I had a GREAT day today! How about your day?

What a great day I had!  I went to Hardanger (every Sunday) and sadly we said goodbye to Sylvie, our French wonderwoman!  She is incredibly kind and amazing and giving and one of those people that everyone loves!  I had tried to organize a group Hardanger/Quilting project with the group but it did not work out.  Hardanger takes A LONG time to complete.  In the end, everyone basically just did what they wanted.  Four of us got an eyeglass chain made for Sylvie.  It was made with garnets and Omani silver beads.  I wanted her to remember us on a daily basis and she L.O.V.E.D it!  She is wearing it around her neck.

From the left to the right and front row:

Rajashree, Anisa, Shirin (hostess) Sandra, Megumi

Back row:

Supriya, Sylvie (leaving ={), Moi (adjusting the scarf!)

Another shot.

Shirin surprised me to bits!  We had done a very 'Omani' themed wall hanging quilt with the Muscat Quilt Guild.  It has been a project we have been doing for a few years.  I haven't made it as I am married to it, ya know?  Not interested but for the expats, they will take it away as a nice reminder of their time here in Muscat.  I really liked the bed sized quilt and I think Shirin did a great job.  She still has some work left on it and it is very detail oriented and she has done a lovely job!

After I finished at Shirin's, I ran home (the kids were home sick) to check on the kids.  Hubby was home and never questioned where I was.  Heehee... I was home for about 15 minutes and then ran out the door and he asked where I was going and I told him I was going to a friend's house.

I ran out the door and did not come home for 4.5 more hours!  Ali decided to cook dinner but I had to go to the store to get the ingredients.  He made a lovely spaghetti with meatballs!  Wow, and, and, AND he cleaned up the kitchen!  Wow!  Whatever I did, said, threatened WORKED!!

He set the table too but a picture would have had to include both kids and neither wanted their pics taken!

So, now it is 9:25pm and I was entertaining a cup of coffee with a piece of cake (that Ali made!) but I weighed in 15 pounds less today so I don't want to gain just because I want a piece, ya know? Plus, I wanna sleeeeeeep!  I think I have mentioned before that I have insomnia!

Thanks for stopping by.  Really...

I love Ding Dongs!

My friend Karen brought me a box of Ding Dongs back from the US.  I was so surprised.  She came back mid August and mid Ramadan and it took a while before she got them to me.  In the meantime, her kids ate most of them!  So, she grabbed the four remaining ones and put them in a baggie and put a note with my name on it.  I was sitting here at my desk thinking I should be in bed but there is so much to do and then I grabbed my camera and snapped away.

It's a Hostess product and an experience for many Americans!

Yep, love these little guys!

How to make Roti...Must watch. Too funny!

Here I am at 1:31am and still up and on my computer!  Thanks for all the participation and comments for my last post.  It really helped me and helps me.  I don't know what is wrong with me.  I mean I know but I can not tell you!  I have to deal with this hiccup in my life as best as I can without getting so down and being mean to my babies!  So, as I was starting to get responses to my last post; Ali walks in and tells me to watch this video he found on making Chipatiis (flat Indian bread much like tortillas but different!).  I was howling.  Then, we went to make some as I had not cooked dinner yet and when I got into the Atta (brown flour) I discovered it was COVERED in little black bugs.  My maid left over a year ago and we had not touched it.  Gross me out the door man!  So, I chucked that and we used Whole wheat flour and it was not nice.  Then, this kid got me to run him to the store to buy Atta and we came back and got busy with it.  I left him once I knew he was ok and he made some pretty good Chipatiis!  I don't know if he will ever do them again but watch this video, it is sooooooooo funny!  Ok.  It is now 2:08am and I just found this video.  I had to watch just one before this.  There are some adorable mothers sharing their culinary skills on you tube!

I hope you are patient enough to watch as there are two really, really funny bits in here.  Yes, I needed the laugh and Ali kept hitting the replay button.  Yes, I went in to help him make the mixture as the quantities were not mentioned here.  The first batch, the pics will be posted tomorrow, were ok with whole wheat flour but I ran him to the store to buy Atta and the second batch was WONDERFUL!  He likes cooking but not the clean up and I got stuck with it again but my mood changed with all the wonderful comments from the previous post and my son making me laugh!  Plus, two hours talking non stop with Amal was great too!  So, Alia out!

A little taste of Colombia

My cousin posted these photos of some event that took place in Colombia in mid August.  I don't know if this girl is my cousin (:-)) but I KNOW that is my aunt on the left.  She is the spitting image of my Mom but a blue eyed blonde version of my dark Mom!  I want you to see the clothes.  It is so interesting.

I think one of these or more are related to me.  Just look at their clothes.  They are a musical group.

Another girl in the mix.

The rest of these pictures are taken by my other cousin.  Same family.  He and his wife went to visit.  Out of 16 kids, my Mom and her older brother are the only ones that settled in America.  The rest are in Colombia.

This is a typical meal.

Fish with rice and platanos or green bananas and yes they sell this here!

This is a staple of the Colombian diet.  Chicharron.  It is fried pork skins.  I know, 7aram!!

Here is a typical house.

Another popular meal.  We like our avocados, rice and arepas!

That is my cuz Andre so his wifey took this.

Another view..

I think I will be making an art quilt using this picture.

Thanks for stopping by and seeing a little bit of my birthplace.  It is a beautiful country.

edited to add one more picture:

This building is so charming and in such a pretty shade of yellow!

Kitchen Hazards....

Working in the kitchen can be dangerous, just take a look at the photos below!

I was washing dishes the other day and broke a glass and cut myself pretty good.  It hurt this time too!

This was the worst cut.

I nicked my thumb...

and on top of my hand...

My pinky kept bleeding so much!

The color of blood is so pretty though!

The three spots...

Then, I made pancakes or was it before?  I had a cup of tea too and yes, I am not fasting.

Today I was making my sister's recipe of Parisian Chicken.  I was trying to make a dish that I had the other night at Cafe Barbera that I have yet to post about.  It was so nice.  I looked on the net but couldn't find anything then remembered this recipe and made this.  I added potatoes.

It is a whole chicken with some chicken breasts (for Amal) that have been coated with flour and spices and then browned in BUTTER and then put aside and then, how about I post the recipe!!??

As I was adding the broth, I got burned by the steam.  My daughter came in just then and gave me the Flamazine.  This is a wonderful product.

I slathered all the affected areas which is basically the top of my hand.  It hurts and I am here now posting about it and Amal is making the rice for me.

I still have time to make a dessert but what???

SANDI'S CHICKEN PARISIAN

1/4 cup flour

1/4 tsp. paprika

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

salt to taste

1 whole chicken or 6 chicken breasts

8 oz. sliced fresh mushrooms

3 Tbsp. butter

1/2 cup water + 1 cup white wine (or 3/4 cup chicken broth)

2 tsp. chicken bullion

2 tsp. parsley

1/4 tsp. Thyme

I don't use wine to cook so I used two Maggie stock cubes in a cup of boiling water.  I did not have parsley as I don't like it and put the Thyme in the stock.

Combine flour, paprika and pepper, garlic powder and salt in a plastic bag.  Add a few chicken pieces at a time and shake until well coated.  Place the chicken in a skillet with the butter to brown.  Remove from the pan and set aside.

Add remaining ingredients to the skillet.  Simmer 3 minutes.  I added the sliced potatoes at this point cut at 1/4" thick and round.  Add the chicken and simmer an additional 20 minutes.

Serve over butter noodles or rice.

I am using rice this time but like it more with noodles.

Please remember that this is a recipe using all American measurements.

Please don't hurt yourself in the kitchen!

Thanks for stopping by and let me know if you made this and liked it!

Taco Soup

Busy day and the hubster did not like what I made for the kids.  Which was nothing so can't blame him???
So, quite late tonight, like around 9pm ish I started cooking.  I made this South Beach friendly Taco Soup.  I love it.  Ali really likes it and Amal is eh about it.  Oh, the hubby tolerates it.


Here is the recipe.  You should try it.  It is one of my quicker and easier recipes.

Onions and beef.  Together, no segregation.

Need a can of chopped tomatoes.

Brown the meat and onions and garlic.

Taste it man!

Add the chopped tomatoes and water.

Kidney beans.  I think it's cool to see the Arabic writing!  ??

Drain the beans.

1 packet of tomato paste.  About, gee I don't have a clue.

Ah, Old El Paso.  We get it here.  It means the 'old road' in Spanish. 1 packet.

Here I added the beans and seasoning and tomato puree.  I need to learn to make my own seasoning for Tacos.

Add plenty of Salt and Pepper to your liking.  I like more pepper.  These are the mills Amal brought me back from Italy.  Bless her heart!

Ok.  Once all mixed.  Let it cook.

Healthy version.  Just serve as is....

My version:  Add Cheddar cheese...

See it melt!  ooohhh....

Plenty of chips!  Not potato.  Corn.

Crumble them over the soup.  How much?  As much as you want.  They are YOUR legs you have to lift!

Dig in and think of me and send me kudos!

Taco Soup

from the internet but adapted to my own tastes

500 grams or 1 pound extra lean ground beef

1 onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 1/2 cups water.  More if need be.

1 can diced tomatoes with juice

1 can kidney beans, drained

1 8oz can tomato sauce or 

1 packet tomato puree or both!

2 Tbsp. Taco seasoning or an envelope!

cheddar cheese

plain yogurt

Tostitos White Corn chips or Doritos

1.  Cook ground beef and onion in a medium saucepan until browned.  Add garlic.

2.  Mix in water, tomatoes, kidney beans, tomato sauce and taco seasoning and salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil.

3.  Cover and reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

4.  Serve with or without cheese, yogurt, and chips.

It's that easy!