LookOut 4 Handmade Goodies!

These few days, I went 'crazy' for some lookouts for something handmade. Since it is festive season and I already received a few invitations for celebrations till new year, so I decided to present gifts to the potential hostess with something homemade either I cooked some foodies from my kitchen or something that was handmade from traditional shops around Muscat. Indeed, I found a shop in one of the complexes in AlQurum. They were handmade jewelleries made of beads or semi precious stones. Another from a shop in M's Mall where I could get some handmade tapestry bags and handsome handwoven shawls! 

To me, it is always a nice feeling if we could get something which is of quality and made out of sheer love and sweats. It needs not be pricy or could cost us a bomb but sufficed if the things we get is something that has meanings and serves its purpose as sovenirs or momentous to someone whom we care and appreciate of their presence in our life. But, it must reflects something from our hearts. More so if someone has spent her precious time just to do something for us, something that we adore and something that will make us remember them! One good example was my dear friend ILS who knows what I truly liked and indeed she made me something which took her more than a day - a red velvet cake with a special topping of pink shoe and red roses as the decoration. The painstaking time taken to make the cake coupled with full of love for me as her dear friend was something which I treasured and will always remember when my birthday comes!

Back to homemade gifts, on one occasions, I was invited to a friend's home for coffee morning. Although I know that I wasn't a good cook as the hostess, yet I tried my level best to bring along a homemade foodies to share with her and her invitees. I made nasi goreng kampong styled topped with thinly sliced omellete and accompanied with deep fried prawn crackers from my hometown! Indeed, I felt so good to bring something which came directly from my kitchen instead of food stalls! Another time, I made for a friend party a platter of Chinese styled fried vermicile with sambal kicap as its gravy while recently with clams' season here, I cooked clams with all the fresh herbs for a few friends as part of my pot luck contributions. Indeed, it was a truly nice feelings to share what you know with others and vice versa. It may be a small gesture but to others it means we appreciate the invitation with big heart!

And, for this festive season, I have chosen to present my friends with homemade goodies which I bought and taken into account when selected them based on my individual friend's favourite colours! Recently, I bought a purplish cashmere shawl for a friend whom I know loves the Morning Glory colour. I truly hope she likes my choice :) For another friend who will be leaving us for home-sweet-home after her five years stay in this beautiful and hospitable land, I decided to choose a handmade necklace made of semi-precious stones. Also in my heart I wish and hope that she likes my selection as a remembrance of our friendship. To my helper who will be celebrating her XMas Day, I have chosen a pair of bluish pearl earrings with a matching pearl ring as a token of gratitude for all her assistance and help to me at our home. For without her help with the house chores, my home won't look as what it is! TQ Mrs P for your help to us. My prayers always with you for your well being with the hope that you too like the gifts from me on your special day!

Part of my 'catch' during the lookouts for goodies as gifts to special friends who are near to my heart ...