First quilt 2017

The first quilt I finished this year was started in December 2016, but completed January 2.

Quarter-square triangles set in black polka dots--spiffy.

The back is just scrappy. 

My Santa bag where I collect fabric scraps all year. 

And here is the pile of most of the scraps collected that are too small to use. It was fun making quilts in 2016 and will continue in 2017, Lord willing.  I've been trying to reduce the fabric stash I have, but somehow it just keeps multiplying...

Happy New Year lunch

😋   We had sukiyaki for lunch today.  This is a Japanese meal cooked at the table and people just serve themselves out of the pan, taking whatever they like.  Ingredients include thin sliced marbled beef cut in bite-size pieces, Chinese cabbage, leeks cut in 1 inch pieces, watercress, mushrooms, tofu and sukiyaki sauce.  Rice is served on the side.  It's tradition to crack an egg into a small bowl and stir it up, then dip the vegetables or meat in it before eating.  However, Sara and I opted out of that part.  We have added broccoli in the past and that was good, but it's not part of an 'authentic' Japanese sukiyaki dish.  Here's some photos:

The meat is fried first in a little oil, then the
veggies are added, and the tofu is last to go in.

Chef Henry

Meat with veggies, tofu  and white mushrooms cooking in the sauce.

Soooo delicious and filling! 

Coke in Japan

The labels on Coca Cola bottles in Japan can be turned into a Christmas Bow by pulling a tab. Works on 500 ml bottles only.  Clever

Ladies' Meeting

Our annual wreath making ladies' meeting was December 9th.  There were seven ladies in attendance; four of whom were new to this event.   Henry told Jesus' birth story.  

We made pine cone wreaths on a wire frame this time.  Back in March/April, the city of Kobe was kind enough to cut the trees along the major thoroughfare--a distance of about 2-3 miles.  Oodles of beautiful pine cones were left behind, so I collected a huge box of them.  They turned out well, though it took longer than anticipated.  After that we had a turkey soup lunch.  

Please pray the new ladies will come again and hear the gospel. 

More quilting

Baby quilt that says Play a Little Every Day 

    Cactus Quilt Shop in Tucson, AZ Row by Row of cactus flowers

Clouds

Beautiful cloud formations out the front door today.Thank you, God, for the visual stimulation.

Facing North

 

Facing Southwest about 1:30 pm

 

Facing South

 

Directly overhead

Southwest

Wonder what type of weather is coming our way?

Latest quiltsThes

This is a lap quilt with a mixture of squares and the back is totally scrappy. 

This is for a baby somewhere.  This is number 295 I've done in the last 20+ years.

Neighbor's Construction

Our neighbors behind us live next to a somewhat steep slope.  In September,  a Kobe city crew came and started redesigning the slope due to the strong possibility of landslide.  Now there is no vegetation on the slope.  These photos show what's behind the houses after they removed the three-foot stone wall.  We think the city is going to put in a cement wall, probably up the side that's been cleared and level.  We shall see. Construction is to be done before year's end. 

Some support wall.

Here is where the stone wall used to be. 

Latest Row by Row

The top one is named Hooked on Quilts from City's Edge Studio in Warsaw, MO.  The bottom one is called Hooked on Quilting from Nancy's Fancy's in Richmond, IN.  There's a 3" quilt on the end of the fishing line.   All of this was appliqued with a satin edge stitch.  Not my favorite thing to to, but it turned out nicely.   

Update on KIBBS construction

Two ladies are cleaning the new tile in the main foyer area. 

Tile almost ready for grout.

This view is from the dining area looking toward the front doors.  A passageway was built under the existing stairs to my right as I took the photo. 

This is the music room/storage area for now.  The old sliding glass doors were removed and new double pane windows put in.  Here sheet rock is being installed.

From the music room looking out to the parking lot. 

New construction--what is being built?

About a half-mile from where we live is some new construction on a previously empty field.  Rumor has it that it will be a new high school.   These photos were taken from the stairwell of an apartment complex across the street.

So far it's just lots of dirt being moved around from pile to pile and loaded into multitudes of trucks to cart it away, maybe to make a new island offshore someplace.  

Looks like water/sewer pipes ready to be put in. 

KIBBS reform work

The Bible School is getting a new foyer area.  Old walls were taken out to open up this area, taken from the President's office. The main entrance is to the left.  New windows were added in several rooms

The floor needed cement added to level it out for new tile to be placed.

The sliding glass doors were removed and new double-paned windows will be put in.  Eventually the parking lot where everyone is standing will be paved and the new siding will be painted white.
More photos to follow.