Sunday, July 26, 2009

Random things about places I have lived

I know if you have lived in these places you already know about these things, but since I have a national and international following I thought I would share. This might be a regular post from time to time as I keep track of all the fun things I have done.

Chicago:
People use the edge of Lake Michigan as a lap pool

Dallas:
Has underground tunnels...that is where everyone is because its climate controlled and as Justin says "bumless"

Los Angeles:
Uses helicopters to chase criminals on a weekly basis. Spotlights and helicopters fly above your residence until the suspect has been caught, which makes TV night nearly impossible.

Spain:
Has 4 official languages people! Yes 4! Yes official! Ok wiki says 5 and they aren't official, but rather co-official. Anna please confirm, but they should be Spanish, Catalan, Basque, Galician. And wiki names Aranese.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Birthday Scarf



With the Desert Mariposa Lily yarn that I posted awhile back, I crocheted my friend, Alicia, a summer scarf for her Birthday. I love the yarn, it made for a really soft and stretchy scarf. I know knitters and crocheters alike would kill me for using the most basic single crochet stitch to make it. But it came out super nice. If I would have tried a fancy pattern it would have been full of mistakes. Anywho...she got it. Here she is looking very beautiful! I got to wear it on my trip to Milwaukee because it was 50 degrees that day. And even though its 105 most days in DFW, the air conditioning can be pretty intense, so she can use it for going to the cinema, shopping, and really cold restaurants or working from her home office. She has a blog too about her vegan journey and other fun stuff! You can find her here: http://aliciabrooks.blogspot.com/

Thursday, July 23, 2009

New Yarn


Yay! New crochet project! So I got some feedback, but I decided to go with my original yarn colors...sorry Kayla! But here they are, I like the priority mail text inside the box! I am going to need a lot more yarn than this, but I wanted to work up a couple of rows and gauge how much I will need. I ordered it online (caron.com) and it shipped from within my state and the shipping was super cheap. This way I am not left high and dry if the stores run out of my colors and I am being eco-friendly. I will keep you posted on my progress. And I have also started my Dad's scarf and have finished Alicia's. Alicia's post is coming next.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Where are you from? And what is THAT in my bloody mary? Questions from Milwaukee...




Yesterday we went to Milwaukee mainly to visit the museum there. But walked around town. Not much there to be honest, but it was still fun.

A chatty museum worker asked us where we were from. This is a question I get a lot these days. I am not sure if its because I stand out or if I just notice the question more, since my answer is now a little complicated. We answered the question "We are originally from Texas, but live in Chicago." But when I first moved to Chicago, Chicagoans would ask the same question and since I hadn't lived in Texas for 2 years I would answer "Originally from Texas but have been in LA for 2 years." I have lately dropped the "LA" from my answer.

But this whole "Where are you from?" brought questions to mind. What did I say when I did live in Texas? What do you all say? Do you state the city you live or the city you grew up? Or simply say "here"? I really think people who engage in small talk with strangers should really be asking "Where do you live? This is a question, with a fast answer. If we end up having beers later, then you can ask where I am from.

We ran out of things to do there, so we ended up drinking for the last 2.5 hours or so. I was drinking beer but I kept seeing people ordering these crazy bloody mary's with what appeared to be oodles of nooodles (Udon to be exact). But Udon it was not, it was CHEESE. Cheese along with a shish kabob of: olive, mushroom, pickle, SLIMJIM, and shrimp. Maybe I am just not a cultured bloody mary drinker, but I have never seen anything so wild.

The only other observation I had during my short visit to Milwaukee was that most people that were drinking beer, were drinking Corona. WTH? This is the home of the brewers and they are drinking the most disgusting beer on Earth?


Thursday, July 16, 2009

To hold you over...




Here are some renderings that I made for that competition we did NOT win. Boo! Oh well life goes on. I said I would post these awhile ago, but forgot. Random people out there who want to steal my images....good luck to you, these did not win me anything. But please don't steal them, I worked very hard. I would put a watermark on them, but whats the use? If you know photoshop....you will just photoshop it out.

Well more crochet is coming...hoping to finish my current project tonight.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Color Recommendations


So I am starting a blanket soon. I will either do a granny square or a ripple blanket. Examples of each can be found here and here. Curious if anyone has any color scheme ideas. I kinda want to keep it to 6 colors or under. Please leave a comment if you have any ideas. This is one I am thinking of. But please suggest another, I need more input before starting such a big project.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Running the Komen Race

If you want to donate, they gave me a website. Yes I have another website to maintain now! But its for a good cause. If you know my friend Kayla, her Mom, Kathy, beat breast cancer this year! I will be running for her! And for all who have suffered. It's not until September, so plenty of time to save. And plenty of time to get in shape for a 5k. Here's the site. You have to click on "support a participant" on the left side of the page and then enter my name...Elizabeth Guzejka

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

illegally blogging to give you a hard time

I am banned from the internet at work, but I logged in to post a reminder. If you read this blog, please become my friend by clicking the "follow" button on the right hand side of the page underneath the blogs I follow. It will NOT send you updates to your email address, I promise.

There is a new to-do list titled "In the bucket" on the right side of my page. If you want me to make you something, leave me a comment on my blog and I will add you.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Mint Cowl

Yes Yes, my knitted cowl. I have been working on this since January. I have ripped it out (started over) more than 40 times I am sure. But this last time, being summer and all, I decided I am just going to keep going, mistakes and all. I am embarrased to send you the link, but it is supposed to look like this. so beautiful....

It's a ribbing pattern of K1P1 and it took me awhile to get the hang of all the switching back and forth. But it was fun and fast by the end. I did however, mess up, you can tell by the line of the cowl near the bottom. And it looks different from the purlbee cowl because I wasn't using cashmere. But its still soft and stretchy and I think I will get a lot of use out of it next fall/winter.

I was inspired by this guy's blog that I found on ravelry.com, who said he never fixes knitting/crocheting mistakes unless they are really easy fixes. I really liked that. And his stuff was really nice. Although I am too much a perfectionist to let things go all the time, but in some instances, it does add character to a piece.

I need better backgrounds for taking photos and a new model (besides myself). I am going to work on that this summer. Maybe take my work to the park and photograph it. I can't wait to share what I have been working on these past couple of weeks!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Elizabeth Stewart

I really am becoming a serious homemaker. Today I crocheted, hemmed my clothes and justin's clothes, made some banana bread and cleaned the house. If only I could get paid to do all these things *sigh* I have to go to work tomorrow.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Desert Mariposa Lily


Summer has finally made it to Chicago, time for some lighter weight, brighter yarns. Desert Mariposa Lily is the name of this yarn as given by the seller. Apparently its a type of flower that I have never had the priveledge of meeting. This seller has a lot of great looking handmade yarns, you can find her etsy store here

I again had big plans for this, but its difficult to work with something as fine as thread. We will have to see what I come up with. This one is made of baby alpaca, silk, and cashmere. This is some fancy stuff.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Riding to work with Doogie Houser


Everyday I walk to the corner of Belmont and Broadway and take either the bus to another bus or the bus to the train. I've noticed that when I take each route I see the same people. I guess that is what happens when you take public transit. When I take the bus to another bus there are a few characters on my first leg. 1) A short blonde girl who carries her lunch in various department store bags 2) A nanny who takes a 5 year old girl to school 3) A french lady who has the cutest 3 year old on the planet. 4) My bus driver who is super friendly. The second leg of that same trip which is approximately 3 miles north of where I live includes: 1) A philipino girl that goes to high school and 2) DOOGIE HOUSER.

These characters never cross over on their routes until today...

Today I took the bus/train trip. The only character that is consistent on the train is a girl I have never spoken to that we will refer to as "Linda." Linda lives in my neighborhood, and we might be neighbors because I see her walk her dog some mornings. And she works across the street from me. We exchange smiles but thats about it. BUT TODAY....Doogie Houser was on my train. What in the world? I figured he lived 3 miles north of me, but now I am not so sure. I say "Doogie" because he looks like the younger Neil Patrick Harris. Anywho. Doogie sat in front of me on the train. Maybe because he is not used to the train and felt more comfortable sitting next to a familiar face. That or he is stalking me.

There is another girl on my floor, Elisha, who used to leave at the exact same time as me in the mornings. We would take the elevator down together and walk to the same bus, but it was so akward that we would walk about 2 feet apart and never sit by each other on the bus. Once I sat by her and started the small talk, but after the small talk we were left with yet another awkward silence. I see her on the weekends sometimes, but never on the way to the bus anymore. Maybe she adjusted her schedule to avoid those awkard moments.

Isn't it weird though? I see these people everyday, but I do not know them. Elisha, Linda, and Doogie are all my age but we are at that age that you can't just talk to some random person and become their friend. It's kind of sad because I think they could make good friends. Elisha has carries a fun orange purse, Linda has fun shoes, and Doogie looks like he might have a couple of good jokes. How does one make friends at 28?


Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Got the Gerd

Went to the doctor today, my wheeze has been attributed to GERD. I thought I was eating "healthier" but among the foods to avoid is tomatos and mint and I used 7 tomatos, garlic and fresh mint for a sauce last night. Who knew? Well at least I can't be blamed for getting my co-workers sick. I'm thinking of trying chiropractic care, because amazingly, my new insurance covers it partially and I can't imagine taking prilosec for 2 months. Anyone have any opinions on that? Marilen, David, you should ask Melissa for me.

Monday, June 15, 2009

A gift


I got this bookmark as a gift from Kathy. It's so pretty and actually matches the book I am reading right now. Yay! I love presents.


Friday, June 12, 2009

Raisins n' creme Scarflette


Made this awhile back...