SP9 strikes for the last time

Finally my SP9 spoiler had revealed herself in this last package. Thanks to Pamela again for this wonderful package! Here's a pic to show whats she had done for me.
And I wonder how did Pamela find out Kaalund yarns have been in my dream? She got me 4 balls for lace shawl.

On non knitting stuffs, I have been baking and cooking. Since the SO loves Har-jiong Kai (Prawn Paste Chicken), and I have sometime to spare today here's the end result:
For the benefit to those who are itnerested in the recipe and also for myself incase I got the wrong bottle of prawn paste.

Ingredients:
12 small wings (center portions only the length of your index fingers)
plain flour for coating when deep frying

Marinating :
1 tbsp of prawn paste
a few dashes of sesame oil
1 tsp of honey

Method:
1. Marinate the wings, cover and place in the fridge, overnight.
2. Drain the wings
3. Prepare pan and oil for deep frying. Heat up the oil.
4. Coat the wings evenly with flour.
5. You can start frying the wings, once the oil is hot.
6. In order to have crispy wings, turn the heat to medium.
7. Done when wings turn golden brown.
8. Dig in!!!

Notes:
- Prawn paste is a very pungent ingredient, be sure to keep the marinating air tight, else the whole of your fridge will be nauseating. ok i'm exaggerating.
- Its pretty saltish so you might add lesser prawn paste and maybe 1 more tsp of honey. Or just cut short the marinating time.
- I prefer small wings and only the middle section. They are easier to cook.

checking in on SP

I am crossing my fingers that my spoilee had got my package, else I may need to send a replacement soon. I won't want my spoilee to feel neglected.

Greetings From Vermont

This is a belated post. I got my Yarn Aboard box right after Christmas, in time for Boxing Day. The last week of 2006 was super hectic, the office was trying to clear off any backlogs before closing of the year. So I only had time to pack the the goodies up and sent it off.

So what did Sir Francis Drake come with? A hank of Cherry Tree Hill supersock in Sapphire, 2 hanks of Knitpicks Shadow in Jewel, teas, cards and candies. All of these put together by Michelle from Vermont. And that's how far Sir F.D. had travel. He spent the New Year with me before heading back to Louisiana.

A big Thank You to Michelle for putting all these together.

I feel so spoiled!

I got home early today and started knitting. The tummy started to grumble, the lazy me chose to wait for Mom's return. And this is what my mom brought from the mailbox. The package which my SP9 promised is here! I let out a small scream when I opened it. I almost did the happy dance. My brother heard it and thought I had a cockroach in the room. LOL

Pamela, my spoiler, got me the following which includes a hank of Handmaiden Seasilk, swiss chocolates, 2 magazines (I was always curious about YARN), Yarn Harlot's latest book, a pair Ebony needles and a postcard written in very neat handwritting.

Thank you so much, Pamela!!!

Repeated

Anyone saw IK Gifts preview? You might find some of the stuffs in other IK's publications.

The Twilight Lace caught my eyes though.

Chocolatey Meme

I got this questions via the Chocolate Swap. Consider yourself tagged if you are reading this.

Do you like to eat chocolate cookies and what kind do you like?
All crunchy, bitter-sweet, chocolate chips, double chocolate, triple chocolate. With or without nuts.

What kind of chocolate do you like?
Dark and bittersweet ones. Mint or orange chocolates too.

What are your favorite brands of chocolate?
No particular brands, but Meiji (Japanese brand) is my current favorite.

Do you enjoy chocolate covered candies, pretzels, fruits, coffee beans, cream filled, caramel, nuts etc?
Nuts and pretzels.
Do you like fudge with nuts or without?

Do you like solid chocolate bars with or without nuts?
I like both, but nutty ones get eaten up faster.

Do you like hot coco mixes.
I love hot chocolates.

Is their any particular chocolate treat that you would love to try?
Nothing too sweet would do.

Do you have any food allergies that your pal should be aware of?
Nothing so far.

What kind of yarn do you prefer?
cotton, wool, mohair etc.
Nothing that looks like a dead bird or striped from a muppet.

Do you have any fiber allergies that your pal must be aware of.
Natural fibers please.

What small knitted items do you prefer to knit?
Socks, scarves, hats, mittens etc.
I have a small collection of sock yarns. I'm looking yarns for Interlocking Balloons and Ene's Scarf from Scarf Style.

100 things about me

1. I have been called Lois since 1997.
2. I was born in 1980.
3. I was born in Singapore and had been staying in the western part for over 20 years
4. The time I shifted my home, I was almost 5 and hardly any impression of the shift.
5. I had travelled a few parts of Asia and Australia.
6. I used to have 6 roboroskiis, who had leave me 2 years ago.
7. I hate to eat the king of fruits, Durian, the smell is lovely though.
8. I remembered going for dancing lessons at 5.
9. I love my primary school uniform, especially it collar which looks like a big stalk of lotus leave. Don't ask why I still like it
10. I was in the Student Council during secondary school days.
11. I graduated from Ngee Ann Poly with a Diploma in Quality Assurance Engineering
12. However, I did not persue a career in the engineering Field
13. My favorite vegetable is mushrooms.
14. I prefer chocolate over vanilla
15. I speak English, Mandrin and Cantonese.
16. I cannot stand smoke.
17. Even haziness will keep me sneezing non-stop.
18. I like movies with sequals
19. I do love to take up Japanese or Korean, for the sake of understand anime and dramas
20. I can't cycle for nuts.
21. But I can do inline skating.
22. I took up volley ball practise for extra curricumlum activities.
23. I grew to hate ball games.
24. I stand at 163cm.
25. M&Ms keep me happy.
26. I can't cook.
27. But I can bake. or have baked.
28. I gave up on a degree course half way through.
29. I stayed in the same room as my grandma for more than 10 years.
30. I first crocheted at 11.
31. I camped only once so far in my life.
32. I like in-flight dinning food.
33. I am second youngest among cousins.
34. I do like to swim
35. and I can't thread in water.
36. I read a lot of Enid Blyton.
37. Especially Famous Five series.
38. I have short and quick temper.
39. I forget easily too.
40. I baked my fries instead of deep frying them.
41. I read no magazines other than knitting related ones.
42. I can bearly put down my knitting to read books now.
43. I wish to be not working but knitting 24/7 everyday.
44. I can't take beef, but I love the swedish meatballs at Ikea.
45. I took Midsummer Night's Dream for literature class.
46. I love comedies, romantics one would be a plus.
47. I wear 37 for Birkenstocks.
48. When I hear a song I like, I can listen to it over and over without tiring of it. I will usually sing along if no one else is around.
49. I can't snap my fingers
50. I have yet to get my driving license.
51. I collect loads of postcards.
52. I'm monkey in term of Chinese Zodiac Sign
53. I have been shortsighted since 8
54. I had my ears pierced at 4.
55. I had another 3 piercings 17 laters, but I'm left with 4 piercings, 2 in each ear.
56. I prefer nachos to popcorns.
57. I have no favourite perfume, anything fruity, citrusy and flora will do.
58. My two lower front teeth sproutd before my milk teeth dropped.
59. I also love cheese.
60. I use my mobile to tell the time, since I hasn't worn a watch as long as I had my mobile.
61. Sleepless in Seattle is my favourite movie.
62. My other liking is eyeshadows.
63. I only listen to the radio duing office hours and on my way to work.
64. I love tom yam soup, teppanyaki, Cantonese cuisines like dim sum.
65. My chinese name is given by my aunt.
66. I hate singing.
67. I have never tried waitering.
68. Sidney Sheldon used to be my favorite author.
69. I had organise a bbq for class gathering.
70. My first real toys was a bucket of Lego bricks.
71. I got my first Barbie doll at 12.
72. I love to multi-task.
73. I hate to do the dishes
74. I dislike cold and gloomy weather.
75. I can't live with internet, if only I can.
76. I prefer to take short-cuts
77. I prefer lime to lemon.
78. But I like lemon tea.
79. I like room cluttered.
80. I do not have a microwave oven.
81. My SO does not know of my yarn obsession.
82. I prefer lig gloss
83. But I seldom apply it.
84. I tend to be implusive
85. I like ballards and sentimentals.
86. Insects with wings frighten me.
87. I have tried smoking and never like it. Thank goodness.
88. I groomed my eyebrows.
89. I am very close with my brother, although we are at each other's throat 30% ofthe time.
90. I have wanted to do this 100 things many times over.
91. I'm not a person to make small talks.
92. Did I mention I like escargots more than mushrooms?
93. My grandparents were from China.
94. I used to do origami.
95. I do not believe in lucky numbers.
96. I'm loudspoken.
97. I like vodka lime.
98. I used to hate beers, but Hoegarden is growing on me.
99. I like to cry, is a way to relieve.
100. I so love to KNIT.

This is done during office hours. =p

On swaps

my SP8 hostess posted this question "Someone has stolen your stash and all your books: now what are you going to do?"
- This would be the best excuse to start stashing without feeling guilty.
- I should start a new life without knitting, take up something like going to the gym 3-4 times a week.
- Get back into my social life.

But then, I really want to do the first one. Knitting has become a huge part of me. It would be painful to let go of it.

Recently I have participate myself in a couple of more swaps. First on hand would be Yarn Aboard II. And I have a messenge to my pal. Dear Pal, whoever you are, I think I did not mentioned in the questionaires that I wish the least for fair isle sock yarns. Anyway, you should have a lot of time to plan my box.

Next up is Knitters Lace Swap. If you are my pal, do listen up. I'm fine with most lace weight yarns. If you are sending me Jaggerspun Zephyr, please send colors in neither Aegean Blue nor Teal. I have loads of them to last me many projects over.

Another Update?

I seem to be updating daily. Well this is to help those who are interested in my contest to keep up with the commenting. Of course you can comment my past entries from the July 14th onwards.


Anyways, I was checking out my mail before I head to work this morning. And I came to know that my pal for Yarn Aboard II is Amanda!!! What a pleasant surprise. I found out from the questionaire that we have more than a bit in common. First of all, we are Birk fans or at least we wear Birks a lot. Second, we are not into self patterning and fair isle sock yarns. And we both like chocolates too. Which means whatever I might like would also make Amanda delightful.

Knitting has been on a hiatus till I finish 11 copies of Death Note and I might knit a bit while watching 24 episodes of Goong aka Princess Hours. I need to have a second take of Death Note cuz the meaning of the storyline takes time to digest.

Back to work for now. And remember to place a pin on my frappr if you have not.

Secret Pal 9

Here's another list for my previous SP5. just in case.

The list was for SP8, I have reviews and change a few things. - 3rd Oct 2006

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Natural fine fibers does the treat. I think a peek at my stash will give you a better story
Keep acrylic to the minimum.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
here’s how I organize.

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I’ve been knitting since Fall 2004 and have knitted quite a bit, from simple stockinette stitches to cables to laces.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Wishlist

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
I love fruity and floral scents. Nothing foody please.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Dark chocolates are the best! Else M&Ms will do.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I do love to try spinning. I’m into a bit of crochet but never seem to finish that crochet scarf.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Anything that falls along the line of Diana Krall.
I play MP3s on my computer

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I can’t wear dark blues, at least I can’t see myself knitting will that color.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I’m staying with my folks. No pets.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
These are too warm to be fashionable in Singapore

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
No favorite items but I have a list of To Knit.


13. What are you knitting right now?
More sweaters are on the way after finishing Salina.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
I love to keep and admire them.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Circulars! I have Inox greys, Clover Aluminium and Addi Turbos. I’ve said it all.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
I have both.

17. How did you learn to knit?
Self taught with online videos.

18. How old is your oldest UFO?
It would be Martha, I may be celebrating her 2nd birthday very soon..

19. What is your favorite holiday?
Yarn store hopping, yarn shopping.

20. Is there anything that you collect?
Postcards.

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I have been coveting for the latest RYC's fall pattern collection and Louisa Harding's latest collection,RYC Classic Woman, cashmere and silk yarns. I had my Interweave Knits subscription renewed.

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I want to do continental style knitting. Fair Isle as well.

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I have knitted socks. I’m UK 6 and US 37.

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
August 11th.

Knitterly Links

I was looking at my referral link list this morning and found some lovely knitters who have linked me. So I do love to show them my love by adding them to my blogroll.

Karen, In Knitting News

Erica, Bound By My Hook

In other news, I would be joining Secret Pal 8. I did enjoy myself during Secret Pal 5.

With the long list of WIPs, i have decided to rotate them. First off would be Jaywalker sock #1, I'm 80% done. It was fast as I could knit it while standing in the subways or if I could have a seat on the buses to and fro work. Next will be Vintage Velvet, this is an easy to memorise pattern, so most probably it will follow me to work. But when I'm home, I will switch to Backyard Leaves, as I need full concentration on the chart. And if anytime I'm bored with laces, I will turn to Green Gables, b'cos right after the yoke its stockinnette stitch all the way. Then I will cast on sock #2 when either one of the scarves are done.

How does my plan look? sounds workable to moi. =)

Secret Pal mails

I have just gotten a confirmation from my SP that her address is correct. But when is the official start date for sending out the goodies? any one knows? or have i miss out on that piece of info?

and also, my SP, the one who's gonna spoil me, has emailed last night with a couple of questions. perhaps i should give a more explicit answers on this blog. So dearest SP, Lisa, do visit this blog often to know me better.

Colors
I used to love black as it makes one looks slimmer. the ironic part is that i have not knitted a single item in black so far. I love pastels, although they make me look 1 - 2 sizes bigger. as an Asian, i can hardly take browns, oranges and other very warm and earthy tones. Solid colour and no varigeted please.

Music
i'm not particular in the instruments department. i listen a lot to Diana Krall and Norah Jones. I do like to be introduced to male Jazz singers.

Yarns
I think this is a pretty easy task. There's a limited number of brands available in Singapore. I like to try Knitpicks Shine, Elan's Peruvian collection. And I've also fallen in love <3 Phildar Tendances Spring 2005 magazine, especially some of its spring jackets and tops.

Lisa, if have any questions do feel free to ask me. Hope you have a good time shopping for me. =)

International Swap - do YOU have what it takes?

I'm putting up a custom purchase of RYC Cashcotton 4 ply and/or Cashsoft 4 ply for swapping the following items, cuz i can't lay my hands on them. and swapping is a more fun and economical way IMO.

- Rebecca #29 (english translated please)

- 9 balls of Schoeller Stahl Merino Stretch in 1308 Mulberry from Elann.com, together with the free pattern

- 8 balls of Endless Summer Collection Lara in 305 Azure

- 10 balls of Shine from Knitpicks.com in Green Apple

it will be a dollar to dollar swap. i can get both the RYC yarns at 20% cheaper or even lesser than the average $9.

so if anyone is interested, do drop me a comment with your email.

PS. this is an international swap.