Merry Christmas 2013

This year was very nice. My wife and children and I got up about 7am and opened our presents. I woke up about 6am and just plugged in the tree with the lights on. Just the tree lights on in a dark room reminded me of my childhood when I'd wake up before everyone and have that Christmas feeling only children can know.

We opened our presents, sampled some Christmas foods for breakfast. My wife went off to work, and the children and I built their presents. I am also making dinner. I've gotten the vegtables ready, just have to boil them. I also have the turkey breast to reheat, and make the gravy.

Emi was happy with her Katy Perry and Avril Lavigne CDs

and her favorite choclates

I got an Austrian fruit cake

My co-worker sent me Maple fudge!

Ian with his Nerf Shotgun

My favorite Tim Horton's coffee which I couldn't find when I was back in Nova Scotia

Our Christmas dinner. The flash caused a whiteout on my mashed potatoes and the turkey. I also had Maple-butter carrots, pumpkin pie and wild blueberry savory dressing.

It was tasty.  Everyone enjoyed my homemade pumpkin pie.

American Revolution Campaigns for the new year

For Christmas this year, I was able to get three book. Philidelphia 1777, Boston 1775 and Quebec 1775.

I've done most of the Philidelphia. The 1775 campaign will take up my Christmas vacation.

Today's action was The attack on Ft. St. Jean, 1775, part of the Quebec campaign which can be seen on my youtube channel irishhighlander.

Christmas baking 2013

Just a month ago, a new shopping centre was rebuilt in Kamagaya. One of the shops is Kaldi! This shop is a coffee, foreign food import shop which sells things you usually can't find in Japan.

I found Lyle's Golde Syrup, which my Grandmother used to have. Molasses, which everyone and his dog back in Nova Scotia uses in the kitchen, cornmeal, canned pumpkin and betty crocker pastry mix.

So today is my baking day. Shots to follow

The Johnny Cake I made went over well. The molasses cookies everyone liked. Even the molasses cake was tasty.

I'll have to see if I can bake more tomorrow.

Jack in the what?

In the Kamagaya AEON there is a new donut shot with the name

Jack in the donuts.

I kid you not.

Here is the picture

Nelson Mandela, Madiba

A great man has finally gone to sleep.
No matter what your politics, you have to tip your hat at the man.
26 years in prison, comes out, and rather than start a race war, he taught patience, and forgiveness.

I remember cutting out the headline of the day his release was made public in my home newspaper.

MANDELA IS FREE!

And in a way, he is now.

Attack on Dunromin Castle 1650

A quite Sunday afternoon means I have a small battle. This time, I dug out our Pike and Shot figures and put up the castle parts I've gotten via www.juniorgeneral.org and wizards of the coast.

Dunromin Castle in Scotland was being held by an English government force. A Royalist/Scottish force had been landed by Montrose to try and enflame Scotland for King Charles.

In the original campaign, The Earl of Sutherland withdrew to a stronger position. In this game, the scenario is that the Royalists/Scots attack the castle.

The video clip can be seen on www.youtube.com japanesehighlander