the Newest Ockner

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Originally uploaded by js_hale

Baby Girl Ockner (my niece) was born on Feb. 28th. Peter and I went to see how Mom and Baby were doing this weekend. In the US, apparently can only stay 1-3 days in the hospital after delivery, depending on if it was natural birth or C-section - I haven't had kids yet, and I'm already envious of Japanese moms who get to stay 5 days for regular labor, and 10 days if they've had a C-section! Peter and I will start trying to have our own in April, so I'm already starting the research on what will work best. Maybe flying to Japan?? ; )

Snowing in Tahoe

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Originally uploaded by js_hale

Peter and I decided on a spur-of-the-moment trip to Tahoe - we had a BLAST. Snow was non-stop all weekend, and it was REALLY coming down as we were trying to get back on Sunday. Saturday was great skiing, and we made the most of our Sunday morning by taking the dog snow shoeing - with waste-deep powder, it was quite a workout for the whole family. Our shoes went 1-2 feet down into the snow with every step, and Teddy looked like he was swimming through the powder!

The second half of our wedding present arrived this week - a sake bottle made by an artist in Shigaraki named Shiho Kanzaki. The bottle had fallen over just naturally in the firing process, creating some beautiful natural glaze along the side of the bottle. Shigaraki pieces are beautifully rustic, and some of them look as if they were grown and dug up from underground. This piece has all of this sparkly, crystallized ash on it - I can't wait to put some delicious atsukan or cold sake in it and use it!

Fire! (he he...)

What is it about fire that fascinates young boys? Apparently some never get over it. We were up in Covelo for President's Day weekend, and Peter got to do all the things he loves - chainsawing, piling firewood, and setting things aflame. Teddy is somewhere out here, running around with Piper, which he did all day every day until he collapsed from exhaustion. I helped a little with the chores, which I didn't mind at all - we also went on a long bike ride, slept in each day, and were fed copious amounts of delicious food!

Valentine's Day hike

I snapped this just before Teddy bounded off to play with some other dogs coming up the trail. He assumes the "down" position in order to coerce other dogs to play with him. Notice that he's not looking at the camera AT ALL. This is one of our usual hikes, not far from our house, but on an unusually clear and beautiful day. This was taken facing northeast (I think) so that may be San Pablo Bay way off in the background.

Goin' to the beach!

Took Teddy for a romp on the beach on Tuesday morning. The weather is unusually warm for this time of year - when that happens, you have to take advantage of it! Teddy had an awesome time rolling around in the sand and playing "keep-away" with the other dogs.

Sunday brunch with the Folks

Mom and Dad were in town this weekend - Dad was attending a glaucoma conference. You can't see Teddy, but he was lying down at my feet. We went to Judy's Cafe in the Marina. As you can see, it was a GORGEOUS, clear day with hardly a cloud in the sky. We continued on to Crissy Field where Teddy got to swim and frolic with other dogs. We finished the day at Matt & Kassy's house and had dinner at Pizza Antica, an upscale yet kid-friendly Italian place. The ricotta-potato gnocchi was FANTASTIC.

Back home

A happy reunion. Teddy has been on particularly good behavior these last 24 hours. Peter and I are still jet lagging. We arrived home just as Mom and Dad were arriving from Florida for a visit. Teddy and I met them & Pat for lunch in the city. Beautiful weather, too - all in all, it's good to be home!

noodles in shigaraki

noodles in shigaraki
Originally uploaded by js_hale

yum!

chikage's first yakiniku

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Originally uploaded by js_hale

Peter and I are back in Tokyo at Ren & Hiroko's. We went out to yakiniku - it was Peter's first yakiniku experience, and Chikage's as well.

dinner at kohju

dinner at kohju
Originally uploaded by js_hale

one of john's favorites,gorgeous!

"Baby" Chikage

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Baby Chikage is quickly becoming a little girl!

Back in Tokyo

Back in Tokyo now - fighting jet lag. Imagine the fun. Tired or not, I actually have fun no matter what when I stay with Ren and Hiroko. Will try to take some more pictures soon - we had a stellar Saturday in Shibuya, shopping for oddds and ends at Tokyu Hands and my favorite store in the world, MUJI. Tomorrow Ren promised to take me to the "cool" MUJI store - they're all cool, so my curiousity is piqued. Work starts on Monday, so tomorrow is my last day to play.

happy couple in Heavenly

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Originally uploaded by js_hale

Me and my hot husband - I LOVE to watch him ski! : )

Poocher loves the snow!

Poocher loves the snow!
Originally uploaded by js_hale

Peter and I were in Tahoe this past weekend - it was Teddy's first time in the snow and he took to it just like the water. It's tough to say which one he prefers! This was taken at Heavenly, South Lake Tahoe. Makes me wish that there was such a thing as doggy skis....Peter said that dogs are allowed on the slopes in Telluride....we might have to check that out soon!

New Year's Dinner

Peter and I had an awesome New Year's with the crew in the city. House parties are the way to go - we had every intention of heading down to North Beach at some point, and ended up staying at the house party we were at because there wasn't much of a point in going out. The next day, we sat on the couch watching the Rose Parade and college football - the customs of New Year's Day in the US never fail to bring out my southern roots - namely, food and football. I got to see Michigan beat the Gators, which I was happy about. I had to explain a couple of times that I cheer for anyone who plays AGAINST Florida - why? because I am an FSU fan! This answer resulted in confusion for my non-southern friends and required further explanation. In the South, where children come out of the womb destined to cheer for a specific team (in north Florida, it's either UF or FSU), football is at the center of the universe for most people - the only other exception (in some cases) being church and Jesus. Despite my very mixed feelings about where I grew up, I do get nostalgic for the fervor of southern football - the passion of it is intoxicating, and the drama of the rivalries could easily overwhelm one's better judgment - how many things can you say that about?

Anyway, Peter and I came home that evening and I made Hoppin' John and sweet cornbread (pictured) for dinner - ham and black-eyed peas for good luck, and collard greens for wealth! I make a healthy version - I use lean ham slices, versus a ham hock or bacon fat - and low sodium chicken broth. I saute the collards & onion in olive oil & garlic, then add roasted red pepper seeds for a little kick. Sweet cornbread is also not strictly traditional, but I like it better than savory cornbread. Plus, Peter takes it to work and has it for breakfast!

Muffins!

I was inspired by Patty's amazing cooking up in Covelo - I decided to make muffins from scratch. They weren't as good as Patty's, but Peter LOVED them - so I'll call it a success. I snapped this picture of myself, pointing proudly at the bran muffins, made in part from Trader Joe's "Bran Clusters with Raisins" cereal - I don't think it's the ideal cereal to use, but it's all we had - you're not usually supposed to 'experiment' with baking, but I couldn't resist. I got lucky this time - they were pretty good!

Christmas in Covelo

Peter, Patrick and I piled in the car last weekend with the dog in tow & headed up to Covelo for Christmas. It was AWESOME - peace and quiet, acres of land for the dogs to run around, horses, fresh air....and Peter's mom's AMAZING cooking. Who could ask for more? Patrick is nursing a torn ACL - he just had surgery, and this was the perfect place to covalesce. I'm sure he'd agree that he was spoiled rotten, as we all were.

First Christmas Wreath

Now that I'm all bonified as a married lady, I am venturing into the Domestic Arts. This wreath is my very first attempt - I still have no idea how I managed to tie the bow so that the ribbon's design faces outward - it's nothing short of a miracle - a Christmas miracle!!

Hilltop Swing

Teddy and I found this swing on a recent walk - our house is surrounded by these beautiful, golden hills that make for great hiking and exercise. It's part of the trade-off of living in San Rafael vs. San Francisco - true, it's not the city - but then again, it's NOT the city! :)

Hikin'

Peter and I took the dog hiking today - this picture is actually from several months ago - didn't have my camera with me today but it's the same general vicinity. It was blustery-cold but still fun - we hiked up to a peak where we could see all around - San Pablo Bay, the city, the ocean, etc. Awesome. One of the great things about living in Marin (besides having all this in your backyard) is that you can swing by Lucinda's on your way home and get a righteous burrito. Peter and I split a chicken burrito with plenty of guacamole and sour cream...the BOMB.

"Naahts of Laaghts"

Peter and I went to Florida for a week's worth of post-wedding parties. This was the "Nights of Lights" fundraiser party & we're on a horse-drawn carriage with Mom and Dad in the back, Travis, mom's friend Tara & her husband and Misty (right). Immense quantities of food and beverages were consumed throughout the week - now that we're back home, it's time to work it all off! And yet here I sit, blogging...

Our idea of Heaven

Just another Tuesday morning at the Preserve. This was our view waking up each day we were there. Our last day & a half was like a mini-honeymoon. Spectacular place. We had a running joke that there were secret servicemen running around after us on walkie-talkies saying, "Cue the hummingbirds! Cue the wild turkeys!"

Just Married!

We did it!! Thank you to all who attended and to all who were there in spirit. It was the most perfect day in so many ways. We are so grateful to our families and friends whose love and support have made us who we are and ultimately helped us find each other. We love you!!!

Just Married!

There will be more pictures to come - so far, this is one of the cutest. Madelyn and Koko were my adorable flower girls.
More to come!

That bird can DANCE

"All God's creatures"

Teddy came with us to Grace Cathedral on the Sunday before last to be 'blessed.' Jane Goodall was there to give the sermon
and was also the guest at the Forum beforehand. All things considered, Teddy was an angel and was very happy to lie down
and chew his little stuffed toy shaped like a bone!

Teddy's Getting BIG

Poocher is almost 6 months old! He has all of his adult teeth in (we think) and enjoys playing at Alta Plaza every day with his buddies.

Wine Tasting

Peter and the Hale clan (Mom, Dad, Patrick, me) went wine tasting last weekend - we got a car & driver, which eliminated a lot of stress. We visited Peter's favorite vineyards (which have also become some of my favorites too) - Duckhorn, Grgich Hills and Chateau Montelena. Grgich Hills was pouring a reserve chardonnay that was to die for - at a mere $75/bottle. As good as it was, we couldn't justify paying that much for a chardonnay - it's one thing if you're dropping that kind of money on something that will age well and appreciate in value - we made up for it by buying several other bottles from each vineyard!

smart dog

Teddy is perfecting the art of camoflauge - chewing his toy in close proximity to Daddy's shoes. It could be that he's enjoying a little bit of leather alongside the toy. However, he figures that we might give him the benefit of the doubt that he's NOT chewing on the shoes since his toy is right there. It could be that he's merely satisfying his chewing needs on an appropriate toy while basking in the scent of leather and feet...