Eid Mubarak!

It is 10:38pm and when midnight strikes, Ramadan will be over for another year.  Yay!  Then, tomorrow, will be Eid and lots of celebrations for the next three days!  Then, I have to scramble and get the kids ready for school as that starts the 5th.

Thank you to all my new friends in Kuwait and the Gulf and where ever you are from, also from the States, that have made my Ramadan that little bit more special this year!

Last night Karen came over and while we have been MSN'ing each other, it was great to see her in my home.  I am buying myself a gift and that is to the gym for one year!  That is my Eid present to myself.  I'm stoked!  I have lost about 15 pounds this Ramadan.  Usually, people gain!

Keep your fingers crossed because I may just have a job.  A really COOL job that I think will suit me just fine and will bring in some much sought after FALOOS, DINERO, PLATA, MONEY, LINEN; whatever you want to call it!  Wish me luck and if you pray, please pray for me that it works out.

So, in ending this, Wendy, I have not forgotten your request and I am so sorry that I did not get to it sooner and I won't be as the next three days will be crazy busy.  I will post those photos for you though! Thank you for your patience!

Whomever out there celebrates Eid, may you and your family have a wonderful Eid holiday.  For everyone else, I hope you find Peace in your lives and hearts and Prosperity and please hug your loved ones!

My husband ordered Chinese food for our dinner so I'm off to eat and then cook for tomorrow.  I'm making Tandoori Chicken!  Yummy!

Congratulations to.....AMU from Kuwait!

I posted a few posts ago about my Hardanger and at the very bottom posed a little contest for anyone to guess which stitches I had missed.  No one played except my new friend Amu from Kuwait!

So, you are right and the winner and I have been working on a little EID MUBARAK banner!  I wanted to wait to post this but can't!  I will show the process as I have made a 'process pledge'.

I used some of my prized Pellon from America that I have been sitting on for years.  I finally got it out and the plan was to make 9 of these banners for the different families' houses and for my winner!

I screwed it up when tracing the words and letters as I get easily confused and then found a way to not waste all that Pellon.  You can see the lighter side of the letters or words in Arabic and then you will see little diamond shaped shapes that are more white.  These still have the paper on them and all of it should look like this.  But, a little bit of ingenuity and Parchment Paper (for baking) works a charm!

Once cut out, I ironed it onto the background fabric.  I again screwed up the parchment paper by getting it all sticky and interchanging each side until I wrote on my paper This Side Up!  Then, it worked, you guessed it, a charm!

Once the letters/words were ironed on properly in place, I had to sew around the letters.  I chose to do a straight stitch versus a zig zag.  BIG job!

The threads should be secured so I pulled all the threads to the back of the fabric and began tying them into knots by hand.  You can see some interfacing which allowed me to sew the letters without the fabric bunching up.  This is very important!

Then Ms. Uki came in to help me.  She did not stay long as I know Amu doesn't care for animals!  Yikes!

Once the letters/words were ironed in place, I needed to decide what to use for the back ground fabric.

I then sewed the backing on without raw edges and began to stipple quilt it in beige thread.  Stippling is an all over pattern that should NEVER cross lines.  You can do it tightly, which is stippling or loosely and that is called meandering.  There is a difference.

I then needed a binding.  I don't have ready made binding so got shopping in my stash of fabric to make my own.  I bought this nifty little tool in Dubai a few trips ago and it worked so well!

Once the right amount was made, I began to sew it onto the banner.

I then decided it was too plain.  I went to the shop and bought Swarvoski crystals in light blue and started to strategically place them.  It is still very plain though!

I hung it on our wall and my husband was so excited; he loved it.  He placed his 'orders' of what he wants me to make for the house.  Sweet.

I chose these yellow-ish and blue fabrics as Amu has mentioned that he likes these two colors.  I hope you like this!

CONGRATULATIONS AMU!

EID MUBARK!!

Funniest Memories of Ramadan...

I know what Ramadan means and what it is all about but as an expat convert to Islam; it is a learning curve.  I think for most Muslims, we are constantly learning.  At least, I hope so.  I answered a comment from C and she made me remember about some funny incidents that happened in my 16 Ramadans.

So, before I share, I would love it if you all would post your funny memories of Ramadan.

Funny Story 1

My very first year I was alone, or without my husband.  My husband was working in the interior.  My SIL was staying with me as a young woman must NEVER live alone over here, and I had Shaboo, my cat of 7 years at the time and Tweety, my canary. I had only been here 4 months.

My other SIL called me at Suhoor time, like EARLY in the morning and was telling me how to cook something.  I started the oil heating up when somehow I left to wake my SIL up and by the time I got back to the kitchen, it was blazin'.  I did not know how to cook well at that time and certainly did not know how to put out a grease fire.  I exacerbated the situation and it was a real mess.  Finally, my FIL, my sweet FIL, called me and told me how to put it out.  Imagine.  A few minutes is a long time in a situation like this!  He sent his houseboy the next day to wipe down my brand new kitchen in my brand new apartment.  It was now a grey color.

The funniest thing was I met a bunch of Latina ladies and they came over and one of them commented on my cool paint job.  They asked me how I got this intricate design and the color of light grey on the walls.  I told them, "Oh, easy, just catch your kitchen on fire and the smoke damage will give you that effect!".  I laughed so hard and they just kept looking at me.  They must have thought that by me growing up in the States sullied my humor or something!

Funny Story 2

Ali was about 3 years old and I had just picked him up from his nursery school.  I stopped at the gas station to buy him a little CapriSun Orange drink that he asked for.  When I got back in the car, I proceeded to open it.  You know, it has that little orange straw and if you don't prick it just right with the beveled edge it can be a huge mess?  Well, I got the straw in fine and proceeded to take a sip so it would not splash out on him when he received it from me.  Right, so I turned to hand it to him and when I turned back around, there were TWO Omani men staring at me with their jaws agape!  When I realized that I broke my fast and felt the judgment of these two men whom were still standing with their mouths open like I killed somebody; I got so flustered.  What did I do next?  Oh my, I made the sign of the cross on my body like the good Catholic girl I was for all my life save a few years!!  The men then got angry and were insolent towards me so I put the car in reverse and shot out of that area so fast!  I had to pull over because I started laughing my butt off!  

I had only been a Muslim for about 5 years but still, the Catholic in me came out in a moment of sheer distress.  I never, to this day, have told my husband because, bless him, he would not find the humor in this little story!  

I innocently broke my fast and Allah ta'allah forgives these transgressions.  I'm sure he did not mind my sign of the cross either as my intentions were pure and good.

So, what is your funny story or two??

3rd week of Ramadan outing...

Last week sometime we went and met with Amal's friends and went to La Mer but it was fully booked so we ended up at Cafe Barbera.  It was a disappointment but nonetheless, we ate.  Here is a picture of my appetizers.  I love buffets!!

This is called Kibbe.  It is what I know as being Lebanese in origin but popular in all of Arabia.  I don't know how they make it but it is goooood!  I decided to learn how to make them as we all really liked them.

The plates were all gone and so I ended up with a salad plate for my main course.  I really, really liked the chicken on the left with the rice.  The beef with the grilled eggplant was tough and the noodles were nice.

This was Amal and my favorite thing!  It is lemon mint juice and very refreshing and sweet and tart!

The desserts.  Of course, if there isn't Umali/Omali, then it is not a 'good' dessert buffet in my humble opinion.  The chocolate things were what Ali went on about at La Mer at the company outing.  These two restaurants are affiliated with eachother and so they had SOME of the same items.  I did not like it.  Too chocolately but I am glad Ali liked them so much!

Gotta try a bite of everything!

Here is Amal on the left with two of her Omani friends.  I am so glad that she keeps in touch with them as she has no other way to meet local girls anymore being in the International school.  Thanks Rayyan for reading my blog too!  I like how the girls call me Khalti (Auntie with respect).

We are now in the final stretch of Ramadan with lots of preparations for Eid on Wednesday.  We are going to attempt to go out with these same girls to La Mer this week and well, lots is going on in this last week.  Hair apointments, mani/pedi's, school shopping, food shopping and preparations to come, gifts to buy for Eid, cleaning the house, saying goodbye to the part time Ramadan maid (boohoo!) and now the kids are sick!  Wabooyeh!

Company Fatoor/Iftar this past Saturday...

Good afternoon everyone!  I am really excited to post this post as I had so much fun the other night.  The story goes like this...

My husband started an Oil company five years ago.  He brought over (before that) an Omani friend he met when we lived in Saudi and they worked for an Oil company.  He brought over another friend from Yemen that we met during the same time in Saudi.  This was the core group.  I shall spare anymore details for safety's sake I guess.

Anyway, the company has flourished, thank God, and the GM holds a company Iftar party every Ramadan.  Now, I hope my readers understand that during Ramadan, we Muslims refrain from eating and drinking and any other worldly pleasures during daylight hours.  When the sun sets, we are meant to break the fast with special foods.  It is a really joyous time for Muslims as they are meant to become closer to God and build their knowledge of Islam.

Many if not all the restaurants in town have special Fatoor/Iftar  packages and it is so much fun.  But then, I like to eat and talk so I am in my element!

This was the first time in five years that the kids and I went.  I only knew Zahran, the GM and his wife and family and Fouad.  I saw Fouad and sat across from him.  Samia came later and spent most of her time being the hostess to the other wives.  She told me later that she was introducing me to them by telling them who I was.  I felt the stares and looks but did not speak to anyone that I did not know because for however friendly and loud I am; I don't like walking into a crowd of people that I do not know and become shy. Plus, my husband wasn't there but he was the man who started the company so imagine my place??  I get to meet these ladies again at Z and S's house next week so I hope to talk to them properly.  Check out these pics!

Oh, funny enough, we went to Le Mer again.  Two times this month so far I go out and to the same place!  I don't mind, the menu was different and the company was great!

This was my second helping of SHUWA.  It is goat cooked the traditional Arab way in the ground.  It has a menagerie of spices and the drippings are supposed to go on the rice.  I love the rice because it has nuts.  Yep!  This was VERY good.  Hence the 2nd helping!  It was also served with a yogurt that had salt and pepper and veggies in it.  So good!

Forget about the starters and all.  I forgot to take pictures.

The only, the ONLY  dessert that I took was UMALI or OMALI.  Holy cow this is my favorite from the Middle East!  It is like a bread pudding.  It's made of puff pastry or bread or croissants and cream or milk and sugar and nuts and I CAN NOT make it!  I will!  One day!

Amal took this picture of me.  I was in my Happy Place!

Ali then ran and took some pictures of the desserts.  Feast your eyes.  I have no idea what they are except for oh I see Baklava.  Uh huh...

This was Ali's favorite of the night.  When he went to get me one they were 'sold out momma'.

The desserts are always fun to look at if not try.  So much variety and sugar!

Isn't this a gorgeous photo of Umali?  It might not look like much to the eye but I love it.

I saw this recipe in a local magazine with the recipe from a celebrity Arab chef.  From what I gather, it is like mini pancakes rolled into a cone and filled with some kind of cream and rolled in nuts.  I tried it with Iggy and the girls and my kids but it did nothing for me.

This is Ali's favorite picture and it is nice.  Mini cheesecakes.  

Back to my Umali!  OMG!

Ali again took this shot of me eating it.  Can you SEE how happy I am??

This was placed throughout the tables to break the fast.  We have golden raisins, apricots and dates.

This is Joe.  The men met in Saudi.  I guess I was too busy having Ali then!  He did not know anything about me and was really surprised at 'How good and strong of an American accent I had and the kids had'.  Hello, I am American!  Men in these parts don't talk about their women it seems.

Fouad ordered Turkish coffee and it was like crude oil.  I loved the set that it came out in.  I was smitten!  Then Joe had ordered Arabic Tea.  I loved this set too and asked for that.  I then asked him to order it for me and he did.  His cup was red and mine was blue and it had these floaties in it which, ya know, I was sceptical until Fouad  claimed that they were pine nuts.  I would have liked mine a little sweeter but it was nice.  You lift the thing high and pour it into the glass.  It's all silver and very Arab.

Oh, I finished my ONE serving of Umali!

Here is my blue glass cup with tea.

Another shot.  They serve it with a little cloth pot holder for a lack of a better word.  It is HOT.

Here is Fouad.  Sorry it is blurry.  He served himself a huge plate of all kinds of deserts!

Amal is talking to Nizar.  This kid is BRILLIANT.  Like uber smart.  Fouad was teasing him for talking to a girl instead of the kids his age.  He knows where it's at!  We are smitten with him!

Ali got creative with my tea.  See the floaties?  They are pine nuts.  I said that already!

Here is Lulu posing for Ali.

She is so darned cute too.  She only speaks Arabic right now.  She will learn English and then I will grab her!  She lets me kiss her and hug her and comes to me so I am happy.

Here are Lulu and Mr. Nawaf.  He is gorgeous too.

This man on the right is Zahran.  He is the General Manger of the company.  He was giving out 5 year awards or something.  Watches he told me.  I want my readers to see the difference in head gear that the Omani's wear.  Z has on a turban or MUSSAR.  The dude on the left and the two sitting down are wearing the KUMA.  I can sew these but the work involved hurts my right arm.  Z's is formal and the others are casual.

Here is an example of two different colors of Mussars.  Each tribe or area folds them their own way but the same as everyone else if you can comprehend that explanation?

Here is Hamad.  Gosh he looks like his Mom.  He is Z's little brother.  I absolutely LOVED his beard!  When I complimented him he seemed truly appreciative that SOMEONE noticed!  Then, we went to get that 2nd serving of Shuwa and I started talking to him about that guy that died in our car before Ramadan started and he got confused until he realized I thought he was the other brother Yasser.  Ooops!  The three brothers look so alike.  Z looks completely different to his brothers.  Anyway, that embarrassing moment over I told him that I am used to seeing him at his house in the village and much more, um, comfortable?

Anyway, I asked if I could take pics and put on my blog of his cool beard, he said 'yes!'.  I embarrassed the kids but hey!

Front shot.  So handsome, masha'allah!  Oooh, these Arab men!!

Thanks for stopping by!

I joined a Ramadan cooking contest and this recipe rocks!

Hi.  There is a lovely man in Kuwait or two men?  Anyway, they are hosting a Ramadan cooking competition over at eB6ainiya.  So far, my post was the 3rd day and I only got one comment.  So, with that information, I don't think that I will win but it was fun and you all SHOULD try my recipe!

There was one recipe for CHOCOLATE FONDANT that intrigued me and I tried it and OH MY GOD!!  It is sooooooo good!  I will be trying some of the other recipes too especially the Arab or more Arab ones that I know nothing of!

So, feast your eyes on these babies.  Oh, I have made this twice already this month and the second time I served it with Vanilla Ice Cream.  Oh my!

Ok.  When sorting out my pictures, I decided to post one evening last week when we had Charlie over for the last sleep over and Paulina stayed with us for two days.

First here is Uki taking over my space at my computer and demanding my attention.  Don't worry, she did not kiss me; she just smelled my breath!

I then went in the kitchen and started making chicken breasts that I grilled.  First I start off with pounding the breasts as they cook faster and more evenly.  The wooden aparatus I am using is a Colombian mallet for making our traditional 'Chocolate'.  Maybe I will post about that one day as I have brought over the chocolate, the special handle (below) and the pot.

I added fresh cracked pepper and rock salt from the mills my lovely daughter brought me back from Italy on a school trip two years ago.

I added some zaatar or oregano, rosemary, olive oil, garlic powder and I can't remember what else.

I found this really cool double sided contraption.  One side is a grill and the other side is a flat surface great for pancakes.

I started cooking the chicken breasts...

Flipped 'em...

And voila', they are done.  I stacked them on a plate and covered them with foil until I served.  This allowed the meat to rest, which retains the juices, and to stay warm.

I made a huge salad and you can see what I put in there.

For the dressing, I use white vinegar and oil.  Khalaas.

Here are the Chocolate Fondant babies I made.  I used a pop-over tin instead of the ramekins as I don't have those!

My sweet Ali set the table for me.  We got a bevy of Zanzibari Iftar foods.  

There are mutton samosas, potato balls from the left, sorry, mandazi (slightly sweet bread triangles, VERY popular) water, then tuna cutlets and chicken samosas.  You can also see in the middle left that there is a plate with dates and apricots to break the fast with.

The four white tins are filled with coconut chutney that the Zanzibari's like to eat their food with.

Isn't this to die for?  You MUST try the recipe.  It is well written except the poor anonymous soul forgot to put the temperature on the recipe.  I set mine for 180*C or 135*F.  A typical oven.

This is not so great but it is all part of the experience.  The kids were cleaning up their dishes and you can see my kitchen SUCKS.  It's not my house!  Anyway, there is Paulina and Amal squealing because we found .....  read on.....

A cockroach on my kitchen floor!!

Paaa-leeezzee!  Ali to the rescue.  Then, afterward, we settled down in the TV room to watch a new-to-us Omani cartoon.  Here is what I presume to be a Dad sitting with his little girl in her room...

Here are the two main characters talking.  I love the graphics in this show and the kids try to translate what is going on for me.

Here are the last photos of Charlie I will have.  She was cuddling on the Fat Boy (bean bag) with Peaches.

She is looking at the TV now.

Goodbye Charlie, we loved having you over, we will miss you and hope to see you soon either here or in Holland!

Thanks for stopping by and TRY my recipe!!