It's a Wrap!

It is just mind boggling to me that this is the last day of January.

Even at lunch today, my husband said he doesn't know where the month has gone.

It certainly has been a busy one.

We were in Oman for the New Year and when we got back, our oldest son returned to Colorado for his second semester of college.

We took a trip to Jordan to see family which just happened to coincide with January's Full Wolf Moon.

This is what it looked like our last morning in Amman. 

The winter season in Kuwait is the best time of year to capture colorful sunrises, sunsets and ever changing weather so I am constantly looking skyward, taking it all in. 

Joy in looking and comprehending

is nature's most beautiful gift.

 (Albert Einstein)

It is also the season of growth.

What a joy it was to gather all these gorgeous tomatoes from our balcony just this past week.

 

With more to come.

And it is the best time of the year to walk and enjoy the outdoors so have been doing a lot of that.

Thanks to everyone who has stopped by for the Grow Your Blog party hosted by Vicki at 2 Bags Full.

I am only up to list number 3 out of 32.  Yikes!  It's been nice finding new blogs, especially those related to cross-stitching which was a big part of my life for 25 years until crochet took over.

In fact, I've been inspired to start small.

A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses.

(Chinese Proverb)

Wishing you all a wonderful last day of January!  

Blessings,

Grow Your Blog

Welcome to the Grow Your Blog Party hosted by Vicki at 2 Bags Full.

And welcome to my blog about daily life and travel.

My name is Tammy.

I've been married to Sam for 19 years; our oldest son is currently at college in Colorado, Zack is in 10th grade and Jingles will be 10 years old in April.

You can learn more about the story of how I came to Kuwait by reading my guest post over at The Moksi Homes, a new website recently started by blog friend Maureen who lives in Dubai.  (Thanks to all you fabulous folks who already went there and left a comment.  You are awesome!)

It was at the insistence of my cousin, Gwen, that I hit publish on my first blog post on July 22, 2009.  Ironically, she is no longer blogging, and although my posts have been rather sporadic this past year, I do enjoy the interactions and the friends I've made through this little old blog of mine.

Last summer I had the privilege of meeting Val at Yarni Gras who is also a participant in the party, so head over and give her a shout out.  Hi Val!

 And lo and behold, I just rediscovered Beth who was one of only 3 people to leave a comment on one of my very first posts.  She is still blogging at Beyond the Garden Gate and I see that she will be joining the Grow Your Blog party.  It really is a small world after all.

Walking, eating healthy, crocheting, crafting, traveling are an intrinsic part of my life.

I choose to live each day with an attitude of gratitude and find joy in the simple things.

I am grateful for Vicki and her desire to constantly do good and give back.  She works tirelessly for so many wonderful causes.

As a thank you for your visit today, I will be giving away a variety of items collected on our travels, along with a few handmade things (more will be added).  The winner will be chosen from comments left on this post and will be announced on February 15th.

Enjoy the party!

I look forward to meeting and greeting all of you.

Best wishes and blessings, 

Our Latest Jaunt

I love traveling, especially when the plane ride is less than a couple of hours.  Hubby and I took advantage of our recent 3-day weekend by taking a quick trip to Jordan to see some of his family.  

Upon arriving, we checked into our hotel,

had lunch out with a friend ... 

then took our first road trip by car to Mufraq to visit a couple of aunts and an uncle.

I had visited here years ago, but as I looked around this time, I told my husband that I was beginning to think I was related to his aunt by more than just marriage.  She is quite the collector and has her own Aladdin's cave going on.  

Day 2 we took the bus to Irbid to see an aunt and uncle and cousins and lots of kids of cousins.  

The highlight of the day was chasing goats and sheep as their shepherd was taking them up and down the hill a couple of times.

Of course, there was lots of food involved.

Food with family.  Food at the hotel.

And with all the plane, car and bus rides, there was also lots of time for crochet.

It was a great trip filled with epiphanies for me.  Things are expensive in Jordan and salaries are low.  Populations in the areas we visited have doubled due to the Syrian conflict and that brings with it a host of problems.  But no matter the circumstances, everyone has a dream; everyone is just trying to take care of their family.

We arrived home Saturday afternoon and it was back to school yesterday with all the busyness that entails.  Some of you in the US are enjoying your own 3-day weekend in honor of Martin Luther King.

May your day be blessed, 

Looking Out and Up!

You guys are the best!  

Thanks so much for visiting The Moksi Homes and commenting on my guest post.

I really appreciate it!

 Today when we got home from school, I could hear lots of little tapping sounds coming from our bedroom balcony.  Turns out there was a whole slew of little birdies playing, eating and scratching around in the potted plants.  So sweet!

  I was taking pictures like crazy through the sliding glass door and I might have gotten so wrapped up in the moment that I actually burned Zack's lunch.  Oops!  

The clouds really put on a beautiful show tonight as the sun began to set.

 A setting sun still whispers a promise for tomorrow.

(Jeb Dickerson)

 Wishing you all a terrific Tuesday -- or a wonderful Wednesday, whatever the case may be.

Blessings,

Doors of Oman

The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live.

(Flora Whittemore)

 Happiness is something that comes into our lives through doors we don't even remember leaving open.

(Rose Wilder Lane)

 Close some doors. Not because of pride, incapacity, or arrogance, but simply because they no longer lead somewhere.

(Paulo Coelho)

 Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls.

(Joseph Campbell)

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.
(Helen Keller)

Doors and quotes ... two of my favorite things.

Wherever we go in the world, I am always taking pictures of doors.

These images are all from our recent trip to Oman.

The stairs above are what led us to the huge wooden door on the right.  We weren't able to venture inside the fort as it is apparently being renovated.
Below is the beautiful view of Muscat port from the top.

Today my guest post appears on The Moksi Homes (rather than Saturday as originally planned).  Now when I look at the pictures, I see that I forgot to remove some items that don't belong or to straighten things up.  Oh well!  Maureen told me just to be myself, write as I would talk and keep it real.  That's really all I know to do.
Wishing you a wonderful week!

Much Better

Wasn't sure how the day would pan out from the looks of the sky this morning but it turned out to be so much better than I expected.

Had an early morning coffee with a friend and did a little shopping.

Walked with hubby in the afternoon.

It's amazing how the sky would be blue in one direction.

Fluffy white clouds up ahead.

 And then dark clouds to the right, which fortunately were just for show.

My friend this morning asked for some dishcloths so that's what I've been working on this evening.

Of course, the best part of the day was knowing that college boy arrived safely to CO.  He and a friend do still have a several hour drive to university tomorrow, but they say they should get there before predicted snow starts again.

Have a great day!