There is a reason I am calling this Korean style rather than Korean. It is not Korean, but it has flavors and ingredients that a Korean person might recognize. It is quick and delicious and makes a great weeknight meal, especially with some jasmne rice, stir fried vegetables with a touch of sesame oil and sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds, and citrus or other acidic fruit like pineapple. When I stir fry vegetables, I like to start with a dry, hot pan, and get a little color on the onions and/or peppers first, then add the other vegetables and oil at that point to finish the cooking.

1/3 cup tamari sauce
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons grated or minced ginger
1 teaspoon ground, dried chile peppers (if you can get gochugaru chiles - or other Korean chiles, use them)
2 pounds ground beef
10 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 large bunch scallions, finely chopped, to serve

Whisk together tamari sauce, brown sugar, ginger and chile peppers in a small bowl and set aside.

In a skillet, over medium high heat, brown ground beef, breaking it up, and stir in the minced garlic. Cook another minute or two, then add the sauce, giving it a stir before it goes in the pan, and cook over high heat for 2 - 3 minutes. Remove from heat and top with chopped scallions. Serve with rice and stir fried vegetables.

Labels: Homemaking, Recipes, Tales from the Kitchen

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 1:25 PM 0 comments

The bluebird sweater is almost finished! Life has kind of gotten in the way of my knitting a lot, but I am almost finished with the second sleeve, and then can weave in ends and block it. I have basically a third of two pairs of baby socks knit, too. My goal is to have all of these projects finished in a couple days.

Last week, I was able to start up my weekly sit and stitch again, and while I may have bored them by showing a lot of my pictures and videos from Saudi Arabia, it was wonderful to have those ladies here again and stitch and talk with them.

A funny aside, I visited my primary care person and she prescribed more prayer and knitting for my elevated cortisol levels and inflammation. I thought that was kind of great. It gives me a reason to sit by the fire and knit more, as I pray for our family, friends, neighbors, and the world. She has me on some medicine and supplements, as well, but she cares about her patients as whole persons. Since January is just a hard month for me, anyway, I am doing the best I can to accomplish what needs to be done and still take time to rest and recuperate.

I sort of finished Love and Saffron. I was so annoyed with how cavalierly the author dealt with abortion in the story (especially given the circumstances and time in history), so I basically skimmed the rest of the book. It appears that she killed off one of the main characters before she had a chance to really finish the story. Perhaps this was on purpose, as life does end in inconvenient ways and times, but it really seemed more like she couldn't figure out how to resolve the story, and so had a deathbed letter that would solve everything. I won't be reading more in this series.

In contrast, I adored My Mexico City Kitchen, her views on not soaking dry beans or salting them while cooking notwithstanding, and finished it. Though I do want to purchase it, I'm trying not to buy things that aren't necessary at the moment, so it sits in my saved for later cart.

Oh! I never did my end of year wrap up for my craft projects and books! Now that I have things that should go in my sidebar for this year, I should do that. Let me do that here.

2025 Finished Projects (knit, crochet, or sewn)

• Broken Rib Beanie, Madelyn - knit January 1
• Jane's Barathea Mitts, Autumn - knit January 22
• Winter Weekend Socks, Me - knit January 28
• Basbousa, Rich and me - knit February 19
• Cabled Baby Socks, Madelyn - knit March 15
• Cabled Baby Socks, Winifred - knit April 13
• 'Igal, Me - knit May 8
• Purple Precipitation, Winifred - knit July 17
• Beary Bear, Winifred - knit August 7
• Saint Patrick, Sample - knit September 3
• Snowflake Baptismal Gown, Winifred - knitSeptember 24
• Snowflake Headband, Winifred - knit September 27
• Crossandra, Amelia - knit October 15
• Bear Paw Mitts, Winifred - knit November 1
• Très Petit Scarfette, Layal - knit November 17
• Prettyish Wilderness Shawl, Challah Fawzia December 8
• Make Straight a Path in the Desert, ME! December 19

• January
• Milk: The Surprising Story of Milk Through the Ages
• Blackberry Crumble
• Blame the Beignets
• Pumpkin Roll
• Banana Split
• You Are Peter
• February
• Très Lèches
• Pride and Prejudice
• Baked Alaska
• March
• Rocky Road
• Coconut Layer Cake Murder
• Christmas Cupcake Murder
• April
• Fortune Cookie
• Wedding Cake
• The Candy Cane Caper
• May
• The Joy of Yarn
• Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Muder
• July
• Caramel Pecan Roll Murder
• Pink Lemonade Cake Murder
• August
• Taco USA
• The One and Only GooGoosh
• Poirot Investigates
• Towards Zero
• Regency Etiquette
• September
• The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris
• Murder at the Vicarage
• October
• 100 Things We've Lost to the Internet
• The Rushworth Family Plot
• December
• This Is Marketing
• Something Beautiful for God

Linking to Unraveled Wednesday

If you would like to receive updates and early notice of new patterns, beta knitting opportunities, and great discounts (plus pictures of new yarns, new tools, fun places, neat hints, book ideas, recipes and more) each month, please subscribe to 1,001 Knits. My best, and sometimes my only, discounts go to my subscribers.

Labels: Books, Design, Family, Homemaking, Knitting, WIP, Yarn Along

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 1:20 PM 0 comments

We are still in the Nativity Season, but now in more ordinary time. Our meals reflect that. However, we have all had the post holiday and cold and dark blahs, so there are a lot more leftovers that we are eating, instead of the meals we planned.

The girls' science classes have started up again, and co-op will be starting soon, so our mornings are more rushed than during the Christmas holidays. This is making breakfast more and more of a challenge. I really prefer everyone to have a cooked breakfast most days, especially in the fall and winter, and that is harder to do now.

This week is also my sit and stitch Christmas party, so I am making a lovely turkey with gravy and mashed potatoes, and making more room in the freezer, by the way, and the guests will be bringing side dishes and desserts. I'm super excited to have them over, and do our yarn swap and get to see their families.

Please pray for our family's health. There is a low level malaise going through the house, and the weather and darkness do not help. Some of our older kids could really use prayers for their outlooks, as well.

• Sunday
  Breakfast: Potato, Pepper and Pancetta Scramble with Cheese, Rolls, Fruit Plate, Milk, Coffee and Tea
  Dinner: Korean Style Ground Beef*, Sesame Stir Fried Mixed Vegetables, Jasmine Rice, Parish brings Sides/Salads/Fruit/Desserts
• Monday
  Breakfast: Hard Boiled Eggs and Cottage Cheese, Toast, Oranges, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Souvlaki Marinated Roast Pork Tenderloin, Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower, Basmati Rice, Sliced Oranges
• Tuesday - Feast of Saints Sebastian and Fabian
  Breakfast: Leftovers, Milk, Coffee and Tea
  Dinner: Leftover Pork and Rice, Green Salad
• Wednesday - Feast of Saint Agnes
  Breakfast: Potato and Vegetable Hash with Salsa, Sliced Apples, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Spanish Potatoes, Portuguese Spicy Vegetable Rice, Marinated Carrots, Sliced Oranges
• Thursday - Feast of Saints Vincent and Anastasius
  Breakfast: Cottage Cheese, Olives, Mint Tea and Honey
  Dinner: Lebanese Roasted Stuffed Onions, Rice, Mafrouka
• Friday
  Breakfast: Apple Coconut Breakfast Bowls with Peanut Butter Drizzle, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Lentil Chimichangas from Fasting as a Family, Three Hearts Salad, Fruit Plate
• Saturday - Feast of Saint Timothy
  Breakfast: Çilbir, Persian Barbari Bread, Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Herb Roasted Turkey, Bourbon Gravy, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Side Dishes and Desserts brought by Guests

Labels: Christmas, Church Year, Epiphany, Faith and Morality, Family, Homemaking, Menu Plans, Nativity, Tales from the Kitchen, Theophany

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 12:10 PM 0 comments

So, I actually didn't get a chance to make this. The fresh green beans at the grocery store were limp and sad, and we were out of the good kind of frozen ones that we buy at Trader Joe's. However, here is the method my auntie used when she made them for me. It is most often served as a side dish, but can be a vegetarian main dish, if you like, especially with salads or other vegetable or legume dishes served with it.

good olive oil
2 pounds green beans, fresh or frozen, trimmed and stringed
1 large onion, peeled and finely diced
2 chopped tomatoes, fresh or canned (whole, drained, and crushed by hand - save the liquid for other dishes or soup)
juice of 1 lemon, strained
salt, to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
10 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 bunch cilantro, leaves only, minced (save stems for soup or stock or another cooked dish)

Heat a large skilled over medium high heat until hot. Add a generous amount of olive oil, and cook onions until softened. Add green beans and cook until al dente, just a couple minutes.

Add chopped tomatoes. Stir in and heat; season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle lemon juice over the top. Serve the dish from the pan or in a shallow serving dish.

In another frying pan or small skillet, quickly fry garlic and cilantro in more olive oil and pour over the serving vessel while it is still sizzling. Eat as a side dish with a meat dish, or bulk up with other vegetarian dishes as a meatless meal, and rice, scooping up the fassoliya with hot bread (like Khoubz Araby, Turkish Flatbreads, Persian Barbari Bread, or 'Aish Baladi) if you can.

Labels: Fasting as a Family, Homemaking, Recipes, Tales from the Kitchen

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 2:29 PM 0 comments

You can see my progress on the bluebird sweater there. There is only about a third of one sleeve and the other sleeve to complete. I'm hoping to be able to give Madelyn her sweater this weekend, nearly three weeks late. She'll forgive me, right?

I'm also almost finished with the first pair of Shurrab for the granddaughters, and I might start Nisseet, my afterthought fingerless mitts, or I might make the second pair of socks. Both of these are destined to be thank you patterns to my 1,001 Knits subscribers. If you haven't signed up yet, you still have time to get this year's gift (and maybe even find out how to get last year's gift, too).

One of my goals with my stash this year is to use the yarns that I bought because they were pretty, but aren't really the weight of yarn I like to use. So, for instance, I'm making those fingerless mitts with gorgeous self striping sock yarns, but I rarely use fingering weight yarn. My happy place is really between sport and worsted. This year will see me find alternative uses for yarns as well as doubling them or carrying them with other weights in interesting ways. How are you managing your stash?

Just for fun, here is a picture of me in the Red Sea. That day, I was able to swim in the sea the whole morning, until about 3:00 in the afternoon. That trip was the first time in my, not even adult, because I had so many responsibilities as a teenager, too, but the first time in a LONG time I really had no responsibilities.

This is part of the gold and silver markets in the old town of Jeddah, Al Balad, but it is in this area that my uncle (my maternal auntie's husband) had his shop. One of my cousins was telling me that they spent their childhood running around this area, and this part of Al Balad was so familiar to her because of that. For me, it was a sign of a complicated person, who supported my mother and me my whole childhood, so I would be cared and provided for, even when it wasn't his duty, and maybe something he didn't want. His wife, my sweet auntie, and my cousin's mother, sisters, spent their whole lives providing for and caring for me, and their husbands accepted this and helped. We had a home, food, clothes, everything because of them. One of the best parts of my trip was getting to tell one of them this, and that she was not unseen or unthanked.

Here are just a few more images of Al Balad. I got to spend a few days/nights there, and loved roaming around the more historic parts of the city. Jeddah is a resort town, wealthy, and like being in the Jetson's view of the future, but I love the history and the homes of the founding families, so it was a treat for me to spend time here. While I was in Egypt with my father, he would take me to three museums and historical sites each day. He knew how much I loved history, and frankly, you can't trip in Egypt without finding some historical signifier.

This was an archaelogical dig that we got to peek into, and even my cousin hadn't seen it before. I would love to go visit it again when I return and see what else they have found.

This is the original Al Basali. It is a fish and seafood restaurant named after the owner's nickname, the onion man. He was always carrying onions, because the traditional rice served with fish, sayadieh, is a dark, highly flavored, rice, which gets its color from the large quantities of onion, cooked down before the rice is added. I got to eat at the newer location, but this one has both the original, small, eat in restaurant, as well as a street food, take away window full of tasty treats (right next door is a bakery, where you can grab freshly baked bread to eat, too). The fish here is phenomenal. Honestly, the fish from the Red Sea, with the exception of Columbia River and Alaskan salmon, and our cold water halibut (and maybe cold water tuna), is the absolute best fish I have eaten anywhere. I ate fresh fish a few times in Jeddah, and in Alexandria, and while it was all excellent, the fish from the Red Sea is the best in the world. Their shrimp and squid are also delicious, and I imagine the octopus is, too, but I do confess that I prefer our cold water Dungeness and Red Rock crab to the warmer water crab. Though I didn't taste the lobster, I imagine it would also be better from cold water, but I could be wrong. However, with the two exceptions I made, I think I will compare all fish to that Red Sea fish for the rest of my life.

Love and Saffron is back from the library, so I can read it again. Also, I have been enjoying My Mexico City Kitchen so much! The only thing I actually disagree with her about is that I think soaking beans is good and cooking them with the salt is good. There are recipes in there for making your own crema, which is super exciting to me, and I think I might actually buy this book for our cookbook library.

Linking to Unraveled Wednesday

If you would like to receive updates and early notice of new patterns, beta knitting opportunities, and great discounts (plus pictures of new yarns, new tools, fun places, neat hints, book ideas, recipes and more) each month, please subscribe to 1,001 Knits. My best, and sometimes my only, discounts go to my subscribers.

Labels: Books, Design, Family, Homemaking, Knitting, WIP, Yarn Along

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 6:24 AM 0 comments

Christ is illumined! Let us shine forth with Him!

It's the last three days of the Epiphany octave, and we are still in the Christmas season. We are still enjoying the Nativity and its celebration, though we are back to the normal pattern of fasting.

Dominic and Shawn left with Winnie yesterday morning, and we already miss them. We are hoping to take a trip to visit them in the spring. Shawn's mother and a couple of her brothers were here this weekend, and left today, so we are a little lonely now. It was wonderful to have all our kids and grandkids under our roof on Saturday. Though we didn't do our normal slate of sweets and treats, we have spread the Christmas joy around in the lovely foods we've been eating.

Part of what I did when I was in Saudi Arabia was ask my family how they made specific dishes, and record it for us and our children. I will be sharing some of those foods with you here, too. It was wonderful to get both the food stories and the family stories, which I have also recorded, for our family. I got to learn more family history, including the specifics of our ethnic background, including to which Saudi tribes our family belongs.

Our week is back to normal, mostly, though we are still easing into schoolwork. Next week, we will be back on schedule with that, and then in a couple weeks, we will start our homeschool co-op for winter. I'm still trying to catch up at home, and get into a normal sleep pattern. Please keep us in your prayers.

• Sunday - First Sunday after the Epiphany and Theophany of Our Lord
  Breakfast: Breakfast Tacos with Avocado, Salsa and Sour Cream, Milk, Coffee and Tea
  Dinner: Lamb Shawerma, Parish brings Sides/Salads/Fruit/Desserts
• Monday
  Breakfast: Leftovers, Milk, Coffee and Tea
  Dinner: Ranchero Beans, Sliced Beef, Salsa Rice
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Cottage Cheese, Olives, Mint Tea and Honey
  Dinner: Hobbit Dinner (Sausage, Potato, Carrot, Sauerkraut and Onion Skillet), Roasted Squash, Ice Cream
• Wednesday - Feast of Saint Hilary of Poitiers
  Breakfast: Potato and Vegetable Hash, Sliced Oranges, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Roasted Vegetables (Brussels Sprouts, Onions, Squash), Wild Rice Pilaf, Fruit Plate
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs and Sausage, Toast, Fruit Plate, Coffee, Tea and Milk
  Dinner: Saleeq, Fassoliya*, Christmas Cherry Nut Cake
• Friday
  Breakfast: Peanut Butter and Honey Toast, Sliced Apples, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Falafel, Sah'awiq, Taratoor, Khoubz Araby (GF for Jerome), Olives and Veggies, Fruit Plate
• Saturday - Feast of Saint Antony of Egypt
  Breakfast: Çilbir, Persian Barbari Bread, Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Korean Style Ground Beef, Sesame Stir Fried Mixed Vegetables, Jasmine Rice, Brown Sugar Shortbread

Labels: Christmas, Church Year, Epiphany, Faith and Morality, Family, Homemaking, Menu Plans, Nativity, Tales from the Kitchen, Theophany

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 5:17 PM 0 comments

This Bluebird sweater is inching closer to completion each day. I was hoping to have the body completed by tonight, but that didn't happen. I'm supposed to knit until the body is seven inches from the underarm, and it has been six inches for a day and a half. Tomorrow was supposed to be for the sleeves, or at least the first sleeve, but might be for finishing the hem and getting started on the first sleeve. We are having another Christmas dinner on Saturday, with all the family, and I wanted to be able to give her the sweater then, even though it is two weeks after her birthday. Autumn's birthday is this weekend, but I have a great present for her already!

I have a couple pairs of socks for a design of mine I want to make, and a couple pairs of "forgotten" fingerless mitts to make. Each year, I give a new design to my newsletter subscribers exclusively for a year, and then make it available for purchase the following year, while keeping it free for my subscribers. Just a little heads up that the newsletter with that new pattern is going to be out in the next week and a half, so if you don't already subscribe and are interested, take a look at that link below to start getting my (mostly) monthly newsletter, 1,001 Knits.

Though I didn't finish Love and Saffron before the library ruthlessly took it back, I am more than half way through it, and I do enjoy it, but I'm tired of how much political lecturing there is in it. It could have been expressed through the story, without the condescension, but I am afraid modern authors don't know how to make their points in their story, without stepping out of it to be lecturers, or don't trust their readers to be smart enough to get their message. Trust your readers. When I am consistently lectured in a fiction book, I never really enter the story, even when it is a good one. This book could have been so much better (even though it is enjoyable), and could have made its point withouth constantly shifting in and out of the characters' to the author's voice. When I get it back from the library, I will finish it. There is enough fun and interest in it for that, but I don't think I will continue with her other books.

Linking to Unraveled Wednesday

If you would like to receive updates and early notice of new patterns, beta knitting opportunities, and great discounts (plus pictures of new yarns, new tools, fun places, neat hints, book ideas, recipes and more) each month, please subscribe to 1,001 Knits. My best, and sometimes my only, discounts go to my subscribers.

Labels: Books, Design, Family, Homemaking, Knitting, WIP, Yarn Along

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 11:04 PM 0 comments

Christ is illumined! Let us shine forth with Him!

We are finishing the feasting portion of our Christmas celebration this week. With everyone's exhaustion and schedules, we are not making King's Cake for Epiphany this year. However, since Dominic and Shawn are visiting us, and they are Old Calendar, we will do a little more Christmas celebrating with them. Because of that, we will also be keeping a lighter fast for Wednesdays and Fridays while they are here.

We have the feast of the Theophany and Epiphany this week. So, we are still celebrating, even though we are getting back to our normal fasting schedule. The Christmas season doesn't end until the final feast of the Nativity, which is the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Presentation of the Infant Jesus in the Temple. We keep our tree and decorations up through that feast, and still eat festive foods, though we slow down and ease back into normal eating during this time, so Lent doesn't hit us like a freight train. One of our kids had the idea to make star shaped French fries for the feast, so we are doing that.

Shawn's family (most of them) will be coming up this weekend, also, and we are excited to celebrate with them. May your feasting be joyous, and your New Year be full of health and love!

• Sunday - 11th Day of Christmas
  Breakfast: Shakshouka, Bread, Mandarin Oranges, Mint and Rose Tea, Coffee
  Dinner: Red Beans and Rice, Parish Brings Sides/Salads/Fruit/Desserts
• Monday - Twelfth Night
  Breakfast: Hard Boiled Eggs, Toast, Fruit, Mint Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Bierocks (Deconstructed for Jerome), Mustard, Pickles, Leftover Desserts
• Tuesday - Feast of the Epiphany and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ
  Breakfast: Cottage Cheese, Toast, Coffee, Tea and Milk
  Dinner: Cows in a Blanket, Star Shaped French Fries, Chocolates
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Hard Boiled Eggs, Fried Potatoes, Coffee, Tea and Milk
  Dinner: Butter Tomato Sauce with Pasta (GF for Jerome), Fruit Plate
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Toast, Fruit, Coffee, Tea and Milk
  Dinner: Broiled Skirt Steak, Salsa Rice, Ranchero Beans, Ice Cream
• Friday
  Breakfast: Yogurt and Blueberry Preserves, Toast, Coffee, Tea and Milk
  Dinner: Fish Burgers, Pickles, Fruit
• Saturday - Feast of Saint Gregory of Nyssa
  Breakfast: Ricotta Fritters with Maple Syrup (gluten-free for Jerome), Fried Ham, Sliced Apples, Applesauce for Jerome, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Garlic Rib Roast, Scalloped Potatoes, Steam Sautéed Carrots, Christmas Cherry Nut Cake and Brown Sugar Shortbread

Labels: Christmas, Church Year, Epiphany, Faith and Morality, Family, Homemaking, Keeping the Feast, Menu Plans, Nativity, Tales from the Kitchen, Theophany

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 2:11 PM 1 comments

3 slices dark, rye bread
thinly sliced corned beef
thinly sliced turkey
sauerkraut
thinly sliced Swiss cheese like Emmentaler or Gruyère
Russian dressing
butter, to fry the sandwiches
dill pickle, to serve

Spread one side of bread with Russian dressing, cover generously with corned beef, top with sauerkraut, spread the next slice of bread with Russian dressing and place, dressing side down on the sauerkraut. Cover the top of that slice of bread with cheese, then cover generously with turkey, then spread the next slice of bread with Russian dressing and place, dressing side down on the turkey.

Heat a medium frying pan or skillet over medium heat until hot, put butter in to melt and immediately place the sandwich in the butter. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook until the first side is browned. Turn, add more butter, and fry the other side until it is brown and all the cheese is melted.

Cut the sandwich in thirds and serve with a dill pickle and chips.

Russian Dressing

This is not as sweet as most recipes I have seen, and makes exactly enough for six large sandwiches plus a smaller one. If you aren't making that many, you can store it in the fridge for salads.

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup ketchup
3 tablespoons dill pickle relish/minced dill pickles
2 tablespoons horseradish
1 tablespoon minced onion
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon grainy mustard
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Mix all ingredients in a bowl or jar and use.

Labels: Homemaking, Recipes, Tales from the Kitchen

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 1:02 PM 0 comments

Re-entry into our home life and the real world has been tough with going straight to Christmas preparations, and the jet lag, and our anniversary. However, I started Madelyn's birthday sweater while I was still in Saudi Arabia, and though I am not finished (and her birthday was this past weekend), I have divided the body from the sleeves, and it is coming along well. Also, I don't think she will remember that her first birthday present was given late.

Let me tell you about my sweet husband. He wore socks from my mending bag, that need darning, while I was gone, simply because I had made them for him, and he missed me. So, yes, I will be darning those socks ASAP.

Speaking of my return, here are some of my pictures from while I was there. The trip was so much fun, but was really important for facilitating my re-connection with family members I hadn't seen in years, some decades, making new friends (with my brothers' wives, for instance), and spending time with my cousins. It was such an amazing experience, and I will be sharing more photos over the next month as I get permission from family members to do so. (Also, the preservation and renovation of Al-Balad, the Old City of Jeddah, is my youngest brother's work project).

There was not much reading done while I was gone, but on my return I did finish two books, both This Is Marketing and Something Beautiful for God. I'm reading some light fiction now, which is fun, but a bit too politically didactic, as I find so much modern fiction. Authors: Trust your readers to get your point through your story instead of lecturing. PLEASE.

Labels: Books, Design, Family, Homemaking, Knitting, WIP, Yarn Along

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 11:55 PM 2 comments

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

We are still joyously celebrating the Nativity Feast! I hope you are, too. Christmas is far from over and has, in fact, just begun. The feast begins on Christmas Eve and goes through the Feast of the Theophany/Epiphany, and the season goes through the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord and Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Because I am just returned from overseas, we are making things a little simpler this year than we normally do, though still very celebratory.

We are also celebrating our 29th wedding anniversary this year! This is the end of our 29th year, and we begin the New Year with the first day of our 30th year of marriage. I am so blessed to be married to my best friend and the beloved of my heart. We are having a New Year's Eve dance for our celebration this year.

Next week, we will be celebrating Old Calendar Christmas with Dominic, Shawn, and Winnie, along with Shawn's parents and brothers, and we are so excited to see all of them. Christmas movies are being watched, Christmas music is being played, and we will have wonderful meals and treats to share with them, as well as the gifts to exchange. May you enjoy and be blessed in the Feast of the Nativity and the joy of the New Year.

• Sunday - Fourth Day of Christmas and Memorial of Holy Innocents
  Breakfast: Leftovers, Milk, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Pizza, Salads, Mandarin Oranges, Chex Mix, Ma'amoul from Egypt, Basbousa from Egypt, Cookies, Ice Cream
• Monday - Feast of Thomas à Becket
  Breakfast: Creamed Eggs, Toast Fingers, Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Herb Roasted Pork Loin, Roasted Jerusalem Artichokes, Beet Gratin, Leftover Desserts
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Leftovers, Coffee, Tea and Milk
  Dinner: White Enchiladas, Salsa Rice, Christmas Pineapple with Ice Cream
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Migas (using leftovers), Leftover Pineapple, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Eggs in Purgatory and Sausage, Bread, Leftover Desserts
• Thursday - Feast of the Circumcision and Holy Name of Our Lord
  Breakfast: Leftovers, Coffee and Eggnog
  Dinner: Pork Chops, Horseradish-Dill Potato Pancakes, Steam Sautéed Carrots with Garlic and Dill, Leftover Desserts
• Friday - Feast of Saint Basil
  Breakfast: Cinnamon Rolls/GF Cinnamon Cake for Jerome, Bacon, Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Double Decker Grilled Reubens* (GF bread for Jerome), Pickles, Rosewater Almond Tea Cookies, Pistachio and Cardamom Crescents
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Shakshouka, Bread, Mandarin Oranges, Mint and Rose Tea, Coffee
  Dinner: Lebanese Roasted Stuffed Onions, Rice, Mafrouka

Labels: Christmas, Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Homemaking, Keeping the Feast, Menu Plans, Nativity, New Year's, Romance and Relationship, Tales from the Kitchen

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 12:28 PM 0 comments

It is the last push of Advent before the feast of the Nativity this week. It has gone by quickly, and we are a little overwhelmed, but it will be glorious, regardless. I'm excited to be returning to my family this week and can't wait to see and hug them all.

The beginning of our salvation approaches. May you have a blessed and joyous Nativity!

• Sunday - Fourth Sunday of Advent and Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle
  Breakfast: Pancakes with Maple Syrup, Fruit Plate, Milk, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Parish Providing Dinner
• Monday
  Breakfast: Oatmeal with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Mexican Garlic Soup with Oregano and Fresh Lime, Fried Tortilla Strips, Fruit Plate
• Tuesday - Christmas Adam
  Breakfast: Potato Breakfast Hash, Toast, Fruit Plate, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Mejeddarah, Crisp Onions, Fruit Plate
• Wednesday - Christmas Eve
  Breakfast: Ful, Sah'awiq, Toast, Fruit Plate, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Fish Burgers, Pickles, Fruit (and treats and snacks to break the Advent fast after church)
• Thursday - Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord
  Breakfast: Christmas Bread and Butter, Sausages, Cheese Omelets, Hot Chocolate and Coffee
  Dinner: Garlic Rib Roast with Red Wine Pan Sauce, Cranberry Horseradish Relish, Boursin Stuffed Potatoes, Bread/Sides/Salads brought by Parish Family, Triple Chocolate Cheesecake with Candy Cane Ice Cream
• Friday - Feast of Saint Stephen
  Breakfast: Leftovers, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Chinese Take Out, Brown Sugar Shortbread (regular and gluten-free), Peppermint Meltaways
• Saturday - Feast of Saint John the Evangelist
  Breakfast: Ricotta Fritters with Maple Syrup (GF for Jerome), Bacon, Sliced Apples, Applesauce for Jerome,Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Double Decker Grilled Reubens (GF bread for Jerome), Pickles, Rosewater Almond Tea Cookies, Pistachio and Cardamom Crescents

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Labels: Advent, Christmas, Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Homemaking, Keeping the Feast, Menu Plans, Nativity, Prayer Requests, Tales from the Kitchen

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 9:41 AM 0 comments

While in Egypt, we divided our time between Alexandria and Cairo. We started in Alexandria, went to Cairo see the pyramids and the Sphinx, the churches, the old city, and Saladdin's citadel, and then returned to Alexandria. So I got to spend some time near and on the Mediterranean.

Rich made me promise to touch the water and get some photos of that, which we did. We rented a table and chairs for the beach, and sat there watching the sea, while they served us tea and we ate a little picnic lunch, and I worked on my socks. they are actually finished now, and I will get to wear them on my way home.

I actually have another finished project, as I finally blocked the prettiest wilderness shawl

Linking to Unraveled Wednesday

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Labels: Books, Design, Family, Homemaking, Knitting, WIP, Yarn Along

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 2:52 PM 0 comments

Rejoice! And again, I say, rejoice! This is our little break in the darkness as we prepare for the Light to enter the world. This is a reminder that our fasting and preparation are in joyful expectation of the Lord who has come, and who is coming. He will redeem the earth and resurrect the faithful to life. This is not a fast of strict penitence, but of self examination and preparation to meet our Savior with joy. We are still in the Advent anticipation, and still busy with fasting, praying and almsgiving, but are also taking time to remember the happiness that awaits us in His Incarnation and return in glory. Life got in the way of our getting our tree and putting it up with lights for Gaudete Sunday, but we are going with Alexander and Autumn and Amelia to get trees for both our houses together. We will do the normal Christmas Eve decorating of the tree with the older kids next week.

Christ is coming and come again. May your fast be fruitful, so you may welcome the Christ Child in your heart and home, and prepare for His coming in glory!

• Sunday - Third Sunday of Advent - Gaudete Sunday
  Breakfast: Pancakes with Maple Syrup, Fruit Plate, Milk, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Parish Providing Dinner
• Monday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Toast, Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Potato and Vegetable Hash, Green Salad, Rolls, Fruit Plate
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Chickpeas, Toast, Fruit Plate, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Tomato and Olive Pasta (GF for Jerome), Fruit Plate
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Oatmeal with Dried Fruit and Brown Sugar, Tea and Honey
  Dinner: Curried Red Lentil Soup, Tamis (using safflower oil) (GF Pocket Bread for Jerome), Fruit Plate
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Apple Coconut Breakfast Bowls with Peanut Butter Drizzle, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Vegetarian Ranchero Beans, Salsa Rice, Fruit Plate
• Friday
  Breakfast: Potato Hash Burritos with Salsa, Fruit Plate, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Potato and Chickpea Curry, Jasmine Rice, Fruit Plate
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Fluffy Gluten-Free and Vegan Peanut Butter Pancakes with Jam, Fruit Plate, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Florida Style Black Beans, Rice, Fruit Plate

Labels: Advent, Church Year, Family, Homemaking, Menu Plans, Prayer Requests, Tales from the Kitchen

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 9:41 AM 0 comments

I have finished Prettyish Wilderness and am blocking it now. We left Jeddah and went to Alexandria, and have made it to Cairo and I've has my first view of the pyramids! We are going to explore them tomorrow.

Today, I started the little wristers you see there. I'm just not sure if I will continue. Perhaps I am the only person who does not enjoy working with Kid Silk Haze What do you think?

Linking to Unraveled Wednesday

If you would like to receive updates and early notice of new patterns, beta knitting opportunities, and great discounts (plus pictures of new yarns, new tools, fun places, neat hints, book ideas, recipes and more) each month, please subscribe to 1,001 Knits. My best, and sometimes my only, discounts go to my subscribers.

Labels: Books, Design, Family, Homemaking, Knitting, WIP, Yarn Along

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 2:50 AM 0 comments

I know the picture says peace. We don't know why. Peace is the last Sunday.

We are in the second week of Advent and this week has a few major feasts. It is still during the lighter part of the fast, however.

Rich and the kids are doing their bit, and I am missing them. We are trying to do our Advent wreath and prayers via Facetime. Blessed fast!

• Sunday - Second Sunday of Advent and Feast of Saint Ambrose of Milan
  Breakfast: Pancakes with Apple and Maple Syrup, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Parish Providing Dinner
• Monday - Feast of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin, Theotokos
  Breakfast: Cereal and Milk, Fruit, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Tuna Salad Sandwiches (on Lettuce for Jerome), Fruit Plate
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Toast, Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Poblano Chile Relleno Casserole, Salsa Rice, Fruit Plate
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Oatmeal with Dried Fruit and Brown Sugar, Tea and Honey
  Dinner: Potato Corn Chowder, Bread/Oyster Crackers, Fruit Plate
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Fried Eggs, Toast, Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Mexican Street Corn Nachos, Salsa Rice, Fruit Plate
• Friday - Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
  Breakfast: Potato Hash Burritos with Salsa, Fruit Plate, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Spanish Poor Man's Potatoes, Spanish Farmer's Rice, Fruit Plate
• Saturday - Feast of Saint Lucy
  Breakfast: Harvest Pancakes, Fried Eggs, Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Spinach Egg Puff, Bread, Salad, Fruit Plate

Labels: Advent, Church Year, Family, Homemaking, Menu Plans, Prayer Requests, Tales from the Kitchen

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 9:41 AM 0 comments

So, I've changed locations for a little bit. I'm still working on Prettyish Wilderness, but I'm on the picot bind off and have found the right spot for the beads, finally. This will go to my auntie here.

Where is here? Jeddah, Saudi Arabia For the first time in 46 years, I am visiting here again. There are some relatives who haven't seen me since then, some have seen me more recently, and some even further back than that.

This was my first view of the Red Sea!

Linking to Unraveled Wednesday

If you would like to receive updates and early notice of new patterns, beta knitting opportunities, and great discounts (plus pictures of new yarns, new tools, fun places, neat hints, book ideas, recipes and more) each month, please subscribe to 1,001 Knits. My best, and sometimes my only, discounts go to my subscribers.

Labels: Books, Design, Family, Homemaking, Knitting, WIP, Yarn Along

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 2:47 PM 0 comments

Blessed Fast! Happy New Year! Advent is not too long this year, though we are approaching the longer times next year and the year after.

Because of our evening church situation, we are a bit more lax on the fast on Sundays than we otherwise might be. You may see dairy on weekends and major feasts, and on some weekdays in the first part of Advent. Also, the Advent fast is a little lighter, in general, as there are many fish days, and more wine and oil days. We try to fast within our strength and do the best we can, knowing that the point is the spiritual training and not the fast itself. The fast was given to us as an exercise and blessing. The only reason I share how we fast is so you know what to expect from meals and recipes during this time, if you are looking for ideas, or if you need to avoid some of the things we will be eating.

The West's fast is more lenient and shorter than the East's, anyway. Our family walks the line between those. Our general rule is close to the Orthodox, but we will relax more for Saints Barbara and Nicholas, and on Sundays, except for the final two weeks of Advent. We will be avoiding meat, fish (most days), eggs and dairy (with the exceptions I mentioned already), wine and olive oil on most weekdays. Shellfish is always permitted, so when we find that at a good price, we definitely eat it. I share this with you as an encouragement. We strive within our strength, and our family situation. We have discussed how to handle this with our priests and our local priests, and are considering also people we feed who don't generally follow the fast as much. Fasting and abstinence are such good tools that God gives us through the Church, and I encourage you to try to fast with the Church. It is not as useful to pick and choose, but rather to strive for your church's rule with such accomodations as necessary for health, age, and situation. Talk to your priest. If you don't have a priest, find one and talk to him.

This week has two major feast days in it, which makes the entrance into Advent a little easier. This is a blessing to us. Another blessing is that our tomatoes that were pulled from the garden and put in our honey room are still ripening and so we are still getting fresh tomatoes. That is a treat in December. Our home is well stocked and we will not have to buy a lot of groceries, except for some produce, dairy products, and cleaning and pet supplies. That will make our life simpler, as well. One of the ways the fast teaches us is by forcing us to pare down our lives a little.

Please pray for a holy Advent for us. I pray that your fast will be fruitful, and that you welcome the Christ Child in your heart and home, and prepare for His coming in glory!

• Sunday - First Sunday of Advent
  Breakfast: Cinnamon Nut Raisin Bread with Cream Cheese, Bacon, Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Parish Providing Dinner
• Monday
  Breakfast: Cereal and Milk, Fruit, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Vegetable Frittata, Green Salad, Bread, Fruit Plate
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Toast, Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Baked Cod in Cream, Baked Potatoes, Sliced Watermelon, Applesauce for Jerome
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Oatmeal with Dried Fruit and Brown Sugar, Tea and Honey
  Dinner: Shorbat 'Addas, Bread, Fruit Plate
• Thursday - Feast of Saints Barbara and Clement of Alexandria
  Breakfast: Fried Eggs, Toast, Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Winter Squash, Potatoes and Onions, Mount Athos Tomato Rice, Saffron Buns for St. Barbara's Day
• Friday
  Breakfast: Initial Cookies for St. Nicholas' Day, Chocolate, Fruit and Nuts, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Vegetarian Ranchero Beans, Rice, Fruit Plate
• Saturday - Feast of Saint Nicholas of Myra
  Breakfast: Initial Cookies, Chocolate, Nuts, Oranges, Pomegranates, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Tacos de Papa, Avocado Relish, Leftover Beans, Salsa Rice, Frozen Fruit Salad

Labels: Advent, Church Year, Family, Homemaking, Menu Plans, Prayer Requests, Tales from the Kitchen

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 9:41 AM 0 comments

Well, Prettyish Wilderness isn't finished yet, but I hope to have it finished in time to at least block in when I arrive. The bear paw mitts are finished now, and ready for our Old Calendar Christmas with Dominic and Shawn. I will be doing a lot of knitting on the plane, including that jaunty little scarfette I've started.

Also, we had our early Thanksgiving this past weekend and got to see Dominic, Shawn, and Winifred, who is smiling and laughing and has the best dimples ever! This didn't leave as much knitting time as I wanted, but holding Winnie was. way better. We had to say goodbye to them yesterday, but will see them again in January.

As we are all getting ready for holidays, I am offering 25 patterns for 25% off through November 26, 2025, at the end of the day (PST). I have a sale bundle both on Ravelry and on PayHip. Both use the same coupon code, ChristmasJoy, which can be used on any and all of the patterns in the bundle.

I am also holding a Small Business Saturday Sale between the beginning of the day on November 29 through the end of the day December 1, 2025, PST. The coupon code Gratitude will give you $5.00 off a one time purchase of $6.00 or more on Ravelry, and $4.00 off a purchase of $5.00 or more on PayHip.

Linking to Unraveled Wednesday

If you would like to receive updates and early notice of new patterns, beta knitting opportunities, and great discounts (plus pictures of new yarns, new tools, fun places, neat hints, book ideas, recipes and more) each month, please subscribe to 1,001 Knits. My best, and sometimes my only, discounts go to my subscribers.

Labels: Books, Design, Family, FOs, Homemaking, Knitting, WIP, Yarn Along

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 8:05 PM 0 comments