In with the new…..

Okay, the previous posts were actually written in December and January on the Windows Live Writer.  Now I am relaxing in my new flat.  Everything went surprisingly well.  I love this new flat.  We are way up too.  The breeze is amazing and the sun brightens the house.  I don’t even need to turn on the lights.  I can’t wait to finally get settled.  Time to go to bed now,zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Just talking out loud……

Who the hell likes to move.  not me!  Furthermore my typing skills are suffering.  I tend to always have to press the back button lately.  Two days and we are out of this cave.  90% percent packed.  I am hoping that we can stay there for a long time. 

In the mean time I have been baking like a maniac.  I got stuck on a pattern and since then I had to pack it away.  I have my daughter Sumi as my assistant.  We have made cinnamon buns, pizza, nan indian bread, classic white bread and roti.  Of course I took pics  but its 2 am, I will dig them up tomorrow.  Its not like I can post this right away.  I have no internet, but I will in the new apartment!

The nan indian bread was the most one I had fun making.  I got the recipe from Weight watchers spicy cookbook.  Surprisingly it was a great recipe.  The only thing annoying was that I had to let it rise for five hours twice.  It was worth the work because the taste was awesome.  I never made a bread dough that included yogurt.  I packed everything except my bread ingredients and my baking supplies.  My husband announced, “There will be no baking tomorrow, we got to get out of this apartment!”.  I was like DARN! I guess I have to box everything in the morning. 

 

Ever given CPR to an animal?

Yes, I have to say yes to this.  Most frightening visit to the Vet happened yesterday.  I had to go and get the annual shots and clips my cats nails.  Technically she is still a kitten, only nine months old.  My husband has been bugging me to take her for so long.  So finally we got her an evening appointment.  My husband, Sumaiyah and I all went in a taxi.  Here I am thinking that this will go all so well.  I come in the office, Ginger doesn't want to come out of her carrier.  She was so afraid.  I never saw her so afraid.  Finally when I take her out, she clings to us for dear life.  She hisses at the vet and could have scratched her.  No way was she going to let anyone do anything, so the vet had to tranquilize her.  I was the only one holding her tightly, the vet injected her.  We waited until she fell asleep. Finally the vet took her out, clips her nails and gave her the vaccine.  They she asked me if I wanted to declaw her.  I was like in my mind, "Hell no".  I can't do that.  What if she escapes one day, she will be defenseless and will get killed.  My hubby was being such a pain, but I was like NO.  Anyway, she tells me that she will sleep for a while and the she may be a little tired and then she said that she was done.  Did she ask me to stay and wait, No.  That was it.  So we left with the Ginger sleeping in her carrier in a taxi.  Half way there she stops breathing.  My daughter noticed it right away.  We started panicking and crying.  OMG, Ginger is dead.  OMG, tears and cries.  Then suddenly I thought let me breathe in her mouth.  While I started the breaths, Sumaiyah called the vet and she said to massage her chest and I did.  Still breathing in her mouth.  My mind in thinking that she is dead.  Let me continue breathing in her mouth.  Then I saw a wink, continue breathing in her mouth.  Felt some air coming out, continue breathing.  We are already almost to the office again.  I lifted her out of the carrier and then I saw her chest rise.  We came out of the taxi and the outside air hit her and she opened her eyes more and moved her mouth and I said to Sumaiyah, She is alive.  We brought her in and the Vet opened her mouth and the cat meowed at her and tried to scratch her with her now cut nails.  Then she had the nerve to tell me that she forgot  to tell me to stay and try to wake the cat up.  Ugh.  I was so upset but glad that she was alive.  What an ordeal.  I was already flashing  thoughts of where I was going to bury her.  Egyptian cats are street cats here.  Some people feed them and some don't care.  They rather spend money on a Persian or Siamese cat.  Ginger is a beautiful mau cat.  How can this vet say that these cats are street cats and that no one wants them.  Not a nice thing to say.  Anyway, I had to get this out of my head.  Ginger is on my lap sleeping right now.  So glad it was not her time yet and she is still with us.  Love you Ginger!!1

Just collecting my thoughts…..

So many things has happened lately I don't know where to start. We finally moved to Alexandria. The apartment is nice and big. Just when I thought we were going to settle in this place we have to leave. We have only been here one month. So now, I have this feeling of I have to pack again, how annoying. We found another apartment that is much better than this one, big with a nice balcony and lots of sun. Its so cold in this flat and dark. The sun rises on the left of the building and sets on the right. There is a huge building in front of us that blocks the sun all day. Why wasn't this thought about before? The new flat is close to the Arabic center. Two blocks away. That eliminates traveling by taxi or microbus which is a big headache. Five minutes to school and back, yipee!!! Meanwhile I have no freaken internet. I have to go to this cafe which is close by. But its nothing like having it at home. Oh, yes, that is how it started. We can't stay because we couldn't get internet. Then more reasons came after. Oh well. I having been knitting too. Finally took out my needles and hooks for some quick projects with Lion Brand Wool=ease yarn. I can't believe I found that yarn, in Egypt! I knitted a pair of cozy socks for my husband and a nice scully hat. Come to think of it, I wanted it for myself it was so cozy. I dug out a project I started in October. Crochet-knit scarf using that big yellow hook. Half way I did a little tunisian knit stitch that I wanted to try. I swear the scarf is 6 feet long. I folded up the ends and made pockets. That was a last minute idea that I saw in another pattern book. So you think its not cold in Egypt? Ha. Its chilly at night. I also knitted a hat right from a pattern that came with the yarn. Thank you Lion Brand for those free patterns. Really nice and warm. I just snapped this photo of myself nice and cozy! Now I have going make myself some cabled wrist warmers from Learn to knit cables on Looms. First I have to learn how to make the cable. I practiced long ago when I first got the book. Now since my hands are cold its time to make them. Its so much fun when you can stay up all night, watching Friends back to back and knitting. Great combination. While everyone is sleeping!!!! My hubby doesn't like when I do that. "How can you stay up all night and knit like that?" The answer is, "Because I want too!!!". I have taken pics of all my projects. As soon as I am done with the wrist warmers I have to finish my socks. They been in my bag for nearly two years or more. I can't keep track. I am hoping I can get a signal on my laptop so I can post this.

del.icio.us Tags: Knitting,Crochetnit,Tunisian Crochet

Miss you blog!!

I am really missing my hobby. Now I feel facebook and twitter is getting boring. I am going to delete my twitter account. My hands have other talents besides typing on twitter. It was fun and still is a little, but I need to get back to my knitting and crocheting and my looms. I am going to start reading "The Friday Night Knitting Club". I heard it was good and I bought at a book sale in Maadi. Time to wipe off the dust and start having fun again. I miss reading blogs that have so much beautiful stuff that people make. Now I have to search for a pattern for my friends baby. She needs some warm knits for the winter. Bye for now.

Sisters Day....

I was invited to my friends house Wafaa. When I got there, my other crochet buddies were there, Hala and Maryam. I am teaching my friends how to crochet and we are having lots of fun. I did a mini class on granny squares with crochet thread and a little crochet hook. Wafaa wants to learn how to filet crochet and make doilies. Even though I know almost all the stitches I never done filet crochet. I only ever made one doily. So this is going to be new for me. As for the sock I never finished it, but hopefully before the winters comes alone. In addition to this nice day we had, Wafaa made some good food. We ended it with something tasty cake she made with coconut chocolate frosting.

Crochet today….

Its fun crocheting this sock.  I haven’t touch it since my first post.  I have been so busy homeschooling and I just don’t have  a lot of time.  But its early and I have some time to kill.  I am going to the Metro to get some food for the school lunch tomorrow and maybe watch a chick flick if its on and continue my sock.

Winter socks in the summer….

I am working on a Lion Brand sock pattern I saw on the wool ease label.

Time to Crochet....

I have been wanting to make another totebag. The other one needs a lining which I am going to sew. Everything is always slipping out of it, its so annoying. This new tote I am making I am definitely going to make a lining preferably in black. There are many crochet projects that I want to make this summer. Realistically I won't be able to. But anyway here goes. One childs poncho, pair of socks, and sweater from Big Girl Knits. This book has some many beautiful patterns. I feel like I bought the book to look at it. I really need to try something new. The fact of the matter is I really don't have any yarn except sock yarn. So I am aiming for a chunky knit sweater. I am not ready for something fine knit. I don't have patience for something that takes long, call me lazy whatever. I like things that work fast. I am going to treat myself to some yarn tonight. The little shop Mona has Lion Brand yarn. Can you believe it? Wool ease. Here is a little pic of my almost tote. I have completed only the bottom. Macrame is so cheap here. I really want to get more. I think the sisters would like to have crocheted bags here. Maybe I can make a little money and sell some.

Finished tote!

I finally sewed on the straps. I really didn't have enough fabric. Me and my friend Hala are going to attempt to make some really cool bags from this book named "Sew many bags so little time". I ordered it from Crafters Choice(great book club) I really like this book. It's very good for beginners and has lots of cute little projects. Here is a little pic of the tote bag. Once I start sewing, I couldn't stop.

Making a tote bag....

I started to make this tote bag so I can carry my sewing stuff to class. Its really cute so far. I have to make the straps. What is the best way to put straps? Probably the best way is to have the straps go from one side to the bottom and then up the other side. I just don't want the straps to rip off the sides of the bag. I bought the fabric in a sewing shop in Brooklyn. Boy, do I miss that shop called, "Sew Materialistic". The fabric in this place is beautiful. They don't have fabric like that in Egypt. It's printed with chocolates that you might find in a chocolate gift box. Yummy.

Got a sewing machine today...

I have been going to sewing classes with my friends in Zaituun. We learned how to create patterns by measuring ourselves. Really, I have been wanting to learn how to do this for such a long time. My crochet and loom knitting partner Hala told me about the classes and for 30 LE a month, its not bad, its actually awesome.

My friend Wafaa gave me a classic singer sewing machine. When I say its classic, its classic. It works pretty good too. I am so thrilled. So of course my daughters want me to teach them. I just have to wait until I get a little more skilled.

In class today we made a pattern for a skirt. Since I didn't have fabric, we used the brown paper as imaginary fabric. What we made was a nice fitted skirt. Now just imagine, the lady doesn't speak a word of english. Good thing I understood what she was saying most of the time. Its a good thing the tape measure has english numbers. LOL. She speaks the local ameyah language. Her name is Wafaa too. She is such a sweet lady.

Speaking of language. I have to go back to school and continue my learning. Really, how can anyone go to arabic school and its getting so hot out here? I tell you it was hot in Zaituun today. We went to a local fabric shop and Wafaa bought some fabric to make pajamas. I need to make some for my boys too.

Things I would love to learn how to make:
Jilbab(islamic attire)
Hijabs (islamic attire)
Pants
Tote bag (I already crocheted one, now I have to sew one)
Quilts(i love quilting_
Dolls

So I googles free patterns and I got some really good websites that have so many free patterns.
http://www.freepatterns.com/
http://www.sewingfreebies.com/
http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns
http://www.bellaonline.com/subjects/653.asp

Lunch

I haven't worked out in about 10 days. I have to get back on the ball. Fortunately my eating habits are still the same. I am very much aware of how much bread and starchy food I eat and make sure I have plenty of fruits and veggies for my kids and I to snack on. As soon as the fruit is gone they head to the veggies and devour them. So, being that the case today, I made a nice salad for myself. What is missing is my green spinach. Got to go and get some tomorrow. Thinking of a nice spanish meal today. Roasted chicken, herbed pasta and a huge salad with lots of crunchy veggies. My kids love it.

Craft Day in Maadi

A friend that lives in Maadi had a Craft Day. The sceduled events was felting and pottery. These are two things that I have never did before and I was really excited. I took my two girls and we joined other families. We made felted balls and mats. It was a lot of fun. Felting is done in a couple of steps. I think I am going to keep on practicing to get the technique right. I might have to go to the village and see if I can buy some sheep or camel wool. They also can dye it for you. She has some nice warm colors. Brown, Burnt Orange, Burgundy, Black, Beige, and White. I believe that it is easier to knit or crochet the piece and then felt. We were separating the wool and placing in on a mat all going in one direction. Then we placed it the opposite direction. My daughter made a nice square and she will use it to hang her jewlery. I am going to use my square as a book cover. When we were done felting we ate a nice lunch. Then we made our way over to Ree Fee an educational studio for the arts. Oh yes, we sat at the pottery table and made some pretty plates and baskets. We had such a wonderful time. I am definitely going again. Next time I will bring the whole family.

Teaching my friends,

I introduced loomknitting to one of my friends and she has finally completed a project, yay! She made a pair of tube socks using the knit stitch on the yellow "In the attic looms". It's a perfect time when these tile floors are very cold. I posted a little pic. I also met a new friend from Spain, and guess what? She can knit! I am so happy!
I am making a hat to match my jacket on the kk yellow long loom. I have a little complaint. It seems that the pick that comes with the kk looms are not as sturdy as I like them to be, they bend. So if I am using double yarn I have to knit loose so that way it can be easy to make a stitch. I don't want to fight my way to make the hat. I found that the In the Attic pics are very sturdy and work very well with their looms. I tried to use them with the kk looms and it seems as though its a tiny bigger than the kk pic. Anyway, I am dealing with it. I am really interested in buying this new item from provocraft that brings a handle and different crochet hook sizes and even a pic. But I can also make and bake a big handle just like it out of polymer clay. I really don't need any extra crochet hooks. Did I mentioned I was stressed? I am so thankful for knitting, looms, hooks, pattern books and all these cool notions. Blogging is really cool, even though no one reads mine, this is a fun way to release stress and talk to myself.

No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup of peanut butter

1 cup of honey

1 1/4 cup of milk powder

1 1/4 cup of powdered sugar

Mix to form dough with wood spoon

Kneaded dough with chocolate chips

Roll and press dough on wax paper


Sumi and I made these quick peanut butter cookies. It was so easy and so tasty. We used honey in our mix and added chocolate chips. When we were done, we refrigerated our cookies and they tasted just as yummy and a little more firm. I am going to make these with my boys and use cookie cutters instead. I would assume you would dip the cutters in either milk powder or powdered sugar so the cookie dough won't stick. A great idea would be to make icecream cookies with these. I found this recipe on ReachOutMichigan website. Click the title, its linked!

ccccrochet...

My daughter started this poncho but became so busy with other things and gave it me. I crocheted about 3 rows and then I realized I was out of yarn. To finish it I would have to hope that his yarn shop still has it in stock which might not be a possibility. So if they don't have it, what else can I do with it?

Made these last night..

I have always wanted to make polymer clay handles for my crochet hooks. After crocheting for a while my hands start hurting, expecially when the hooks are small. I went on www.tapestrycrochet.com and found a video on how to do them. I went and dug out some polymer clay and made my handles. I tried mixing colors and making spiral designs, it was a lot of fun. I made a big handle for my size N hook, its so comfortable. I was up late last night watching "In the valley of Elah" and making my handles at the same time. I left the baking for morning. I put them in my toaster oven, baked for 45 minutes and here they are.

I caught the cold bug

First the kids got sick and them me. Today I am feeling much better than two days ago. I thought I would have to make that trip to the doctor. I was hoping not to. I have endured 3 days of chinese herbal tea. The kind that is so bitter that you can't do anything about it, just drink it. Yesterday I felt like I had a cold sweat, that's a sign that I am getting better. Well, it hindered my efforts to knit, but I did read. I am trying to learn how to knit cables on looms and needles, so I read a little on that. I also watched some videos too. Today I posted a little pic of a little bag I made for my friend from leftover yarn.

Weeee,this is fun....

Yay! I made my friends son this cool hat. I came home from school and just started loom knitting again. I looks like it has these cool blue and green swirls coming from the top.
Its time to try to "Learn to Knit cables on Looms". I think I am ready now. I have to read through the instructions and I will check on youtube if there is a video. That would be great. So lets see how my next hat turns out. I have to make one for my son Ibraheem. I think I am going to make another money bag for my friend Maryam. Go to go now.