I got a phone call from my middle child’s school this week asking me to come in.  I asked what it was about and they said not to worry.  For a brief moment I did entertain delusions about being called in for a good reason, such as he being recognised as some kind of child […]

Usually we wait for the kids to go sleep before we put decorations up during the night, but being so sleep deprived I didn’t fancy staying up so late and let the kids join in this time.  It turned out to be a great idea, they had a blast and we got our decorations up […]

Remember the leaf bead I mentioned I liked but wasn’t sure what to do with? I did have some good suggestions from sisters, including my dear freind M who sent me this picture: image source Unfortunately, much as I want to learn the skill with which this pendant has been wrapped, I am not able […]

We are currently visiting the Haji’s as they return from Hajj. Alhamdulillah a few of our family and friends went this year. We were concerned after the upsetting incident that lead to deaths in Mina and the crane incident in Makkah, but on both occasions the Haji’s contacted their family members quickly to let them […]

I have a thorough tidy up of our bookshelf every few months and sort through all the books that are in the wrong place and all of the random junk that accumulates on the shelves.  We are planning a party for the weekend, so that was a good excuse as any to tackle the latest […]

It is with sadness that I note that Brother Umar Lee has decided to stop blogging. His blog provided an interesting insight into the way brothers might think and also a voice that might appeal to some of our more wayward brothers far better than that of a haranguing or crying sister might have done.Brother […]

Probably the most beautiful flowers at Kew were the roses, jasmine, orchids and lilies at the Lily House.  There might have been others as lovely, but I didn’t get to see even half of the place in five hours, so will have to go back and find out insh’Allah.

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 the […]

Ramadan Kareem everyone, May Allah (SWT) give each of us the opportunity to benefit from this blessed month, to increase our ibadah (worship), to seek forgiveness and to attain Allah (SWT)’s pleasure insh’Allah. (image source) “Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you many learn […]

My grandparents came to England in the 60’s and three of their sons (including my dad) followed in the 70’s. It was a time of massive change in the UK with immigration changing the face of London especially and perhaps nowhere more was this evident than East London. At that time many were not so […]

Having had my children quite close together (3 within 4 years), I found my teeth affected by the end of my 20’s. I had bleeding gums and also receding gums, something which tends to affect people who are much older. Naturally, I didn’t want to end up losing my teeth, nor did I want to […]

This weekend and this morning have been a lesson for me. I realise I have not been my Happy Mama self for a long time. I spent the whole weekend moping, feeling tired and sad and getting cross with people. I spent most of Saturday evening working myself into a tantrum, aiming it at my […]

I caught myself recently repeatedly trying to get rid of the children – to the garden, downstairs, upstairs, to their dad, to their gran, to pester their uncles. I stopped to reflect what I was doing that could be so important that I was avoiding their perfectly good-natured chatter and the things they keep bringing […]

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 […]