Sunday, August 5, 2012

Getting it Right

We are still having hazy weather after Friday's dust storm.
Yesterday I was sweeping, wiping, cleaning, dusting.  When hubby came home from work he wondered why I even bother.
There's no such thing as spring cleaning.  It's just a matter of trying to maintain everything as best I can.
Doing that means I then have peace of mind when I spend the rest of the day (and night) crocheting.
I bookmarked a new doily pattern called stacked shells mini-doily but my first attempt turned out to be more like rounds of ruffles.
I looked over the pattern again and realized I had way too many stitches in the 3rd row so made another one.  Much better.
And since it was so easy, I made a few more. 
Today is the 17th day of Ramadan (the holy month of fasting).  For dessert the other night I made a traditional Ramadan sweet called qatayef.  Sticky pancakes are normally filled with nuts or cheese then fried and served with a simple syrup.  I filled mine with a little bit of thick cream, then dipped them in a mixture of chopped pecans and cinnamon sugar.  Nice and fresh, no frying, with a drizzle of honey for serving.
Ramadan is the 9th month in the Islamic lunar calendar.
The August full moon made its appearance the night of August 1st.  The Full Sturgeon Moon.
Also known as the Green Corn Moon or the Grain Moon.
I hope all is well in your corner of the world.
Have a peaceful, restful day.

33 comments:

hooksandyarns said...

The doilies are nice - they're great accents around the house. Ya'll certainly put up with a lot of stuff weatherwise over there - I hope you get a nice rain to help wash all that dust away. :)

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

Fascinating; how lucky for you, Tammy, to be so immersed in such a rich culture.


S
xo

Sam I Am...... said...

Your house looks great! I can't believe your crochet! You must be fast as that is thread you're using. I like all the doilies even the ruffled...I've seen them done that way also with ruffles purposely.
Your snack pancakes looked yummy too. What a sweet scene with the candle and the doll. You get LOTS more done in a day than I do! LOL! Enjoy!

Dagmar said...

Hi Tammy, the dust sure can get to you..but I love that you just take it in stride..really not much you can do..except crochet and enjoy! here is hoping your weekend is dust freešŸ˜Š

Maya Kuzman said...

My.. such gorgeousness!! I think the first one (with the extra stitches) is quite rich and am sure it'll find its place on a coffee table amongst other of your treasures :)

Mary said...

I'm in love with your raised trunk elephant peeking out by the window - is it brass and heavy?

Now I see how bad the dust can be.........how often do these storms arrive Tammy?

That pancake dessert looks good. especially with pecans. Are you able to buy them in Kuwait or have to get them sent from here? I usually take a bag to my SIL in France because she can't find them in her village shops.

Great moon shot - after the heat and dust of the day I just know the nights must be special there. Hope the coming week will be clearer and you can pack away the dust rags for a while!!

Fondly, Mary - and thanks for your lovely comments as always, much appreciated dear.

Anne said...

What a great pic of the moon. The pics I take of the moon usually don't turn out very good. The sticky pancakes look yummy and your doilies are really pretty too. Have a nice day!

Elna said...

You are busy as always, crocheting, just like me. Very nice pictures and the one with dust omg. Have a nice evning.

Hugs
Elna

oldthings said...

Dear Tammy
I hope not to have many storms ...... and then cleaning needs ... I would like to see your handiwork when you finished ... you will find a place to put it up and touching a cup of coffee or tea .. ..
Have a nice evening
Olympia

Debby said...

Do many have allergies with all that dust?
Love how you keep busy. Beautiful work.
I love that last picture of the doll and the candle and the empty pot.

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Love the doilies! :)

I don't envy you all that dusting. But I am with you, while you are crocheting, it makes your heart rest a little knowing you cleaned.

Blessings always

Fruitful Fusion said...

I HATE DUST!!! Agh! You wipe it away and it's back with a vengeance the next day! But I love your crochet and those qatayif. Nice that you didn't fry them too. Hope you're having a lovely evening!

Tanna said...

Oh, I don't miss the sandstorms of West Texas... You are amazing to keep your home so beautiful battling the dust! It is so invasive.

Love your new pattern and those little pancakes made my mouth water!! Stay cool. blessings ~ tanna

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Tammy,
I can't imagine dealing with dust storms....dealing with normal dust drives me crazy!
Love your knitting projects....so sweet. The pancakes sound wonderful....not fattening at all...LOL!

hugs
Sissie

Linda said...

Hi Tammy,
Funny that you mention cleaning because it's one of the things I mention in my 101 things that I rarely ever do. Everyone probably thinks then that I live in a pig pen, but it's not true. Our house "looks" neat and tidy. Just don't look too close, ha.

The dessert sounds delicious. Your doilies are lovely. I can never get over all of the crocheting you do - you're so productive.

I'm not productive in the least, except for doing what I want to do which was today - lounging in our pool on a delightful sunny day. We had a rare rainstorm, lightening and thunder even (!) last night - it's unheard of here this summer, so it was a delight. Even the grass turned a little more green.

Hope you have a blessed week,
Linda

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Tammy,

Like you, I would not be able to leave that much dust alone... Just for peace of mind and for managing to not find it in everything inside.
You did well with your new pattern. Oh, how often I've had to redo when I made a project! Never mind; all good things happen in three times. Literally translated from a Dutch proverb: Alle goeie dingen in drieƫen...
Hugs and love,
Mariette

val said...

I would hate all that dusting! Your doilies are looking good....I love your last photo!

Daydream Living said...

Hi Tammy!
Wow, I just finished all the posts I had missed and boy have you been busy! I sit here, getting hungry from all the yummy food you made! And the crocheting projects are surreal, do you sleep or what?! How is it possible that you craft so fast? I salute you girl, specially the flower bookmarks and the pots and lids I like. The trip to Sri Lanka I enjoyed too, never been there but hopefully next year we will explore that side of the world too, since it will be closer. Almost finished our 5 years here, I will try to keep in touch these coming 2 weeks, but busy times are ahead, again. Time for bed now, sleep well, hugs to all,
Maureen x

Serena Lewis said...

I feel sorry for you dealing with all that extra dust...I detest the regular household dust. I love the way you have your home furnished and decorated, Tammy...and I also appreciate hearing about the culture of the area where you live. You are the Crochet Queen!!! I love your doilies...I used to make a lot of them years ago using the fine cotton. I love that last image...seems quite ceremonial.

Have a beautiful week,
Serena xo

Sheila Rumney said...

I can't believe the dust that you have! Love your crocheted treasures! So glad you found some time to create.

Mrs. Micawber said...

I rather like that ruffly doily too....

What wonderful moon pics! And the pancakes look scrumptious.

Dusting is the WORST. :)

Anonymous said...

I've been BAD about commenting on posts. But I have a good excuse! The darned fence project. We've spent every day for the last week working on it and today, are within 7 posts of finishing the prep work. Then we'll get to start actually building the fence part and the gate. Whew, what a project.

I like your cookies and the photo of that beautiful moon. What a treat....but I'm sorry about that darned dust! Nice photo....you gotta laugh!

Take care and have a good week my friend. I miss chatting with you but I'll be having better luck with being social soon!

Hugs
Jan

Pam said...

Glad you decided to crochet and forget the dusting. It is a never ending battle in desert regions. We had never had much dust in our home in Kentucky but because of the severe drough there, everything was covered with dust when I got there this time. They did get some rain the past week.

I am amazed at how many items you are able to crochet in such a short time. They are all beautiful.

Createology said...

I suppose in a way you are crocheting the dust away. Lovely new doilies. Yummy little pancake treats. That moon has me swooning. Joyful week to you dear...

Kit said...

Your doilies remind me of Chrysanthimums . Parden my spelling I am on my Nook...LOL Kit

Lori ann said...

yikes! so much dust. i would be like you and try to keep up with it. your doilies are a lovely diversion and something fun to look forward to.
my daughter is doing ramadan, we have good friends and neighbors who are from tunisia. my daughter has had a strong interest in the culture for years and it led her to international studies at college. this is her third year to participate in ramadan.

Pierre BOYER said...

Enjoy your day !
Best regards from Paris,

Pierre

vintage grey said...

Love those pretty doilies! I have wanted to try doilies, so thanks for sharing the pattern!! Have a great week! xo Heather

Becca said...

Yes, I still struggle with the ruffling up of my thread crochet. Way to hang in there Tammy! Your's looks beautiful! Oh my, those pancake thingys look yummy!

lovestitch said...

Your doilies look so lovely! I love that you enjoyed making them more. What a precious moment in a busy day! I hope all the dust is going away quickly!
Take care and you have a great beginning of the week!
LS xx

Mistea said...

The doilies are very Pretty and I am sure you will find some way use for the frilly version.
The desert looks and sounds delicious.
Enjoy your week.

Cat said...

I've only ever experienced one dust storm before, a red one and it was not fun, especially all the cleaning:( I'm glad you can retreat inside and do some pretty crochet:) Have a wonderful week Tammy:)

Travel With Lulu said...

Hi Tammy, I'm blogging friends with Maureen, who is about to move over to your part of the world. I'm an expat too, and I'm not sure we've 'met'? Anyhoo, wanted to pop over to say hello. Have a great day!! XOLaura

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