Thanksgiving 2018...

I snapped this picture quickly on my phone November 1st. The sign said, "If it's not Stove Top, it's not Thanksgiving." The day I took this pic, I ran to the grocery store near Noah's school. Right before I went to pick him up, before school let out. I zipped in for another pack of taco shells, I was making tacos that night. And worried about not having enough taco shells. So picked up another pack of those and some coconut yogurts for breakfasts for me. And I was pleasantly surprised to see this sign. And tower of Thanksgiving helpers in a grocery store. It was a surprise. So much so, it took me off guard enough... to snap this picture and also it was deeply comforting seeing this at the same time. Again, I haven't been in my home country...for a full year yet. It'll be a year from April 2019. But, I think those of us... who have lived a great number of years in Japan. Over the years, we get used to *not* see Thanksgiving everywhere and anywhere. Do you know what I mean? Like in my tiny town of less than 5000 people in the town I lived in...in Japan. I was used to being the only American family in my town. And I pretty much... didn't alter or change myself because I lived in Japan. I still went to Costco and bought our Butterball turkey. And I still made Thanksgiving for my family. Because I was the only American person near our kids... and I wanted them to grow up learning both cultures. Japan and America. Was it sad... being the only person roasting a turkey on turkey day in my town in Japan? Honestly not at all. I knew I lived super far away from all my friends in Japan. And so, I kept it family. And made a Thanksgiving meal... every year for our family. After 16 years in Japan, I was so used to being the only family in our town celebrating Thanksgiving. I never saw my stores in the Japan inaka sell turkey stuff. And duh...it was Japan. A totally different culture. I accepted that. And was cool with it. Now that we're living here. And most everyone is American. I no longer need to be sole ambassador of American culture to my kids. Does that make sense? And there was turkey talk... all November. There was Thanksgiving mentions at Target...at every grocery store. It was a little surprising yes, but in a good way. All November, as I'd make grocery runs. It felt so cool, to see families with great big turkeys in their shopping carts. After a while...it just brought a smile to my face. That wow...I am living among like minded people. It's deeply comforting. It's amazing. I love it! My kids were with me at the store many of the times too. And my kids were like...look they're buying a turkey. Of course we were quiet and stuff about it. Or we'd nod our heads like...look! look! LOL. So yeah...the feeling of Thanksgiving living in the United States? Omg, it feels amazing. My kids school, the day before Thanksgiving. That Wednesday, all grades and schools in our school district... let out at 10:50am. Wednesday. Why? Because of Thanksgiving of course! Teachers need to prepare and bake pies and prepare too for their homes. : ) And spend time with family. And of course no school on Thanksgiving and of course no school on Black Friday. So the kids had no school from 10:50am Wednesday and did not return until this Monday. LOL. It made me laugh... because yes...that's how important a holiday it is to Americans. And that is how I grew up too. And while in Japan, my kids had to go to school on Thanksgiving. Because rightfully so...it's not a holiday there. This year...first time in their lives...they were on a "real" American school schedule for Thanksgiving week. And they were surprised. And enjoyed their time off. 

We bought our turkey on Sunday, and defrosted it in the fridge from Sunday. It was 18.30 pounds. 

A Butterball of course. 

Thursday morning, I rinsed the turkey early. And made a herb butter seasoning rub and I rubbed the turkey under the skin and on top of the skin. And wrapped him up, in tin foil. 

Cool Whip was 89 cents a tub. We used 2 for the pies and 1 for hot cocoa. The other is in the freezer.

I made fruit salad. With being in Japan and having no access to Cool Whip, I didn't make this in 16 years. This year, I made it. 

It was delicious.

Such a nicely seasoned, juicy and crispy skinned turkey. 

Mashed potatoes. Crescent rolls for days. 

I wanted to buy Thanksgiving plates. Because cute and easier on the cleanup. However...I apparently waited too long to buy them. They were sold out everywhere. @_@ So...lesson learned. However the food was delicious. And we finished the turkey on Saturday. By that time we were dead sick of the turkey. 

They always run American classics on Thanksgiving. From the morning. The kids and I watched The Godfather 1, 2 and 3. LOL. Yes, we did, just keeping it real. The kids loved it. Those movies are long! And in the evening, They had another American classic. The Wizard of Oz. We enjoyed some pumpkin pie while watching this. 

I bought the pie crust from Marie calendar's at the grocery store this year. Only because they were just $2 bucks. For 2 crusts. And since I have no pie pans here and rolling pin. I thought...ehhh. For this year...why not. Target had zero pie pans. Near me. My Safeway store had them, but for $6 bucks each? No way. Outrageous. I did however make the pie filling myself as always. 

Every grocery store around here was closed for Thanksgiving. Because workers need to spend time with their family on this important holiday. So, I made sure I had sandwich stuff for leftover turkey sandwiches, beforehand.

Another weird fact. When I was growing up in America, I loved any loaf of bread. I loved Wonder Bread. Safeway brand. Any brand, was fine. And then I move to Japan. And was really used to the delicious Japanese bakery bread. And then I move back here and am shocked that most breads here taste strongly of chemicals. Was it always like this and I just never realized or did the recipes change? @_@ I have tried like 12 different brands. My old favorites growing up, I tried them all again. They all taste like chemicals. I finally found this brand and it says no chemicals or anything. Anyways...I like this bread. Is it as good as my favorite Japanese baker bread? No. But it's pretty good. So this is what we'll use for now. Anyway, I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving, if you celebrate it. : ) 

Halloween 2018!!!!

Okay, I'm really behind on a few posts. Like Bran's birthday post and a few other posts too. But, I figured today, I have the time to get last nights Trick or Treating and Halloween post... actually posted right on time! So, that's what I'm doing! Yep, 2 hot dogs for Halloween 2018! Also, #1, when we bought both of their costumes...was it 2 weeks ago? About then. Anyways, I bought Noah a Halloween treat bag...you know... so you can toss all your candy, chocolate and various Halloween loot in. They're super cheap in price. In my day they were like 89 cents growing up. And now days, they're 3 bucks. So still super cheap. Branden was pretty adamant about *not* wanting a Halloween treat bag. He said he won't be collecting candy. Yadayadayada. He proclaimed he feels he's too old. Blahblahblah. And so no thanks, he doesn't need a treat bag. I was giving him side eye and going...."are ya sure though? Like really? He was like I'm sure! I won't need it. Umm err okay. Also, Branden did make the girl he went to homecoming with... who looks like a 17 year old stunning Cameron Diaz. They became official... on Homecoming. He asked her to be his girlfriend and she said yes and she's been waiting for him to ask. Blahblahblah. So they're dating. They're official. Anyways so on Sunday, during dinner...Bran sheepishly mentions...V isn't doing anything for Halloween, she knows I'm going with you and Noah and she would be up for going trick or treating with us. I said, well, she's totally invited then, of course! So, both my kids went to school in costume Wednesday (Halloween) day. Nobody really cooks on Halloween night here. Because everyone is very busy with costumes and getting ready to go out. So, most order pizza. We usually order ours on Saturday, so no pizza for us last night. So Halloween immediately after Noah got out of school, we zoomed to Wendy's. Picked up some 4 for $4 deals. And we zipped home. We actually arrived home just as Bran's yellow school bus was pulling up. we quickly ate. And then we waited. At 5:30 we 4 left for Trick or Treating. It was my first time meeting V. And she's so nice! I like her so much! The 4 of us had a blast!

It started out sorta light. Sun didn't fully set. This is the street behind our street. Rule is, every house with their porch light on, you can stop at and ring their bell. And if the light is off, it means you can't ring their door bell. Very easy to figure out. 

You have 2 hot dogs and 1 gorgeous Pikachu! Which was V. However, because everyone saw her with the 2 boys. Everyone kept saying..."aww look 2 hot dogs and that bottle of mustard!!!" I'm kidding you NOT. Nobody knew who Pikachu is/was! @_@ I thought/assumed everyone knew. But yep...B told me..."mom every one's saying she's mustard" and sure enough another family passed and said..."aww look 2 hot dogs and a bottle of mustard" Poor V! I would honestly say about 9-12 times people called her mustard. : (

Trick or Treat. Branden had zero intention of trick or treating. But because V is so fun! So genki and up for anything. Bran wanted to trick or treat too. The only bad thing is, he had no "trick or treat bag" I offered to zip B to Target around 4pm. Granted, I would have grumbled driving down there the entire way. But, I woulda done it. I also told him...in the old days... kids used pillow cases. Do you wanna do that? He said.. no way! And guess what V used? A pillow case, she's smart. Again, Bran is learning. However, Noah borrowed B his shogakko Mario Kart bag and he used that. : ) LOL. Hey...if it works, it works. 

We do happen to live in a pretty affluent town. So the houses here are huge. I love the decorations. That many of the houses did. Some kept it simple with just a porch light. Some really went all out. I liked both ways. 

We went trick or treating from 5:30pm until 8:45pm. We literally went for a little over 3 full hours. Best exercise ever! I feel, I really worked that Spicy Monterrey chicken sandwich and side cheesy baked potato off. The first hour, I walked that off, no doubt. 

You go, 2 hot dogs and 1 Pikachu! : )

After a while V said her bag was getting too heavy. So her and Bran stopped collecting candy about mid way. But they still walked with us. Which was cool. Here's Noah at the door. He had 3 of us watching him. Protecting him. Keeping an eye.

This house was scary then it turned out to be hilarious. About a half block away, you could hear a pop. Maybe a cap gun. As we got closer, there was a totally scary demented clown. On the grass walking around with a plastic hammer. I am totally afraid of clowns. Like seriously... since I was a teeny tiny little girl, clowns have freaked me out. Even at a Circus they scare me. I'm sorry they scare me. But, I hate them. I don't like to say the hate word... too often. But, omg. I hate clowns. They scare me. And with Pennywise from IT. OMG. So the demented clown is walking on the grass wildly pacing saying...come closer if you dare. And someone else shoots a cap gun. There's 2 figures in black near the front door. Not to sound like a chicken...but I'm thinking maybe we should avoid this house? I didn't say it. Which I am SO glad I said nothing at all. So glad, you'll see why later. They seem really disturbed which is scaring me. Again though it's a "well to do" area. So the clown is like egging for Bran and V and Noah to come closer. I'm stopped on the sidewalk, which is where parents usually stand, when their kids walk to the front door. And then all of a sudden the disturbed clown says from scary voice to normal voice..."oh hey Branden! Hi V!" And the person hiding now... walks over to V. And another person comes. And Branden is like to the clown..."your decorations are amazing dude!" And the clown is now using a normal high school teenage boy voice going..."thanks man!!!" Is this your little brother? Yeah. "He's Noah, he attends the middle school, right up the street." The clown tells Noah, "hey buddy" Geeze....it went from...should we be scared?...should we run? Avoid this house? To classmates of B and V? LOL. So V said, happily after we passed the house..."that's my best friends, since elementary schools house." She said..."I wonder how come I didn't recognize their house?" We were all laughing. We also passed another classmates house of B and V's. A triplet. All 3  triplets are girls. And they're hafu too. Half Chinese, their mom is from China and their dad is white. But, out of the triplets, they're closest friend is H out of the triplets. And when Bran was walking...another time... another friend messaged him and said..."hey, I just saw you...you just went trick or treating at my house. lol" Bran messaged her back and said, lol. 

A blurry picture of Noah from last night, trick or treating. That's his loot bag. 

Bran and V. We now crossed the street and were hitting another area on foot. OMG, we walked every house and area near our townhouse. 

This house put black construction paper over the front of their house. Made cool creepy windows. They made a funny and cheeky graveyard with hilarious things written on the tombstones. Like they...legit went all out. When we got back to our townhouse. Bran and V wanted to head back to the triplets house. They live just 5 minutes away. So since V has a car and a license, I said cool. You both have fun. Bran and V and the triplets hung out at the kitchen table at the triplets house. Bran said he liked their mom, she was so cool. She loved that Bran was from Japan. They had a no shoe policy. And Bran told her...I grew up with that too. And so he and V and the triplets and her parents talked for a good 45-50 minutes inside their home. And V dropped Bran back at 9:30pm. 

This is Noah's Halloween 2018 candy haul!!! I have never seen a haul so big. This is like 10 pounds of candy easy! The pile is so deep too. And look at all the full size chocolate bars too. 

So many full sizes. 

Hi-Chews in America now too. And these Nerds were mango chile flavor. Which I love mango with sprinkled chile fresh... but candy sounds bomb too!!! Sounds so delicious.

3 full size Snickers.

This is B's Halloween haul from 2018. Branden's haul was way smaller than Noah's... but that's only because he stopped about half way. However the bright side is...he wasn't expecting any candy at all. So...it's kinda a nice loot. For someone who wasn't expecting any Halloween haul at all anyways. 

Branden received the Halloween only edition of the Reese's. V, didn't get this one and neither did Noah. They just got regular ones. How lucky Bran was to get this. : )

The kids gifted me with this teeny tiny mom haul...since they said I walked with them. Awww. Thanks. I'll munch these...over the next 2 weeks for sure... off and on while watching good TV shows. Thanks kids. : ) Anyway...that's how we spent our Halloween 2018!!! It was awesome! : )  I also did send Noboru, Halloween pics in real time as it happened. I will always keep him in the loop. I love him and miss him so. But yep...that was how we spent our Hallowen 2018. : )

Anyways...it's Thursday right now. I'm making tacos tonight. Bran also has driving school tonight. And because the kids had off driving school yesterday night, because of Halloween...they have driving school on Friday night just this week too. And Bran has his driving lesson that night after class too. : ) 

New Year's Oosoji (getting ready for the new year massive clean-up) Family time at home. Movie night. Tons of good eats and more...

This is basically going to be a bits and pieces post. What we have been doing since Branden and Noah went on Winter break. If you have been reading this blog for a long time, then you will know I usually try to avoid going to Costco during the holidays, if at all possible I try my best and avoid it. Such as avoiding Costco Japan during Spring break. And over Golden Week. And during Winter break. Granted...can't avoid it during summer break. Obviously...but other shorter breaks...I usually try to buy enough a day or two before the break starts. Case in point... to these 2 next pics. I think I went the Thursday... before the kids went on Christmas break. I figured. Since it was 1 day before Winter break, I would be smart to get it done then. Wrong! : ) Hahaha. I was there at 10am. And there were like a bazillion people already there. Yochien age kids must have been on Winter holidays beforehand??? @_@ OMG it was such a packed Costco. Noboru was with me that day. And I just asked him to stay with the cart and I'd do all the running around the store and he could just chill. It was like a sea of carts...like sardines. And to top it off. I was so discombobulated because I had not expected it to be *that* busy that day. I didn't even take a cart pic. We were out of the store in like 25 minutes. I bought pasta sauce. My usual was not there. @_@ So I picked up Classico. I picked up cheese and these danish for the kids and husband for Friday's breakfast, last day of school breakfast. And a pack of Dr. Peppers. So cheese, maple pecan danish and a case of Dr. Pep's.  

30 cans of Dr. Pepper.

For what it's worth...I also did my weekly shopping *this* week too (December 29th). With both my kids. I was in Inzai (where Costco is) and I avoided Costco this week like the plague. Love Costco but not on holidays or breaks. I'll visit Costco after January 8th... after all of Japan's husbands are at work and all of Japan's kids are all at school. 

All December I worked on my deep cleaning. As you know, Japan likes to start the new year with a clean house. Clean slate. So, all houses in my neighborhood work on their house all December. And really give it the hardest cleaning the final week of December. I was done with my deep house cleaning Thursday December 28th. Friday my family of 4 and I went and did the final last bit of food shopping before the new year. We bought 7 days worth on Friday December 29th. Anyway, the first week of December, I went through my food pantry. Checked dates on stuff and rearranged it all. Yet again. 

Baking stuff on one shelf. Grains (rice and beans) on another shelf along with spices.

Side dish shelf. Stove top. Noodles and rice dishes. Croutons and chili oil for Italian. And pot roast seasoning too.

Morning drink shelf along with hot cereals, peanut butter and syrups. Breakfast things basically. 

Scrubbed down my microwave slash convection oven. I never use the oven feature since, I have a regular normal American oven. But the microwave we use all the time. It got a total scrub down.This was week 2. During December. I also scrubbed down the fridge shelves. And mopped the kitchen floor that week too.

Scrubbed the little unit my microwave sits on. This shelf area got deeply cleaned.

Hand dried it but also let it sit in the sun. While inside the house.

Everything squeaky clean. Peanut butter cereal and pancake mix. Also each week in December. I did Noah's room another day and Branden's room another day. Our room another day. The living room the kids helped me with. The year end cleaning for our house... is a group family effort. 

Branden has baked 2 batches of brownies so far. This one without nuts. 

Noah baked a yellow cake and frosted it. 

This Friday after doing the weekly grocery shopping. Noboru took all of us out to lunch at the Ohsho. Our favorite Chinese restaurant. And then for supper, I asked for any requests, while at the grocery store while in Inzai still. And Noboru said he'd love a pepperoni sandwich. So, I made everyone pepperoni sandwiches, Friday night. The baguettes come from a bakery. I made a batch of fries. It was a simple but delicious dinner this Friday December 29th.

Still December 29th. After we ate our pepperoni sandwiches and fries. And after showers. We all watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. We went to the TV guide channel and everyone picked a movie and everyone agreed on this. Yes, we've all seen this a million times, but it's so good and perfect. The 4 of us loved this, this past Friday.

Augustus Gloop just fell in the chocolate river and went up the pipe. And so the Oompa Loompas were about to sing their song! Their songs are so catchy!!! Seriously, they are.

With our New Years cards sent out before Christmas. And our New Years cleaning done. all that's left is...our chill time. Our family time. Relax time. Movie watching time. 

I ran out of my Biore face foam and went and bought another one, so this is a repurchase. I have been using Biore for normal skin since August. So for about 4 month's now. I love this face wash. I love the way this smells #1. I love that the foam is so thick and intense, even if you use a little amount. While they do sell Biore in America, it's seems in the US Biore is primarily targeted for pimply faced teenagers. But as you can see by the pic of the woman on this package. She's what, late 30's early 40's? Biore is marketed for women of all ages, here in Japan the land of where Biore comes from in the first place. Thanks to Kao. They do sell a Biore for acne, but they also sell one for people with dry skin and many different types of skin in between. And this regular one is for adults if you can see the woman on the package. It cleans without over stripping my face and like I said... I *love* the way this smells. And it costs only about 300-350 yen. That's just $3 bucks for us Americans. And considering most face washes in the US are what, $5-8 bucks a tube or bottle. The prices in Japan for good face washes are just way better priced. Depending on where you pick up your tube. I also have been using Biore body wash for about 12 years straight, while living in Japan. As for face washes. I have bought Korean wash washes before many times and I do like them a lot... but they're hard to get in Japan. And the one I was using started to give me a slight greasy residue after a while... so I stopped using that. I also have loved Basis Face wash and have used that since high school? The smell is so good for me. And I prefer tubes and that comes in a tube. The only thing I dislike is it is hard to find in Japan and in the US. Also, it doesn't foam up too much. Very little foam. So I still like Basis. But in August I started looking for a product in Japan. Easier for me to find locally. And I tried a few different brands of face wash. And out of them all, this smells the best to me. This Biore one smells tons better then all the ones I tried and makes such a huge amount of whipped foam, I love how much this foams up. And it doesn't strip my skin.  

Yep Biore is made by Kao.

I am currently on a makeup remover kick. You know how in Japan, we double cleanse. I love to double cleanse too. This is a cleansing balm, but in tube form. It's fairly new and see how it says HOT? It warms up slightly... when you massage your makeup off. It says it is unscented. But it has a slight scent of oranges because of an ingredient. It is a balm type texture. Think along the lines of Banila Co's, Clean It Zero (this is very good but it smells like freakin' Hawaiian Punch and is very over powering scent-wise for me)... Clinique Take the Day off, it's okay, the price is outrageous though and considering so many other brands make the same thing now days. This one by Bifesta is like those other 2... I just mentioned except it's in a tube form....it's like a Vaseline type texture but this rinses clean without any greasy residue at all. It does not foam. It just takes your makeup off. I like this. I have used it twice so far. Do I think this is a holy grail for me? No. Would I repurchase it again? Yes. But I would also try another brand too? I do love that this is drugstore and you can buy this for around 700 yen. However Japan has so many makeup removers at the drugstore. Cleansing oils, balms and gels. I will try a few more out... before I decide. Biore face wash in the "moisture" formula which is the one for normal skin... is a definite holy grail. But as far as a makeup remover...I still haven't fallen for one yet. 

This is super nice though. And again...I have just tried it twice....I will finish my tube. And my opinion may change. I'll let you know. But it does take off every dot of my makeup. And it does smell nice. The price point is super good too. One thing I semi dislike is... it is a little hard to squeeze the balm out of the tube. Perhaps because it is so thick. Again I could be just nitpicky. It is good though, it warms up. It removes makeup. It leaves zero greasy residue. And the price is hella on point. : ) 

Exfoliants. In America we have manual exfoliators like Apricot Scrubs. In Japan we use chemical exfoliators. There are so many. Some are scented, some are unscented. This one is super cheap and was #1 in Japan in 2015. This company has been around for ages. 

My thoughts? I like it. I also like the scent. And I'm pretty picky about scents. Granted it's not amazing and lovely like my Biore face wash. But the scent isn't bad at all. If I am not being lazy I will use an exfoliant. But honestly a lot of times, I am lazy and I won't. I wash my face every morning with my Biore face foam/wash and every night, I double cleanse if I wear makeup that day (with either a makeup wipe, miccellar water, cleansing oil or balm and finish up with my Biore face wash/foam.) If I don't wear makeup, I'll just use my Biore face wash at night without double cleaning obviously. : ) And I use face lotion daily. And sunscreen on my face, when I go out. But usually that's it. I have had so many exfoliators in the past half used...and not because they were no good...but because I simply didn't use them regularly enough. I hope I can use this one up. The price on this was about 400 yen. 

Japan is starting to get extremely cold now, weather-wise. And I picked up a new lip balm. This is supposed to be very moisturizing. And it is. Same type of lip balm texture as the Nivea ones, except it smells of delicious yuzu.

The scent is yuzu. I love yuzu. I like to drink yuzu in drinks and eat yuzu in dried snack form. 

My hands are getting super dry now that the weather has gotten so cold. This is a repurchase. I fell in love with this scent last year. Smells like shampoo. Be careful if you buy this... and you don't read Japanese...because there are 3 different varieties. The one in the pink polka dot tube smells like baby powder. I have no desire to smell like baby butt. So don't buy the one in the pink polka dot tube. And the blue one smells like soap bubbles. I have not smelled that yet... but I'm sorta meh on the thought. This one in the pink tube with lace printed on the tube... smells like shampoo and this one smells so freaking fantastically great. Best scent ever for a hand cream. And it's only 500 yen a tube. 

So in a nut shell...I basically have been enjoying my Japanese local drug store lately. : )

Almost forget...one night during Winter break. The kids and I... we all made a dish. Noah made the side dish. Buttered noodles. 

Branden baked brownies with nuts this time. And useful tip. For years. I used a metal knife to cut up my brownies. And they always cut horribly bad. Like chunked up. I let them sit. I checked online and the tip from some cooking site. The Cooking channel. Martha Stewart. I don't remember. Was it the Pioneer Woman? Anyway...wherever I read it. They suggested use a plastic knife and never to use a metal knife. Let the brownies cool though all the way first. I half believed it. But I tried it and OMG it works like a charm every time. Why plastic over metal knife? I don't know. I'm no scientist. But it works. I have since mentioned this tidbit on my blog twice so far. And wanted to mention it again. I made pork chops. We had a store bought mixed salad. To even out our dinner. I love that the kids are on Winter break. We have been baking. Cooking together. Watching movies together at home. I read today that it snowed a bit in Tokyo? Just a dusting for a short amount of time. Hasn't snowed in my town. But, as far as the news about Tokyo for about 20 minutes today...I do believe it though. Because honestly it's been so cold. Anyway...have a lovely New Year all of you. I have been boiling a big pot of beans on the stove all day. I have a big pork loin in the fridge. I will fry it and bake it and dice it later, as soon as I post this. We will have a big pot of pork green chili. A big pot of beans and we have 3 packs of tortillas. And a huge hunk of Longhorn/Colby cheese. So dinner for New Year's is set. And Noah will be baking us a red velvet cake today with cream cheese frosting and we will have vanilla ice cream to go with it. Happy New Year to you all!!!