Jasonopoly

Last weekend while watching our nephew, Jake, Jason and I decided to bring the ol' Jasonopoly board out of the closet and have a go at it.  It had been ages since we played it, and Jake is always a willing participant.  We rarely find anyone who wants to play the game.  If you know regular Monopoly, you know how LONG it can take to finish and declare a winner.  (And it always seems like Jason wins!)  Even I need a little convincing sometimes to succumb to that kind of torture commitment.

Jason and Jake set up the board.

I originally made Jasonopoly for my beloved a couple of years ago as a special 30th birthday present.  Through the course of our dating and through our marriage, I learned that Monopoly was one of Jason's favorite games (as well as the long and torturous game, Risk).  To celebrate his special day, I came up with a "special 30th birthday edition" of Jasonopoly with all of the game pieces relating to significant events and trivia about the boy.




Although we don't play it often, it's nice to bring it out every once in a while to celebrate the man that he is.  By the way, I won!

"I want a man who's kind and understanding.  

Is that too much to ask of a millionaire?"

- Zsa Zsa Gabor

Words to Live By: Week 31

My friend Jeanine is surviving and thriving after breast cancer.

As I prepare the thirty-first entry for Words to Live By, I am astonished by how much Jeanine has overcome in the last six months.  Being diagnosed with breast cancer, going through chemotherapy, having the cancer successfully removed, and now going through radiation, she truly is an inspiration to me.

I know from the moment she found out she had cancer that it has not been easy for her, but she rarely shows it.  Even now with the toll radiation has on her energy, she finds the time to shop, an activity that once left her winded or fatigued.  Her seeking-the-bright-side kind of attitude made me realize that it was time to update the tag line I use to preface each entry for Words to Live By.  I think it's most appropriate.

Week 31

Words to Live By: Week 30

My friend Jeanine has cancer, but cancer does not have Jeanine.

Jason and I happily watched Jake this weekend while Jeanine and Terry had a mini-vacation in the mountains.  Although Jeanine has been preparing herself for radiation treatments, the vacation was as much for her as it was for Terry.  He has been her rock, but even men of steel need a break from reality, even if it is for only a short while.

Week 30

A Pleasant Surprise

In my line of work, creativity is limited, and for good reason.  My job requires that a lot of t's be crossed and i's be dotted.  But, when I get the chance, I try to squeeze in a little bit of creativity where I can.  Some of this need for creativity came back to me today in an unexpected way.

Last month, I had to send some secure materials to a client to review.  To emphasize the security of the document, I covered the outside of the sealed envelope with a skull and crossbones.  She found the drawing amusing to say the least.

When I received the secure document back this morning in an unassuming FedEx envelope, this is what I unearthed from its contents.




I was DELIGHTED.

“The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise.

It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us.”

- Ashley Montagu

Creative Duo

Lines go here.  Lines go there.
And soon a figure emerges
From the lines intertwined
On the page.

She is pleased with herself.
A nice doodle to end the day.




She asks the boy how he likes it.

...

"I think it would look really good if you colored some of the roses red."

...

She sighs... and realizes he's right.
What a nice creative pair they make.

"It has been said that art is a tryst, 

for in the joy of it maker and beholder meet."

- Kojiro Tomita

Words to Live By: Week 29

My friend Jeanine has cancer, but cancer does not have Jeanine.

Jeanine has big plans for 2010:

"2009 is finally over!! This year I plan on winning the HGTV dream home, running a 5K with Jake, becoming a stand-up paddle board guru, traveling to Canada, sipping wine with my husband in Napa Valley, betting a $100 on a black jack hand and winning, starting to write a book, researching how to start a foundation, and continuing to kick cancer to the curb each day. How about you?"

Yes, indeed, how about you?

Week 29

Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu (Happy New Year)

Happy New Year!

I decided to start a new tradition in our home and commence the eating of toshikoshi soba on New Year's Eve. What's toshikoshi soba? From what I learned from my mother, it is the eating of noodles on New Year's Eve to bridge the old year to the new year. In Japan, eating these noodles on New Year's Eve promises one longevity in the New Year. There are various ways to prepare the noodles. The recipe below shares how I prepared the noodles based on a recipe my mother gave me.

Ingredients:

• Pork ribs
• Noodles (udon or buckwheat will do)
  
• Chicken stock
• Chicken bouillon cubes (2)
  
• Salt
• Soy sauce
• Hon dashi (Japanese soup base) (or dashi no moto if you can find it)
  
• Green onions
• Red pepper flakes

Preparation:

1. Place the pork ribs in a large pot filled with water. Place the pot on your stove top and bring it to a boil. Once the water has begun boiling, remove the pork ribs, and pour out the water.
   
   
2. Place the pork ribs in a fresh pot of water and begin boiling again. Boil for one hour.
   
   
   
3. Once the pork ribs have finished boiling, set them aside. Add chicken stock, a large splash of soy sauce (for color), both chicken bouillon cubes, and a large pinch of hon dashi to taste.
4. As your soup base simmers, remove the bones and fat from the pork ribs. Cut the meat into large cubes and add them back to the soup stock.
   
   
   
5. In a separate pot, boil your noodles. Follow the instructions on the noodles' packaging.
6. To eat, put the noodles in a bowl and add the soup and pork separately. Sprinkle the top of the noodles with sliced green onion and red pepper flakes.
   
   

When eating your noodles, it is important to remember to maintain the integrity of the noodles. The longer the noodles you eat, the more luck you will have for the New Year. The only catch is, you have to eat these noodles before midnight on New Year's Eve. Luckily, I got home early from work and made them as a late lunch for me and Jason before heading out for New Year's Eve festivities.

If you choose to follow this tradition, I hope you enjoy the recipe. By the way, it's not considered rude in Japan to slurp your noodles, so slurp away!

"Worries go down better with soup." - Jewish Proverb