Ok to be honest it's freezing in Tokyo. We had a glimpse of spring a couple of weeks back but since then it's just gotten plain cold. I figure this is winter's last hurrah, so there is hope on the horizon. Just look at the happy new spring banner that Darin designed for me - it makes me smile every time I look at it.
I haven't been posting lately because to be honest...I haven't been knitting. I did knit a pair of socks and two pairs of slippers for my host family in Aomori (didn't take photos - silly me) and I knit the upside down daisy hat from Itty Bitty Hats for one of my students who gave birth to her baby girl last Thursday. Didn't take a photo of that either. Bad blogger I am.
There is hope on the horizon though like I said because I will eventually finish that silly pentagon shrug from Vogue Knitting and the cherry blossoms are due to bloom soon adding a lot of pink happiness to our lives. To be honest I actually prefer when the petals fall off the trees and the whole park turns green actually!!!
Here's some recent photos:
C&J at the Bar Jap show with strange man in background
Yuko from Jap Kobo performing a song. The hair was amazing. Her voice was Kate Bush-esque. And if you take a quick look at the guitar player sitting next to her he is also amazing.
The Ume (plum blossoms) have ended now, but here were some pretty ones in our park
And here's the mini Days Burger from Pancake Days in Kichijoji. It's so tiny and cute. You must try it some time. Yes, it's a hamburger with pancakes for bread.
How's spring in your part of the world? No need to answer if you are from the southern hemisphere. I don't want to hear about sunshine or warm weather. Just yet.
bergen, norway: grey, wet, dark, 6 degrees. no flowering trees yet, but some snowdrops and crocuses. feeling better?
the pancake burger looks fantastic!
Posted by: kris | March 15, 2007 at 06:53 PM
Love the new banner.
NYC: 63F, but thunderstorms... And then snow tomorrow?! I hate spring.
Posted by: Veronique | March 15, 2007 at 11:44 PM
i'm with veronique.. why can't it just stay in the 60s? i was wearing my 3-hole shawl yesterday and loving it :)
Posted by: gleek | March 16, 2007 at 12:31 AM
Washington, DC: 60's (F) but not for long - rain this afternoon. And as far as flowers go, my daffodils started coming up in January because it was so warm, got snowed on repeatedly, but are still making a valiant effort now that spring is here - lots of buds and a few blooms.
Posted by: Sarah | March 16, 2007 at 12:40 AM
in toke just like you, so suffering through the tease of warm weather a few weeks ago and now suffering through the cold, cold days of (argh!)winter in, gulp, March - what the ??!!! my spring bulbs are sooo confused! the smiley face burgers make the coldest, greyest day happy!
Posted by: Rae | March 16, 2007 at 01:30 AM
Okinawa! Lots of rain this week, very frizzy hair for a gaijin like me. Our cherry blossoms are almost done and the ume's gone too. I love seeing the petals everywhere, like snow.
I LOVE your new banner, it's so "Japanese" to me. Can't wait to take a trip to Tokyo and check out the crafty little stores you mention. My hub will be miserable, but I'll be in heaven.
The pancake burger is fascinating. Last night, had some beni-imo ice cream, love the japanese sweets! MMMM...anko.
Posted by: Ashley | March 16, 2007 at 09:51 AM
I'd been hearing stories of unseasonably warm weather in Japan and feared I'd miss the sakura when I (finally) get there in early April. I feel a bit better after having read your post, though I do understand how terribly these wishy-washy days can be. Here in LA it's nearing 70 by day and mid-50s at night. Sunny (but a bit smoggy).
P.S. Have enjoyed reading your blog and finally checking in to say hello!
Posted by: JD | March 17, 2007 at 04:18 AM
I just arrived in Tokyo Wednesday, to visit my brother. He told me about the unseasonably warm weather, but we must have brought the cooold weather when we arrived from San Francisco. At least I brought a coat (with a fur collar) with me. I didn't think I would get a chance to wear it. Silly me...hope it gets warmer soon!
Posted by: Jennifer | March 18, 2007 at 09:00 PM
the banner is adorable -- and that is the CUTEST burger i ever did see.
Posted by: carrie m | March 19, 2007 at 01:09 PM
Spring in my part of Canada starts about 4 weeks after the official date of March 21.
Right now our lawns, freshly bare of snow, are yellowed and matted to the ground; the ground is damp and muddy and there are puddles everywhere; the trees and flowers are still sleeping; and the wind has started to whip through the city as if it is trying to blow winter away.
I wish it would hurry up.
Posted by: Steph VW | March 20, 2007 at 02:06 AM
Harumph. No spring here either.
Gotta remember to take pictures of those knits!! Maybe they can send you one? I have been known to do that- people think I am nuts but whatever.
Posted by: frecklegirl jess | March 23, 2007 at 10:36 AM
Your new banner looks really cool. It's about high 60's-low 70s Farenheit here in Southern California. :)
Posted by: Anne | April 01, 2007 at 02:39 AM