"It's a B-side Baby" Reminisce Challenge

I did this layout for the "It's a B-side baby" challenge on the Reminisce blog. I use the B side of the Funky Monkey, and My Jungle Safari papers.

Jorge's Shisa

WOW! I was going to be so good when I started this blog about posting often. Well, doesn't look like I did such a good job! Well, my last post was showing some Shisa that I made in pottery class. For those of you who don't know, Shisa or Shishi lions are found on the rooftops or entryway to most houses here in Okinawa. They are not religious symbols, just a superstition. They usually are faced looking at the pathway to the house. The male, his mouth open growling and scaring away the bad spirits, the female, mouth closed, smiling holding in the good spirits. Anyway, we commissioned my pottery Sensei, Master Potter Jorge Itokazu to make us a pair for the entrance to our new home. We are leaving Okinawa in less than two weeks for a new adventure, a new phase of our lives without the military. We showed him a photo of a pair we had found that we liked......told him to make them that kind of shape, but with Jorge's style. Here is what we he came up with. These haven't been fired yet, but I am soooooo excited!! I love them and keep looking at the photos. I can't wait until I can look at them every day! I love how the butt is higher than most, and the tail is over his butt facing forward. I'm also posting a photo of me and Jorge.

My Shisa!!!

I have been taking some pottery classes here in Okinawa. I just made these Shisa and am so excited about how they turned out. All made by hand the traditional way. The two pieces of clay are what I started out with.

Newest Connor Photo!!!

Yep, here it is!!! He is growing so fast and I am missing it!!! Just look at those gorgeous eyes!!!!

Blog Challenge

Lucy over at Dixie Pieces issued a Blog challenge today to post 6 random facts about ourselves on our blog. So here's mine! (And if you haven't checked out Dixie Pieces Scrapbooking kits, you should do so.........they are awesome!!)

1. I have lived in Okinawa, Japan for six years and truly love everything Okinawan...especially the people. I feel a special connection with them and am Okinawan at heart.

2. I can't resist good dollar store (100 Yen here)

3. I have recently started gardening and planting everything from flowers to fruits and veggies to trees. I am addicted!

4. I am a Breast Cancer survivor (Get your mammograms!!)

5. I love fruits of any kind.

6. I am 3 years older than my husband of 24 years.

Connor

Ok Denise, this is for you!! These photos were taken only a few days ago. It's killing me to be here and not watch him grow up! Angie is good about keeping me updated with photos though.

Pizza & Sky

This past weekend we took some of the people John works with on a tour of the Northern end of Okinawa. The northern end is not as inhabited as the southern, and there is much jungle and great views. We went to a place called Pizza and Sky for lunch. It is a small pizza place up in the mountains on a cliff overlooking the ocean. It is very unique and a great place to visit. Most of the tables are picnic tables outside and if it is windy it can get very chilly. So there are baskets of blankets for you to use to keep warm. There is only one kind of pizza. It has sausage, garlic, peppers, and corn. And LOTS of cheese! They serve fresh juices and tea in unique glasses on cloth napkins and plates. Each drink has its own type of glass. The pizza is awesome and the view spectacular. A place that you would not want to miss when visiting Okinawa. You can see more photos of the drinks as they were served and the restaurant and view on my photobucket here:
http://s225.photobucket.com/albums/dd126/okidoki2181/Pizza/