DIY: Studded Jean Jacket

For years I searched for the perfect jean jacket. I’m not usually very picky, but for this particular jacket I had a few criteria that were essential. My dream jacket was stretchy, cropped, and fitted. Thrift stores always had thick, stiff denim while other stores sold jackets that weren’t cropped enough or were just too pricey. I […]

Saudi Fruit Juice

Saudi Fruit Juice

Our family ordered this Saudi fruit juice whenever we went out for shawarmas – the classic fast food we ate in Saudi Arabia. Now shawarmas are commonplace in Canada, but when we moved to Riyadh in 1996, they were brand new to us. The shawarmas were only SR 5 (less than $2.00) each, and are a […]

DIY: Faux Snakeskin Headband

This faux snakeskin headband is not a difficult craft, but it is something  you’ll actually wear. I find that most headbands don’t sit well on my head- maybe they’re too slippery or my head has a funny shape, but they always slide off the back when I wear them. Do you have that problem too? Although […]

Smoked Mackerel Pate

Smoked Mackerel Pate

When I used to eat meat, I loved smoked mackerel. There was a fishmonger in the town near our Oma’s village who would sell freshly smoked fish, still warm from the smoker. Buttery soft mackerel and Schillerlocken (dogfish) were my favourites, just eaten plain or on pieces of bread or crackers. I don’t eat fish any […]

Happy Hour: Saudi Champagne

Happy Hour: Saudi Champagne

Saudi champagne was served as a special beverage at restaurants or home parties where we grew up. Saudi Arabia is a country where alcohol is haram, or forbidden. As kids, of course, we didn’t care about the lack of alcohol; we just thought Saudi champagne was a great treat at ma’asalama (goodbye) parties or when we occasionally […]