Calorie-free Cake

I crocheted this little cake for my girlfriend, Leslie, who celebrates her birthday today.  Though I originally had other plans for it, I kinda ran out of time, so just glued it to card stock and later added a birthday message at the bottom.

Along with many other little gifts spread throughout the day, as well as a real cake baked by another friend for the occasion, I sent her this photo that was taken of us last year.

Wherever you are, it is your own friends who make your world.  (Henry James)

Wishing you all a wonderful week!

Another Rescue

Neither the moon nor the sun were visible today.  We have dust that has settled in like a fog around everything.

A few days ago, another white Persian showed up on our street.  She is very sweet and obviously had been booted out by her owners.  My outside kitty was none too happy when new kitty came along and took over her sleeping basket.  I set up a separate box for new kitty last night, but thankfully today was able to take her to one of our teachers who fosters and works with the shelter to get these cats adopted.  This kitty will get a good cleaning, be spayed and I hope she will find a forever home.  

It's been a busy day.  A sweet treat and a moment to relax was definitely in order.  

I hope all is well in your corner of the world.

A Full Day

I thought I would sleep in this morning but at 6 am I woke up to find the beautiful March Full Worm Moon outside my window. Of course, I had to grab my camera to take a picture

Last night's dessert (minus the pound cake) became this morning's breakfast -- sweetened yogurt with fresh strawberries, walnuts and a sprinkling of oatmeal.

Oatmeal was also used to bake up  some Apricot-Sultana Oat Cookies.  I wrote down the recipe from someone's blog last week but forgot to make note of where I got it.  Hate it when I do that.

In a comment from yesterday's post, Diane from Pinecones & Roses asked what the brown jars used to hold.  I use an organic vegetable broth extract powder to season most everything I make.  If a soup recipe calls for stock, I just add water and the powdered extract to season.  

 Needless to say, I cook a lot and, therefore, I go through a lot of these jars.  The label washes off nicely and doesn't leave a residue which is why they are perfect for repurposing.

Hubby and I managed to walk for about an hour this afternoon.  It was a very windy day so there was a bit of dust in the air.  Maybe I just notice it more because I wear contacts.

Another weekend just about over.

They always go by way too fast.

I hope your day is a good one!

A Good Kinda Busy

These brown jars have been piling up for quite some time, so today they got a good washing.

Seven of them are now all dressed up, ready to be filled with candy or chocolates and given as gifts.  There was a time when I didn't give a second thought to throwing things away.  Even jars.  Now I can't imagine tossing them.  

I also tried out a new flower pattern.  And when friends called to say they wanted to stop by for coffee, I quickly whipped up a sheet pound cake to serve with sweetened yogurt and fresh strawberries.  

I love weekends.

 Hope yours is a relaxing one!

Stolen Moments

This week has been extra busy for some reason.  Can't seem to keep up and haven't accomplished a whole heck of a lot.

We've had really nice weather with sunshine and clear skies.  Hopefully that will continue so hubby and I can get in some walking.

One more day of school and then our weekend begins. 

I'm looking forward to having more time to catch up on all that I need and want to do.

Hope you are having a wonderful Wednesday!

Appreciating the Simple Things

I received a message today from Maureen at Daydream Living telling me that she had chosen my blog as her Blog of the Week.  Maureen is a gal after my own heart, living life with an attitude of gratitude.  She is originally from Amsterdam, lived for a couple of years in Texas, and is now in Switzerland with her hubby and two girls.  Thanks, Maureen, for the mention and for thinking of me.

My March calendar reminds me to Appreciate the simple things; notice everyday miracles.

 Days have been busy; our internet has not been working up to speed; and after a dust storm, there is always much cleaning to do.  Time has gotten away from me lately.

In the midst of all the busyness, I do try to make time for simple things that make me happy, like crocheting.  I finished two more boutique bags.

And baking.  Coconut biscuits and oatmeal cookies.

This afternoon I came across the following quote: People overestimate the pleasure they'll get from having more stuff.  This does not apply to new rose bushes, crayons, or yarn stashes.  ~Dr. SunWolf (professorsunwolf.com)
Obviously I agree with the latter.

I took time out on Saturday to meet a friend for a late birthday lunch at Nirvana Indian Restaurant.

And then yesterday it was back to school along with lots of dusting and cleaning.  This evening I have a terrible headache that just won't go away so will definitely be turning in early.  As I lay my head down and give thanks for the comfort of my bed, I will say a prayer for those in the Midwest and the South who have lost loved ones and had their lives turned upside down due to the recent string of devastating storms.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!

Craving Color

Monday's beautiful weather turned to dusty skies on Tuesday.  It's been drab and dreary ever since.

Today we met a friend at Viaggo's for lunch.

A bread basket comes with the meal along with diced tomatoes, cubes of parmesan and kalamata olives.  I had a rocca salad with shaved parmesan and sundried tomatoes, ricotta crepe with mozzarella and tomato sauce and rolled nougat ice cream with raspberry sauce for dessert.

A colorful, delicious meal on a day that is very gray.

I hope you  have a fabulous Friday!

Tea and the Benefits of Mushrooms

Today we headed back to school after enjoying a long 4-day weekend.  Our blue skies were blue no more; just hazy and dusty instead.  And the sugar cookies I made on Sunday are gone.  But I managed to save a few so I could join Kimmie at Art in Red Wagons for tea.  Twinings Organic Lemon & Ginger has a light zingy flavor that goes well with so many things.

My boss returned today after being in North America for the past month attending recruiting fairs and he came bearing gifts.  Five varieties of dried mushrooms along with a mushroom cookbook.

And a teatowel with scenes from San Francisco.

I can't decide what to try first:  Duxelles Party Toasts; Broth with Mushrooms, Spinach & Scallions; Mixed Mushroom Tart; Wild Rice with Oyster Mushrooms; Wild Mushroom Pizza.  It all sounds so good!

Did you know that mushrooms contain Vitamin D and B Vitamins such as riboflavin and niacin?  That white button mushrooms boost your immune system?  That cremini and portobello mushrooms contain antioxidants?  Or that cooked shiitakes and raw white buttons contain selenium which is good for your bladder?

Along with the health benefits of drinking organic and green teas, I think I shall be adding more mushrooms to my diet, too.

Hope you are having a terrific Tuesday!

Blue Skies and Brunch

Today we have beautiful weather and brilliant blue skies.

I met my friends Melissa and Elena for brunch, along with Elena's sister who is visiting from Italy.

Good food, good friends.

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.~Marcel Proust

I hope your day is beautiful too!

Two in One

Today is Liberation Day in Kuwait and a day off from school and work.  It's also my 46th birthday.  This year we have a 4-day weekend, then back to school on Tuesday for a short 3-day week.  That's like two gifts in one.

It's been a quiet day. I got my wish for better weather, so hubby and I were able to walk for an hour this afternoon, and Jingles was able to do some exploring on the balcony.

Rather than having birthday cake, I baked up some sugar cookies with sprinkles.  So yummy!

My 13-year old son downloaded sheet music and played the birthday song for me on his saxophone.  He did pretty good for his first try.

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Thanks to everyone who sent birthday wishes my way.

Wishing you a wonderful day.

Dark and Drizzly

 This morning it was hard to tell if dust or rain was headed our way.

Turned out to be rain that would come and go and come back again with blustery winds.

So much for walking weather.

This picture was taken while we were out Thursday afternoon -- when we had pretty blue skies.

Kuwait celebrates its National Day today and despite the weather, we could hear diehard revelers out there honking their horns all day and night.  It can get a little crazy on the roads which is why we prefer to stay home.

So it's been another pajama day with crochet to keep me busy.

 

I made a cover for an empty plastic coffee can that will now be used to hold sugar.  And a sleeve for a jam jar that will be used to hold flowers or plant cuttings.

The wind is still blowing out there but I'm hoping we will wake up to better weather tomorrow.

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Lazy Day

My youngest son gave me the title for today's post.  It has been a lazy day indeed.

 A mostly cloudy day spent hanging out around the house.

Yesterday hubby surprised me with a few roses.  He said they were to cheer me up after the car incident.  I saw lots of lovely crocheted roses around Valentine's Day and for some reason thought they would be difficult to make.  But this morning, I crocheted my very first little red rose.  So very easy after all.

I've worked on a few other things throughout the day but have had a nagging headache since I woke up this morning. 

I think I'll be turning in early tonight.   Zack took this picture of Jingles, thus the "lazy day" title.  No one does lazy better than a cat.  

Happy Friday!

Walking Weather

Hubby and I took advantage of this afternoon's beautiful weather by taking a walk.  My first real walk since spraining my ankle in early November. I still can't twist or rotate it without experiencing major pain, but thankfully walking on flat ground was not a problem.

We took our normal walking path and I was surprised to see how so much had changed.  The mild weather this time of year is perfect for plants and flowers.

The sky was ever changing as we walked along for about an hour.

Kuwait celebrates its National and Liberation Days on the 25th and 26th so we won't be getting out in the car much, but hopefully we will have more walking weather over this 4-day weekend.

Hope you are having a wonderful day in your corner of the world!

More Comfort Required

You think your day is going along fine, at least better than the day before, and then your oldest son sticks his head out the window on the way home from school and vomits.  Ugh!  We were in my husband's car today.  Needless to say, there was much cleaning to do once we got home.

You wouldn't think after all that I would feel the need to bake, but overripe bananas were waiting to be used.  1-1/2 mashed bananas, 1 egg, 1/2 cup milk, 1/4 cup canola oil, 1/2 cup honey, 1-1/2 cups wheat flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt.  A dash of cinnamon and sprinkling of chopped pecans for good measure.

And peanut butter chocolate chip cookies were necessary with a big glass of milk. 1/2 cup butter melted; 1 egg; 1/3 cup white sugar; 1/3 cup brown sugar; 1/2 cup peanut butter; 1 cup flour; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 3/4 cup chocolate chips.  Place spoonfuls 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet and bake in a 375 degree oven until golden brown.

I am finding that risotto is very comforting comfort food indeed.

Yusef has been sleeping since we got home this afternoon.  And since the left side of my head feels like it might explode, I think I shall call it a night.

Hope your day is a good one!