Flower Pot Pens

While visiting our son's college campus this summer, I noticed that all of the offices had these pretty flowers in sweet little pots.  The catch was, they weren't just your ordinary flowers.

I started seeing them at the bank, the computer store, and everywhere, so decided I would make some of my own once I got back home.

 I bought the florists tape from WalMart and the other necessary supplies were purchased here.

Pretty flowers ...

 that are actually pens.

 I gifted these to a couple of my friends in the front office at school.

 And these two were given to the ladies in the high school office who were so excited because now no one can walk away with their pens.

 They were so easy to make so now I need to work on some for the ladies in the middle school and elementary offices.

To continue with the flower theme, these were all pictures taken while in the States this summer.

Aaaahhhh ... so beautiful!

Our weather here in Kuwait has been so humid for the past week.

Today is dreary, dusty, blah and so very hot.

Happy Friday!

My Pal Val

On the way to school one day in May, I snapped this photo.

Slidell, LA is where I lived before coming to Kuwait nearly 19 years ago.

 It is also where blog pal Val lives.

Since Slidell would be our first stop upon arriving to the States this summer, we, of course, made plans to meet up.

 Our first meeting was at Starbucks where a sweet little guy agreed to take our picture.

And where, of course (as bloggers do), gifts were exchanged.

We talked non-stop for 2 hours and promptly made plans for our next get together.

Every Thursday night,Val meets with a crochet group at an organic coffee house, so I was able to tag along.  Such fun, and time passed so quickly.

The ladies were working on a not so surprise yarn bombing for the owner of the coffee shop.

Although I had planned to attend the yarn bombing a couple of weeks later, a last minute change in plans meant I had to miss out.

I was able to spend time with Val and her sweet family a couple of times and immediately fell in love with this guy!

Mojo!

I mean, how could I not? 

Look at that face! 

 One morning we met up for walking and Val showed me a mosaic tabletop she had just finished.  She has her mosaic work scattered all around her yard and it is so lovely to see.

Two days before heading back to Kuwait, we had dinner with Val and her family.  It was an evening filled with conversation and laughter and friendship.

Thanks, Val, for everything!  I'm so glad we were finally able to meet in person!

We definitely could get in a lot of trouble if we lived closer to each other.

Hugs and blessings,

Unintended Absence

It was certainly not my intention to be gone from this blog of mine for such a long time.

In the past month, we have gone from Kuwait to Amsterdam, Detroit, then New Orleans.

Traveled through Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and back again.

 

 

 

 We visited with friends and family.

Met blog pal Val of Yarni Gras.

Walked the beach.

Fed alpacas.

Enjoyed food and beverages.

And so much more.

 

But the ultimate reason for our trip to the States was to settle our son in at college.

 

 Mission accomplished.

We (minus one) arrived back home Saturday night.

And Sunday morning it was back to reality.

I've missed visiting everyone so will be popping by soon to say hello.

Have a great week!

Ramadan and Rocks

Today marks the first day of Ramadan.

The holy month of fasting for Muslims.

It is a time for spiritual cleansing, practicing self-control, learning self-restraint,

being patient and merciful.

It also means more change.

Though I don't usually fast, my husband and boys do.

My husband also has different working hours during this time.

 
I will be making simple soups and salads for fatoor (the breaking of the fast at sunset).
Zucchini soup is one of my favorites but not a favorite for the boys so tonight they will be getting tomato soup seasoned with cardamom, salad and baked cheese sambousa.

 The weather this morning was rather blah, so I didn't walk

(though I think my back could have used the stretching).

 Instead, the rock I showed you yesterday is now wearing a pretty pale blue cover.
It's my first completed crochet project in a while.

 All of these rocks have been collected on my walks.
Some are slated for crochet.

 While others are more suited to sitting in a pretty bowl.

And here's some food for thought.

Life truly is about simple pleasures.
Blessings to you all,

Wandering, Walking, Collecting, Creating

It's amazing how one quick twist, one wrong move can throw you into agonizing pain.

On Thursday I wrenched my back.

I would like to say I was doing something exciting.

But no, I was vacuuming, of all things.

I've always had back problems because of scoliosis but I've never felt pain like this before.

I've never had pain that lasted more than a day.  

After reading up on back sprains, and resting up for a few days, I decided it was time to get moving again.

 It was slow going at first, but once my body began to warm up, it got easier.

I swear walking does more good for my mind than my body.

It helps me to collect my thoughts.

 But these past few days it has also been necessary for healing.

The pain is still there, but not as intense.  I still have to be careful how I move or turn.

I collected quite a few things while out walking yesterday morning.

Bean pods, rocks, a seashell, feathers, leaves, weeds and an eggshell. 

 

Unfortunately I've  not been doing any crafting lately, so I decided to get my creative juices flowing by doodling.

Today's biggest find was this.

Is it sad that I get excited about finding a rock?

Though not a great picture, it is the perfect size and shape.

I definitely feel a crochet project coming on.

Have a wonderful day!