There are a couple of all special Ramadan drinks we try during this month: mango lassi, falooda, various sweet milkshakes, the one that is our favourite is my mum-in-law’s limeade. We down glasses of the stuff as soon as we open our fast. She calls this lime drink shekanjavi, which is a Punjabi-fication of shekanjabin […]
I have posted this before, but the last sermon of our beloved Prophet (Sallahu Alaihi Wassalam), delivered on the 9th day of Hajj at the plain of Arafat, never fails to move me to tears. Every time I read it, I find something new in it and every time I read it, I marvel at […]
When I saw this prompt, the first thing that came to mind was my little “Tiny”, our youngest, “Baby”. I love how upbeat and resilient she is. I love her mischief and curiousness. I love that after not saying anything much for so long, she has turned into a little parrot that copies everything we […]
I have been toying with my Word of the Year for 2021 for the last few day and struggling to settle on one word. My word for 2020 was belief – I wrote here about recognising the need to have greater self-belief in myself: “Belief in my good intentions, in my capability, in my competence. […]
The quote for Day 9 of Ramadan from my box of things to think about is: “The best way to defeat someone is by beating him to it by politeness” ~ Umar Al Farooq (Radi-Allahu anhu) As my aunt used to tell me, akhlaq (or good character) is not being kind to your friends, that’s easy, but […]
I had some news at work yesterday, which gave me pause for thought. After having worked here for only four months, I was called to see the senior manager with the rest of my team – a lesson in that; senior managers only call staff to meetings for bad news. We were told that our […]
As Little Lady is growing I can see her getting more independent and happier to find ways to keep herself occuppied. This is an absolute pleasure for me to watch except when the boys bother her. So as a treat this weekend, whilst she was sleeping over at her nan’s (she likes to snuggle in […]
I’m in the perfect mood to celebrate the Sabbath day alhamdulillah. I’m sitting at my desk giggling and entirely not in the mood for walk. You have days when you are bogged down and days when you just can’t be bothered. You have days when you put your nose to the grindstone, meet the resistance […]
A while ago I wrote a post about frugal card-making and now reflecting on that a whole lot more has come to mind. Central to my cards most of the time are embellishments. I love, love, love embellishments and most often use them as the centre-piece of the card from which I pick out the […]
I got from work today and made my usual trip into the garden, to find that the crazy strawberry patch was polka-dotted red with strawberries. This year is the best crop we have had so far, courtsey of the glorious sunny days we have been having and the summer rain showers of the last few […]
For the last few years I have been picking a word for the year and trying to use it to inspire me for the year. In 2011 it was “courage” as I faced redundancy and faced making big changes in my life. In 2012 I was pregnant and too nauseous and exhausted to think of […]
The last few days have been a little challenging a we come to the end of the blessed month. Trying to get the shopping done, while fasting and in the heat, with queues everywhere. Trying to kid the kids to pray, do some schooling, stop sleeping too much, sleep at sensible times, eat properly, eat […]
What makes you happy?Going to visit my nan’sHaving sleepovers at my cousinsReading booksGetting to be door monitor at madrassahWordsearches and puzzlesGoing different places like Cornwall and Bournemouth
I had a challenging evening this week. Too much to do and the day going by in a flash. Study and homework for my Arabic course, visiting the new baby in the family, housework, and kids were enough to handle without one of the boys blocking the toilet and creating a whole lot more work […]
