أم البنات

In the company of friends

2010-12-26T14:15:00.007+02:00

Empty plates ready to be filled up with Biryani rice with roasted chicken and tabouli.

Followed by Turkish coffee and Romosh Elset..YUMMY!

Farmers Market Here We Come

2010-09-06T21:36:00.002+03:00

This is the flyer designed by my friend for our Farmers Market corner.

I have learned so much about regulations and food prepping for sale the last couple of days and I plan to in sha Allah tell you more about it.

Farmers Market

2010-09-05T23:40:00.006+03:00

One of the things that I really enjoy about being in the US is being able to visit the local farmers market and enjoying the bounty of the different vendors. When I moved to our new place in this really small college town I was pretty disappointed by the fairly small farmers market and vowed never to set foot there again.

Surprisingly I was introduced to this lady who attend the same graduate program as I do and sells Tie dyes at the Farmers Market. I made a mental note to go see her the next Saturday there because that is when I take the kids to the park. When I visited her that weekend I ended up buying 2 T-shirts for my girls as well as an onesy for their doll.

The neat part was that she introduced me to the chair of my department who was selling vegetables in the next booth. Now if you are from the US and reading this I guess it's hard to get my point but if you are from my culture or from a similar culture (middle-eastern, Arab) you will understand my point.

Professors in my country do not sell vegetables or do garage sales like what I have seen from my American professors so far. I do not want to generalize but my experience with that breed was seldom positive. They have so many issues and complexities that it is very hard to have a normal respectful relationship with any of them.

Well that day got me thinking about my own skills and what I can possibly sell at the Farmers Market. My American friends have always loved my cooking and I was famous for my Zalabya or lo'mat elkady. I asked my friend and talked to some people and according to the laws I'm allowed to sell baked goods as long as they don't need refrigeration. What is so great is I talked to the only Muslim girl that I know here and she was equally excited about this as I was and she's helping me out with the setup and selling of our stuff.
So now I'm selling Middle Eastern sweets at our local farmers Market and something tells me it's going be so much fun and that the kids are going to enjoy it as much as I will.

my latest book find.

2010-09-05T23:35:00.003+03:00

I was browsing through the book section at this really cool consignment shop when I found these 2 books by the Osho foundation. I say it's a cool consignment shop because it carries real high quality items ranging from kitchen items to clothes to books to CDs and even personal care items like bath and body lotions and body mists at a fraction of their regular price.

I can't wait to read these 2 books and absorb all the information inside.

school lunch

2010-08-27T12:34:00.003+03:00

My main focus these day as we try to re-organize our lives is eating more healthy while saving money. One of the areas of great chaos in my life was preparing packed lunches for the girls.

I reserched it online and found this neat idea of laptop lunches. It's a lunch system where can pack several lunch items in a single container. they have a wonderful and inspiring section on the website where people share pictures of their lunch ideas and I just had to recreate it!

I found some cheap containers at Hy-Vee and what's so cool about them is that the cover helps protect different compartments so the food stays seperate.

Here's the girls lunch for the 1st day of school.

Grilled cheese sandwich with pretzels and a different veggie for each kid.

Great deals AGAIN!!

2010-08-12T18:24:00.002+03:00

I just came back from a garage sale with this amazing find.

First let me share a little background story with you...

I'm currently on the lookout for storage solutions and ideas for my new place. It's only a 2 bedrooom and with 2 kids we have lots and lots of stuff between us.I really want the rooms to look tidy and stylish.

First time I saw this bin was at a garage sale but I wasn't quick enough and a lady baught it before I did.

Next time I saw it at Target for $39 and I decided I would buy it from there if I couldn't find one at a cheaper price.

Finally, 2 days ago I was browsing through garage sale listings on Craig's list and one of the listings had pictures. I saw the bin in one of the pictures and I saw my opportunity.

The sale was beginning at 8 am so I was there with my kids at 7:50 am. Although it was stated in the ad that they won't be accepting early sales they were already selling. Good thing that we were there early.

They had two yes two bins...and I was dancing with joy.

One was made out of wood with blue and yellow plastic bins (exactly like the picture) and the other was white with more girly pink colored plastic bins. I almost had second thoughts when my eyes hit the price. They were priced at $25 each but I decided I was going to get the wood bin after all and it's still $15 dollars cheaper than the one at Target.

My kids picked up some nice toys and really Excellent books for cheap cheap prices ranging from 25 cents to $2. I paid a total of $40 and we were on our way.

To my extreme and ultimate joy when I checked target's website I discovered that the bin I bought is pretty expensive (priced at $69.99) and with this deal I've saved $44.99.

I LOVE a good deal .

Free Arabic download from Currclick

2010-08-12T18:02:00.003+03:00

How Exciting !!

This week's freebie from Currclick is Arabic Picture Blocks FREE download.

You can download it HERE
If you don't have an account it's really easy to create one.

When you get to the page click "Get it Free" and download to your PC.
Enjoy!!

Joy From Fasting To Feasting (Season-III)

2010-08-07T20:31:00.003+03:00

Sister Lubna at Yummy Food is hosting "Joy From Fasting To Feasting (Season-III) " for her 3rd year. I'm hoping this year I can share some pictures and recipes with all of you in sha Allah through this blog and through this event as well.

This Ramadan is very different as it is my first Ramadan in the US & I'm sure I will be faced with many challenges.

I'm trying to stay focused and organized before and after the holy month. I'm hoping that staying in touch with family and other muslims even if this is only via the internet will make a difference to our fasting experience.

Here's what sister Luna says about the event:

An event where you can meet new food bloggers, come to know about new traditions, new recipes, etc….Overall it’s a fun being part of this event……The old participants of the event already know about the rules and regulations…..but for the new ones who are going to connect this year to share there yummy recipes and experiences on Ramadan, fasting, iftar and seher…..Here are the guidelines…..As a part of this event, attach the above logo in your sidebar. This not only paints all the blogs with oneness but also many people visiting your blogs will know about this event. Inshallah we will have a yummy Ramadan this year too.

Free Kids Event at Home Depot

2010-08-07T05:11:00.004+03:00

To make this nice Back to School craft head to your local Home Depot tomorrow Saturday, August 7th from

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Cost: Free

Details: This weekend the kids will be making a school bus pencil holder. While it is geared towards chidren 5 – 12, you can bring younger children and help them with their project.

Get details about the event HERE .

Get details about your local store HERE .

Walgreens Coupon- 2 days left to get 15% off

2010-08-03T18:59:00.002+03:00

You can print this discount card here

I'm inlove....

2010-08-01T01:25:00.004+03:00

with garage sales that is.

Sister Umm Omar asked about what I think of the US so far and one of the things that I LOVE about living here is the fact that every weekend I can drive around naighbourhoods looking for deals.

It's amazing some of the things that you can find in garage sales, from children's toys to household items.

Some of the great things that are a real bargain are books ,these are usually from .25 cents to a $1. Another item that I like to get at garage sales are glassware and baskets these are pretty cheap even cheaper than the dollar store or the thrift store.

One of my proud moments was when I found a Sony Digital Camera exactly like this one that retails at $$150

and what did I pay for mine...ehm ehm... $15 USD.

I would love to end this post by sharing this touching story about garage sales from Carol at American Bedu.

Walgreens deal on Epsom salts

2010-07-29T19:09:00.004+03:00

I was at Walgreens stocking up on some of their Back to School great deals when I grabbed some Epsome salts that they have for $5.99 B1G1.

They carry two types regular and Lavender . You pay $ 5.99 and get 2 of the same kind.

I'm planning on using this for Bath salts and maybe give some of it as gifts for friends.

It can also be used as a bath soak for kids to calm them . How I dream of calm nights after using this for my kids night bath.

Another use is for those tired feet after a long day running after the kids.

A $100 value Free Giveaway

2010-07-29T19:01:00.003+03:00

Here's a chance to win Latin for Children Bundle ( $100 value) from the wonderful people behind Freely Educate.

Just visit the link HERE and follow the directions posted.

A great idea : Positive behavior jars

2010-07-29T18:50:00.002+03:00

While in the process of getting our lives in order I'm on the lookout for new ways to simplify our lives and help the kids perform at their best.

So when I saw this idea on teach mama blog for gem jars I fell inlove with it and wil be doing 3 jars for me and my girls.

I plan on purchasing the materials for this from my local Goodwell and Dollar store and I'll be posting some pictures soon in sha Allah.

Thanks teach mama for the wonderful ideas.

New Life

2010-07-29T18:49:00.002+03:00

Holding a positive attitude to my New life

To my dear blog and my dear dear followers

2010-07-29T18:32:00.002+03:00

Asalam alikom my dear friends

It's been so so long since my last post... 10 months to be exact.
I hardly visited my blog during this time..and I can really sat that during this period my life has turned upside down...but hopefully in a positive way.

I moved AGAIN but this time to the US. A big move that was long over-due alhamdu Lelah.
It took me a very long time to adjust to this new life and my life is almost resembling a normal??? life now.

Well I'm trying my best to give my family the best I could and Allah is Great and has pulled me through one of the hardest times in my entire life.

I'm going through the process of getting and furnishing a new apartment. This has given me a chance to really exercise my thrift muscles :)

I have really gotten some really great deals on some awsome stuff and in sha Allah I'll be blogging on this and sharing experiences.

Thanks for bearing with me and now it's time to be blogging again.

My daughter's BD cake....

2009-10-06T11:05:00.002+03:00

It was my DD1 8th BD.

She loves fruits on her gatou' so she took her dad all around the city searching for the perfect cake...& here's what she bought.

It was a very tasty cake...

happy Birthday my dear Fofo!!

Eid Fitr Saeed Everyone...

2009-09-19T11:53:00.004+03:00

Eid Saee'd to all of you ...& in sha Allah the fast went easy..but now it's time to break our fast & eat some of the lovely Eid Kahk "cookies" & biscuits...

My lovely neighbour umm Abd Arahman made me these nice platters of cookies filled with nuts & malban (I have no idea what to call it in English so i'm adding this pic to show you all what it looks like,its also called Rahet elhalkoom in some places wich means soother to the throat)

Umm Abd Arahman is officially my life-saver all Ramadan ..she has a home bussiness where she cooks & sells food from her house ..mainly traditional Egyptian food like stuffed vine leaves & cabbage,feteer meshaltet & eid cookies & biscuits.I have used her services in my Iftars & her food is very tasty masha Allah.

Although the cookies taasted great ,I have to say that they do not compare to my mom's cookies.

They are the melt-in-your-mouth type but I guess they definitly needed more filling.

The biscuits are crunshy...just as I like them.

On another note, in our Home in Egypt they are not making cookies because this last year we lost our grandmother & my uncle...May Allah forgive them & grant them Janna...Ameen.

If my mom was making kahk this year I would've made her send me some...insha Allah next year...

Tell me your favourite kahk or biscuits?

Ramadan a time for Friendship & Dessert

2009-09-15T16:55:00.005+03:00

Ramadan is the time of year when our ebadat increase ..but it's also a time for sharing special recipes between friends..

Dishes filled with tasty food has been going back & forth between me & my friends and I had to share the amazing desserts that were given to me by my loving friends...

Let me start with this ...the very rish & calorie loaded labanese madloa'a

Yummy just look at that ...this basically a base made out semolina flour ,covered with fresh creamor eshta & then sprinkeled with every nut you have ..cashews ,hazelnuts,pine-nuts..

katayif beleshta...Home made katief filled with fresh cream

& the tastiest Blueberry Cheescake I have ever had

What do you think ?

What it is your favourite?

Beading Frenzy!!!

2009-08-24T12:18:00.006+03:00

My girls have a new hobby...

Al Hussein mosque

2009-08-24T11:42:00.010+03:00

In the spirit of the holy month I really miss Ramadan in Egypt with my family.I think part of the Ramadan spirit are the family gatherings.
I will try to write several posts of the traditions of Ramadan in my country.Egypt is famous with many Ramadan traditions as the Fanoos & the madfa' el Iftar & mawae'd elRahaman, but that is a whole other post.

In this post I've included pics that I took of the Hussein mosque in Cairo.It is an amazing mosque near Khan El Khalili area(most famous for the silver & Pharoanic souvenirs you can buy there).
It has become one of the many customs of ramdan to eat Iftar there & then pray Maghrib, Isha & Tarweeh at Al Hussein & then maybe go drink tea with mint at one of the million kahawy in the area & stay until you eat Suhoor & pray fajr.

To read a bit more about the history of the mosque you can go HERE

First here are some pics from the outside of the mosque

The rest of the pics were taken inside the womens' section. Needless to say that the architecture of the mosque is breathtaking. take a look:

While I was taking these pics the most amazing thing happened a group of Asian muslim sisters (my guess is that they were Pakistani) were visiting Sayedna El Hussein & they started chanting these amazing words praising the grandson of the prophet peace be upon him. The rest of their group was on the male section of the mosque. A guy was reciting the words while the rest of the group chanted along with him.It was a magical moment.

2009-08-23T21:21:00.001+03:00

RAMADAN KAREEM everyone!!

may the holy month of Ramadan bring you forgivness from Allah the Almighty.

Joy From Fasting To Feasting (Season-II)

2009-08-23T21:10:00.002+03:00

In sha Allah this year too I will be participating in "Joy From Fasting To Feasting (Season-II)"

Hopefully I will try to post as many pics of my Ramadan cooking as possible.

With the 2 Iftar gatherings that I'm planning insha Allah I will have many recipes to share.

Wish me luck with my cooking!

Honest Tag

2009-08-02T09:36:00.005+03:00

I was tagged by sister Umm Omar of Just Another Day.

I need to write 10 honest things about me & then tag 10 people...

So here goes..

1) I've always had problems with my self-esteem.Ever since my teen years I've struggeled with low self-esteem & self-image.

2) I am afraid of cats.I adore them but I can never get really close to them.I'm just too afraid.

3)I'm full of contardictions it scares me at times.

4)I'm very good at keeping my friendships alive.I still maintain contact with my very 1st best friend ,we've been friends ever since our 1st day in kindergarten.

5)I can at least name +10 people who I feel comfortable telling them anything. YES I trust people.

6)I really really pray to Allah that one day I can adopt a child & raise him/her as my own .

7)I'm at a very low point of my life a the moment.I have faced alot of challenges & I'm fighting depression.I look at my kids & they are the only reason why I'm still going but I know that I need to do more & regain my positive attitude towards LIFE!!

8)I procarcinate ALOT.

9)I'm very very lazy

10)as a result of numbers 8 & 9 I haven't read a whole book for a very loooong time.

I have been postponing this tag forever now...& it has been difficult to write!!!

I'm very glad I did & near the end I could at atleast add 3 more points but I'm sticking to 10!
I tag anyone who feels like doing this.

Nostalgia….

2009-07-23T09:22:00.001+03:00

Two reasons for this post 1st I really miss Egypt ….& I also I wanted to share this amazing place with all of you….this is the inside of Al Hakim be Amr Allah masjid in Al Hussain area in old Cairo…..it’s located on the Mo’z ledeen Allah Street ,wich is a piece of enchanting old Cairo… I just wish I took more pics..these were taken by my Best Friend & it’s a reminder of a wonderful day …

2009-07-23T09:09:00.000+03:00

There Comes a Time in Life...

2009-07-06T07:41:00.000+03:00

Mosaic Builder

2009-07-06T07:36:00.001+03:00

This is taken from Noblese's blog..it was a bit long but fun to answer all these questions.....

Rules:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.

b. Using only the first page, pick an image.

c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

1. What is your first name?

2. What is your favorite food?

3. What high school did you go to?

4. What is your favorite color?

5. Who is your celebrity crush?

6. Favorite drink?

7. Dream vacation?

8. Favorite dessert?

9. What you want to be when you grow up?

10. What do you love most in life?

11. One Word to describe you.

12. Your flickr name.

Butterflies!!!!

2009-06-13T08:16:00.002+03:00

On our way home from swim class my DD pointed out to a number of basil plants by the side of the street ....asking me "what are those flying things Mommy"

We inspected the plants & masha Allah we saw the most amazing butterflies flying around the basil drinking the nectar out of the flowers...

The girls were so excited at the sight of the butterflies...we even tried touching them...

Everone knows that finding these natural phenomenon is very hard in the city ....so we were quite enthusiastic ...

here are some pics I took of the grand event !!!

CUTE video

2009-06-05T09:26:00.005+03:00

I hate FB!!!

2009-06-05T08:32:00.003+03:00

My FB account got deleted ....I don't know how or who did it ..it just happened...I couldn't access the acount for over 2 weeks ...I kept sending them emails asking what the problem was....I got no response ...they have one of the worst services I have seen!!!

Now I lost my acount of 3 years ...all my pics ,notes & 170 friends are all gone...I'm very sad ...because I had friends from school & college in my friend's list...I don't even have their emails.....

Of course I couldn't resist making another acount & re-inviting everyone to join my list...I'm just addicted....

I guess it is a love-hate relationship

I LUV ladybird books.....

2009-06-05T07:38:00.005+03:00

I just got my oldest DD this nice book from Ladybird about grammar and punctuation....

I can speak English very well but I always felt that I'm not very strong in the grammar and spelling. I hesitated to teach my oldest these subjects ,but when I saw this book it gave me a kind of confidence that I can do it.

She is really enjoying it very much ...it has stickers & is very colorful.

Another set that we use is the Read It Yourself series ...we have Level 1 series ...it is a collection of 6 books ...they are very easy and suitable for early readers

Our trip to Cairo

2009-05-29T13:30:00.008+03:00

Recently my very adventerous sister arranged a one day trip to Cairo for the whole family...

By that I mean all our cousins and aunts from both sides of the family...it was all women and children .

Although we had some grumpy moments from some people who cannot seem to enjoy themselves at all ...yes you know yourselves...the over all experience was good & lots of fun...

Our 1st stop was at Fagnoon

fagnoon is located on Sakkara Road, Giza

It's other name is Sabil Om Hashim.It's run by some amazing artists....they really know how to get the kids excited about arts.

Once we got there the children and some of the more un-inhibited adults enjoyed playing on the monkey bars

Then we paid the fee of 45 LE for every participating child or adult.

they gave us a presentation of all the things we can do.

You can choose from

pottery, wood carpentry, agriculture, baking, jewelry making, iron smithy ,bead work,drawing with colored sand,and others.

They also give you a choice for a mud fight or a colors fight where they fill small plastic bags with colored water & you get to throw it at each other.really messy and fun stuff.

To reach fagnoon follow these instructions:

To reach Fagnoon from the Pyramids Road, turn on the Maryoutiya Canal towards Saqqara. Fagnoon is 12.5 kilometers down the canal.

If one is traveling by public transport, take a microbus in the direction of Saqqara and ask the driver for a drop off at Sabil Umm Hashem.

If one is coming from the Mounib Ring Road, take the Badrashein- Maryoutiya exit. From this point it is 9.5 kilometers to Fagnoon.

One of the things one will notice just before arriving is a bridge named after Nobel prize winner Ahmed Zuweil over the canal.

ofcourse everyone opted for the pottery it's so much fun

After that we went to the Egyptian Muesm...

I do not recommend this for younger kids ...my 5 year was so bored ...I struggeled to keep myself in a good mood and really try to enjoy it...

Ofcourse the muesm has some really exciting replicas and artifacts from different eras ....

the most amazing is the mummies hall ....but you have to pay extra to enter.

They also have a seperate hall for the jewelery from Pharonic & Roman eras....

After finishing the muesm we simply crossed the Cornich & took a boat ride in the Nile

it was so relaxing and peaceful after a very busy and noisy day.

A Card made for my DD S

2009-05-29T13:27:00.001+03:00

My unhealthy Breakfast

2009-05-29T13:22:00.001+03:00

My morning coffee

Basbousa

Gatou'

Essence

& Books...

Yes I was studying for my Exam...I needed the sugar & caffeine

قمح منبت

2009-05-29T13:13:00.005+03:00

old pics from my phone

2009-05-29T13:13:00.004+03:00

As I was downloading the Gouna pics from my mobile memory I found alot of pics i took before and totally forgot they even existed....

I downloaded all the pics & I'm gonna post them in the next few posts.
In sha Allah...

El Gouna.....

2009-05-29T12:27:00.010+03:00

My DH always wanted to spend some time in El Gouna ..it was more like a dream of his to go there.

Alhamdulelah this year we were able to go there for a 4 days vacation...the hotel where we were staying was a resort with over +500 rooms....

It had 3 swimming pools ,a lagoon and of course the beach..

The children really enjoyed the water ...they spent over 6 hours daily at the pool....WOW ...this means alot of sun.....Armed with my islamic swimsuite I had my fair share of the cool waters too.

My DDs had a chance to really practice their swimming skills

Most of our days were spent inside the resort...with 2 kids we felt too lazy to venture outside although I would have loved to explore the city & maybe even visit Hurghada.We chose to stay within our hotel's premises as this vacation was mainly intended for relaxation only

Here are some more images that I took from my room's balcony of the nearby lagoon.....we sometimes saw boats & gondolas taking people around the hotel for a cruise.

BUSY......BUSY.......BUSY

2009-05-17T07:52:00.002+03:00

I've been extremly busy these past few weeks...throw in going through one of my

depressive episodes & things weren't going as smoothly as I intended ...Alhamdu Lelah

I've neglected my blog for some while now...

but really I have so many ideas for posts lined up in my head..I hope I get the time to blog about it all..

I have a very important test coming up on Tuesday..& I haven't been studying very well....

after I finish the exam we are going to El Gouna for a 5 day vacation....YAY!!!!!!!!!11

But I'm so crammed up...with a very huge shopping list & I'll only have 5 hours of shopping available in the window between my exam & going to El Gouna.

I will take as many pictures as I can in sha Allah to share with all of you as I'm being told that El Gouna is heaven on earth....I hope so in sha Allah...

Ohhhhh how I need this vacation.......wish me luck sisters!!

نصير شمة

2009-05-12T11:57:00.005+03:00

نصير العود........شمة عطر

Naseer Shamaa is an Iraqi born composer who does marvellous work on the traditional Oud

he has a website :

in 3 languages : Arabic ,English & French..where you can read about him & listen in to some of his work..

http://www.naseershamma.com/

One of my favourites is ...The Moon Fades...

If you go to the website you can find it under audio clips...in the album by the same name The Moon Fades...

so what do you think of his music??

Serenity Prayer

2009-05-10T05:42:00.001+03:00

2009-05-05T05:35:00.010+03:00

I'm reading an amazing book by one of my favourite authors

Jubran Khalil Jubran

The Prophet

What I find amazing about his writings is that he writes verses as if it's poetry..& I assure you that each time you return to his words you will find new meanings

You can find the English version of the book HERE

Another full version with Arabic translation done by Therwat Okasha can be found HERE

Now to my favourite peice in the book

When Al Moustafa talks of LOVE

Enjoy my friends

Then said Almitra, "Speak to us of LOVE."

And he raised his head and looked upon the people, and there fell a stillness upon them.

And with a great voice he said:

When love beckons to you follow him,

Though his ways are hard and steep.

And when his wings enfold you yield to him,

Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.

And when he speaks to you believe in him,

Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.

For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you.

Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.

Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,

So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.

Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.

He threshes you to make you naked.

He sifts you to free you from your husks.

He grinds you to whiteness.

He kneads you until you are pliant;

And then he assigns you to his sacred fire,

that you may become sacred bread for God's sacred feast.

All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart,

and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life's heart.

But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure,

Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor,

Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter,

and weep, but not all of your tears.

Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.

Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;

For love is sufficient unto love.

When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart,"

but rather, I am in the heart of God."

And think not you can direct the course of love,

if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

Love has no other desire but to fulfil itself.

But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:

To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.

To know the pain of too much tenderness.

To be wounded by your own understanding of love;

And to bleed willingly and joyfully.

To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;

To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;

To return home at eventide with gratitude;

And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.

المحبة

حينئذ قالت له ألمطرا : حدثنا عن المحبة

فرفع رأسه و نظر إلى الشعب نظرة محبة وحنان فصمتوا جميعهم خاشعين

فقال لهم بصوت عظيم :

إذا أشارت المحبة إليكم فاتبعوها

, و إن كانت مسالكها صعبة متحدرة

و إذا ضمتكم بجناحيها فأطيعوها ,

و إن جرحكم السيف المستور بين ريشها

و إذا خاطبتكم المحبة فصدقوها ,

و إن عطل صوتها أحلامكم و بددها كما تعصف الريح الشماليةبالبستان

لآنه كما أن المحبة تكللكم فهي أيضا تشدكم على الصليب ,

وكما تعمل على نموكم هكذا تعلمكم و تستأصل الفاسد منكم

و كما ترتفع إلى أعلى شجرة حياتكم فتعانق أغصانها اللطيفة المرتعشة أمام وجه الشمس ,

هكذا تنحدر إلى جذورها الملتصقة بالتراب و تهزها في سكينة الليل المحبة

تضمكم إلى قلبها كأغمار الحنطة

و تدرسكم على بيادرها لكي تظهر عريكم

و تغربلكم لكي تحرركم من قشوركم

و تطحنكم لكي تجعلكم أنقياء كالثلج

و تعجنكم بدموعها حتى تلينوا

ثم تعدكم لنارها المقدسة لكي تصيروا جبزاً مقدساً يقرب على مائدة الرب المقدسة

كل هذا تصنعه المحبة بكم

لكي تدركوا أسرار قلوبكم فتصبحوا بهذا الادراك جزءاً من قلب الحياة

غير أنكم إذا خفتم و قصرتم سعيكم على الطمأنينة و اللذة في المحبة

فلأجدر بكم أن تستروا عريكم و تخرجوا من بيدر المحبة إلى عالم لا تتعاقب فيه فصول

حيث تضحكون ولكن دون استغراق

و تبكون ولا تنهمر كل الدموع

المحبة لا تعطي إلا نفسها , ولا تأخذ إلا من نفسها

المحبة لا تملك شيئا و لا تريد أن يملكها أحد

لأن المحبة مكتفية بالمحبة

أما أنت إذا أحبتت فلا تقل : " إن الله في قلبي "

بل قل بالأحرى : " أنا في قلب الله "

و لا تظن أنك تستطيع أن تتسلط على مسالك المحبة

لأن المحبة تقودك إن وجدتك خليقا بها

و المحبة لا تنشد الا تحقيق ذاتها

فإذا أحببت و كان لا بد من أن تساورك رغبات ، فلتكن هذه رغباتك

أن تذوب و تكون كجدول متدفق يشدو لليل بألحانه

وأن تحس الألم النابع من فيض حنان دافق

وأن تتقبل الجرح ينتابك من احاطة ذاتك لمعنى الحب

و أن تنزف دماؤك و أنت راض مغتبط

أن تنهض عند الفجر بقلب مجنح خفوق ،لتستقبل شاكرا يوما في المحبة جديدا

أن تستريح عند الظهيرة مستغرقا في نشوة المحبة

أن تعود إلى منزلك عند المساء شاكراً

فتنام حينئذ و الصلاة لأجل من أحببت تتردد في قلبك و أنشودة الحمد و الثناء تتمتمها شفتاك

Open to trust

2009-04-28T02:04:00.002+03:00

I was flipping through some old emails...& I found this very enlightened post that I wanna share with all of you...

I felt like the words were speaking to me at this specific moment of my life....

Things have been very difficult & confusing for some time now....buttttt

I have a deep feeling that I will emerge from all this pain stronger & with a beter understanding of the world...in sha Allah

But it still hurts to carry this burden......

“When I grip the wheel too tight, I find I lose control.”
-- Steve Rapson

WE SEEK TO CONTROL OUR LIVES WHEN WE DO NOT TRUST, WHEN WE DO NOT LOVE. Our ego, perceiving itself to be vulnerable and insecure, uses control in an effort to protect itself.

At the root of our need to control, we find FEAR. It may be fear of the unknown. Fear of not coping. Fear of loss. Or possibly even fear of looking stupid. And as our efforts to control other people and events invariably fail, our fear increases.

Trust, on the other hand, is a quality of the soul. While control is a tool of the mind, TRUST AND FAITH ARE ASPECTS OF THE HEART. Trust comes with the deep knowing that we are spiritual beings in physical bodies. When we trust enough in life to give up our need to control, we can relax and open to the flow of energy in our lives. This brings peace of mind.

"The only real security in life lies in relishing life's insecurity."
-- M. Scott Peck

2009-04-21T12:52:00.002+03:00

Love possesses nothing and does not want to be possessed,

because it is enough in itself.

It will make you grow, and then throw you on the ground.

It will whip you so that you feel your impotence,

it will shake you to rid you of all your impurities.

It will crush you to leave you flexible.

And then it will toss you in the fire

so that you can become the blessed bread

to be served at God’s sacred feast

(The Prophet, by Khalil Gibran [1883-1931])

2009-04-18T07:10:00.003+03:00

Everyone baked by the divine Sun

will become rock solid:

without dread or shame,

his features fiery and veil-rending,

like the face of the peerless Sun.

Every prophet was hard-faced in this world,

and beat single-handed against the army of kings,

and did not turn his face from fear or pain,b

ut single and alone

dashed against a whole world.

The stone is hard-faced and bold-eyed,

unafraid of the bricks thrown by the world.

For the bricks were made strong in the kiln,

but the rock was hardened by a Godly art.

Har keh az khvorshid bâshad posht garm

sakht-ru bâshad nah bim u-râ nah sharm

Hamcho ru-ye âftâb bi hazar

gasht ruyesh khasm suz o pardeh-dar

Har payambar sakht-ru bod dar jahân

yek-sovâreh kuft bar jaysh-e shahân

Ru na-gardânid az tars o ghammi

yek-taneh tanhâ be-zad bar `âlami

Sang bâshad sakht-ru o cheshm-shukh

u na-tarsad az jahân par kolukh

K-ân kolukh az khesht-zan yek lakht shod

sang az son`-e Khodâyi sakht shod

-- Mathnawi III: 4139-4144

Version by Camille and Kabir Helminski

"Rumi: Jewels of Remembrance"

Threshold Books, 1996

(Persian transliteration courtesy of Yahyá Monastra)

Inventory of normality

2009-04-16T07:15:00.007+03:00

I got this very interesting post from Paulo Coelho's Warrior of The Light‏ list

You can also read Paulo's blog HERE

The post starts like this....

I decided to conduct a survey among my friends about what society considers to be normal behavior. What follows is a list I have made of some of the absurd situations we face in day-to-day life, just because society sees them as normal:

1] Anything that makes us forget our true identity and our dreams and makes us only work to produce and reproduce.

2] Making rules for a war (the Geneva Convention).

3] Spending years at university and then not being able to find a job.

4] Working from nine in the morning to five in the afternoon at something that does not give us the least pleasure, so that we can retire after 30 years.

5] Retiring only to discover that we have no more energy to enjoy life, and then dying of boredom after a few years.

6] Using Botox.

7] Trying to be financially successful instead of seeking happiness.

8] Ridiculing those who seek happiness instead of money by calling them “people with no ambition”.

9] Comparing objects like cars, houses and clothes, and defining life according to these comparisons instead of really trying to find out the true reason for being alive.

10] Not talking to strangers. Saying nasty things about our neighbors.

11] Thinking that parents are always right.

12] Getting married, having children and staying together even though the love has gone, claiming that it’s for the sake of the children (who do not seem to be listening to the constant arguments).

13] Criticizing everybody who tries to be different.

14] Waking up with a hysterical alarm-clock at the bedside.

15] Believing absolutely everything that is printed.

16] Wearing a piece of colored cloth wrapped around the neck for no apparent reason and known by the pompous name “necktie”.

17] Never asking direct questions, even though the other person understands what you want to know.

18] Keeping a smile on your face when you really want to cry. And feeling sorry for those who show their own feelings.

19] Thinking that art is worth a fortune, or else that it is worth absolutely nothing.

20] Always despising what was easily gained, because the “necessary sacrifice” – and therefore also the required qualities – are missing.

21] Following fashion, even though it all looks ridiculous and uncomfortable.

22] Being convinced that all the famous people have tons of money saved up.

23] Investing a lot in exterior beauty and paying little attention to interior beauty.

24] Using all possible means to show that even though you are a normal person, you are infinitely superior to other human beings.

25] In any kind of public transport, never looking straight into the eyes of the other passengers, as this may be taken for attempting to seduce them.

26] When you enter an elevator, looking straight at the door and pretending you are the only person inside, however crowded it may be.

27] Never laughing out loud in a restaurant, no matter how funny the story is.

28] In the Northern hemisphere, always wearing the clothes that match the season of the year: short sleeves in springtime (however cold it may be) and a woolen jacket in the fall (no matter how warm it is).

29] In the Southern hemisphere, decorating the Christmas tree with cotton wool, even though winter has nothing to do with the birth of Christ.

30] As you grow older, thinking you are the wisest man in the world, even though not always do you have enough life experience to know what is wrong.

31] Going to a charity event and thinking that in this way you have collaborated enough to put an end to all the social inequalities in the world.

32] Eating three times a day, even if you’re not hungry.

33] Believing that the others are always better at everything: they are better-looking, more resourceful, richer and more intelligent. Since it’s very risky to venture beyond your own limits, it’s better to do nothing.

34] Using the car as a way to feel powerful and in control of the world.

35] Using foul language in traffic.

36] Thinking that everything your child does wrong is the fault of the company he or she is keeping.

37] Marrying the first person who offers you a position in society. Love can wait.

38] Always saying “I tried”, even though you haven’t tried at all.

39] Putting off doing the most interesting things in life until you no longer have the strength to do them.

40] Avoiding depression with massive daily doses of television programs.

41] Believing that it is possible to be sure of everything you have won.

42] Thinking that women don’t like football and that men don’t like interior decoration.

43] Blaming the government for everything bad that happens.

44] Being convinced that being a good, decent and respectful person means that the others will find you weak, vulnerable and easy to manipulate.

45] Being convinced that aggressiveness and discourtesy in treating others are signs of a powerful personality.

46] Being afraid of fibroscopy (men) and childbirth (women).

47] And finally, thinking that your religion is the sole proprietor of the absolute truth, the most important, the best, and that the other human beings in this immense planet who believe in any other manifestation of God are condemned to the fires of hell.

مفترق الطريق....صلاح جاهين...الست ماجدة

2009-04-13T10:28:00.001+03:00

ساعات أقوم الصبح،قلبي حزين

أطل برا الباب، ياخذني الحنين

اللي إشتريتو إنباع، واللي لقيته ضاع

واللي قابلتو راح، وفات الأنين

وأرجع وقول: لسه الطيور بتحن، والنحليات بتطن، والطفل ضحكو يرن

مع إن، كل البشر فرحانين

حبيبي سكر مر طعم الهوى

فرق ما بينا البين، ما عدناش سوى

حرام عليك يا عذاب، نبقى كده أغراب

دا البعد جرح من غير دوا

وأرجع وقول: لسه الطيور بتحن، والنحليات بتطن، والطفل ضحكو يرن

مع إن، كل البشر فرحانين

أدي اللي كان، وأدي القدر وأدي المصير

نودع الماضي وحلمه الكبير نودع الأفراح... نودع الأشجان

راح إللي راح ومعدش فاضل كتير

إيه العمل دي الوقت يا صديق

غير إننا عند إفتراق الطريق

نبص قدمنا، ع شمس أحلامنا

نلقاها بتشق السحاب العميق

وأرجع وقول: لسه الطيور بتحن، والنحليات بتطن، والطفل ضحكو يرن

مع إن، كل البشر فرحانين

Lost LOVE.....

2009-04-10T10:17:00.003+03:00

"الحب الذي تغسله العيون بدموعها يظل طاهرًا وجميلاً وخالدًا"

جبران خليل جبران

Another Award....

2009-03-19T08:53:00.003+02:00

My Sweet sister Yasmeen of Health Nut Blog gave me this award that she designed herself....

Thank you my dear sister.....

A macrobiotic recipe....Congee

2009-03-18T08:28:00.004+02:00

Congee - Congee or rice soup is an excellent source of nutrition when illness strikes.

Traditionally known as hsi-fan or "rice water", congee is eaten throughout China as a breakfast food. It is thin porridge or gruel
consisting of a handful of rice simmered in five to six times the amount of water. Although rice is the most common fgrain for
congees, millet, spelt, or other grains are sometimes used. Cook the rice and water in a covered pot for 4-6 hours on warm,
or use a crockpot. It is better to use too much water than too little, and it is said the longer congee cooks, the more powerful it becomes.
picture courtesy of this website
Healing Properties
This simple rice soup is easily digested and assimilated, tonifies the blood and the qi energy, harmonizes the digestion, and is demulcent,
cooling, and nourishing. Since the chronically ill person often has weak blood and low energy, and easily develops inflammations and other
heat symptoms from deficiency of yin fluids, the cooling , demulcent and tonifying properties of congee are particularly welcome.

It is useful for increasing a nursing mother's supply of milk. The liquid can be strained from the porridge to drink as a supplement for
infants and for serious conditions.

Other therapeutic properties may be added to the congee by cooking appropriate vegetables, grains, herbs, or animal foods in with the rice water.
Since the rice itself strengthens the spleen-pancreas digestive center, other foods added to a rice congee become more completely assimilated,
and their properties are therefore enhanced. Listed below are some of the more common rice-based congees and their specific effects.

Aduki Bean - Diuretic: curative for edema and gout.
Apricot Kernel- Recommended for coughs and asthma, expels sputum and intestinal gas.
Carrot- Digestive aid, eliminates flatulence.
Celery - Cooling in summer, benefits large intestine.
Chestnut - Tonifies kidneys, strengthens knees and loin, useful in treating anal hemorrhages.
Fennel Root - Harmonizes stomach, expels gas, cures hernia.
Ginger - Warming and antiseptic to viscera, used for deficient cold digestive weakness, diarrhea, anorexia, vomiting and indigestion.
Leek - Warming to viscera, good for chronic diarrhea.
Mustard - Expels phlegm, clears stomach congestion.
Salted Onion - Diaphoretic, lubricating to muscles.
Pine Nut Kernel - Moistening to heart and lungs, harmonizes large intestine, useful in wind diseases and constipation.
Radish - Digestant, benefits the diaphragm.
Pickled Radish (salt) - Benefits digestion and blood.
Brown Rice - Diuretic, thirst quenching, nourishing, good for nursing mothers.
Sweet Rice - Demulcent, used for diarrhea, vomiting and indigestion.
Scallion Bulb - Cures cold diarrhea in the aged.
Sesame Seed - Moistening to the intestines, treats rheumatism.
Shepherd's Purse - Brightens the eyes and benefits the liver.
Taro Root - Nutritious, aids the stomach, builds blood.

From "Healing with Whole Foods" by Paul Pitchford.

My way!!

2009-03-12T09:50:00.003+02:00

And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, Ill say it clear,
Ill state my case, of which Im certain

Ive lived a life thats full.
Ive traveled each and evry highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Regrets, Ive had a few;B
ut then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.

I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Yes, there were times, Im sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.

Ive loved, Ive laughed and cried.
Ive had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing

To think I did all that,
And may I say - not in a shy way,
No, oh no not me,
I did it my way.

For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way!

Valentine's Day!!!!

2009-02-14T09:35:00.003+02:00

CLICKSCHOOLING

2009-02-10T05:34:00.002+02:00

I have been a regular subscriber to this list for years now..

I find the posted links usefull & the reviews very informative .

I hope that you can subscribe to the list & get to enjoy it with your kids as much as I do...

CLICKSCHOOLING DESCRIPTION:************ ********* ********* ********

ClickSchooling <http://www.clickschooling.com/> -

Get free,daily, web-based curriculum ideas that save you time and money and boost your kids' knowledge of the world. The free reviews are sent in a daily email, Monday through Saturday, that are focused on a specific subject as follows:

* Monday = Math

* Tuesday = Science

* Wednesday = Language Arts

* Thursday = Social Sciences

* Friday = Virtual Field Trip

* Saturday = Electives: Music, Art, & Languages

The sites include excellent information delivered in astudent-friendly, multi-media format, and often contain free interactive games as well as printable lessons and materials that can be tweaked to your needs and interests whether you are homeschooling, unschooling, or after-schooling.

Many teachers use these recommended resources in the classroom aswell. Most of the sites are suitable for a wide age range.

Subscribe to ClickSchooling (by visiting http://www.clickschooling.com/) and start getting the latest reviews for free.

You can also search the content-rich ClickSchooling archives here: <http://www.homefires.com/clickschool/archive.asp>

Learning about my body

2009-02-06T08:40:00.002+02:00

Guitar lessons....

2009-02-06T08:35:00.004+02:00

Puzzle Time!!!

2009-02-06T08:31:00.003+02:00

My youngest DD doing a Garfield puzzle with a little help from mommy!!

Arabic sweets....

2009-02-06T05:52:00.008+02:00

Finally ...these pics were taken about a month ago while shopping for my brother's gift....
I finally deciphered the way to download the pics to my PC without doing alot of damage...so here we go...

We went into several sweet shops because we were looking for halaweyat elmooled...but because it was not the season of moled elnaby all I could find was meshabek.
...you can see it in pic # 1 &2 ...meshabek are the golden treats arranged in stacks in the shop windows

In this pic you can see the petit fore & the chocolates...these 2 shops were of medium quality so we only got the meshabek from there...& off we went

Yum yum ...now this is my favourite shop....

Look at the delesh ...mouth watering sweets...& believe me all that you can manage to eat in one session is only a tiny bite....YUMMY...

& here are the end products ....a tray of Basbosa & another tray of assorted sweets......wrapped & ready to go

Anyone want a peice???

Images from around my city

2009-02-06T05:25:00.003+02:00

This is a pic I took while going around town wit my sister finishing some errands & playing with my new mobile's camera.

It's one of many beautiful buildings scattered around my city that belong to the time before the revolution.These magnificant places belong to the royal family of Egypt.Ofcourse after the revolution many of these palaces & mansions were taken over by the goverment...the lawful owners were kicked out after stripping them from all that they once possessed ....homes,land,jewelery & money...many chose to flee the country.

What's heart breaking is that many of these palaces were either used as goverment headquarters or left to rot!!!

This palace is in a relativly good condition because it's occupied by a division of the police force!!!! So they keep it in tip top condition...

So what do you al think of this majestic building?

Learning about My Body

2009-01-29T09:30:00.003+02:00

This is the book "Learning about my body" we're working on right now...I got it for 12 SR ...quite cheap(it was in the disounted rack at Jarir...my favourite book store)

I made 2 photocopies of the book...one for each kid....so they can work on it together...

This book is alot of fun with so many hands on activities & numerous reproducibles

My oldest has been asking alot of questions....& masha Allah they're both enjoying the book very much.

In sha Allah I'll be posting pics of the finished products...

Sustainable Happiness

2009-01-22T08:28:00.009+02:00

I was reading this article today...& I thought I'd share with all of you...

Happiness is a big issue on everyone's list

In the last few years, psychologists and researchers have been digging up hard data on a question previously left to philosophers: What makes us happy? Researchers like the father-son team Ed Diener and Robert Biswas-Diener, Stanford psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky, and ethicist Stephen Post have studied people all over the world to find out how things like money, attitude, culture, memory, health, altruism, and our day-to-day habits affect our well-being. The emerging field of positive psychology is bursting with new findings that suggest your actions can have a significant effect on your happiness and satisfaction with life. Here are 10 scientifically proven strategies for getting happy.

Savor Everyday Moments
Pause now and then to smell a rose or watch children at play. Study participants who took time to "savor" ordinary events that they normally hurried through, or to think back on pleasant moments from their day, "showed significant increases in happiness and reductions in depression," says psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky.

Avoid Comparisons
While keeping up with the Joneses is part of American culture, comparing ourselves with others can be damaging to happiness and self-esteem. Instead of comparing ourselves to others, focusing on our own personal achievement leads to greater satisfaction, according to Lyubomirsky.

Put Money Low on the List

People who put money high on their priority list are more at risk for depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, according to researchers Tim Kasser and Richard Ryan. Their findings hold true across nations and cultures. "The more we seek satisfactions in material goods, the less we find them there," Ryan says. "The satisfaction has a short half-life — it's very fleeting." Money-seekers also score lower on tests of vitality and self-actualization.

Have Meaningful Goals

"People who strive for something significant, whether it's learning a new craft or raising moral children, are far happier than those who don't have strong dreams or aspirations," say Ed Diener and Robert Biswas-Diener. "As humans, we actually require a sense of meaning to thrive." Harvard's resident happiness professor, Tal Ben-Shahar, agrees, "Happiness lies at the intersection between pleasure and meaning. Whether at work or at home, the goal is to engage in activities that are both personally significant and enjoyable."

Take Initiative at Work
How happy you are at work depends in part on how much initiative you take. Researcher Amy Wrzesniewski says that when we express creativity, help others, suggest improvements, or do additional tasks on the job, we make our

Make Friends, Treasure Family
Happier people tend to have good families, friends, and supportive relationships, say Diener and Biswas-Diener. But it's not enough to be the life of the party if you're surrounded by shallow acquaintances. "We don't just need relationships, we need close ones" that involve understanding and caring.

Smile Even When You Don't Feel Like It
It sounds simple, but it works. "Happy people ... see possibilities, opportunities, and success. When they think of the future they are optimistic, and when they review the past they tend to savor the high points," say Diener and Biswas-Diener. Even if you weren't born looking at the glass as half-full, with practice a positive outlook can become a habit.

Say Thank You Like You Mean It
People who keep gratitude journals on a weekly basis are healthier, more optimistic, and more likely to make progress toward achieving personal goals, according to author Robert Emmons. Research by Martin Seligman, founder of positive psychology, revealed that people who write "gratitude letters" to someone who made a difference in their lives score higher on happiness, and lower on depression — and the effect lasts for weeks.

Get Out and Exercise
A Duke University study shows that exercise may be just as effective as drugs in treating depression, without all the side effects and expense. Other research shows that in addition to health benefits, regular exercise offers a sense of accomplishment and opportunity for social interaction, releases feel-good endorphins, and boosts self-esteem.

Give It Away, Give It Away Now!
Make altruism and giving part of your life, and be purposeful about it. Researcher Stephen Post says helping a neighbor, volunteering, or donating goods and services results in a "helper's high," and you get more health benefits than you would from exercise or quitting smoking. Listening to a friend, passing on your skills, celebrating others' successes, and offering forgiveness also contribute to happiness, he says. Researcher Elizabeth Dunn found that those who spend money on others reported much greater happiness than those who spend it on themselves.

I'm watching malcolm X

2009-01-21T08:46:00.005+02:00

For all facebook addicts out there...there's a Malcolm X fan page

The Malcolm X.org website has all his speeches categorized according to the "phases" of change he went through

Brother Malek ...may Allah rest your soul .

I have a new toy!!

2009-01-18T09:56:00.001+02:00

Something sweet is on it's way Habibi....

2009-01-10T08:42:00.009+02:00

I'm planning to send some gifts to my brother's family in the US...so I had to think about gifts that they won't find easily in the US.

Clothes & toys are not on my list....for obvious reasons...the quality & prices of these 2 are way better over there....sobhan Allah

That leaves me with the option of Egyptian sweets like meshabek & mooled sweets...yum ...yum..

For the little ones in the family I will buy them some Arabic books & stories...in sha Allah if I find any products by ABJAD or EDU-FUN I will buy them at once .I'm just not sure I can find them in my city.

I remember getting my own kids a product from Abjad from a bookstore in Cairo ,it was a book that helps them learn the arabic numerals they simply write with a marker on the pages & then wipe with a soft cloth. This way it can be used & re-used many times.

I started looking online for products. I ran into a couple of sites like Sindbadmall that has these products ...well now some of the products is really pricy like this set that sells for 460$......ouch

The ABJAD site has alot of reasonably priced sets that look like so much fun

See details of this product HERE

details of this product HERE

I hope you have fun looking at these very nice products I found.

A Candle For Gaza

2009-01-09T18:52:00.003+02:00

photo credit is HERE

In support of our brothers & sisters in Gaza...

2009-01-06T07:20:00.006+02:00

My heart has felt very heavy since this massacre started in Gaza....
& this caused me to stay away from blogging for a while now...

Al Jazeera is on at our house 24/7 & the tragedies are heart breaking...

what's devastating is the feeling of complete helplessness infront all that's happening to my fellow muslims & human beings...

I have a very close friend living in Gaza...she's an amazing muslima pediatrician & I pray to Allah that she is safe ...

A Palestinian girl cries during the funeral of her brother who was killed after an Israeli air strike in the northern Gaza Strip January 4, 2009.
Picture taken from REUTERS/Ismail Zaydah

Going on a rally or a demonstartion against this is not an option for me in my nick of the woods..but nontheless support of has swept the globe ....but sobhan Allah I don't know if anything will happen soon

Demonstrators shout slogans during a protest against the Israeli attacks on Gaza in front of the Israeli embassy in Ankara January 4, 2009.
REUTERS/Umit Bektas

I don't think this is enough ...but what can we do when we ourselves are opressed by our presidents, kings & sheikhs

But here is something that we can all do ......
this was sent to me by muslimhsers yahoo group by sister Umm talhah...may Allah reward her al Jana ...Ameen

Here's what she posted:

as salam alaikum,

my apologies for sending something off topic.
for those who are not aware of the facts:

http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=29449
http://www.ifamericansknew.org/cur_sit/dec08.html

then, please don't forget innocent children, women and men in gaza. the following is taken from http://www.muslimmatters.org/

OUR 60-Minute Action-Gaza Plan (one-time, not daily):
1. MAKE Du'a 10 minutes REPEAT EverydayPrint out the dua’s listed here: http://tinyurl.com/gaza-dua and post it on your fridge or any other prominent location. Read the du'as now and move on.

1. It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas (ra) that the Messenger of Allah (saas) said: “My Lord came to me tonight in
the most beautiful form…” and in this hadith he said that Allah said, “O Muhammad, when you pray, then say:

‘Allaahumma inni as’aluka fi’lal khayraat wa tark al-munkaraat, wa hubb al-masaakeen, wa an taghfira lee wa
tarhamanee wa tatooba ‘alayya. Wa in aradta bi ‘ibaadika fitnatan, faqbidni ilayka ghayra maftoon (O Allah, I
ask You (to enable me) to do good deeds and avoid evil deeds, and to love the poor, and (I ask You) to forgive
me, have mercy on me and accept my repentance. If You decree that some trial should befall Your slaves, then
take me to You [i.e., cause me to die] without having me be subjected to that trial).” (Tirmithi - hasan)
2. Abu Burdah ibn ‘Abd-Allah narrated from his father that when the Prophet (saas) was afraid of some people
he would say,

“Allaahumma inna naj’aluka fi nuhoorihim wa na’oodhu bika min shuroorihim (O Allah, we place You before
them and we seek refuge in You from their evil).” (Abu Dawud - Sahih)
3. It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas (ra) that the Messenger of Allah (saas) used to say the following words of
relief at times of distress:

“Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah al-‘Adheem al-Haleem, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah Rabb al-‘Arsh al-‘adheem, la ilaaha ill-
Allaah Rabb ul-samawaati wa Rabb ul-ard wa Rabb ul-‘Arsh il-kareem (There is nothing worthy of worship but
Allah, the All-Powerful, the Forbearing; There is nothing worthy of worship but Allah, Lord of the mighty
Throne; There is nothing worthy of worship but Allah, Lord of heaven, Lord of earth, and Lord of the noble
Throne).” (Bukhari and Muslim)
4. The Prophet (saas) said: “Shall I not tell you of something that, if any worldly calamity or disaster befalls any
man among you and he says these words, he will be relieved of it. (It is) the du’a’ of Dhu’-Noon (the Prophet
Yunus - as): “Laa ilaaha illa anta subhaanaka inni kuntu min al-dhaalimeen (none has the right to be worshipped
but You (O Allah), Glorified (and Exalted) be You [above all that (evil) they associate with You]! Truly, I have
been of the wrongdoers).” According to another report: “No Muslim man says this du’a’ concerning anything
but Allah will answer his prayer.” (Sahih al-Jaami’)
5. The Messenger of Allah (saas) said: to Asmaa’ bint ‘Umays, “Shall I not teach you some words which you
can say at times of distress and hardship?

‘Allaahu rabbee laa ushriku bihi shay’an (Allah is my Lord, I do not associate anything with Him).’” (Sahih -
Abu Dawood)
According to a version narrated in al-Sahih al-Jaami’, “Whoever is afflicted by worry, distress, sickness or
hardship, and says, Allaahu rabbee laa shareeka lah (Allah is my Lord, He has no partner or associate), will be
relieved of that.”

2. DONATE 10 minutes Make a donation. Every one of you can make a small donation, even if it is $5.

• Islamic Relief USAhttp://www.irw.org/campaigns/palestinecrisis08

• KinderUSAhttp://www.kinderusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=79&Itemid=2

• Palestine Children’s Relief Fundhttp://www.pcrf.net/can/can2.html

• American Near East Refugee Aidhttps://secure2.convio.net/anera/site/Donation2?df_id=1280&1280.donation=form1

3. JOIN MM's new DIGG Club on FACEBOOK 5 minutes This is a means to increase the power of the word-of-mouth for important news articles or analysis:

• Learn about these tools: http://tinyurl.com/mm-digg.

• Join the new FB group by going to this link: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=42909069316(make sure you ONLY join if you are COMMITTED to spending 5 minutes maximum per day).

• Here's how it will work:As soon as there is a significant/fair article brought to our attention, we will send a message on FB to the entire group.All members of the group are required to do their part: to DIGG, SU, Reddit, whatever, within 48 hours of receiving notice (it takes only 1 minute to do it).You have suddenly become part of blitzing truth over falsehood.

4. CALL GAZA {OPTIONAL}

• Call any random number in Gaza, and tell them that you are calling from North America (or wherever you are), make Duaa for them and tell them all their brothers and sisters around the world are with them; this will give them moral support and courage !

How to call? > Very simple!

• Dial any of these number and replace the last 4 digits by any random ones, try 4 or 5 times and you'll reach a family insha'Allah ! Even if you don't speak Arabic, talk to them with very slow and simple English

(011)9728284-XXXX

(011)9728282-XXXX

(011)9728255-

5. SIGN PETITION 2 MINUTES

CAIR has launched an online petition drive to collect one million signatures. Be part of it by clicking here. http://petition.cair.com/

6. WRITE or CALL your Congressional Representative 15 minutes To locate your U.S. Representative: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtmlTo locate your Senators http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm Talking points at the bottom. You can be much more detailed than the letter to the editor.You can review talking-points here towards the end of the post: www.tinyurl.com/action-gaza You should also consider sending a quick note to the Saudi Arabia’s ruler (see http://tinyurl.com/7kjdvm.

7. WRITE a Letter to the Editor 20-50 minutes REPEAT for other newspapers Letters to editor is the most-read section in the entire newspaper, and is read by local leaders as a means of keeping up with the pulse of the community.

• Write a letter to your local newspaper (you can find it from the list here). You have a better chance of getting published than writing to one of the national newspapers.

• Consider these guidelines to increase your chance of getting published. The most important point: Make ONE point, even if you have a hundred swarming in your head. Be very succinct and add some “color” or “reasoned emotion”, it may increase your chance of getting published.

8. CIRCULATE (EXTRA BONUS AJAR): • Cross-post on your blog. Email it. Post to your facebook profile.• Print out this hard-copy of this "Action-Gaza", make copies and distribute.FINALLY, DIGG the POST to get the message out by clicking here:http://digg.com/world_news/ACTION_GAZA_Can_we_Spare_60_Minutes_Can_we_Walk_the_Talk

Couldn't resist putting this on my blog :-)

2008-12-18T08:11:00.002+02:00

What an appropriate way to end his presidency...but you have to addmit that the W was pretty fast in avoiding that shoe....

I'm Back.....

2008-12-12T08:12:00.002+02:00

Alhamdu lelah I'm back from my wonderful journy...Allah was with us every step of the way ... helping me perform this very tough journy...sobhan Allah...it was tough both spiritually & physically...

I have a million things to write about...but right now I need to rest cause each & every body muscle is aching in it's own unique way...lol..

I'm off to Hajj in sha Allah...you are all in my prayers

2008-12-04T09:25:00.001+02:00

Free animal coloring pictures

2008-12-04T09:12:00.004+02:00

I was referred to this site from one of my yahoo groups...Crafting Muslima....thanks sister Ummnour of ...loving Allah & Raising my Children

This is a very nice website that has a number of free afting printables...the theme is animals of the world....

You basiclly print out the pictures for the kids to colour...

They alot of nice details ,showing off the culture of each country through a unique animal pic

The animal representing Egypt is....the camel...a stereotype I know...but really cute...check it out...

Abdul Camel lives in Egypt. Camels have worked for man
since about 2000BC. They live in deserts and dry lands and
can go for long periods without water. They travel
in groups called ‘Caravans’. Abdul is decorated in colours
and motifs that have been used in Egypt since ancient times.

حج مبرور

2008-12-01T10:43:00.003+02:00

ايميل رائع وصلني من صديقتي في بيت الشفاء من أخت عراقية

على غرار مقالتكم الرائعة (صوموا تصحوا)
بمناسبة شهر الحج ومناسبة ذهاب الملايين لحج البيت الحرام
(صحيح الموضوع ليس صحي او غذائي لكنه متعلق بغذاء الروح)
لان الحج من العبادات ذات الدعم الكبير للبرمجة الروحية
ارجوا نشر هذه المحاورة بين احد ابناء النبي محمد(ص) وبين احد اصحابه
تبين المغزى والهدف من الحج وماتتوجب عليه النيه لكي يصح الحج
والا كان الحج ضج مع الضجيج
كما فعل (اعضاء البرلمان العراقي بحرصهم الشديد للذهاب للحج كل عام من اموال الشعب وتهربا من مسؤلية العمل, تجدهم اشد الحرصاء للحج المجاني والناس تذبح بدل ان ينحروا يوم النحر يتركون الشعب ينحر)
على العموم أن كل من يهمه قبول حجه الذي يذهب اليه من بخالص امواله المزكاة وبعد التصالح وابراء الذمة من كل اقرباءه واصحابه بتوديعهم مودع مؤمن بالحياة والموت ...
فليقرأ هذه المحاوره وليركز جيدا على معانيها لكي يكون من الحجاج المبرور حجهم والمقبول سعيهم ان شاء الله

بسم ألله الرحمن الرحيم
لما رجع الأمام زين العابدين عليه السلام من الحج استقبله الشبلي
فقال له الأمام(ع) : أحججت يا شبلي ؟
قال نعم
فقال له الأمام(ع): أنزلت الميقات وتجردت من مخيط الثياب ؟
قال نعم
فقال الأمام(ع): حين نزلت الميقات هل نويت انك خلعت ثوب المعصيه ولبست ثوب الطاعة؟
قال لا
فقال الأمام(ع): حين تجردت من مَخيط الثياب نويت انك تجردت من النفاق والدخول في الشهوات ؟
قال لا
فقال الأمام(ع) : حين اغتسلت هل نويت انك اغتسلت من الذنوب والخطايا ؟ قال لا
قال الأمام(ع) : حين تنظفت وأحرمت وعقدت بالحج, هل نويت انك تنظفت بنور التوبة الخالصة لله تعالى ؟
قال لا
قال الأمام (ع) : حين أحرمت هل نويت انك حرّمت على نفسك كل محرم حرمه الله عز وجل؟
قال لا
قال الأمام (ع): حين عقدت الحج , هل نويت أنك حَللتَ كل عقدٍ لغير الله ؟
قال لا
قال الأمام(ع): فما تنظَفت ولا أحرمتَ ولا عقدتَ الحج.

قال الأمام(ع) : حين دخلت الميقات وصليت ركعتي الأحرام ولبيت هل نويت انك صليت الركعتين تقربا إلى الله تعالى بخير الاعمال وأكبر حسنات العباد ؟
قال لا
قال الأمام(ع) : حين لبيت نويت انك نطقت لله سبحانه بكل طاعة وصمت عن كل معصيه ؟
قال لا
قال الأمام(ع) : ما دخلت الميقات ولا صليت ولا لبيت.

قال الأمام(ع) : عندما دخلت الحرم ورأيت الكعبة وصليت هل نويت انك حرَمت على نفسك كل غيبة تستغيبها على المسلمين؟
قال لا
وعندما رأيت الكعبة هل نويت بقلبك انك قصدت الله ؟
قال لا
قال الأمام(ع) : فما دخلت الحرم ولا رأيت الكعبة

قال الأمام(ع): حين طفت بالبيت ومسست الأركان وسعيت هل نويت انك تقربت إلى ألله وعرف منك ذلك ؟
قال لا
قال الأمام(ع): فما طفت ولا مسست الأركان ولا سعيت.

قال الأمام(ع) : هل صافحت الحجر أسود ووقفت بمقام إبراهيم وصليت ركعتين ؟
قال نعم .
فصاح الأمام صيحة كاد يفارق بها الدنيا ثم قال :
آه آه من صافح الحجر فقد صافح الله تعالى
فأنظر يامسكين ولا تضيع أجر ما عظَم حرمته وتنقض المصافحه بالمخالفه وقبض الحرام نظير أهل الأثام .

ثم قال الأمام(ع): عندما وقفت بمقام إبراهيم هل نويت انك وقفت على كل طاعة وتخلفت عن كل معصيه؟
قال لا
وعندما صليت بالمقام هل نويت انك صليت صلاة إبراهيم وأرغمت بصوتك انف الشيطان ؟
قال لا
قال الأمام(ع) : فما صافحت الحجر ولا وقفت في المقام ولا صليت .

قال الأمام(ع) : عندما أشرفت على بئر زمزم وشربت من مائها هل نويت انك أشرفت على الطاعة وغضضت طرفك عن المعصيه ؟
قال لا
قال الأمام(ع) : ما اشرفت عليها وما شربت من مائها.

قال الأمام(ع) : عندما سعيت بين الصفا والمروه ومشيت وترددت بينهما هل نويت أنك بين الرجاء والخوف ؟
قال لا
قال الأمام(ع) : عندما خرجت من منى هل نويت انك أمنت الناس من لسانك وقلبك ويدك ؟
قال لا
قال الأمام(ع) : عندما وقفت بعرفات وطلعت جبل الرحمه وعرفت وادي نمره ودعوت الله سبحانه عند الميل والجمرات - هل عرفت بموقفك بعرفة, معرفة الله سبحانه أمر المعارف والعلوم وعرفت قبض الله على صحيفتك واطلاعه على سريرتك وقلبك ؟
قال لا
هل نويت بطلوعك جبل الرحمه ان الله يرحم كل مسلم ومسلمة ؟
قال لا
وهل نويت عند النمرة انك لا تأمر حتى تأتمر ولا تزجر حتى تنزجر ؟
وهل نويت عند العلم والنمرات انها شاهدة لك على الطاعه حافظه مع الحفظه بأمر رب السموات ؟
قال لا
قال الأمام(ع) : فما وقفت بعرفه ولا طلعت جبل الرحمه ولا وقفت.
قال الأمام(ع) : عندما مررت بين العلمين وصليت قبل مرورك ركعتين ومشيت بمزدلفه ومررت بالمشعر الحرام ، هل نويت انك صليت صلاة شكر في ليلة عشر تنفي كل عسر وتيسر كل عسر ؟
قال لا
وعندما مشيت بين العلمين انك لن تعدل عن دين الحق يميناً او شمالا لا بقلبك ولا بلسانك ولا بجوارحك؟
قال لا
وعندما مشيت بمزدلفة ورفعت منها الحصى هل نويت انك رفعت عنك كل معصيه وجهل وثبت كل علم وعمل ؟
قال لا
وعندما مررت بالمشعر الحرام هل أشعرت قلبك أشعار أهل التقوى والخوف لله عز وجل ؟
قال لا
فقال (ع): فما مررت ولا صليت ولا رفعت الحصى ولا مررت بالمشعر الحرام
قال ألأمام (ع): عندما وصلت منى ورميت الجمار وحلقت رأسك وذبحت هديك وصليت في مسجد الخيف ورجعت الى مكه وطفت طواف ألأفاضة:
- هل نويت عند منى انك بلغت إلى مطلبك وقد قضى ربك لك كل حاجه
- وهل نويت برميك للجمار انك رميت عدوك إبليس وعصيته بتمام حجك.
- وعندما حلقت رأسك نويت انك تطهرت من الأدناس ومن تبعة بني أدم وخرجت من الذنوب كماولدتك أمك ؟
قال :لا
- فعندما صليت في مسجد الخيف نويت انك لا تخاف ألا الله عزوجل ولا ترجو إلا رحمة الله تعالى ؟
قال لا
_ وعندما ذبحت هديل نويت انك ذبحت حنجرة الطمع بما تمسكت به من حقيقة الورع وانك اتبعت سنة إبراهيم (ع) بذبح ولده وثمرة فؤاده وريحان قلبه وحاجة سنته لمن بعده قربة الى الله تعالى.
قال لا
_ عند رجوعك مكه نويت انك رجعت الى الله وأفضت من رحمة الله وتمسكت بوده وأديت فرائضه وتقربت الى الله .
قال لا
قال له ألأمام زين العابدين(ع):
فما وصلت منى ولا رميت الجمار ولا حلقت ولا ذبحت ولا صليت ولا طفت الأفاضه ولا تقربت الى الله تعالى.
أرجـــع فأنــك لم تحــج فطفق الشبلي يبكي على ما فرطه في حجه ومازال يتعلم حتى حج بعرفة ويقين.

Bucket List

2008-11-26T08:42:00.006+02:00

I was tagged by Mona, the rules:

"Simply state any number of goals you want to achieve in the next 8-10 years. Let them be small goals, big goals, silly goals. It is always nice to think about a bucket list, write it down, and share it. But most importantly, tag others to do the same when you are done."

See my DDs all grown-up & happy...I envision them as independant & exceptional ladies,studying in the best colleges & good muslimas & human beings.

Buy a small house in a nce neighbourhood & it has to have a garden ..where I grow my own veggies & flowers

Become more religious & spiritual

Understand & live Macrobiotics

Continue my education & get a degree from US or Canada

Become a Canadian citizen

Travel to Brazil,Lebanon,Turkey,India,Indonesia,Malysia

Go camping

Live Humanely

Adopt several children & raise them as good muslims

Now I tag sisters: Yasmeen , Lubna, Umm Travis

تعتعة....الزمن والتاريخ و معنى ماهو أوباما

2008-11-26T08:07:00.004+02:00

http://www.rakhawy.org/a_site/everyday/history/Archef/22-11-2008.htm

كيف نقرأ ما يمكن تسميته بظاهرة "أوباما"، أو بحَدث انتخاب أوباما (فهو لم يعد بعد ظاهرة، وإن كنا نتمنى ذلك)، إن انتخاب أوباما شىء، وما سيفعله سيادته بشخصه أو بمن حوله شىء آخر.
منذ ظهرت نتائج الانتخابات الأمريكية، والتحليلات السياسية تتواتر بشكل كاف، بحيث لم يعد هناك مجال لإضافة جديدة. ما وصلنى من تحليلات شاملة مفيدة تناولت كل الاحتمالات من أول الأمل فى التغيير "الذى هو"، والذى لا بد جدا أنه سوف يصل إلينا حين يأتى علينا الدور إن شاء الله بإذن الله، من غير مقاطعة، إلى التحذير من أن المسألة ليست أوباما حسين أوباما، أو ماكين رياض بالين وإنما المسألة أعمق من ذلك وأخطر.
حين نتذكر حقيقة القوى التى تحكم العالم فعلا وهى الشركات العملاقة العابرة (والقارحة)، والمافيا ورجال المخدرات والدعارة، وأن الدول ورؤساؤها ليسوا إلا واجهة للمنظرة واحتفاليات نتائج الانتخابات، حين نتذكر ذلك لا ينبغى أن نيأس، بل علينا أن نلتقط من حركة التاريخ ما نواجه به كل ذلك.
سواء تم التغيير أو لم يتم، سواء حقق أوباما ما وعد به أم لم يحقق، سواء اغتالوه من داخله، (وهو الأخطر) أم استطاع أن يقاوم هو وزوجته وابنتيه الجميلات مدة أطول، كل هذا لا يقدم أويؤخر فيما وصلنا من نجاح الشعب الأمريكى فى أن يكون فى صف التاريخ الصحيح.
فما هو التاريخ الصحيح الذى أقصده؟
التاريخ الصحيح هو التاريخ الذى يصحح أخطاءه فى الوقت المناسب قبل أن تودى به هذه الأخطاء إلى الهلاك فالانقراض.
فى أقل من ثلاثمائة عام صحح الشعب الأمريكى خطأ خطيرا كان يهدد البشرية كنوع أصلا، وهو خطأ أن ينقسم الجنس البشرى إلى أجناس متعددة، تهلك بعضها بعضا، لقد أثار إريك فروم العالم النفسى الأشهر فى كتابه "تشريح عدوانية الإنسان" (1973) تساؤلا‏ ‏مزعجا‏ ‏يقول‏: ‏هل‏ ‏الإنسان‏ ‏نوع‏ ‏واحد؟‏‏ ‏قال فيه:‏ "... أنه ‏ ‏نظرا‏ ‏لاختلاف‏ ‏اللغات‏ ‏والألوان‏ ‏والأوطان‏،‏ ‏قد‏ ‏يكون‏ ‏استقبالنا‏ ‏لبعضنا‏ ‏البعض‏ ‏قد‏ ‏وصل‏ ‏إلى ‏اعتبارنا‏ ‏أجناسا‏ ‏متعددة‏، ‏لا‏ ‏جنسا‏ ‏واحدا‏" وقد استلهمت من هذا الرأى فى أطروحتى عن "الإبداع والعدوان" (الإنسان والتطور 1980) أن‏ ‏هذا‏ ‏الاحتمال‏ ‏يفسر‏ ‏جزئيا‏ ‏تلك ‏ ‏الغرابة‏ ‏حين ‏يتصف‏ ‏الإنسان،‏ ‏دون‏ ‏الحيوانات‏ ‏الأدنى، ‏بصفات‏ ‏تبدو‏ ‏غبية‏ ‏بيولوجيا‏، وتطوريا، ‏إذ‏ ‏هى ‏مهددة‏ ‏لجنسه‏ ‏بشكل‏ ‏خطير، فهو الكائن الوحيد الذى لا يتورع عن قتل أخيه من نفس نوعه، دون سبب تطورى بقائى، ودون اعتبار لعلامات الإذعان.
إن ما فعله بوش – بما يمثله وليس فقط بشخصه – قد عرى هذا الخطر وجسده أمام البشرية جمعاء على مستويات وعى مختلفة، هذا هو ما أدركه النوع البشرى وهو يشاهد كيف يقتل أفراد النوع البشرى بعضهم بعضا، لمجرد تحقيق مكاسب اغترابية لا تعود حتى على المنتصر بأى مقومات حقيقية للبقاء.
حين تصل مثل هذه المؤشرات للجنس البشرى، دون استثناء الشعب الأمريكى، بل وعلى رأسهم الشعب الأمريكى أكثر الله خيره وعمق وعيه، يسرى بين النوع شعور بالتهديد الحقيقى لبقائه أصلا، وقد سهلت وصول هذه الرسالة العالمية ثورة التواصل الأحدث عبر العالم، ذلك التواصل الذى نجح، ولو مرحليا، أن يتجاوز مركزية القتلة حكاما وشركات، وحين وصلت رسائل التهديد بالانقراض إلى كل الناس، قام الشعب الأمريكى بالاصالة عن نفسه، والنيابة عنا جميعا بمحاولة تصحيح الخطأ، ودرء خطر الانقراض الذى تجلى أكثر فأكثر ليس فقط بتمييز الأبيض عن الأسود، وإنما –بتقسيم العالم- على لسان أغبى من حكمه، إلى معسكرات للشر والخير.
فرحتنا أن التاريخ قادر على تصحيح نفسه بهذا الجمال، لا ينبغى أن تلهينا عن أن قوى الانقراض سوف تسارع بإجهاض ما كشفها هكذا، وهى سوف تلعب أول ما تعلب على أوباما نفسه وبطانته.
فرحتى كانت أكبر وأنا أسترجع الأرقام التى تطمئننى على أن ثلاثة قرون هى بمثابة جزء من ثانية بحسابات التطور والتاريخ، فلماذا التخوف؟ ولماذا اليأس؟ حتى لو أفسدوه أو خربوه أو أجهضوا آمالنا فيه.
بعض الخيال لو سمحت – عزيزى القارئ- لتزداد فخرا بما فعله الشعب الأمريكى خلال أقل من ثلاثمائة سنة: يرجع أصل الحياة على الأرض، ومن ثم أصل الإنسان إلى بلايين السنين، عمر الإنسان الحالى حوالى 600 ألف سنة، عمر الأديان السماوية 4000 سنة ..إلخ
ما رأيكم؟ أليس ما حدث فى ثلاثمائة عام يستأهل فرحة أصيلة باقية، بعيدا عن الأشخاص، كما أنه يستلزم أن نواصل تفاؤلنا لفعل أكثر عمقا وأطول عمرا،
يا رب قوّنا عليهم

يا رب سترك

Macrobiotics

2008-11-24T08:07:00.005+02:00

As I mentioned before I started studying MACROBIOTICS this month...

I've been interested in Macrobiotics for years now...almost 9 years...but mostly what I did was a bit of reading & ofcourse listening to Mariam Nour on her various shows...Sobhan Allah it was by Allah's will that I got to know one amazing lady...whom I'm very lucky to call a friend now....she has studied with Mariam & then started her own thing in Egypt...Bayt Al Shifaa...& now she wants to move her work to our part of the woods & leave old mighty Cairo...

My friend advised me that because I'm leaving to Hajj I have to stop all meat & dairy products...

& I DID!!!

I stopped eating Meat,poultry,fish ,milk,cheese,yogurt & eggs.It's been a whole month now...& I'm reaping the benefits...I'm more attentive & my mood swings are under control..& sobhan Allah I'm also losing weight ......alhamdu lelah

During the past 2 weeks I took a course with this amazing lady titled "The 5 elements of Macrobiotics" it basiclly covers the principles of Macrobiotics...

Eliminating animal & dairy products are just one step in many steps I need to take for a healthier life style....

I'll keep you all updated with my progress insha Allah...Once I get back from Hajj.

Starting my spiritual Journey....

2008-11-24T05:18:00.009+02:00

In sha Allah I'll be leaving for Hajj sometime during the next week....I'm really excited & overwhelmed with the idea.....

I haven't blogged for sometime now....because of a super busy schedule...

We have a wedding in the family...my young cousin who's like a sister to me is getting married in less than 1 week...It is actually a very emotional time for me....watching as this little kid is all grown up & ready for marriage...sobhan Allah... Got me thinking about my own kids...& that in a very short time they're gonna be starting their own lives ... well....I'm just getting old

I also started studying MACROBIOTICS & this is something I'm very excited about...but anyways that's another post ..in sha Allah

This is in addition to taking care of my kids & a very hectic work schedule....

I need to start researching my hajj journey .....

So far I've found a great blog Footsteps to Hajj I need to read through it as it has loads of important info....

I also found a very simple yet informative tutorial on Hajj on the BBC website

Another must-read is an online journal of a canadian sister writing her journy to hajj

This is a simple illustration of hajj taken from wikipedia;

Actually I found some amazing blogs like this blog "Just Quran" showcasing some rare photage of Mekka

I found a little Hajj booklet for the kids ,it is in PDF

Also one of my friends suggested a great book by the late Saied Sabe' "Fiqh Al Sunna"...I will be reading through the chapters of hajj & umra & also this will be the book I'm taking with me as a reference .

I'm planning a list of stuff I'll be taking from here:

The book "Fiqh Al Sunna"
I think I need to get this bag where I can keep important documents handy & with me at all times
A list of all the people that asked me to make duaa's for them

I still need to figure out what I'll be wearing....I've heard different opinions about this....some people suggested wearing Saudi abbaya with comfy clothes below...others suggested wearing white abbayas....this is very Egyptian ...but I have issues with wearing the color white ......

well anyways ..........that's another post all together....

Any suggestions ......??

ya mosahel ya Rab.

This is hilarious.....

2008-11-13T11:36:00.000+02:00

Tanoora dancer

2008-11-12T07:17:00.003+02:00

This was captured at a local fair at one of the parks near my home....
I wonder how this guy never got dizzy...
he's dancing to one of the old Egyptian songs "kaa'b el gazal"...by "Mohammed Roshdy"...

Obama the face of Change & Progress!!!

2008-11-05T08:09:00.002+02:00

2008-11-04T05:52:00.003+02:00

واهتز‏ ‏كيانى ‏بالفرحة، ‏
ليست‏ ‏فرحة، ‏
بل‏ ‏شيئا‏ ‏آخر‏ ‏لا‏ ‏يوصف، ‏
إحساسٌ‏ ‏مثل‏ ‏البسمة، ‏
أو‏ ‏مثل‏ ‏النسمة‏ ‏فى ‏يوم‏ ‏قائظ، ‏
أو‏ ‏مثل‏ ‏الموج‏ ‏الهادئ ‏حين‏ ‏يداعب‏ ‏سمكةْ،‏
أو‏ ‏مثل‏ ‏سحابة‏ ‏صيفٍ‏ ‏تلثم‏ ‏بَرَدَ‏ ‏القمة، ‏
أو‏ ‏مثل‏ ‏سوائل‏ ‏بطن‏ ‏الأم‏: ‏تحتضن‏ ‏جنينا‏ ‏لم‏ ‏يتشكل‏
أى ‏مثل‏ ‏الحب‏..، ‏
بل‏ ‏قبل‏ ‏الحب‏ ‏وبعد‏ ‏الحب، ‏
شىءٌ ‏يتكور‏ ‏فى ‏جوفى ‏لا‏ ‏فى ‏عقلى ‏أو‏ ‏فى ‏قلبى، ‏
وكأن‏ ‏الحبل‏ ‏السرى ‏يعود‏ ‏يوصلنى ‏لحقيقة‏ ‏ذاتى .. ‏
هى‏ ‏نبض‏ ‏الكون‏ ‏
هى ‏الروح‏ ‏القدسى ‏
أو‏ ‏الله‏.

يحيى الرخاوي‏
ديوان سر اللعبة

1974

My Music Mood for the Today...

2008-11-02T08:49:00.000+02:00

I Hate Diets......

2008-10-31T17:45:00.003+02:00

I'm in the process of starting a diet .......

I took some steps ...like lowering my calorie intake & increasing my activity level.....I'm not consistent enough so I just dance & burn the calories using my favourite music...Well I'm TRYING.....

& then I stumble upon this ....ummmm....tempting pic of this sweets me3alem in Syria...

& ahem did I mention that I looooooove Syrian sweets...

& those delesh looking maa'mools in the pic...just look yummy...

Well I guess I can satisfy my sweet tooth through the pics......

Sweet makers prepare special pastries in Damascus, on the fourth week and final of the Muslim fasting month Ramadan. (Photo: Bassem Tellawi/AP)

2008-10-31T10:35:00.001+02:00

It's Official ...I'm addicted

2008-10-30T18:33:00.001+02:00

64%

How did Autism affect me?

2008-10-27T09:03:00.002+02:00

As I grew up I never heard the word Autism...

although my mom is a pediatrician ...growing up in the 80s & 90s between 2 Arab countries ...Egypt & Saudi Arabia....I never once heard the word....

Nonthelesss I had a cousin ...he was much younger than me...at the time politically correct labels were not used & we knew he was mentally retarded....He lived with the rest of the family in a small town off Mansoura...a rural area...that lacked any facilities that can deal with his special needs...

Ofcourse looking back my dear cousin was Autistic & in no way was he mentally retarded....he communicated with the rest of the world in his own unique style....he was behind in his language development & ofcourse his social skills....but I remember very well that he could memorise the small suras after only hearing them 3 times...

I remember also his 1st day of school when he was dropped off to the nearby school only to find him back at the house half an hour later after the teacher told to go home & not come back....

He had a good experience within a special school...but unfortunatly it did not last for very long as the school was closed after the '92 earthquick ...now his only passtime was spending the whole day roaming the streets & the farm land around his house...he had to bear the abuse of kids on the streets making fun of the way he talked or whatever he did....we had a close bond ...him & me....

I felt I had an obligation to do something for kids like him...& sobhan Allah ...one day I was watching TV...it was during my 2nd year in Med school...& someone was talking about starting an organization for special needs...I wrote an entry in my journal that day...it was like making an oath to make it my purpose in life to make a school or a home for kids with special needs...

I forgot all about this oath ...for years...& what happened after my graduation was only an act of Almighty Allah...I became a Psychaitrist..I specialised in Child Psychiatry...& now I'm responsible for an Autism center in Mansoura that is home for over 10 families living with Autism...I feel that every time I try to take another route than this one Allah pushes me with His gentle guiddness to this road again....

Alhamdu leLah ...I'm most grateful for having my cousin in my life...to remind me of all the good things that I can do to help them & through that I may heal my own wounds....

Nuha Rasheed...a new hero to all Egyptian women

2008-10-23T10:49:00.005+03:00

This is the 1st time ever that this happens in my country...a woman actually stands up for her rights ....

Sexual harrassment is so prevelant in our streets that almost all the women that I know have had terrible experiences..of course none of us had the courage that Nuha has...maybe some of us curse & shout at these men...some do more than that like my dear friend....you know who you are honey..wink..wink...who by the way has a brown belt in Karate' .

She was once grabbed by some jerk on the streets of Alex...& my very dear friend turned around & literally kicked his b***....go talk about "WOMEN POWER"

It's on my to do list to give my 2 DDs lessons in martial arts..in sha Allah..

Kudos to you Nuha...God bless you

I'm actually glad that this pervert's name is all over the place & that he is actually going to jail for this.....I think jail is the place for these perverts

This was taken from the BBC's website:

حُكم على مواطن مصري بالسّجن ثلاث سنوات مع الأشغال بعد أن أدين بتهمة التحرش جنسيا بسيدة في أحد شوارع القاهرة.
كما حكمت المحكمة على شريف جمعة بدفع 5001 جنيه ( أو ما يناهز 894 دولارا) على سبيل التعويض للضحية نهى رشيد صالح وهي مخرجة سينمائية في السابعة والعشرين.
ويعتبر هذا الحكم الأشد من نوعه في مصر في قضية تحرش جنسي.
واتُهم جمعة بملامسة جسد الضحية -التي تشتهر باسمها الفني نهى أستاذ- عدة مرات وهو يسير بسيارته ببطء إلى جوارها بضاحية مصر الجديدة.
وعلى الرغم من تعرض العديد من المصريات والأجنبيات للتحرش الجنسي في الشوارع المصرية لكن نادرا ما تتصدى السلطات لهذه التحرشات ولا تتناولها وسائل الاعلام الرسمية.
لكن قضية نهى حازت على اهتمام وسائل الإعلام منذ وقوعها في شهر يونيو/ حزيران الماضي، بعد أن قررت المدعية أن تكشف عن محنتها أمام الملأ.
وأعربت آنذاك للبي بي سي عن شعورها بالصدمة نتيجة ما تعرضت له وموقف المارة الذين نصحوها بعدم رفع شكوى إلى الشرطة بينما اتهمها الآخرون باثارة المعتدي للتحرش بها.
وبعد عراك دام حوالي الساعة، تمكنت نهى من اقتياد المعتدي الى مركز للشرطة لكن ضباط الشرطة رفضوا فتح محضر، حسبما قالت.
وحظيت القضية بدعم صحيفة البديل المعارضة التي أنحت باللائمة على "القمع الحكومي"، وعلى "أغلبية من المواطنين الذين يتماهون مع القهر"، وعلى "أجيال من التحريض ضد النساء." "درس للاخرين"
واشادت الناشطات المصريات في مجال الدفاع عن حقوق المرأة بالقاضي الذي انزل في رأيهن، عقوبة قاسية ونموذجية بالمعتدي.
ونقلت وكالة فرانس برس عن انجي غزلان من المركز المصري لحقوق المرأة قولها ان "هذه هي اول قضية، في حدود علمنا، يصدر فيها حكم بالسجن على شخص لقيامه بالتحرش الجنسي" واضافت ان الحكم الذي اصدره يعتبر درسا للاخرين.

Today's Music mood

2008-10-23T09:38:00.001+03:00

Yay !!!!! we made our 1st lapbook today.....Alahamdu leLah

2008-10-16T10:07:00.008+03:00

Alahamdu leLah we just finished our 1st lapbook ...my youngest DD & me....

WE made a whole lapbook on the letter A....we are both so excited...& finally after pondering with the thought of making a lapbook for so long...I was brave enough to start one ...& sobhan Allah it is soooooooooooo easy....not as hard as I thought it would be...

I have to give credit to the sister from Ummihomeschoolesme....for inspiring me yesterday...I was over at her blog & saw all the wonderful things she did with her own DD...& sobhan Allah she inspired me to do more with my own...Jazaky Allah khayran sister

You can get inspired by the sister HERE

I got all my printables from About.com......HERE & HERE

I took the idea for the cover from Simply Susan blog & I also took a look at the A lapbook at this website

& now it's time for the pictures............drums pleeeease.......

The cover:

The back:

Take a look inside:

It's a pocket lapbook....so she can neatly put away all the sheets relating to the letter A:

أوقات فراغ......أجمد فيلم عربي شفته من زمن طويل

2008-10-13T09:18:00.004+03:00

اغنية بنلف لمروان خوري

بنلف دواير .. و الدنيا تلف بينا

دايما ننتهي .. لمطرح مإبتدينا

طيور الفجر تايهه .. في عتمة المدينة بتدور

ما بنكتبش الرسائل .. ما بننتظرش رد

لاحد في يوم سمعنا .. ولا بنسمع حد

طيور العمر تايهة .. في عتمة المدينة بتدور

*******

ساكنين في عالم يعشق الخطر

فيه الطيور تهرب من الشجر

وتهرب النجوم من القمر

وتهرب الوجوه من الصور

بنلف في دواير بندور على الأمان

و نلاقينا رجعنا تاني لنفس المكان

ندور .. ندور .. ندور

**********

نحلم ونحلم بالحياة المفرحه

واتارى احلامنا بلا اجنحه

ندور ندور ندور بجناح حزين مكسور

ساعات نشوف فى العتمه

وساعات نتوة فى النور

ساعات عيونا بالاسى تفرح وساعات فى ساعه الفرح ننوح

ولا حاضر ولا ماضى

تروس بتلف ع الفاضى

ولا فينا شباب زعلان ولا فينا شباب راضى

مفيش غير اننا بندووور ..ندووووور ..ندووووور

بندوووووووووووووووووووووووور

A Collage by my youngest DD ..& PLZ don't ask me what it's about...I have no idea....LOL

2008-10-08T10:00:00.002+03:00

Playing around with our Legos......

2008-10-08T09:29:00.005+03:00

I really love it when the kids play with their lego set.....I think it helps them in building many skills.....

Fine motor skills , Organizational abilities......plus it's lots of fun

The house my oldest created was so nice & she was so proud of herself

Even my 5 year old helped in sorting the peices by colors

She even created her own....emmmm.... thing

Art by a Local Egyptian artist.....Tanoora dancer

2008-10-07T13:53:00.002+03:00

Old Arabic Cartoons 4

2008-10-06T23:30:00.003+03:00

مغامرات بشار

عدنان و لينا

الليث الأبيض

Old Arabic Cartoons 3

2008-10-06T23:26:00.001+03:00

ليدي اوسكار

ساندي بيل

زينة و نحول

Old Arabic Cartoons 2

2008-10-06T21:41:00.008+03:00

My 2nd post on old Arabic cartoons...

I start with Sasooki ....to us the world went into stand still once this cartoon was on

ساسوكي

النسر الذهبي...بيبيرو

حكايات عالمية

Really Rosie

2008-10-05T11:50:00.003+03:00

3 songs from the 1975 cartoon Really Rosie.
Written by: Maurice Sendak with music by Carole King

(One was Johnny)

1 was Johnny who lived by himself
2 was a rat who jumped on his shelf
3 was a cat who chased the rat
4 was a dog who came in and sat
5 was a turtle who bit the dog's tail
6 was a monkey who brought in the mail
7 a blackbird pecked poor Johnny's nose

(One was Johnny)

8 was a tiger out selling old clothes
9 was a robber who took an old shoe
10 was a puzzle - what should Johnny do(One was Johnny)

He stood on a chair and said,
Here's what I'll do - I'll start to
Count backwards
And when I am through
If this house isn't empty, I'll eat
All of you!

9 was the robber who left looking pale
8 was the tiger who chased him to jail
7 was the blackbird flew off to Havana
6 was the monkey who stole the banana
5 was the turtle who crawled off to bed
4 was the dog who slid home on a sled

(One was Johnny)

3 was the cat who pounced on the rat
2 was the rat who left with the cat

(One was Johnny, one was Johnny,
One was Johnny)

1 was Johnny who lived by himself
And liked it like that!

(One was Johnny, one was Johnny)

Chicken Soup With Rice

lyrics
January
In January it's so nice
While slipping on the sliding ice
To sip hot chicken soup with rice
Sipping once, sipping twice
Sipping chicken soup with rice

February
In February it will be
My snowman's anniversary
With cake for him and soup for me!
Happy once, happy twice
Happy chicken soup with rice

March
In March the wind blows down the door
And spills my soup upon the floor
It laps it up and roars for more
Blowing once, blowing twice
Blowing chicken soup with rice

April
In April I will go away
To far off Spain or old Bombay
And dream about hot soup all day
Oh, my, oh, once, oh, my, oh, twice
Oh, my, oh, chicken soup with rice

May
In May I truly think it best
To be a robin lightly dressed
Concocting soup inside my nest
Mix it once, mix it twice
Mix that chicken soup with rice

June
In June I saw a charming group
Of roses all begin to droop
I pepped them up with chicken soup!
Sprinkle once, sprinkle twice
Sprinkle chicken soup with rice

July
In July I'll take a peep
Into the cool and fishy deep
Where chicken soup is selling cheap
Selling once, selling twice
Selling chicken soup with rice

August
In August it will be so hot
I will become a cooking pot
Cooking soup of course-why not?
Cooking once, cooking twice
Cooking chicken soup with rice

September
In September, for a while
I will ride a crocodile
Down the chicken soup-y Nile
Paddle once, paddle twice
Paddle chicken soup with rice

October
In October I'll be host
To witches, goblins and a ghost
I'll serve them chicken soup on toast
Whoopy once, whoopy twice
Whoopy chicken soup with rice

November
In November's gusty gale I will flop my flippy tail
And spout hot soup-I'll be a whale!
Spouting once, spouting twice
Spouting chicken soup with rice

December
In December I will be
A baubled, bangled Christmas tree
With soup bowls draped all over me
Merry once, merry twice
Merry chicken soup with rice

I told you once, I told you twice
All seasons of the year are nice
For eating chicken soup with rice

Pierre

Prologue:]
There was once a boy named Pierre
Who only would say, I don't care!
Read his story, my friend, for you'll find
At the end that a suitable
Moral lies there

[Chapter I]

One day his mother said
When Pierre climbed out of bed
-Good morning, darling boy, you are my only joy
Pierre said-I don't care!
-What would you like to eat?
-I don't care!
-Some lovely cream of wheat?
-I don't care!
-Don't sit backwards in your chair
-I don't care!
-Or pour syrup on your hair
-I don't care!
-You are acting like a clown
-I don't care!
-And we have to go to town
-I don't care!
-Don't you want to come, my dear?
-I don't care!
-Would you rather stay right here?
-I don't care!
So his mother left him there

[Chapter II]

His father said-Get off your head
Or I will march you up to bed!
Pierre said-I don't care!
-I would think that you could see -
-I don't care!
-Your head is where your feet should be!
-I don't care!
-If you keep standing upside down -
-I don't care!
-We'll never get to town
-I don't care!
-If only you would say, I care
-I don't care!
-I'd let you fold the folding chair
-I don't care!
So his parents left him there
They didn't take him anywhere

[Chapter III]

Now as the night began to fall
A hungry lion paid a call
He looked Pierre right in the eye
And asked him if he'd like to die
Pierre said-I don't care!
-I can eat you, don't you see?
-I don't care!
-And you will be inside of me
-I don't care!
-Then you will never have to bother -
-I don't care!
-With a mother and a father
-I don't care!
-Is that all you have to say?
-I don't care!
-Then I'll eat you, if I may
-I don't care!
So the lion ate Pierre

[Chapter IV]

Arriving home at six o'clock
His parents had a dreadful shock!
They found the lion sick in bed and cried
-Pierre is surely dead!
They pulled the lion by the hair
They hit him with the folding chair
His mother asked-Where is Pierre?
The lion answered-I don't care!
His father said-Pierre's in there!

[Chapter V]

They rushed the lion into town
The doctor shook him up and down
And when the lion gave a roar
Pierre fell out upon the floor
He rubbed his eyes and scratched his head
And laughed because he wasn't dead
His mother cried and held him tight
His father asked-Are you allright?
Pierre said-I am feeling fine
Please take me home, it's half past nine

The lion said-If you would care
To climb on me, I'll take you there
Then everyone looked at Pierre
Who shouted-Yes, indeed, I care!
The lion took them home to rest
And stayed on as a weekend guest
The moral of Pierre is: CARE!

Old Arabic Cartoons 1

2008-10-05T11:17:00.001+03:00

Now this post is very sentimental....I used to watch these cartoons as a kid with my brother & sister...this is before the age of 24/7 cartooning....we were glad we had 2 hours of cartoons each day...the cartoons compared to what I watch with my kids were incredibly pure & naive....& educational....
Sigh...I wish these cartoons would be shown again somewhere...& that my kids have a chance to see them...until this happens..they continue to enjoy watching these videos that I downloaded from youtube with me ..& I think they enjoy watching me getting all excited about the songs .....singing & dancing around with my childhood tunes...

The 1st video is LULU ....the fun filled girl with her friend
Nofee7*a :

& then there was SENAN with all these tear jerking scenes when he talked to his mommy up in the moon....

The white whale....

Arabic Nasheeds

2008-10-05T10:42:00.003+03:00

نشيد لتعليم الحروف الهجائية

نشيد حروف الهجاء

نشيد الارقام

أغنية الحروف الهجائية (ألف باء تاء ثاء) - افتح يا سمسم

Arabic Alphabet Nasheed

ذهب الليل

2008-10-05T10:21:00.004+03:00

An amazing song by the great Mohammed Fawzy...May Allah bless his soul

ذهب الليل وطلع الفجر والعصفور صوصو صوصو
شاف القطة قالها بسبس قالتلة نونو نونو
ذهب الليل وطلع الفجر والعصفور صوصو صوصو
شاف القطة قالها بسبس قالتلة نونو نونو
ماما قالتله سيب القطة وخاليها فى حالها
فات مدرسته ورمى كراستة وراح جر شكلها
راحت القطة مخربشة ايده لما مسك ديلها
وادى جزاة اللى مايسمعش كلمة ما ما قالتها
ذهب الليل وطلع الفجر والعصفور صوصو صوصو
شاف القطة قالها بسبس قالتلة نونو نونو
ابله قالتلى فيفى الحلوه زعلت من سوسو
سوسو راح يصالحا وبسها وهى حلفت ماتبوسه بوسه
جابت الحبر وعاصت ايدها وجت بشويش جنبه
مسحت ايدها فى وشه وعملت قال ايه بتلاعبه
سوسو ضربها ومسك الحبر اللى فى ايدها وقلبه على فستانها
وشافهم بابا وضربها وضربه
ذهب الليل وطلع الفجر والعصفور صوصو صوصو
شاف القطة قالها بسبس قالتلة نونو نونو
ندر عليا اجيلكوا واولع شمعه من شمعه من شمعه
لحد الشبر ونص مايكبر ويروح الجامعة الجامعة
ميمى دكتور وسعاد دكتورة واحنا ندعيلكم
وصلاح يبقى محامى وتوت قاضى يصالحكم
وعصام بكره حيبقى ظابط ويدافع عنكوا يفدى وادى النيل بحياته وحياته منكم
ذهب الليل وطلع الفجر والعصفور صوصو صوصو
شاف القطة قالها بسبس قالتلة نونو نونو

ABC songs

2008-10-05T10:19:00.000+03:00

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

A told B, and B told C, "I'll meet you at the top of the coconut tree."
"Wheel!" said D to E F G, "I'll beat you to the top of the coconut tree."
Chicka chicka boom boom! Will there be enough room? Here comes H up the coconut tree,
and I and J and tag-along K, all on their way up the coconut tree.
Chicka chicka boom boom! Will there be enough room? Look who's coming! L M N O P!
And Q R S! And T U V! Still more - W! And X Y Z!
The whole alphabet up the - Oh, no! Chicka chicka... BOOM! BOOM!
Skit skat skoodle doot. Flip flop flee. Everybody running to the coconut tree.
Mamas and papas and uncles and aunts hug their little dears, then dust their pants.
"Help us up," cried A B C.
Next from the pileup skinned-knee D and stubbed-toe E and patched-up F. Then comes G all out of breath.
H is tangled up with I. J and K are about to cry. L is knotted like a tie.
M is looped. N is stopped. O is twisted alley-oop. Skit skat skoodle doot. Flip flop flee.
Look who's coming! It's black-eyed P, Q R S, and loose-tooth T. Then U V W wiggle-jiggle free.
Last to come X Y Z. And the sun goes down on the coconut tree...
But - chicka chicka boom boom! Look, there's a full moon.
A is out of bed, and this is what he said, "Dare double dare, you can't catch me. I'll beat you up the top of the coconut tree."Chicka chicka BOOM! BOOM

Alligators All Around

Carol King

A - alligators all around

B - bursting balloons

C - catching colds

D - doing dishes

E - entertaining elephants

F - forever fooling

G - getting giggles

H - having headaches

I - imitating Indians

J - juggling jellybeans

K - keeping kangaroos

L - looking like lions

M - making macaroni

N - never napping

O - ordering oatmeal

P - pushing people

Q - quite quarrelsome

R - riding reindeer

S - shockingly spoiled

T - throwing tantrums

U - usually upside down

V - very vain

W - wearing wigs

X - x-ing x's

Y - yackety-yacking

Z - zippity zound

A - alligators ALL around!

Simple ABC song:

Youtube Heaven

2008-10-04T10:02:00.002+03:00

I found a new toy I can play with it's a simple software to download youtube videos ImTOO...Once I downloaded the software I spent hours browsing & downloading some really neat stuff...

I downloaded educational songs for the kids....I also found somethings for me ......some old cartoons I watched as a child...you just had to see me screaming & going up & down in excitment ....my kiddos were looking at me & wondering what happened to Mommy...lol...

In the next few posts I will in sha Allah upload some of the videos with lyrics when possible....

At the moment we are reading.....

2008-10-01T14:51:00.003+03:00

I'm trying to re-establish a night time routine for the girls...so I let them choose a book ...each...to read before bed....

My oldest wants to read about the prophet peace & blessings upon him...so we are reading this book:

My youngest DD is really enjoying this book ....& I'm thrilled we are already in chapter 3...

It's really an enjoyable experience for me too because ..in the 1st book I'm really enjoying the illustrations wich are really unique...& at last I found a book talking about religion without only featuring the Kuffar....alhamdu lelah

It's also my 1st time to read Lewis Carroll's Alice....needless to say reading the book is actually better than so many of the TV versions I saw & made me hate Alice's guts...except ofcourse for Disney's version I think that was brilliant....

As I was browsing online I saw that Tim Burton is doing his own version of Alice in 2010.....I'll be looking forward to that....after all Johnny Depp is playing the mad hatter....