Apron Preview...

Only because you asked so nicely...

...And many more to come! Stay tuned!

Aprons on the Way!

BOYFRIEND is the best and just took a million photos for me of all my new aprons. Seriously, I've been on a rampage. Four aprons in a day and a half. That's got to be some kind of record. Expect some fantastic cooking clothing in your future....

Save Cardboard!

As the summer months melt on, we're quick to give up our hot coffee and pay double for a wonderful cup of iced coffee. In need of a coozie idea? Well look what I made!

Isn't she adorable? Save cardboard this year and make yourself reusable and washable coffee mug sleeves! Patterns located at your nearest Starbucks, just add seam allowance! My next coozie will be made from an old towel to soak up all the condensation from those extra sweaty iced coffees.

Threadbanger has some great knitted tutorials, if you're interested. I wish so badly that I was a competent knitter.

A Collaborative Effort

Ladies and Gentleman,

Please welcome to Dog On Lap the one, the only, Miss Jennifer Lampa:

As I move forward with Dog On Lap, Jenn will add her input, sass and recipes to my little blogspot. She is a wonderful lady and my best friend in the whole world. A history buff and a fantastic cook, Jenn oozes wisdom and class. I mean, she's Sammy Davis!

Here's to you, roommie. Welcome to the blogspot.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

This is going to be a short blog. After our classes at El Sol today, we taught English at FAP again and played sports with the kids afterward. I had really cute shoes on so I didn’t play sports and instead just chatted with some of the girls and practiced my Spanish. My favorite part about going to FAP is the conversations I get to have with the students. I’m incredibly impressed by their knowledge of English and their desire to practice. Often times I find them asking me questions in English and I would respond in Spanish. My favorite is Kimberly Vivas. She reminds me of myself. She is a beautiful, fiercely independent young woman and a brilliant conversationalist. How much trouble would I get in for smuggling a 17 year old Peruana home to Boston in my suitcase?

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Today after school we toured Pachacamac, ancient ruins about 30km from Lima. On our way, we picked up some of the students from FAP! (They are so adorable. I miss high school. Also, they are in love with Yianni and I though it was hilarious. To be young again!) We started out with a tour of their archeological museum. My favorite part of the museum wasn’t even an artifact! It was a step-by-step photo tour of how textiles are salvaged and reconstructed after being discovered. They use this liquid to relax the fabric and then try to piece it back together very carefully. That must be a super cool job. I wonder what I would have had to major in….

Next we toured the actual ruins of Pachacamac. It was a brief tour but the ruins were beautiful. We climbed up to the tallest pyramid and saw a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean and these remote islands. Once the civilization was taken over by the Incas, they built an even higher temple, closer to the sun to exert dominance and superiority. I was super bummed today, though, because I forgot my camera!

Monday, May 30, 2011

After school at El Sol today, we went to FAP for another session of teaching English. Since we again had a different classroom, we used our same lesson on foods and holidays. It was a bit difficult to teach as I felt Kris somewhat monopolized the classroom. But she warned us before that this might happen so I was quick to interrupt and throw my two senses in. She explained to the class about how controversial Thanksgiving is because of how the Native Americans were slaughtered. She told them many people in America don’t celebrate Thanksgiving because of this. I felt this was a bit off topic and quite incorrect. I don’t know a single person who doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving. I let it slide, though. After teaching, we had a history lecture about the emancipation and independence of Peru. Jose de San Martin proclaimed Peru’s independence in 1821, but after a rough encounter with Simon Bolivar, fled the country. Bolivar’s presence made sure Peru gained independence in 1824. After breaking from Spain, there were several different transitional governments, regimes and presidents. My favorite part of the lecture was sitting with a group of students that were whispering me the answers and forcibly raising my hand. I really do love the students at FAP.