Happy Halloween!

After Saturday's dusty weather, skies have been blue and filled with clouds.



According to weather reports, we had a few drops of rain somewhere in Kuwait. Not enough to really talk about obviously.

Jingles is keeping watch for things that go bump in the night.

Witches flying past on broomsticks,
Black cats leaping here and there,
White-robed spooks on every corner,
Mournful moaning in the air,

Goblins peering out of windows,
Spirit-things that rap and run-
But don't be scared-it's just October,
Having one last hour of fun!
(Mary Jane Carr)

I hope today you get more treats than tricks.

Eat, drink and be scary! Tammy

Handcrafted Bazaar and Back to Viaggio

Yesterday I headed to Sadu House where The Kuwait Textiles Art Association was holding its annual Handcrafted Bazaar.



These camel quilts were only on display.



But I did buy 10 raffle tickets for this elephant quilt. Unfortunately, did not receive that 3 pm call to say that I had won.

I didn't take any pictures inside the display area -- small space and too many people.





There were a couple of Bedouin women who were selling their Sadu weavings. I bought one of their wallhangings but have a slight problem -- no blank wall space on which to hang it.

After shopping, I headed with friends to Viaggio for lunch.

My tastebuds were ready for another culinary journey.

And I just couldn't get the risotto with mushrooms and asparagus out of my head.

Yum! It was just as good as I thought it would be.

Hope you are having a peaceful, relaxing Sunday in your corner of the world. Best wishes and blessings, Tammy

Weather Woes

Weather started off nice this morning.

But as the day progressed.

The wind picked up and a dust storm rolled in.

The birds dropped by for a snack before it got too bad.

Jingles thought they were there just for her entertainment.

So tell me, what's happening outside your window today?

Hope it's better than what we got going on here. Best wishes and blessings, Tammy

Last Friday

Most Fridays are family day here. It's the only entire day hubby has off so we usually go out for lunch.

Although hubby is not a big fan of pasta, and therefore says he doesn't like Italian food, our oldest son kept telling us about a new restaurant we should try called Viaggio.

From the bread basket to the salad.

To my order of linguine pesto with potatoes, pine nuts and parmesan.

And all the way to dessert, which came with my meal, I did not leave even one morsel, one crumb, one bite behind.

Hubby was happy too because he ordered beef tenderloin.

I looked up their website and it turns out that Viaggio in Italian translates to "journey". I can tell you that my tastebuds certainly were taken on a wonderful culinary journey.

There are locations in Chicago, Saratoga, CA, Germany and, of course, Italy. I will definitely be going back again. I think the risotto is calling my name.

Hope you have a fantastic Friday and a wonderful weekend. Best wishes and blessings, Tammy

From Tween to Teen

My inquisitive, outspoken, wild and crazy child turns 13 today.

Let's see ... Yusef turned 16 earlier this month, we had our 17th wedding anniversary, and Zack turned 13. Those numbers just happen to add up to how old I'll be when my birthday rolls around in February.

My how time flies. Hope you are having a great day! Best wishes and blessings, Tammy

Ginger for Tea on Tuesday

Ginger has been revered in Indian and Chinese civilizations for over 5000 years for its powerful health imparting properties.

Today I am having Ginger & Mandarin tea.

Ginger is said to have properties that ease cramps and nausea; benefit those with circulatory disorders and lessen the pain of rheumatoid arthritis; prevent inflammation of blood vessels in the brain that lead to migraines; and stimulate disgestion.

I wonder if stem ginger baked up in a cookie and covered in dark chocolate has the same health benefits?

For more tea, please stop by Kimmie's place at Art in Red Wagons.

Hope you are having a terrific Tuesday. Best wishes and blessings, Tammy

Mary Go Round

This is a pattern I have wanted to try for awhile. An unused bracelet, some yarn ...

and I have my very first Mary Go Round.

My bracelet was a bit bigger so I have more shells than the pattern calls for. Check out Lola Nova for the pattern and to see how she used them as frames. Bolman De Marco used her Mary Go Rounds to frame fabric. So pretty!

Today has actually been a doozy. No crochet has taken place since the weekend. Time to hit the hay for tomorrow is another day. Hope all is well in your corner of the world. Best wishes and blessings, Tammy

It's Hard to Make the Bed

When the cat gets in the way.

Yes, that lump is Jingles.

It took a while to coax her out.

I'm happy to report that several of our teachers at school are involved in cat rescue. Today I took the abandoned Persian kitty to one of them who will keep her until Wednesday. At that time, kitty will be taken to the shelter where she will be cleaned and groomed, given shots and spayed. When rescues are taken in, the shelter asks for a donation to offset costs and I was more than glad to pay. At least now I can sleep at night knowing that I did the right thing for her. She really is such a sweet little thing. I hope now she can find a forever home.

Wishing you all a sensational Sunday. Peace & blessings, Tammy

Cooler Days

How doth the little busy bee
Improve each shining hour,
And gather honey all the day
From every opening flower!
~Isaac Watts, "Divine Songs"

We had blustery weather Thursday and Friday. A bit of haze and dust caused the morning and evening temps to drop into the 60's.

But today is a lovely cool morning with beautiful blue skies.

Moss roses close up into tiny little buds at night and during dreary weather.

But once they are sunkissed, they become brilliant and pink and beautiful.

I cozied up with some cotton while weather conditions were less than idea.

But today doors are wide open.

There is weather to be enjoyed and flowers to smell.

Hope your day is bright and beautiful too. Best wishes and blessings, Tammy