Do you know where the Pub is?

Asalaam Alaykum Muslimat and hello to all my friends..

Few years back, I was a student in Scotland. I was walking down one of the famous shopping streets, it was early, maybe an afternoon can't remember exactly.

With my hijab on, carrying a bag, holding some books, two middle aged men approached me, they had an English accent, so I was sure they weren't Scottish. They looked lost, and they came to me, I think without looking carefully at this girl. One asked me: " do you know where is the **** pub" (I can't remember what was the name of the pub he mentioned:D).

I was lost, because of course I didn't know where was that,, but was keen to help these people :D.

But within few seconds, they realised that this girl will never know where is the pub!, and the men said in embarrassment "oh you wouldn't know, sorry" and left..

I laughed, and never forgot that funny incident :D

I want!!

Asalaam Alykum Muslimat and Hello my friends..

I just feel the need to write something, anything.
I miss certain things at this moment. I miss being in a place where I can feel cool, not warm in one second and cold next--> and switching the AC on & off.I need real fresh air, I miss looking at something green. The dust outside make me feel down and makes my sinus worse..

I want to have some peace of mind, my brain has been like a PC which got crashed. I can't last on one thought for more than 5 minutes, and can't make it think of things that can cheer me up at this moment. But I am an optimistic person, so brain stop it please.

I get sickness similar to that you get when you are pregnant sometimes in the day.. No I am not pregnant if this is what you thinking!:)

I want to take my children to a place which is outdoor, fun and cool, but I've to wait till November/December to be able to do this.

I want to spend sometime in a cafe, having a hot chocolate and studying.. Just alone. and to forget about the surrounding.

I want to be considered like a little child now, and so be able to say what I think about everyone without being considered rude or judgmental...

Time spent with children

Asalaam Alaykum Muslim readers and hello to all my friends..:)

I've been feeling really bad lately. Well, I am a part-time student doing my masters at home. I am attending 4 days lecture (of each module) every six weeks and then I get to do an assignment and/or exam. This time we had this tough module and we are expected to sit an exam on the beginning of August and to hand in an assignment on the same day.

I'm on a long leave. So at the moment am a stay-at-home mom if you call it this way. I have done my assignment but it needs checking before submitting it. It is a difficult subject and it is taking all my time, specially studying for the exam.

Now I feel really guilty. I am not spending much time with my kids, they are at home with me, physically I am with them, but mentally and time-wise I am not doing much with them.

So I do small things that I think matter and can be useful for a mother who is in a similar situation like myself.

*When I am busy studying/writing, and one of the kids interrupt me, I still give them my full attention and don't get annoyed, smile and listen to whatever they have to say.

*bath time should be a special time where you should stop thinking about what is bothering you and have fun taking care of your child

*hug them and kiss them all the time to show you care and you never forget them.

*meal time should be time to get closer, spend it together whenever you can

*Bedtime story, hugging, reading Quran.

*prayer time: include your kids, let them sit on the prayer mat and have a cosy chat

This is all I can remember for now...

:)

What a beautiful month you are..

Asalaam Alykum my sisters and hello and welcome to all my friends..

I can't hide my excitement that the month of Ramadhan is so close to us inshallah. This month has always brought happiness to me as long as I can remember. I don't mean that special things have happened during this month, no, it is just the spirituality and the contentment it brings.

It brings back hope that things will be better and that I can be a new person again.It brings the best out of me, the part of me that I struggle to bring out all the year, it appears easily with the help of Allah in this beautiful month.

The days seem quieter and I become more productive in all ways. I become active in reading quran, reading my adhkar, remembering Allah and His bounties, even cooking LOL.

It makes all the sad, painful hard feelings vanish and replaced with feelings of contentment and appreciation of everything.

The nights of Ramadhan are just beautiful, family gatherings (when I am in Oman), taraweeh prayers, the religious programs. Even while am with my small family away from my home country, Ramadhan seems as beautiful as it has always been.

The month of Ramadhan is so short though, sweet things don't last for long and so is Ramadhan.

As a child I've been excited about Eid, which is the Muslim celebration straight after ramadhan, but now, it means that the month I love most is over. We as Muslims should be happy with the eid, but for me it brings great saddness that my faviourite month is over, and if I wonder if I will get to fast the ramadhan that will come again the next year.

What has been said about this month?

"Ramadan is the (month) in which the Quran was sent down, as a guide to mankind and a clear guidance and judgment (so that mankind will distinguish from right and wrong).." (Quran, al-Baqarah 2:183)

"Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you many learn piety and rightousness" (Quran, al-Baqarah, 2:183)

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: Allah the Majestic and Exalted said: "Every deed of man will receive ten to 700 times reward, except Siyam (fasting), for it is for Me and I shall reward it (as I like). There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he breaks the fast and the other when he will meet his Lord" (Muslim).

A beautiful Nasheed on Ramadhan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46I0TgWamP4
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Carrot Cake

Asalam Alaykum Muslimat and Hello to all readers :)
I love baking, but only when I know someone would eat what I am baking. My hubby and kids are not big fan of cakes,unless it is the simple plain one.
So as my parents were visiting me. I thought I would attempt baking a carrot cake, which I got the recipe from my cousin, who got it from her friend LOL..I did some modifications to it but it came out really delicious.

Ingredients:
2 cups self raising flour
1 1/4 cups oil
4 eggs
1 cup caster sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
3 carrots grated
Juice of one orange
1 cup of chopped walnuts

Icing ingredients:
200 gram cream cheese (e.g. Philadelphia)
1/2 cup icing sugar
70 gram butter

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees
whisk the self raising flour, salt and cinnamon powder together
Now beat oil and sugar together till combined well,add eggs one at a time, add vanilla
Add the orange juice, than the carrot while still beating the mixture, then add the walnuts
Add the flour and mix slowly for a short time.
Add your mixture in the baking pan, into the oven
bake for around 40-45 minutes.

make your icing by mixing the ingredients with the mixer.
when your cake is ready let it cool for a while then pour the icing over it.
Preferably eaten when chilled.

Body Shop; I just love you..

Asalaam Alaykum Muslimat and Hello my friends..

I LOVE body shop, it has been my faviourite for more than ten years.I don't want you to think I am doing a marketing business or am part of them,, oh I wish, but I am not.
I love their value of fair trade and no animal testing or whatsoever,even after the chain being bought by L'Oreal, it continues to have its message..
I love going into their shop whenever I am visiting any mall, even if I didn't buy anything..I love it specially when they have a sale LOL..
Some of my favourite products that I've used before or still using..

(the photos are taken from the official bodyshop webpage:

vitamine E face cream



Gloves



body scrubs





shampoo and shower gels






mist,perfume,lip gloss and others..