Who is good?

I am good. Last night I went to the yarn shop and bought some thing. And, do I have pictures? Of course I do!!
Okay, I bought some pink bamboo yarn and some blue baby DK yarn (I see an umbilical hat and some booties coming out of that) and some self patterning sock yarn (because it was on sale and I want to try my hand on socks).


I also bought some really pretty stuff for my secret pal, but I can't show any pictures of it of course. I am thinking of knitting up something for her as well, I hope she likes it.
I am also thinking of knitting up a scarf to be one of those little gifts you give away at baby showers from the games. I won't offer it up until I am actually done with it, though.

I mentioned before that I was planning a trip to Colorado in March. Now that we are just about into February I am getting really excited. We are also planning on going to Boston in May for Bea's graduation and that should be fun. I haven't been anywhere in the US other than Texas and San Francisco. I can't wait to go exploring more. =)

Well, that is all I have for now. I will post more this weekend.

It has been a while

What makes a good blog, pictures! Knowing this you would think that I would have some pictures to post, but I don't.

I have been thinking about what I will make for the knitting Olympics, and I think it will be a baby blanket. A friend of mine is having a baby boy in April and her baby shower is on 2/18. This means that I will absolutely have to complete the blanket in the 16 days allotted for the Knitting Olympics in order to have the present ready for the baby shower. Damn, I hope I get that done. Maybe I should come up with a backup present?
Also, my cousin is pregnant, so I have to think about a suitable baby present for her as well.

I have started swatching for the item I will be knitting for the Purling the Pounds Away. I will be knitting the Shapely Tank Top. I chose a tank top because it will show my arms and I hope to be done by the start of the summer. Well, that is my goal.

And, I have decided that I want to learn how to knit socks, but I don't know where to start. I guess I should look up some patterns and go buy some needles.

On the secret pal front, I have a list and I am heading to PassionKnits at Snider Plaza tonight since they are open late on Thursdays. I hope I find what I am looking for.

Okay, once again this is my lunch hour so I have to get going.

Knitting Olympics, Reality Shows and Naps

Yesterday I got on the elevator to go downstairs for lunch. When the doors closed, I was all by myself. The first thought in my head? Wow, it would be so nice for the elevator to get stuck between floors for a couple of hours so I can take a nap.
I was really tired yesterday. Why was I tired? Well, on Saturday I discovered a reality show that I enjoy watching. I added the show to my Season Pass on my Tivo. On Monday night I decided to catch up on the series and I watched all the episodes. I was up till 2am.
I have never been really in to reality shows. I never liked the Real World, I do not watch Survivor and the idea of sitting through a whole Fear Factor makes me ill. But, I turned on the TV on Saturday to the Bravo channel. And what possible reality show caught my interest? Project Runway! I have seen commercials for it, but did not think I would be interested. Then I watched an episode and now I am hooked.
Well, I am better rested today, so on to the Knitting Olympics! I found a post yesterday about the Knitting Olympics and now I am determined to try it. I want to work on a sweater or something like that since I have never completed a sweater. I will pick one this weekend. I am thinking maybe the Ballet Wrap Cardigan in IK Winter 2005. We will see. Anybody have ideas for a beginner knitter ready to move forward?
Aaron's birthday is tomorrow. He will be 27. Wow, time flies. I haven't bought him a present, but I am taking him out to dinner on Friday. I won't say where because he may read this post, but I know he will love me even more by the end of the week. =)
Also, my grandmother on my dad's side will be celebrating her birthday tomorrow as well as Aaron's dad. A lot of January 19 babies. HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVERYONE!!
That is it for now, since I want to finish my yummy peanut butter and nutella sandwich. More later!

My Pit Bull, Pika

My dog, Pika, is a great little dog. She is a 2-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier with a brown coat and a red nose. I see all these posts with pictures of their dogs, so here is a picture of mine.
I did not get much done this weekend. Actually, I really haven't felt too well. Maybe I will feel more normal tomorrow. I will post more then.

On my way out, but can't help myself

I have to get going since Aaron and I are meeting a friend for dinner, but I wanted to get a post done in case I was too tired when I got home. I received an email from my secret pal, that was great! I am excited now. Also, since I know somebody is reading this blog, then I will actually post some things about myself. I will work on it this weekend, make the page all nice and spiffy. =)

I am also hoping to get some shopping in this weekend as I have a person to get things for! I have so many ideas. It is like Christmas all over again!

Also on my agenda this weekend is to pick up a skein of some bamboo yarn to start Bambozelle for someone I know. I have gone to one LYS and didn't really like the colors of the bamboo yarn they had. Plus, they had a really tiny selection of about 5 colors. Maybe I will use a different fiber, though I was so hoping to have an excuse to buy some bamboo yarn. We will see what I come up with.

I am also seriously considering teaching myself how to knit socks. I think I will stop by the library and pick up some books. Then it is off to the store to purchase some sock essentials. I really have no idea what those would be. I will keep you posted. hehe.

Lastly, I just emailed my dad a link to this blog. So, Dad, in case you are reading this. Hello!! =)

One of those days

It has been one of those days. You know, when you get on the road to work and you catch every red light, see 5 cops, get stuck behind every slow driver and it all makes you late to work. So, I was about 2 minutes late. This is irritating since I wanted to get to work early today. Oh well.

I have been working on the dog sweater and hopefully I will complete it this weekend. I will post a pic of it then. I am also about to continue the shrug. Since I knit on my lunch break, and I am on my lunch break right now, I will continue it when I am done with this post. I will probably get a pic of that by Saturday. It is kind of a boring knit, so it is taking a lot of effort to keep my interest on it.

I spoke to my dad last night. My husband, sister and I are planning a trip to Colorado in March to visit him and his wife. It should be fun. We have never been on a real road trip. There have been a few trips to Houston, but that is only about 4 hours away. It will take us all day to get to Colorado. We are planning on hanging out there for a week. We are going to spend my birthday there...it will be a first with him.
I am working on a list of yarn shops that I can hit on the drive from Dallas to Pueblo. If anyone knows of any good ones, email me or comment.

I am going to look for some yarn this weekend to do the Corset in. Hopefully I find something I want to work with.

Oh, and I received my SP7 info. WooHoo!! Now I can shop around and pick out some things for her. This will be cool.

SP7 Questionnaire

Hi, the following is my SP7 questionnaire. If you are my pal, then you are probably interested in the list. If you are not my pal you might not be interested in it, but read it anyways!

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?
I tend to stay away from Red Heart as I do not like straight worsted acrylic (like the SuperSaver stuff) because I do not like the way it feels. Some acrylics are okay-like the baby stuff. I do like natural fibers, but don't purchase the high end stuff too often for myself.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I can crochet, though I do not do that often. I do not know how to spin, though I would like to eventually learn that skill. My husband thinks the knitting takes up so much of my time already.

3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a needle case that was my first sewing project. I also keep needles in vases on my desk and in bags throughout my home.

4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I have been knitting for about 6 months. I would say I am an advanced beginner. There is still a lot I would like to learn.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I have a Froogle list

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Though I do not like fruits, I do like fruity, berry scents like raspberry and strawberry. I also like Sweet Pea from Bath and Body works.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Sweet tooth? Me? Okay, I admit, I love milk chocolate and dark chocolate.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I am learning how to sew since I received my sewing machine for Christmas. I do like to crochet when I find an interesting project to work up.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Rock, punk, emo, alternative stuff mostly. I do have a soft spot for some country. And I can play MP3s.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love jewel tones and dark colors. I like green and black. I am currently into pink, but who knows how long that will last. I will try almost any color, though. Well, except for yellow, orange and anything too neon bright.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am married to a great guy. We share our home with an american pit bull terrier named Pika.

12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I do not on most occasions since it doesn't really get cold in Texas, especially this year.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
I will knit with almost anything and I have not developed a favorite.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Straight, plain worsted acrylic that feels yucky.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Don't have one. I just want to try everything.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I am enjoying knitting the dog sweater I am working on now.

17. What are you knitting right now?
A dog sweater for a friend's dog and a shrug for myself.

18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
I haven't really received any except for doilies and I don't use doilies.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I prefer straight because I find circulars to be a bit awkward for something that can be knit straight. And, since I don't have many circulars anyways, I usually knit on straights.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I haven't ever tried bamboo. I prefer plastic, though I also knit on aluminum.

21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Nope and nope.

22. How did you learn to knit?
Books and then the internet. My grandma wanted to teach me, but I always thought it was too difficult. When I was finally ready to learn, she told me to get a book. haha! Gotta love her!

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
3 months, the amount of time I have been working on that shrug.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
I dont really have a favorite, though I love my pit bull.

25. What is your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving, because it centers around food!

26. Is there anything that you collect?
Yarn and needles. Not knit related? Nothing really.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None.

28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Any lace patterns and lace weight yarn. I have a list of books on my Froogle list. I am always interested in just about any yarn.

29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Lace work, short rows, socks and knitting on DPNs.

30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
No, I cannot knit socks though my foot is a 9 US.

31. When is your birthday?
03/12/81

Oh, and per the comments, I do not have any allergies.

Filipino food, Chamorro staples and resolutions

Okay, so New Year's has come and gone. This year just may be a great year. It is going to be the first full year of knowing my dad (I will tell that story soon). It will be the year I resolve to spend less money and save more of it. It is the year I will revamp my website and make it more functional with more content (old pictures be gone!). It is the year that my dog turns 3...and maybe gets a little better trained. It is the year I am going to learn to sew (now that I have that new sewing machine). And it is the year that I hope to get some real knitting done.
Yeah, all these resolutions and so little time. How will I pack it all in? Maybe this is the year I will stop procrastinating...maybe.


I bought the Crochet a day pattern calendar today and noticed something...it was compiled by Annie Modesitt. I thought that was cool since I read her blog. Ooh, another thing I want to do this year...knit the corset. I haven't really gone through the calendar, but I did see a pattern for a crochet needle case that I want to make for my grandma. Her birthday is in a month and she would love that.


This long weekend I finally made the Beef stew with lechon sauce. It was good! I was looking for a recipe that would taste like the beef stew I had at Rambies on Guam. When I ate the stew, I realized that I no longer remember what the beef stew at Rambies tasted like. ha! It has been 6 years. So, I have decided that the lechon sauce was the missing ingredient and I love the beef stew that way. You can find the original recipe here. Or, you can go here to see my recipe for it. I adapted it to do in my pressure cooker. I wasn't exactly sure if the Asian stores sold lechon sauce, but they do. Sometimes the bottle is marked "special sauce". Do not ask me why.
In case anyone is wondering...lechon sauce? A Filipino condiment used with lechon (pig). It doesn't have pig in it.

Also, in case anyone knows what I am talking about...does anyone know where to get lemon powder in Dallas? You know, the kind that is in the little yellow package and is sold about 3-4 packages per can. The can is blue. Anyways, email me at deva at gumaperez dot com if you know of a place in Dallas that sells that. Just put in the @ and .com

I think that is it for now. I will post pics of some in progress things this weekend.