good-ness

a bit of random goodness for you.

1. i love listening to amy seeley. plus she has awesome hair. i need a hair cut. pronto.

2. i am trying to get more photos of anika and i. and anika and h-kun. and the three of us.i think we only have one photo of the three of us. from the hospital. embarassing.

3. we recently bought some used old school ikea furniture. i want to recover the cushions. patchwork style. leslie. not me. another leslie. she is the queen of refinishing furniture. she just finished her patchwork chair. and it's amazing. and gets me excited.

4. we are moving tomorrow. exciting and exhausting at the same time. luckily we have lots of great help.

5. i love chinooks. and living beside the rocky mountains.

6. i start back to work next week. luckily i work from home and have a flexible schedule. and love what i do. ali edwards is a wise lady. and recently shared this great quote: tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? i need to remember this when making decisions. and finding the balance that will work for me. and my family. my gosh. we are a family now. the three of us. 

7. i hate it when i spill pumped breast milk (aka liquid gold) on the counter.

 

 

 

random 15.

1. h-kun's parents were here from japan recently. and they brought lots of goodies for us. like soba noodles. green tea. and lots of nori (seaweed). car parts. bobby pins. and a book full of girl names.

2. a friend that i've never met. (hi sandra!) knit me a baby blanket. and it is perfect. so now the pressure is off for me to knit one. and i can focus on everything else i want to make.

3. i have never eaten lucky charms. i have never seen a sci fi film. and i have never been invited to a square dance.

4. i am having a my favorite things party on saturday. a little get together in the afternoon with some good friends. and am super excited.

5. i signed up for a drawing and painting class. it starts on monday. and i am freaked out. i have always thought that i can't draw. anything other than stick figures. and doodles. but i have wanted to paint for a long time. and am inspired by so many. so i decided to sign up. and just do it. yep. yep. yep. (that is me convincing myself that all will be okay. and i will love it.)

 

random 14.

1. i started another new quilt today. before finishing the other three i have on the go. yep. and i'll probably start another one in the next few days. just saying.

2. i was cleaning a bit of my room today. and put some of my sweaters into a suitcase to store away. and realized that fall is coming. (yippee.) so i put the sweaters back in the closet. 

3. i am now 23 weeks pregnant. and haven't bought any maternity clothes yet. i am thinking our little girl might appreciate me buying some roomier pants soon. she is moving more and more. and it is the most surreal feeling.

4. i judge books by their cover. i do. and i sometimes choose a product. like jam. over another just because of the packaging. 

5. a friend and i set up and ran a photo booth at a kid's festival yesterday. cardboard clouds, fake mustaches, real suckers and more. let me just say. it was a super long day and i totally admire you folks who take photos for a living. my gosh.

random 12.

1. i drank out of the milk carton. twice this week. it's part of the weaning process. a couple of months ago i started having little cups of it. dang it. now i am down to a few swigs a week.

2. i found some pudding jars. milk pudding jars. i think that is what it is called. the bird one is my favorite. but the pudding was a little too rich for me. oh, what i do for things i love. h-kun helped with the eating the rest of the pudding.

   

3. i finally stopped by a local shrine. one that i drive by at least a couple of times a week. but have just never stopped at. well, moving to another country. will make you stop and do things. that you have been putting off. and i am happy about that.

4. i spent all day yesterday. in kyoto. with a good friend. it was a perfect day. there is so much to love about that city.

5. i wish there were more days in april. like at least 10 more. time is moving a bit too quickly for me.

6. i downloaded tetris on my iphone. when we were waiting forever at h-kun's doctor thing. and now i am addicted to it. and feeling very old school.

random 11.

1. so. these maple syrup scones are scrumptious. and not too sweet. 

 

2. in the last couple of days. i have been collecting floral prints. four of them are linen/cotton blends. one is a nani iro gauze. and one is a beautiful cotton. i thinks some summer tops might have to be made from some of these. once i get home.  

3. h-kun made yogurt a couple of weeks ago. and is on a kick. he wants to make natto. (fermented, sticky, stinky soy beans. i love them.) i suggested he should learn how to make miso, too. and he finally decided that he wants to start sewing. bags. after me pestering him for ages. but he thinks it was his own idea. love that. he claimed last night at dinner that he won't have time work in canada. he will be too busy doing everything else. so i added growing rice to his list of things to do. 

4. procrastinating. something i am good at. especially these last few weeks. with the to-do lists getting longer. not shorter. like right now. i should be packing for our long weekend away. and should be ready to leave in about one hour when h-kun gets home from work. but. nope. i need to finish working first. and before that i need to finish this post. 

5. that bib. i made it last night while h-kun was in the bath. super fast. but it's so tiny. tiny. tiny. it must be for a doll. or a kitten. i have no idea how small babies' necks are. my gosh. i don't think they are that tiny. it's for another one of h-kun's friend's new babies. it's the year of babies over here. and back home. 

6. i'm going to start making people dance for things they want. or need. okay. the need dancing might be kind of mean. it's decided. we watched a movie last night where this happened. and then i remembered that sally makes her little ones dance. look out, h-kun. look out. 

7. thanks for your excitement. in the comments and emails from the last post. i appreciate it so much. 

random 10.

1. my last random post was over 2 months ago. crazy. i always have a stream of random things going on in my head. i need to do these posts more often. definitely.

2. here's a picture of the pinch pouch frame. hopefully this answers your questions. it's a frame that you pinch open. it reminds me of a pouch that my grandma or grandpa used when i was younger. there are some in here in my shop. just in case you want some, too. 

3. we watched slumdog millionaire last night. and we now know why they won so many awards. it reminded me of the months i spent in dhaka. all the little kids begging. and being forced into it. so sad. 

4. i am a polka dot lover. some of you know that. but my love for stripes is getting stronger. i am not going to fight it. because i think i can love them both at the same time. 

5. i don't know what the speed limits are for driving around my city. and i can never find them posted anywhere. i know. crazy. so i just drive the same speed as everyone else. there are other rules i don't know. for example, i didn't know it was illegal to talk on your cell phone while driving. everyone seems to do it. but i figured that one out real quick last year. after the policeman pulled me over and gave me a ticket. (yes, i know it's not safe to talk on your cell phone while driving.) i do know some rules though. i always wear my seat belt. i drive on the left side of the road. and i don't turn right on red lights. but i wonder which rules i still break. shoot. 

6. i've posted about these little cloths before. they are perfect for so many things. most gals over here carry one in their bag. including me. i found this one the other day. i love the blue and green together. and the texture. and that strip of liberty fabric. yes, liberty. well, i bought three of them because i loved it so much. i have one. i gave one to my assistant. and now i have one left. for YOU. just let me know what you're loving so much these days. and i will pick one of your comments on friday night (japanese time). 

random 09.

1. i learned. the hard way. that velvet has a nap. dang it. if anybody is interested in a buying a nicely lined skirt that looks a bit odd. just let me know. 

2. last night. we had dinner with friends at a private french restaurant. that seats only six. where our new friend. maki-chan. who trained in paris. cooked for four hours straight. needless to say we were full. of amazing french food. wow. i'd like to be that good. at something. 

3. buri-chan. that is what they call britney spears over here. buri. the way they pronounce britney over here is buritoni. and chan is added to the end of girls' names. to make it an affectionate nickname of sorts. buri-chan just sounds so cute. like for a little girl. it cracks me up. in a good way. 

4. my h-kun. is observant. and not lazy. if he sees something that needs getting done. he does it. right when he sees it. for example. i caught him washing out the cutlery tray the other night. seriously. another reason why i love this guy. 

5. oh,  klean kanteen. i have been wanting these stainless steel drink bottles. forever. but they don't ship internationally. or their rates are too expensive. i can't remember which one. well. a blog friend hooked me up. along with some other goodness. thanks, ursa. i have about four gals over in america that do swaps with me. american goodness for japanese goodness. all these gals i met through my little shop. or through my blog. and i have become friends with each of them. and i love that they are willing to help me out. when i am in need of american stuff. like martha stewart's everyday food magazines. other magazines. books. kids' games. some clothes. and even a christmas gift for my sister who lives in canada. crazy. i am blessed. by their friendships. and their kindness. thank you, gals. (and thanks to my mom. who sends boxes of stuff from canada. from home. when i am in need.)

6. thanks for sharing your traditions with me. they were all so lovely to read. and i think i might just have to try some of them. my favorite idea was reflecting on the christmas season. and documenting memories. so you can reminisce for years to come. i will definitely share with you any traditions we add to our list. and h-kun chose three random numbers. so the winners of the christmas cheer are tracy, mariana and erin from canada. i will be in touch with all of you. 

random 08.

 

1. the memory keeper. it's pretty much finished. i might just have to stamp or stitch the letter j on it somewhere. it was inspired by this creative gal. who does a much better job at describing the purpose of the fabric envelope. this is for judah. well, for his mom and dad. to store little bits of memories of judah. little notes. and reminders. written here. and written there. and in about thirty years i hope this little guy is happy that his aunt made him a memory keeper. and that she didn't iron it. because wrinkles are good.  

2. look at this guy. not sure what the posting-photos-of-nephew-on-blog protocol is. but i don't think judah would mind. i mean. look at him. and those cheeks. oh my gosh. this is when i wish i did not live in japan. dang it. now. look at that onesie. i just had to go and look up the spelling on that word. i bought it over at jig. where alyssa is more than willing to customize things for you. and my big brother has reported that judah loves wearing it. and puking on it. thanks, baby g. 

3. we don't fall back over here. nor do we spring ahead. which is kind of nice. no having to remember to change our clocks twice a year. and the sun rises early. still before 630am. crazy. i guess that is why this place is called the land of the rising sun. it's a nice change from the dark winter mornings in canada. for sure. the early sunsets in the summer is a different story though. 

4. went and saw the vagina monologues. put on by a local theatre company. and my friend was in the show. it is moving. in a good way. and in a real way. go see it. if you get a chance. seriously.  

5. we have two more gals. who get a $10 credit in my little shop. for being a 100th commenter. and another 100th commenter. sorry. i was a bit behind on this. or i am making more friends. like lisa and carissa. and thank you to the rest of you. again. thank you for taking the time to comment. i enjoy reading everything you have to say. 

random 07.

 

1. this bias tape. is stretchy. and soft. like a t-shirt. and perfect for curves. oh my gosh. sewing clothes for little people is a first for me. and i was a tad frustrated until i found this. and now i think i might make it to the second outfit. i just might.

2. coconut is one of my favorite things. and just baked banana coconut muffins. and they smell amazing. and taste even better. oh my gosh. crunchy coconut on top. ( epicurious is my favorite recipe website. my favorite.)

3. i love blogs. and you probably do, too. i especially love gals who are  following their dreams. are doing what they love. and trying to make a little niche for themself in this big blogging world. and i am so happy to help them out. in a small, small way. my little shop sponsors a few of these blogs that i believe in. you probably already know them.  soule mama. heart handmade. design for mankind. click on them. read them. and enjoy. (also. if you like shopping. in my little shop. you will be interested in this. seriously.)

 

4. look at this. lotta jansdotter corduroy i found yesterday. and fell in love with. oh my gosh. the problem is i can't sell it. but it is so lovely that i want to share it. i do. dang it. so. i will give away one metre of it. your choice. to one of you gals. you just need to share with me a blog that you love. that you really love. 

random 06.

 

1. this book arrived yesterday. and am i ever happy it did. it's sitting there. on the side of the couch. waiting for me to leaf through it. slowly.  

2. there is a little more of this left. in case you still want to help. out.

3. another 100 comments have gone by. a few posts back. cindy k. you get a $10 store credit. because i like to share. with those who share with me. thank you. again.

 

4. i made some piping. finally. and it turned out perfectly. on the first try. and that made me super happy. and after his inspection. h-kun was impressed. and that made me even happier. i think i am on to something here. this piping thing.

5. my age. plus h-kun's age. adds up to 66.

6. my new worker started this week. well, an old worker who has returned. to joing me in this crazy/enjoyable world of japanese goodness. and i am loving it. she is a happy gal. super effecient. and is blood type a. aka detail-oriented. and organized. she's the perfect helper. seriously.  i'll blog about bloodtypes and japan later. i need to explain it. properly. which means i first need to understand it. properly.