A Breeze From Pure Land ~ Ojodo Kara No Kaze

A Breeze From Pure Land
"Ojodo Kara No Kaze"

Please don’t cry before my grave …. 
That’s not where I am. 
Nor am I sleeping for eternity

See…

I am already part of the breezes 
Numbering a thousand.

I am part of the light

That brightens this world,

Like a diamond glittering in the snow,

Like the sun that coaxes seeds to sprout.

And in the fall, I become the gentle rain 
That nurtures all…

When you open a window in the morning,
I am the breeze 
That causes your hair to flutter,

And at night I am the star that watches over your sleep. 
So please … don’t cry before my grave.  
That’s not where I am. 
I am not dead; 
I have been born anew.

Trip to LA

This weekend we drove down to LA for Grandpa's 49 day service and burial.  He has a nice resting spot at the top of a hill in a very pretty cemetery.  The service was short, but the message was so nice ~ based on a poem originally by Mary Elizabeth Frye titled Do Not Weep at My Grave but translated back to English from a Japanese version.  I can't remember the title and couldn't find it on the internet so Auntie Lynn is going to ask the minister for me.  I'll post later!  After the service we all had a nice lunch at Tokyo Lobby.  

AND THEN we went Bachan's house and Christmas continued for the kids!

Uncle Denis and Auntie Gloria brought out presents for the kids!

Lauren had a game Saturday night and a final due on Sunday so she went back to school after the service.  Auntie and Uncle went to watch her game.  (They WON!)  Auntie Gloria had to go home and the rest of us had a nice HUGE pot of curry (YUM) and chatted until (was it) 9PM??  

Sunday - more presents from the Taketomos!

Auntie helping Bailey with a butterfly pillow craft project she found for her

New card game for Gregory!

Lunch - Udon - notice the fancy kamaboko??  Bachan taught me how to cut, but I'm not sure I'll ever be able to replicate!

Heritage Day

Today is Heritage Day at Golden View!  You can either wear a costume from your heritage or red, white and blue!

Gregory wanted to wear his happi coat, but he sure has grown since obon!  Opted for red, white and blue instead

Bailey in her yukata. :)

Selina, Bailey, Aleeza and Daphne

Bailey and Aleeza

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

Yesterday we gathered to celebrate Grandpa's 75th birthday with our 2nd (annual?) CRAB FEED!  Uncle Bob, Aunty Kristin, Oliver and Emma woke up early and met the crabbers at the pier in Half Moon Bay.  They came home with 14 lovelies (still snapping!)  After boiling, cleaning and cracking we had 3 HUGE bowls to enjoy.  We ate and ate and ate.  Kids played, played and played.  We ended the night with making homemade cotton candy and watching Aunty's kitchen get covered with little strings of sugar! (Hope the ants didn't visit last night!)  Fun time for all!!

Bowl 1

Bowl 2

Bowl 3

The other stuff

Grandpa has lots of helpers

Grandma and Mrs. Nitta (Aunty Joey's Mommy and sister joined us too!)

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

Trampoline!

Whooo Hoo

Soft Pretzels Bites

This afternoon the kids and I made soft pretzel bites!  I made the dough and the kids made the bits and boy are the yummy!

We rolled and cut the dough into bite sized pieces

The dough was a little sticky!

We boiled the bits in water and baking soda

Popped them on a cookie sheet

And baked them until they were golden brown ~ YUMOLA!

They are so nice and chewy ~ but not too chewy ~ just right and I'm going to have to make these again soon!  

Vegan Soft Pretzel Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 .25-ounce package active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more if needed
• 1 t. salt (I only added about 1/2 t, but they are still on the "a bit too salty" side)
• 7 cups water
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• Coarse salt or Hawaiian sea salt, for sprinkling (I didn't use)

Preparation:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast, warm water and sugar, agitating until the yeast is dissolve. Let stand for 5 minutes, or until the mixture is bubbly. Add the flour gradually until forming a soft dough that is neither sticky nor dry, adding extra flour if necessary. Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface and knead until elastic and smooth, about 3-4 minutes. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in bulk.

2. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Lightly oil a large baking sheet and set aside.

3. Bring the 7 cups of water and baking soda to a rolling boil in a medium-large saucepan over medium-high heat. Punch the dough down and turn out onto a clean work surface. Separate the dough into 8 pieces and roll each into a rope about 1/2" thick. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the ropes into pieces about 1/2"-1" in length.

4. Drop about 3-4 pieces of dough at a time into the boiling water. Boil for about 30 seconds, remove using a slotted spoon, and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat this until all of your pieces of dough have been boiled. Sprinkle with coarse salt and bake until golden brown, about 10-12 minutes. Allow pretzel bites to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.