IT's finally happening..

We are leaving for our vacation this Saturday! :D
I cant wait to touch the white white sand..

To feel the soft cool breeze..

The sunshine on my face..

To see my daughters curiosity meters go crazy high while she absorbs the new and very beautiful places and things that she would be seeing for the very first time...

Oh dear i'm getting my pre vacation  heebie jeebies.

Coconut Raisin Oatmeal Cookies

I love coconut using coconut in baking.It doesnt hurt that it is one of the very few things that are grown locally. ;)

These cookies are absolutely the best there is.They are chewy,the coconut gives a lovely texture,it smells heavenly so all in all,this is my favorite cookie recipe.My picky little girl agrees.So does the hubby.

It tastes way better and is cheaper to make than the store bought extremely expensive oatmeal cookies. 

I am asked for this recipe all the time,so here it is!

Coconut Raisin Oatmeal Cookies

Coconut Raisin Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup white sugar (use only 1/2 cup if you don't like it too sweet.)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cup rolled oat (quick cooking oats work well too)
• 1 cup shredded coconut (1/2 cup would work too)
• 1/2 cup dark raisins (i like them better than the golden ones.)
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil (i have also made with as little as 1/2 cup)
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla

here how:

1.preheat oven to 175 degrees C.grease cookie sheets.

2.in a large bowl,stir together al the dry ingredients.

make a well in the center and add oil,eggs and vanilla.mix well with a wooden spoon or your hands.roll into balls and place on cookie sheets,2 inches apart,and flatten slightly.

3.bake for 10 to 12 minutes till light brown and chewy.cool a while and remove and let cool completely.

Store in an air tight container.

• I use fresh shredded unsweetened coconut.If you are using sweetened,you may want to lessen the amount of sugar.

Don't let the sunshine spoil your rain.

Life wise,i'm very drained these days.No one told me these toddlebums drain you almost empty..and i miss my mom.after my dad passed away,my mom went back home to her island.(Our country is a bunch of islands sitting together (but not joined) in the Indian ocean.)
I'm seriously in need of a vacation.The thought of it,is the only thing that's got me going these days..
As soon as hubby has got it settled at work,we are off insha Allaah..
We were expecting to leave tomorrow,I tried to not get my hopes too upsy because this might happen.but in my mind,i had made plans and i had made a lot of things in preparation.But the Boss has other ideas.(As much as i hate to say this,we haven't had a decent vacation for the four years we have been married.). :(

I can't wait.To see my mom,my lil brother(Noor,the two n half year old noora's uncle :)),all my extended family who lives on this tiny island that is my parents home island.
Oh keep me in your prayers,i'm sewing and stitching and beading and crafting like a mad woman and neglecting pretty much all else that i have to do, because that's the only things that s keeping me sane.

For now,i'm trying to adjust my attitude.I can't afford to be mad at those who are standing in our way for no good reasons or be too frustrated.

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aah that;s better.Even seeing that makes me feel a lot better.The rain is coming..lets be happy while we wait :D (for those of you who don't know me,rain is my source of rejuvenation.what the sun is to the trees,the rain is to me,i always say. ;))

Lets show you what ive been doing.

Mini quilt.

Midnight madness is how i got it done in 20 minutes.

Free machine sewing,that joy.

pink ruffled dress.I love this pattern,made it three times now :D

Label on the dress directly!

Instead of sewing on one of those tags,i ironed a little piece of my name directly on to  the fabric.and it stays well.chiffon holds iron transfers best,as of yet.

She is quite the sand lover.

 She loves picking things by her small hands,she has a good technique mastered..she finds lost pins and needles for me..exactly what i dont need her to find!

 Noora on papa's motorcycle.

that's how we got to her to stay put for this photo. :)

Papa hold her while momma tries to snap one decent pic of this dress!!

Embroidery on Noora's jeans.Quite in love with this one. :D
The bling is iron on.
No pictures of her in the jeans im afraid. :(

I'm assuming i will be making a lot of stuff in the next few days, because I have to do something to keep me from exploding..God knows how close i am..

Anyways,lets keep the smiles up.Cuz you can't smile from the outside without feeling better from the inside. :D

Simple wishes that have taken over my whole mind..

Of watching the sunrise on the beach..

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Of playing with the waves..

Of feeling and smelling the cool green grass..

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Of picking little flowers..

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Of taking long walks under the trees..

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Of running free..

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Of relaxing and really enjoying a good book..

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Of walking in the rain..

Of sitting under the stars..

Upcycling jeans!

I made some up-cycling with a pair of my old jeans.I made this bag,and a pair of jeans for the little miss.

 I used Velcro to close it.d black on hand,but i don't think i can stand that,but i will wait till i get to go out to get some white Velcro.myself fights with myself,one half of me needs instant gratification,the other is a perfectionist,who would gladly take all the time as required.Poor self.

See,I even stitched on it my very own personalized label.Love it! :D
I will get to how i made that later..but here is the basic tutorial!
And notice the pencil in the pocket?Aaaah its so chic that i can hardly handle it.

 It's fully lined with a some floral cotton.I love the contrast.the looong handle is upside denim and the other side floral cotton, the liner fabric.

 The stitching is quite wobbly as i couldn't help being hasty.As i said, some times, i need results,and i need them fast.

 See the pretty flower?
My hubby says i can't help it if i wanted to.There has to be a flower.
I even wanted to iron on some jewels.My brothers and my hubby liked it this way,no LOVED it this way, so my bling has to wait a bit on the sidelines.for now.

And this,would be a sneak peek of Noora's jeans.it's adorable!
I should get some action shots of the adorable diaper bum in it.

So how do you like my very first bag? :)