Elliott Times: Funny Things

I bought some of the food we see often when my cousin and her husband were coming to Manila-notice I did not say we ate this! Sadly these are what is meant by fish crackers here, not the cute cheese flavored ones shaped like fish that we eat! The fish ones really STUNK when you opened the bag but didn't taste too bad. I sent the leftovers after we all tasted them (imagine that-there were actually leftovers) with Greg in his lunch to work one day, just as a joke. He didn't eat them either!

The prawn crackers didn't smell as much and Ashley has actually asked to eat the leftovers of these!

Ryan consumed all the leftover Mango flavored marshmallows!!!!

Gardenia is the company who makes the bread we eat-the chocolate bun was quickly eaten up but the ube one was not so popular-ube is a purple yam that many things are made out of here.

They are still building on the house behind ours-they probably won't finish it before we come back home! Most houses here are made primarily of concrete-we assume because it stands up well to typhoons. Many mornings, especially it seems early on Saturdays, the workmen use some kind of tool-it must be something that can drill into concrete. It is terribly irritating when you are trying to sleep and we have started calling it the "elephant dentist drill." because that is exactly what it sounds like-high pitched squealy and squeaky! Maybe some Friday night we will sneak over there and hide the elephant dentist drill!

I saw a restaurant recently called Takuyaki-here is what I read about it on line

Takuyaki was developed and invented by a Japanese named Endo Tomekichi of Osaka, Japan in 1935 and founded the first Takuyaki shop called Aizuya. The meal quickly spread among the people of Osaka and nationally by Yatai, a mobile stand often seen in fairs. It was so popular that 60% of Osaka household owns Takuyaki griddle. It became famous that it’s seen as a future “fast food” commodity of Japan and to be distributed worldwide. Currently, Takuyaki is marketed not only in Japan but also in China, Taiwan, Macao, Hong Kong and in the United States.
Takuyaki are cooked in what looks like black egg crates called Teppan or Griddles. Turning each hallow mold with a sharp probe twisting to sphere and be cooked evenly. Once ready, each ball is pierced with a toothpick (for neater eating), slathered with a choice of classic or hot & spicy sauce and sprinkled with Bonito powder. This magnificent snack that is nutritious, delicious, unique and most of all very affordable.

Here is a list of ingredients if you are just dying to try to make your own-

1 2/3 cup flour
2 1/2 cup dashi soup
2 eggs
1/2 lb. boiled octopus, cut into bite-size pieces
1/4 cup finely chopped green onion
1/4 cup finely chopped benishoga (pickled red ginger)
1/4 cup dried sakura ebi (red shrimp) *optional
*For toppings:
katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes)
aonori (green seaweed powder)
Worcestershire sauce or takoyaki sauce
mayonnaise

I am sure they would be very popular with the right audience, but I don't think this a "keeper" recipe for our family!

Another of Ashley's recent masterpieces

There was a girl named Ashley-6 and tall

There was a boy named Scott and Ryan

There was two grown ups mommy and daddy

they lived happily ever after!

Below is an airplane and a rainbow or two

Ryan playing badmitton with his buddy Daniel

I happened upon another stash of Golden Grahams at our grocery store and with no shame dug to the back of the shelf and ferreted out every single box-10 or 11 total! I knew the kids would be so excited that I wrapped one in Christmas paper and told Ryan that he could open this gift that would be for everyone. He told me that it was the best present ever!