winter

I've spent so many years away from you
Just catching rare glimpses here and there,
And now you are in my life once more
But I am still caught unaware

I mean not to be ungrateful
For your refreshing gusts of wind,
Your showers of rain and biting cold
And the change in temperature you bring

The sniffles and coughs and other ills
Do often get me down,
As does the limited warm sunshine
Whenever you're in town

But then, I get to indulge a bit more
In soups and various hot drinks,
Creamy custards and piping-hot puddings
And lemons, oranges and mandarins

Cozy crocheted blankets and various hand-knits,
I love, as they really are the best -
Thing about you being here and
Make you a welcomed guest!

Chrea National Park - the snow up there, brought us a whole load of cold down here!

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now

After seeing the taking stock post on Meet Me At Mikes, I thought a quick capture of where I am right now would be fun (and a nice way of getting back in to blogging). I've used some of Pip's prompts but not all, so if you'd like to take part, check out her post for the full list.

Making: things to keep little ones warm

Cooking: stuffed peppers with tomato sauce

Drinking: herbal tea - This is really good!

Reading: Daring Greatly by Brene Brown - an eye-opener to say the least

Trawling: paleo sites - no matter how far I stray, I love going back!

Wanting: to get everything done

Looking: forward

Deciding: on which way to go

Wishing: peace to all

Enjoying: Sherlock 

Waiting: for things to pan out

Liking: bullet journaling 

Wondering: when the water company will turn the water back on :(

Loving: The Year Compass 

Watching: my baby take dramatics to another level!

Marvelling: at my friend's stairs

Needing: more hours in the day?

Smelling: a scented candle from a beautiful friend

Wearing: hand-knit socks 

Noticing: composition - for a little photography club I've joined

Knowing: that I don't know what's best for my family ... only Allah (God) does 

Admiring: the efforts of so many regarding the Syrian crisis

Celebrating: community and friendship

Embracing: winter - well, trying to!

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still here ... but in algeria!

I've been away from this space for a while for various reasons. Life has kept me busy. We picked up and carted ourselves over to North Africa. I was hormonal. I was a stranger in a strange land (or so I thought). I watched my children take it all in and adapt to school here, language and new friends and family too. I was blessed with another little bundle of joy (ma sha Allah) and my parents came over to Algeria for the very first time. It's a very different place. But I think (and hope!) they left knowing that I'm ok here. My mojo had taken a flying leap somewhere and I think it's starting to make an appearance again! Alhamdulillah. I haven't completely found my feet here ... but every little step helps ... and it can be that "strange" if ...

I'm still crocheting for my baby ...

I'm still admiring intricate Algerian sweets (but now I get to help make them before a family wedding)

I'm still having fun with instagram @fruitfulfusion :)

while I discover more of the city I'm in

I'm still noticing different architectural styles ...

I'm still enjoying flowers

I'm still baking

I'm still by the sea 

but I'm not far from lakes

and mountains that have the last bits of snow on them

and I'm enjoying fresh, local produce

and I've found wonderful friends Allahumma baarik 

and I've been busy with something new and exciting!!! 

So STAY TUNED!!!

But in the meantime, do head over and check out THE CREATIVES! "Like" us! Go on, you know want to! And don't forget to follow @almubdiaatdz on instagram! We NEED you to cheer us on! 

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ramadan journal - days 4 to 10

Day 4 - currently reading

In Ramadan the focus is on Qur'an.

Day 5 - something crafty

Something my kids got up to without my knowing!

Day 6 - workspace

It's boxes galore here!

Day 7 - white

a surprisingly cloudy sky for Jeddah

Day 8 - handwriting

It's funny finding old notes as I pack everything up!

Day 9 - this happened today

A delicious Egyptian iftar (after sunset) meal prepared by a dear friend

Day 10 - grateful for ...

... the roof over our heads, the clothes on our backs and the bread on our table!

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my creative space - trying

Yes, I couldn't keep up with blogtoberfest. But it's ok. I tried. I enjoyed. I learnt.

This week, while I was knitting an amari shawl I ran out of yarn! What's new, eh? I don't want to go and get some more. And it breaks my heart to frog it ...

... but I started another one anyway! I have missed leisurely crochet, but since my crochet and plastic escapades began, I've turned to knitting for comfort crafting!

Of course there is more plastic on the scene as we have a few other ideas coming along!

My head has been occupied with a lot lately, so I've been taking pleasure from the simple things in my life that can often get overlooked.

Yes, the first Marks and Spencers food hall I've seen in Jeddah. It's teeny but it's there!

Window shopping with my family.

Letting the girls take over the kitchen. 

Going for walks. 

Today I stepped out with my 9 year old son. It was one-to-one time and much needed. With four children and now homeschooling them, they tend to get lumped together all too often. 

I loved that we could talk about Hajj, as today is a special day, being the main day of Hajj, when pilgrims gather in Arafah, near Makkah. 

I loved that he could talk my ear off about football and I have to catch myself when I've said "hmm" too often and actually engage with him on his favourite topic. 

I savour these moments with each of my children ma sha Allah.

While my energy levels are a bit low, all manners of zestiness are at a trough too, today is a special day for us of reflection, fasting, supplication, worship, charity, goodness, preparations for a simple meal today and celebration of 'Eid al Adha, stemming from the traditions of Prophet Abraham (Ibraheem 'alayhis salaam) tomorrow.

I wish you all well and Eid Mubarak (Blessed Eid).

Check out more creative spaces here and #amonthof #mycreativespace! Will I or won't I? 

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my creative space - saying goodbye

No, I'm not leaving just yet. But the expat life means that we say goodbye to quite a lot of people and yesterday we were saying goodbye to one very inspirational friend.

My cake-making sil came up with one of her creations in the midst of her studies!

 My blanket is still in the works. I managed to darn in plenty of ends while watching Chelsea play Juventus! Fiona, I am hoping to add a few more rounds. I just hope I can get them done in time!

And the knitting needles have found their way in to my creative space too! I love the circulars and find knitting quite a soothing process now! A total change of heart!

Now, here's something a bit different for you. A bit of my creativity does occur in the kitchen. Just a bit! So on that note, can you guess what this is? 

Answers on a postcard in a comment! No prizes, except maybe a shout out!

Beautiful creative spaces here!

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our own junior masterchef

I had to share these here because I mentioned it in my last post and the kids (mine and my brothers) did such an amazing job ma sha Allah! They're ages range from 2 to 12. The 2, 4 and 5 year olds were in a group and had help of course in making the Iced Heaven, the yummy ice cream cake on left. 

The other children chose their own dishes and flavours and just stunned us. My 9 year old son made the Triple Threat Pizzas (3 different and interesting toppings) and my 12 year old daughter made The Shrimp Escape (top left), a delicious shrimp pie! 

My 6 year old nephew made the Meat Vs. Fish lasagne (left). He named it himself! My 10 year old daughter made the Cracked Chocolate Cake (with butterscotch pieces in it!) and my 7 year old niece made the Kamikaze Wings with Sushi (scrumptious, spicy chicken wings in a peanut sauce).  

A lot of work went in to organizing it, getting the shopping done and coordinating 8 kids in a kitchen. My brother and his wife, with some help from my youngest brother, did a great job with it. I know the kids loved it and I think activities like this are such a confidence boost too. We didn't score the dishes. We had to guess who made what! 

Have you tried anything like this with a bunch of kids before? 

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