That song was stuck in my mind the whole week Biebs was visiting. Fortunately she had plenty of sun while she was here and we soaked up a lot of it while relaxing on the beach.


Biebs and I go way back. Back to the days before cell phones (our own that is), college, and husbands. We met as lifeguards at the same pool, and spent three fabulous summers together in the sun. She was the one that constantly made me laugh and was always up for hanging out at Borders to "study" or a last minute road trip.


She has visited me every place I have lived and now, as she starts her career in the Navy, I look forward to doing the same for her! I think there will be many more beaches in our future...

I'm very excited to announce that Little Aviator will make its big debut at the MWR Flea Market on Sunday, March 27. With the help of my dear friend Biebs, I have been able to prepare an assortment of my Aviator kokeshi dolls and flight apparel to sell at this popular event.

Stop by our booth (#96/97) to see all the wonderful items we have to offer!

Hanami is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the natural beauty of flowers. Flowers almost always meaning sakura blossoms or cherry blossoms. Cherry blossoms are not as prevalent here in Pensacola but that did not keep us from celebrating the delicate flower at Angela's house.

We held our third St. Patrick's Day party for the first time in our new house. The parties started while living in Japan and we were excited to celebrate with our friends and neighbors in Pensacola this year.

DaddyO made his traditional corned beef and cabbage. He got a head start on the cooking and began corning the beef ten days early!

A friend from Japan gave me a very special kokeshi こけし when EJ was born. Avia fell in love with this doll while she was visiting and decided to make her a little friend. She used one of my unfinished wooden dolls, painted it with acrylic paint, and finished with a spray of clear gloss. The demure doll is the perfect size to fit in EJ's pocket and spends most of her time being carried around in it.

With 70 degree weather on Sunday we had no excuse not to go to the beach for the afternoon.

EJ had a blast digging in the sand, watching the seagulls, and collecting seashells.

She has all the makings of a beach girl!

Avia arrived on Monday for a week long visit with us in (hopefully) warm and sunny Florida. DaddyO was excited her trip would fall over Faschnaut Day and that meant she just might treat us to her delicious potato doughnuts.

DaddyO has many fond memories of coming home from school as a child and helping his mom make dozens of faschnauts on Fat Tuesday. They made glazed, cinnamon sprinkled, and sugared. This year EJ got to help Avia make an assortment of the German doughnuts and I got to learn her recipe!


Dissolve:
3 pkg. dry yeast in
1 c. lukewarm water
Mix in large bowl:
1 qt. scalded milk
2 c. mashed potatoes (no milk added)
1c. fat (half butter, half margarine)
1 c. sugar
Let cool to lukewarm then add:
yeast mixture
6 c. flour
Let stand until mixture foams up (about 20 minutes).
Add:
2 eggs, beaten
1 T. salt
11-12 c. additional flour


Roll out dough, cut doughnuts, place on trays and let raise until not quite double. Fry in hot shortening (375 degrees). When drained and while still hot dip in glaze mixture. Insert a stick through holes and let a number of doughnuts drain over glaze bowl until next ones are ready to do.


Makes: 100 doughnuts

We walked downtown and enjoyed the sounds, smells and tastes of Smokin' in the Square. BBQ pit masters from across the country converged on Seville Square and smoked and grilled their way towards bragging rights.

We tasted our way around the park with some friends and decided that JC's Pit Crew from Huntsville, AL won our vote.

EJ couldn't get enough of the ribs, chicken, beans and slaw. I think she got her dad's taste buds.