Oohing and Aahing

A few days ago, my husband had a Japanese business associate who is based in Dubai visit Kuwait for the first time.  Before he brought him to our house, he warned him that it has been described by many as resembling a museum.

I wish you could have seen his face when I opened the door and he stopped inside.  It's always funny to see the reactions of people who visit for the first time.

He spent a lot of time oohing and aahing over everything, then  

we headed to The Peacock Chinese Restaurant located at the SAS Hotel for lunch, as he said Chinese food is his favorite.

And he was not disappointed.

Complementary jasmine green tea and a plate of chocolates come with every meal.

Next, we walked around the grounds of the hotel where the Al Hashemi II is located.

It is the largest dhow ever built and one of the largest wooden ships in the world.

Which is what landed it a spot in the 2002 Guinness Book of World Records.

Once again our visitor was oohing and aahing.

It's nice when someone appreciates and is impressed with what they see around them.  

 It also allows us to be tourists again in our own surroundings.

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.

Marcel Proust

Have a fabulous Friday!

Wednesday Creativity and Stitch-A-Long

This week I am linking up with Kathy of Hummingbird Woodland Studio for Creativity Wednesdays and Tammy of Life and Yarn or Yarn and Life for Stitch-A-Long Wednesday.

My most recent finish is another granny square baby blanket for charity.

I then started a v-stitch blanket to switch things up.  My plan was to make it all in cream with a colorful border.  Unfortunately, when I went back to the yarn store yesterday, there was none of the cream yarn to be found.  They said it would be 15 days before it would be in stock (possibly longer).

So, I bought more yarn.

And started another v-stitch.

But then decided I didn't want to wait 15 days or longer for more of the cream yarn to be in stock so I am using what I have on hand to finish the original v-stitch blanket.

I've wanted to do color blocking, just not with this stitch, but I think it will turn out just fine.  Most of what I've been making has been more baby girl-oriented, so these colors are more boyish.

Two blankets on the go for two link parties.

Creativity Wednesdays

 

Have a crafty day!

Crafting at the Boulevard

Once upon a time there was a very large empty lot that was drab and dirty.  But a couple of years ago, or more, it was cordoned off and construction began.

Now there's an urban oasis.

It was my neighbor who told me that some shops had opened in the mall and that the outdoor area was really nice, so I had to check it out for myself.

The outdoor landscaping is so much more than I expected -- green and lush with a man-made lake running through it.

The indoor mall is spacious with lots of natural light and nice views.

And the best thing is that it is only 10 minutes walking distance from where I live.

So when I planned yesterday's crafty morning meet-up, I knew I would be walking there rather than driving.

Usually I'm not too thrilled with all the building that goes on around here, but I'm quite impressed with this place and definitely feel it was worth the wait.  Kudos to whoever designed it.

My crafty friends were very happy with the location and we look forward to making use of the outdoor space when winter weather rolls around.

Sunday blessings,

Volunteer Day

Every Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until noon, I volunteer at one of the government hospitals (the same one where my husband was born oh so long ago :) 

KACCH - Kuwait Association for the Care of Children in Hospital was founded in 1989 and officially recognized as a charitable organization in 2003.  

It is operated by the philosophy that providing appropriate play opportunities for children in hospital can aid in their healing process.

We paint, we color, we play games ... whatever the child chooses to do when they enter the KACCH playroom.  It also allows me to be a kid again. 

When we don't have many patients, I crochet hearts to give away.

Sometimes I even crochet when the kids are there because they and their moms are usually very intrigued.

Yesterday morning, I intentionally left a little early so I could stop for a quick walk and take a few pictures by the Kuwait Towers.

 

 Have a nice relaxing weekend,

Creativity Wednesdays With Kathy

KathyinOzarks is hosting Creativity Wednesdays over on her new blog Hummingbird Woodland Studio, so I thought I would join in and share my current #wednesdaywip.

I started the other day making granny squares from my stash yarn, but in order to continue, I had to do a little yarn shopping.

So, that happened yesterday.

And this is where I'm at now.

It will be yet another baby blanket for charity.

While in the States, I made two blankets and three hats that I sent to Preemies of the Carolinas.

And I finished the above blanket when I returned to Kuwait.

The blankets I make will either go to the charity I volunteer with or to other needy organizations.

Devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.

(Mitch Albom)

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Letting Go

Over the past year, I've learned a lot about people.  Although it is so much easier to keep in touch, so many people aren't taking the time to connect.  "Out of sight out of mind."

Last week, 4 different people planned coffee dates with me, and every single one of them cancelled, either the night before, or the morning of.

Talk about a blow to the ego.

On Saturday I had breakfast with good friends Elena and Melissa whom I've known for the past 15-1/2 years.  And my friend, Kathy, who moved to the States 4 years ago, is back in Kuwait visiting her first grandbaby so we did some thrift shopping and had lunch on Sunday.

 

Of course, I shared my feelings with all three of them, and they all assured me that I was not being overly sensitive and that most of the reasons for canceling were a bit on the weak side.

I commented to Melissa that I find blog friends, most of whom I've never met, keep in touch more often and are much more supportive and responsive than folks that are close by or even some that I've known for 20-30 years.

Then, yesterday I came across a post on Instagram that led me to a blog post entitled The Quiet Network.  If you have the time, please take a moment to read it.  Definitely voices how I feel about the friends I've made through blogging and Instagram.

I'm thankful to all of you who continue to visit and have done so for years now.  And it's nice to also connect with so many
of you on Instagram, too.

My word and guiding mantra at the beginning of this year was "mindfulness".

Part of being mindful is letting go.

With both boys away now, this is definitely a season of change.

On the morning that I was packing up the car in August to leave my youngest at college, I found a dragonfly on the ground.

In almost every part of the world, the dragonfly symbolizes transformation, adaptability and change.

So, I'm learning to be a dragonfly.

Letting go of ego and expectations of others.

Adapting to this new stage in life and all the changes that come with it.

Everything changes when you start to emit your own frequency rather than absorbing the frequencies around you. When you start imprinting your intent on the universe rather than receiving an imprint from existence.

Blessings,