Wednesday Workings

After yarn shopping on Wednesday with my friend Susana, I made a scarf the same nite. I am so glad Gwen taught me the trellis stitch as I used it all the time and so easy to do with different types of yarns.

Unexpected surprises

My friend at school, Leslie is on the right. Yesterday she surprised me with a lot of little gifts and I made a thank you card for her last nite with some of the materials she gave me. I love unexpected surprises!

Monday Evening

Unable to post pictures again. Will try tomorrow. Goodnite!

Before and After

I bought a simple white towel from Ikea and will add a border to it. Still have a little cross-stitching left to do and then will have to attach it, but it's almost complete. :)

Ramadan Dinner

We had a simple dinner of homemade tomato soup (Sam's mom's recipe); brown lentils with rice (eaten with yogurt); salad; baked sambousa; and dates. It's the only all vegetarian meal that my family loves!

Creative Crafting

Hi Gwen! Remember the picture we saw in the magazine of a button heart that was framed. I used that concept to make these cards and stitched a quote about friendship which I glued to the bottom.

Ramadan Begins Tomorrow

Dates are a big part of Ramadan. A friend gave these fresh dates to Sam. This date tree is just off our balcony.

Quote

“Until you value yourself, you will not value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it.”

-- M. Scott Peck

Cross-stitching

Gwen is always challenging me to create and craft, so last nite I started cross-stitching and finished it this morning. Working on black material isn't so easy anymore. Couldn't get a good picture. The quote says "An old friend met in a far country is like rain after a drought." (Chinese Proverb) I hope to make it into a pillow with the sadu style fabric.

Plant shopping

We had some pots that were empty so did some plant shopping today. It is sooooooo humid outside. I won't be able to do planting on the balcony until the weather gets better. Hope that will be soon.

Lunch

One of my favorite meals and so easy. Black beans with rice, topped with salsa, tomatoes, onions, avocado, sour cream. Delicious!

Humid

Although this picture was taken in Sharjah, it shows just how humid it was. Of course, when you are standing in it, you can't see the humidity, but my camera is rather sensitive and picks it up when the photo is taken. It's very humid in Kuwait right now. Haven't walked in a few days and you feel like you could literally cut through the air with a knife.

Third day back to school

I'm back at work with short hours (8:30-1:30 pm) so days go fast. Having internet and computer problems so unable to post pictures, blog, scrap, etc. It is very frustrating!

We are Back!

I wrote a message in the sand when we took our Desert Safari trip. More to come about our weekend getaway!

Morning Bloom

"WHERE FLOWERS BLOOM SO DOES HOPE." (Lady Bird Johnson -- Public Roads: Where Flowers Bloom)This is a bloom on my balcony -- it's called moss rose and grows in hot and dry climates. It's about the only thing that has thrived in this climate for years now.

I count myself in nothing else so happy

As in a soul remembering my good friends.

(William Shakespeare)

Journal

I took an idea from my cousin, Gwen, to create my own journal. Last year, she took my picture and made it look like a magazine cover so I used that for the front of my journal.

 Inside, I paste tips, recipes and photos that I've collected from magazines. This combines them all in one place so that I have a quick and easy reference for what I might be looking for.

 Last nite I tried a new recipe called Calibasita which I served with sundried tomato couscous.

I wrote a note next to the recipe of what I thought about it and how I changed it up. Was quite tasty! My goal is to try at least one new recipe a week. Bon Appetit!

Good morning!

The moment when you first wake up in the morning is the most wonderful of the twenty-four hours. No matter how weary or dreary you may feel, you possess the certainty that, during the day that lies before you, absolutely anything may happen. And the fact that it practically always doesn't, matters not a jot. The possibility is always there. (Monica Baldwin)

At least for last nite, I conquered jet lag and got a full 8 hours or so of sleep. For the past several nites, I had only gotten a few hours of sleep. Kids are still staying up til early morning hours and then sleeping til nearly noon.

Goodnight

To all, to each, a fair good-night, And pleasing dreams, and slumbers light. (Sir Walter Scott)

Honeoye Lake, Honeoye NY

Forget cleaning

I decided not to clean so much today and do some crafting instead; especially since Gwen challenged me to get some things made by tomorrow.



The first is a bookmark that combines card, scrapbook paper and cross-stitching; the middle is a card I made with a garden picture I took while in Wooster, OH;

and the last is a coffee can that I wrapped with scrapbook paper. It says "Hugs & Kisses" -- and the quote at the bottom is "There's nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with chocolate." I will get some pink netting or tissue paper and wrap up Hershey's kisses to place inside. "Creativity can solve almost any problem. The creative act, the defeat of habit by originality overcomes everything." (George Lois)

Cleaning Spree

My friend, Maria, gave me a plaque that reads "A clean house is the sign of a wasted life." Unfortunately, sometimes cleaning is necessary, and after a month away, it is required. I cleaned my bedroom and the living room yesterday -- washed curtains, rearranged furniture. Today I tackle the tv room.

Morning Message

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. Anne Frank
Picture taken outside my mom's complex in Wooster, OH.

Happy to be "Home"

We are happy to be home but sure do miss America the Beautiful! Gwen took this picture of me and the boys while we were in NY. I am going to enlarge and frame it. DELIGHT IN THE BEAUTY THAT SURROUNDS YOU!

Monday Message to Melissa

Thanks for all your comments on my blog. I appreciate your steadfast friendship and constant encouragement. You are definitely a ray of sunshine in the lives of all those who are fortunate enough to call you friend. Love ya!

Pretty in Pink

Pink was the color for the day. My cousin, Gwen, had a pink party. Everyone had to wear pink and bring a pink gift to be exchanged. We had a very nice time and the weather was absolutely perfect. Thanks Gwen! I think you should do it more often.

Happy Birthday Mom

Today is my mom's birthday. Unfortunately -- she does not have access to a computer, so will not see this, but I will give her a call in just a bit and Zack is ready to sing happy birthday. This picture was taken in Wooster OH, at my uncle's house.

Sunday Smiles

The world always looks brighter from behind a smile. ~Author Unknown

Yusef painted his arm with white out while we were at my mom's in Ohio -- smiles are free so give them away every day!

Goodnight!

"Oh, the summer night, Has a smile of light, And she sits on a sapphire throne."- Barry Cornwall
(Photo taken at Canandaigua Lake during our trip to New York)

AUGUST -- A NEW MONTH

Greetings to all! I've been away the past week which is why there's been no new postings. The kids and I travelled to Canandaigua NY to see Renee and her kids and Melissa with her boys. My cousin Gwen, from Michigan, was able to make the road trip with us. We had a very nice time. The area was beautiful! Long drive but well worth it. The above picture is the girls along with Michelle, Renee's sister. More postings to come! Best wishes to all and Happy August!