Coffeebean's Dailies

The last several months...

2012-01-06T22:59:00.000+04:00

Beach in a new resort town called Siffa. Very beautiful with great seafood from these waters! That's my new crazy friend Hanadi. Love this name!

Ali at his 13th birthday party with his Momma.

Ali's 13th birthday party with friends at the local bowling alley.

More photos of his party. Check out the beady white eyes!! F R E A K Y!!!

Ali wears other clothes, I promise. He organized our home to be used for a going away party. This is just some of the kids. There were kids here I had never met. The Asian girl standing next to him on his right is the gal that has left.

The kids checking out Lizzie our Tortoise of 10 years.

The cake Ali made and I decorated.

Cutting the cake. I have NEVER seen a cake disappear as fast as this one did.

Amal being tested on her skill level by several of the musicians and the director on the right. This was all leading up to her second performance.

Ah, there she is. YES! She passed!

On the way to her second performance. I still have to post the first one. She is asleep as she is very tired and nervous. We had professional makeup done. She asked me for more 'grown up' as in 'smoky' eyes this time. The first time the artist wanted to do the whole smoky thing and I said, 'SHE'S ONLY FIFTEEEEEN!!!'

So beautiful my baby girl.

Uh huh...

This is her with her new glasses! This is also her teacher, the BEST OUD player in Oman!! He will be performing this month at the Royal Opera House with the Macedonian Philharmonic! We can't wait! The Association was taking down names cuz you get a discount with 20 or more people and she put me down and I said, 'but I'm not a member' and she smiled and said, 'yes, you are, wink wink'. I guess my winning smile and sunny disposition paid off!

Now they were playing together.

There is so much more but I need to get to bed as the Winter break finishes today. School starts tomorrow and I can't wait to tell and show you all what I got myself into now!! Hmm... I just noticed this is a movie. Oh well!

Thanks for stopping by!

Rain In Muscat

2012-01-06T10:05:00.000+04:00

Sometime back in either November or December we had some rain. Not like, 'drip, drip' rain but pouring for hours rain! I took some pics on the way to a 'certain place'. Enjoy....

Oh, first of all, heehee, this is just a pic outside my studio window one fine day. You can see in the distance that they are building a palace, yep, a PALACE very close to me! Uber cool.

Traffic jammed up due to rain. The orange and white car on the left is a local taxi cab. There is no place for the water to go and we have 'wadi's' here or to my best understanding 'valley's' and they get flooded easily.

In the distance here you can see our new Royal Opera House. I took the kids to see Swan Lake and it was amazing!

Not sure what I was shooting here. I think Ali took this.

Yes, we have stop signs just like home in America! See the water how muddy it is?

Uh oh, an accident,...ALREADY!!

Yep, the dudes are assessing the damage and seeing if they need to call the PoPo.

Water gushing down this hill...

Water escaping the grounds of a property through these holes in the walls. Some houses are surrounded by tall walls to differentiate property lines? Privacy? All my neighbors know exactly what's going on in my home because the maids all gossip, yeah!!

Can you see the flow of the water?

Later that night my friend Karen and I went to see a movie. Can't remember what we saw. Bummer!

I asked some dude to take a pictures and the dipwad made it blurry.

Then I took this one myself. I really like Karen's umbrella!

Thanks for stopping by.

Newest member of our family...

2012-01-04T18:52:00.000+04:00

Welcome little Jo. I will try my hardest not to call you a Rat as Ali gets upset with me! You have come into our lives not only to stink up Ali's room but to give him a new little pet to love. We hope your little black beady eye gets better real soon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALI!

December, 2011

"An Italian Evening"

2011-12-24T22:42:00.000+04:00

There was an Opera at the kid's school on Halloween! How strange this year we did not get into any of the Holidays. However, I did whip out all my Halloween quilts and some decorations. Here it is Christmas Eve and nothing is out! I called my Mom tonight and she is doing well. So is my Dad. So, I'm happy!

This performance was very interesting. It is featuring:

Wilma Vernocchi, soprano

David Posnett, piano (and the kid's music teacher at the Sultan school)

and

The 'Muscat String Quartet'

The coolest thing, of course, was to meet Ms. Vernocchi!

Thanks for stopping by!

How to Eat a Shwarma!

2011-12-24T13:24:00.001+04:00

It's Christmas Eve!!!! Merry Christmas everyone whom is celebrating it! My family high tailed it to Orlando, Florida!! To Disneyland. How fun!

I took pics a while ago of how to eat a shwarma.

I can eat two with a drink...

This is the bottom

This is the top

You take the top and rip it a few inches...

Uncover the bread..

Once the paper is off, begin to eat...

this pic is blurry...

this pic is better. you have pickle, chicken (it comes with meat also), fries, garlic sauce, some places have tobasco, which i do not like.

take a drink.

oh, another bite shot...

once down to the paper, unwrap some more...

eat...

unwrap

eat already!! haha

all done!

eat the next one!!

You are now a pro at eating what is commonly called THE ARAB TACO!!

Tasty

Cheap

Fast

I'm back!!!!!.....

2011-12-24T12:56:00.000+04:00

Hello Everyone! How are you? I've been away for so long! Thank you to those of you sweet people out there that checked on me. It was and is very sweet!!

I don't know where to begin to catch you all up! I guess the best thing is just to follow the pics in my library! How's that for a timeline!!

I'm sprucing up my Eid dress!

2011-10-28T20:24:00.000+04:00

Eid al Adha is coming up around November 6th. Why don't I know for sure? Because we go by the Moon and can't quite be exact until closer to the time.

Last Eid, I had two dresses made. They were fabrics given to me by my bud Isra, but a bit plain. So, what is a girl to do to embellish fabric? Go Crystal shopping!

This is the scarf that I will wear on my head. It is so pretty and simple which is not conducive to Eid. There should be some major bling!

Here is Uki helping me yet again!

She should wear this as it looks better on her! Brings out her eyes! ;-)

I bought light sapphire blue swarovski crystals and larger golden ones. It looks smashing! It was a long process though! Tomorrow I will finish the dress. I will embellish the neck line and the sleeves! I think I will wear a mixture of blue and purple eyeshadow which means I have to go shopping for blue! Maybe I'll go with grey??? Hmmm...

I bought this tool a few years ago with my Mom. I paid 20 OR (Omani Rials) which is a little less than $60. I finally used it!

Here is the pile of blue...

Here is the pile of the golden or topaz...

I'll show the dress when done.

I am still working on my Peek A Boo quilt. I did a cool loopy meander but now don't know what to do with the barns....

Learning Tanbura

2011-10-26T06:58:00.002+04:00

Here is my daughter learning another song (three in total) called Tanbura for a performance. The place is buzzing with so many musicians gearing up for that one big night. This took hours to upload to you tube, don't know why. It is 4:22 long so this will be the only thing I post. Let it download and then watch it as it is a 'busy' video.

Thanks for stopping by!

Ok. So I posted another picture! This is another day with W the Qanoonist and A with the drums. I can only see my A but I think another girl is there. The man standing is the director and he has an ear!!! OMG!! Of course, he would HAVE to as a musician and running the place; but he heard everyone's pieces and where they went wrong IF they went wrong! Anyway, in the end both the two men sitting performed with the girls. So cool!

My daughter practicing with various people for a performance...

2011-10-25T21:00:00.002+04:00

My beautiful daughter A was learning three traditional Omani tunes and with these first three pictures; we were not sure if she would be 'accepted' to perform or not. She had to prove herself. That kid learned all three songs (rather short I might add but THREE!) in one night and by three different people. ONE!

Here we have Khalid, the sweetest man, teaching her a tune. For two weeks we went up to the Association almost every night. I felt like I had neglected my Ali and he felt it too but it was all worth it in the end. She DID get to perform on October 8, 2011.

Meet Rajaa...

Laila....I haven't really dealt with her but she takes pictures and video taped the performance.

These are two of the four girls with A. J in the middle is a sweetheart. T on the right is also nice but a bit shy and reserved and doesn't speak much English but I could make her smile, which makes me happy! J is the strongest or best female Oudist in Oman.

Here is Rajaa with some dude that played the TABLAH or some kind of Arabic drum. Give me a break people, I am still learning and not just in one language but TWO!! With my A is S. She is the last one to make up the four girls that play the Oud in Oman.

They brought in another dude to help the girls with one of the three songs. He was trying to figure it out as this is a traditional song usually sung by women in female only gatherings as I understand it and he is just remembering it before he taught my A. I hope you realize that my kids and myself have never listened to any traditional Arab music in their short lives. So, whereas most of the people that are born into this; they know the tunes but we don't. I'm terribly impressed by A. She rocks!

Then, we got a violinist and two other percussionists! The tall dude on the end closest to me ended up playing the double bass for the performance. It was so cool. I have another video but they take for freakin' ever to upload so I will add it later. It was terribly exciting for both A and myself to hear all this live!

Here is one of the three songs in partial called WAYLIYAH or ويليه .

Thanks for stopping by. I'll dedicate the next few posts to the process of this experience! I'm off to hang with myself (heehee) in front of the TV. I haven't watched TV for such a long time!

I like how Amal rocks back and forth when she plays. It's cute. Also, isn't the drum cool? Listen to that bass! It is an equally beautiful piece of work!

Misty Mystery Quilt....FINISHED!

2011-10-21T17:26:00.004+04:00

A long time ago, I'm thinking almost a YEAR??? I joined in on a Mystery Quilt. I had done 2 before and knew that I would enjoy this! As I attempt to fill the house with seasonal and themed quilts; I searched the market and to my surprise found a bunch of American Patriotic fabrics! I'm a bit particular but these appealed to me.

I first posted about this project and made the first clue here.

The first date I can see is December 13, 2010. Yikes! I started late too!

Anyway, about a year I had to make this quilt and save the first clue; I did it all in two weeks! The last two weeks! So, get a cup and enjoy the show!!

Here I got into PDO to use the craft room to use their huge tables for easier-on-my-back basting.

I'm just showing you how I used masking tape to tape down the backing. I pieced it together and am really pleased as I used everything from what I had bought so long ago.

This fabric with the hearts above was given to me generously by Sylvie before summer. It was'nt quite enough so I had to figure it out!

And here it is! I took the left part which was the Mystery part and it just screamed AMERICAN FLAG to me so I tried my best to make it so. The only reservation I have is that the stripes are too short. They should be wider in my brain. But, I used what I had and that was not enough to make it longer. Still, all-in-all, I am very pleased with it!

When I finished and was sitting in my car; after the shock of getting over the fact that I ran out of basting pins and was on my way to Jean's to get more to finish basting at home....I saw this view.

and just sat there watching the little white boat sail right by.

I did not bother taking the masking tape off and inadvertently; sewed some in, while quilting!!!

Uki, of course, had to 'help' me and was checking out those very cool pins!

I pre-wound 5 bobbins and only used 3.5!

I decided that since the quilt in itself was SOOOOOO loud in many ways; I did not need a difficult quilting pattern so also, with the time restriction, I chose to do a large meander!

I also chose blue thread. I am glad that I did.

I had a little basket I made with leftover French Braid fabric and my Bose with iPod on my iPhone and was jamming along as I quilted.

When I was ready to do the binding; Uki plunked down and scared me so bad I took a photo and yes, before i closed the blade. Look how cute she spreads out her back legs!

So, as I cut off the raw edge of the red bit; I threw it on her and she eventually started flipping all over the table!

Here is the binding all done. I used what I had. What I wanted was to have the binding be all blue with just a strip of red but in the end; used red and blue and a strip of the red/white/blue fabric which worked out so beautifully! Love it!

As I was putting on the binding; it poked myself! Ouch!

Uki found the left over batting and made herself at home!

Here it is, all done! I'm so pleased!

Here is the backing of the quilt. I did not have enough of the blue heart flag fabric so I used what I had of the other stuff to piece it together. I like things to be asymmetrical and realized that my husband DOES NOT! HOW did that man end up with me?? The only thing he said about this quilt is, ok, two things..."Why haven't you made a wall hanging for that spot?" and "What is that on the back? Is that a design? Of WHAT?????!!!!" LOL!!

After the kids were done helping me to photograph the quilt; Amal threw herself down on it and proceeded to have a long discussion with me. I tried to bribe her to measure it for the final measurement and she eventually did so but I forgot to write it down!

All folded up and ready to be taken in, in a few minutes! It will be displayed with all the other Mystery Quilt participants and then a Viewer's Choice will be done!

As always, thanks for stopping by; it has been a while. I have been busy with this but I should be getting some professional pictures of my daughter and will post on that. THAT is what kept me away for so long! Come back soon for sure!

PS. I missed linking up to Amanda Jean's over at Crazy Mom Quilts linky party for FINISH IT UP FRIDAY, WEEK 1; so I entered just in time for week 2!!

Sandi Henderson in my mailbox!

2011-10-21T09:22:00.000+04:00

I did it. I went nuts and bought some fabric from America!

The trouble that befell me was that the poor staff at her studio sent out MANY packages all over the world and they went MISSING! Mine included. So, after many weeks, I wrote to them and then they told me. Hmmm.....what if I had NOT notified them? Anyway, they repacked and reshipped my order.

Yep! I got the whole collection of Henna from her I don't know which collection???

and... a bag a scraps that I still have not looked at.

Ah......heaven!!

PS. I know EXACTLY what I'm going to do with them!!

Frankie has made a visit!

2011-10-21T09:15:00.001+04:00

It's that time of year again and this year my kids are less interested in Halloween! ???? I wonder why. My husband has never been into it but doesn't really care that I am. So, I kept it simple and only to the entrance of the house. I painted these little 'bags' and put candles in them and they are sitting on top of my runner that I made. The fabric is Halloween fabric but too busy for this project. You don't really see the pumpkins!

I was searching for something deep in my closet and Frankenstein popped out! I bought him YEARS ago and never gave him his due. Until now. Isn't he adorable!!

Just LOOK at that face!!

Everyone that comes into the house has to shake his hand!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Random Sightings....

2011-10-20T00:31:00.000+04:00

On the way to school the other day, I stopped behind a lot of traffic at an intersection close by where we live. I looked to the left and gasped as I thought a man was peeing in the grass.

Upon closer inspection, it turns out he was watering the grass! So funny! The kids got a laugh out of this as well.

Watch the video then gaze at the photo!

October brings good things...and random thoughts...

2011-10-02T09:22:00.001+04:00

Who knew that at my age, my life would be derailed!?? So, here are a few things that are good things...

1. My Papi's (Dad) surgery went well. His ticker is good for a while longer!

2. My Mami (Mom) is traveling to visit her brother's sister and help her in her pre-school in Texas for a few weeks. This is the first time in their lives that there aren't any husbands or kids around! I know they will so enjoy themselves and I love Marie (we don't address her as aunt; her hubby is my Mom's brother). However, my sister and I love her to bits! She is great! That makes me so happy in my heart that my Mom will be with a friend/family.

3. I have shaken a very bad habit the last day of September. I am sorry to be so vague. I have to be. Just trust me; it was damaging and I removed myself from it. Once there is distance, one can usually have more clarity and see the situation for what it was.

4. My kids are doing well. That is always a good thing.

5. I have lost 17 pounds since August 1st. I have managed to keep it off and have gone down into a set of '10's' if you know what I mean, that I haven't seen in years! Lovin' that scale!!

6. I GOT A MAID! She moved in Wednesday night and is lovely. So far, so good. I have never had luck with maids. I feel good about this experience!

7. I have nails now!

8. I don't have to cook! Although, I will assign myself once a week to cook so I don't get out of the habit but I like to be away from food, ya know?

9. I walked by my favorite aisle at the grocery store and it did not phase me. I think I have used food as a crutch and comfort for so many years. I woke up and was extremely unhealthy and overweight. I am making changes now. I have a long, LONG way to go; but I feel positive about it!

10. I pulled out some quilting projects but am not quite there in the 'excitement' mode or passionate mode to get busy on it.

11. I have reconnected with some female friends that I shunned for four years. I am enjoying their company again. I need to be around women. Good women.

12. Uki is now MY kitty. She is always with me. Now that I have a maid though, I will be going out more so I hope she misses me a little!

13. I am laughing again. Not as much as before or as much as I like but I am laughing again. I am seeing the humor in life and embracing it.

14. I started a new blog for the MUSCAT QUILT GUILD! It is here. It is in its' infancy, so the design has a lot to be desired but I will get it there.

15. I still love music and am enjoying that but have stopped watching so much TV. This is a good thing!

16. Now I look forward to less stress (because of having the maid) and being a more pleasant Mommy and friend.

17. I picked up my iPad to read last night. I ended up looking at pictures. heehee

18. I feel so much better physically from losing all that weight. I need to sleep more (going on 4 hours today!)

19. My sister is the Director of Girl Scouts for the North Eastern Region of the United States! Too bad she doesn't get paid!

20. Life is good. Get rid of the negative. Learn to see what is negative. Don't dwell on idiots. Teach your kids to be strong in character and believe in something. Let go of yesterday and embrace today and contemplate tomorrow. Don't mistreat others so you have a clear conscious. Learn to detect mean deceitful people and run away from them!

I saw two quotes in the last two days...

KNOWLEDGE OF LANGUAGES IS THE FIRST GATEWAY TO WIDSOM... Roger Bacon

and the real winner is this one...Thanks Lisa!

HOLDING A GRUDGE IS LIKE LETTING SOMEONE LIVE RENT FREE IN YOUR HEAD! no author.

I don't think so! Let gooooooooo!

Ok. Thanks for listening to my thoughts for today.

Off to Hardanger and then home for a short while and then off to Jean's for 'Stitch n Bitch' and a weigh in. Perhaps that is helping me too! Kids are sorted; food is sorted; maid is sorted; kitties are sorted.

Happy October! This will be a good month!

Uki helping me with my Hardanger! She sits on my desk and at night if I am sewing; I like to sew and watch a movie on my computer. She used to run away if I touched her but now she lets me hug on her as long as I let her play with stuff!

There is a really cool app called WORDFEUD. Download it and we can play! It's like scrabble. You can play one game for days and it is good to build your English skills! The dictionary has made an appearance on my desk! If you do this, you can invite me to play by entering my email addy which is in the sidebar. I enjoy this type of thing.

The Script is coming to town and I think I will go with the kids! Yes!

New Blog Button. Testing....

2011-10-01T13:28:00.005+04:00

My daughter made me three blog buttons and this is the one I like the best. However, I'm having a hard time getting the codes. I'm following a tutorial right now so wish me luck!

EDITED TO ADD:

Ok. It's on but there is no code for anyone to grab....my whole morning has been here! Ugh..

edited to add:

I DID IT, I DID IT!!!!

Thank you Jackie!!!!!!!

You can now go over to my sidebar and grab my button! Thank you to Amal, my beautiful daughter for designing this and for Jackie whom led me to Lily's Quilts and a great tutorial!

Hardanger Books

2011-10-01T09:30:00.000+04:00

Wow. Has life been busy! This is a good thing. I hope you all are well. My readers. I was asked about my Advanced Sampler and the stitches in that post and I am still trying to find the sources that we used. I will have to contact my teacher in India and see if she remembers and I will also ask tomorrow at the Hardanger meeting.

However, these following books, available at Nordic Needle and Amazon, have been instrumental in helping us over here in Oman to make beautiful pieces.

Yeah, I'm not all that good at photography! I try though! You get the idea of the books. They are really good basic books. I also have a few (5) Japanese books that are gorgeous!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Hardanger Bargello Table Runner Progress...92711

2011-09-27T11:49:00.000+04:00

I have been working on my Hardanger Bargello a bit this past week. Here is the progress...

They might be a lot of the same pics... ;-)

I'm excited to understand this pattern and how to read it. It is coming along very well and I am getting bored of the flowers and might jump to the cutwork next week. I shouldn't though! I should finish the flowers, so let's see what behooves me! I also had said that I was going to put it down last week didn't I!!

Thanks for stopping by!

I got an award!

2011-09-18T21:51:00.000+04:00

I received this award from Izdiher. Thank you! With this award, I need to tell you all 7 things about myself. Here goes...

1. I love quilting, hardanger, and other crafts. I like the process; the feeling that I am beautifying my home and MAKING it my home; giving comfort to my kids in quilts and making something from my heart to my hands for my friends. I don't make and give a lot as it takes me such a long time to complete anything!

2. I love cooking for those that appreciate it. Having said that, today I made a Tuna Log and forgot to take a picture for the Farewell at Hardanger for Sylvie and Ali cooked dinner. I like that too! That someone else cooked and cleaned!

3. I like crappy food. Like what? Like TV dinners that takes forever to chew; airplane food, popcorn at the cinema, cafeteria food (haven't seen this in the Middle East though). My husband doesn't get it. Even the kids don't! I just tell them, 'look away and don't judge!!' hahahaha!

4. I miss my Mom like crazy.

5. I want to leave the Middle East sometimes. I miss America. I need to travel somewhere.

6. I like to meet people and talk to them. It is very hard to do that here. I have been enjoying hooking up with my sewing friends again. They feed a small part of my soul!

7. I love working on the computer. I am now officially setting up a blog for the Muscat Quilt Guild. Approved yesterday, Saturday, September 18th.

I know that I only need 7 things but want to add one more...

8. I have been losing weight. Not enough. But losing. Wish me luck. I need it. To lose and your wishes! Health people!! Health!

Thanks for stopping by! Love it!

I had a GREAT day today! How about your day?

2011-09-18T21:29:00.003+04:00

What a great day I had! I went to Hardanger (every Sunday) and sadly we said goodbye to Sylvie, our French wonderwoman! She is incredibly kind and amazing and giving and one of those people that everyone loves! I had tried to organize a group Hardanger/Quilting project with the group but it did not work out. Hardanger takes A LONG time to complete. In the end, everyone basically just did what they wanted. Four of us got an eyeglass chain made for Sylvie. It was made with garnets and Omani silver beads. I wanted her to remember us on a daily basis and she L.O.V.E.D it! She is wearing it around her neck.

From the left to the right and front row:

Rajashree, Anisa, Shirin (hostess) Sandra, Megumi

Back row:

Supriya, Sylvie (leaving ={), Moi (adjusting the scarf!)

Another shot.

Shirin surprised me to bits! We had done a very 'Omani' themed wall hanging quilt with the Muscat Quilt Guild. It has been a project we have been doing for a few years. I haven't made it as I am married to it, ya know? Not interested but for the expats, they will take it away as a nice reminder of their time here in Muscat. I really liked the bed sized quilt and I think Shirin did a great job. She still has some work left on it and it is very detail oriented and she has done a lovely job!

After I finished at Shirin's, I ran home (the kids were home sick) to check on the kids. Hubby was home and never questioned where I was. Heehee... I was home for about 15 minutes and then ran out the door and he asked where I was going and I told him I was going to a friend's house.

I ran out the door and did not come home for 4.5 more hours! Ali decided to cook dinner but I had to go to the store to get the ingredients. He made a lovely spaghetti with meatballs! Wow, and, and, AND he cleaned up the kitchen! Wow! Whatever I did, said, threatened WORKED!!

He set the table too but a picture would have had to include both kids and neither wanted their pics taken!

So, now it is 9:25pm and I was entertaining a cup of coffee with a piece of cake (that Ali made!) but I weighed in 15 pounds less today so I don't want to gain just because I want a piece, ya know? Plus, I wanna sleeeeeeep! I think I have mentioned before that I have insomnia!

Thanks for stopping by. Really...

Last Hardanger update on Bargello Metallic until it's done!

2011-09-17T17:48:00.001+04:00

I am going to show you a series of photos in their most natural light that I took this afternoon of the Hardanger Bargello project with the Metallic thread. After this, I will not keep posting pics until it is done. I don't want to frighten off my other readers!

So, comments are lovely and welcome as always!

It is really shaping up and I am very eager and pleased to see this project done. However, my wrist is starting to hurt and that spells trouble for me so I need to put it down for about a week. I need to let my arms and hands rest but I'll be back posting updates on other projects!

Thanks for stopping by...

On the left above, is the other flower. So, you can probably determine the pattern. There are two more three leafed flowers (or whatever they are called) on the opposite sides and then four of the larger flowers. Around the center there will be open cutwork with Picots and Woven Bars. Then on the outside double layer of Kloster blocks will be more cutwork. Stay tuned, you will see!

This is the whole piece. I will do all the above and then sew around the very outer edge to secure those stitches (all by hand too!) and then I will cut out the shape and there you have the completed project!

I couldn't resist this one with Ali zonked on the couch. Both kids are fast asleep. Amal feels worse and has a lot of homework and will be missing her Oud lesson with a new teacher tonight! Oooh, stay tuned on that subject! Lots of R.E.A.L.L.Y cool things happening for this kid in this department but I am not allowed to say anything until it comes to fruition. Darn it! Anyway, I feel like jumping into bed myself but will hold out and eat my chicken that just came out of the oven and finish the laundry and at least re-affix the crystals on the banner! Oooh, so much to do!

Hope you all are lovin' life in your neck of the woods!

One flower almost done!

2011-09-17T08:37:00.002+04:00

Ok! How is everyone today? I hope well! I got the kids to school late ;-) (not my doing!) and am back home now. My new part time maid is here and cleaning my house! I am having my breakfast and posting two new pictures of my progress with my Hardanger. Then, I need to get working on last minute changes/touches to my winner's banner and get that off in the mail and then I need to work on my Mystery Quilt!

So, busy days for us all no doubt; here goes...

The center bits need a really pretty pink metallic thread still. I have a better idea of how this will look and thank you to all that commented on how this will be elegant and um, .... subtle? Another word was used but I don't remember it right now...

A larger view of the piece and you can see my progress on my second flower. I have two more like this and then bigger flowers! I am really enjoying this!

Off to accomplish these things and What's On The Menu today?...

Baked Chicken with vegetables and a Green salad. I think I will make it in my slow cooker or crock pot. Hmmm....

Both babies are sick. Amu is C.R.A.B.B.Y! Bless her. Ali is the one I have to worry about in the sense that he will end up in the hospital if it gets worse. Here's hoping that won't happen and that I don't get sick!!

Bakhoor

2011-09-16T16:50:00.003+04:00

My friend Nola graciously shared some of her lovely Bakhoor with me before she left for University back in June. The names are in English and Arabic and then there is a photo. Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by. I so wish that you could smell them. My favorite is Ikhlas; the first one featured.

Don't laugh at my written Arabic!

Hardanger Bargello Table Runner Progress...1011

2011-09-15T11:52:00.000+04:00

After Sunday's Hardanger meeting; the ladies helped me understand how to read the pattern and I took pictures of Sandra's blue piece to follow along.

I'm really disappointed. My colors do not have a huge contrast. However, I am the only one following the pattern exactly. I am using the same colors and size that the pattern dictated. The other ladies chose fabric that has larger holes, bless them. In fairness, I have to mention that one other lady followed the pattern as I am. She was the first one and the rest of the ladies eventually made one. Unfortunately, she passed away this year. I remember hers was very pretty so maybe I should stick with this. It is not like I can run to the store and get a different color. I would have to order it online and wait, wait, wait. I am not prepared to do that! So, enjoy the shots. My area of question would be the medium shade of purple. It is too close to the lightest shade.

You be the judge!

You can easily see the darker shade in the middle. You can clearly see the lighter shades. Can you see the medium shade?

I think it will all work out as I mentioned above. You can vaguely see the three shades here. Maybe my lighting is not good...

Still, I am pleased with my progress and have enjoyed working on this! There is still so much more to do!

Thanks for stopping by. Off to start a productive day! Hope yours is too!

My New Favorite Band!!!! Young the Giant - "My Body" (Official Video)

2011-09-14T23:54:00.002+04:00

I watched the 2011 VMA's last night and fell in LOVE with this new band (to me) they have been around California for a bit. Love this song. If you can get a hold of the VMA's and watch their performance of this song, it is why I love music. It reminded me of going to concerts before I got married. I remember back in the day jumping up and down to the beat and getting stuck between other people for a few seconds! What a thrill. I think now, I would hit them if they touched me! Still, it is energetic and the lead singer is INDIAN! Sameer Gadhi. I really don't know much more. I hope you watch and like them.

And oh, yes, I LOVE all kinds of music; but at the end of the day, I am a rock and roll chick! Yeah baby!

A look over time....weep, weep

2011-09-14T18:44:00.001+04:00

The kids started school last Monday. Monday is our 'hump' day over here as the week starts Saturday and goes to Wednesday with Thursday and Friday being the weekend. Pretty different, huh?

I wanted to post my pictures of the kid's first day of school when I got the idea to find as many pictures so you can see how they have grown.

I think this is Amal's first day of preschool. We lived on a compound in Saudi Arabia during this time. Ali was born there.

We jump to Muscat, Oman and many years later. The kids were at an Omani school called Al Sahwa. Gee, I am missing so many pictures but I gave it over an hour searching and am done! Anyway, this looks like it might be Ali's first day of Kindergarten or KG1. This is 2003.

The kids are still at Al Sahwa and because Ali has on a disdasha and kuma, the traditional Omani dress for all males; I am assuming he is in first grade.

I think this one is at Sultan School, still an Omani school.

Then, here we have their first year at the ABA, the American British Academy. We are so much happier here. Amal would be in 7th grade and Ali in 4th grade. They kept him back a year due to how his birthday or where his bday fell on the calendar. At first we were outraged but it has been better for him.

This would be their 2nd year at the ABA.

Their 3rd year, last year. Look how much Ali has grown.

This year. Wow.

So there you have a small timeline of my kids at school. Thanks for stopping by.

spanish arabic fusion music-oud vs guitar

2011-09-12T14:24:00.002+04:00

One of my very favorite songs for the last several months. It is currently set as my ringtone.

Enjoy...

Enjoy some more...

I love Ding Dongs!

2011-09-12T10:19:00.000+04:00

My friend Karen brought me a box of Ding Dongs back from the US. I was so surprised. She came back mid August and mid Ramadan and it took a while before she got them to me. In the meantime, her kids ate most of them! So, she grabbed the four remaining ones and put them in a baggie and put a note with my name on it. I was sitting here at my desk thinking I should be in bed but there is so much to do and then I grabbed my camera and snapped away.

It's a Hostess product and an experience for many Americans!

Yep, love these little guys!

Pink Roses and Red Louis'

2011-09-12T08:58:00.003+04:00

My husband walked into my Studio and scared the crap out of me, yet again! If he was a different sort of man, he would get a sick pleasure out of it; but he never means to scare me. He thinks I should not get scared when he either quietly walks in or barges in. He can't grasp (bless him) when I KNOW the kitty is gonna jump me when I walk by; he doesn't get that I scream a loud, ear-splitting scream each and every time! He just doesn't get it. It's the thrill of being 'hunted', if you will, by my sweet and fun little Uki. She gets me every time. Funny thing is, she walks off as if 'she da man' and he is huffing mad! Ah, life in this house!

When he walked in my studio, he handed me this little beauty from the garden. I thought the season was over?? This little Rose is the perfect shade of soft pink. It is perfection. The scent is so beautiful! I wish you could smell it; but for now, fat-free eye candy!

I took the above photo. My sweet daughter took the rest. She gave me a 'lesson' on lighting on my little hand held. I thought she had a better camera than mine but mine is the nicer one. It's just that this photographer is, hmmm...in need of some training?? Yeah, that is positive! ;-)

Not a blemish on this beauty!

Moving right along. I wanted to share these photos of my Louis Vuitton that my husband brought me back from Turkey. I used it but here is the thing with me. I don't like open purses. I like to know that everything is safe inside. This one is open. I scratched it and freaked out so put it away for a few years Needless-to-say, I have gotten over it.

I got a red Amouage designer bag for my birthday in June and my husband and kids were asking me where this one was. I couldn't find it! No I couldn't!!! I couldn't even remember that I had this!?? This is not something one wants to 'misplace' or 'lose'. I searched where I keep my purses and even downsized my stash. No red Louis.

Then, Amal went searching for our old wedding dresses in my closet that we ended up wearing for Eid and she found it! So, I have been using it since! I get so many compliments!

My hubby thought it was a fake. I can't tell. It has the Louis stamp all over it. I really like it. I like simple and elegant. I don't like buckles or flaps or metal all over the place. Sleek, simple.

Love this detail or texture.

So there you have my foray into the fashion world. The next designer bag that comes out will be featured here also. Don't want them to 'feel' bad!

For those that asked, I slept 5 hours last night! I'm gonna try to get a little kip in before the kids come home. My new part time maid starts today as the other one fell through. I hope she is lovely and we can work together!

More Hardanger projects from my buds today...

2011-09-11T17:32:00.000+04:00

I went to my Hardanger Sunday group and really had a great time with these ladies. As I had hoped; they helped me out on my next step on my project. I snapped some pics of their work to share with Wendy and all my readers!

This is Sandra's Bargello in blue Lugana fabric with three shades of blue and a silver for the center of the flowers.

This is another flower in this round project that most of us ladies have done or are doing. I am always 'late' on the bandwagon so finally I started working on it.

This peach and coral project is Naina's. It really is pretty and I think it will be a table cloth? Gee, I don't remember!

A close up of her work. Thanks to Naina and Sandra in particular for explaining to me my next step!

This lovely table runner is Shirin's. Isn't is GORGEOUS!? She is almost done. Do you KNOW how EXCITING this is for us??????

This is Supriya's piece. I really like the white on the dark tan. She is doing a really great job. I think this is her first project.

Thanks for a lovely morning ladies. Sandra, as always, you are a wonderful hostess and thanks for all the treats from Goa or Bombay? Gee, I forgot!?

Where were YOU 10 years ago when 9/11 happened in the USA?

2011-09-11T09:52:00.001+04:00

As I am sitting here trying to figure out how to make myself a button for my blog; I realized the date and decided to head on over here to post about the tragedy that is 10 years ago now. Can't say 'happy anniversary'; it is not a happy occasion. With that, I would like to send out my best to all the victims during that awful day.

My question to all of you, my readers, is where were YOU when this went down?

I'll tell you my story.

Ten years ago, the kids were 5 and 2. Wow. They were happily playing in the living room where we kept our TV at the time. I was happily cooking dinner. I have racked my brain trying to remember what I was cooking but can't. I do know that it was Indian food. I made it every day for seven years and that is how I mastered it. Now I don't, but that is another story....

I was cooking when Amal came and handed me the phone. I washed my hands and it was my friend Karen; a fellow American married to an Omani as well. Her voice was distraught. She asked me, "What are you doing Alia?" I said, "cooking, why?" and she said, "turn off what you are doing in the kitchen and send the kids away and turn on CNN (another detail I can't remember but I'm pretty sure it was CNN)." I asked her, "Karrrrreeeennnnn, what happened?", she said "somebody flew a plane into the twin towers in NY city, call me later." Click.

So, I turned off the stove and made sure everything was safe in the kitchen, dried my hands and ran into the living room. I politely and calmly but dramatically told Amal to take Ali and go upstairs and put a video in the TV in her room and watch something and NOT to come downstairs until I called her. No hem-hawing; no protesting; she was such a good little girl and Ali also listened to her. She looked at me from around the corner of the doorway as she was leaving the room and read my face. She asked me if everything was ok. I told her no but that I would explain it all as soon as I understood it myself. She made sure that my family (she heard 'the US, the US' and deduced something happened in the US) was all ok.

I couldn't really say because my Mom, my sweet Mom was traveling to NY or through it THAT day. My BIL was supposed to have been traveling too but I think he did not in the end; but I did not know that at that time.

I turned on CNN and wow, the chaos was incredible. I immediately cued up the different news stations to watch what they all had to say. Then, I called my husband. He had not heard about it yet and was the first one in his office. I asked him to please come home. He was home within minutes.

We sat on the couch together, he holding me, and watched. I remember distinctly saying, "Please God, DON'T let it be a MUSLIM" that did this and sure enough, we all know the story now.

After a few hours; my husband went back to work and I called the kids down after ordering pizza and we ate and I talked to them both. Amal has always been very astute and I am sure part of it is because she is the eldest; but she is a special person; very mature for her age at every age, masha'allah. Ali was in Ali-land. Happy little 2 year old boy. He sensed I was sad and gave me a big hug and kiss and as far as he was concerned; whatever was ailing me was fixed! Typical little man! Amal kept pressing me and asking questions. Needless to say, both babies slept with us that night. Amal was by my side as I was frantic on the phone trying to find my Mom and BIL. The lines were busy as you can imagine.

The following week, I hand quilted a huge portion of a quilt that I had made in Saudi Arabia for my daughter; which she now doesn't even like the colors in it; but never fear, the kid WILL use it! All this while watching the news for any updates.

So, I remember and question: What was the whole point again?

I would love to hear your story of where you were when this happened 10 years ago!

Now, off to finish my breakfast and get in the shower and get to Sandra's house for Hardanger. Oh, lordy lordy, I am so late!

Thanks for stopping by...

Hardanger Photos for Wendy!

2011-09-11T00:55:00.001+04:00

This post is for Wendy. I am so sorry it took me a long while to get this up on my blog. I hope that this is what you wanted and if you need anything else, let me know...

This is a pillow cover I made for my daughter. It has a white background with pink and white stitching. I got this gorgeous pattern out of a Spanish magazine.

This is an Advanced Sampler I made a few years ago.

The stitch below is called Edelweiss and is my very favorite stitch.

I know that this one has Wrapped Bars but don't remember the name of the whole stitch!

This one is called Bullion. Love it.

These are Picots. My teacher said I was really good at this stitch!

Those are most of the stitches on the Advanced Sampler.

This is my Bargello that I am working on now. It has a lavendar fabric with 3 shades of purple. I have done all the base work and am now ready to move on to the flowers but don't know how to do it as it is Bargello and the stitches are completely different. I need help and hopefully someone can help me tomorrow at our weekly Hardanger meeting.

I hope this is the eye candy you wanted Wendy. I can try to get the names of all these stitches if you would like.

Also, there is a You Tube group from the UK called Hardanger. This might be good for you as you are in the UK!? You can google Nordic Needle to buy supplies. This is based in the US and is extremely expensive but this hobby is expensive. They ship overseas and are very well stocked. You can just get a catalog and enjoy browsing it. They are also online.

All the best and let me know if I can help more!

Sunshine Award! My first blog award!

2011-09-10T08:25:00.000+04:00

I was awarded the Sunshine award this morning. Thank you to Deema!

Favorite color: REALLY DON'T HAVE ONE. DEPENDS ON MY MOOD AND WHAT FOR. LOVE IT.
Favorite animal: CATS, DOMESTIC AND WILD
Favorite number: 6
Favorite drink: HMM...PEPSI
Facebook or Twitter: I LOVE FB AND JUST STARTED ON TWITTER! LEARNING THIS ONE!
Your passion: MY KIDS AND QUILTING. I LIKE TO COOK TOO ALTHOUGH DON'T WANT TO A LOT OF THE TIMES. I NEED TO BE APPRECIATED!!
Giving or getting presents: I LOVE RECEIVING AS I DON'T TOO OFTEN AND LOVE TO GIVE. I GIVE A LOT!
Favorite pattern: OOH, GOOD ?. I DONT HAVE A FAVORITE. I C A LOT IN QUILTING SO IT CHANGES CONSTANTLY.
Favorite day: WHEN I AM WELL RESTED AND HAPPY. THE DAY I REUNITE WITH MY MAMI!
Favorite flowers: PEONIES. PINK.

I think I am supposed to tag some people but as I just tagged a bunch of people I will wait on this one.

How to make Roti...Must watch. Too funny!

2011-09-10T02:07:00.002+04:00

Here I am at 1:31am and still up and on my computer! Thanks for all the participation and comments for my last post. It really helped me and helps me. I don't know what is wrong with me. I mean I know but I can not tell you! I have to deal with this hiccup in my life as best as I can without getting so down and being mean to my babies! So, as I was starting to get responses to my last post; Ali walks in and tells me to watch this video he found on making Chipatiis (flat Indian bread much like tortillas but different!). I was howling. Then, we went to make some as I had not cooked dinner yet and when I got into the Atta (brown flour) I discovered it was COVERED in little black bugs. My maid left over a year ago and we had not touched it. Gross me out the door man! So, I chucked that and we used Whole wheat flour and it was not nice. Then, this kid got me to run him to the store to buy Atta and we came back and got busy with it. I left him once I knew he was ok and he made some pretty good Chipatiis! I don't know if he will ever do them again but watch this video, it is sooooooooo funny! Ok. It is now 2:08am and I just found this video. I had to watch just one before this. There are some adorable mothers sharing their culinary skills on you tube!

I hope you are patient enough to watch as there are two really, really funny bits in here. Yes, I needed the laugh and Ali kept hitting the replay button. Yes, I went in to help him make the mixture as the quantities were not mentioned here. The first batch, the pics will be posted tomorrow, were ok with whole wheat flour but I ran him to the store to buy Atta and the second batch was WONDERFUL! He likes cooking but not the clean up and I got stuck with it again but my mood changed with all the wonderful comments from the previous post and my son making me laugh! Plus, two hours talking non stop with Amal was great too! So, Alia out!

Five things I am grateful for...

2011-09-09T16:24:00.010+04:00

My spirits are low these days and instead of broadcasting it and spending so much of my time thinking about it; I decided to post five things I am grateful for. I gotta pick myself up from this slump and focusing on the good things in my life is an attempt to start! So, here goes...

1. I am grateful for my kids and their successes and failures as we all know failures make us stronger individuals.

2. I am grateful to the internet: FB; Twitter; MSN; Skype; my blog and email. Also, just the WWW.

3. I am grateful that I am healthy even though I don't sleep enough.

4. Grateful for music as it is a great source of feeling; happy, pumped, sad, suicidal amongst others.

5. Grateful that I live comfortably.

I tag the following people:

1. Amu over at Life on the Fast Lane
2. Amal over at Binteloud
3. Amanda over at Crazy Mom Quilts
4. Jean over at Jean Creates
5. Paloma over at 3Kitchen Fairies
6. Deema over at Deema, A Girl With a Love Story
7. Lily over at Xue-Originals
8. Clodagh over at Sew2BHappy
9. Susan over at FlossieBlossoms
10. ChickFlickJournal over at ChickFlickJournal!
11. Laura over at Coisas da Laura

I hope you all play along! Sending positive vibes to all out there!

Blog Headers thus far...

2011-09-06T18:59:00.007+04:00

I hope to get my blog turned into a book one day! I decided that it would be a nice idea to place all the Blog Banners or Headers in one post so I can see how I have grown over time in making these and see the creative advancement if any! Also, I can maybe determine my style?

This is all I could find so far in my files. January, 2011. That is Peaches from the left laying on the little quilt I made for the girls. The center of the kids and I is during Eid of last year. Uki is next playing with a loose fiber from the carpet. Then, when in the States last summer, we got this cool clay and Amal made me a little Colombian guy with his sombrero (hat), durana (poncho) and Empanada (Colombian samosa). Under that is my new recipe at the time which was the Taco Soup.

Here we jump to April. That is me at a Haberdashery shop buying 60 zippers for a project. Then, Amal's feet and legs when she got henna for summer last year. Me on my passport with my Mom coming to America from Colombia. A pin cushion I made sitting in my Desert Rose bush. I also used the same picture as my background, which was new to me.

Amal dancing somewhere. Me when I covered for the very first time ever! Ali holding a jasmine on the the first day of school. He was little here. Old pics!

I guess here I was trying to showcase some of my work. On the left is my hexagon layout that I have yet to sew together! A crocheted quilt that Ali wanted my mom and me and him to make but I ended up making the whole thing. I need to join all those blocks and finish it. I took a class in May, 2011 on this next picture of a Peek-A-Boo quilt. I'm using it as a wall hanging with pics of the four of us and the cats. I made my daughter this pastel 2.5" squares quilt I have yet to quilt. I made Ali this scrappy 2.5" square quilt I have yet to quilt. My Perspective quilt I made in a class with Lynne Edwards.

I doctored and changed the layout.

I think this is the first one I did but can't find the final copy. I really liked this one. We have Amal, the two cats, an applique thing I did, a cake I made, me and Ali after he cooked and complained his feet hurt. Welcome to the club doll!

This is the last banner I have done and did not like the way it blended with the rest of the blog so I messed around with it and came up with what you see below.

We have Amal's Oud in my garden. The next picture is just some of the Kona solids that I found in Dubai! The Burj Khalifa in Dubai over New Year's. Amal and Eden (visiting us from America) blowing kisses to Joshi the camel they had just taken a ride on. Amal playing her acoustic.

Thanks for stopping by as always!

Eid Holidays are over, almost!

2011-09-04T17:12:00.002+04:00

Last Wednesday was Eid al Fitr, the Eid celebration after the Holy month of Ramadan. We went to my MIL and FIL's house and had a really nice time. I was going on 2 hours sleep as I am still going to bed at 6:30ish in the a.m. I cooked Tandoori Chicken the night before and by the time we got to my MIL's house, everyone had started eating and did not eat my chicken! No problem, we ate it later. I really enjoy the little kids. This year it was Sundus who stole my heart. She is a doll at 2 years old.

Just look at that face! She is a bit shy and therefore aloof but I can ALWAYS get a child to at least smile at me. She doesn't speak English so I must be strange to her. I don't see her so often so she hasn't warmed up to me. Most of my hubby's nieces and nephews have not. My kids say I scare them and I ask, "why?" and they say I'm so WHITE! Golly....

My SIL Shazia on the left in blue and Sundus and her Mom, Hanaa. She is married to my husband's little brother. She is Omani and very nice. I like her a lot.

I've never seen this kid smile so I was so happy. I have to become a better photographer though man. I no longer think it is my camera but ME!

Here is Amal. She looked so pretty but hates her photograph taken.

I have no idea what the joke was but that is me with my biggest well, I guess I was laughing! That is Abdul Aziz with me and he is a sweetheart. He is the other BIL's son.

I'm trying to get Aamina to sit on my lap but she was a bit shy with me. That is my SIL in the blue, her mother and Abdul Aziz's mother whom I really like too. You see, my husband is the eldest of 7 kids and I am older than he is so I rank 3rd in command according to me but my sweet FIL says his son ranks above me so I am 4th! It is FIL, MIL, HUSBAND and me. My age doesn't matter but I am the eldest. So, I get a lot of respect but because I am foreign I don't have the 'duties'! Yes!

After I took the kids out of the Omani educational system and put them in the International system of education; Ali has forgotten how to wear a dishdasha for the last three years. I insisted he be in one this year so my husband had a couple made. Now I can't get the kid out of them! His uncle tied on his Mussar and Ali said his brain was being squeezed out of him! Sweet!

This is some of the golden work on my dress.

Here I am with my two babies. They are both taller than I now and such wonderful kids. Sometimes I think I should have had more in this culture as Amal misses having a sister and Ali feels alone a lot. It would be futile to have any at this stage in my life so this is the dish we have been served.

We went home that night and chilled and then the next day we chilled and went to a friend's house and watched a REALLY bad movie! Still, it was a lot of fun to reconnect with an old friend both for me and Amal. The 3rd day, I took the kids to see Conan. Jason Mamoa is freakin' H.O.T.

I noticed that my sapphire ring that I was wearing the previous night was missing. I called my friend and she found it where I had been sitting then I remembered I took it off to put lotion on my hands. So, after the movie, we went over there for a few minutes and then decided Savannah would come with us to the mall.

We were on the hunt for school supplies. We just had a phone call that my BIL invited us all to dinner and then to an Eid Islamic Quiz. I was scared! I am not well read.

Amal was having a 'moment'. Body language is so honest! She wasn't feeling well all day to be fair to her. Savannah and Ali were posing in the elevator for me.

I can't believe how these kids have grown up so quickly! I still feel 18 myself!

Savannah is doing her best to cheer Amal up.

We went to the mall and to Lakeland, which is a British store full of all things cooking. You KNOW I am happy! I saw a Paella dish and my sweet, sweet Ali bought it for me as my Eid gift! What a generous soul! At the store they had this uber cool chandelier made out of strainers and stuff.

I can't wait to make this traditional dish! I have some Spanish men that are working with my husband that promised to teach me how. They come from the village that invented this dish! They have already brought me back the special rice used in this and some of my favorite Spanish candy!

Then, we went to the restaurant after having dropped Savannah back home. I added this photo because Aasiya is posing in the green. Ali is eating Kulfi which is pistachio ice cream. I don't care for it but he really liked it. Sundus and I bonded and I was sharing my Naan bread (Indian flat bread) with her. She would accept it from me and it took her forever to eat a little bit but I have the patience of whatever the saying is...

Every time Ali would ask for a bite, I missed the kodak moment so he picked her up and put a piece in her mouth and she took it and then I was happy!

I took crabby Amal (bless her) home and Ali and I went and this is our team. We won the quiz and this is when you want the loud American relative as I was loud in our victory! My BIL shaking Ali's hand gave us 50 OR (Omani Rial) which is around $150. We split it with the team members and it was so much fun. We finished at 3:30ish and I took another SIL home and got home after 4:30am. Strange for me. I went to bed around 6am and got up at 9:30 to get the kids to school for orientation. Today is better. I slept most of the night versus the day.

Now, I just got a text from another SIL and they are coming for a visit so I need to get my Red Velvet cupcakes made and in the oven and to change and tidy up before they get here!

When at the store last night, I saw this sign for ladies and three men were in the line! I thought it was the funniest thing! So, I had Amal take a picture. Then, the last guy, closest to me, I started talking to him and we laughed and the cashier said it was for the other side. No one was attending the register. It was a good laugh!

Oh, I interviewed a maid and I really like her and she is ready to start anytime so my husband better cooperate with me and let me have her! Wish us luck! Once she is working out I can take the job which is open and start or devote my energies to that! Yay!

First day of school tomorrow too! Lots of changes!

Thanks for stopping by and having a glimpse into my life.

Eid Mubarak!

2011-08-30T22:58:00.000+04:00

It is 10:38pm and when midnight strikes, Ramadan will be over for another year. Yay! Then, tomorrow, will be Eid and lots of celebrations for the next three days! Then, I have to scramble and get the kids ready for school as that starts the 5th.

Thank you to all my new friends in Kuwait and the Gulf and where ever you are from, also from the States, that have made my Ramadan that little bit more special this year!

Last night Karen came over and while we have been MSN'ing each other, it was great to see her in my home. I am buying myself a gift and that is to the gym for one year! That is my Eid present to myself. I'm stoked! I have lost about 15 pounds this Ramadan. Usually, people gain!

Keep your fingers crossed because I may just have a job. A really COOL job that I think will suit me just fine and will bring in some much sought after FALOOS, DINERO, PLATA, MONEY, LINEN; whatever you want to call it! Wish me luck and if you pray, please pray for me that it works out.

So, in ending this, Wendy, I have not forgotten your request and I am so sorry that I did not get to it sooner and I won't be as the next three days will be crazy busy. I will post those photos for you though! Thank you for your patience!

Whomever out there celebrates Eid, may you and your family have a wonderful Eid holiday. For everyone else, I hope you find Peace in your lives and hearts and Prosperity and please hug your loved ones!

My husband ordered Chinese food for our dinner so I'm off to eat and then cook for tomorrow. I'm making Tandoori Chicken! Yummy!

A little taste of Colombia

2011-08-30T05:15:00.003+04:00

My cousin posted these photos of some event that took place in Colombia in mid August. I don't know if this girl is my cousin (:-)) but I KNOW that is my aunt on the left. She is the spitting image of my Mom but a blue eyed blonde version of my dark Mom! I want you to see the clothes. It is so interesting.

I think one of these or more are related to me. Just look at their clothes. They are a musical group.

Another girl in the mix.

The rest of these pictures are taken by my other cousin. Same family. He and his wife went to visit. Out of 16 kids, my Mom and her older brother are the only ones that settled in America. The rest are in Colombia.

This is a typical meal.

Fish with rice and platanos or green bananas and yes they sell this here!

This is a staple of the Colombian diet. Chicharron. It is fried pork skins. I know, 7aram!!

Here is a typical house.

Another popular meal. We like our avocados, rice and arepas!

That is my cuz Andre so his wifey took this.

Another view..

I think I will be making an art quilt using this picture.

Thanks for stopping by and seeing a little bit of my birthplace. It is a beautiful country.

edited to add one more picture:

This building is so charming and in such a pretty shade of yellow!

Congratulations to.....AMU from Kuwait!

2011-08-28T23:58:00.003+04:00

I posted a few posts ago about my Hardanger and at the very bottom posed a little contest for anyone to guess which stitches I had missed. No one played except my new friend Amu from Kuwait!

So, you are right and the winner and I have been working on a little EID MUBARAK banner! I wanted to wait to post this but can't! I will show the process as I have made a 'process pledge'.

I used some of my prized Pellon from America that I have been sitting on for years. I finally got it out and the plan was to make 9 of these banners for the different families' houses and for my winner!

I screwed it up when tracing the words and letters as I get easily confused and then found a way to not waste all that Pellon. You can see the lighter side of the letters or words in Arabic and then you will see little diamond shaped shapes that are more white. These still have the paper on them and all of it should look like this. But, a little bit of ingenuity and Parchment Paper (for baking) works a charm!

Once cut out, I ironed it onto the background fabric. I again screwed up the parchment paper by getting it all sticky and interchanging each side until I wrote on my paper This Side Up! Then, it worked, you guessed it, a charm!

Once the letters/words were ironed on properly in place, I had to sew around the letters. I chose to do a straight stitch versus a zig zag. BIG job!

The threads should be secured so I pulled all the threads to the back of the fabric and began tying them into knots by hand. You can see some interfacing which allowed me to sew the letters without the fabric bunching up. This is very important!

Then Ms. Uki came in to help me. She did not stay long as I know Amu doesn't care for animals! Yikes!

Once the letters/words were ironed in place, I needed to decide what to use for the back ground fabric.

I then sewed the backing on without raw edges and began to stipple quilt it in beige thread. Stippling is an all over pattern that should NEVER cross lines. You can do it tightly, which is stippling or loosely and that is called meandering. There is a difference.

I then needed a binding. I don't have ready made binding so got shopping in my stash of fabric to make my own. I bought this nifty little tool in Dubai a few trips ago and it worked so well!

Once the right amount was made, I began to sew it onto the banner.

I then decided it was too plain. I went to the shop and bought Swarvoski crystals in light blue and started to strategically place them. It is still very plain though!

I hung it on our wall and my husband was so excited; he loved it. He placed his 'orders' of what he wants me to make for the house. Sweet.

I chose these yellow-ish and blue fabrics as Amu has mentioned that he likes these two colors. I hope you like this!

CONGRATULATIONS AMU!

EID MUBARK!!

Funniest Memories of Ramadan...

2011-08-28T15:37:00.001+04:00

I know what Ramadan means and what it is all about but as an expat convert to Islam; it is a learning curve. I think for most Muslims, we are constantly learning. At least, I hope so. I answered a comment from C and she made me remember about some funny incidents that happened in my 16 Ramadans.

So, before I share, I would love it if you all would post your funny memories of Ramadan.

Funny Story 1

My very first year I was alone, or without my husband. My husband was working in the interior. My SIL was staying with me as a young woman must NEVER live alone over here, and I had Shaboo, my cat of 7 years at the time and Tweety, my canary. I had only been here 4 months.

My other SIL called me at Suhoor time, like EARLY in the morning and was telling me how to cook something. I started the oil heating up when somehow I left to wake my SIL up and by the time I got back to the kitchen, it was blazin'. I did not know how to cook well at that time and certainly did not know how to put out a grease fire. I exacerbated the situation and it was a real mess. Finally, my FIL, my sweet FIL, called me and told me how to put it out. Imagine. A few minutes is a long time in a situation like this! He sent his houseboy the next day to wipe down my brand new kitchen in my brand new apartment. It was now a grey color.

The funniest thing was I met a bunch of Latina ladies and they came over and one of them commented on my cool paint job. They asked me how I got this intricate design and the color of light grey on the walls. I told them, "Oh, easy, just catch your kitchen on fire and the smoke damage will give you that effect!". I laughed so hard and they just kept looking at me. They must have thought that by me growing up in the States sullied my humor or something!

Funny Story 2

Ali was about 3 years old and I had just picked him up from his nursery school. I stopped at the gas station to buy him a little CapriSun Orange drink that he asked for. When I got back in the car, I proceeded to open it. You know, it has that little orange straw and if you don't prick it just right with the beveled edge it can be a huge mess? Well, I got the straw in fine and proceeded to take a sip so it would not splash out on him when he received it from me. Right, so I turned to hand it to him and when I turned back around, there were TWO Omani men staring at me with their jaws agape! When I realized that I broke my fast and felt the judgment of these two men whom were still standing with their mouths open like I killed somebody; I got so flustered. What did I do next? Oh my, I made the sign of the cross on my body like the good Catholic girl I was for all my life save a few years!! The men then got angry and were insolent towards me so I put the car in reverse and shot out of that area so fast! I had to pull over because I started laughing my butt off!

I had only been a Muslim for about 5 years but still, the Catholic in me came out in a moment of sheer distress. I never, to this day, have told my husband because, bless him, he would not find the humor in this little story!

I innocently broke my fast and Allah ta'allah forgives these transgressions. I'm sure he did not mind my sign of the cross either as my intentions were pure and good.

So, what is your funny story or two??

3rd week of Ramadan outing...

2011-08-28T11:18:00.000+04:00

Last week sometime we went and met with Amal's friends and went to La Mer but it was fully booked so we ended up at Cafe Barbera. It was a disappointment but nonetheless, we ate. Here is a picture of my appetizers. I love buffets!!

This is called Kibbe. It is what I know as being Lebanese in origin but popular in all of Arabia. I don't know how they make it but it is goooood! I decided to learn how to make them as we all really liked them.

The plates were all gone and so I ended up with a salad plate for my main course. I really, really liked the chicken on the left with the rice. The beef with the grilled eggplant was tough and the noodles were nice.

This was Amal and my favorite thing! It is lemon mint juice and very refreshing and sweet and tart!

The desserts. Of course, if there isn't Umali/Omali, then it is not a 'good' dessert buffet in my humble opinion. The chocolate things were what Ali went on about at La Mer at the company outing. These two restaurants are affiliated with eachother and so they had SOME of the same items. I did not like it. Too chocolately but I am glad Ali liked them so much!

Gotta try a bite of everything!

Here is Amal on the left with two of her Omani friends. I am so glad that she keeps in touch with them as she has no other way to meet local girls anymore being in the International school. Thanks Rayyan for reading my blog too! I like how the girls call me Khalti (Auntie with respect).

We are now in the final stretch of Ramadan with lots of preparations for Eid on Wednesday. We are going to attempt to go out with these same girls to La Mer this week and well, lots is going on in this last week. Hair apointments, mani/pedi's, school shopping, food shopping and preparations to come, gifts to buy for Eid, cleaning the house, saying goodbye to the part time Ramadan maid (boohoo!) and now the kids are sick! Wabooyeh!

I've been featured!!

2011-08-23T18:38:00.005+04:00

The lovely and sweet Angela over at Cut to Pieces has done a really interesting series on her blog called Quilting Around the World!

She posted on my blog and we have conversed via email before several times and she is featuring me!

Please go take a few minutes to read up on this! So far, Ayumi, a very talented and interesting gal from Japan is the first one and I am the 2nd one featured!

What a thrill Angela! Thank you!

Kitchen Hazards....

2011-08-23T17:56:00.001+04:00

Working in the kitchen can be dangerous, just take a look at the photos below!

I was washing dishes the other day and broke a glass and cut myself pretty good. It hurt this time too!

This was the worst cut.

I nicked my thumb...

and on top of my hand...

My pinky kept bleeding so much!

The color of blood is so pretty though!

The three spots...

Then, I made pancakes or was it before? I had a cup of tea too and yes, I am not fasting.

Today I was making my sister's recipe of Parisian Chicken. I was trying to make a dish that I had the other night at Cafe Barbera that I have yet to post about. It was so nice. I looked on the net but couldn't find anything then remembered this recipe and made this. I added potatoes.

It is a whole chicken with some chicken breasts (for Amal) that have been coated with flour and spices and then browned in BUTTER and then put aside and then, how about I post the recipe!!??

As I was adding the broth, I got burned by the steam. My daughter came in just then and gave me the Flamazine. This is a wonderful product.

I slathered all the affected areas which is basically the top of my hand. It hurts and I am here now posting about it and Amal is making the rice for me.

I still have time to make a dessert but what???

SANDI'S CHICKEN PARISIAN

1/4 cup flour

1/4 tsp. paprika

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

salt to taste

1 whole chicken or 6 chicken breasts

8 oz. sliced fresh mushrooms

3 Tbsp. butter

1/2 cup water + 1 cup white wine (or 3/4 cup chicken broth)

2 tsp. chicken bullion

2 tsp. parsley

1/4 tsp. Thyme

I don't use wine to cook so I used two Maggie stock cubes in a cup of boiling water. I did not have parsley as I don't like it and put the Thyme in the stock.

Combine flour, paprika and pepper, garlic powder and salt in a plastic bag. Add a few chicken pieces at a time and shake until well coated. Place the chicken in a skillet with the butter to brown. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Add remaining ingredients to the skillet. Simmer 3 minutes. I added the sliced potatoes at this point cut at 1/4" thick and round. Add the chicken and simmer an additional 20 minutes.

Serve over butter noodles or rice.

I am using rice this time but like it more with noodles.

Please remember that this is a recipe using all American measurements.

Please don't hurt yourself in the kitchen!

Thanks for stopping by and let me know if you made this and liked it!

Night views of my house...

2011-08-20T20:04:00.001+04:00

A friend asked to see pictures of my house. I have some from a few years ago but for now I will post these shots that I took the other night when we were coming back from Iftar/Dinner out at a new place.

The view is so pretty and I tried to capture it. We see the moon and a VERY tall tree that can be seen from far away as we live on a hill and it is the tallest tree.

This one might be the best one. You can see the Moon, the tree and the house.

Here as I creeped up closer to pull into my property; the moon went behind the tree and I just think it is pretty.

and, the last one and best one with the Moon behind.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hardanger Bargello Table Runner Progress...

2011-08-19T15:41:00.003+04:00

Thanks to Jean over at Jean Creates asking what had I been working on over the summer or recently; got me thinking of all that I need to do to fulfill those deadlines and goals. I love spending time with my kids during the summer. I love not having to get up at 5:30 or 6:00am. I love that the kids are old enough to fix themselves breakfast and lunch. So, all I have to do is make a killer dinner! I love not having to flee to pick them up at 2:30.

All this, however, comes with a price. I don't sew. I have been so fortunate this Ramadan or August to have a part time maid come in and clean the house for me. I still have lots to do but it sure has given me some free time.

My dryer started to squeak really loudly and now I have to change it out and there isn't any American sized dryer available in all of Oman. 'After Eid' says the young Yahyah! (the guy's name). So, I run the dryer when the man isn't home as he doesn't like the squeak. I keep an eye on it so it doesn't explode on me. But then, this is said by the girl who eats expired yogurt and is sick for a day or two!

Anyway, Jean found my blog somehow and has been an avid follower and commenter and I love it! Thank you Jean.

So, without further ado...here is my Hardanger Bargello Table Runner in progress.

Here is the complete top. It is a LOT of work people. I also damaged my right arm with so much hand work years ago and this is the only thing that I do regularly anymore by hand. Quilting is all by machine. However, there are always exceptions!

This is a little closer and the color is closer to this picture. The color of the fabric and thread is a light lavender and very pretty. I have two more colors to add and there will be an intricate design sewn in.

What have I done with it this summer? I finished the outline of the piece. I know it doesn't look like much, but it was just a lot of work. I have all these loose threads to anchor still and then I missed one little section that I have to go back to do and then I have to figure out the next step.

All in all, I am pleased with myself. I love this work and can't wait to buy a little round table to put this on when finished!

Thanks for stopping by. Off to make THREE cakes for the family!

To make this a little fun, can anyone find the break in the pattern where I missed some stitches? It repeats so you have to tell me how many times I missed this!

I MIGHT SEND YOU A PRIZE OF SORTS!!??

I'll give you until Sunday night, Middle East time so GMT+4. Doesn't that sound cool? GMT+4....

Omani Bakhoor and Luban

2011-08-16T17:17:00.003+04:00

I have recently learned to love Bakhoor. What is this? Read here. Every house or State or area makes their own from what I gather and therefore you have different scents. I bought this MABKHARA from the nicest Museum gift shop a couple of weeks ago. It is from Salalah, which is in the South of Oman. I like it because it is red and very colorful. I have had several over the years but broke them as they are made of clay.

Khalid, Amal's Oud teacher gave the girls little kits from Salalah that he bought for them when he took his summer vacation before Ramadan. He put in some extra Luban and Incense in Amal's bag so I grabbed them! I really like the floral perfume scent.

Thank you Khalid!

The coal that came with the kit doesn't work so nicely for us and we have a stash already so all you do is take a square and put it on your stove and let the flames light it up. Once it is red, you take it and put it in this Mabkhara or incense burner.

Side view...

Then you take the Bakhoor which comes in these little copper or metal containers and they are all taped up and then open it up...

and the fragrance hits you! You take a pinch of this and...

Put it on the coal. It starts to smoke up and you either let it permeate the room or walk around with it to perfume the larger area.

It is burning out here and I am walking around my Studio with it.

I then put more on, as I am still new to this whole thing. Yes, my husband burns it but I never really paid attention to it. So, I took it over to my abaya and put it inside to perfume the fabric.

Putting it way in there!

and then you just hold it so that the smoke perfumes the cloth.

I then went to my favorite scarf to perfume that...

which I bought at the Cleveland airport last summer and have gotten so many compliments on it. When I don't use it on my head, I wrap it around my neck in a cool European slip knot!

Here is how I am storing the luban and the bakhoor.

This huge bag of Luban was included. I don't like it as much but my daughter likes to mix the bakhoor and the luban. Frankincense to English speakers. Oman grows some of the finest in the world. Read more here and you can see the little copper containers with the bakhoor in one of the pictures in this article.

Please go to my daughter's blog to read more about this subject.

It lasts a long time in the clothes. I love when a woman walks by and you get a waft of this scent. I mean, they are all different but you know it is this versus perfume.

My husband's family doesn't care for it much and whenever my husband burns it, he puts it in the AC room so it goes through the ducts in our Central Air and permeates the house. The house gets so smoky that it is suffocating. It helps to mask the smell or kill the smell of cooking and also kills mosquitos. Yes!

I will post later tonight or tomorrow my first stash of bakhoor that my friend Nola shared with me before she went back to America for university. These are wonderful too.

Thanks for stopping by. Now, off to shower as we are going to, yep, La Mer again tonight! Three times this month! It's all good!

The Help...Must see summer movie...

2011-08-16T16:20:00.000+04:00

This is a must see movie. I really enjoyed it. Go here to view what it is about. There is talk about this little gem being Oscar worthy! I sure do know how to pick them! I know of most of the cast and it is a story about 1960's Southern America and the turbulent times of Metger Evers, Martin Luther King, segregation between African Americans and Whites and more. Such a horrible time in our history. There is humor, sadness and stuff that really pissed me off! My parents suffered a little discrimination when we came to the United States in the same era. I'm not comparing myself to the millions of African Americans but as a Hispanic in Mid America we have stories to tell too. Enjoy!

I woke up physically ill today....

2011-08-15T18:25:00.000+04:00

You know those light bulb moments in life? I just had my own epiphany. I woke up really ill and just feeling like, yucky. I ran to the post office and to the store today but still, I even cooked for my husband. He did not want that soup after all! :-( It's ok. The kids and I will eat it.

Anyway, I was posting the last post and was getting ready to get off the computer to go make Ali something.

Then, I realized why I was ill. I was sorta worried that it was the soup. IT WAS NOT!! It was the yogurt I put in it. It expired last month. hahahaha. How STUUUUUPID can one be???? I thought my stomach could handle it. NOT!! So, mystery solved. Ali and I had a great laugh over it.

And I am still feeling yucky!

Company Fatoor/Iftar this past Saturday...

2011-08-15T17:47:00.003+04:00

Good afternoon everyone! I am really excited to post this post as I had so much fun the other night. The story goes like this...

My husband started an Oil company five years ago. He brought over (before that) an Omani friend he met when we lived in Saudi and they worked for an Oil company. He brought over another friend from Yemen that we met during the same time in Saudi. This was the core group. I shall spare anymore details for safety's sake I guess.

Anyway, the company has flourished, thank God, and the GM holds a company Iftar party every Ramadan. Now, I hope my readers understand that during Ramadan, we Muslims refrain from eating and drinking and any other worldly pleasures during daylight hours. When the sun sets, we are meant to break the fast with special foods. It is a really joyous time for Muslims as they are meant to become closer to God and build their knowledge of Islam.

Many if not all the restaurants in town have special Fatoor/Iftar packages and it is so much fun. But then, I like to eat and talk so I am in my element!

This was the first time in five years that the kids and I went. I only knew Zahran, the GM and his wife and family and Fouad. I saw Fouad and sat across from him. Samia came later and spent most of her time being the hostess to the other wives. She told me later that she was introducing me to them by telling them who I was. I felt the stares and looks but did not speak to anyone that I did not know because for however friendly and loud I am; I don't like walking into a crowd of people that I do not know and become shy. Plus, my husband wasn't there but he was the man who started the company so imagine my place?? I get to meet these ladies again at Z and S's house next week so I hope to talk to them properly. Check out these pics!

Oh, funny enough, we went to Le Mer again. Two times this month so far I go out and to the same place! I don't mind, the menu was different and the company was great!

This was my second helping of SHUWA. It is goat cooked the traditional Arab way in the ground. It has a menagerie of spices and the drippings are supposed to go on the rice. I love the rice because it has nuts. Yep! This was VERY good. Hence the 2nd helping! It was also served with a yogurt that had salt and pepper and veggies in it. So good!

Forget about the starters and all. I forgot to take pictures.

The only, the ONLY dessert that I took was UMALI or OMALI. Holy cow this is my favorite from the Middle East! It is like a bread pudding. It's made of puff pastry or bread or croissants and cream or milk and sugar and nuts and I CAN NOT make it! I will! One day!

Amal took this picture of me. I was in my Happy Place!

Ali then ran and took some pictures of the desserts. Feast your eyes. I have no idea what they are except for oh I see Baklava. Uh huh...

This was Ali's favorite of the night. When he went to get me one they were 'sold out momma'.

The desserts are always fun to look at if not try. So much variety and sugar!

Isn't this a gorgeous photo of Umali? It might not look like much to the eye but I love it.

I saw this recipe in a local magazine with the recipe from a celebrity Arab chef. From what I gather, it is like mini pancakes rolled into a cone and filled with some kind of cream and rolled in nuts. I tried it with Iggy and the girls and my kids but it did nothing for me.

This is Ali's favorite picture and it is nice. Mini cheesecakes.

Back to my Umali! OMG!

Ali again took this shot of me eating it. Can you SEE how happy I am??

This was placed throughout the tables to break the fast. We have golden raisins, apricots and dates.

This is Joe. The men met in Saudi. I guess I was too busy having Ali then! He did not know anything about me and was really surprised at 'How good and strong of an American accent I had and the kids had'. Hello, I am American! Men in these parts don't talk about their women it seems.

Fouad ordered Turkish coffee and it was like crude oil. I loved the set that it came out in. I was smitten! Then Joe had ordered Arabic Tea. I loved this set too and asked for that. I then asked him to order it for me and he did. His cup was red and mine was blue and it had these floaties in it which, ya know, I was sceptical until Fouad claimed that they were pine nuts. I would have liked mine a little sweeter but it was nice. You lift the thing high and pour it into the glass. It's all silver and very Arab.

Oh, I finished my ONE serving of Umali!

Here is my blue glass cup with tea.

Another shot. They serve it with a little cloth pot holder for a lack of a better word. It is HOT.

Here is Fouad. Sorry it is blurry. He served himself a huge plate of all kinds of deserts!

Amal is talking to Nizar. This kid is BRILLIANT. Like uber smart. Fouad was teasing him for talking to a girl instead of the kids his age. He knows where it's at! We are smitten with him!

Ali got creative with my tea. See the floaties? They are pine nuts. I said that already!

Here is Lulu posing for Ali.

She is so darned cute too. She only speaks Arabic right now. She will learn English and then I will grab her! She lets me kiss her and hug her and comes to me so I am happy.

Here are Lulu and Mr. Nawaf. He is gorgeous too.

This man on the right is Zahran. He is the General Manger of the company. He was giving out 5 year awards or something. Watches he told me. I want my readers to see the difference in head gear that the Omani's wear. Z has on a turban or MUSSAR. The dude on the left and the two sitting down are wearing the KUMA. I can sew these but the work involved hurts my right arm. Z's is formal and the others are casual.

Here is an example of two different colors of Mussars. Each tribe or area folds them their own way but the same as everyone else if you can comprehend that explanation?

Here is Hamad. Gosh he looks like his Mom. He is Z's little brother. I absolutely LOVED his beard! When I complimented him he seemed truly appreciative that SOMEONE noticed! Then, we went to get that 2nd serving of Shuwa and I started talking to him about that guy that died in our car before Ramadan started and he got confused until he realized I thought he was the other brother Yasser. Ooops! The three brothers look so alike. Z looks completely different to his brothers. Anyway, that embarrassing moment over I told him that I am used to seeing him at his house in the village and much more, um, comfortable?

Anyway, I asked if I could take pics and put on my blog of his cool beard, he said 'yes!'. I embarrassed the kids but hey!

Front shot. So handsome, masha'allah! Oooh, these Arab men!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Taco Soup

2011-08-15T02:17:00.005+04:00

Busy day and the hubster did not like what I made for the kids. Which was nothing so can't blame him???
So, quite late tonight, like around 9pm ish I started cooking. I made this South Beach friendly Taco Soup. I love it. Ali really likes it and Amal is eh about it. Oh, the hubby tolerates it.

Here is the recipe. You should try it. It is one of my quicker and easier recipes.

Onions and beef. Together, no segregation.

Need a can of chopped tomatoes.

Brown the meat and onions and garlic.

Taste it man!

Add the chopped tomatoes and water.

Kidney beans. I think it's cool to see the Arabic writing! ??

Drain the beans.

1 packet of tomato paste. About, gee I don't have a clue.

Ah, Old El Paso. We get it here. It means the 'old road' in Spanish. 1 packet.

Here I added the beans and seasoning and tomato puree. I need to learn to make my own seasoning for Tacos.

Add plenty of Salt and Pepper to your liking. I like more pepper. These are the mills Amal brought me back from Italy. Bless her heart!

Ok. Once all mixed. Let it cook.

Healthy version. Just serve as is....

My version: Add Cheddar cheese...

See it melt! ooohhh....

Plenty of chips! Not potato. Corn.

Crumble them over the soup. How much? As much as you want. They are YOUR legs you have to lift!

Dig in and think of me and send me kudos!

Taco Soup

from the internet but adapted to my own tastes

500 grams or 1 pound extra lean ground beef

1 onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 1/2 cups water. More if need be.

1 can diced tomatoes with juice

1 can kidney beans, drained

1 8oz can tomato sauce or

1 packet tomato puree or both!

2 Tbsp. Taco seasoning or an envelope!

cheddar cheese

plain yogurt

Tostitos White Corn chips or Doritos

1. Cook ground beef and onion in a medium saucepan until browned. Add garlic.

2. Mix in water, tomatoes, kidney beans, tomato sauce and taco seasoning and salt and pepper. Bring to a boil.

3. Cover and reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

4. Serve with or without cheese, yogurt, and chips.

It's that easy!

Farewell Wolters Family!

2011-08-15T00:50:00.003+04:00

Where did the day go? Gosh, it zapped by! We went to say our very last goodbyes to the Wolters Family at their hotel. I left Amal there for the day. Back home, our electricity went out for about a little over an hour.

Iggy said something very comforting to me: "Farewells are not forever, only if you want them to be." Something like that. Gee, I can't remember. The girls spent the whole day together. Here are some photos I took in the afternoon when I picked Amal up.

The final embrace in my car. So sad. No tears though. Stoic girls.

It's so bleedin' hot so Iggy jumped in my car to chat while Charlie and Amal ran back up to the room to get Amal's guitar book that she had lent Charlie. We had our last chat and here she is getting out.

Here the girls are being separated verbally by Mom.

Farewell friends. Hope to see you soon!

Waaaaaaaaa (me crying)

I've been Tagged! My first time!!

2011-08-14T19:10:00.005+04:00

Tagged

I’ve been tagged by ChickFlickJournal:

– Available: For what? I am married.

– Age: Age is but a number.

– Animals: Love cats. I have two Persians and one outdoor cat and one tortoise. I had a friend, when a little girl, whom raised wild cats for various zoos around America. I met Bob Cats; Tigers; Lions; full grown male mind you!, Puma's, Cerval's, Ocelot's, Leopards; spotted and black; and so many more exotic ones. This started my love affair with cats.

– Beer: I used to like to cook with it and wash my hair with it.

– Best friends: I have 3.

– Body Part on opposite sex: Just ONE? Mmmm....????

– Best feeling in the world: when my kids excel. It makes my heart fly.

– Best weather: Just right!

– Been in Love: Yes

– Been on stage: Yes

– Believe in Magic: No

– Believe in Santa: No

– Brand: Porsche, LV, Coach, Amouage, Brighton. I have these but it is not important to me.

– Candy: Chocolate is NOT candy in the West. Jolly Ranchers - Watermelon. The only candy I like. I do love chocolate too though!

– Color: Rainbow. Love color. They all represent something different to me.

– Chocolate/Vanilla: Depends for what. Both. Together. Separate.

- Chinese/Indian/Italian: Yes please. I can cook all these cuisines too!

- Cake or pie: All kinds of cake. Peach Pie, Chocolate cream pie. yum..

– Cheese: I like it. Grilled Halloumi. Munster in Colombian Chocolate (a drink); Mozzerella, Cheddar.

– Day or Night: Day is good and Night is even better. I don't sleep much!

– Dancing in the rain: Favorite past time of mine. Running in the rain too. Love the smell of the earth. Love the feeling between my toes. Love to see worms an hour after, surface the ground. Love to search for a rainbow.

– Eyes: A thing of Beauty. Mirror into one's soul. Expressive, deceiving, haunting.

– Ever failed a class?: Never.

– Enemies: I love everyone, even those that hurt me. I have been hurt recently and am trying to hate but can't. I deal and then turn my back on the individual. It's a long process for me though.

– Exercise: Tredmill, floor exercises. Soon, belly dancing and latino dancing. Been regular.

– First thoughts waking up: 'Seize the day!' that or, 'ugh, already????'

– Food: love it. hate it. love to cook for those that appreciate it. love to eat it.

– Greatest Fear: losing my kids. being alone in my golden years.

– Get along with your parents: Yes, my Mom is the coolest!

– Hair Color: dark chocolate brown with a hint of red; leaning towards becoming a silver fox though!

– Happy: content for the most part

– Holiday: I have been so lucky to have gone to so many places and there are still so many places I have yet to visit!

– Ice Cream: Jamoca Almond Fudge from Baskin Robbins and Coffee from Haagen Daas.

– Jewelry: Yes thank you. Real stuff though.

– Job: In America I was in Property Management in my last job. I was good at it. I want to work now but....

– Kids: I love my own. They are two amazing kids.

– Kickboxing or karate: Not for me but I don't mind watching.

– Keep a journal?: I guess my blog.

– Love: It is beautiful; heartbreaking; a necessity and hard to find. What is your definition of love? I wonder what people think of it.

– Laughed so hard you cried: yeah and peed in my pants. Thank God I was home!

- Milk flavor: regular fresh milk. Chocolate milk made with Hershey's syrup. KDD Chocolate Milk.

– Movies: Love to watch yes. I was an extra in a Hollywood movie. I like foreign films and Indie films too.

– Motion sickness: Not usually.

– Number: 6

– One wish: For my children to grow into decent adults that accomplish what they want and are happy.

– Perfect Pizza: St. Louis: Imo's. Italy: Margharita. Home: My own thin crust.

– Pepsi/Coke: Pepsi and Diet Coke.

– Perfume/Cologne: Amouage: Lyric. Bath and Body Works: Japanese Cherry Blossom Body Wash, Body Lotion and Perfume. Layer it girls! It is a GOOD thing!

– Quail: They run through my garden on occasion. A better word is QUILTS: Yes, I quilt, I make quilts and I love to use my quilts. I am a Quilter.

– Reason to cry: When mean people hurt me; like recently. Injustice. Sadness. Happiness.

– Reality T.V: The Kardashians; American Idol

– Radio Station: I prefer my iPod. I like Faiq on English FM too. Met Sami from Merge two weeks ago.

– Song: All types of music. Am into Arabic these days and always Rock. Jeff Buckley is amazing. RIP.

– Shoe size: 39

– Salad Dressing: My homemade Caesar. My Mom's Vinegar and Oil.

– Skinny dip: I have! I will again next summer at home?? :-0

– Strawberries/Blueberries: Both

– Sport: Swimming and horseback riding.

- Sex: uh huh!

– Tattoos?: only Henna and in interesting places! ;-)
– Thunderstorms: love them. love running in them. standing in them. the threat of it all!

– Unpredictable: I hope so.

– Vacation spot(s): There are so many places I want to go and so many I have been to!

– Weakness: I will not tell you.

– Who makes you laugh the most: Amal, Ali, Zahran, Uki, Lance

– Worst Weather?: sticky; but I have experienced and survived -0 and 100*F +, so there.

– X-Rays: had a mamogram once, that sucked. had my arm broken too.

-Year it is now: 2011

-Yellow: A bright, happy color

– Zoo animal: I love zoo animals!

Thanks. If you want to be tagged. Let me know. I can't take the rejection today!

edited to add: For your reading pleasure!

1. ChickFlickJournal
2. Amu
3. Jean

Coffeebean's Dailies

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Rain In Muscat

Newest member of our family...

"An Italian Evening"

How to Eat a Shwarma!

I'm back!!!!!.....

I'm sprucing up my Eid dress!

Learning Tanbura

My daughter practicing with various people for a performance...

Misty Mystery Quilt....FINISHED!

Sandi Henderson in my mailbox!

Frankie has made a visit!

Random Sightings....

October brings good things...and random thoughts...

New Blog Button. Testing....

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Hardanger Bargello Table Runner Progress...92711

I got an award!

I had a GREAT day today! How about your day?

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One flower almost done!

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Hardanger Bargello Table Runner Progress...1011

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A look over time....*weep, weep*

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Pink Roses and Red Louis'

More Hardanger projects from my buds today...

Where were YOU 10 years ago when 9/11 happened in the USA?

Hardanger Photos for Wendy!

Sunshine Award! My first blog award!

How to make Roti...Must watch. Too funny!

Five things I am grateful for...

Blog Headers thus far...

Eid Holidays are over, almost!

Eid Mubarak!

A little taste of Colombia

Congratulations to.....AMU from Kuwait!

Funniest Memories of Ramadan...

3rd week of Ramadan outing...

I've been featured!!

Kitchen Hazards....

Night views of my house...

Hardanger Bargello Table Runner Progress...

Omani Bakhoor and Luban

The Help...Must see summer movie...

I woke up physically ill today....

Company Fatoor/Iftar this past Saturday...

Taco Soup

Farewell Wolters Family!

I've been Tagged! My first time!!

Tagged

A look over time....weep, weep