Zaatar Infused Croutons

Hello there! It has been very busy over here. I mean in my head. I have so much going on and so little to show. Almost all is still in the brainstorming phase and most of those projects are new to me that I have to practically learn new techniques to accomplish them. So much learning is going on at the moment and cooking has taken a sort of back seat in my mental to do list. However, I was able to make this delicious croutons variation that injects the zaatar flavor into salads and soups. I also dipped them in my homemade labneh (Click here for my homemade labneh recipe). You can simply eat them on their own as a healthy flavorful crunchy snack and a better alternative for chips and crackers. 

You can also check out my Pita chips recipe if you prefer the pita option. Click here for the recipe.

The Loving Hands: A Literally Handmade Valentine's Day Project

I normally don't like to instill Valentine's day traditions in my household. I previously talked about it here and here; however, Alya was already exposed to it in school and she is supposed to make things for her friends.  She actually insists that we also bake cookies. Last year Alya asked me if we can make something for baba (Daddy in Arabic) for Valentine's Day. So we made this Loving Hands Project. It was a lot of fun and kind of messy. The paint that was supposed to be washable and intended for finger painting, did not turn out to be washable at all. The poor girl spent a whole week with pinkish red hands! Of course, now that she can read and write, it would have been a much nicer touch for her to write "Love".

The Tomato Soup that No One Can Resist

Alya often complains that I don't make her favorite food, which is not true. She is accusing me of neglecting her numerous requests of pizza and tomato soup! "You always make what baba loves!" Needless to say, it is not true. My husband loves everything I make, he even surrendered to my wish to eat more vegetarian dishes. In a nutshell, Alya wants me to make Pizza and tomato soup everyday! I decided last week to make tomato soup and actually make a point that I made it juuuuust for you Alya!

What Happens in Vegas, Doesn't Stay in Vegas

"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas", that is how the saying goes. Las Vegas, as in Sin City, is known for gambling, smoking, partying, getting wasted and doing things that you will regret later. The good thing is that you don't have to tell anyone. In my case, I don't gamble, don't smoke, don't drink alcohol, don't like loud noises and rarely do things unconsciously and regret them later. The only time I was drugged was when I was doing a medical procedure. (It was the best sleep I ever had in my entire life). Did I mention that my husband hates Vegas? Then why Vegas and what I did?

We had the opportunity of leaving our daughter with my in-laws where she loves to spend time. I have never been to Vegas before and every time I mentioned that I was curious to see it, I got major eye rolling action from my husband. He finally succumbed and I got us a great deal to fly there and stay for 3 nights at the Encore Hotel. So you are still wondering why I wanted to go to Vegas despite that what Vegas is notorious for does not interest me? Come with me, shall you!

Rainbows and Unicorns Invitations: Alya's 5th Birthday

Do you remember when I told you that I will be posting a tutorial on how I made the invitation cards of Alya's 5th birthday party themed "Unicorns and Rainbows"? probably not, I made this promise four months ago but I do intend to keep my word, so here it is. If you want to read about the birthday party, click here.