Let There Be Light & Gummi Bears

Hello all,
Gabe here,...It's getting darker everyday now. It's a tough time of year. Soon It'll be getting dark at 4PM (thank the Lord it won't last that long). Steph and I put up Christmas lights (the iscicle kind) hanging from the ceiling of our dining room last Sunday. It is beautiful. I tell you truthfully, it is a difference that is difficult to put into words. Really fun though,...like a cool little bistro. Well, to express my mood I thought i would share my most favorite TV clip of all time (from my favorite TV show - Northern Exposure):






Hey Guys, Steph here. Do you remember this? This was me and Gabe's favorite cartoon when we were kids! Hope it brings back some memories for you too.



Now check this out!

Kamaishi Daikannon

Yesterday we went to see the Kamaishi "Daikannon (Large Statue of the [female]Buddha)" in Kamaishi City. It's only an hour away. We've always meant to go there but just never got around to it. So, we took a-lot of short videos to share with y'all...ENJOY! We were surprised to find out that the actual statue of the Buddha we climbed is actually taller than the Statue of Liberty! (only by a few meters...but nonetheless suprising! Of course, The Statue of Liberty is on a platform that is about half the total size. )



Well,... here is some info:
"As a symbol of Kamaishi, the Daikannon stands upon Kamazaki Point, overlooking Kamaishi Bay. It is 48.5 metres tall, and is divided into 13 stories. Inside the statue, there is much to see, including the [Honzon Gyoran Kannon], [the 33 Kannons] and the Grand Gallery. At the exact point at which the Kannon is holding the fish, (from the 10th to the 12th floor levels) there is an observation platform located 38 metres above the statue's base. From the platform there are spectacular views of such sights as the Ozaki Peninsula and Mada Misaki.It is said that you will feel great happiness upon visiting the [Shichifukujin Goddess] after climbing the 204 stairs." from this link

Egg Nog

Steph made her traditional "Day After Thanksgiviving Egg Nog" and we decorated out tree... YUMMY!

Happy Thanksgiving

Hey everyone! This is Steph. Happy Turkey Day! I just roasted my first turkey! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. We shared dinner with our friends the Ozawa's at our house. We had a real TURKEY!!!! It was only 7.5lbs but it was delicious! We are so thankful for all our many blessings. We pray that your hearts are filled with joy and thankfulness and we wish you a wonderful beginning of the holiday season!

"Katrina Cottage" Offers Affordable Housing

Hello all,... Gabe here. Sorry that we have been so truant in the bloggi these days. We are settling in nicely but the days weeks and months just fly by. Well, I just wanted to share something with you all.

Last week, Dad Craft sent me this link about the "Katrina Cottage":

The Katrina Cottage "creates a cew niche"]


Well, being so intrigued by the Katrina Cottage, I did a google video search and was happy to see that Farmer's Almanac TV recently did a very nice segment on the little home that has been such a big hit. Check it out below (if the video gets choppy just pause it and wait until the "buffering" is finished). You can also click the google button on the video to view it full screen.




More links about the Katrina Cottage:

Article with pictures of the build for the Intenational. Builder's Show

Article from Inhabitat with some interior photos

Another Article with some more interior views

Designer's Site "Cusato Cottages" (Available from Lowe's)

Katrina Cottages Site sponsored by the Urban Guild


I also found this article interesting.
The average American home has more than doubled in size since 1950 (click me).