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| Home made tonkatsu sauce |
My pseudo-tonkatsu sauce is made of tomato ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and a lot of hot sauce.
December 31, 2014
Tonkatsu Sauce
コロッケにかけるとんかつソース。自作とんかつソースはケチャップ、ウスターソース、ホットソース（うちではタバスコではなくテキサスピート）で出来ています。辛いよ。
I don't buy tonkatsu sauce for my croquettes. I don't use it frequent enough to justify buying a bottle.
My pseudo-tonkatsu sauce is made of tomato ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and a lot of hot sauce.
My pseudo-tonkatsu sauce is made of tomato ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and a lot of hot sauce.
December 30, 2014
December 28, 2014
WIP: The Bapron
今週産まれた甥に送る涎掛けを作成中。
またトカゲの布登場。
作るのは非常に簡単なんだけど、バイアステープを作るのにものすごく時間がかかります。
Making some Baprons for my new born nephew.
I was one of the lucky readers of Crafitiness Is Not Optional blog who downloaded the free pattern. I did not know until recently that now you have to pay to get the pattern.
It is super easy to make... if you have plenty of bias binding.
またトカゲの布登場。
作るのは非常に簡単なんだけど、バイアステープを作るのにものすごく時間がかかります。
I was one of the lucky readers of Crafitiness Is Not Optional blog who downloaded the free pattern. I did not know until recently that now you have to pay to get the pattern.
It is super easy to make... if you have plenty of bias binding.
December 27, 2014
Croquettes
コロッケ作成中。
今日のご飯はエビなのでコロッケは明日のご飯用です。
何ヶ月ぶりかな、コロッケ。時間があってやる気がある時じゃないと作れません。
形成中に食べ過ぎちゃった。
Making croquettes. These will be breaded and deep fried tomorrow for dinner.
Since it takes time to make, I can only make them when I have plenty of time and plenty of energy.
.jpg) |
| To be breaded and fried tomorrow |
何ヶ月ぶりかな、コロッケ。時間があってやる気がある時じゃないと作れません。
形成中に食べ過ぎちゃった。
Making croquettes. These will be breaded and deep fried tomorrow for dinner.
Since it takes time to make, I can only make them when I have plenty of time and plenty of energy.
FO: Origami Dragons, Really
折り紙ドラゴン、ちょっと人数増やしました。
もう指が痛いのでここで打ち止め。
I added some more dragons to the army of origami dragons.
This is it. My fingers hurt.
The only regret is that it is one color short for a rainbow...
もう指が痛いのでここで打ち止め。
This is it. My fingers hurt.
The only regret is that it is one color short for a rainbow...
December 26, 2014
Christmas Hiking
クリスマスは祝日なのでハイキングに行ってきました。
ハイキングと言っても、近所の山です。
そしてハイキングと言っても、歩く道があるわけではなく、獣道があるわけでもなく、ただの岩山を、道なき道を、サボテンをよけつつ適当に登っていくのです。
ハイキングと言っても、近所の山です。
ユキはまだまだ行けそうだったけど、高齢化が進むその他二名と一匹はヘトヘトで途中でギブです。
December 25, 2014
FO: Origami Dragons
折り紙ドラゴン、完成！
実はこの折り紙ドラゴンは、義妹に頼まれて作ったもので、祝日があけたら義妹のもとに郵送されます。
1月に産まれるはずだった赤ちゃんの部屋にかざるモビール用に頼まれたんだけど、逆子が直らないから年末に帝王切開になるっていう話になったかと思ったらすっかり月曜日に産まれてしまいました。
元気に産まれてきてくれたから良かったけど、全然間に合わなかったわね、私。
My army of origami dragons are all ready to be shipped to my sister-in-law.
They are supposed to be sent to her so that she can make a mobile before her baby was born but oh well, my procrastination delayed and baby hurried to come out to the world and the baby has already been born. Bad aunt.
I did use my hot glue gun to glue some parts permanently together so that they are not too flappy.
I hope my sister-in-law will have time and energy to actually finish the mobile... (she will have to attach string to each of the dragons and then attach them to a wooden rim.)
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| Origami Dragons ready to be deployed |
1月に産まれるはずだった赤ちゃんの部屋にかざるモビール用に頼まれたんだけど、逆子が直らないから年末に帝王切開になるっていう話になったかと思ったらすっかり月曜日に産まれてしまいました。
元気に産まれてきてくれたから良かったけど、全然間に合わなかったわね、私。
My army of origami dragons are all ready to be shipped to my sister-in-law.
They are supposed to be sent to her so that she can make a mobile before her baby was born but oh well, my procrastination delayed and baby hurried to come out to the world and the baby has already been born. Bad aunt.
I did use my hot glue gun to glue some parts permanently together so that they are not too flappy.
I hope my sister-in-law will have time and energy to actually finish the mobile... (she will have to attach string to each of the dragons and then attach them to a wooden rim.)
December 21, 2014
WIP: Origami Dragon #3
しばらく前に試作していた折り紙のドラゴンプロジェクトに取り掛かりました。
折り紙よりも厚い紙を使っているのでさすがに何個も続けて折ると指先が痛くなる。
Started the origami dragon project that I was kind of practicing before.
I am using scrap book papers which are thicker than regular origami paper so after making a few of these, my fingers hurt.
折り紙よりも厚い紙を使っているのでさすがに何個も続けて折ると指先が痛くなる。
I am using scrap book papers which are thicker than regular origami paper so after making a few of these, my fingers hurt.
December 20, 2014
FO: Coasters
コースター、作り終わりました。
ひっくり返して角を出すのに箸大活躍。
（もちろんこの箸は裁縫用にしてあるので、箸として食卓に出ることは無いです、念のため）
コースター5個セットで、仕事場の職員8人分できました。サンタの靴下にいれました。
My stash busting project / stocking stuffer: coasters.
I know, coasters are kind of... lame but I just could not come up with a good stocking stuffer idea that is reasonably easy to make for 8 people for a limited budget and time and I kind of ran out of time to get supplies. So coasters it is.
The two sides have different fabrics and it sandwitches 2 pieces of flannel as a batting. I wanted to quilt the middle part but like I said, I ran out of time, so it is just top stitched around the edges (twice, one from 1/8" and one around 1/4" from the edge).
ひっくり返して角を出すのに箸大活躍。
（もちろんこの箸は裁縫用にしてあるので、箸として食卓に出ることは無いです、念のため）
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| Chopstick works well as a point turner. |
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| 8 sets of 5 coasters |
I know, coasters are kind of... lame but I just could not come up with a good stocking stuffer idea that is reasonably easy to make for 8 people for a limited budget and time and I kind of ran out of time to get supplies. So coasters it is.
The two sides have different fabrics and it sandwitches 2 pieces of flannel as a batting. I wanted to quilt the middle part but like I said, I ran out of time, so it is just top stitched around the edges (twice, one from 1/8" and one around 1/4" from the edge).
December 16, 2014
Snow Pea Finally
秋に植えた絹さやはせっかく出てきた芽を端から全部何者かに食べられてしまいました。
チャーハンにねぎを入れようと思ってねぎの刈り取りに花壇に行ったら、もう存在しないものと思っていた絹さやにいつの間にかひとつだけ実がなってた！
それにしてもこのねぎ、切っても切っても生えてくるからもうねぎ買わなくていいの。
The snow peas we planted in the fall had all been eaten by some creatures that lives in our garden and we have sort of written them off the book.
When I went out to the garden to get some green onions for fried rice, I saw one snow pea growing on the one pathetic looking vine that is left in the snow pea corner. It was only one pod but it was a regular size, good looking one and I'm just happy for the plant.
By the way, it's amazing how store-bought green onion left-over roots can produce green onions almost eternally.
チャーハンにねぎを入れようと思ってねぎの刈り取りに花壇に行ったら、もう存在しないものと思っていた絹さやにいつの間にかひとつだけ実がなってた！
The snow peas we planted in the fall had all been eaten by some creatures that lives in our garden and we have sort of written them off the book.
When I went out to the garden to get some green onions for fried rice, I saw one snow pea growing on the one pathetic looking vine that is left in the snow pea corner. It was only one pod but it was a regular size, good looking one and I'm just happy for the plant.
By the way, it's amazing how store-bought green onion left-over roots can produce green onions almost eternally.
December 15, 2014
WIP: Coasters
鍋つかみプロジェクトはしばらく休止で、コースターを作っています。
Taking some time off from my pot holder project and now working on coasters.
December 14, 2014
Tiny Tomatoes
秋に植えたプチトマトの実がやっと赤くなりました。
でももう寒くなってきてるのでこれ以上の収穫は無理か？
We planted some kind of wild cherry tomato seeds in the fall and some of the fruits have finally turned red. They are tiny but supposedly taste good according to the Man of the House. I don't eat fresh tomatoes.
The plants are still growing but the temperature finally has fallen in the 30s at night, I don't know if the fruits will survive.
でももう寒くなってきてるのでこれ以上の収穫は無理か？
The plants are still growing but the temperature finally has fallen in the 30s at night, I don't know if the fruits will survive.
December 12, 2014
December 11, 2014
WIP: Sewaholic Aqua Pendrell Day 9
やっと完成しました。
レーヨン１００％なので、外はピカピカ光ってるけどとてもさわり心地がよくて、ただただ布をなでたくなります。
そういえば東レの「レ」はレーヨンのレだって知ってた？豆知識披露。
I have finally finished my Pendrell.
It is amazing how slow I am to make just one sleeveless shirt. Yup, I spent 9 days. And I'm not talking about "lets sew 30 minutes a day." I spent 2 hours for binding and heming today. Sewing is tedious.
レーヨン１００％なので、外はピカピカ光ってるけどとてもさわり心地がよくて、ただただ布をなでたくなります。
そういえば東レの「レ」はレーヨンのレだって知ってた？豆知識披露。
It is amazing how slow I am to make just one sleeveless shirt. Yup, I spent 9 days. And I'm not talking about "lets sew 30 minutes a day." I spent 2 hours for binding and heming today. Sewing is tedious.
December 10, 2014
WIP: Sewaholic Aqua Pendrell Day 8
Still working on my Pendrell.
I was so excited about the french seam for princess seams and totally forgot about shoulder seam (T_T). Not going to undo my french seam just for this small section.
Today, I sew the side seams, then made up bias tapes for neck and arm opening. I did not have enough fabric left for long bias strips so just connected a bunch of short ones.
Understitched and pressed.
By the way, I am totally hooked on the podcast, Serial.
I was so excited about the french seam for princess seams and totally forgot about shoulder seam (T_T). Not going to undo my french seam just for this small section.
Today, I sew the side seams, then made up bias tapes for neck and arm opening. I did not have enough fabric left for long bias strips so just connected a bunch of short ones.
By the way, I am totally hooked on the podcast, Serial.
December 9, 2014
WIP: Sewaholic Aqua Pendrell Day 6 & 7
久しぶりに裁縫。
I am back to my Pendrell.
I made a muslin #5 and finally, FINALLY, cutting into the fashion fabric.
Now need to sew the sides and bind the neck/arm holes. Hopefully it fits. I don't think I want to redo the french seams.
I made a muslin #5 and finally, FINALLY, cutting into the fashion fabric.
Now need to sew the sides and bind the neck/arm holes. Hopefully it fits. I don't think I want to redo the french seams.
December 8, 2014
Clay Pot
先日行ったロサンゼルスのスーパーで、念願の土鍋を買いました。
日本食をあまり作らない我が家で土鍋買っても、もちろん鍋とかすき焼きとかするわけではなく、ご飯を炊く用に欲しかったんだな。
うちには炊飯器とかなくて、ずっと普通の鍋でご飯を炊いているんだけど、サイズの微妙に合わないふたを使ってるから密閉感がないのよね。
そこで土鍋で炊いたご飯はおいしいと聞いて、やってみたかったのです。
味はというと、ふっくら感がいつもと違うな、と思うんだけど、多分いつもはお米を水につけたりしないで、お米研いですぐ火にかけるのを、今回はまじめに朝お米を研いで水につけておいたからだと思う。
あ、おこげ作るの忘れました。
普通の鍋で作るよりやっぱり雰囲気出る！
これを機に、うちでも鍋とかやってみるか？！（でもアジア系スーパーにわざわざ行かないと食材がそろわないので面倒くさい。）
I heard that the clay pot for hot pot makes good rice. Since I don't have a fancy "fuzzy" computerized rice cooker, I had wanted a clay pot for cooking rice.
When I went to Mitsuwa in Los Angeles, I finally bought it. Only $20. Yes, I could get it for half the price in Japan but then I would have to carry it or ship it so I would pay $20 for convenience.
I can use it for regular hot pot as well, not that I ever make hot pot at home, but maybe now that I got a pot, I should... I'm just to lazy to go all the way to an Asian grocery store to buy ingredients.
うちには炊飯器とかなくて、ずっと普通の鍋でご飯を炊いているんだけど、サイズの微妙に合わないふたを使ってるから密閉感がないのよね。
そこで土鍋で炊いたご飯はおいしいと聞いて、やってみたかったのです。
あ、おこげ作るの忘れました。
普通の鍋で作るよりやっぱり雰囲気出る！
これを機に、うちでも鍋とかやってみるか？！（でもアジア系スーパーにわざわざ行かないと食材がそろわないので面倒くさい。）
I heard that the clay pot for hot pot makes good rice. Since I don't have a fancy "fuzzy" computerized rice cooker, I had wanted a clay pot for cooking rice.
When I went to Mitsuwa in Los Angeles, I finally bought it. Only $20. Yes, I could get it for half the price in Japan but then I would have to carry it or ship it so I would pay $20 for convenience.
I can use it for regular hot pot as well, not that I ever make hot pot at home, but maybe now that I got a pot, I should... I'm just to lazy to go all the way to an Asian grocery store to buy ingredients.
December 7, 2014
Lemon Galore
庭のレモンを収穫しました。
このレモンの木、元々は何年か前にメキシカンライムの木として植えたんだけど、ライムの実ができるほど育つ前に霜にやられてしまってそこまで育っていた枝は全部枯れてしまったの。
でも根元からまだ枝が生えてくるから、完全に抜くのは忍びなくて放置してたらすっかり実のなるレモンの木になりました。
柑橘系の木は、接木をして繁殖させるので、根元に使っている木と、実がなる木が全く別の木なんだらしい。
だから実が完全に育つまで、一体何が出来るかわからなくてちょっとドキドキしました。
（食べてもおいしくないような柑橘系の木を根元の木として使っている可能性もあるからね）
レモンというよりオレンジみたいな大きさで、球形だけど、味はレモンでした。
ライムの接木に良く使われるというラフレモンというレモンの一種じゃないかと思っております。
3分の1ぐらいはお隣さんにあげて、あとは全部ジュースを絞って（ジューサー大活躍）、レモン汁が1リットル半ぐらいできたかな。
とりあえずレモネードを作り、あとは製氷機に入れて凍らせてレモン汁がいる時に随時使いたいと思います。
Picked our lemons.
Actually, the tree used to be a Mexican lime tree. We planted it several years ago, but before the tree bore any fruit, it was killed by a frost. Anything above ground was all dead, but a twig was growing from the ground so we let it grow.
We did not know what kind of citrus tree it was since citrus trees use different kind of citrus tree as a root stock. So the root part and fruit bearing part are usually different. We suspect what we have is a rough lemon? According to the Man of the House, it is a common root stock for a lime tree.
The fruit looks a lot like an orange, size and the shape. But the skin is rougher, like a teenager's bad skin. And it tastes like lemon; definitely not edible as is, but it tests just like lemon.
We gave about a 1/3 away to a neighbor and juiced the rest. I think we got about 1.5 quarts. I made a pitcher of lemonade (used about 2 cups of lemon juice) and froze the rest in ice cube trays so we can pop them when we need "a table spoon of lemon juice" or whatever.
でも根元からまだ枝が生えてくるから、完全に抜くのは忍びなくて放置してたらすっかり実のなるレモンの木になりました。
柑橘系の木は、接木をして繁殖させるので、根元に使っている木と、実がなる木が全く別の木なんだらしい。
だから実が完全に育つまで、一体何が出来るかわからなくてちょっとドキドキしました。
（食べてもおいしくないような柑橘系の木を根元の木として使っている可能性もあるからね）
レモンというよりオレンジみたいな大きさで、球形だけど、味はレモンでした。
ライムの接木に良く使われるというラフレモンというレモンの一種じゃないかと思っております。
3分の1ぐらいはお隣さんにあげて、あとは全部ジュースを絞って（ジューサー大活躍）、レモン汁が1リットル半ぐらいできたかな。
とりあえずレモネードを作り、あとは製氷機に入れて凍らせてレモン汁がいる時に随時使いたいと思います。
Picked our lemons.
Actually, the tree used to be a Mexican lime tree. We planted it several years ago, but before the tree bore any fruit, it was killed by a frost. Anything above ground was all dead, but a twig was growing from the ground so we let it grow.
We did not know what kind of citrus tree it was since citrus trees use different kind of citrus tree as a root stock. So the root part and fruit bearing part are usually different. We suspect what we have is a rough lemon? According to the Man of the House, it is a common root stock for a lime tree.
The fruit looks a lot like an orange, size and the shape. But the skin is rougher, like a teenager's bad skin. And it tastes like lemon; definitely not edible as is, but it tests just like lemon.
We gave about a 1/3 away to a neighbor and juiced the rest. I think we got about 1.5 quarts. I made a pitcher of lemonade (used about 2 cups of lemon juice) and froze the rest in ice cube trays so we can pop them when we need "a table spoon of lemon juice" or whatever.
December 6, 2014
Into the Wild
また見た。映画「イントゥ・ザ・ワイルド」。
何度見ても、がつっとくる。
エディ・ヴェダーのサントラが、また、ものすごくはまる。
Watched Into The Wild.
Oh, how many times have I seen this movie now. 5 times? I have a book, too, but the movie is much better. No matter how many times I have watched it, it still gives me a body blow.
Sean Penn knows how to make a very manly cool movie.
エディ・ヴェダーのサントラが、また、ものすごくはまる。
Watched Into The Wild.
Oh, how many times have I seen this movie now. 5 times? I have a book, too, but the movie is much better. No matter how many times I have watched it, it still gives me a body blow.
Sean Penn knows how to make a very manly cool movie.
December 5, 2014
The Wind Rises
宮崎映画、「風立ちぬ」見ました。
前回オットと日本に行ったときに公開間近でポスターが張ってあったのを見てから、１年半たってやっと見れました。
期待超えた！
大人な映画だね。「紅の豚」並に。そして「紅の豚」並に、飛行機に対するロマンであふれているね。
とてもよく出来てたと思う。私は好きよ、これ。最近の宮崎映画の中では「もののけ姫」以来に好きと言える映画。私の中で、一番はナウシカで、2番はラピュタで、3番はトトロなんだけど、その横に「紅の豚」とともに並べていいぐらいだと思う。
Watched The Wind Rises.
A movie based on a life of a real-life aircraft engineer, Jiro Horikoshi, who designed the Zero fighter, most famously known as an airplane used by the Kamikaze suicide fighters during the WWII.
It was a very beautiful movie. I usually do not describe a movie as beautiful, but this movie was. Also like one of the actors said in the special feature, it was shamelessly romantic, both the love of flying and the love story of Jiro and Nahoko.
First of all, characters' movements were very carefully drawn, like the way a guy gets a pack of cigarette out of his pocket and the way he lights the cigarette, especially. The background is drawn in detail, and overall, the hand-drawn animation feels very warm and it has depth to it.
Also, of course this being the Miyazaki movie, the flight sequences are so quintessential Miyazaki movie and romantic. And, ah, the dream sequences, too.
To summarize, this move was VERY Miyazaki, every bit Miyazaki. Done very carefully and done in a way that every frame counts and planned for.
If somebody ask me my top 3 of Miyazaki movies, I would say: #1-Valley of the Wind, #2-Castle in the Sky, and #3-My Neighbor Totoro. This list stays. But I don't think The Wind Rises was less than these 3. It's like, well, it is not dramatic like Valley of the Wind or Castle in the Sky and it's just not like Totoro, but it's kind of Porco Rosso. It is a very mature movie. Not for a little kid to fantasize.
Obviously, we watched this movie in Japanese with English subtitles, so I did not hear any of the English voice over and I did not even know who did the voice. But the special feature had some interviews of the voice over actors and well, I guess this movie was pretty much a family movie: Stanley Tucci, Emily Blunt, and her husband, whose name I don't even really know. I might watch it again in English.
期待超えた！
大人な映画だね。「紅の豚」並に。そして「紅の豚」並に、飛行機に対するロマンであふれているね。
とてもよく出来てたと思う。私は好きよ、これ。最近の宮崎映画の中では「もののけ姫」以来に好きと言える映画。私の中で、一番はナウシカで、2番はラピュタで、3番はトトロなんだけど、その横に「紅の豚」とともに並べていいぐらいだと思う。
Watched The Wind Rises.
A movie based on a life of a real-life aircraft engineer, Jiro Horikoshi, who designed the Zero fighter, most famously known as an airplane used by the Kamikaze suicide fighters during the WWII.
It was a very beautiful movie. I usually do not describe a movie as beautiful, but this movie was. Also like one of the actors said in the special feature, it was shamelessly romantic, both the love of flying and the love story of Jiro and Nahoko.
First of all, characters' movements were very carefully drawn, like the way a guy gets a pack of cigarette out of his pocket and the way he lights the cigarette, especially. The background is drawn in detail, and overall, the hand-drawn animation feels very warm and it has depth to it.
Also, of course this being the Miyazaki movie, the flight sequences are so quintessential Miyazaki movie and romantic. And, ah, the dream sequences, too.
To summarize, this move was VERY Miyazaki, every bit Miyazaki. Done very carefully and done in a way that every frame counts and planned for.
If somebody ask me my top 3 of Miyazaki movies, I would say: #1-Valley of the Wind, #2-Castle in the Sky, and #3-My Neighbor Totoro. This list stays. But I don't think The Wind Rises was less than these 3. It's like, well, it is not dramatic like Valley of the Wind or Castle in the Sky and it's just not like Totoro, but it's kind of Porco Rosso. It is a very mature movie. Not for a little kid to fantasize.
Obviously, we watched this movie in Japanese with English subtitles, so I did not hear any of the English voice over and I did not even know who did the voice. But the special feature had some interviews of the voice over actors and well, I guess this movie was pretty much a family movie: Stanley Tucci, Emily Blunt, and her husband, whose name I don't even really know. I might watch it again in English.
December 4, 2014
Yoshinoya
先週、ロサンゼルスのディンタイフォンに行った帰りに、日本のスーパーに連れて行ってもらいました。
ロサンゼルスはやっぱり日本人の人口が多いので、スーパーは本当に、まるっきり日本のスーパーでした。
商品の並び方から、品揃えも、ホットカルピスの試飲も、照明具合も。
唯一違うのは商品の値段がドルだったことぐらい。
ロサンゼルスに住んでたら、多分日本語だけでフツーに日本と変わらない生活が出来るようだよ。
冷凍食コーナーで牛丼の具を見つけたので買ってみました。
（クーラーボックス持参でロサンゼルスまで行ったからね）
今日の夕ご飯に食べてみたよ。
レンジで2分で牛丼！素晴らしい！家にあった紅しょうがのせたらまるで手作りしたかのような牛丼じゃないですか！
（薄切り肉が簡単に手に入らないので、自家製の牛丼は我が家にはほぼ存在しない）
冷凍食品なのに！やっぱり日本食品は完成度高いな。
After we went to Din Tai Fung, we went to a Japanese grocery store, Mitsuwa.
Oh-my. It was truly a Japanese grocery store, from the way items were displayed to the merchandise sold. The only difference was that the price was in dollars.
If you live in Los Angeles, you really can live the same way as it is in Japan. Scary.
ロサンゼルスはやっぱり日本人の人口が多いので、スーパーは本当に、まるっきり日本のスーパーでした。
商品の並び方から、品揃えも、ホットカルピスの試飲も、照明具合も。
唯一違うのは商品の値段がドルだったことぐらい。
ロサンゼルスに住んでたら、多分日本語だけでフツーに日本と変わらない生活が出来るようだよ。
冷凍食コーナーで牛丼の具を見つけたので買ってみました。
（クーラーボックス持参でロサンゼルスまで行ったからね）
レンジで2分で牛丼！素晴らしい！家にあった紅しょうがのせたらまるで手作りしたかのような牛丼じゃないですか！
（薄切り肉が簡単に手に入らないので、自家製の牛丼は我が家にはほぼ存在しない）
冷凍食品なのに！やっぱり日本食品は完成度高いな。
After we went to Din Tai Fung, we went to a Japanese grocery store, Mitsuwa.
Oh-my. It was truly a Japanese grocery store, from the way items were displayed to the merchandise sold. The only difference was that the price was in dollars.
If you live in Los Angeles, you really can live the same way as it is in Japan. Scary.
December 2, 2014
Learn to Fly
サンディエゴで、オット、セスナを運転する。
私は後部座席でサンディエゴ空の旅を満喫。
The Man of the House took a flying training class and flew a Cessna in San Diego.
I just sat in the back seat and enjoyed the air tour of San Diego.
 |
| Flying over ocean |
The Man of the House took a flying training class and flew a Cessna in San Diego.
I just sat in the back seat and enjoyed the air tour of San Diego.
December 1, 2014
Din Tai Fung
サンディエゴに行ったついでに足を伸ばしてロスアンゼルスまで連れて行ってもらいました。
行ったのはディンタイフォン。ショウロンポウで有名なお店です。
新宿店に以前行ったことがあって、今回もヒジョーに楽しみにしておりました。
もう期待以上でショウロンポウやらシューマイやら餃子やら食べまくり、デザートにあんまんも食べて大満足。
お友達の計らいで冷凍ショウロンポウのお持ち帰りもできました。あぁ、しやわせ。
Our friend took us to Din Tai Fung in Los Angeles.
We have been to the one in Shinjuku and we loved there. The one in LA was huge and you can see the dumpling making station through the glass. Fun.
Oh my, it was gooooooood. We had xiaolongbaos, shao mais, steamed dumplings and more. Our friend had ordered frozen xiaolongbaos to-go beforehand as well. It was heavenly good.
行ったのはディンタイフォン。ショウロンポウで有名なお店です。
もう期待以上でショウロンポウやらシューマイやら餃子やら食べまくり、デザートにあんまんも食べて大満足。
お友達の計らいで冷凍ショウロンポウのお持ち帰りもできました。あぁ、しやわせ。
Our friend took us to Din Tai Fung in Los Angeles.
We have been to the one in Shinjuku and we loved there. The one in LA was huge and you can see the dumpling making station through the glass. Fun.
Oh my, it was gooooooood. We had xiaolongbaos, shao mais, steamed dumplings and more. Our friend had ordered frozen xiaolongbaos to-go beforehand as well. It was heavenly good.
November 30, 2014
Trip to San Diego
感謝祭の祝日（木曜日）を利用して、お友達夫婦を訪ねに、サンディエゴに行ってきました。
一日車移動で帰ってきて（約640キロぐらい）、犬を引き取りに行って、散歩して、犬洗って、荷解きして、洗濯して、やっと一息。ああ疲れた。
移動は360度、地平線までひたすら砂漠なドライブが何時間も続くので、あまり風景を見て楽しめる感じではないのです。ま、私は座ってるだけだから文句言えません。何時間も運転してくれる人に感謝。
 |
| Trail near Torrey Pines Golf Course |
移動は360度、地平線までひたすら砂漠なドライブが何時間も続くので、あまり風景を見て楽しめる感じではないのです。ま、私は座ってるだけだから文句言えません。何時間も運転してくれる人に感謝。
November 28, 2014
November 27, 2014
November 26, 2014
Cookies
お友達んちに持って行く用にクッキーを焼きました。
チョコレートチップクッキー、ピーカンナッツ入り。相変わらずいつもと同じレシピのいつもと同じクッキーだけど、これは私の好きなクッキーだからいいの。
4ダースできました。
Baked some chocolate chip cookies to take to our friends' house.
Good ol' Betty Crocker recipe. My repeat of more than a dozen times. I like this recipe (though I do add vanilla extract).
チョコレートチップクッキー、ピーカンナッツ入り。相変わらずいつもと同じレシピのいつもと同じクッキーだけど、これは私の好きなクッキーだからいいの。
4ダースできました。
Good ol' Betty Crocker recipe. My repeat of more than a dozen times. I like this recipe (though I do add vanilla extract).
November 25, 2014
Mudbloods
ドキュメンタリー「Mudbloods」を見ました。スポ根好きなので良かったです。
Mudbloodとはハリー・ポッターで、魔法界の人が人間界出身の魔法使いをちょっとさげすみを含めて呼ぶ名前で、このドキュメンタリーは人間界のクィディッチ（ハリー・ポッターが魔法学校でやるスポーツ）の話。
人間界のは飛べないので箒を股に挟んでやるハンドボールみたいなものです。でも箒にまたがって走ってるからって甘く見てはいけません。私が行っていた大学でも、芝生で箒にまたがってクィディッチやってる人いたよ。
予告編：
ちなみにYouTubeで全編見れるようですよ。
Watched Mudbloods.
It is a documentary about Muggle Quidditch. Yes. I like Harry Potter and I own all the books, hardcovers, of course.
Muggle Quidditch is kind of like handball on a broom. I guess handball is not quite popular here so usually described as similar to basketball and soccer.
I have seen Muggle Quidditch in real life actually. There was a team? or a group of people playing in the grass common area at the college I went to.
It was a fun watch. Looks like a full length movie on YouTube too.
Mudbloodとはハリー・ポッターで、魔法界の人が人間界出身の魔法使いをちょっとさげすみを含めて呼ぶ名前で、このドキュメンタリーは人間界のクィディッチ（ハリー・ポッターが魔法学校でやるスポーツ）の話。
人間界のは飛べないので箒を股に挟んでやるハンドボールみたいなものです。でも箒にまたがって走ってるからって甘く見てはいけません。私が行っていた大学でも、芝生で箒にまたがってクィディッチやってる人いたよ。
予告編：
Watched Mudbloods.
It is a documentary about Muggle Quidditch. Yes. I like Harry Potter and I own all the books, hardcovers, of course.
Muggle Quidditch is kind of like handball on a broom. I guess handball is not quite popular here so usually described as similar to basketball and soccer.
I have seen Muggle Quidditch in real life actually. There was a team? or a group of people playing in the grass common area at the college I went to.
It was a fun watch. Looks like a full length movie on YouTube too.
November 24, 2014
WIP: Sewaholic Aqua Pendrell Day 5
試作模型No.４作成中。
古シーツ1枚使い切っちゃったわよ。
いつまで続くの、この作業。
Making the muslin #4 of my Pendrell.
What I am thinking is that a beginner sewer like me should start learning to sew by learning how to draft a pattern or learning how to adjust a pattern BEFORE getting on a lot of sewing in the dark.
I need to know the "why" of certain techniques and adjustments and particular part of the pattern to fully understand what I am doing.
Right now, I am in the vicious cycle of the more I fix the more problem I create.
I wish I had a sewing teacher who can tell me what I'm doing wrong, or at least a sewing buddy who can pinch or slash my muslin to fix the bad fitting.
 |
| Muslin #4 |
いつまで続くの、この作業。
Making the muslin #4 of my Pendrell.
What I am thinking is that a beginner sewer like me should start learning to sew by learning how to draft a pattern or learning how to adjust a pattern BEFORE getting on a lot of sewing in the dark.
I need to know the "why" of certain techniques and adjustments and particular part of the pattern to fully understand what I am doing.
Right now, I am in the vicious cycle of the more I fix the more problem I create.
I wish I had a sewing teacher who can tell me what I'm doing wrong, or at least a sewing buddy who can pinch or slash my muslin to fix the bad fitting.
November 23, 2014
WIP: Sewaholic Aqua Pendrell Day 4
なんかもう、わかんなくなってきた、ノースリーブシャツ。まだフィットしてくれません。
Muslin #3 of my Pendrell.
I think narrow shoulder adjustment worked in the front. I still had to take in a smidge for my hollow chest but neck gaping was resolved both from front and back.
Does that mean I have narrow shoulder?
I have took in 1.5" from the pooling back and still pooling there. How much do I need to take off from there?!
I am seriously considering to learn how to make my own sloper.
Argh. I really need a fitting book.
 |
| Muslin #3 |
I think narrow shoulder adjustment worked in the front. I still had to take in a smidge for my hollow chest but neck gaping was resolved both from front and back.
Does that mean I have narrow shoulder?
I have took in 1.5" from the pooling back and still pooling there. How much do I need to take off from there?!
I am seriously considering to learn how to make my own sloper.
Argh. I really need a fitting book.
November 22, 2014
WIP: Sewaholic Aqua Pendrell Day 3
う～ん、フィット感を直すの、難しい。
Still working on my Pendrell muslin.
After my adjustments were incorporated, the back looks better but my front neck still has extra fabric.
I searched on the Internet and I have decided to scratch all the adjustments done (except for sway back) and try a narrow shoulder adjustment.
The thing is, I always thought I have a broad shoulder so I'm not sure if narrow shoulder adjustment is the answer... We shall see.
 |
| Muslin #2 |
After my adjustments were incorporated, the back looks better but my front neck still has extra fabric.
I searched on the Internet and I have decided to scratch all the adjustments done (except for sway back) and try a narrow shoulder adjustment.
The thing is, I always thought I have a broad shoulder so I'm not sure if narrow shoulder adjustment is the answer... We shall see.
November 21, 2014
WIP: Sewaholic Aqua Pendrell Day 2
今週は色んな意味でまったくやる気無しな1週間になってしまって反省。
なんていうか、帰宅して、犬の散歩に行ったらもう夕ご飯作る気力ない毎日でした。
気を取り直して、またノースリーブシャツの型紙を直す作業中です。
I am trying to figure out what my problem is.
I need a good fitting reference book.
...Well, I need a sewing reference book to begin with, but right now, I just don't know what to do with the fitting for my Pendrell.
なんていうか、帰宅して、犬の散歩に行ったらもう夕ご飯作る気力ない毎日でした。
気を取り直して、またノースリーブシャツの型紙を直す作業中です。
I need a good fitting reference book.
...Well, I need a sewing reference book to begin with, but right now, I just don't know what to do with the fitting for my Pendrell.
November 19, 2014
WIP: Sewaholic Aqua Pendrell Day 1
スリーブレスなシャツを作りたいと思います。
とってもアクア色な布を使う予定。前にこの型紙使ったことあるんだけど、今回は違うバージョンで、前は天竺を使ったんだけど、今回は平織りの布で行こうと思います。
とりあえず古いシーツ使用な試作品から。
スリーブレスだから超簡単と思ったら大間違い。
首周りを広くしたり、胸の上のガバガバを直したり、背中のガバガバを直したりしないといけないようです。
I am going to make a sleeveless shirt/tank top using Sewaholic's very first pattern, Pendrell.
I have actually made a view A before but I cheated and used knit fabric. This time, I am going to use woven so I had to make a muslin, and I'm glad I did.
I think I will need to make the neck hole bigger to fit my big head through, change arm hole a tiny bit, take out the excess fabric over upper chest, and from the back.
とってもアクア色な布を使う予定。前にこの型紙使ったことあるんだけど、今回は違うバージョンで、前は天竺を使ったんだけど、今回は平織りの布で行こうと思います。
首周りを広くしたり、胸の上のガバガバを直したり、背中のガバガバを直したりしないといけないようです。
I am going to make a sleeveless shirt/tank top using Sewaholic's very first pattern, Pendrell.
I have actually made a view A before but I cheated and used knit fabric. This time, I am going to use woven so I had to make a muslin, and I'm glad I did.
I think I will need to make the neck hole bigger to fit my big head through, change arm hole a tiny bit, take out the excess fabric over upper chest, and from the back.
November 18, 2014
Dual Monitor
仕事場のPCのモニターのアップグレードがあって、一人2台になりました。イェイ。
We had a monitor upgrade at work and now we get 2 monitors per person. Yey.
November 17, 2014
New Dog Bed Cover
犬のベッド（先日のとは別のやつね）を洗濯したついでに新しいカバーを作りました。
今のカバー。
既存のカバーは、作ったときに長いファスナーがなかったため、カバーだけを洗濯するときに開け口が狭くてベッドの中身の出し入れが面倒だったので、新しいのにはなが～いファスナーをつけました。
片面は象の柄の木綿で、逆側はナイロンにしてみました。
Made a new dog bed cover (for a different bed than the other one).
When I made the old one, I did not have a zipper long enough to open the entire length of a even short end, so it was always a struggle when I take out the inner bag with stuffing out or put it back in when I washed the cover. So I made sure to use a long zipper. The zipper now goes from 10 inches from the short end, all the way through the long side, then 10 inches to the other short side. Very easy to get the big stuffing in and out.
Also, since the kennel we use has a concrete slab floor, I used a nylon fabric for the bottom to keep the cover a bit more durable.
今のカバー。
 |
| Current cover |
片面は象の柄の木綿で、逆側はナイロンにしてみました。
 |
| New cover |
When I made the old one, I did not have a zipper long enough to open the entire length of a even short end, so it was always a struggle when I take out the inner bag with stuffing out or put it back in when I washed the cover. So I made sure to use a long zipper. The zipper now goes from 10 inches from the short end, all the way through the long side, then 10 inches to the other short side. Very easy to get the big stuffing in and out.
Also, since the kennel we use has a concrete slab floor, I used a nylon fabric for the bottom to keep the cover a bit more durable.
November 16, 2014
New Wheels
私の車に新しいタイヤとホイールが付きました。イェイ。
もともと付いていたホイールが、どうも曲がってしまったみたいで、高速道路で120キロぐらい出すとかなり振動がおこる状態で、さすがに限界かな、ということでの決断です。
車の色に合わせて赤い線が入っているのを選んでみました。
Here goes my Christmas present.
One of my wheels on my car was bent and the car vibrated on a highway. It had been like that for a while. On top of that, at the last tire balance/rotation, the guy told us that the tires were "getting there". We will have to drive out-of-state soon and it was decided that it's time to get a new set of wheels and tires.
Pricey upgrade for a cheep econo-box, but the wheels make the car look luxurious. Love it.
車の色に合わせて赤い線が入っているのを選んでみました。
Here goes my Christmas present.
One of my wheels on my car was bent and the car vibrated on a highway. It had been like that for a while. On top of that, at the last tire balance/rotation, the guy told us that the tires were "getting there". We will have to drive out-of-state soon and it was decided that it's time to get a new set of wheels and tires.
Pricey upgrade for a cheep econo-box, but the wheels make the car look luxurious. Love it.
November 15, 2014
Last Eggplants
もう11月だし、これが最後のナス。
There are actually 3 left on the stem but I guess they are the last eggplants of this season.
November 13, 2014
Mending a Dog Bed ...Again
旅行中に犬を預けていたら、犬のベッド、またかじられた。ま、散歩にも行けず、暇だったのでしょう。仕方なし。
またつくろいました。
ちなみにトカゲ柄の布は涎掛けの残りの布です。
While the dogs were at the kennel when we had the short trip, they chewed the dog bed again. Well, they didn't get to go for a walk like they used to so I'm sure they were bored.
So I mended the dog bed again. I actually do not care much about the holes but I just don't like having stuffing coming out and the flat surface deters the dogs from chewing more (compared to exposed chewed off edges). It's funny to think that now I even use beeswax for thread and iron the waxed thread. Feel like I'm a proper seamstress.
またつくろいました。
 |
| Someday, the patches will cover it all |
 |
| Fabric was a left over from my Bapron project |
So I mended the dog bed again. I actually do not care much about the holes but I just don't like having stuffing coming out and the flat surface deters the dogs from chewing more (compared to exposed chewed off edges). It's funny to think that now I even use beeswax for thread and iron the waxed thread. Feel like I'm a proper seamstress.
November 11, 2014
FO: Butterick B4443
先日の失敗作ワンピースですが、フィット感を確かめるため一応着てみました。
こうして写真に撮ってみたら、後ろ姿の出来、悲惨だな。試着の時は自分では後ろがあまり見えないからわからなかったけど。まぁ、これも経験のうちよね。
夕ご飯食べた後だからかなりお腹引っ込めております。
暗い中で携帯カメラ使用なのでかなりぼやけて手失礼。
やっぱりウェストのない私の長方形な体系にはこういうフレアスカートはイマイチかなぁ。
オットの感想は「胸辺りが保守的」。・・・いや、Vネックにしても胸の谷間とか無いし。
I tried on my Butterick B4443 special occasion dress despite the fact that I won't be able to actually wear it to anywhere because of the rubbing mark in the middle of the front bodice.
Yup, the photos are blurry. It was after dinner and the house was dark. I am too lazy to get my big camera out.
Oh my goodness. I did not realize how terrible the back looks. But the fit itself is much better than my previous version.
Recap:
Pattern is Butterick B4443. This time, I cut a straight size 12, then use the pattern I used last time that included my previous adjustments (cut the wedge off at center back to fix back neck gaping, raised arm hole a tiny bit, shortened the skirt hem using the ribbon placement line for view D). I then added a sway back adjustment (took in 1" each from back bodice and skirt).
Fabric is silk stretch charmeuse, underlined with silk organza. Bodice is self fabric lined, and skirt has ambiance lining.
I looks terrible but I am happy with the back fitting compared to the previous version. I think I need to add 5/8 inch to front bodice length.
I guess my fabric choice was a bit too advance for me. It shows every single flaws of my sewing. But it was definitely a learning experience. I had never done underlining so it was interesting to see how fabric behaves differently with underlining. I had to hand-baste fabric with underlining for every single piece, then I had to hand-baste everything together to sew pieces together. I used to hate hand-sewing (though I like cross-stitching) but this time, I wanted to do it right and I enjoyed the process.
I am still not quite sure if the circular skirt is a flattering shape for my rectangular body.
I have quite a learning curve but it is part of the experience, I guess. Practice, practice, practice.
夕ご飯食べた後だからかなりお腹引っ込めております。
暗い中で携帯カメラ使用なのでかなりぼやけて手失礼。
やっぱりウェストのない私の長方形な体系にはこういうフレアスカートはイマイチかなぁ。
オットの感想は「胸辺りが保守的」。・・・いや、Vネックにしても胸の谷間とか無いし。
I tried on my Butterick B4443 special occasion dress despite the fact that I won't be able to actually wear it to anywhere because of the rubbing mark in the middle of the front bodice.
Yup, the photos are blurry. It was after dinner and the house was dark. I am too lazy to get my big camera out.
Oh my goodness. I did not realize how terrible the back looks. But the fit itself is much better than my previous version.
Recap:
Pattern is Butterick B4443. This time, I cut a straight size 12, then use the pattern I used last time that included my previous adjustments (cut the wedge off at center back to fix back neck gaping, raised arm hole a tiny bit, shortened the skirt hem using the ribbon placement line for view D). I then added a sway back adjustment (took in 1" each from back bodice and skirt).
Fabric is silk stretch charmeuse, underlined with silk organza. Bodice is self fabric lined, and skirt has ambiance lining.
I looks terrible but I am happy with the back fitting compared to the previous version. I think I need to add 5/8 inch to front bodice length.
I guess my fabric choice was a bit too advance for me. It shows every single flaws of my sewing. But it was definitely a learning experience. I had never done underlining so it was interesting to see how fabric behaves differently with underlining. I had to hand-baste fabric with underlining for every single piece, then I had to hand-baste everything together to sew pieces together. I used to hate hand-sewing (though I like cross-stitching) but this time, I wanted to do it right and I enjoyed the process.
I am still not quite sure if the circular skirt is a flattering shape for my rectangular body.
I have quite a learning curve but it is part of the experience, I guess. Practice, practice, practice.
November 10, 2014
Rubik's Cube
ルービックキューブをもらいました。
もちろん自分では解けないので、YouTube検索。
しかし、どんなに繰り返し見ても、全面攻略までにはたどり着けませんでした。
これが限度。
上部の黄色と反対側の白、中段2段までは行けたけど、ここでギブです。
I got a Rubik's Cube.
I watched the video many times but I just could not get it right. I got white, yellow, and 2 rows completed by following the video, and this is the end of my patience.
もちろん自分では解けないので、YouTube検索。
これが限度。
I got a Rubik's Cube.
I watched the video many times but I just could not get it right. I got white, yellow, and 2 rows completed by following the video, and this is the end of my patience.
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