I made a loom caddy.....

I have a very small space where I try to organize my stuff. My looms are just laying around and not protected. I am constantly standing them up or laying them on my bed and yelling so no one steps on my looms. So finally, finally.... I made a loom caddy with some thrifty material that I bought from the the good will store and my sons old pants. It came out pretty good, but its soo long. My longest loom is 36 inches. I made it wide enough to put pattern books and also a working project with yarn. Not bad. The only thing I need to do now is a strap. I haven't figured that out yet.

I purchased a KB sock loom. Its so cute and tiny. The truth is I already know how to knit and crochet socks, even on the Knifty Knitter. So why did I get one? Because I just wanted to learn another technique. Some ladies from the Knitting and Crochet club bought one, so we are going to do it together. I am going to make a little bag for it from my leftover fabric from the loom caddy because it didn't come with a case. Now I have to purchase sock yarn. I have to check out what KnitPicks has. I left all my sock yarn in Egypt. Sometimes I wish I was in Egypt. I really do miss it. That beautiful Mediterranean ocean. I am thinking of it right now......and when I open my eyes I am still in the Bronx.

This is a pic of an amazing apple pie that Sumi and I made. It was was delicious and it was huge! Who said apple pie had to be round?

My hat (small child)

Here is a pic of the hat that I made from Knitting Workshop.  Making this hat was fun and easy.  I never thought that I could do color knitting.  The pattern for this was full of tips and tricks that came in  handy.  I can just pick up yarn and needles and with  EZ’s  pattern and I can make something beautiful.
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Now I am a little nervous.  I am up to Part 2 Two Sweaters.  Uggg.  I don’t know if I can continue.  I have to get more yarn to do  a sweater.  I am willing to tackle the project!

Started on the EZ hat…

I started reading the Knitting Workshop.  So far I really like the book.  Its not a book that gives you patterns on each page.  Its more like a one on one class.  She gives you tips and tricks along the way and at the same time we are knitting. Right now I am knitting the hat.  I am up to color knitting.  Knitting alternate stitches with two colors. EZ says it’s the simplest ever.  I made a nice design where I am carrying over the yarn.  This is a technique that I was scared of doing because it always looks so sloppy, but now it looks great,  I am making the hat on circular needles. T he problem with me is that I had to use a smaller circular because I brought a short one.  I was at my mothers house at the time.  So now that  I am almost done the hardest part to figure out is the decrease.  After this, I won’t do this again.  Meaning, I will stick to the pattern and if I don’t have the tools I need, I just won’t start. Elizabeth provides very precise tricks to finish the cap with ease. 

Facebook is really boring, just thought I would say that. 

Anyway, I sewed up a neat bag for my long loom.  To make this short, I used the bottoms of my boys pant because the knees had holes.  Made them into squares and sewing them up.  Now all I is a soft lining to sew it on the inside.  I found a fleece baby blanket in the thrift shop, but I didn’t get it.  I will try to go back this week and get it.  I will post a pic of it once I am done.  I am thinking of decorating it, but I don’t know how.  Now all I need is to know is how to shine the  pins on my loom.

Still here….in the Bronx…..

Its been a long time since my last post. The boys had a good school year and both passed into the next grade. My year was full of PTA meetings, trips and Yankee stadium and lots of volunteer work. The Bronx Little School is awesome, full of dedicated teachers and staff. I can say I had a very busy year. I didn’t do a lot of knitting but I was able to meet with the Parkchester Knitting and Crochet Club and talk and share. Members come and go but we always have a nice bunch ready to lend a helping hand. It’s my little 2 hour me time.

Ismaeel at Yankee Stadium.

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Ismaeel on a fishing trip with his 2nd grade class and Ms. Noble.

Flashback, boys ages 1 and 3 at my sister’s house.

Parent trip to Ellis Island.  Sponsored by The Bronx Little School(awesome)!

Katherine and the cutest baby ever, with Sumi on the Statue Ferry.

Ismaeel with Ms. Noble (2nd grade)

Mrs. O’Conner (4th grade) with Ibraheem on Field Day.

 

Now its September, school starts on the 8th.  I have to go buy school supplies, 1 book bag, and 2 uniform shirts.  I need to get everything ready for next week.  Then I have to get a schedule for homeschool with my girls at home.

My family and I just finished fasting the month of Ramadan.  It was tough, but wonderful.  We celebrated Eid  with the morning prayer in Bronx Park next to the Bronx Zoo.  It was wonderful and peaceful.  We packed up a picnic  and went up to Rockland County State Park.  What a nice and clean park.  We cooked up a storm and had lost of refreshments and fruits.  We made bbq chicken, jerk chicken, and some apple rub chicken.  There was shrimp, steak, hotdogs, and hamburgers.  I made my famous rice and beans!  So Yummy!  By the time the afternoon came I was ready for a nap. 

Wilmarie, Sumaiyah and Ameenah

Ismaeel and Ibraheem at the Eid Salat.

My hubby cooking on the grill!

Ha, we got of pic of Juana smiling!

Nadirah and I.

Muneerah, Hanaan, Ibraheem, Ismaeel, Dawood and Yusuf.

Brothers cooking on the grill.

 

 

I was able to order lots of goodies.  I bought some yarn, a straw bag, patterns books and The Knitting Workshop by Elizabeth Zimmermann.  You know, she guarantee’s that you can become a master knitter by the time you finish her book.  Tell me.  Have you every read a guarantee like that? I haven’t.  So I ordered it on sale at Knitting warehouse for 11 bucks! Master Knitter here I come!  I am ready EZ!   I also got some new tips from Knit pics and lots of cute notions.  I love my notions.  So I don’t feel badly for buying stuff.  I took a bunch of pattern books and magazines that I didn’t want and gave them to my knitting and crocheting club.  They were eager to have them too.  I just had too much!  I had to make room for my new stuff. 

I got this huge straw tote bag from Lantern Moon for 10 bucks on Knit Picks.  What a deal!

The guarantee!!!!

Okay, I had so much more to add but didn’t want to stuff everything in one post.  I like the fact that I was able to have this blog since 2006.  I have so many memories.  I have wasted putting pics on Facebook .  So I am going to try to create slide shows so I can have them on my blog. Blogging is so much better.

I went loca……

Yes, I became crazy.  I bought some new knitting and crocheting books, but no yarn.  How silly I am.  I need to save some money specifically for some yarn.  I can’t wait to get the books  by mail.  Just receiving a package is a big deal.  I never received mail in Egypt.  I would probably have received a letter after 3 months.  Anyway, they had a big sale on Crafter’s Choice  Book Club, any book for $10.99.  Compared with Amazon and found out that CC had better prices.  I also checked the reviews to make sure they were worth the price. After these no more ordering anymore (yeah right). Selling some books that I never used would be a good idea to make some money to buy yarn.  I am probably going to sell them in stacks of 3 or 4 on Ebay. 

Right now I am trying to finish some squares for the charity project that we are making  at the Parkchester Knitting Circle.  So far we have one full size blanket and one baby blanket.  We have enough for one more.  It amazing how everyone made 10 squares and we were able to make something so beautiful. 

Large blanket

Baby blanket

I was excited to point out the squares that I made.  This week I will be handing in the last few squares left and some wrist warmers that I made with extra yarn.  Maybe when this project is finished I can get back to my son’s sweater.

Knitting Board Basics

I really love this book. It has some nice stitches with lots of pics. I wish they could have done a little more in the section "Creating patterns with colors". I would have liked more explanation with pics for the charted designs. There are lots of nice patterns for you to make. I think one mistake that is made all the time in patterens book is that they don't include a pattern for older children. Like 8-13 years old. In this book they don't have a pattern for anything in this age range only mittens. I would have liked to see a sweater at least. Other than that, it's great on all the basics with some pretty projects to go with it. The book delivers on the basics, it's in the name.

Knitting on the Noble Knitter…

This is a great loom.  I have been learning stitches and so far it’s been a lot of fun.  I find that knitting on a this loom is a different kind of experience when compared to knitting with needles.  I find that it’s a little slower but very enjoyable.  I love when the work starts to reveal itself from the bottom.

Knitting away…….

Well, I received my knitting board.  It’s just like they described.  The only thing it’s a little heavy, but I love it.  I already learned the stockinette stitch and yes it is nice and thick.   I want to do more designer stitches so I am going through the book step by step.  I am using the new book “Knitting Board Basics”.  I got it for a $1 when I joined Crafters Choice book club.

my kb

I am doing several projects.  I have a sweater that I am trying to complete front and back panels.  I am also involved in a charity project. I have to make 10 8x8 squares to make a special afghan as a donation.  I have a pair of socks knitted half way which is really annoying.  Maybe the pattern was boring.  I think I am going to frog it and think of something else in the future to make with it. 

  8x8 squares

Since receiving my knitting board, I need to make a carrying case for it.  So as soon as my friend Juana gets a hot minute she will take me to the fabric store.  I want to buy some black canvas material, possibly quilted and sew up a long wide tube with a long strap.  I am thinking of a drawstring at the top.  I  joined granny squares that I had in my mom’s basement for years.  I think I can sew it onto the canvas  as a cover when I finish the bag.  So much to do and so little time. 

  granny square panels (2)

Yay!!!!

I am getting a knitting board!  I am soooo happy.  It’s called the Noble Knitter 100.  I compared it to other boards and I really like this one the best.  First of all, the pegs follow a color pattern and are numbered.  Which is something that I have not seen in any other board.  I couldn’t believe all the options I have with this board and I can’t wait to get it!!!!!!  I already have my knitting board pattern book ready and waiting.  This was a gift from my hubby!!!  I am waiting……..

Apple pie, yummmmy!

My hubby came home with a huge bag of Granny Smith apples for an apple pie we’ve been trying to make for a while.  Sumaiyah made the apple mixture and I made the crust.  I changed the recipe a little by adding half of whole wheat flour to the mix. I also doubled the recipe because we didn’t have a pie plate, we had a cake pan.  So can you imagine?  This pie was big and deep.  We used 14 huge Granny Smith apples.  We were up until 1:30 am waiting until the pie was finished.  It was so warm and toasty in the kitchen which is why I like to bake in the winter.  Anyway the pie was awesome.  So delicious.  I remember years ago I started baking pies and the crust wouldn’t turn out good.  It would be too watery or apples wouldn’t be cooked.  But now I can say, Man, we made an awesome pie tonight!!!  I would love to make a cherry pie. I love cherries, raspberries and blueberries.  Who said a pie has to be round?

 

 

 

Peanut butter Peanut butter chip cookies by Sumaiyah.  I have to say these were so yummy especially with a cup of organic fat free milk!!

 

 

Who is that little boy in that papoose?  None other than Ismaeel, my 8 yr old.  I made this blanket over 6 years ago from scrap yarn and its still around.

Knitting my first sweater………….

After joining the Parkchester Knitting Circle I decided on another project.  I was encouraged by a fellow knitter who has made many sweaters to knit one. Knitting my first sweater.  I thought to myself for who?  My youngest son Ismaeel.  Why?  So that way I can have a finished product quickly.  Am I being lazy?  Of course not.  I am just trying to go over that hill of sweater making.  I feel as though after this task is done then I can have the confidence to make another one and another and another.  I really love being a part of the knitting circle.  Its like a small family getting together and doing what we love.  Everyone brings there projects, notions and newly bought books and patterns.  Sometimes in big bags or shopping carts.  I think that’s cool.

We are all going to crochet and knit an afghan for a charity.  What a wonderful idea.  I always wanted to be part of something like this.  We start the squares this week on Thursday.  I have to think about which special stitches I will use to make it looks nice.

Here is a pic of my messy knitting bag with some small projects and  my Handy Book of Sweater Patterns Book.  This is a book I left in New York when I went to Egypt.  What was I thinking?  Also I took a pic of the sweater I am making for my son.  I think it’s coming along well.  I am using two circular Harmony Wooden Needles to knit two pieces at the same time.  My fellow knitter showed me how to do it.  I am so thankful.

 

 

Stress……

We put the boys school.  How did this happen? It was not easy to make a decision like this, but my hubby felt strongly about it.  As far as socialization goes, my kids are veterans.  The schools now require a lot of writing. Even Ismaeel is writing stories everyday.  Writing  has been the struggle everyday since school started.  Ibraheem has to get used to writing everyday or he will miss out on special trips.  So its time to put that pencil on that paper and get creative.  I bought the series “Adventures in Literacy” years ago.  I didn’t realize how good they were.  I brought it with me from my mothers basement.  I need to go back and get the other three books.  We started with the title “Adventure Stories”".  It has a whole page of words that you would find in a rainforest and other writing ideas.  It has been hard for all of us because I have  to help him and push him to get it done.  15 minutes of free writing can be hours for him.  I woke him up at 7 and its almost 12pm and we are still here at the table and I am still pushing him to finish.  I am hoping inshallah that this will get easier with time.  I still have to get some school supplies.  My head is starting to thump.  Headache, you better come back later.  I have no time to deal with you right now.

My finished shawl, it really is about time…..

Deep in the bins in my mothers basement was an unfinished shawl.  I think I had almost  2 panels done.  The yarn was Bernat in jewel tones.  Why did I leave it?  I don’t know.  I already sold a lot of yarn on Ebay that I didn’t want.  They were really old projects leftovers but the yarn was like I just put it away.  I was happy to get rid of it.  I made a huge effort in the past week to finish it.  I am so happy I did and its for me!  By the way its 1:34 am and I am suffering from these really bad menstrual cramps, unbelievable.  I am about to pop two Panadol right now before uploading the pic of my shawl.  What am I writing this? 

 

                          

Still in NYC

I thought I would be in Egypt by now.   I am missing that which I have gotten used too.  The masjids, the people, the adhans at prayer times.  I miss opening my balcony doors and feeling that warm air come in.  I miss trying to speak Arabic, which I hope I didn’t forget the little I know.  I miss my neighbor.  Although I don’t know how long I will staying there, but I am hoping to get back and finish our purpose there.

I finally picked up my crochet hook and said the heck with it.  I am stealing this time.  Leave me alone with a good show from Animal Planet, Create, Discovery and I am good to go.  I am making a shawl.  This was a shawl I started 4 years ago and left it in a plastic bin in my mothers basement.  It was neatly stashed away in a ziploc baggie.  How wonderful.  It looked like I just put it in there the day before.  I am determined to finish it.  Among other things, a pair of socks that I brought with me half way done.

I love the libraries in NY.  I go to the library in the Bronx all the time with my kids. We even homeschool in the library four times a week.  Wow, I haven’t seen so many books in a long time, old, current and new.  Why buy when you can borrow?

I went to Barnes & Nobles about 2 weeks ago and that surely was a treat.  I had to nearly drag myself out.  Didn’t want to go .  Kept on seeing books I wanted to look at.  I purchased a book on drawing, oragami and the latest Betty Crocker Cookbook.  I have one in Egypt. It is soooo used.  Sheets have stains, and show signs of  lots and lots of use.  Sooo, I needed a new one.  I would like to buy myself a book holder so I can have it sitting up and plus its easier to read. 

I want to get myself a cd player so I can put it in my kitchen.  I have so many tapes and cds but the radios in Egypt are crappy and break easily.  I have started filling up a tote bag of seasons and things I want to take with me to Egypt.  I have some new seasonings, sazon(of course), crystal light, and other little goodies. 

Hope I get to finish my shawl so I can post my picks. 

Bye Bye Habeebi & Mish Mish

I left May 12 to New York and left my birds with a friend. Apparently something happened and they both died. It could have been that it was too hot outside. No one really knows your beloved pets or even how to take care of them. I loved my little love birds. They were a gift from a friend who went back to the UK. They filled my days with beautiful chirps and songs. Even if Habeebi used to try to nibble at my finger when I would try to change his food. I am so thankful for having them for 3 years. I will miss them so much. The only pet I have left is Charlie (turtle). So far he is well and staying with a family in Maadi. I went through so much just to get him there and I am happy I did it.

Feeding cats….

I have this bag of Cat Chow that belonged to Ginger.  Every morning I see the street cats on my way to school.  So this morning I pack the bag into my book bag and fed one kitty.  On my way back I made a special trip by the bakery and found a sickly cat that I see all the time.  So I fed her too. 

My heart is sad.

Our kitten Ginger has passed away today.  I don’t know exactly what happened.  We found her in front of our building.  I am so sad and I am going to miss her dearly.  I wrapped her in a cloth and tied her well with yarn.  We buried her in an area deep by the train tracks where no one would disturb her.  I don’t think I can have another cat, especially living in this tall building.  So I will just stick to my turtle and my lovebirds for now.  I am happy to say that we loved her while she was with us.  I am thankful to Allah to have her as a companion.  She was fun and feisty and full of life.  She will continue to live on now in a better place.  We love you Ginger and we will miss you so much.

 

 

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