Unexpected Fun!

Well, so much for not anything interesting to write about.... Tonight, I had some rather unexpected fun! Satoshi and Yukiho came this afternoon... They are Rev. Fukuda-San's youngest two children - 16 and 14 years old. We had been trying to arrange for us to do something this afternoon earlier this week, but nothing was ever confirmed. We had forgotten about the possibility of them visiting when they rang the bell. I have really come to appreciate Abi's ability to think on her feet. From the time they rang the bell downstairs to the time they came in, she had decided that the three of us would make pizza. We made the crust, and then went to the super market to buy toppings. Abi's idea was for them to make a Japanese style pizza, and for me to make an American/Italian style pizza. I must say that both pizzas were absolutely delicious! I couldn't tell you what all I put on my pizza, because when I make pizza I just decorate it with whatever I have on hand that might be good on a pizza. :) Thankfully, I was paying attention while they were making theirs, so I can tell you how to make a version of Japanese style pizza.

After the crust is pre-baked, spread about a half tsp. olive oil over it. Then add sliced teriyaki chicken. Lightly saute and add sliced eggplant, fresh mushrooms, and half an onion. Then squirt mayonnaise (yes, mayonnaise) over the top and sprinkle with mozzarella. Bake until you think it's done. :) Be prepared to eat it with a fork... We had to. The three of us ate a whole pizza, and Satoshi wanted to take the rest home for their family. I also made 'American style sweet tea' to go with it. I served them their first glass cold, and then didn't give them any more ice. I started thinking, in the States, it is considered rude to serve hot sweet tea... But they seemed to like it better warm, so I let them drink it warm. We drank nearly half a gallon!

I learned that they have both visited New York, Virginia, and Texas. They remembered the beautiful mountains in Virginia, and the noise of New York... :) They said they want some day to visit Mississippi, so I showed them some of my pictures of the Mississippi River. I also showed them pictures of my family and some extended family, pets, and 4-H shows. They loved all the family pictures; they said our Boston Terrier was cute and the cows were big; and they found me in all the livestock show pictures they saw. In return, I got to see pictures of their school, and family. I really enjoyed it all.

One more thing I forgot to mention in my earlier post today was about my green tea donut. Abi and I stopped at a Mr. Donut one day and bought donuts for Roger and myself. I got a green tea icing filled donut. When I bit into it, what looked like basil pesto fell out, and I was sure there was something else in there.... There was... They were beans! Yep, there were beans in my green tea donut... It was really, really weird! I don't think I'll be getting another one of those. I did learn that in Japan, beans are usually considered a delicacy, and most of the time they are candied. That explains why they were in my donut...

Well, it is late here now and tomorrow is Sunday, so I should go to bed.

My love to you all,

Hannah