Has It Really Been Six Years?

I moved to Japan on December 5, 2011.  The six years have gone by so quickly, I can hardly believe I've been here that long!  I've had incredible experiences.  Here are some photos of my friends and adventures from the last six years: 

2011  

2012  

2013  

2014  

2015  

2016  

2017

Monday Morning Star Count - Week 31

Week 31 of the temperature quilt
November 26 - December 2
64, 57, 57, 68, 54, 46, 50

Sarah at Sarah Did It!  is hosting a link up on Wednesdays for those making a temperature hexagon quilt.  Check it out and think about joining in.  You can start at any time. 

This is my temperature/color (Fahrenheit) scheme: 

100 + Brown 

90-99 Red  

80-89 Orange 

70-79 Yellow  

60-69 Green  

50-59 Blue 

40-49 Purple 

30-39 Pink 

20-29 White 

10-19 Black

Mikan Season

In Shizuoka, you can buy perfectly uniform shaped mikan in the grocery store, but they are a little expensive.  When I buy mine I prefer the street side stands and vending machines for 100 or 200 yen a bag. I don't mind have different sizes.  Have you ever seen vending machines or little stands on the street, selling oranges before? 

Even better than buying on the street is picking your own!  Last weekend my friends invited me to join them on a trip to Hamamatsu to pick our own.

I had a great time and am thankful my friends included me on this mikan picking trip!

I saw these near my home and don't know what the story is on hanging mikan - are they decoration, are they drying, who knows? Please tell me if you do know, or even if you have a guess.

Dragonfly Ornament Finish

This small cross stitch piece was a really old UFO, but I like dragonflies, so I couldn't give up on it.  It's finally finished!

Top Dog Names in Japan in 2017

I am very interested in names, both of people and pets.  The top ten names for dogs in Japan in 2017 have been revealed. 

First, the top names for boy dogs:

1. Kotaro - second year at number one and a popular name for humans also.

2. Koro

3. Choco (“Chocolate”)

4 (tie). Cookie – this name is making its debut on the list for the first time this year.

4 (tie). Crea (short for “create”)

4 (tie). Leo

4 (tie). Leon

8 (tie). Taro – this name is making its debut on the list for the first time this year.

8 (tie). Maron (“Chestnut”)

10. Lucky – this name is making its debut on the list for the first time this year.

Now, the top ten girl dog names:

1. Momo (“Peach”)

2. Sakura

2 (tie). Choco

2 (tie). Hana (“Flower”)

5. Nana (“Seven”)

6 (tie). Maron

6 (tie). Mocha

8 (tie). Kurumi (“Walnut”)

8 (tie). Koko

8 (tie). Runa (“Luna”)

And, the top ten for all dogs:

1. Choco

2 (tie). Momo

2 (tie). Kotaro

4. Maron

5. Koro

6 (tie). Sakura

6 (tie). Hana

8. Mocha

9. Nana

10 (tie). Adzuki (“Red Beans”)

10 (tie). Sora (“Sky”)

Do you have a dog?  What is his or her name?  If you don't have a dog, what would you name him or her if you did?  If I could have a pet, I'd like to have a cat.  If I had a girl dog, I'd name her Hana.