Horangi

Meet our new pet, Horangi! (That's "tiger" in Korean!) He's huge, and soft! I couldn't resist the man by the side of the highway selling these out of his van. He would cost a fortune from Shwartz Toys, but we got him for a sweet deal! I get a thrill and smile big everytime I walk by the living room and see him! haha

Tigers used to roam the mountains of Korea and are seen everywhere in traditional art. This year is the Year of the Tiger in the Chinese Zodiac. You are a tiger if you were born in the years 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938, 1926, 1914. Tigers are physically powerful, gracious, independent and brave, they are extremely bold animals. They are friendly and loving but can also be selfish and short tempered. Tigers seek attention and power. Tigers live dangerously which often leads to trouble. They are intolerant, take risks and are always searching for excitement. Tigers are also instilled with a good dose of courage. Perfect morning mist photo taken while driving on the freeway last week!

Duck Party

We woke up the other day to a flood in our basement - about 2 inches of water and a steady stream of water coming out of a hard-to-get-to piece of concrete. Fortunately, most things were already up off the floor or set up on pallets. But my cases of wedding ducks that I bought for future wedding gifts were sitting in the water, and the water had seeped up and pretty much soaked the bottom couple of rows. A few are beyond repair, but the rest are hanging out on the dining room table drying off. An outside pipe was found broken and repaired without having to dig up the whole yard, so that was good. I guess another time this happened, they had to dig down 3 feet below the foundation to find the leak! I should have wondered why everything was up on pallets down there!

Nathan Returns to Korea After 31 Years!

Ah! What a wonderful time we had spending time with Nathan and Jen and three awesome grandchildren! Springtime weather alluded us with cold and rain, but we still got out and about to see and do some fun things for the short 10 days they were here.Nathan first came to Korea when he was just one year old. We lived in Seoul for nearly six years on assignment with GM where Nathan attended preschool, kindergarten and part of first grade. We drove by the house we lived in way back then - it was quite the mansion, and is now the Czech Ambassador's residence! The only thing he really remembers is a liking for Korean food!We are so thrilled to have Alana and Brian living in Korea for the next year. Brian is teaching glass art at Namseoul University in Choenan, just an hour up the road from us where they are still getting settled and adjusting to their new "real world". It was so good to all be together a few times during Nathan's visit.
A favorite photo spot at SanGokSa, a Buddhist retreat not far from Daejeon.Too early for flowers in Flowerland, but the setting was still beautiful!

Every child in the world must thing they invented the 1-2-3 Whee! game. The infectious giggles keep Nana and Papa playing the game!Papa's magic touch!

We celebrated Papa's birthday with lemon jello cake. (one of Nathan's favorite things!)
Last month Nathan and Jen helped coordinated homestays for student teachers from the Daejeon area. They all came and worked for a month at an elementary school in Santa Clara. Back in Korea now, Jinny (who stayed with Nathan and Jen for the month )and her friends treated us to a wonderful Kalbi barbecue, a fine Korean traditional meal with lots of delicious panchans (sidedishes). It was an exciting reunion and an emotional final goodbye.

A Little Vacation?

Alan with brother John, Deedee is hiding behind Jocelyn, Konrad & Sara and their two adorable little ones Denim and Demi, Kelly Joy (holding Demi), Tenealle Tenwolde(kneeling in the center) who is going to school at BYU-H and Brooke (sitting in front). I'm sorry if I've slaughtered any name spelling!

Alan had to return to US soil this month or lose his Green Card status, so he went to Hawaii for a couple of days. Besides the little chore of updating a re-entry stamp in his passport, he spent some time with family and some of our returned missionaries who are currently attending BYU-H. Doesn't seem right that his companion was not able to go with him, wish I could have seen them all too, but then I guess I had my turn for Alana's wedding last September, and hopefully it won't be too long til we can all spend time together again!

Christmas in Korea!

I was so excited a few months ago to find this traditional style A-frame (Chigae) in a little town down south. For years I've been fascinated to watch merchants around the Dongdaemun Market in Seoul carry goods on their back in this sort of thing. Removing the basket and extending the steel-enforced bars on back, men could be seen carrying loads of fabric, eggs, appliances.... you name it..... to their places of business. I immediately saw it as a great Christmas decoration, useful for filling with gifts! The bamboo pole, bamboo being extremely strong, balances the load when the destination is reached, or a rest is needed. It is slotted and fits on the back of the frame and then leaned against the ground.
We used it at our missionary Christmas parties this year as the main decoration!

Yes, We Celebrate Thanksgiving in Korea!

Even though the turkey cost at least 3 times as usual, we had a grand feast with all the fixins! We invited the Daejeon Stake Pres. and a few local members. Besides the office staff, Elders Duckworth and Hill joined us. Elder Duckworth recently beat the President in his ongoing pushup challenge, which ususally rewards the Elder (and his companion-lucky companion!) a steak dinner. Elder Duckworth opted for Thanksgiving feast at the mission home instead!

Always a Fun Surprise!

A few times throughout the day, workers in grocery and department stores have an exercise break. The music starts up and all employees come to the ends of their aisles and perform a routine! I'm sure it's meant for the benefit of the employees, but it's also great entertainment!

My Five Grownup Monsters

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Happy Birthday John!

One day old

Welcome to the world!
October 7, 1983

A proud grandpa with his namesake!My favorite childhood picture!

For unto us a son was born! A delightful, beautiful child, so happy, cheerful, loving and good. Now grown into a fine young man, so handsome, thoughtful, grateful and kind. I love you!

My Beautiful Bride Daughter

I loved the day we spent in Balboa Park taking bridal photos. It was a lovely mother-daughter day that I will treasure forever. She is wearing the veil that I made and wore for my own wedding.


I just returned from a wonderful trip to attend Alana's wedding in San Diego. I'll post some pictures taken from the professional photographer later on, but here are a few shots I took at her bridal shower, given by Alana's friend, Daniella Raynes. We had such a fun party at the Cheesecake Factory. Daniella planned several fun games and provided all kinds of favors and goodies to enjoy including some fun bling!
This is one of my favorite engagement photos. Brian is wonderful and we are happy to add him to our family tree!

Love These Signs!

Best Sourdough Bread

We have a couple of missionaries (Elders Brandon Taysom and Joshus Freckleton) who are very good cooks, and who both love to use sourdough starter. They shared some starter with me, and I've been making alot of bread, mostly given away, since you have to make it often to keep the starter healthy. If you can get your hands on a good starter, here is a great bread recipe!

1 cup sourdough starter
1 1/2 cup warm water
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. oil
6 cups bread flour

Mix starter, water, salt, sugar and oil together in a large bowl. Sift the flour and add to the mixture. Oil the dough and place in an oiled bowl. Cover and let rise overnight.
Next day, knead the dough for 10 minutes (put on some music, set the timer and have fun). Divide in half and place into two greased 4 x 8 bread pans. Allow to double in size. Depending on the weather or temp. of the room from 2-8 hours.
Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes, until golden brown and taps hollow.
(After removing the 1 cup of starter, I add back into the remaining: 1 cup each of flour and 1 cup water. Stir well, cover and allow to sit out for a few hours before returning to the refrigerator until the next use.)

Temple Crafting

Lately I've been paper piece quilting and am in the process of redesigning a temple pattern that can be made more easily to make in mass for missionaries. Here is my first finished product which I gave away to a newly baptized family. I'm also adding some cute photos of children in the Yeasang Ward posing with some of the children's drawings of the Seoul temple.