We are now two weeks into the summer holidays and despite the cries of “I’m bored”, coming home from work to a mess every day and the cost of keeping the kids busy, there are some things I am enjoying about the holidays. I don’t have to get anyone ready in the morning for school, […]
I did plan lots for this last weekend, but I ended up doing…nothing. Well, nothing productive anyway. I have spent all summer talking my husband out of removing the chimneys from our downstairs (why are all Asians obsessed with removing chimneys – why does about three foot more space by the wall improve our lives […]
What smells are you grateful for? Alhamdulillah all of the good ones? That’s a bit of a cop out, but there are so many. The smell of my little girls’ hair after they have had their bath The smell of food when I am cooking something, and the kids come into the kitchen lured by […]
I previously read Karen Armstrong’s book Islam: A Short Introduction and although I did not agree with everything in it, I still found it well-written and well-researched unlike a lot of the pseudo-academic rubbish written about Islam by people who do not bother to take the time to learn about the faith and struggle to […]
I rarely comment on politics, but the events of the last few days in Pakistan have had me on tenterhooks, hoping and praying and praying some more. In the end Imran Khan didn’t make prime minister despite the significant youth following and his amazing way of articulating his dreams (see my post here). Nawaz Sharif (and his […]
I have been at work for a week now and have really been enjoying it. It’s nice seeing some of my colleagues; I find I look after myself a little better (I actually end up putting some face cream on as part of the morning routine) and the work is proving fascinating. I have been […]
When Gorgeous picked up this big book, I had my doubts. I know he loves reading, but my boys can be lazy and go for easier books sometimes. Three days later he presented it back to me bleary eyed saying he loved it. I was impressed and really very proud, although I have told him […]
Despite the strange circumstances with lockdown this year, plenty of things about the first day of Ramadan kicked off with the usual: Half the family fasting and the other half starting a day later Kids staying up all night planning to eat rubbish and being completely hyper at suhoor time My first day headache due […]
Last year I was watching a call-in programme on the Islam Channel, where you could call in and ask a scholar a question. A woman called in to ask for advice regarding her children who would disturb her during prayer. The scholar indicated that she has brought them up poorly and there must be something […]
I was curious to review this item because it was a bit different from anything I have reviewed before. I also last my house keys earlier this year which I had managed to keep hold of before that for had for 10 years. Beets Blu sent me an Amazon voucher for the item and I […]
I was writing to a lovely sister this morning who contacted me because of the blog. Have I ever mentioned that I love, love, love getting e-mails from sisters? I should also mention that I am awful at replying and might respond in a day or in six months (to my shame). But this sister’s […]
This is something my husband often throws together when there isn’t much time to make anything. Ingredients: 1 Onion – diced2 tomatoes – diced2 green chilli’s – chopped finely (I use bullet) increase or decrease to suit.5 eggs – Lightly whisked1 level teaspoon salt1 level teaspoon garam masalaPinch black pepper½ teaspoon red chilli powder1 large […]
The last few weeks have been the hardest weeks of my life. Trouble with the children, bad habits they have picked up, bad behaviour I am trying desperately to manage and counteract Doubts about myself as a mother and my approach to parenting. Misunderstandings with my better half Long soul baring talks with him Finding […]
My mum loves gardening and she loves beautiful things, so her garden is full of flowers, visitors always love a stroll and you can see kids itching to pick handfuls. Her garden is a kind of sanctuary for me – clean, organised and peaceful, overlooked by the kitchen where mum cooks the most gorgeous food. […]
