This book was loaned to me by a work colleague, who kept asking if I’d read it. I was in the middle of half-a-dozen good books, so this didn’t appeal to me at all. The name, the cover, it all reminded me of a clichéd detective story and I really couldn’t be bothered. I picked […]

These are the last of the Eid cards, managed to post them finally on Eid day (can blame the postal strike!!)

What attribute of God are you most grateful for? The obvious answer would be Allah’s (SWT) mercy, he is ar-Raḥmān (the Compassionate), ar-Raḥīm (the Most Merciful), al-Ghaffār (The Repeatedly Forgiving) and al-Laṭīf (gentle and subtly kind) We all know our flaws, mistakes and weaknesses: “Allah desires that He should make light your burdens, and man […]

I don’t usually discuss politics on this blog, there are too many brothers and sisters out there far more eloquent and knowledgeable than me who are able to do that. However, I have been watching Pakistan’s Imran Khan and his Tahreek-e-Insaaf (Pakistan Movement for Justice) party with interest. Here is finally someone from amongst the […]

I have been trying to see things from my children’s point of view recently as I feel that sometimes I am telling them off too much. More yelling from me is only going to mean more noise and chaos not less, so I realised I had to do something different to get a different outcome.With […]

My word for the Year for 2016 was Health. I have used a word of the year (WOTY) to focus on something I wanted to change or improve in my life and this was one area that was really important to me. I felt that if I got this right it would impact so many […]

I have been working from home this Friday, so decided to make an effort with a blingy outfit… …some matching bangles… …and the kohl my friend brough back from hajj the year before last and sis still going strong (talk about hajj barakah!) Little Lady was in on the act with her new t-shirt from […]

Shutterbug and Harlequin Sister went to visit a Lavender Farm in Surrey this weekend.  They had some great pics (to follow on their blogs soon I am sure) and came back tired and bearing gifts:  a bunch of dried Lavender and Lavender flavoured chocolate which I am yet to try. The Lavender has a lovely strong smell which I could smell […]

I recently bought this chain of glass crystal beads (details here) and wanted to make something for the little girls in our family with it. The beads have an AB (Aurora Borealis) finish which gives them the sparkly, rainbows that catches the light so beautifully. I took the necklace apart, setting aside the smaller thinner […]

I like the idea of choosing a word for the year but because it helps to focus on one theme or area of my life that I can work on. My word for 2015 was shukr, or gratefulness. My intention was to become more grateful for every big and small blessing in my life, but more […]

I came across in interesting concept in this article on Steve Pavlina’s excellent website. Its basic premise is that sometimes when we make an intention to change something in our life or get rid of a bad habit, we find the thought of the long trek ahead towards that change becoming concrete daunting. Pavlina’s idea […]

I was happy to see that Neelu of the Neelu’s Journal blog is hosting the Ramadan Journal Challenge again this year. She mentioned that she was undecided about whether or not to keep a journal this year and in some years in the past she has chosen not to. I was undecided also about whether I wanted to participate […]

Haven’t done of theseTTMMS posts in ages and am in a super good mood as I have Friday off of work. Old trunks, the more battered the better:  (image source)  Lemons, especially watching the kids lick them and wince.  We all lovee liking lemons, except for my husband who can’t stand them. (image source) […]

Last year we went to the Duntable Downs Kite Festival and loved it so much that this year we invited my family to join us there. Dunstable Downs is designated a site of Special Scientific Interest because of its chalk grasslands and sits within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  It has wide open spaces and […]