It is June 2018~ I have not blogged for almost 6 months now! I had lost the spark to blog and coupled with self-doubt I just decided to give myself some space. Coming back with a recipe would have been easier but that will not fill the void I created in this space. Though this blog has become more of a tried and tested recipe hoarding space, this has and will always be a piece of me in Yanbu. Whatever I did in Yanbu, will stay in My Life in Yanbu... and so my attempt to refill the blog with backdated posts. 

I am not sure how long I will be in this city, for now, it seems a little vague. But I am told I should be ready to pack anytime. 

So, let me start with my plan... I will be sharing "recap" of a month with what best times and the best recipe finds, etc. I am hoping to keep this "Month that was" a reoccurring thing, InshaAllah. 

Jan 2018, 

During the last few days of 2017, we had F's best friend and his family stay over with us. They drove all the way from Khobar with two adorable kids. Some drive around Yanbu corniche, some food and also a visit to the Masjid Al Nabawi in Madinah just made the year 2017, end in a good note. 

#Yanbu The city that sleeps early because she is exhausted being stunning from dawn to dusk! ~ fashfaiz 😍 At #amwajrestaurant #yanbu #royalcommission Food, ambience and service is good but they take a wee bit long to get the food on the table. No complains as we have stunning view that keeps us engaged 😊 #yanbuhighlights

A post shared by Famidha Ashraf (@fashfaiz) on Jan 23, 2018 at 7:02am PST

A post shared by Famidha Ashraf (@fashfaiz) on Feb 7, 2018 at 6:22am PST

On 1st of Jan, I had my bestie Z and her son spend the day with me. We honestly had no "new year" vibe, somehow it is not a thing anymore. It is just another day like any other day. Not in a negative way. :-) I am just as excited about this day like every other day! :-) 

Yanbu now has its own Fridays (TGIF) and the ladies gang planned to have a lunch out only to be disappointed with their food. But the management was fair by giving us free dessert. :-) 

When I stumbled upon this combo:

#upma with #egg was yet another revelation!!! Thanks @tealthy_ whose post inspired me to try this combination! I love egg and I love upma... guess those facts are already established with my stories right? Imagine when I learnt I can have both together... 😍🤤Happy me! So what else do you eat upma with? I usually have with: Sugar Chutney Egg Leftover meat curries Whats your favourite combination? Wacky weird or classic ... inspire me! #semolina #southindianbreakfast #eggspiration

A post shared by Famidha Ashraf (@fashfaiz) on Jan 30, 2018 at 1:21am PST

Our "Tourist in your own city" kinda day - Yanbu Lake Park came into my radar very late. I didn't even know about it even when I had the guests. I felt so bad that we missed knowing about this beautiful serene place that is naturally cool with greenery. The Lake itself is man-made but all those trees and the cool breeze is a whiff of home indeed.

This beautiful spot in #Yanbu #royalcommission is in reality a man-made lake that comprises a vast area of green lawn, fully grown big trees and play area! Perfect for family picnics with kids. This has been there for years but only recently we got there. The saying Muttathe Mullakku Manamilla is so apt! (Whats in our neighbourhood is not valued) 😬😆This lake is our current favourite weekend morning stroll spot. #yanbulakepark #picnicspot #yanbuhighlights This place reminds me so much of Kerala! Don’t you think?

A post shared by Famidha Ashraf (@fashfaiz) on Feb 17, 2018 at 7:07am PST

Tea party with the gals. Dress up and meet. Chat and eat. Giggle and laugh.

Haven’t been blogging since over a month now and I don’t even know how to feel about it. 😬😬 But I am happier than ever since I came to Yanbu! #alhamdulillah for friends like @zainimailing and @rehab.salim91 You ladies are the best gift this city gave me and I am so grateful to have met you two! #teatimewithfriends #journaling #keepsake

A post shared by Famidha Ashraf (@fashfaiz) on Feb 2, 2018 at 8:40am PST

Another find that blew my mind:

Once upon a time #Italianfood to me was just #pasta in either white or red sauce 🤭 until I came across #Spaghetti #aglioeolio on @mrsvitale YouTube channel. I made it the very day! Such a simple recipe with just 6 ingredients including the pasta!!! So easy and yet so tasty!!! Have some #oliveoil #garlic #chilliflakes #pinenuts and #parsley? Get making this aglio e olio! Muaah!💋 Or am I late to the party???? Have you tried this?

A post shared by Famidha Ashraf (@fashfaiz) on Feb 4, 2018 at 11:02am PST

Find the recipe at Laura in the Kitchen

Birth of my truffles mania:

These are not the best #truffles but was addictively delicious considering it was an attempt to use up last bits of things to free up fridge real estate! Like last scoops of cream cheese, those frozen breads and last bits of crushed nuts, etc. I have began to love making truffles because a. It is a blank space that can be filled with your imagination b. Doesn’t need to be baked! Did you realise my last few stories were all “balls” 😂 like truffles, energy balls and meatballs 🤤😂 There is more balls coming your way 🤪 The recipe for this #biscoff #lotus #creamcheese #pistachios truffles is listed up on my highlights... ⬆️ Well these I suppose can be made into bars too 🤔 right? Are you team bars or team balls?

A post shared by Famidha Ashraf (@fashfaiz) on Feb 10, 2018 at 6:55am PST

These truffles gave birth to so many more versions that I think I am not longer the Flatbread Queen! :-)

That's the month that was January 2018.