Nursery 2, The New Heaven and The New Earth, Recipe

May 24, Tuesday - Was it a special Day?
Yes, it was. The weather was very good and 91 degrees. Florida was only 88. Chicago was warmer than Florida. Hiroko’s husband (Hus.) planted the seeds of tomatoes, peppers, green beans and cucumbers. Hus purchased tomato plants and one bag of compost suggested by neighbor, George. Hus had already put Miracle Grow in the ground with top soil, so it is the double portion of fertilizers. It might bring tasty and good harvest soon.

Hus is thinking with the compost bag and two tomato plants

Neighbor, George and his wife

George told Hus to purchase the pepper plants from the nursery nearby.
Here is a sweet pepper plant and a cayenne pepper plat

Cucumber seeds and green bean seeds was also planted

Hus’s whole garden

Here is Hiroko’s Nursery on the back porch – Rosemary and Konnyaku

At the end of April Konnyaku potato was planted but there is no sign of anything. It might be frozen during the cold, cold month of May.
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We may be eating fruits and vegetables in the New Heaven and the New Earth.
One of the Jesus disciples named John saw the new heaven and new earth through inspiration from Spirit. Here is the description of the part of the new heaven and new earth in Revelation 22:1-5:
1Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. 6The angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place."
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It is good to eat salad or wrap in this hot weather because no need to cook too much.
Wrap
Ingredients for 4 people
8 sheets wrap
8 sausages – barbecued on grill or in frying pan
3 or 4 various color of sweet pepper – slice horizontal
1 zucchini – slice long
1 med. size onion - sliced
1 Tbsp olive oil
Ingredients 2
½ bunch cilantro
1 tomato
1 bag cheese
Seasoning
1 tsp. each of black pepper, garlic powder, Emeril’s seasoning
½ tsp each of beef and chicken soup powder
How to cook
In frying pan fry the sausage

In another frying pan sauté onion first with seasoning, and add the pepper and zucchini DO NOT over cook

Serve
Sausage and cooked vegetables in one plate
Tomato and cilantro in another plate
Cheese

Hiroko’s dinner plate

Mitsuko - IV Death Around Mitsuko - Recipe

Mitsuko has a water-phobia, so she can’t swim because it is so hard to put her face in the water and very uncomfortable taking shower. Mitsuko’s experiences made her water-phobia she thinks.
At the age of eight, Mitsuko’s mother took Mitsuko and her younger sister Keiko, gathering shellfishes at low tide at sea, called shiohigari in Japanese during her summer vacation. Mitsuko’s family lived close to Tokyo bay where they could go shiohigari every day during low tide. It was lot of fun putting a small rake into the sand and dig, and then, there were so many shells on the sand. Picking those shells up and tossing into their small bucket made anyone amused.
The year the event happened, Mitsuko’s brother was still a baby, so her mother said to Mitsuko,
“If you can take care Keiko, you can go shiohigari.”
“Where will you be, then?” Mitsuko asked.
“I’ll be sitting and watching for you at the seashore with your baby brother.”
“Well, good! I can take care of Keiko.”
They all went to the sea for shiohigari. The mother said anxiously to Mitsuko,
“Please stay close to shore and look at me all the time.”
“O.K., mother. Don’t worry!” said Mitsuko proudly to go to sea by herself for shiohigari with taking care of younger sister.
There were more shells they could catch than usual, so Mitsuko and Keiko forgot themselves in shiohigari.
“So many shells we picked today” said Mitsuko to Keiko.
“I love to do shiohigari. Sis, thank you for taking care of me.”
“O.K. I’m glad you came with me. Let’s dig some more.”
“We can have tasty soup tonight.” Mitsuko and Keiko continued digging for many shells. In the beginnng, Mitsuko looked at mother and waved their hand, but forgot to look at mother for there were too many shells to gather.
Suddenly, Mitsuko realized she couldn’t see shells in the hole she dug. The hole was filling with the water. Keiko said,
“I can’t pick the shells any more. The water …”
“Yes, me too. What is going on?”
Mitsuko was looking around. There was no one. She looked at the seashore, it was far, far away, and their mother seemed waving her hand and saying something. Mitsuko could not see and hear their mother well. She was getting scared.
Within minutes, the water scooped her leg. Mitsuko took Keiko’s hand, and said,
“Keiko, it is terrible. Be strong and walk fast. We can’t run on the sand, but let’s walk fast.” Mitsuko encouraged Keiko and started to walk fast.
Keiko tripped her legs in the sand and started crying, because she couldn’t walk fast.
“Keiko, can’t walk with crying. Stop crying!”
“But… But…”
“I have so many shells, and you are not a baby any more and I can’t carry you.”
Mitsuko was trying to walk fast but she also had problem walking fast for the water had already coming up closer to her knee. Several steps later, Mitsuko noticed the water had already been over her knees.
“Keiko. Let’s throw these shells away.”
“Why?”
“It is so heavy I can’t walk fast, and I also have to pull you.” Mitsuko threw all the shells away but carried the small rakes and the bucket.
The water had already come up to the bottom of Mitsuko’s swimming suite. For Keiko the water was around her stomach that Keiko couldn’t walk easily. Mitsuko was very scared and she felt her body was sinking in the water. She felt the death.
At that moment Mitsuko heard theie mother’s voice calling their names.
“Mitsuko. Keiko.” Mitsuko looked up and saw their mother’s face clearly. Mitsuko thought, “It is safe, now.” She wanted to cry but started to walk with endurance. At last they could reach the seashore and run to their mother, and Mitsuko said,
“Why didn’t you come? I was so scared” and then her tear was rolling down her cheeks. However, their mother softly and slowly said,
“I was watching, and knowing that you both were safe.”
“But, but the waster came up to Keiko’s chest.”
“Mitsuko, did you see your around? Many children were swimming in the water.”
“Well, but …!” said Mitsuko with tears.
“Sis, threw all the shells” said Keiko to their mother. Mother told Keiko,
“It was a good for her decision. I was thinking about throwing the shells earlier. Throwing the shells made you walk better, didn’t it, Keiko?”
Mitsuko had two other experiences of drowning; one was in the river in front of the house of Hokkaido’s Grand-parents. Other one was at the pond in the mountain at the back of the house of Yamagata’s uncle. These experiences made Mitsuko freeze by the water. Mitsuko felt the death in those experiences, too. The thought of putting the foot in the bottom of the river and pond made Mitsuko shiver.

Mitsuko had many death experiences not only with water but also the heights. Mitsuko had interesting experience of the reason to be scared of dangers of heights. At the age of five, Mitsuko’s mother took Mitsuko to a department-store for shopping. Her mother had to go to the washroom with Mitsuko’s younger sister. Mitsuko waited in front of the washroom to watch a beautiful Japanese dolls. She lost track of how long she was standing there waiting for her mother. Her mother wasn’t there. She was getting scared and tried to look for her mother. She was running around inside the department.
When her mother came out of the washroom, Mitsuko wasn’t there. Her mother went to a department clerk asking for help. They found Mitsuko in the top floor administration office. The administration clerk found Mitsuko at the roof garden crying and looking down the street. She didn’t know how to get out from the department thinking her mother might be out on the street.
Since the experience on the top of a building or a mountain-top, Mitsuko would have a strange feeling of what’s at the bottom of it. Mitsuko loves the mountain climbing but being always careful at the top of the mountain. Mitsuko’s friends have always been holding her hand at the top of the mountain. In their eyes Mitsuko seemed to jump down from there.

Living all her life was facing death. Mitsuko thinks that her experience with Grand-ma’s death in Yamagata at the age of four years old has affected her life. It is a question that Mitsuko had experienced near death accidents many times because of her thought of death. In her twenties she was fascinated by the thought of committing suicide.

Mitsuko has been looking the life after death since Granma’s death and she found it in the Lord Jesus. After Mitsuko gave her life to the Lord Jesus, she was still caught by the thought of death. That thought doesn’t scare her at all. There is the life with Jesus and it is hope and peace in her life. As long as Mitsuko has the purpose which is worshipping the Lord Jesus in her life she can keep living in here. Someday when Mitsuko faces death she knows the Lord Jesus will take care of her on her behalf.
The following Bible verses gave her such comport even though Mitsuko is thinking about the death.
John 3:16 & 17
"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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."

However, Mitsuko is still scared of the water and height. She doesn’t know what to do it.

In the end, I’d like to say that it wasn’t good for me to received Jesus Christ as my savior and the Lord without resolving my idea of sinner. I haven’t really understood the LOVE of Christ. However, by the grace of God, I really understood right now the LOVE of Christ when I realized that I am a big sinner since my birth.
Give praise and thank to the Lord God Jesus Christ for his patient.
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Salmon Rice
Ingredients 1
2 cups rice
2 cups sea-food stock or 1 tsp. of Katsuo Dashi-no-moto
Ingredients 2
1 cup sea-food stock
1 Tbsp. Sugar
2 Tbsp. Soy Sauce
2 Tbsp. Japanese Wine (sake)
1 small carrot – dice
10 green beans - dice
5 small shiitame – dice after soak
Ingredients 3
Half fresh salmon – sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt
1 bunch spinach
Cooking
-Cook rice with the stock
-Cook all the vegetable with the stock and seasoning
-While cooking the rice and vegetables:
1. bake salmon, and break up a bite size, and splash 1 teaspoon soy sauce
2. boil spinach and squeeze the water out
3. prepare seasoning for rice
1 cup vinegar
½ cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
Mix well these seasoning
Mix cooked rice with the vegetable (taking juice out) and the vinegar seasoning
Serving
Place boiled & squeeze out the water spinach, and baked & break up salmon on the top of the rice.

“Frog” – “Kaeru” – Return, Recipe

It is very interesting to see many Japanese American 3rd Generation practicing Japanese customs. One of the lady among such group became 60 years old, so the group members gave the surprise party for her.

What is this?

This is two kinds of frog made with dollar bill. This lady is living in Las Vegas, and loves gamble and of course “frog”. Dollar ($100, $50, and $20) bills frogs are given to her as good luck birthday present.

“Frog” is “Kaeru” in Japanese, and “Kaeru” means “to be returned.” Many gamblers believe “Kaeru” can be good luck charm bringing back miraculously the money lost before. Therefore, they are taking any kinds of frogs to the gambling places.

Hiroko’s friend takes about 10 different kinds of “Frogs” to the Casino, and she pats on the slot machine with one of her favorite “Frog” before start to gamble. Believe the “Frog” or not, she is one of the lucky ladies.

The surprised “Frog” party was succeeded at Italian restaurant. They decorated the party room with many frog pictures, and there were “Frog” pictures on table cloth, “Frog” picture on party favor’s bag, etc.

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In the Bible there is not found the commandment regarding drinking, smoking and gambling. However, there are mentioned that using the LOT to make a decision.
Acts 1:20-26
20"For," said Peter, "it is written in the book of Psalms, 'May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,' and, ‘May another take his place of leadership' 21Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection."
23So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs." 26Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
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Recipe for Pizza Salad
Ingredients
1 lb. macaroni or penne – boil
3 cups sliced pepperonis – fry to take fat out and making crunchy
1 small red onion – slice
1 small green pepper – dice small
3 small tomato – take juice and seeds out, and dice small
1 lb. cheese, white – dice small

Seasoning
1 Tbsp oregano
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp basil
Pinch red hot pepper
All the ingredient and seasoning put in a large salad bowl, and mix well.

Serve the salad on the lettuce bed and with Italian dressing or any preferred dressing. Lemon and olive oil are also delicious.

This is good dish for the hot summer day.

Mother’s Day, Honor thy Parents, Recipe

May 15, Saturday, one week late Mother’s day was celebrated at Lisa’s home with Cajun dish called Jambalaya cooked by Dave, Lisa’s boyfriend. It was very tasty dish. Thanks, Dave.

There were big appetizers; lots of vegetables with dips and 2 kinds (spicy and not spicy) of shrimp dishes, and also lots wine. They were so tasty that everyone ate and drunk too much. Control yourself! Can’t eat the main dish.

Many different kinds of hot sauces, Dave's cook book and appetizers

Hot and Spicy-Hot shrimp

Enjoying appetizers

Steven came and brought something

Mother's Day card and presents (Lotto and horse race tickets)

Horse race on TV - It was too bad no one won

Husband was checking Lotto tickets - WON!

Now, enjoying the dinner; Jambalaya dish with corn bread

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It is good to see that Lisa has been practicing the word of God, saying:

Children and Parents
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.2"Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise—3"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." (Ephesians 6:1-3).

God would be pleased what Lisa/Dave have done. Thanks Lisa, Dave and Steven for your effort to make your mother / auntie happy.
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Dave’s Jambalaya Recipe:
Ingredients 1
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed and minced
½ cup celery, mined
1 cup bell pepper, chopped
Seasonings:
1½ tsp. salt
1½ tsp. black pepper
½ tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. Tabasco sauce (option)
1½ tsp. theme
5 bay leaves
Ingredients 2
1 lb. Sausage meat, pluck to pieces
1 lb Ham, diced in pieces
1 lb. Chicken (marinated with cayenne pepper – optional)
Ingredients 3
6 cups Chicken stock (can be used sea-food stock)
3 cup rice, long grain

How to cook
In a large sauce pan over medium heat, cook Ingredients 1(onion, garlic, celery and bell pepper) with Seasonings for 30 minutes

Add the Ingredients 2 (sausage meat, ham and chicken)
Add Sausage

Add Ham

Dave mixed them well each time added those ingredients

Add chicken

Add the Ingredients 3 (chicken stock, rice)

Lower the heat to a slow simmer and cook for 20 minutes
Shut off the heat, and let the dish stand for 10 minutes
Was this done?

Yes, it was done!

Now, Shrimp - Did Steven come? .................

Marinated shrimp with this coconuts oil and cayenne pepper
It was very spicy but very delicious

This coconuts oil is the miracle oil for your heartburn.
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Jambalaya was originally a “clean out the ice box” dish. It is one of he dishes that has made Louisiana Cajun food famous. It got its name from two words: the French word for ham, “jambon,” and the African word for rice, “yaya.” So it was basically ham and rice. But the Cajuns decided to take this dish to new heights with seafood and other meats.

Nursery, The Creation, Recipe

2nd Sunday (Mother’s Day) of May, it is time to plant any saplings in Chicago. My husband (Hus) has been growing the vegetables; tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, for last 10 years.

During the winter time, many weeds covered the ground where vegetables grew last year. In the frigid cold Chicago weather, weeds grow strongly. So, at first those weeds are pulled out and cultivate the field.
The neighbor’s field covered by weeds

Garden Center of Lowe’s Nursery

Hus needs to purchase a top soil
Hus was thinking which one is the best - This one!

4 bags of top soil should be enough to cover his field.
.........................................Finished to cover the field

May 8 and 9 (Sunday, Mother’s day) frost was forcasted in the morning, so Hus decided not to plant untill the following week.

At the end of cultivations the field, Hus stepped on one of the tools and cut the bottom of his foot. He went to see his doctor to get anti-biotic, so he is O.K. now.

He is a neighbor who knows gardening very well. Hus has been consulting with him for gardening.

Tasty tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers could be expected again this year.

Thank God for let us having these vegetables.
God created green plants and trees on the third day of His creation process.
“God said, “Let the land produce vegetation; seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds. And it was o. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:11-12

In order to be healthy, all the living creatures need to eat green. The beast of prey eat the intestine first when they catch the herbivorous animals. It is from the animal kingdom show on TV.
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Chinese Cucumber Pickles

Ingredient:
2 big cucumbers – cut up bit size
½ medium size onion – sliced thin
With 1 tsp salt, giving massage these cut-up vegetables
Seasoning
3 Tbsp vinegar, or lemon/lime juice
1 tsp sesame oil
Pinch of sugar
1 Tbsp white sesame
Pour the seasoning cover the cup-up vegetable and mix

Cucumber is green but it is not leaves. Are the cucumber nutritious?