OPNO LOVES... Bateel in Shatti

Right near the beach, this little sweet shop [called Bateel] in Shatti, Muscat, is perfect for me.

The Complete Middle East Cookbook

While Tess Mallos' "The Complete Middle East Cookbook" is not complete, it is a GOOD starter book for anyone delving into Arabic and Mediteranean food.

It was the first cookbook I ever owned after all the handwritten french ones my family passed down to me.

Arabic Phrases: MashaAllah

"Mashallah" is an Arabic word that litterally means "thank Allah/praise Allah".

Its cultural meaning in Oman?

It is Arabic for "I love that-but don't give it the "evil eye"" lol.

When you see something beautiful you say it, to show people you aren't jealous of them or that if you are, lol, it is jealousy in a good way, where you wish more for yourself, but that they keep and increase what they have.

Islamic meaning: It means you are aware that everything comes from Allah, that Allah can give and take at any time, so what blessings one or others is/are given, one should be thankful for.

How to Make Omani Halwa

Yes, I can make halwa. HOW Omani IS THAT! HA!

Funny Ramadan Commercial Number 1: and more about Vimto

This commercial for Vimto is about having a girl's wedding maher be Vimto. It's kinda old. But I cracked open the Vimto last night after praying. For me, it is something I love about the season. Back in my country, I only bought it for Ramadan.

Vimto: the official drink of Ramadan

FB convo between A & OPNO, subject: Vimto, the official drink of Ramadan

OPNO: "Am so excited for Ramadan here. For the following reasons: a. because I won't be the only one fasting, and I really need this Ramadan, b. the guy for taraweeah [night prayer] will ACTUALLY be able to read arabic..."

A: "is your first here in the Oman?"

OPNO: "First fasting. ...And C. Vimto is cheaper here. Back home, Vimto costs more than a bottle of wine."

A: "French Canadians, ha!"

OPNO: "Mmmmmmmmhmmmmm. I love Vimto. To me is the official drink of Ramadan."

A: "My mam buys alot of Vimto."

In case you have no idea what Vimto is, which would be totally rare unless you are one of those expats who have never associated with an Omani before [they exist, I grew up in a cove of them], it is a non-alcoholic syrup cordial which is the equivelent of the Muslim's red wine. It tastes nothing like wine, but is made from a sugary syrup-y base by pouring into chilled water, it can be an aquired taste/ once aquired: it is delicious.

Myself, I hate the pre-mixed sugary Vimto in juice boxes. I prefer the glass bottle Vimto syrup that I can mix to taste. Before Islam I came from a family that prided themselves on their hosting skills and their well-stocked bars. :) Yes I know. I should not be talking about Ramadan and bars but besides, I still like to host with the same flair, but I have replaced my red wine with Vimto. I still like to keep pretty wine glasses and cute (halal) cocktail utensils for making halal drinks like non-alcoholic margaritas ect. Which is WHY the stores in Oman stock up on pretty wine glasses and such;).

Ramadaan is coming & how to set your tables

Ramadan is coming. I want to start a trend of having guest at my place for sohoor (breakfast) though it'll probably fail. Most of my friends are loathe to wake for fajr. but I shall be hosting one guest (yay, my first couch surfing experience as a host!).

Then the rest of the day the table and counters will look like this (sans apples) to be less tempting for those who have harder time with fasting.

Towards magraib (sundown) the juices come out. Yummy.

More rooftop decorating ideas

M can you take me to buy my lemon trees, pretty pretty please!!!!!!!!! BEFORE you go to Thailand!

More Ideas for Decorating Your Balcony for Oman

How PRETTY is THIS rooftop layout???????? This is my basic idea for my villa, only, I have to of course build ply-wood rubber bottomed (old car tires) stage-platform painted prettily for my rooftop cuz of its lovely shotty electrical wire running everywhere but on the balcony (and I wanna sit facing the ocean veiw, not against it). I discovered this is the reason why alot of people don't make use of their rooftop spaces lol.

Lovely picnic I iea for a big party. And soooooooooooo easy to do.

I am going to make big table candles like those out of traditional Omani clay pots from Nizwa. And I love the colour 'mint'.

Do I want an outdoor fountain?????

This space reminds me of my Aunties ' house in the country of my passport issue

Cut-outs, cute idea of those modern string curtains.

Hang a sheet canopy and voila! The space instantly looks more liveable. Use old sheets. Sooooooooo cheap and easy.

Wicker laundry hanger (so cheap) with a nice tray on it, makes an amazing coffee table and all you need is lawn mats and some matching pillows for a very grown up outdoors lounging space.

Mmmmm, melon. Yes, that IS the first thing I notice about the above room pictured.

Pictures 'stolen' from Alkemie's awesome interior design blog. I follow her, so you can always click on her link.

More Outdoor Living Ideas for your Omani Villa: outdoor furniture completes the space