Rich and I had a few days on Lake Chelan for a work related event. Though he and I hosted the hospitality suite, I had no responsibilities with the event beyond that, so I was able to rest a bit during the day. While I was there, I began a second sample for 'Igal and worked on Saint Patrick. It's a lot of progress, but not much to show for it. However, I am really happy with the work I've done, and what that will produce for you at the end of this year. Oh, and I started a baby sweater for little Lentilla. It is going super quickly, between being baby sized and knit at 4 stitches to the inch. I hope to have it finished soon.

We also went over to the west side for a meeting he had, and took the opportunity to get some good photos of 'Igal for its release this week. Please keep your eyes open on all my sales platforms if you are interested in this hat. Also, if you don't already subscribe to my newsletter, you might want to take a look at the link below, because a great coupon code will be coming out when it is published.

I've finished Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Muder and started on Taco USA. I love what he has to say about Mexican food and the American love for it, but he is clearly ignorant about Catholicism, and should have left that aspect out of his narrative. Alternatively, he could have done the basic research to find out true information and been correct, rather than embarrassingly ignorant.

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 @ 2:52 PM 0 comments

Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

Christ has Ascended! From Earth to Heaven! Alleluia!

The Paschal season is winding down. We have Rogation days this week, the Feast of the Ascension, then the novena to the Holy Spirity begins on Friday. We are going to try to fly a kite and find a higher spot to eat for the Ascension. Please pray with us.

Our schedule was a little up and down last week, so we moved some of the meals to this week and did different meals last week. Friday, we had a chance to go to a free concert at the lake, and so we brought a picnic of falafel and khoubz and other fixings. We had so many leftovers that the meal I initially planned for Monday is moved later in June, and we are eating leftovers tomorrow.

We are slowing back down to ordinary time. In just two weeks, we will celebrate Pentecost (the second highest feast of the Church year), and have another fast free week. Then, it is back to the quotidian. I'm not sorry for that.

• Sunday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Cheese and Vegetables, Bread, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Italian Beef Sandwiches, Fried Peppers and Onions, Sides/Salads/Fruit/Desserts brought by Parishioners
• Monday - Rogation Day
  Breakfast: Fried Eggs, Toast, Blood Oranges, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Leftovers, Roasted Asparagus, Rice, Ice Cream
• Tuesday - Rogation Day and Feast of Saint Bede
  Breakfast: Labneh with Chopped Tomatoes, Sliced Cucumbers, Za’atar and Olive Oil, Toast, Mint Tea
  Dinner: Cubano Sandwiches, Potato Chips, Pickles, Rhubarb Curd with Chantilly Cream
• Wednesday - Rogation Day
  Breakfast: Poor Knights of Windsor (Yogurt and Vanilla Rhubarb Jam for Jerome), Mandarin Oranges, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Stir Fried Cauliflower, Peppers, and Asparagus, Burnt Garlic Fried Rice, Scallion Pancakes, Hot Chocolate Cookies
• Thursday - Feast of The Ascension of the Lord
  Breakfast: Ham and Cheese Egg Cups, Mandarin Oranges, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Barbecue Chinese Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Layered Cloud Dessert
• Friday
  Breakfast: Egyptian Ful with Duqqus, Chopped Radishes, Cucumbers, and Onions, Persian Barbari Bread, Cherries, Mint Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Polenta Stuffed Poblanos with Tomato Sauce, Cuban Salad, Lime Cookies
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Bacon Stuffed Savory Griddle Cakes, Blood Oranges, Hot Chocolate, Sahlab, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Sticky Lamb Chops, Rice, Roasted Asparagus, Gatayif

Labels: Ascension, Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Fesh'a, Homemaking, Homesteading, Keeping the Feast, Menu Plans, Pascha, Tales from the Kitchen

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 8:33 AM 0 comments

Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

We will be eating loads more asparagus this week, as it is asparagus season. I still have more pickling to do, also. A friend says her family has successfully frozen it, and we are going to try a little, ourselves. A friend has also given us loads of rhubarb, so I am making several kinds of rhubarb desserts (most of which were supposed to be made last week). Actually a few things from last week are on this week's menu.

Our church is generously providing most of the dinner for after church tonight, which is a huge gift to us. It's been a rather busy time, and we have another busy week ahead of us, and this is part of how they are helping.

• Sunday
  Breakfast: Leftovers with Eggs, Blueberries, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Vietnamese Meatballs, Rice, Ham and Beans, Sesame Garlic Roasted Broccoli, Green Salad, Chocolate Cake
• Monday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs, Fried Halloum and Toast, Sliced Tomatoes, Strawberries, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Baked Harissa Chicken Thighs with Olives, Basmati Rice, Green Salad, Hungarian Shortbread with Vanilla Rhubarb Jam Filling
• Tuesday - Feast of Saint Alcuin
  Breakfast: Cottage Cheese with Sliced Tomatoes, Blueberries, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Fish Burgers, Pickled Asparagus, Rhubarb Pie and Rhubarb Crumble
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Labneh with Chopped Tomatoes, Za'atar and Olive Oil with Toast, Mixed Berries with Cream, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Butter Tomato Sauce with Pasta (GF for Jerome), Roasted Asparagus, Sliced Blood Oranges
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Toast, Blood Oranges, Milky Tea
  Dinner: Cheeseburgers with the Fixings, French Fries, Pickles, Fruit Plate
• Friday
  Breakfast: Poor Knights of Windsor (Yogurt and Vanilla Rhubarb Jam for Jerome), Mandarin Oranges, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Stir Fried Cauliflower, Peppers, and Asparagus, Burnt Garlic Fried Rice, Scallion Pancakes, Hot Chocolate Cookies
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Bacon Stuffed Savory Griddle Cakes, Blood Oranges, Hot Chocolate, Sahlab, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Cuban Pork Roast, Yellow Rice with Peas, Cuban Salad, Lime Cookies

Labels: Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Fesh'a, Homemaking, Homesteading, Keeping the Feast, Menu Plans, Pascha, Tales from the Kitchen

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 7:16 AM 0 comments

I've finally started working on Saint Patrick, which should be ready for you this December. Crossandra is pretty close to finished, but I ran into some misunderstanding on how to do the box pleat on the sleeve, and I have undone my work and am restarting it this weekend.

There is still room in the beta knit for 'Igal, and you could choose one of three available sizes: Child/Teen, Women's Small or Women's Large. The pattern is back from my tech editor and ready to enjoy. Please e-mail me for more information. Depending on the size you choose, you could finish this in a week or two of light evening knitting. I'd like to have your projects ready to share by the end of this month.

Not much reading this week. I'm not quite finished with Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Muder, and have started neither The Dress Doctor nor Taco USA.

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 @ 3:14 PM 0 comments

I could not decide between this ancient icon and a more modern one, so I have included both. That this is Eastern and the other Western makes it even better. The other is at the bottom of the menu plan.

In the West, it is the Sunday of the Good Shepherd. In the East, it is the Sunday of the Paralytic. In both, He shows His care for us, that He cares for the individual, regardless of how weak or insignificant. That is my meditation this week.

It is another birthday week here! Nejat is turning 12 this year. Since we technically don't have to fast on Wednesdays and Fridays during the Paschal season, we are going to serve her choice of dinner on her birthday, without regard for day of the week.

We have a repeat from this past week, but it is because we had extra grape leaves from the jar and I want to use them. So, we are making more waraq 'ounab on Saturday. We had our first asparagus run with our gleaning group, so there is a lot of asparagus being eaten and a lot to pickle. A friend also gave us a ton of rhubarb, so I am making lots of rhubarb desserts, and I think I might make some vanilla rhubarb jam to can for the winter. I have a recipe from Baking with Julia for a Hungarian shortbread with vanilla rhubarb jam, and I will likely make that, too. This blog shows a way to do the grating of the shortbread dough with a KA attachment, which I will be trying.

Last week we had two not so great dishes. They weren't bad, but just not that great. The spicy Thai red curry chicken and rice casserole was not spicy, first of all, and I used about twice as much of the red curry paste that the recipe recommended. Also, it didn't have enough salt, even with the curry paste and fish sauce. Besides that, it really could have been better if the chicken had been browned just before it was put in the casserole, and if the whole thing were covered with foil for most of the cooking. It was fine enough, the flavor was good, but we had to add hot sauce, and that browning (maybe even of the onions) would have made it infinitely better. It was a great weeknight meal, because you literally just layered everything, including the rice, and baked it. So, you could throw it together and leave it to do other things while it cooked. In that sense, it was a success. However, it kind of fell flat. The Nutella mousse sounded like a simple approximation of a real mousse, but it was not as good as it ought to have been. It was worse, because the night before we had a real chocolate mousse with cherries. The contrast probably made it taste even worse. Basically, it was Nutella whipped with heavy cream. It was okay - just okay, though.

As it is Mother's Day here in the US today, and I am honestly not that big on gifts for the sake of giving gifts, Rich and the kids snuck flowers into the house for me this morning, all at different times, so I have beautiful flowers all over the house. Rich made omelets for me, exactly as I wished, and I think I'm getting a Mexican Coca-Cola from one of the kids this morning. I woke up to Amira folding the laundry without me asking, which is also a huge gift to me. When they asked if I still didn't really want just stuff, I told them that what I wanted was not to have to direct people to do things. I love thoughtfulness, remembering without my reminding, consumable gifts and experiences. So, this is perfect for me. Also, Rich got me actual incandescent bulbs for our chandelier, and I am so happy. I bought myself a sundress I really liked, and though it was supposed to arrive yesterday, it is coming tomorrow, and I think that counts, too. I had tried it on at a shop while we were on the West side, and they didn't have my size, but I was one size away, so I looked online, and found it. The shipping was free, and since it was being sent to my home, it had lower sales tax, and I was able to use a coupon, so it was a little less expensive than it would have been in the shop, too.

Anyway, I am still far behind on posting recipes, but perhaps this week I will get to it. We do have asparagus to pickle, too. And I have a big design deadline looming. No promises.

• Sunday - Sunday of the Good Shepherd and the Feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius
  Breakfast: Chorizo, Tomato, Pepper, Cheese and Chive Omelets, Leftover Blackberry Lemon Cheesecake, Doughnuts, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Orange, Apricot and Mustard Glazed Ham*, Scalloped Potatoes, Sides/Salads/Veggies/Fruit/Desserts brought by Parish
• Monday
  Breakfast: Chorizo and Asparagus Breakfast Scramble, Toast, Mandarin Oranges, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Beef Ravioli with Pesto Tomato Sauce (GF for Jerome), Roasted Asparagus, Rhubarb Curd
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Baked Ham and Cheese Egg Bites, Cinnamon Nut Raisin Bread, Strawberries, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Swedish Meatball Meatloaf, Salt Potatoes, Steam Sautéed Carrots and Asparagus with Garlic and Dill, Strawberry Sorbet
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Shakshouka, Bread, Sliced Apples, Milky Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Savory Palestinian Cauliflower Pancakes, Duqqus, Green Salad, Rhubarb Pie
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Ham and Egg Cups, Toast Fingers, Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Stir Fried Beef and Broccoli, Jasmine Rice, Hot Chocolate Cookies
• Friday
  Breakfast: Saudi Style Ful, Persian Barbari Bread, Duqqus, Fruit, Coffee and Tea
  Dinner: Saucy Sour Cream Meatballs with Green Beans and Egg Noodles (GF Pasta for Jerome), Ice Cream Cake
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Bacon Stuffed Savory Griddle Cakes, Sliced Oranges, Hot Chocolate, Sahlab, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Waraq ‘Ounab*, Simple Rice Pilaf, Harissa, Duqqus, Green Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette, Arabic Rice Pudding with Orange Curd Topping

Labels: Birthday, Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Fesh'a, Homemaking, Homesteading, Keeping the Feast, Menu Plans, Pascha, Tales from the Kitchen

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 11:43 AM 0 comments

'Igal is complete (though it needs blocking) and I have started a secret project, so I can't share photos for a while. Amelia's Crossandra sweater is pretty close to finished, and I think two or three more weekends might be enough to finish it for her. I still want to make the baby version of 'Igal for Lentilla, too, but I will wait to cast on until I have finished Crossandra and my secret project. Knitting for myself is challenging, because I seem to be distracted by designs and presents for other people, but I have a jacket I'd like to make for myself to go with a sleeveless dress I own. It will be great with jeans and skirts, too.

There is still room in the beta knit for 'Igal, and you could choose one of six sizes from Infant to Women's Large. The pattern is back from my tech editor and ready to enjoy. Please e-mail me for more information. Depending on the size you choose, you could finish this in a week or two of light evening knitting. I'd like to have your projects ready to share by the end of this month.

I have finished The Joy of Yarn. I'm reading another happy, little murder, Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Muder and I'm trying to decide between The Dress Doctor and Taco USA for my non-fiction. Have you read either of these?

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 @ 8:34 PM 0 comments

Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

We are still in the Paschal season, though the octave of the feast is over. We are also in a little reprieve from travel. Last week Rich had a work conference last week, and I went along to rest and knit, but this week we are back on track.

Continuing our theme of Paschal foods and treats, we are enjoying many of them this week, as well.

Since I am home for real this week, I am hoping to get a lot of the recipes promised posted this week, too.

We are also trying to finish up the school year before air show. Spring is finally here for real, and I am enjoying the weather. It is finally not freezing here!

• Sunday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Herbed Ricotta, Toast, Grapefruit Cups, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Beef Pot Pie, Navy Beans with Sausage brought by Parishioner, Salads/Sides brought by Parishioners, Apple Pie
• Monday
  Breakfast: Yemeni Lahsa, Tamis, Fruit, Tea with Milk and Honey
  Dinner: Pressure Cooker Greek Style Spare Ribs, Basmati Rice, Roasted Zucchini, Mafrouka Truffles
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Cinnamon Nut Raisin Bread Toast and Cream Cheese, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Grilled Polish Sausage and Onions, Sauerkraut, Salt Potatoes with Butter, Green Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette, Peep S'mores
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Za'atar* and Labneh Board with Olives, Vegetables, and Bread, Fruit Plate, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Eggplant "Meatballs" in Marinara with Penne Pasta (GF for Jerome), Garlic Bread, Chopped Salad, Cherry Chocolate Mousse
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Hard Boiled Eggs, Toast, Fruit, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Spicy Thai Red Curry Chicken and Rice Casserole, Nutella Mousse with Berries
• Friday - Feast of Saint Gregory of Nazianzus
  Breakfast: Arabic Cheeses, Tomatoes, Olive Oil and Za’atar, Salatat Batatas ou Bayd*, Blood Oranges, Milky Tea
  Dinner: Eggplant and Cheese Scaccia Ragusana, Salad, Fruit Plate
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast with Blackberry Compote, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Waraq ‘Ounab*, Rice Pilaf, Harissa, Duqqus, Salad, Blackberry Lemon Cheesecake

Labels: Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Fesh'a, Homemaking, Keeping the Feast, Menu Plans, Pascha, Tales from the Kitchen

// posted by Ranee @ Arabian Knits @ 7:12 AM 0 comments