I spent my first day in my new job at a new building today. Still undecided about what I think.The building is stunningly space age with glass and steel everywhere, interspersed with funky time-out areas with modern looking furniture. The reception has palm trees and feels a bit like the inside of a giant glass […]

I’m resting at the moment after a short stay in hospital. I don’t thank I have ever felt so grateful for just feeling fairly normal. I had thought that I was pregnant (sickness, exhaustion and three positive pregnancy tests seemed rather good indicators) with all the ensuing chaos that this caused: the fear of being […]

Hubby was out last night and I put the kids to bed early. Mum-in-law followed suit, so I decided to spend some time doing what I enjoy.I made the following from left-over ribbon and tags. This was probably the easiest to make, but perhaps the most professional looking. This centrepeice of this one was from […]

I have finished the first of the two books sent to me by Sister Umm Nassim as part of a book swap (review of the second one here) and I quite enjoyed it.Persian Girls is an autobiographical book written by the author as she looks back over her life as a child in Iran and […]

I came home from the hospital yesterday morning to recieve a lovely surprise. As part of a swap we have been engaging in, Umm Nassim has sent me these lovely gifts. The abaya is just right for summer and I love the Moroccan style. I have seen someone wearing something very similar during hajj and […]

Although my grandmother has passed away now, caring for her was one of the most demanding, yet most satisfying experiences of my life. Gran came to live with me for two years when she got fed up of all of her daughters-in-law squabbling amongst themselves. I think part of her also enjoyed the company of […]

Although I do like the mystery, twists and turns and eventual bombshell disclosure of a good detective novel, I find that they are mostly predictable, poorly written and sometimes feel more like someone has written a movie script. An Interpretation of Murder, in contrast, was a nice surprise.The novel is set in 1900’s New York […]

It’s general knowledge that a good way to make a positive first impression when you meet someone is to begin with a solid handshake. The American Psychological Association has published a paper indicating that “a firm handshake may provide an effective initial form of self-promotion for women”This has always been a tough one for me. […]

We are hoping this month to (finally) visit my brother’s intended and formally ask for her hand insh’Allah. With this in mind, me and my sisters spent the weekend discussing what preparations were required (my brother being oblivious and my parents behaving like rabbits caught in headlights every time marriage is mentioned).Eventually we headed out […]

Alhamdulillah I had a lovely Sunday morning spent at Barleylands Farm market in Essex. We go there a couple of Sundays’s a year and it is a great chance to give your lungs a treat and get in touch with nature. Oh, and to shop for next to nothing. I bought myself lots of plants, […]

The first few days of Ramadan are always challenging when fasting falls during the summer months with the change in sleeping and eating habits. Usually by the third day or so, you start to fall into a routine, the coffee cravings have gone and you get on with your day-to-day activity. Having got through day […]

I hope I don’t sound like a complete git trying to give anyone party tips, but I thought I would pass on some of the ideas I have used and some of the things that have helped me money.The basket of bangles is basically full of bangles that I and my sisters don’t use. I […]

My first few days at the new office have been mixed, but I am glad to find that my experience there is improving alhamdulillah. The prayer room we were promised is still under construction, but the facilities people have been kind enough to point out various storage and utility rooms we can use in the […]

Posted by Happy Muslim Mama at 07:31 Labels: 40 Day Challenge, Eye Candy