Japanese Pin Cushion and a ?

My friend Cathy and I

have known each other since

we were both stationed in Misawa, Japan.

We were Red Cross volunteers together

working at the base post office.

We loved our work

 especially around Christmas

when we were extra busy handing out 

holiday packages and sorting Christmas cards

into the post boxes.

Anyway, she asked about this pin cushion

and if I had purchased it in Japan.

The answer is I'm not exactly sure

 where this one came from.

  I might have purchased it in Japan... 

but let me show you something special.

This hand crafted pin cushion was

one of my going away gift from the 

Patrol Wing One's wives group

in July 1984.

Elderly Japanese ladies in a rest 

home hand sewed these for pin money.

It measures three inches tall,

and 7 1/2 inches wide.

Aren't those pig tails darling?

The kimonos ... oh goodness!

I've never used it as a pin cushion.

Unfortunately,

it does have a couple of stains from

being handled over the years.

The nurses who took care of the 

elderly residents hand painted

the faces for the seamstresses.

Cute huh?

Now for the question.

Cathy sent me an email 

asking about a recipe she's lost.

  It's not familiar to me,

but maybe you'll know.

She's looking for a Southwest Chicken 

casserole recipe that includes

chicken (of course)

cheese soup, chili powder and other

ingredients (?).

It also was topped with cornbread twists.

Let me know if you have a similar

recipe.  I know Cathy would be happy

to have the recipe once again.

We are getting snow today !

It's sticking !!

Woo hoo !!!