jesus Christ to the shepherds, and the star guided three wise men to Baby Jesus and presented the gifts, gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of deity, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death.
As the followers of Jesus Christ, we’d like to meditate what we should do in 2012 to pleasing the Lord Jesus Christ God.

After the church, our annual Christmas pot-luck dinner was held at the home of Lisa and Dave as usual.

Ham and gyoza in the Hiroko’s oven were ready to go.

Christmas cactus

On the Lisa’s kitchen window shelf, Christmas cactus has always been blooming on Christmas season.

Tablecloth and runner for Christmas

Nativity scene and “Merry Christmas” runner for the coffee table
Many had already seen these runners. Hiroko used this for her Christmas greeting on her blog.

Santa Clause, snowmen, Christmas tree, reindeer, etc runner for the kitchen table

Appetizer table

Many dips and cheese for vegetable and crackers as usual. One different dip, instead of artichoke, there was new barbecue chicken dip.

Near and far family members:

Here and there, people was talking, watching TV, showing their presents, etc. The big news of Steven/Amanda’s marriage this coming June was the talk among girls.

Dinner

Tenderloin and Ham

Vegetable – String beans mixed with bacon cream
and cauliflower mixed with butter and milk cream

Rice and baked potato with lots of butter

Dessert table

Cream cheese cake, strawberry cake with whip cream, rice crusot, apple pie

SORRY! Dog

He can’t eat any table food.

Last 10 or more years, there is no change among the people (additional people), and no change for the menu. Many people have no job in Chicago area and have no food to eat on this holiday season.
Thanks for the health in our family
Thanks for foods on the table
Thanks for everyone’s job
It was good to hear Dan-san gave many, many thanks to our Lord God before our dinner.

2012 New Year Greeting

2011-12-31T23:21:00.007-06:00

Happy New Year!

It is 11:30 at Chicago time now.

Thank you for visiting the House of the Rock. How did you spend the year 2011? It is good to reflect on the past year, and to look forward with refreshing new ideas.

I’m stop grumbling my old age and physical pain, instead of that I’m looking for what I can do for my Lord. It was very hard work but with God’s help I’m going to direct 2012 VBS again.

Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year 2012.

By the Japanese calendar, it is a year of “Dragon, Heisei 24

Isn’t it superb dragon picture? Hiroko found and borrowed from internet. There is many interesting story for the ball (jewel) dragon carried.

Japanese buckwheat noodle dish for long life (Toshikoshi Soba)

Japanese people have to eat this dish at the last day of the year. This is Hiroko’s Toshikoshi Soba.
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This Bible Verses were read at New Year Worship Service this morning:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 A Time for Everything
1There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
9What do workers gain from their toil? 10I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Bible said “There is a time for everything” and the first one of the list, this author mention “a time to be born and a time to die.” God is control our life and death.

It is no use to eat the “Toshikoshi Soba” for long life, ha-ha-ha-ha, but the soba is very healthy and good customs for Japanese. Hiroko likes to keep these Japanese customs, especially, the big cleaning day at the last day of the year. Hiroko didn’t do it.

Christmas Window Decorations

2011-12-26T22:17:00.000-06:00

On Thursday, December 8, Hiroko went to see the opera “Magic Flute.” It was very appropriate opera for this busy Holiday seasons, because of very magical, fantastical, comical, and happy ending opera. Hiroko was very much enjoying it.

Before the opera, Hiroko went to see the Macy’s Christmas windows. It was very disappointing the window decorations, because it was not fantastical, magical Christmas story telling windows which were made by the rich and famous people in Chicago. It can be called “the Fantasy of Christmas Ornaments”. Please see my photo and judged by you.

What do you think?

Those Christmas window used to use the theme of the famous Christmas stories such as “Christmas Carol”, “White Christmas,” “Nuts Cracker,” etc. which was much more beautiful and fantastic.

Tallest Tree in the store

It was also very disappointing sight, because there was no train or railroad track. The beautiful train used to run all around the tree. Hiroko used to eat lunch here sitting down by the train.

After the department store, Hiroko went to the city hall square where she visited last year. It is called Christkindlmarket Chicago

This year again the ceramic shoe mugs are sold, but these cups are in blue. I’m glad to get red mug. Don’t you think the red mug is better? I’m glad I bought it last year.

There is beautiful Nativity scene. Hiroko dong’t remember seeing the Nativity scene last year. Nativity scene might not have been here last year because the figure of the baby Jesus was stolen.

Hiroko took three pictures because this whole scene did not fit into one photo. It is very difficult to make three photos into one photo.
Three Wiseman were stolen from the private house decoration somewhere in Chicago suburb. Isn’t it a shame to steal something like these figures.

These Chicago’s “dead trees” called by a 5 years old Hawaiian boy, are decorated by the light beautifully.
Now, they are live with small light flowers

Day time and night time view of those trees

Hiroko took these photos while walking. The lights were making interesting shade.

The Light is very important symbol for the Chrstians. Jesus is called the “Light of the World.” All Christian should be a beam of light mentioned in Bible.
Matthew 5:13-16 Salt and Light
13“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

What does the light do? The light gives the bright light to the darkness. People would be lost or stumble down in the darkness. Christian nature should be as the light, and then what and how should Christian be living in this dark world? Please leave your comments and let’s talk and learn about it.

Christmas Greeting

2011-12-21T01:06:00.006-06:00

Let us rejoice in the birth of our Savior, at Christmas and always.

Thank you for coming to the House of the Rock.

Christmas falls on this coming Sunday. Please go to any church to celebrate Christmas.

　
　
　
Christmas is celebrate Jesus’ Birthday. But for many people it can’t be Christmas without Santa Clause, Christmas trees, etc. Hiroko made the picture of Santa, reindeers, Christmas tree, etc on the tablecloth and runner.

Please have a wonderful, peaceful, and joyful Christmas. Hiroko

2011 Thanksgiving

2011-11-27T23:35:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving dinners have been held at the home of Lisa and Dave for the last 10 years. The dinner menu has been same: Main Dish - over 20 pound turkey (23 pound for this year) and stuffings by Dave, and ham by Hiroko. Appetizer – 4 different kinds of dips and cheeses, salami with veg. and crackers, shrimp cocktail, and fried won ton. After enjoying the appetizers for 3 or 4 hours, here comes dinner. This has been same dishes for the last 10 years, too. Green salad with lots of cheese, green beans with bacon, mashed potato with lots of butter, and risotto with lots of butter. Every one of these dishes is very tasty any time. Everybody enjoy them. The desserts: Pumpkin pie, homemade special apple pie, and rice crispy by the dessert lady, Dave’s sister-in-law.

Hiroko was anxious to go to this year’s dinner because she wanted to see how the handmade tablecloth and runners are fitted on the Lisa’s table.

These are the photo of tablecloth and runners. Aren’t they fitted well? No one noticed these things. Hiroko was still happy to see them on the tables.

This liquor is called “Cake.” It smells like a cake but 75% proof vodka. It was very tasty and strong. Someone put whipped cream and candle on the liquor and everybody sang “Happy Birthday” for him.
There were of course some other drinks: red or white dry wine, sparking wine, beer, soda and water.

All were talking and exchanging their life and family news.
There were no Dave Choi, Steven/Amanda, and the Shearin family this year, but the dessert lady’s sister family from Ohio, and cousin joined the dinner (total 23 people). It was fun to meet all these new people. There was lot of leftover which was enough for two days of Hiroko’s family dinner.

Dave and the cousin of the dessert lady.
These two big guys were making mash potato and gravy. Can you see the big (23 lbs.) turkey between these two big guys? Hiroko has been carving the turkey for the last 3 or 4 years, so she would be carving the turkey soon.
Hiroko has always remembered what Taro-kun said, “Scared!” to see the whole turkey. However, not only Taro-kun, but also Dave’s family except Dave say “scare!” so they didn’t come to the kitchen while Hiroko was carving the turkey.

This is the mother who is very beautiful and elegant looking lady of the family from Ohio.
This family and many others were at the front room doing a bingo game, and interesting TV dancing game.
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Let me share with you the main idea of the message from Devon church Thanksgiving Service.

The message was based on the children’s book called “Charlie Brown and Thanksgiving,” and the Bible verse Luke 17:11-19. Jesus Heals Ten Men With Leprosy 11Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
14When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Various things happened to Charlie Brown, but finally Peppermint Pattie and her friends come to the house of Charlie Brown for Thanksgiving dinner. Peppermint Pattie asked Charlie Brown to give thanksgiving prayer for the dinner. Charlie Brown didn’t to know how and to what giving thanks.

Pastor continues from this story about 10 leppers who forgot to give thanks to the Lord Jesus who healed them. Many people in our daily life, asking the Lord to do something, then, forget to give thanks after the prayer was heard. Or many are saying that we don’t know why and for what to give thanks because we worked so hard and we got all these things we have by ourselves.

All the Christians have one thing to give thanks to the Lord, that is the love of the Lord God. The Lord Jesus gave his life to deliver us from the slave of sin and to give us freedom in Christ. In our side we don’t have to do anything, but trust the Lord and accept His love.

All the Christian can NOT say we have nothing to give thanks or forget to give thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 3:16 “16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

11-11-11, Journal

2011-11-11T23:00:00.002-06:00

It is November 11, 2011, at 11:00 PM right now.

Did you do something special? Did you get merried? Did you have a baby? Did you go to the Navy Pier to look for some bargain?

I wanted to do something special, I thought. I tried to read Psalm 11:11 or 111:11, but there is no verse 11 for the both chapters. I read Chapter 11 Verse 11 of the New Testaments Books.

Here are the lists of those verses

Matthew 11:11
Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Mark 11:11
Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

Luke 11:11
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

John 11:11
After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.

Acts 11:11
Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying.

Romans 11:11
Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.

Hebrews 11:11
And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she[b] considered him faithful who had made the promise.

Revelations 11:11
But after the three and a half days the breath[b] of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them.

Which verse do you like the best? It is said “All Scripture is God breathed, and is useful for teaching…” so every word in the Scripture is very important for us. But I’d like to choose Roman 11:11. It is very interesting verse.

Israelites have been persecuted with the jealousy of many counties and people, because they were chosen by God and special nation. There are many persecution stories in the Bible. The great Jewish persecution by Hitler in Germany in recent years we cannot forget.

In accordance with the Roman 11:11 because of the Israelites” suffering, salvation has come to me and the Gentiles. All Israelites would have believed Jesus as Messiah if He was born in the Palace as the Ruler of Jews. Then, what would have happened for us, Gentile people? Jesus would be the Lord for Israelities God but not for Gentile. God knows all these things from the beginning of the world. So God’s plan is perfect. I’d give “Thanks” to Israelite and pray for their salvation.

The Lord God of Christian is omnipotent and omnipresent. The Lord God of Christians is not only for Israelites but also for the whole nation. He is the Creator of the whole universe. Pray for the salvation of the whole nation.

This is Hiroko’s special things on 11-11-11.

Hiroko has been busy since the beginning of October, because Hiroko has been making Thanksgiving and Christmas tablecloth for her daughter as a birthday present.

This is a part of the table cloth. It takes lots of time to make these runners.

Porch Garden 6

2011-09-26T23:34:00.001-05:00

Making the decision to collect the seeds of cucumber and shishito (Japanese pepper) this year, Hiroko found the big and long cucumber. It could be the seed cucumber, but Hiroko should wait to pick until the seed cucumber to be yellow and soft.

Day by day, the seed cucumber is getting bigger and longer, and seems to fall.

This is the seed cucumer grown at the outside porch rail.
It was swinging left and right with the wind. Dan-san and neighbors were worried that it might fall. The weather forcast announced it would be strong wind that night, so Hiroko finally said, that it would be better to pick the cucumber. Dan-san started to clean the porch garden, right after Hiroko commented to pick the cucumber.

All those dead leaves were cleaned, and picked the big and long seed cucumer.

This is the seed cucumber. Isn’t it big? However, it is still firm. Hiroko Hoped the healthy good seeds can be collected from this cucumber. Well, Hiroko has to wait for the cucumber to be soft for collecting the seeds.

Sishito Tree

It still has flowers and very green, so let’s keep it as it is for a little while. Hopefully the weather gets a little bit warmer. To collect the seeds from shishito, Hiroko have to wait for the shishito pepper to be red.

No dead leaves in the porch garden.

Dan-san cleaned those dead leaves, and found another fat and funny shape yellow cucumber. It can wait to be pick until it’s get soft. Do you think good seeds can be colleted from this fat and funny shaped cucumber? All those plants do not need as much water as cucumber. Kibochan watered the plants twice a day.
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As the plants need water and sun to bear the fruits, the Christian have to read and study the word of God (Bible) and communicate with the Lord God through the Holy Spirit to bear the fruit in the Christian life.

In Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit of Spirit is mentioned; that is one fruit, “Love, Joy, Peace, Patient, Goodness, Faithfulness, Meakness, Self-Control.”
For the completion of the Christian life, all Chritians need to live with this fruit.

No one can live with this fruit, but with the help from the Lord Jesus, everyone can live with this fruit.

Journal, Dave's B-Day Dinner

2011-09-17T23:10:00.001-05:00

Everyone asked Hiroko to make Tonkatsu (pork cutlet) and curry. They couldn’t forget such tasty food eaten at the Renga-tei Restaurant named “Katsu-Curry” Well, Hiroko was little nervous to make that.

Here are 36 pieces of Tonkatsu and one big pot of curry.
“It is very tasty.”
“The curry is very good. Did you use instant curry seasoning?”
“No. Making brown sauce with butter and flower, and seasoned the sauce.”
“Hmmmm! Very good!”
Well, Hiroko has little secrets: special seasoning from Indian friend, and another one. There are two more secrets. Hiroko thinks these secrets has been lucky to make the curry tasty.

Pot Roast – Hiroko always makes pot roast before making curry (see Hiroko’s curry recipe in her blog dated May 2009)

Hawaiian style sesame seed green beans, and zucchini with miso and parmesan cheese

Cucumber and tomatoes from Dan-san’s garden

Drinks:

It was suitable to have Japanese warm sake for the cold season and Japanese style foreign foods. There was also a bottle of red wine.

People who came to the party

Lisa and Dave. Dave was looking for his presents of Lot’s numbers. He won $3.

Dan-san was sitting at the head table

Steven and Elsa

Amanda couldn’t come because she was very tired after working all day on Saturday.

Elsa had very bad pain on her tooth, so the tooth was taken out two days ago. Hiroko wondered if it is O.K. for Elsa to eat the curry katsu.
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“How old did you become, Dave?”
“I don’t know. After 40 years old I have sopped counting my age.”
Steven and Lisa said that they have been taking one age out at their B-Day.

40th and 50th age, people have a shock to add another age.
60th and 70th age, people have a shock to realize the body is changing; having pain or unmovable knee, back, neck, etc., and holding the rail to walk on stairway.
80th age, people have a real shock

The Bible said that white hair is a crown on the head, and the Lord God carry those who can’t walk or move. Reading Psalm 71 and 72 written by the old age King David, it is not bad to be getting old with the Lord God.

Tablecloth - Handmade

2011-09-15T22:14:00.003-05:00

Hiroko had been recuperating from Directing of Devon Church Vacation Bible School held August 10-14, and entertaining Kibochan for two weeks. The day, September 7th (1st Wednesday every month) is the 15% of Sr. discount day at Hancock Fabric store, so Hiroko went to the store and bought the yarns for the baby boy blanket and the fabric for tablecloth. Hiroko gained her energy back to do and to think many things with these crafts goods.

This is the tablecloth, Hiroko made.
It seems the fashion to place the runners sideway on the table right now. Hiroko spent many hours for embroidery of the maple leaves and other leaves. This tablecloth would be used on Dave’s B-Day dinner day. The color combinations of the maple leaves were not done well.

Now, she remembered the watering for the house plants.

One of the house plants called the mother-in-law’s tongue placed on the Hiroko’s bedroom window bloomed flowers. It is said that this plants produce lots of oxygen, so it is better to keep this plants in the bedroom.

Can you see the flowers? Hiroko heard it is very rare to bloom flowers on this plants
“Thanks!” for blooming the flowers without water.
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“Thanks!” – Hiroko heard the word “Thanks” is very important in our daily life, especially for the Christian at the last Sunday sermon. God would not be good to those who didn’t have the appreciating heart.

Have you ever seen the movie called “The Ten Commandments”? God showed and did the miracles and signs to the Egyptians to save the Israel (Jewish) Nation from the status of slaves at Egypt, and to make them free. Instead of saying “Thanks!” after they were free, they complained and grumbled to the Lord God at the time of hardships; such as seeing Egyptian Amy, and no path to escape, Israel said, “Did you bring us here to die? It is better to go back to Egypt.” Israel grumbled for the bread, so God provided the Manna (bread), and now, Israel complained that there is no meat. The result of all these complains and grudges, the Lord God let them to wander around the wildness for 40 years, instead of 11 days to reach the destination.

Hiroko’s complains and murmurs were much less after reading the Exodus, and learned from Israel Nation, how much they were complaining and murmuring.

It leads us no appreciation of heart to be proud of what we have (wealth, things, beauty, status, etc.). It takes further more to complain and to bear grudge to the Lord God what we don’t have.

Hiroko prayed that may the word of “Thanks!” to the Lord God and others always be on her lips

Food Showcases in Mitsuwa, Chicago

2011-08-31T23:39:00.001-05:00

There is no brown rice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, miso, etc. which is an essential needs for the Japanese cooking in Hiroko’s kitchen shelves, because Hiroko had no chance to go to Mitsuwa over a month. Kibochan might enjoy those Mitsuwa’s Japanese food, because she missed Japanese food for one week. Dan-san said, she would enjoy this ramen from Hokkai.

Prepared foods in the Mitsuwa’s Counters:

Sushi counter: All these sushi were made the day’s early morning, so they are fresh and tasty.

Obento Counters: Tonkatsu (pork cutlet) box, or cooked vegetable box, or fish box are always favorable lunch box for many people.

Rice-balls and other Counters: In those empty counters, there are usually appetizer plates, such as goma-ae, tsukemono, sunomono, cooked vegetables, etc.
These foods can be warmed up by micro-wave there, and eat at the Mitsuea’s dining hall.

There are five restaurants in Mitsuwa:

1. Japanese restaurant menu shows by pictures: rice in the bowl with chicken, beef or pork (donburi-mono), tempura dish, and udon and soba noodle dishes

2. Korean fast-food shop

3. Japanese hamburger shop called “Gabu’to”
4. Chinese fast-food shop

5. “Santoku” fast-food shop from Hokkaido shows various ramen dishes

Dan-san and Hiroko purchased this ramen:

There are shoyu, miso and shio ramen with roast pork. Can you see umeboshi (picked plum) in the bowl?
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Kit wrote interesting article regarding her eating habits. Please go to Kit’s blog “Trading Yokes” (http://www.tradingyokes.com/) Hiroko loves to eat any foods and tendency to eat too much, so it is good to follow Kit’s ideas, especially the Bible verse I like from Kit quoted in her article.
I Corinthian 10:31
31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
It surely is the good verse to remember for changing eating habits.

Please go to Kit’s blog “Trading Yokes” to find out more information and recipe using the fermented beans sauce.

Thanks, Kit, for the sauce you gave to Hiroko. She made the fried tofu dish with the sauce. Some day those recipe will be posted. Thanks, again!

Here is a photo what Kit made:

Dan-san’s Nursery and Porch Garden 5

2011-08-28T14:20:00.000-05:00

While Kibochan was here, she gave lots of water to the cucumber plant at Hiroko’s porch garden all the time. Saying cucumber plants want water again, she gave lots of water. Kibochan has gone home now, so Hiroko have to give water three times a day to those plants. Those cucumber plants may not produce any more, because the cucumber are funny shaped.

Can you see funny shaped cucumber? The beginning of the season, the funny shaped cucumbers were produced, so at the end of the season it would be the same.

The cucumber plants also looks like getting old.
Elsa asked how many times can we eat these fresh and tasty cucumbers ant tomatoes. It is a question! Four or five times! Last year, because of the weather and the rats, there were hardly any harvest of tomatoes and cucumbers. The beginning of the season this year, the weather was very hot and humid, and lots of rain, but there were not enough tomatoes and cucumbers compared to 4 or 5 years ago. There is no tomato to freeze for saving for the winter season. Cuchan cucumber made once from Dan-san’s nursery.

For the Friday’s dinner menu will be fish. With the fish cake, the sautéed vegetable and fried tofu will be served. Used the recipe from Kit’s blog “Trading Yokes (http://www.tradingyokes.com/)

Ingredients for the sautéed vegetable:

Shishito from the porch garden, green beans from the neighbor’s green beans vine came over to Dan-san’s nursery (Dan-san said it was stealing,) carrots, celery, and green onion from the land-lord’s nursery; sautéed those vegetable with salt and pepper, and just before serving, pour the sauce mixed with sesame seed oil, oyster sauce and shoyu over the vegetable. Putting the oyster sauce over the fire, it becomes bitter.

About green onion, Sayo-san, the wife of Land-Lord, planted the roots of the green onion bought from the grocery, have grown a good size green onion.

Green onion and shiso: Comparing with green onion and hashi (chop-stick), isn’t it long?

Chop shiso and the top of the soft part of green onion, and mix them with shaved bonito, shoyu, and shichimi (hot pepper), to use this mixture as condiment sauce for the cold tofu.

Cucumbers and tomatoes from Dan-san’s nursery
It is strange that Dan-san harvested the small and young cucumber. He said he has to fight with the squirrels, because the squirrels has been eating his tomatoes, but now the squirrels have started eating young cucumbers, so before squirrels eat he has to harvest.

Hiroko’s dinner plate: This is good customs in the United States. One plate holds all the different foods for the dinner. In beginning in the American life, this one plate dinner made Hiroko funny feeling and didn’t want to mix the seasoning, but right now Hiroko can enjoy this one plate dinner. Especially, Dan-san and Elsa has been washing the dishes after the dinner, so it is better for them to wash fewer dishes.

Kibochan came to Chicago

2011-08-25T23:37:00.001-05:00

Kibochan, who is my sister’s grand-daughter, wants to test her English came to Chicago.

This is Kibochan.
Kibochan arrived at 2:25 on August 8. Dan-san and Hiroko wondered which gates, A or B, Kibochan came out at O’Hare Airport arrival gate. Kibochan’s mother bought “escort service” for her, so they had just waited for her at the middle of the two gates.

Kibochan and escort service personal, and Kibochan and Dan-san
Waiting for 40 minutes after arrival of the airplane, she came out, and the escort person handed Kibochan to Hiroko who had to prove herself by her passport.
From the date Kibochan stayed here in Chicago for two weeks.

Here are the rough lists of what Kibochan did in Chicago.
1. On the day she arrived, Hiroko took Kibochan to Jewel’s grocery buying the things she needed

2. Shopping at Disneyland, 21 forever, and couple other stores in Chicago downtown. She said she loves shopping.

3. For five days till 12:30 – she attended Devon Church VBS

Listening and speaking English only at the VBS, she became little nervous, and in her dream she couldn’t speak anything.

4. Walking by Michigan lakeshore side, and on the way home Kibochan and Hiroko stopped to eat the French crepe sweets at this restaurant

5. Shopping at Hiroko’s neighborhood, Andersonville stores.

6. Shopping at the stores in the downtown Chicago with Elsa for 6 or 7 hours

7. Visiting “Ginza Holiday” festival at Japanese Buddhist Temple.

Kibochan ate a cup of Udon. Kibochan asked why it is called “Ginza Holiday”. It is better to call “Japan Holiday” In the booklet called “Ginza Holiday 2011,” there found the explanation about the name of the festival. “The Ginza Holiday took its name from the Ginza a busy and colorful shopping center and the most famous district in Tokyo. Ginza Holiday found its beginning in 1956. It was at the former temple within the Old Town Triangle several blocks east of this location. The name Ginza seemed appropriate as it is a district in Tokyo known for entertainment. …”

After came home from the temple festival Elsa took Kibochan for nail.

8. One day, Kibochan didn’t go out and did homework

9. (i) Visiting at the Navy Pier – riding the two or three amusement rides, eating at McDonald, boat ride, and play at the Children’s Museum, (ii) Going to see bean, (iii) shopping at Macy’s department store, (iv) Visiting at Willis’ Tower, and (v) eating Chicago’s famous pizza at Giordano.
It was all most 14 hours outing.

10. Cooking breakfast for her Economy Class homework, shopping at Sam’s Club, and the evening going to see Chinese Circus at Navy Pier

11. Visiting at the famous Great America amusement park.
Kibochan's American friend's house, and with their van they left for the Great America around 10 a.m.
Kibochan rode with scary feeling many rides with her brand new friends for hours. Having picnic in front of the park
For dinner, having Tacos which is one of Kibochan’s desire to eat food.
This was again 14 hours outing.

12. Resting in the morning and shopping at toy stores. Elsa taught Kibochan how to play the games she bought after the dinner.

13. Kibochan did homework in the morning, and last shopping at neighborhood stores. No KFC in nearby Hiroko’s home, so at Jewel, Hiroko bought fried chicken which is one of Kibochan’s desire to eat food.
Kibochan packed her stuff and made two baggages taking 5 to 6 hours.

Lisa/Dave and Steven/Amanda came for dinner and played the game again with Kibochan to make sure she can play the games at her home in Yamagata with her Japanese friends.

These Kibochan’s 14 days photo diary in Japanese posted Hiroko’s Japanese blog. Please visit of her blog to see more photos. http://ishimaru92.blog105.fc2.com

Kibochan wanted to finish her book report homework after the dinner party. Hiroko sat together with her until 2:30 a.m.
This book report homework was a miracle in Hiroko’s eye. Kibochan came to visit her Christian Grand-Auntie in Chicago and attended VBS at Devon Church. She heard the first time the word of “sin” connected with the word of “love” “joy” “patience” and “kindness” at VBS. The main character ‘I’ in the book Kibochan had to read is growing up at a Christian home, and mentioned the word “sin” in the book as “on the day ‘I’ knew the sin, when ‘I’ was 10 years old.” Picking the sentence, Kibochan wrote the report titled “What is Sin.”
Hiroko would like to write the main idea of her report.
“The parents of ‘I’ had been planning to divorce. At the day his mother told ‘I’ about her divorce, and kept saying ‘I’m sorry,’ ‘I’m sorry’ many times. Watching and listening his mother ‘I’ thought she was changed and she has done something wrong. At the moment ‘I’ thought ‘I’ knew the sin.
I, Kibochan, learned the sin connected with love, patience at the Decon Church VBS. Christian have to love everybody even the person who does wrong things to me, or the rough person, and without patience people fight each other, and become selfish, and occur the war. I understand the fighting selfishness and the war is the result of sin connected patience.
I think the general Japanese are thinking about sin that the people who have done something wrong, such as a murder, robbery, burglar, etc., under the law. That is Japanese way to think of sin.
As the conclusion I’d continuously like to study the sin, not only Japanese way to think, but also the sin mentioned in the Bible.”
Kibochan wrote about these in the three pages book report.

Kibochan left at 12:35 on August 21 via United.

This is O’Hare Airport waiting for her Airplane.

Kibochan had safely arrived Japan and took one day off from school, so she started school from Wednesday, August 24. She is sharing with friends and relatives her experiences in Chicago with mixing English expression. Her mother told Hiroko that Kibochan has been using English expression in her conversation here and there, so her mother gets lost. She may lose those English but she had very valuable experience with her very new American friends. She said she was so excited to have this American friend because with her little English knowledge she made this good friend.

Hiroko gave thanks to the Lord for his love and grace to Hiroko’s family. Hiroko ask those who visit Hiroko’s blog please pray for the Holy Spirit works on Kibochan and her family, and many Japanese who don’t know the Lord.

2011 Hottest Days (July 21, 22 and 23) in Chicago and Nursery 4

2011-07-31T23:36:00.012-05:00

It was very hot and humid days. The actual temperatures were 98 to 101, and the heat index went up over 110. In order to have cool feeling, Hiroko put those photos taken on the coldest and snowing day in Chicago in January on the computer as the background.

These photos remind us how cold in Chicago’s winter, but still the days were very hot.
The winter photos on Hiroko’s computer.

Hiroko decided to take the hottest day photos on July 22.

These were the hottest day’s alley by the garage, but it didn’t tell how hot. Those clouds showed it is summer.

At the front of Hiroko’s apartment. No one outside!

McDonald and the corner of Clark and Bryn Mawr. In the winter, there were a lot of snow on this corner and people couldn’t walk on the sidewalk.

These tomato and cucumber were hot, too.

These photos was taken from the porch. These white clouds surely showed the summer.

This is Hiroko’s Porch Garden

Can you see one cucumber.

How are these vegetable plants in this hot weather? They must like this hot weather.
Dan-san’s Garden

The green pepper and the cucumbers are ready to eat.

Hiroko’s zucchini have several flowers.

Do you know what this is? Mothballs! Someone told Dan-san that “Mothballs” prevent squirrels, rats or any other animals to come in the garden, so many mothballs in his garden. However, others said that the mothballs chemical harm the vegetables! What do you think?

The First Harvest

From Dan-san’ garden

From porch garden
They were very tasty and soft skin cucumber, and pepper was very good flavor and delicious.
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About our Air Condition
Dan-san, Elsa and Hiroko do not need air condition for the most summer. They didn’t use any air condition last summer. However, this year was different.

This almost new air condition given to Elsa was used on the first hot day. The rooms wasn’t cool down as expected. Hiroko found out this is just a room cooler.

Now, Dan-san and Hiroko tried to clean and using this old, old air condition which was bought by Dan-san’s father over 25 years ago. Hiroko cleaned the air condition’s outside but scared to start. Dan-san came back and pushed the start switch --- it worked! But the dust came out from the air condition. Dan-san cleaned the inside of it. It wasn’t used for three or four years, but it worked and cooled all the rooms in those hottest days.
Thanks for this air condition on this hottest days. Everyone could sleep well and enjoy cool and cold air.

Nursery - Porch Garden 3, Mid-Season Report

2011-07-24T23:34:00.014-05:00

At Chicago the whole month of June and the beginning of July, there have been lots of rain, so there is not much hot and sunny days. It is not good for plants. However, there are lots of flowers.

Konnyaku plant is growing well in spite of the weather. This is one Konnyaku plant in view from the top and the side.

This is cucumber plants. Can you see lots of yellow flowers? Hopefully all these flowers become cucumbers. Please compare these photos. One of the three photos of cucumbers belonged to the last article of the “Garden 2” posted on May 31.

This is jalapeño pepper and red pepper plants

This is shishito plants. There are couple more shishito plants. Shishito’s flower and fruits comes in the fall. No flower right now.

This is the view of the porch garden.

Zucchini plant on the ground by Dan-san’s pepper. Only the plant’s leaves are growing so big.

These zucchini plants belong to Matthew, son of Hiroko’s landlord’s grandson. It is much different from Hiroko’s. Many flowers and even zucchinis are growing.

Dan-san’s tomato and cucumber platns

As usual these plants and the other plants, green beans and pepper plants are growing very well.

Hiroko can’t wait for the day picking the fruits from these plants.
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The seeds are planted, and the sun and the rain will be falling on them, but for the flowers and the fruits are all up to the hand of God. This truth applies to Christian life, too.
I Corinthian 3:5-7
5what, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
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It was cool day when taken these photos, that Hiroko made Shepherd Pie.

Dan-san and Elsa said it was very delicious. They like it. It is very similar ingredients of meat loaf.
Hiroko will post the recipe of Shepherd Pie next time.

Business Use Anko (sweetened red beans), Christian Thoughts

2011-07-17T22:19:00.009-05:00

Hiroko’s friend, Okinawa No. 1 lady gave over 10 lb. package of Anko

This is the bag of Anko. The half of Anko of the bag was taken out from the bag to make ohagi. Ingredients of this Anko mentioned on the bag are sugar, water, and red beans (Azuki). Hiroko wondered how it is so sweet without any salt.

A58M A183
11075
Institutional Use only
Ingredients: Sugar water, beans
Kyonishi Tsubuan
Product of China
Imported by JFC International, Los Angeles
These are mentioned on the bag.

Ohagi were made with this Anko.

These over 40 Ohagi were served at Leisure Group Bible Study, and one dozen were given to the Okinawa No. l Lady who gave the anko bag.

100 percents sweet brown rice were used inside ohagi. It was so difficult to find the sweet brown rice in any food market, like Mitsuwa and Vietnamese’s market. So Hiroko sent S.O.S. to the Morton Arboretum lady to buy for her. The supermarket called H-Mart own by Korean carried many different rice, so she bought the rice Hiroko wants. Thanks to the Arboretum lady.

This is a sweet brown rice bag and the rice is in the jar. The Arboretum lady said, place the rice in the dark and cool place. The rice can be kept 2 to 3 years.
Hiroko’s ohagi made by Chinese made Anko and Korean rice. Hiroko have never used the readymade Anko. Hiroko made extra twelve to the Okinawa No. 1 lady because she is waiting for the ohagi. Hiroko will be making another batch of ohagi for the Arboretum lady to test.

Everybody in the Leisure Group, but one who didn’t like the sticky rice, was enjoying the ohagi and everyone took it home.

Main Idea of the Bible Study at Leisure Group:
The Bible study based on the Gospel of Matthew 5:5, the sermon with the beatitudes. Pastor reviewed what we learned last month. It was taken from Matthew 5:3 and 4, and very important lesson, but no one remembered.

Matthew 5:3&4
3“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

Pastor’s review:
What did we learn about the attitudes of being poor in the Spirit and mourning?
We should realize we are hopelessly and helplessly lost in sin.
People who have “Poor in Spirit” answer the next questions and test yourself.
1. Would they gossip about others?
2. Would they be judgmental?
3. Would they talk about others and look at other’s lives?
4. Would they watch what other are doing?
If the answer is ‘yes’ then you are not poor in spirit. People whose heart is poor in spirit have humble heart and no pride at all. Why can those who have poor in spirit have never done gossip, judgment, talking about others, interesting other’s action? They know their own unworthiness and sinfulness. No one can save themselves with the good works. For our sinfulness, Jesus died and shed his blood by which people’s sin was washed away. This is review.

Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.

The day’s lesson was being meek. The word ‘meek’ remind us the weak, puny, and ‘push around,’ but this word is used of horses. One would take a wild horse and break him. The wild horses are wild, fast, powerful, strong and dangerous. After the horse was tamed, is his qualities would be gone? Those qualities have never gone away, but the horse still is fast, strong, and powerful, but the horse would be controled and guided. The horse became useful and calm. If people who have an attitude of meekness, what does that mean? They have to look for ways to submit to God, and humble and serve God’s people.

Devon Church 2011 Annual Picnic, Christian Lives

2011-07-16T22:56:00.012-05:00

The picnic had officially been starting at 11:30 for lunch, but many families came before the time, and spent their own favorite games, fellowshipping. Thank God for providing such fine day that many were there.
　

Children enjoyed running around in this open spacious field, free from danger. This open picnic field was reserved paying $100.00 by Devon Church with Chicago Park District, so no strangers could come and stay. Couple of days ago, the news was reported that a predator had almost taken away a 2 year old boy in front of his parents at crowded Michigan Lake beach.

This is the Lady: Yes, this is Cadillac lady.

She had in charge of this picnic. She has always remembered to reserve this place on the New Year day. Since last year, she can reserve by on-line, but she used to go to the City-Hall around 4 o’clock in the morning of the New Year day to reserve this place. This years theme of picnic was “Carnival,” so she had many barbecued hot dogs and bratwursts.

Here were the foods:
　
　
　

Hot dogs, Kalua pigs, various chicken; fried, teriyaki and barbecued, Chinese and Vietnamese’s noodles and egg-rolls, potato salad, many condiments, Hawaiian donuts holes, many fruits, blueberry pie, onigiri, potato chips and many other dishes. Many more dishes were added by late comers.

Pastor prayed to God the Lord that giving thanks for foods and special thanks for the freedom in the United State. Thanks God further more for the true freedom from God, and help us to share God’s freedom to others.

Let's dip in!
　
　
　

“Which one would be delicious?” Hot dog has always been favorable food for young and old. Almost all the egg-rolls were gone. All the adults have to have the Kalua pig. Hawaiian donuts holes and blueberry pie were very delicious. One interesting dessert was there, but no one knew what it was.

Do you know what this is?

Hiroko tried to take picture of the bird nest with chicks. When the parent birds came to the nest two or three chicks put their heads up, so we all knew there were chicks. Someone complained the birds were flying around. However, the bird must be saying, “What is going on today? Where did all these intruders come from?”

Grill Guardsmen

“What shall we do, need to grill more hot dogs?”
“Well, we should wait and see. There are so many hot dogs on the table.”

Let’s enjoy the foods and fellowship:

No need to explain

Had they already eaten?

Many children did not care for foods. They were very busy running around and playing. They found the Fishing Pond.
“I caught the red fish.”
“I want one, too.”
“There is blue one.”
“No, I need red one.”

Big Ball!

Hooray for this mighty man! He always has such big, big heart, everyone knows that, but at picnic he proved he has big, big lungs, too. This big ball was bellowed by this man. Children enjoyed with this ball. Thanks Mighty Man!

At 1 o’clock many children’s games were started. 15 or 20 children moved around all over the field to play the games prepared by the young mothers. Thanks to those who worked so hard.

Napping Place

Waking up early morning to make Hiroko’s responsible foods, she was very tired, that this was wonderful place to take a nap.

Give thanks to God for providing this good weather, abundant foods, and fellowshipping with many people.

Co-Worker Friend from Arizona, From Afar, Christian Thoughts

2011-06-28T15:13:00.001-05:00

Hiroko has a wonderful time with Sue and Deborah who used to work together at Baker & McKenzie in Chicago Office. Sue moved to Arizona after her retirement. Young Deborah is still working so Sue and Hiroko met her at the restaurant closer to her working place in the downtown Chicago.

In order to go to the downtown Chicago, Hiroko has to take the electric train run by CTA.

This is the red-line train station nearby Hiroko’s home. Can you see train?
The right side photo was taken in the train.

Here comes restaurant

This is the front of the restaurant, called “Elephant and Castle” serve the British cuisine.
“Please come this way,” said by a concierge.

The outdoor tables are available for this restaurant.
The small British police man statue is standing.

These dishes were ordered for the day’s lunch.

Shepherd Pie, and Fish’N Chips

Chicken Salad

About Shepherd Pie From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cottage pie with minced beef

Cottage pie refers to a British or Irish meat pie made with beef mince and with a crust made from mashed potato. A variation on this dish is known as shepherd's pie.
The term cottage pie is known to have been in use in 1791, when the potato was being introduced as an edible crop affordable for the poor (cf. "cottage" meaning a modest dwelling for rural workers).
In early cookery books, the dish was a means of using leftover roasted meat of any kind, and the pie dish was lined with mashed potato as well as having a mashed potato crust on top.
The term "shepherd's pie" did not appear until the 1870s, and since then it has been used synonymously with "cottage pie", regardless of whether the principal ingredient was beef or mutton. There is now a popular tendency for "shepherd's pie" to be used when the meat is mutton or lamb, with the suggested origin being that shepherds are concerned with sheep and not cattle. This may, however, be an example of folk etymology.
If you want to read the further information please go to their site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cottage_pie.
There are similar dishes made by many different countries.

This is Sue.

Isn’t it beautiful white hair? It is her own hair she said. However, she is too young to have the white hair, so many are asking her how to dye the hair.

Hiroko regret sooooo much! She forgot to save Deborah’s photo. These photo were taken by her cel, so she had to save the photo each time after shot. Oh, well! Sorry Deborah!

Dessert time

It is called :Big Ben” make with a big piece of brownie ice cream and lots of whip cream. It is so big and rich that ordering one case and shared it with three of them.
They exchanged their recent news about each other. All of them are surely getting old physically but their spirits are still young. It was very wonderful time spent together. It was hard to say “Good Bye.”

Here is Hiroko’s coming home train station. The train runs through underground in the downtown Chicago.

The train had just left when Hiroko reached the platform. No white lines are showing where the train stops or where the passenger standing as the Japanese train station.

Here came the train from opposite direction.
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Hiroko has always been so thankful to God for the Baker & McKenzie, where God provided such wonderful co-workers and very kind attorneys, and most of all Hiroko was paid good salaries. B&M allowed Hiroko to work at the Firm past her retirement age, so she can spend comfortable retirement life right now. Of course if Hiroko look around, she would find missing things in her daily life. However, Hiroko would like to trust the Lord’s providence at better time of bad, to live with contentment without complaining. Give thanks to the Lord and B&M for her comfortable retirement life.
On Sunday, July 2, before listening to the Devon Church Pastor’s preaching, Hiroko can shout “A-Men” with big, big voice. The title of the preaching is “God Provide: and the main idea of the preaching is “Since God has provided and continues to provide all we need; we can live joyful, thankful, and holy life.

Father’s Day Celebration with Inoue Family in Chicago, Journal

2011-06-26T22:16:00.017-05:00

From California, Tets and Saeru, Hiroko’s In-Laws, were here, so Chicago land Inoue Family gathering for the Father’s Day celebration dinner were held at the house of Steven, the son of Tets and Saeru, even though it was a week early.

The almost whole scenery of Steven’s house
The right-side photo is the master of this house, Steven, and Amanda who will be the Lady of this house in near future. When is it?

The various dishes served at the dinner

Steven’s Barbecue

Steven’s multi-functions professional barbecue grill

Steven’s barbecue has always tasted very good because he carefully seasoned all the foods

Hiroko’s favorite side-dish of asparagus wrapped with bacon and grilled and barbecued ribs

Special hamburgers – Steven said that it is the best tasting burger named Bubba

Old grill – decoration?

Tenderloin seasoned by Saeru with the taste of California Irvine style, and broiled on the grill

The Barbecue Pulled Pork by the recipe of Amanda’s Grandma
Deviled egg – From www.wikipedia.org
The term "deviled," in reference to food, was in use in the 18th century, with the first known print reference appearing in 1786.[3] In the 19th century, it came to be used most often with spicy or zesty food, including eggs prepared with mustard, pepper or other ingredients stuffed in the yolk cavity.
In some parts of the Southern and Midwestern United States, the terms "salad eggs" or "dressed eggs" are used, particularly when the dish is served in connection with a church function - presumably to avoid dignifying the word "deviled."

Hiroko’s two kinds of Potato Salad and Soba Salad with California Irvine style very tasty dressing

Watermelon, buns and potato chips

Well, there were those who were already enjoying the party:

Steven’s long time friend, Dinky

What shall I do? Well, shall I serve the drink to everyone?
Dave and Elsa had already been drinking beer.

Lisa honored her uncle Tets and Dad giving a Father’s Day card and Lotto tickets. Dan-san won $2.00 from the Lotto tickets.

What would Tets be winning? $100.00?! Are you sure? Tets and Lisa

Giving thanks to the Lord for these delicious foods, then, the dinner was started.

No need for explanation. Everyone ate, and ate, and ate.

It was getting cold after the dinner.

Dan-san, the first one went in the house to the TV room in the half-way basement watching the baseball game with Dinky. Don’t they look alike?

Tets and Dave were join Dan-san and Dinky after cleaning up the yard.

The master of this house Steven and Saeru were busy cleaning up.

Those who were not busy enjoyed the cookies for dessert and had a good conversation.

Amanda’s friend came late.

Early Happy Father’s Day!

On the Father’s Day Sunday, Hiroko took Dan-san for lunch with the closest friend couple in the church to the Baker’s Square restaurant famous by the tasty pies. Because of the Father’s Day, the restaurant gave a free piece pie to the fathers. Dan-san and the friend took it to home.
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About Father’s Day
Father's Day is a celebration of fathers inaugurated in the early twentieth century to complement Mother's Day in celebrating fatherhood and male parenting. Father's Day is celebrated on a variety of dates worldwide and typically involves gift-giving, special dinners to fathers, and family-oriented activities. The first observance of Father's Day actually took place in Fairmont, West Virginia on July 5, 1908. It was organized by Mrs. Grace Golden Clayton, who wanted to celebrate the lives of the 210 fathers who had been lost in the Monongah Mining disaster several months earlier in Monongah, West Virginia, on December 6, 1907. It is possible that Clayton was influenced by the first celebration of Mother's Day that same year, just a few miles away. Clayton chose the Sunday nearest to the birthday of her recently deceased father. Unfortunately, the day was overshadowed by other events in the city, West Virginia did not officially register the holiday, and it was not celebrated again. Instead, credit for Father's Day went to Sonora Dodd from Spokane, who invented independently her own celebration of Father's Day just two years later, also influenced by Jarvis' Mother's Day. Clayton's celebration was forgotten until 1972, when one of the attendants to the celebration saw Nixon's proclamation of Father's Day, and worked to recover its legacy. The celebration is now held every year in the Central United Methodist Church, as the Williams Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was torn down in 1922. Fairmont is now promoted as the "Home of the First Father's Day Service".
A bill to accord national recognition of the holiday was introduced in Congress in 1913. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson went to Spokane to speak on a Father's Day celebration and wanted to make it official, but Congress resisted, fearing that it would become commercialized.[3] US President Calvin Coolidge recommended in 1924 that the day be observed by the nation, but stopped short of issuing a national proclamation. Two earlier attempts to formally recognize the holiday had been defeated by Congress. In 1957, Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith wrote a proposal accusing Congress of ignoring fathers for 40 years while honoring mothers, thus "[singling] out just one of our two parents." In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers, designating the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. Six years later, the day was made a permanent national holiday when President Richard Nixonsigned it into law in 1972. In addition to Father's Day, International Men's Day is celebrated in many countries on November 19 for men and boys who are fathers.

Death - Mourning Steps, Christian Thoughts

2011-06-21T00:26:00.002-05:00

This article dedicate to those who have lost a loved one or best friends. Hopefully this article helps those who is mourning their loss.

One of the bloggers asked Hiroko to write Hiroko’s experience how to overcome the sadness and hardship when she lost her loved one and her friends. Hiroko received five sad news within three month in Chicago. The first three sad news came to Hiroko within two month were her distant relative, her mother, and her close friend. She was devastated and didn’t know what to do because she was in Chicago. Hiroko received fourth one, uncle’s death, she thought she might have done something wrong. Then, last one came to Hiroko, she was shocked and got angry at God. Especially last one was Hiroko’s Professor who taught Hiroko Christianity 101. She was very close with this professor during her college life. As a Christian, Hiroko should ask God for help, and read Bible, but she couldn’t do those, on the contrary she got mad at and against Him, because of His responsibilities to happen these people’s death, she thought. Especially the Professor’s death made Hiroko so hurt. Hiroko thought she could talk about Jesus and Christianity with the Professor, because 13 years after she learned about Jesus from the Professor she finally received Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord at previous year, but God took him.

Hiroko couldn’t pray to God but she could be mad at Him and said, “I think You did wrong things” and questioning Him, “Why did you do?” She couldn’t read the Bible, nor pray to God and even didn’t want to communicate with her Christian friends and walked around with her head down. Hiroko tried to cut off her friends but many were calling her and talked to her to remind that Hiroko and her daughter went to Japan for six months in the previous year and spent wonderful time with her mother and relatives. Those Christian friends’ words gave Hiroko comfort, and let her think about the wonderful time with her mother, relatives and friends in Japan. Hiroko thought back those days, it might be a big difference if she could say “Thanks” to God for letting her have those friends and such wonderful time in Japan.

Six months later, Hiroko’s family would attend the Church Summer Conference as usual summer activities. Before Hiroko mentioned her turning point at this conference, two interesting articles for suffering people would like to be mentioned: One article was taken from the monthly devotion guide called “Clay” dated June 10, 2011.

“Colleen married at 17 and gave birth for one girl, but at 25 years old her husband died with a sudden sickness. She was pregnant at the time. Several years later she married again and had 2 children. Her fourth child, Glen, was born premature, no anus, and slow learner. Her second husband had died of liver cancer, and soon after that Glen also died. Colleen had never stopped her beautiful smiling in these hardships that attacked her one by one. Pastor wondered why she can keep smiling, so he asked her. Colleen answered, “My feeling of joy might be expressed on my face. I have always known someone in my life, to whom I can depend on. Yes, it is Jesus. Jesus was with me and I believe firmly Jesus will be with me all the way, therefore I have joy and make me smile under any circumstance.”

Job 1:20 and 2:7-10 in the Bible
Job heard the news from his servant that he lost all his wealth and 10 children in one day. “At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”
Job afflicted with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it. His wife said to him, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”

Hiroko in her hardship couldn’t have those noble faiths on Jesus, but the Lord has been so good to her that letting Hiroko communicate with the Lord with getting angry and questioning.

In the summer conference mentioned above, Pastor Chiaki showed his love for the Lord with singing repeatedly the Hymn called “Jacobs Ladders.” When Hiroko was listening and singing with him, she would like to show her love to the Lord Jesus like the Pastor. Hiroko asked to the Lord Jesus to receive her forgiveness for her wrong attitude toward the Lord.
Another story was told by the year’s conference speaker who was physically disabled. The story made Hiroko to think and letting her to open the Bible. “The cold winter day at the one of the Northern towns, the Speaker finished his speaking engagement, and he was waiting for the train to move to another town for his another speaking engagement. The weather was getting colder and the snow was falling heavily, so it was questioned the train would be coming or not. The train station received the telegram for the Pastor to inform his daughter’s husband had died in a car accident. He was shocked to hear the news and felt so bad that he couldn’t do anything for his daughter. He opened the Bible, and surprised to see the verses, ‘Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” He said to the Lord, ‘Lord, how can I rejoice?’ He put his head down to hold himself in reverence to the Lord, then, he heard in his heart, ‘I’m with you, so you can talk to me anything, and give you comfort.’ Pastor realized His presence, and gave thanks and rejoiced to be able to talk to Him.

Hiroko broke her sadness and hardship when she said, “I’m sorry” at the conference. No one knows that at what occasion and when, how to get out of the sadness and hardship. However, God will guide you and lead you to the peace in the Lord.

Please continue to read the following Hiroko’s main idea of how to cope with the sadness and hardship after losing loved one or friends or relatives. The Hiroko’s main ideas was taken from the teaching by the Pastor of Hiroko’s church who hold the Doctor’s degree of Counseling, and the books recommended by the Pastor when he taught his congregation, which names are “Crisis Counseling” and Training Christian to Counsel” by H. Norman Wright.

Those who lost loved one or friends were called the “bereaved person” in the book. Here are the steps: (i) Shock, panic and crying; (ii) guilt and distress; (iii) hostility and resentment; (iv) depression or loneliness; (v) justified; (vi) restless activities; (vii) return to usual life activities; (viii) identification with the deceased

The “bereaved person” will be experiencing all those or part of them randomly many times.

(i) In some part of Japan, there is saying “the tear washes any sadness away” so it is better to cry a lot. It is not good to give a suggestion, “if you cry, the deceased cannot be in peace.”

(ii) The most “bereaved person” regret that they didn’t do enough for good for the
deceased. It is such waste of time to suggest, “do not have such guilty conscious,” rather it is better to listen seriously to what they are saying

(iii) Many “bereaved person” get angry and blame the doctors, hospitals, care givers, and others that they didn’t do good job. Sometime “bereaved person” get angry to the deceased who left “bereaved person” all alone. It is a very common action.

(iv) Some “bereaved person” begin a lot of activities but lose interest soon. It is helpful to talk to those who don’t know what to do. Some “bereaved person” needs to talk their suffering over and over, and even one or two years after some needs to talk.
Hiroko’s best friend’s daughter called from Mitsuwa, Japanese food market, after one year later her mother passed, and said with crying voice, “In this isle there are many things that reminds of Mom. She loved all those and she kept that always on our kitchen table, and she used them to make such delicious Japanese food. Hiroko, I don’t know what is matter with me.“ Hiroko talked with her about her mother and let her know the recipe . The daughter couldn’t mourn at her mother’s death. She suppressed her feelings way down in her heart because of many reasons.

It is much better for “bereaved person” has a person to talk to his/her sadness or hardship. However, some “bereaved person” cannot talk their thought or feeling freely. If those “bereaved person” help other “bereaved person ’ it actually helps the “bereaved person” who can’t talk.

If “bereaved person” has no one to talk to or cannot talk, keeping a journal will be very helpful. In the Journal the “bereaved person” should write true his/her emotional feeling and his/her memories of the loved one.

If the relationship with the deceased was not good, it is very hard. However, the “bereaved person” should be writing his/her true feeling in the journal. It should be very helpful.

The story about the Job in the Bible, any counselor will be learned. Job’s three friends came to see Job and “when they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep and sprinkled dust on their head. Then they sat on the ground with Job for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him.” After the seven days, Job’s friends started to talk to Job as Job opened his mouth, and saying Job should ask the Lord forgiveness for his wrong doing or unrighteousness that cause these troubles. Job and Job’s friends talked a lot but it didn’t help Job. Finally, the Lord came to see and talked with Job, and said to Job’s friend, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” … After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made job prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.

This story taught us how to counsel those who are in the hardship and mourning. It is very true talking wrong word can’t help anyone, or also talking too much. It is much better not talking and to listen than talking too much.

It is not yet talked about all the things those books mentioned, and the Docter/Pastor teaching us. Hiroko want to write again about this subject. Please share with me your experience on the comment or phone me. Hiroko would like to refer your thought on Hiroko’s blog with your permission.

The flowers of Konnyaku, Nursery

2011-06-18T19:03:00.010-05:00

Konnyaku’s root (potato) and homemade konnyaku

The lady who has been making konnyaku all the time says it is difficult to make konnyaku if the potato has smaller than 7 or 8 inches, because the potato skin is very hard, and the skin have to be pilled off and then grate it. It is too much work to make konnyaku. First of all it is very hard to make the potato larger, so Hiroko cannot make konnyaku ever.

The Konnyaku lady gave Hiroko this bud of konnyaku flower in the early spring. She said the flower will make very stinky smell. Hiroko had been wondering what was going on.

Then, look! The konnyaku flower was bloomed. Dark purple colored flower was bloomed and it wasn’t smelly.

In the image of Google Japan there are so many konnyaku flower photo and pictures. Hiroko borrowed the above two pictures. The konnyaku flower in the left side photo is called a “ monster konnyaku flower” which is twice as taller than a man. The right side one seems normal size konnyaku flowers. Hiroko’s flower should be opened more.

Waiting for the flower be withered, and then plating the potato in the ground, a new bud will sprout again, said the Konnyaku lady.

There is no bud coming out from the potato which had flower, but the potato from last year has been growing the bud.
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Konnyaku
The following explanation about Konnyaku is posted on the web-site
http://www.shakespeare-w.com/english/konnyaku/whatis.html. Please go to the web-site for further interesting information about Konnyaku.
Konnyaku is a Japanese traditional food.
Konnyaku is a traditional Japanese jelly-like health food made from a kind of potato called "Konnyaku potato" and calcium hydroxide or oxide calcium extracted from eggshells. The Konnyaku potato is native to Indonesia and is a kind of herbaceous perennial plant called "Amorphophallus Konjac"(K. Koch). Konnyaku potatoes are cultivated for food only in Japan, but wild forms grow naturally in Southeast Asia and China.
We Japanese have been eating it over 1500 years.
It was originally introduced to Japan as a medicine in the sixth century and has been eaten for almost 1500 years in Japan. It is a totally natural food. Ninety seven percent of Konnyaku is water and three percent is Glucomannan, or dietary fibre. It is also rich in minerals and very low in calories.
Full of dietary fibre
Glucomannan is a dietary fibre and it is extremely difficult for humans to digest. Therefore, Konnyaku usually just goes through your body and sweeps your intestines. That is why it has been regarded as a no calorie food for a long time in Japan. Konnyaku does have calories, however, the calories would be so few in the normal quantities that they are negligible in number.
Konnyaku is a marvellous health food
It does not have fat, it is rich in dietary fibre and is low in calories. Moreover, it has recently been found that it normalises the level of cholesterol, prevents high blood pressure and normalises the level of sugar in the blood. Because of these scientific findings, it has been perceived as a excellent health food in Japan.

There are several Japanese saying with the word of “Konnyaku”:

-Those who are haughty at own home but weak in outside has been called “Konnyaku Enma (the Judge of Hell)” – “A lion at home and a mouse abroad”
-The things hard to be completed called “Built a stone wall with Konnyaku”

From the image of Konnyaku as “soft” and “flabby” use in the baseball terms such as
-“Konnyaku Daho (The way of hitting)”
-“Konnyaku Toho (The way of pitching)”
-“Konnyaku Senpo (The strategy)”

These sayings are posted at Wikipedia http-://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/ in Japanese

2011 Garden 2 (Nursery) - Planted!

2011-05-31T22:32:00.001-05:00

The new plants are planted on the Memorial Day. Thanks to God for providing such a nice day.

However, the day before the Memorial Day was different.

That day, 60lb. of potting soil for Hiroko, and tomato and pepper pants for Dan-san were purchased at the nursery store called “Lowe’s.” At the Lowe’s, the weather was suddenly changed. The strong wind blew through inside the Lowe’s building. It was so scary that everyone ran to the entrance.

The cloud of the sky looks like starting the tornado. Some calmly said it would not be tornado, but the big rain would be falling. Many were still watching the dark and scary clouds. Dan-san decided to leave from the Lowe’s building, but the big big amount of rain fell.

Well, the Memorial Day was a fine day.

The next door farming expert George

The Back Yard Garden

Dan-san planted those plants and seeds of cucumber and green beans.

He was too tired to plant those tomato and pepper plants. However, he did plant these next day.

Porch Garden

Elsa didn’t do anything. Hiroko planted 2 jalapeño pepper and 1 hot red pepper in the square pots.

2 biggest pots for cucumber, 2 pots for shishito
There are more plants like shiso, oregano herb, konnyaku and others to take care. Hiroko will do it some other day.

The opposite next door people of George were preparing for the garden picnic while Dan-san and Hiroko was planting.

The Memorial Day was very hot, so they were making plastic pool. How long would it be taking to fill the air in the plastic tube of the pool? They said it would be taking about three hours. Well, it was done in two hours later. They had a wonderful picnic in the yard that night.

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Pork Sashimi - Dinner for the day

Pork Roast
Simmer in the water with ginger, green onion, brown onion, garlic, any other vegetables, and seasonings for 6 to 10 hours
Seasoning: beef bouillon, black pepper, red pepper, rosemary, thyme,
Cool off the meat and slice
Serve with sliced lettuce and shoga or hot mustard soy source

Chicago, Maples - Kaede - Momiji

2011-05-29T23:17:00.009-05:00

It was a beautiful, warm day in May. All the flowers have usually bloomed in May, but this year, because of the late Easter, or unusual weather, it has not been warm days in Chicago.

The blue sky was so beautiful, but the photo could not express the blue. Regret!

Hiroko thought all the maples are green in the spring, then, it wasn’t. Hiroko was thinking because of this cold weather those maple leaves has already turned in color. Hakoniwa-san posted a beautiful green maple tree in her blog background. Hiroko was so curious that she was walking around in her neighborhood to find out about maple.

There are three different shapes of red leaves. It is called “Japanese maple” in Chicago.

Turning away from the subject, in Chicago, the city provides any trees to plant by the sidewalk. One of Hiroko’s friend requested Japanese maple tree for her sidewalk. Many people must love the maple tree, because there is one tree in each block.

This is one of the beautiful red Japanese maple leaves in the right side of photo.
In the right side of photo, you can see the flowers of the maple.

There is no green leaves of this shape maple by Hiroko’s neighbor, and also her friend’s neighbor in the suburb of Chicago.

This photo of the beautiful green maple leaves borrowed from the Google website. The green maple trees in the Hakoniwa-san’s blog background were also beautiful.

The green maple trees in Chicago

The green maple trees grow very tall. There are so many of this kind of green maple trees by the Michigan Lake.

The big green maple leave

Hiroko’s friend brought the maple leaves from her neighbor.

The leaves in the left-side photo is the same shape of the big tree’s green leaves, but it is red, called “crimson maple.” There are also a “silver maple’ with backside of the leaf is silver color.
The leave in the right side photo is used in the Canada flag. The color of leaf should be in red in the flag.

Here is the Canada flag from Canada official web-site.
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Hiroko’s wonder:
The plants were created at the same day of ground created on the third day. The animals including the human being were created on the sixth day. After the Noah’s flood, only the animals that went in the ark have lived. However, the sea animals and the plants originally made by God has survived. Hiroko was thinking that God would make so many different kinds of maples?

By the way, maple syrup is usually made from xylem sap of sugar maple, red maple or black maple trees, although syrup can also be made from other maple species such as the big leaf maple.

2011 Garden 1, (Nursery)

2011-05-25T22:07:00.002-05:00

From the garden hopefully lots of tasty vegetables will be harvesting this year again.
The seeds of cucumber and Shishito (Japanese pepper) were purchased of Kitazawaseed.com in the middle of April. However, the weather was not permitted to plant the seeds in the porch garden. Finally Hiroko decided to plant these seeds inside the house of the end of April.

On the kitchen window frames, 2 each pots of cucumber and shishito seeds were placed

3 pots were placed at the bottom of the window frames, and 1 pot on the top. Hiroko was anxiously watching these pots every day.

Finally these buds were sprung out. It took about 2 weeks for cucumber and 4 to 5 weeks for shishito. One of Hiroko’s friends who bought the cucumber seeds from the same supplier Hiroko bought, said her seeds had never been sprung out. Hiroko gave some of the cucumber buds to her. She said the cucumber plants have been doing well.
Well, Hiroko has to transplant her buds of cucumbers and Shishito soon. When?

Backyard garden

Dan-san put the top soil over the back yard, and said he would plant the seeds on the Memorial Day. Next door garden had already planted all kinds of plants. Hiroko’s cucumber and Shishito buds would also be planted on the Memorial Day. Hiroko hoped it would be a nice day.

Before the transplant, Hiroko has to clean up the porch. The porch has collected all the dust and garbages. It was very dirty. Hiroko decided to clean up the porch one day before her brother and sister in-laws coming from California, because she invited some friends to have a dinner with in-laws.

Here is Hiroko’s clean porch garden. The three big pots and square one are added to her porch garden. Elsa wanted to grow some plants, so let her take care of jalapeño pepper plants and red hot pepper which is easy to grow.
Well, Hiroko hoped to transplant all those buds on the Memorial Day.
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Cooking Tips
Chinese cucumber and brown rice were served at the dinner for in-laws and friends.

How to cut hard skin American cucumber
Many people slice all the skin out from cucumber, but it is good to do ….

With fork scratch on the cucumber long way
Peel the part of a cucumber skin

Slice the cucumber
See the design on the cucumber, and the hard skin becomes softer
The Chinese cucumber recipe posted on May 8, 2010, article called “Nursery”
Brown Rice

100% brown rice cooked on the gas stove
Hiroko started to eat brown rice about 35 years ago because she could eat 2 bowls of rice (brown) instead of one bowl of the rice (white). The calorie of 2 bowls brown rice and 1 bowl white rice are same, Hiroko heard. Hiroko love to eat rice. The beginning of two or three months after she switched from white rice to brown rice Hiroko had never been satisfied with any foods she ate. She wanted to eat something all the time. One day she cooked white rice to make maki-sushi for church pot luck. Hmmmm, the smell of the white rice was sooooo delicious. Hiroko ate 2 cups of white rice with eggs and nori. After that she has been enjoying the brown rice.
Recently, Hiroko makes maki-sushi with half and half with brown and white rice, and honey instead of sugar.
By the way, first washing the brown rice has to use little of the water, and then use lots of the water to wash 4 or 5 times. Soak the brown rice over 4 or 5 hours, and then wash the rice again. Cook with the certain amount of the water. It is very easy to cook on the stove, but there is the electric rice cooker for brown rice.

2011 “Mother’s Day” 2nd Time Celebration, Journal

2011-05-14T23:38:00.000-05:00

The Saturday before the Mother’s Day, Hiroko was busy helping children to make two Mother’s Day presents at Church, so one week later another celebration was held at the Japanese gourmet restaurant.

The front of “Sun Shine” Japanese Cuisine Restaurant
Hiroko posted the “Maneki Neko” (inviting cats) in the show window of this restaurant May 2010.

Dan-san, Hiroko’s nephew Steven/Amanda, daughters, Elsa and Lisa/Dave came to this dinner.
The beautiful flower on the table from Amanda, and cheered “kampai” with the wine brought by Steven.
Lisa/Dave gave Hiroko couple of the delicious cheese dips from the Farmer’s Market, butter to remember Hokkaido, and oregano plant. Hiroko loves any cheese dips, so she was eating cheese dip spreading on celery, carrot and cracker for her lunch while she was working at the MMIS, so her cholesterol went up to 275. Dr. asked Hiroko quit eating whatever she was eating. Hiroko has to control herself to eat cheese dips.

Appetizers

Squid leg calamari, gyoza and croquettes
Dave wanted to compare with his homemade croquettes to Sun Shine’s one. Of course his home made one was far delicious than this, because in his croquettes lots of butter and cheese, and ham were in.

Dinner dishes

Saba-no-Shioyaki (broiled mackerels with salt) and Una-don (eel on the rice)
Sukiyaki and Tonkatsu (pork cutlet) dinner
Oishikatta (delicious)! Gochisosama (Thank You for the foods)!
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Mother’s Day History
From the Google, searching the origin of the “Mother’s Day” there are many sites are available. Hiroko likes the web-site called www.mothersdaycentral The main idea from the site will be written below. Please go to the site to further informations, and it is interesting to read other sites’ different views of the Mother’s Day.

Spiritual Origin of Mother’s Day
The traditional practice of honoring of Motherhood is rooted in antiquity, and past rites typically had strong symbolic and spiritual overtones; societies tended to celebrate Goddesses. The personal, human touch to Mother’s Day is a relatively new. The material objects from adoration ranged from mythological female deities to the Christian Church itself.
oEarly Egyptian Roots - Goddess Isis
oAncient Roman Celebration – Phrygian goddess Cybele
oGreek – Rhea, the Greek mother of the Gods
oEuropean Celebration – Celebrating Lent and Mother Church

Family Gatherings with human Mom
In the 1600’s in England broadened the celebration to include real Mothers, referring to the day of Mothering Day. During this Lenten Sunday, servants and trade workers were allowed to travel back to their towns of origin to visit the families. Families across England could enjoy a family feast --- Mother was the guest of honor.

History of American Celebration
The first North American Mother’s Day was conceptualized with Julia Ward Howe’s Mother’s Day Proclamation in 1870. Howe had become so distraught by the death and carnage of the Civil War that she called on Mother’s to come together and protest what she saw as the futility of their Sons killing the Sons of other Mother.
The Rise & Fall of Howe’s Mother’s Day
In 1873 women’s group in 18 North American cities observed this new Mother’s holiday. Howe initially funded many of these celebrations, but most of them died out once she stopped footing the bill. The city of Boston, however would continue celebrating Howe’s holiday for 10 more years.
Despite the decided failure of her holiday, Howe had nevertheless planted the seed that would blossom into what we know as Mother’s Day today. A West Virginia women’s group led by Anna Reeves Jarvis began to celebrate an adaptation of Howe’s holiday. In order to re-unite families and neighbors that had been divided between the Union and Confederate sides of the Civil War, the group held a Mother’s Friendship Day.
Anna M. Jarvis’s Mother’s Day in 1908
After Anna Reeves Javis died, her daughter Anna M. Jarvis campaigned for the creation of an official Mother’s Day in remembrance of her mother and in honor of peace. In 1908, Anna petitioned the superintendent of the church where her Mother had spent over 20 years teaching Sunday School. Her request was honored, and on May 10, 1908, the first official Mother’s Day celebration took place at Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia and a church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The West Virginia event drew a congregation of 407 and Anna Jarvis arranged for white carnation --- her Mother’s favorite flower --- to adorn the patrons. Two carnations were given to every Mother in attendance.

US Government Adoption
Anna Jarvis quit working and devoted herself full time to the creation of Mother’s Day, endlessly petitioning state governments, business leaders, women groups, churches and other institutions and organizations. In 1912 West Virginia became the first state to officially recognize Mother’s Day and in 1914 Woodrow Wilson signed it into national observance, declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.

The Fight Over Commercialization
The commercialization of Mother’s Day greatly disturbed Jarvis, so she opposed what she perceived as a misuse of the holiday. In 1923 she sued to stop a Mother’s Day event, and in the 1930’s she was arrested for disturbing the peace at the American War Mothers group. She was protesting their sale of flowers. Despite her efforts, flower sales on Mother’s Day continued to grow. Florist’s Review wrote, “Miss Jarvis was completely squelched.”

Anna Jarvis died in 1948, blind, poor and childless. Jarvis would never know that it was, ironically, the Florist’s Exchange had anonymously paid for her care.

2011 Mothers’ Day - May 8th - Sunday, Journal

2011-05-08T14:43:00.000-05:00

The Mothers’ Day has always been on Sunday, so Hiroko went to church worshipping the Lord God and having V.B.S. meeting in the morning. Hiroko came home at 11:00 A.M. then, Elsa waited for Hiroko, and said she would be taking Hiroko to celebrate Mothers’ Day with lunch. Hiroko has been thinking to have lunch at the different countries’ restaurants, such as Thai, Mexico and crepe cooking. Elsa chose this crepe cooking restaurant.

This is the front entrance of the restaurant taken by cel phone camera. It is so hard to focus with cel phone camera that the first photo has no head of the entrance, so Hiroko took another photo which came out only head. Two photos make whole entrance. The name of the restaurant is “Icosium Kafe.” The name us taken from the old name of the capital city of Algeria located between Egypt and Morocco. The new capital’s name is Alger. The restaurant’s web address is www.icosiumkafechicago.com, The foods of restaurant is cooked Icosium way and wrapped with the French style crepe.

Inside of the restaurant:

Many decorations hanging all over the walls make us feel like in the foreign country.

The dishes ordered the day:

Starting to cut the foods, then Hiroko realized she has not takeb the photos, yet. The cut foods were mended for taking the photos. It was a regret that the crepe couldn’t mend completely well.
The Left side dish is called the “Crepe de Roma” made with sautéed tomatoes, basil, porto bello mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, spinach wrapped in crepe.
The right side dish was called “Greek Crepe” ordered by Elsa and completely cut and opened crepe. Regret! Inside crepe are sautéed feta cheese, cured olives, tomatoes, almonds, spinach, cilantro, and garlic. She added the meat, merguez (Algerian lamb sausage.)
The crepe and inside sautéed foods were very tasty and seasoned very well. Many additional meats, even Escargots are listed on the menu. The menu of the restaurant is listed in their web-site.

Now dessert time:

Hiroko ordered simple herb tea. The tea came with these beautiful glass cup and pot. It is sad to see this photos. Do you think Hiroko should attend the school to learn how to take the photos?
There are many different kinds of the country’s drinks in the menu. Elsa ordered the country’s special drink. Hiroko took the photo of Elsa’s special drink, but Elsa’s head was cut in the photo. So the photo could not be posted.

Cel phone camera takes very sharpe photo without setting the flash on or off, outside mode or inside and many other modes, so Hiroko likes to use it. However, Hiroko should be using regular camera at the coming Saturday’s another Mothers’ Day celebration dinner.

The dessert crepe:

“Crepe Aziz”- Fresh Strawberries, Kiwis and Nutella are wrapped with the crepe, and decorated with heavy cream and Nutella. Hiroko heard that the Nutella is made with macadamia nuts, therefore, it is good for those who have allergy from chocolate or peanut butter. The Nutella tasted like chocolate.

It was very, very delicious lunch. Thanks Elsa! Gochiso-sama!

Present, Omiyage

2011-05-01T23:21:00.010-05:00

Last year, the rare chocolate which is mixed with sesame seeds was given to Hiroko. The article about this chocolate was posted on April 24, 2010.

The same “Black Sesame Seed Chocolate” was given to Hiroko by Okinawa-san, but they are different. Last years’ one made in Okinawa and this years’ one from Hokkaido. This chocolate is very tasty with black sesame seeds.
The Chicago’s famous chocolate is Frangomint. As you guessed this chocolate is mixed with mint. Hiroko thinks chocolate and mint is not a good combination, so she has not eaten this chocolate. However, many Japanese said this minted chocolate is very tasty. It is very surprising and strange to Hiroko.

The three different kinds of tea were also given. Two of them are powder tea and other one is seasoned tea. There are many different seasoned teas now days in Japan. Seaweed tea has been there long time but the tea seasoned with plum, shiitake mushroom, other mushrooms, and many others. The seasoned tea makes people relax after a hard days’ work.

Many thanks to those who have been giving many different green tea to Hiroko since Hiroko came to Chicago. She has never missed the Japanese tea because many tasty green tea are always in her freezer. Air tight packaged green tea is best kept in the freezer, but the freeze tea bag should be opened at the room temperature.

Shiho-san gave Hiroko this “Kuri Tea” and “Shoga-suko” named for the combination of Shoga and Tabasco. Shoga-suko made with vinegar, ginger, hot pepper, salt and konnyaku powder. It gives very good season for any boiled vegetables.
The mug in the second photo is Hiroko’s tea cup used every day. It is very safe and does not tip over because of the wide bottom. Hiroko had used the tea cup from Osushi-ya at first in Chicago, which gave her a very pleasant feeling like in Japan, but it got broken. Now she is using this mug, and sometime has a strange feeling with this mug, because no one in Japan drinks Japanese tea from a mug. Hiroko’s American life has been a very long time, so there is no different feeling using the mug for drinking Japanese green tea.

Ohio Kumiko sent Hiroko these presents, tasty furikake and DVD "99 Years of Love" (the story of Japanese American).
She arrived Japan at the day before the big earthquake. On the earthquake day her tourist group was in the airplane almost all day at Haneda Airport. However, they could leave Tokyo next day for Kyushu Onsen tour. She was staying Tokyo area after the Kyushu Onsen tour, and experienced the after shock earthquake and Nuclear problems. Hiroko heard the true voice of the Japanese problems from Ohio Kumiko.
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About Green Tea
In America, the green tea is a very special drink now days, but many are drinking it with sugar. Many are drinking the green tea because it is said the green tea takes the fat out, so it’s good to lower the cholesterol and lose some weight. Well, hopefully it is true.
The tea brought to Japan from China by the Kentoshi sent by the Shotoku Prince (574-622). Since then, much have been changed, but the origin of tea was in China. The Chinese, who works at the office where Hiroko used to work was drinking the tea different way than the Japanese. They put tea leaves in the cup and pour the hot water on top of the leaves, and sometimes they eat the leaves. Hiroko thought it was strange, but the maccha is the same. The maccha is powder. Taking the tea leaves as it is or powder, it contains more nutrition than just drink said by the Japanese nutritionist. Chinese has been doing better way. Maccha is good way to take the tea leaves.
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In the Bible, it is not mentioned what foods or drinks are better for the health. Listing in the Bible is the foods we shouldn’t eat. Some of the foods in this list contain too much cholesterol, or easy to spoil. It is good to read the list in the Bible to maintain our health.

2011 Easter Celebration Dinner

2011-04-24T14:12:00.019-05:00

This year, 2011, the Easter Celebration dinner was held at the home of Lisa and Dave for the first time. Thanks to Lisa for letting whole family come togather to gather for the all occasions.
The daughter (Holly) of the semi-proffessional cameraperson who took many photos of the Christmas gathering for Hiroko, sent the following photos taken by her I-touch.

Dave and Lisa Dan-san and Lisa

Dave’s brother, Cris and Dan-san Dave’s mother (Joyce) and Hiroko

Cris and Hiroko enjoyed Adult Chocolate Milk
The first sip of the milk made Hiroko chocke because of the sweetness or strong liquior taste. It was a very tasty drink.

Cris’s last name is Mateers. The name is printed on his green shirt. Isn’t he looking like Elvis?

Lisa and Hiroko

Where is my plate? Cris and Holly’s dog named Tussy. This dog eats everything, so he can’t have anything from the table. Sorry!

These photos were taken very well with I-touch. Video pictures of the dancing girls taken with I-touch were also sent to Hiroko, so they are posted in the middle of this article. Please enjoy them.

Now, from here all these photos were taken by Hiroko with Olympus camera. Please don’t say they are so different. It is very difficult to take the moving objects Well, these shaky photos might be effected by the adult milk.

Mateers family came on time, and they were relaxing when Dan-san and Hiroko arrived.

Joyce, Dave’s father, Ranny and Holly is daughter-in-law to them

Cris and his daughter

Appetizer Table

Easter celebration appetizers were little bit different. Dave’s new dish Special Coroket. Mashed boiled potato and mix ham, eggs, and parmesan cheese. Put another cheese cut in squre in the center of corokets while shaping them, and deep fry. Delicious corockets. Spinich dip made by Holly with crackers and chips, and couple of different cheeses and sausages and salamis. Be careful eating too much.

Dan-san enjoyed appetizer Joyce enjoyed Adult Milk

Cris’ daughter was preparing her pajama for changing before going home.

Cris was showing off his shirt.

What was Dave cooking in the kitchen?

He had just taken out the pork tenderloin for today’s Entrée. Pork tenderloin was baked with sauer-Kraut. It was very good recipe for pork.

Dave’s cousin had just arrived. First, they had some appetizer, then drinks
They brought these yellow tulips. Spring had come! Spring had come in this home!

Here came the famous chef and friend. “Because of this chef we can have these expensive tenderloins for the Christmas and the Easter dinner.” “Thank you so much for the beef tenderloin we enjoyed at Christmas.” “Please have some drink!” “Shall I bring the Adult Chocolate Milk?” “No, thanks! I’d like to have beer.”

Isn’t it good to have a barbecue party with this grill in summer?

"Daddy, how does this work?""Well, Let me see!"

"I think I can now."
“Well, it is not a time for dinner, yet.” “Let’s do game dancing?” “Let’s do it!” “I had been practicing since Christmas. I’d like to show it to Elsa. Where is she?” “Elsa is working at home.” “This is family gathering.” Why can’t she come.” “Her boss said Elsa doesn’t have children, so any emergency works could be assigned to her.” “What is that he is saying?” “Isn’t it discrimination?” “Does it means someone who doesn’t have a child is less valuable?” “Let’s call Elsa.” “Well, well, please let’s do the game dance!”

No need to explain for these photos.

Please click YouTube to see video pictures of the game dancing taken by Holly with her I-Touch.

Oh, Dave’s father started making salad. Our dinner would be ready soon.

Dave had also been finishing his Potato dish. With 3 lb. potato he put l lb. butter. WOW too much butter! Well, only tonight! However, Dave uses lots of butter all the time, said Lisa

Pork tenderloin was done. Dave started to cut tenderloin and placed on the sauer-kraut.

Dinner Time
Where is the photo for Salad? FORGOT TO TAKE PHOTO! SORRY!

Holly’s green beans and bacon dish, and Hiroko’s dish – ham and vegetable tempura

Here is Dave’s pork tenderloin and potato dishes

Bread

Gave grace for the food by Dan-san

“Father in heaven: Give praise and thanks to You for who You are and what You have done for us on the Easter Sunday 2,000 years ago. With Your death and resurrection we can have the righteous life and freedom. Thank you for this family gathering to celebrate Easter. Thanks for your care and guidance of each one of them here. Thank you for all these delicious foods. Ask You to provide good meals for the people who aren’t fortunate. Thanks again for your love and grace. In Jesus name, Amen.”

After dinner all the young people washed dishes and packed doggy bags to take home within short time. Thanks to the hands for doing these work.
Give thanks to everybody and special thanks to Lisa/Dave for opening their home to provide warm and wonderful place to celebrate Easter.

Dessert Time

Here came Steven’s girlfriend, Amanda’s banana pudding and heavenly hash baked with her grandma’s recipe. Her grandma used to make these for her and brother. Heavenly hash was made with marshmallow, coconut and fruits mixed with whip cream. They were heavenly delicious

We understood how the dog feel.

Happy Easter!

Good Night!

HuliHuli Seasoning, Recipe

2011-04-17T22:46:00.013-05:00

On January 28 and February 28, Hiroko posted about the various seasonings. Among the seasoning, Dashi Soy is made with soy sauce, dried mackel and bonito powder, rice wine and monosodium. Sprinkling Dashi Soy over the any boiled vegetable make very tasty. Hiroko was told this is very expensive seasoning, so wasting to make soaking sauce for Teriyaki chicken. However, Hiroko had already made Teriyaki chicken with Dashi Soy. The recipe was posted in the article called “Fermented seasoning” on January 28.

HuliHuli is made with soy sauce, sugar and ginger. Hiroko tried to make many dishes using HuliHuli requested by one of Hiroko’s blog readers.

Teriyaki Chicken with HuliHuli (no photo)
1 ½ lb. boneless and skinless chicken thigh
Make sauce with:
½ cup HuliHuli
½ tsp salt
½ cup sake or wine
Soak chicken in the sauce over night, then barbecue or broil
It was good. Hiroko’s family members ate this.
Some Hawaiian Japanese prefer to add orange juice.

Kara-age chicken

Coat corn starch on the soaked Teriyaki chicken and fry ½ inch deep oil
Everyone likes this chicken. It was very tasty.

1 lb. Skinless and boneless chicken breast – cut-up in small pieces
Cook in the same sauce of the Teriyaki chicken
½ cup of HuliHuli, ½ tsp of salt and ½ cup of sake or white wine
Hiroko’s family members did not enjoy this dish because it was too Japanese taste.

Oyako-don - making with chicken (Oya-parents) and egg (Ko-kids), therefore Japanese gave this name for this dish

However, made Oyako-don with the left over dish was favored by Hiroko’s family
Add 1 cup chicken stock – make sure there are enough sauce
Add 1 small yellow onion – sliced
Boil the chicken and onion in sauce
Pour beaten 3 eggs over the chicken and onion sauce
Serve this chicken over the cooked rice

Chicken steak (4 people)

2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts – sliced thin in small pieces
Season with pinch of each pepper, garlic power, rosemary, red hot pepper, thyme, and cumin
Make frying pan hot and melt ½ tsp butter
Broil or fry the chicken in pan
Sprinkle HuliHuli over the chicken, and it added a little sweet taste. It was very tasty

Gyu (Beef) Don (bowl)

1 lb. small pieces beef
½ tofu – cut small pieces
1 carrot – thin sliced with peeler
Pinch - sea-weed (wakame)
Cook in the same sauce of the Teriyaki chicken
½ cup of HuliHuli, ½ tsp of salt and ½ cup of sake or white wine
Serve this cooked beef over the rice

Hot Buckwheat Noodle (No photo)
Add 2 cups of chicken stock to the left over Gyu-Don beef
Boil this soup
Pour the soup over the cooked buckwheat noodle
Everyone loved this noodle dish

Using Vegetable
Chinese Cucumber

1 cucumber, half skin off and cut into bite size
½ small onion, slice thin
Dressing: 1 Tbsp HuliHuli
1 Tbsp Rice Vinegar
½ sesame oil
Soak the cucumber in the dressing
It made everyone happy

Boiled Vegetables - Broccoli and carrot, or Spinach

Boil broccoli and carrot, then cut into bite size, or spinach with white sesame seeds
Sprinkle HuliHuli only
Both were very tasty

Seasoning is necessity to make any food tasty. Young people know how to use many different kinds of seasoning. Thanks to our nephew Steven and Dave to teach Hiroko how to use seasoning. Seasonings are very important for cooking
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Jesus told Christians to be the salt of the world.
Matthew 5:13
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses it saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”
What did Jesus command us with this verse? What should we do to be the salt of the earth?
There may be answer to know how the salt does for food. Hiroko thinks using the salt for seasoning food, and preventing from spoil. As a Christian, Hiroko would like to think and meditate how and what kind relationship having with the world as salt.
Let Hiroko know your opinion.

Calo (Italian) Ristorante

2011-04-10T22:18:00.007-05:00

Give thanks to Ranny and Joyce for the Calo’s gift certificate given to Dan-san and Hiroko as Christmas present. Having the dinner on the day Dan-san and Hiroko left for Las Vegas was very convenient for Hiroko. It made Hiroko so happy that she didn’t have to cook or wash the dishes before their trip.

This is Calo’s sign board hanging in front of the restaurant.

The front entrance

Bar area These are the wine bottles on the wall.

Couple of different kinds of Italian bread and olive oil/parmesan cheese

Salad and pizza bread

Dan-san’s dish – marinara sauce pasta

Hiroko-s dish – three different kinds of mushroom pasta

Calo has been located on 5343 N. Clark Street, Chicago for 48 years. Many new restaurants come and go, but Calo is here all the time. Calo was renovated inside the restaurant 3 or 4 years ago. Before the renovation the restaurant was dark but now it has changed very well. The restaurant has still kept very wonderful Italian atmospheres and the taste of food are also very good. Dan-san and Hiroko enjoyed those foods served at Calo.

Give thanks to our Lord for giving us our daily need. Lord Jesus teaches us the following prayer:
“Our Father which art in Heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done on the earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors
Lead us not in temptation but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever. Amen

Trip Diary, in Las Vegas

2011-03-20T15:24:00.049-05:00

(Hiroko borrowed from Google images)

Dan-san and Hiroko run away from the cold, cold Chicago to Las Vegas for four days, from March 6 to March 10. It was around 60 degree in Las Vegas.

The Spirit Airline which is selling inexpensive airfare tickets was used to go to Las Vegas. Hiroko was surprised to pay for the carry-on luggages and a seat fee, but total $250 for round trip is not bad.
One of the purpose to go to Las Vegas was to meet Dan-san’s uncles who belongs to 442 Battalian (Nisei Butai) fought at Europe during the II World War. Dan-san’s brother (Tecchan) and wife (Saeru) were also coming to see the uncles so Dan-san and Hiroko were able to stay at their time share condo. Thanks!

Time-Share Condo Office and the half of the condo buildings
Inside the Condo

Bed room with king-size bed, jacuzzi, kitchen and bathroom (forgot to take picture)
They asked for two bedroom condo and received two of this condition rooms.
Our plane left O’Hare one hour late for some kind of problem. Thanks to Tecchan and Saeru for picking Dan-san and Hiroko up at Las Vegas Airport at 1:30 A.M.. Hiroko was confused in the airplane, because her cell phone’s time was not changed. At Las Vegas Airport Hiroko asked Dan-san for Chicago Time. Now she got it. The time on her cell phone was changed at Las Vegas time automatically. How amazing these electronics.

2nd Day, March 7, Monday
Meeting Uncles at the Main Street casino/hotel in Downtown.
Buffet Counters

This is buffet restarurant in the Main Street Casino: Chinese, Mexican, Italian and American and others have been served here.

Everyone ate so much, and talked about their family news. Uncle Mike who fought at France rescueing Texas unit is 92 years old, and Uncle Jimmy is 86 years old. Uncle Jimmy talked about how he fought at Italy. It was amazing story. These uncles’ experiences in the war were very valuable to record.
Aunty Alice (Uncle Jimmy’s wife), Saeru, and Hiroko continuously had converwsations about family. All the men was attracted to the slot machine.

Uncle Jimmy and his son and his wife were playing a poker machine.

Time came to say good bye to uncles and aunty, and we went back to the condo. There were some time before dinner, so all went to casino next to condo called South Point.

South Point Casino’s front entrance

Nationwide horse rase is seen in here and gmnbled. Preparing Boxing Matching

So many machines like this in any casinos

Tecchan, Saeru and Dan-san were playing some good machine
Deliciou dinner was served – home made gobo and meat, healthy rice, good salad, and chicken cutlets

3rd day, March 8, Tuesday
Deciding to see the show “Lion King” this night, so we tried to purchase the discount tickets.

This is the basement of the discount ticket building. This is a game-center for the children. It was very big space.

The interesting M&M store

There are so many different kinds of M&M. Saeru said her grandchildren like to come to this store.

The buildings on the south side of the Strip

New York, New York casinos/hotels

Mandalay Bay and Day and nighjt scenery of Excalibur casino/hotel

Luxor casino/hotel decorated with Egyptian things

Gas blow man – with his gas the bubbles blow

From the end of the south to see north-side of the Strip, and “Welcome” sign on the street. (Hiroko borrowed from Google images)
Tecchan and Saeru’s condo is located 15 minutes from this point to south.

There is new casino called “M” was built south of the condo. We went to “M” Casino

“M” came from the initial of the Italian owner’s name.

Many lilies by the entrance and machines. These machines were good for us.

“M” is away from the crowded town
There are mountains!. No mountain in Chicago, so the scenery with mountain made Hiroko excited.

Lunch Time

The “Asian Buffet” restaurant, and many beautiful flowers in their garden
It was very delicious Chinese food so we ate too much again, and Hiroko forgot to take photos for busy eating.

No one except Tecchan ate dinner that night for we were too full with the Chinese foods.
Everyone liked to play at Mandaley Bay casino, so we left the condo one hour earlier.

Lion King

Tickets, theather, and advertises on the wall
Costumes and stage settings were amazing to see. Very Good! Worth the money.

4th Day, March 9, Wednesday
Dan-san and Hiroko woke up late. This was last day for Dan-san and Hiroko, so Hiroko did laundry and packed for leaving. Airplane would be leaving 12:30 midnight called red-eye flight. Well, we has all day to enjoy the gamble and the sight seeing.
Well, what should we do this last day? First let’s go to lunch.

Hiroko took the mountain scenery from the car. It was very beautiful mountain with snow on the top.

Lunch at “In N Out”

The famous hamberger restaurant in California had always been crowded.

Saeru said one hamburger is 230 calories and one serving fried potato is 300, so She suggested to order 1 set of hamburger consist with fries and drink, and just order one hamburger. It was always delicious hamburger.

To Bellagio casino/hotel at north side of the Strip

Bellagio’s front entrance and flowers. It is definately warmer here than Chicago.

Bellagio has decorated their building according to the seasons, in March wih floweres and butterflies. In regret it has not been completed. There was only the sketches and half done decorations. It must be very beautiful sight at the completion.
At the front desk area have already been filled with paper flowers and butterflies. Chinese lanterns from the last decoration of Chinese New Year were still seen.

It was announced the water dancing show would be starting at 3 PM, so we went to see another new casino located next to Bellagio.

From Bellagio

Paris and Planet Hollywood casino/hotels are seen. It is very interesting to see inside these building. It is decorated according their names.

“The Jockey Club.”

On the way to see this new casino, there is a small sign board said “The Jockey Club.” Saeru said this is the first casino built on the Strip and the hightest building at the time. However, this building is surrounding by the tall and big buildings, so hard to recognize. The owner of this building was asked to sell but refused to sell.

New casino named “Aria”

Aria Casino Hotel front entrance

This casino’s main theme is “Crystal” so many crystal chandeliers are hanging. The crystal light is the ceiling.

The photos of Downtown casino is exhibited in this new casino. Frank Sinatra and others are in this picture playing cards. Downtown casino was founded first in Las Vegas.

At the 2nd floor of the most casino/hotel there are beautiful shopping center with many famous stores from all over the world.

Many stores are also here, but no people are shopping.

In front of the entrance

Monorail was running.

Water dance show was started at this new casino

It is not very good to see this water dancing show with the monorail in the back ground, and the scale of the show is much smaller than the Bellagio’s.

There were still time till Bellagio’s water dancing show to start, so we went into Aria’s casino

Then, we forgot the time while playing the machine. Hiroko ran to Bellagio, but the water dance had just finished. Very, very disappointed!!

There were calm water on the lake. The water dancing show photo is by the entrance, so Hiroko took the photo of it, but it can’t tell how beautiful the show is!

Saeru suggested to Hiroko to go to the chocolate factory to buy the presents. The chocolate factory is located far south of “M” casino. Thanks to Tecchan to drive around here and there with the high price of gasoline.

The chocolate factory called “Ethel M”

Ethel M’s front entrance and their cactus garden

The chocolate making machine was working. “Dark,” “White” and “Milk” sample chocolate

Inside Store

Selling the cactus plants too.

Enjoying coffee in the cactus garden and the warm sunshine.

Dinner time: After discussing what we should eat for dinner, we decided to go to Japanese buffet “Makino”. So Tecchan had to drive again to northeast area. The many streets were blocked out and surprisingly some streets were gone for building the new casinos

Finally we reached “Makino”

The restaurant are always filled with delicious sushi, sashimi, miso soup, many many other Japanese foods. No photo taking! Hiroko had just taken the photo of the giant squid hanging from the ceiling and one counter filled with sushi. Ten or more counters filled with Japanese foods are in the restaurant. We enjoyed those Japanese foods.

Well, there were still time to go back to Bellagio to take the photo for the waterdancing show, Tecchan said. Many thanks to Tecchan!

Night view of Paris and Planet Hollywwood casinos

Hi! This is the 7 or 8 minutes water dacing show, but it can’t tell the grand and beautifulness of the show. Well Hiroko’s photoes are not great either.

After the show there were still time to see more. Hiroko asked them to go to Paris casino to take photos of inside of the casino. Tecchan and Saeru came with Hiroko to Paris, but Dan-san stayed at Bellagio to play the machine.

Michael Jackson!?

Crossing the street to the other side, there were Michael Jackson. Many were taking picture with him. He paused for the camera with umbrella, and was counting money how much he made that nights

Paris Casino/Hotel

The ark of triumph

The bottom photo is the entrance of Paris casino, and looking up and up there are Eifel Tower.

Paris casino ceilings are painted in the blue sky to make people fell standing on the outside. It is very merry feeling to gambling under this blue sky. Playing the machines in the Paris casino until time to leave for airport.

Then, coming out the street, there was the beautiful moon on the top of the Bellagio’s roof.

Trying to take phot of the Bellagio, Tecchan told Hiroko it is better to take the photo without the flash at this condition. Hiroko took time to change the flash mode, finally she did. There is no moon on the top of the building, but it is beautiful photo without flash. Please compare right and left photo. Isn’t it clear and good photo? Hiroko learned another tip for taking photo. Thanks, Tecchan.

Bellergio's water dancing show started again.

Now, it was time to say “Good-bye!” and heading to the Airport.

In the airport there are many machines. Many people are saying it is better not to play at the airport machines, because always loosing. However, Dan-san has always been very lucky. He was not winning and disappointed at the casino on the Strip. He played the machines at the airport a little while, and recovered his loss. Surprised!!
Tecchan and Saeru drove home to Irvine next day, and Dan-san and Hiroko came back to the cold, cold Chicago safely.
Tecchan and Saeru-san, Thanks million for your wonderful hospitality and beautiful condo provided for us to stay.
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Was Hiroko thinking about the Lord God in Las Vegas? Yes, Hiroko said. Is it because she felt commit sin in there? The town, Las Vegas is called “sin” city by some people. However, Hiroko had never felt commit sin in the town. Hiroko enjoyed talking to the Lord and asking what he is thinking of the town, Las Vegas, and gave thanks to the Lord for the winning on the machine.
Hiroko thought of the second coming the Lord Jesus, and questioned herself, would she have trouble feeling to meet Jesus in Las Vegas. She didn’t have any problem to meet Jesus in Las Vegas. Rather than the place to meet Jesus Hiroko needs to know is she ready to meet Jesus as the maiden in the Matthew 25:1-13.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
1At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9’No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
12But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Hiroko had wonderful time and prayed for Uncle Jimmy and Aunty Alice.

Thank You Letter, The Earthquake and the Nuclear Problems

2011-03-17T21:57:00.006-05:00

Thanks to those who are thinking and concerning for my families and friends in Japan.

My brother and sisters are living in the next prefecture of Sendai called Yamagata. Fortunately there is big mountain between the prefectures, so the quakes in Yamagata were much smaller than Tokyo.

My cousin and friends who are living in Tokyo area; some told me that their things on the shelves were fallen down, and some said their cupboard was fallen and all the glasswares in the cupboard were broken. The quakes still have been shaking all the time in Tokyo area. Because of the Fukushima nuclear problems there is no electricity three hours or more a day in the Tokyo area. The Electricity for Tokyo area was provided by Fukushima Nuclear Power Plants.

None of these things were happened in Yamagata. Thank God for this. Thank you, too.
Hiroko, from the House on the Rock

Japanese Seasoning

2011-02-28T00:13:00.015-06:00

Hiroko and her Dan-san went to Mitsuwa to buy Sukiyaki meat for the family party, and also Mitsuwa has been holding the big thanksgiving to customer celebration event. They offered many prizes, so they entered their name for the prizes. Hopefully, they would like to win the first prize which is $1,000 Mitsuwa’s gift card.

This is Mitsuwa’s entrance

This time Hiroko took the restaurants’ photos in the Mitsuwa’s premises by cell phone camera.
Here are five self-service restaurants and one drink shop.

Japanese hamburger restaurant which was opened about one year ago. Hiroko has never eaten the hamburger yet, but Dan-san ate it, and said, it is small but very delicious hamburger.

Two Japanese restaurants

One chinese and one Korean restaurant
The noodle dishes are very good for all these four restaurants for the price.

The drinks are expensive compared with the foods. One small cup of Japanese sencha is $1.79. Dan-san said, a cup of tea or coffee is only $0.70 for Seniors at McDonald, and regular one is $1.00.

This is dining area. About three or four times more space.

This is what we ate that day.

Mitsuko’s sushi and Dan-san’s Ramen
I forgot to take the photo for the big counter case of sushi and some other Japanese foods.
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Here is the interesting observation about Dashi Shoyu.
The Dashi Shoyu was given to Hiroko by her sister-in-law. It was very good to use for any kinds of food, meats and vegetable. The Hiroko’s observation about this Dashi Shoyu was posed on her blog last month. The comments received from three people.

One said this is very expensive seasoning produced in Japan.

Other said in Hawaii there has been produced similar seasoning called Huli Huli. Here is the Huli Huli from Mitsuwa. Now Mitsuwa carries many Hawaiian products.

The taste of Huli Huli is sweeter than Dashi Shoyu. It may be good for teriyaki chicken to marinate

Third one said why we can invent this Dashi Shoyu and get patent, and then we can make lots of money. Having lots of money is good, but sometime it is not true.

Hiroko’s church named Devon Church used to have lots of money, so members could conduct many projects freely to use as much money. However, the members of Church weren’t united and had much problems among them. In the Christian community it is a sinful sad circumstance.

In other hand, there is not much money at Devon Church right now. Doing good project such as Vacation Bible School, we have to think twice how the money is spent. Even before spending the money we think of the Lord God how He would do in this situation, and humbly ask the Lord God for His provision. God commands us not to do idol worship and idolatry, because He is a jealous God.

At the end of the world those who don’t have the mark of beast, Satin, can’t purchase any daily needs. Christians trust that the Lord God will take care of those. In the Bible there are many examples. Here are couple of them: i) Jesus fed 5,000 men with 5 loaves of bread and a fish and there were left over in the 7 baskets of bread and fishes; ii) in the wildness God fed thousands and thousands of Israelites with Manna and quails every morning and evening for 40 years.

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Matthew 6:24
How do you interpret this verse?

One week later from the “Monster” Blizzard, Chicago

2011-02-10T13:35:00.009-06:00

Hiroko’s Kitchen Window

The beautiful white flowers are blooming in spite of the coldest winter weather these days. The plants were given by Amanda as a Christmas present at our New Year party held on January 1. It takes about one month to bloom these flowers. Hiroko’s family will be enjoying these flowers a long time. Thanks, Amanda!

These flowers remind Hiroko that the spring is coming soon. Hiroko wants to give thanks to the Lord God who has been ordering the seasons.

Here are photos taken one week later from the “monster” blizzard.

On the Olive Street – some cars are still in the snow.

Sidewalk of the Olive Street
Hiroko met one who was walking with her dog in this cold weather. Well, the dogs have to do when they need whatever the weather.

Chair and boxes on the street

For these photos an explanation is not necessary for Chicagoans, but for the Japanese these photo of the chairs and the boxes on the streets are very strange scenes. In Japan the parking on the street is not permitted.

Alleys

Aren’t Chicagoan so happy to have alleys. The garbage trucks have not been coming so often as usual, but those garbage bags weren’t piled up on the front street as New York.

Dan-san had no idea his car would start or not after 10 days set in the garage. Thanks to the young man in the 3rd floor of our apartment for removing the piled up snow in front of the garage. Dan-san’s car was started and driven to the church.

Have a wonderful time of 40F degree (5C degree) temperature for next week.

Dinner Meeting, Christian Life

2011-02-06T23:20:00.009-06:00

This dinner meeting was held January 30, but the “monster” blizzard make Hiroko busy untill now.

In the New Year, the both Pastors of Devon Church, at where Hiroko has been attending, invited the leaders who have served the past year and also serving the New Year to the dinner meeting.

The meeting was held between 2 to 4 P.M. at the restaurant called Italian Kitchen, Valentine decoration were on the window to remind us the Valentine Day is coming.

The leaders of Devon Church and their spouses.
Before the dinner Pastors gave “Thank You” words to the leaders. After that Sr. Pastor prayed giving praise and thanks to the Lord for supplying all our church need and for this dinner, and asked God for a wonderful fellowship.
And then, cheered each other with wine and sparking water.

All the foods served at this restaurant were very, very delicious.

Appetizers: Gourmet Pizza – it was tasted like quiche. Fried Calamari – it was so good that Hiroko couldn’t stop eating.

Bread with Salad – Bread served at any Italian restaurant has never been failed Hiroko’s expectation.

Hiroko was too busy eating, and forgot to take photos. It was very regretful to take only left over foods. Everyone enjoyed the seafood dishes except Dan-san.

Desserts with coffee or tea – cannoli, apple cake and various fruits

This is the list of ordered dishes:
Gourmet pizza
Italian sausage
Macaroni and cheese
Stuffed peppers
Chicken Vesuvio
Fried calamari
Linguini with oil and garlic
Linguini with mussels, clams, and calamari
Meat lasagna
Spinach lasagna
Vegetable tray
Baked Fish (don't know fish type)
Cannoli, fruit, lemon bars, Apple cake, chocolate rolls
Wine, sparkling water

Give thanks to the Lord for answering Pastor’s prayer for such a wonderful fellowship. Also give thanks to both Pastors and the restaurant cooks.

Gochisosama-deshita!

2011 Blizzard

2011-02-04T14:58:00.020-06:00

Around 2:00 P.M. on February 1, 2011, the snow was starting to fall in the strong 70 miles wind and the thunder rumbling, and continued falling all night.

Here is the list of the past Chicago’s 10 biggest Snowstorms
1. 23.0 inches Jan 26-27, 1967
2. 21.6 inches Jan 1-3, 1999
3. 19.2 inches Mar 25-26, 1930
4. 18.8 inches Jan 13-14, 1979
5. 16.2 inches Mar 7-8, 1931
6. 15.0 inches Dec 17-20, 1929
7. 14.9 inches Jan 30, 1939
8. 14.9 inches Jan 6-7, 1918
9. 14.3 inches Mar 25-26, 1970
10. 14.0 inches Jan 18-20, 1886

The 2011 “Monster Blizzard” called by the Medias, brought 20.2 inches snow in Chicago. This is the official number measured at the O’Hare Airport, but it was a different story at some backyard of the northern part, and the field of near the lakefront. There were far more than 20.2 inches. The 110 inches snow falling was reported in the town of Kenosha located at the border of Illinois and Wisconsin.

Here are some interesting photos: left-side photos were taken at 1 P.M. on February 1, and right side ones were 24 hours later.

Hiroko’s back porch garden: There are lots of plant pots, 24 hours later they were covered by drifted snow.

From the porch, two high-rise buildings are able to see, but during the blizzard no buildings could be seen.

Alley - there were snow on the ground before blizzard, but drifted snow piled up very deep.

The snow covered one third of the garage door in where Hiroko’s husband’s car is. When can he take his car out of the garage and drive around?

Clark street – there were no snow on February 1, but 24 hours later, February 2, there were so much snow, especially pedestrian road, so people had to walk on the roadway.

It is such different. One day there were no snow on the pavement and lots of snow next day.

Same for Jewel Food Market parking lots

From these picture you can see how deep snow piled up.

Hiroko’s apartment front door – Hiroko couldn’t get out to take photos because the snow had piled up one third of the door. She had to take all the snow out from the door and the door way.

The little snow were shoveled out to make her go out.

Hiroko noticed there were no snows on the south-side of cars because of the strong wind.

Yet, the most cars were buried in the snow on the Olive Street.

Inside Hiroko’s Apartment: the drifted snow blew through the pantry window opened slightly, and the front porch window.

Both bedroom and kitchen windows were filled with drifted snow.
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It is surely the 2011 “monster” blizzard. There are so many stories about during blizzards.

1979 blizzard, Hiroko’s father-in-law went to work by his car. The snow had fallen all day long, so the Lakeshore Drive was piled of the snow. He drove on the Lakeshore Drive until Wilson Street. He couldn’t drive furthermore, so he abandoned his car at Wilson and walked home. He couldn’t reach his home until 10 P.M.

During the 2011 “monster” blizzard the big problem also occurred at the Lakeshore Drive. The Transportation Chief might be better to close the Drive earlier. He said the car was moving slowly, so thought about the people who wanted to go home. However, three big accidents had occurred between Belmont and Fullerton. After that over 1,000 cars were abandoned.

The story of one couple among them: They had to visit someone at a hospital, but husband figured out he could come home before the blizzard, but that was wrong. They were stuck at the Lakeshore Drive. His wife uses a wheelchair, so they couldn’t go anyplace. They just sat down in the car for around 9 hours, then the gasoline was almost gone, and they were getting cold. At that moment someone tapped of their car window. There! Fireman! They were rescued and taken to the nearby hospital. The husband said he saw the angels in the fire engine and the hospital. He gave million big thanks to them.

In the 1999 blizzard, Chicago Mayor didn’t quickly respond to the storm, so the City of Chicago was paralyzed. He wasn’t elected in the next Chicago Mayoral election.

This is very good lesson for everyone. The human being cannot see one step ahead. How can the human being to see or to make a decision one step ahead? It is foolish to worry about it, well, ignore it, or ……what?