Pickled Turnips

Well, I love mezes. Those Middle eastern small dishes we almost serve with each meal. If you are not familiar with mezes, you can find some information and the common dishes here. Pickled turnips are one of my favorite mezes. I made some yesterday using my Mom's original recipe. 

Ingredients:

2 pounds white turnips, peeled and cut into medium size wedges

1 medium beet cut into medium size wedges

3 cups water

1/4 cup salt

2 tsp sugar

Directions: 

• Place the turnips, beets in a canning jar. The beets will dye the turnips pink. 
• In a medium saucepan, bring the water, sugar and salt to boil. Set aside to cool briefly, then pour warm mixture over the sliced turnips and beets in the jar. Place the lid on the jar and allow to rest at room temperature for up to a week. 

I usually open the jar in a week. I recommend transferring the jar then to the fridge so the pickles don't get overdone.

Enjoy!

مش فاهمة

أنا بس مش فاهمة ليه كل واحد بطالب بالاصلاح والعدل في وطنا العربي بيكون إما بلجيكي أو شيعي أو مسيحي أو اخونجي أو قاعدي. يعني لازم يكون طائفي أو مهلوس!! يعني ما في حد من أهل البلد نفسه بده اصلاح اذا اعتبرنا انه ما ذكر اعلاه من طوائف مش من أهل البلد ومندسين. حد يفهمني لأنه اللي عم بيصير مش معقول

Home alone!!

I know that you can't be "home alone" with three kids, no one can be! But this is how I feel when hubby is traveling. He's in Singapore until Thursday. We can't wait for him to come back!

I have not been into blogging recently. However I have a lot to blog about, but I guess with things happening in the Middle East, everything does not seem worthy to talk about. The good thing that I can see the change coming, regardless of the rough/long way. The Arab world will be a better place soon inshallah. 

I learned few things from those revolutions: Arab youth are so brave and strong despite that they were raised by the weakest Arab generation (sorry to say that but this is my opinion). And that there will be always some people, and thank God they are some, who are loyal to the regimes no matter how bad the regimes are. The problem that I can't tell if those people are stupid, ignorant, cowards, or that they just can't live without being insulted!!

I'm now praying for the people in Libya. I had my own experience with the revolution there as my brother was working in Benghazi and he just went back to Jordan last Thursday. It was so scary to hear the news when you have someone really close to you there. last Tuesday I was sick worried that I couldn't stop crying all day. I was sick worried about him and his wife and baby girl. But el7amdellah he made it home safe and sound after a rough trip through Egypt. When I was worried about my brother I thought about those who lost their loved ones in the revolution in Tunis, Egypt, and Libya. You need to be in their shoes to feel their pain. I'm so sorry for their losses.

I wrote the above post last night but I didn't feel posting it. I was not home most of the day today. I just came back, fed my baby and put him and the girls to bed. I wanted to post what I wrote but then I felt I want to add something, anything. I just want to talk. I'm feeling down, suddenly. I thought about calling my friend here but I couldn't, I didn't know what to say. I hate to be that weak and I just hate when my husband is far away and I can't talk to him!!!

Lately in pictures

I was thrilled last Friday when I heard that Mubarak stepped down. They finally did it! I was so proud of them.  

Long live Egypt

The snow in front of our house as of today 2/14. It started to melt down, finally! It hit 50 degrees today for the first time in months. The snow you see in the picture is the accumulation from the several snow storms hit us in the last couple of months. The last was two weeks ago.

I made this cake over the weekend. My hubby believes that I need to start thinking about having my own cake shop. I guess I might consider that if the PhD thing didn't work out :)

Praying for Egypt

I just can't stand the crime happening right now in Tahrir Square against the protesters! Please keep praying for them.

And please Egyptians, don't give up!