Thursday, March 5, 2020

Progress on baby girl log cabin, and Coronavirus mood


I'm quilting baby girl's log cabin very very simply, with vertical lines, will add a few horizontal lines too.





So, here in Tokyo, the parks are still filled with families and kids, Shake Shack was about half full (instead of totally full) when I met David there for an early dinner yesterday, we are avoiding the trains and any large gatherings (many things are being canceled, and all schools have been closed), and David is working from home!   It's an adjustment!  Headphones and projects, for both of us.

So here's David's (glamorous) set up in Tommy's room when he's not in the living room with me (like if he has a conference call):


And here's mine (at the window, so slightly more glamorous, although this was at night):

  

A few other random pics from the week --



Hand sanitizer in restaurants, bakery, grocery store - really appreciated:




DELICIOUS offering at Shake Shack - cherry milkshake, yum:


Chopped up five candy bars (bittersweet, and milk) to make oatmeal cookie bars to share: 


Edited to add the recipe I used:   https://nantorecipes.blogspot.com/2018/05/chocolate-chip-oatmeal-cookies-king.html.

But THESE healthier versions are what I made all the time the last time we lived here:
https://nantorecipes.blogspot.com/2020/03/tokyo-oatmeal-chocolate-chip-bars.html

I keep that recipe blog just as a resource for my kids, and periodically I add to it.

Met a nice little fella named "Cha Cha" while waiting for the light to turn green.




Noticed that a few people have recently moved out of our apartment building (tell-tale sign is the lack of curtains).  Mmmmm.... coronavirus related?


I pay our monthly utility bills at the convenience store which is just steps from our building.  You bring your bills, and pay in cash.


Pretty empty:


They hand stamp your bill "paid":


This  Coronavirus notice was posted in our elevator.  We did our best with Google Translate.



Basically, it's saying stay home if you are sick.  If you have a fever for MORE than four days, get it checked out.  Wash hands thoroughly, etc.

The mood here is... avoid crowds, stay home if you are sick, actually stay home in general, mostly.  And, wash hands.  Unfortunately public places have cold water only in the sinks, and often no soap (!).  And coughing into a tissue (or even elbows) is something that hasn't quite caught on here.  So, ya, we are avoiding the trains for now.  If a train isn't crowded, you can manage to navigate on and off trains and through stations without touching anything.  But for now, we are being homebodies and just walking places.
Anyway, I knew it was only a matter of time before I'd see a sashiko-themed mask on IG!




xo
Cynthia

15 comments:

  1. Here in the Seattle area we are trying g to find a balance between being cautious and not overreacting to the virus. It’s a crazy thing.

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  2. Hi! I loved seeing the details of your home and life in Japan. Too bad about the virus scare.

    The baby quilt and the bedroom quilt are lovely. Oh my beds are narrow there, aren't they.

    I hope you stay well and continue to enjoy your time in what looks like a beautiful city.

    lizzy

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  3. Oh, your baby quilt looks so soft and sweet. Kind of like sherbet! Was so interesting to walk through part of your day with you and read a bit about culture differences. I go back and forth between thinking we don't have anything to worry about to wondering if we should take the clorox wipes and pack our own food when we next travel out of the area!

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  4. That quilt is as sweet as can be. So special. I find it interesting in a country known for its technological advances that you pay your utilities in cash. There have been no cases of Corona in Maine yet, but everyone is taking precautions anyway. I feel for you and what you have to go through. Stay safe!

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  5. I bet your hubby will be happy to get back to an office instead of working from the bed--lol! It must seem so strange to have those busy places be so quiet. I've read that even here hand sanitize gel, canned goods and toilet paper are sold out in places. I guess it's better to be safe than sorry. Your quilt is adorable and the simple line quilting is perfect for it. Stay well!

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  6. It's nice to have something so sweet to work on while the rest of the world seems to be spinning out of control. It's hard to listen to all the hysteria the news brings. You seem to continue to play it safe. That's good.

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  7. So nice to meet your husband (since I'm late joining your blog followers). You both look like you have nice set ups! Enjoy each other's company while your hubby's home!

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  8. The baby quilt is looking soft and lovely! What a good distraction! Please share your recipe/formula for oatmeal cookie bars - they are right up my alley! I feel like we are just waiting for the other shoe to drop here in the States. Cases are starting to climb, but there's no good idea as to how many people will get sick. Sending Stay Well Wishes your way!

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  9. That little baby quilt looks so sweet!
    So interesting to read about your current conditions (cash for utilities at the local convenience store? Curious).
    Toilet paper seems to be the thing that is hard to get here. When the trucks deliver to Sam's in the morning, if you aren't there before 11 or 12, you miss out.
    First confirmed case of Covid-19 in Utah yesterday.
    I love oatmeal cookie bars, but have yet to try a gluten free version--one of these days.

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  10. Good post except that crazy caronavirus.!!!!
    I LOVE the mask...I might make some, even though the folks here insist they will not protect us...At least it will look effective if I sneeze and it will be pretty!!!!@

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  11. That baby quilt is just the sweetest, with the flower prints and light colors. I'm sure it will be much-loved.
    Hey, what about that quilt on your son's bed? Did you make it? Have you shown it to us before? From what I can see of it I really like it.
    Five candy bars for bar cookies! Are they American brand bars or bars made there? When we were in El Salvador, candy bars were more expensive than several bus rides. That's probably not so there in Japan.
    And your Lawson convenience store -- Lawson's was one of the first convenience stores I remember in Ohio sometime in the 1960s or so. I wonder if it's the same company. Probably not, though the lettering looks the same.
    I hope you and your husband are staying healthy.

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  12. Sweet baby quilt! I like the quilt on Tommy's bed too. The oatmeal bars look and sound yummy. Coronavirus notice lists things that should be practiced all the time.

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  13. Oh I love love your everyday posts!
    The baby quilt is coming out beautifully. Vertical quilting is such a good solution for log cabin quilts. I like Davids "box" solution for his laptop - smart - avoids backaches.
    Wow, it really is uncrowded around you now. Pretty Potted Flowers!
    I had a shamrock shake yesterday and I suspect I would like that Cherry Shake! yum!!
    What a cute dog, Akita? looks like.
    Thanks for such a great post and stay well friend!

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  14. I'm glad you are doing what is necessary to protect yourself. My brother is in China and a lockdown really helped stop the spread of the virus. I think it is just getting started here.
    Love your log cabin. Your apt looks super cozy! Did you have a lot of expats living there?

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  15. Wow, good job on that baby quilt, Even working by hand, a lot of quilting is getting done here too. (though my fingers are a bit sore) The TAC cancelled my pack meeting this week with not enough time to find a new place to meet. With my schedule all messed up, it is hard to even know what day it is.

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