Sobaya Chirugwa (Red Roof Soba)

We have been to (and blogged about) Sobaya Chirugwa before, but never knew its real name. We just always called it Red Roof Soba. We still do. It's easier. You can read our other posts about it here and here. (The kids look so much younger in just a couple of years time!)

Anyway, when we were in Hawaii, poor Jake just wanted to go "home." One day he asked me, "Mom...can we go eat at Red Roof Soba as a family as soon as possible when we get back? You know, to celebrate our return to Okinawa with authentic Okinawan food?" After all that kid had been through, of course I told him we would go ASAP. Well, we kind of forgot about it with all the other travel going on...and Jake reminded us a couple of times before last night.


We finally went, and it was worth the wait.



Coree likes to order the kids plate just to get one of those corn snacks on the left (like a single, giant cheeto with corn seasoning instead of cheese) that we could buy for ten cents at the grocery store. They never question her age, so we just go with it.



I kept looking around at everyone, trying my best to soak it all in.



We are definitely counting down the days we have left as an intact family unit as Troy prepares for his mission.



Coree is counting down the days until she can leave for college.



We ordered some gyoza to share. It is pretty good here. A little on the greasy side, so I only had one.



Then the soba started arriving. Nom, nom, nom.



Cliff, Troy and I ordered the (aptly named) Yummy Combo.



Because of the presentation, it actually looks bigger than it is...



But it is still a lot of food. Starting from the left, (bottom row) a grains-rice mixture, soba noodles with fish and pork; (middle row) a mixture of stewed root vegetables, tofu and a pig's foot, fish and vegetable tempura and dipping sauce; (top row) pickled seaweed and a cabbage and corn salad. I enjoy everything but the pig's foot. Troy eats that while I close my eyes.

Welcome home (late) Jake. We're glad you are back among your people.

Mother's Day 2011

My family always treats me so wonderfully on Mother's Day. Sometimes too wonderfully. Cliff kind of overdid it last year, and I made him promise that this year he would reign it in. My favorite Mother's Day memories involve my kids taking the initiative to do everything on their own with their dad deployed (because he set such a good example while he was here). The gifts don't need to be extravagant.



We didn't do breakfast in bed this year. What can I say, I'm old and would rather have the extra sleep before church. But afterward, I got back into bed for the parade of gifts. I got a pretty good haul. Adding to the awesomeness, was having an 18 year old who can drive off base to take all the other kids shopping. Since Cliff got his gift while he was in the States, he didn't need to shop yesterday.

My favorite part was the cards. I love each of their unique messages. They are all such individual personalities. Some more sentimental, some hilariously dry. I love these kids. The gifts were great, too...



Two of my favorites from Jake. He knows me well.



And Troy knows he can never go wrong with a Yankee candle that smells like food. (No florals, ewww.)



I had just been eying this at the BX the other day. Patrick and Coree went in on it. Yussss!



But this one...Cliff went above and beyond.



Do you recognize that glorious crosshatch design? That's right...it's my favorite Dark Chocolate Key Lime truffle from Godiva. Never have I seen so many in one place. Thank you Fashion Valley Godiva for carrying my favorite flavor all by itself. No other flavor compares, anyway...it's all second best.

The question is, how long can I stretch this out? One a day? One a week? One an hour? And do I share? I'm leaning toward 'heck no' but would that be very motherly of me? On second thought, kids are happy with Hershey's for crying out loud...can their palates really appreciate such chocolate grandeur? I think not. Cliff, however...can have as many as he wants.

I will love that man forever, and not just because he brings chocolate. Happy Mother's Day, everyone!

Mama Don't Cook Concert

The choir director at Kubasaki High is a genius. First of all, he also coaches football, allowing him direct access to recruit much-needed male voices. Secondly, he fundraises in this manner: About three times a year, he puts on a dinner performance. He gets donations of food to put on the dinner (from parents) and "requires" students to sell tickets equivalent to the number in their family. Parents don't want their kids to think they are total losers want to hear their kids sing, so they pay $15 a pop to eat the donated food cooked and served by the culinary arts program. Oh, did I mention his wife is in charge of the culinary arts program? Genius, I tell you.


"Mama Don't Cook" is one of those concerts. (Can you imagine my "Mother of the Year" nomination for skipping out on a concert just for MOMS?! Calculating, that man is.)



This year I had two children in the combined choir, Patrick in show choir and Coree in advanced choir.



We all enjoyed our dinner...theirs steak and mine salmon. (It wasn't too bad, although it is really hard to do fish on a large scale. It just dries out too easily.) I got bonus flowers, though.



Once the show started, I had to move up and over to the side to get a good camera angle. I was able to keep both of them in the shot most of the time.



They did a great job, especially considering three choirs (that practice separately) were combined into one, and they were in such a confined space for so many of them.

I included a couple of samples here (mostly for grandparents). Hope you enjoy it as much as I did...and it's FREE for you!



50's Medley



What a Feelin'

Easter Traditions 2011

Easter was really late this year...and it's a good thing, too. It gave Jake and I a chance to get home to enjoy it with the family.


Flashing gang signs while waiting for the hunt.



Jake was worried how he was going to find his basket on crutches, so I went easy on him. Turns out the shoe basket was too easy. He found his first.



Coree was next...clever girl.



I'm pretty sure we do the dryer every year. 25% chance you'll find yours there.



Patrick over-thought his. Not that we haven't done the dishwasher, but he was climbing on counters and being ridiculous.



The coat closet was the last place he looked. OK, well...I guess that's true for any place you hide it.



Cliff was thrilled to learn he had a surprise Easter basket and hunted enthusiastically.



Charlotte was hoping for Whiskas. Bummer.



He was a little sheepish that he hadn't gotten me anything...



He needn't be. I was prepared with two of everything. ;^)



Easter basket hunt 2011: Success. Notice the utilitarian baskets? I got rid of the Easter baskets. They took up too much space. These work just fine and are useful more than one day a year.

Next on the agenda? The Jerusalem dinner! Here's some of what was on the menu this year:

lamb and barley
mustard glazed rack of lamb
flat bread
hummus
nuts and dried fruits
asst. cheeses and olives
grape juice

And since we didn't get any honeycomb from my dad this year, Honeycombs will have to do.

This is what it looked like.



The rack of lamb was new this year and it was a huge hit.



Even Coree ate some!



It was so awesome to sit around and listen to everyone rave about how this is their favorite tradition. You know, we try different things, and some stick and some don't...but I'm glad this one did. We don't do everything perfectly, we don't do near as much as some people...but I love the memories we've created...and I love this family so much.



And this guy? He's my hands-down favorite. I couldn't have done it without him.

Happy Birthday Patrick!

Guess who's 17 today?

While missing birthdays is commonplace for Cliff, the closest I've come to missing one of the kids' birthdays is having a can't-miss event scheduled the same night. One more reason to not like being here.

I told Patrick we'd celebrate when we're all together again...and Cliff offered to take him out tonight AND when Jake and I return. Turns out, Patrick made plans of his own with actual cool people. I guess it's better that I'm here and not subject to such rejection first-hand.

(Happy Birthday, Mr. Hotstuff!)

Happy Hina Matsuri!

Due to a super-full schedule, we didn't do much to celebrate Girls' Day. I had fantasies of taking Coree to dinner, at least...but she went straight from an after school activity to a church activity...and I had my computer class. So, this cake will have to do. At least I thought of you, right, sweetie?

Happy Hina Matsuri, Coree. I am so blessed to have such a beautiful girl...and I pray for your health and happiness.

Another Feb Bday

Wow, there are lots of February birthdays around here. So much awesomeness in the air, I almost can't stand it!


Joy's hubs (also a Chaplain) is in Korea with Cliff, which is a total bummer when it's your birthday, especially. What were we to do? Hit Kokusai St. for some Teppanyaki and tourist fun, that's what!



This is actually the first place Cliff and I went to on date here on Okinawa. We took his boss to the airport the day after Christmas...two days after I arrived on island, and took a detour to Kokusai St. on our way home. I mostly just walked around in shock, with my mouth hanging open, but we did have an awesome lunch here. I thought Joy would probably like it, too.



I was right...she loved it.



What's not to love, right? (Not pictured, garlic rice)



We had lots of fun taking pics with all the cutouts and statues, just like the kids.



And as an added bonus, I found Lychee sorbet! Kokusai St. is now the closest place I've found it (almost an hour away from us) but it's a LOT closer than the next closest place I've found it...Tokyo. I'll take it. Have you ever had it? If you get a chance, eat some. It's pure heaven.



Peace out.