I know I'm a geek...

When your day is ruined by the inability to make your i-pod sync so you can listen to all your talk radio/podcasts for the day you know:

A. You are a hopeless geek
B. You are totally anti-social
C. You are on the edge

OK, I confess! Now will my stupid i-pod work already!!!!

No words...

13 Year-old Girl Commits Suicide After Cyber-bullying
What do you say about the tragic suicide of a young girl who was only 13. To make it worse, she did it because she just broke up with a boy. And worse? Said boy never existed. It was the mom of another girl in the neighborhood who just wanted to see what was being said about her daughter online.

Is setting up a fake myspace page and posing as a boyfriend to a girl this young a crime? If she kills herself over the relationship is it a crime then? I was listening to something about this on NPR this afternoon and I got to thinking about it. I thought about it a lot. Where are we headed when a mother would do this to another woman's child? Even if she had no idea the girl would end her life over the break-up how sick is it to do something like that to a younger person? Where is the wisdom that comes with age in this country? Does something have to be defined as a crime so we will know it is hideous and wrong? I'm just so sad.

Is Sneaky Good?

So I went and purchased the book Sneaky Chef which has been the topic of conversation in many parenting type magazines, shows, forums and so on. Initially I admit the idea was appealing. Hmmm, feed them good food with no argument? Why not. Then I got to thinking about it. Masha'Allah, my kids eat a wide variety of foods and I don't think I have much to worry about really. But even if they didn't I'm not so sure this is the answer. A scene of a well meaning mother delivering her sneaky meals to a malnourished 23 year old popped into my head.

Isn't it our job as parents to give our children tools to go on and be successful in life? I'm not saying that sneaking in a nutrient or two is wrong... But isn't it far better to teach them that there will be a way of preparing a less than desirable veggie that they might like? What about offering them alternate sources of said nutrient. OK, you don't like chicken... Maybe you like eggs. You don't like brussel sprouts... Maybe you'll like stuffed cabbage leaves.

I guess what I'm getting at is where are we going with this? Will our son's wives be passed this torch on the wedding night... "I know you are in love with my son and you want the best for him... So you should know he has never eaten a vegetable plain in his entire life. What you should do if you want him to be healthy is puree them and put them in all his food. Here's how:" I just can't imagine that a fussy eater who has been allowed to eat to his/her preferences for so many years will suddenly mature into a vegetable eating adult. I might be wrong about that... But I don't want to risk it.

Seeing this and thinking about the pediasure commercials just makes me sad for the children of today. We (my generation) seem to be pampered brats raising even more pampered brats. Where does it end? No wonder the waiters look at me strange when my kids ask for salad. Sheesh.

Turkey Jerky?

Well, I am not usually one to bag on someone else's culinary efforts... But DH's sister insisted that we drive three hours to her house for a Thanksgiving dinner (something we don't even celebrate) because she has her daughter this year. Well, I didn't really want to go and DH reassured me that her turkey would be good because she was just cooking it in an oven bag.

So, I didn't make dinner and we headed out at our usual dinner time. Well, we got there starving only to find the weirdest Thanksgiving dinner ever. The turkey had been cooked early in the AM (because she sleeps all day and is only up at night) and left on warm all day. Yes, from 5am to 8pm on warm. It had collapsed into a pile of turkey jerky. And she had taken off the skin and spiced the heck out of it... Why? Then the side dishes... Microwaved frozen veggies with dried Italian spices (again, why?) and the weirdest spiced rice ever. It was brown from the amount of spices and tasted like biting into a clove. And that's it. Oh yeah, Jello brand gelatin (not cool, but she doesn't believe gelatin from pigs is haram and she and I are constantly fighting over it... Her daughter will be horking down skittles and I have to be like, "no kids, we can't eat that because it has gelatin.") which was 3/4 eaten by her daughter with the spoon still sitting in the bowl. Good grief!!! I have never seen anything like it I swear. So, to recap... Turkey jerky, rice no one could eat, frozen veggies, and 3/4 eaten jello we couldn't eat. What?

OK, enough complaining. At least I got to shop the sales and go to Costco (club size organic products at good prices, yeah!). I hope your holiday weekend was a little better.

UmmLayla in the news!!!

So look at the front page of the local paper... Above the fold I might point out.

It's a little article about a project we have going, I would've scanned it but my all-in-one is acting up (what's new?).

Having second thoughts...

So, we have been in 800 square feet since March... And I am starting to have second thoughts about the arrangement. I still have not gotten the other house on the market (too much work to be done) and we are paying lot rent on it still. But, we won't move back there because we feel the area it is on is too polluted with diesel exhaust and DH is much better away from it. Not to mention that all trailers tend to have mice, and since we have been gone they have started to come into the house, YUCK!

We are too crowded here really. And since the time we moved here we have seen more visits from my husband's sisters than ever before. Weird. But I am feeling the strain. And I desperately need to have another room for the kids so I can have a boy's room and a girl's room. There are so many options, but finding the right set up considering DH's schedule is hard (to say the least). His sleeping area must be in a quiet corner and out of the general traffic pattern of the house. Which is not happening here in this space... But the funny thing is we are both stuck on not moving unless it is an improvement to our conditions... So here we sit.

I hate to move again, but I need another bedroom. And when my SIL comes this week I will be reminded of this once again (like her visits aren't annoying enough). I must say that even when we were in the larger space she managed to sleep on the couch in the middle of everything all day... So it's a problem no matter what I guess. Anywhooo, I hope we can move to a place with some storage and another bedroom very soon!

Put on a little makeup...

OK, I know it may not be a popular idea... I once heard a joke, What is the difference between men and women's expectations in marriage? Women marry men expecting them to change everything. Men marry women expecting they won't change a thing.

In that line of thinking, I started to ask myself what do I do differently now? Well, I used to dress more for the house... Put on makeup... Leave my hair down... So many little things. And I decided to start doing them again. I had the idea that just because my house is a mess doesn't mean I have to be. So over the last week, I fixed the hair color DH has been teasing me about, I have been dressing nice from the time I get up in the morning and I have been putting on a little makeup while in the house. And you know what? It was like a new lease on marriage. I won't go into the details but lets just say nap time hasn't just been for the baby this week and everyone smiles a little more freely.

I don't want to go all 50's house wife on you here... But no one says you can't use your feminine whiles for the common good of the home and still be empowered. Actually, maybe more empowered because a satisfied man is more ready to satisfy his wife, right? So just a thought ladies... Go put on a little makeup and a nice outfit. He won't be looking at the lbs you gained since the last baby, he'll feel like he got his bride back;) Just my two piasters.

PS. If you are usually a mess like me don't be surprised if your DH and kids look at you a little strange when you appear all cleaned up!LOL

Meme

I have been tagged by Shama for a nablpomo meme. Here it is!

So, here's what to do:
1. Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself.
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

My seven things:
1. I am fanatic about nutrition, natural health and the like but I am addicted to diet soda. I have tried many times to kick the habit to no avail.

2. I was a performer before I was Muslim, primarily musical theatre… And I was pretty good if I must say!LOL

3. Somehow I always knew I wouldn’t marry another American… All my serious relationships have been with people from other countries.

4. I won’t eat fish. Once again I KNOW I should for health reasons… But no. However, I do cook it for my family. But I hate it when DH buys them all intact with heads and scales and blech! I can hardly stand to touch them long enough to prepare them.

5. I haven’t been to many concerts, but among them… Nine Inch Nails, Amy Grant, and New Kids on the Block. Now you figure that out!LOL OK, I’ll tell you. The first one was my choosing… The others were with friends.

6. My first car was a green VW Rabbit, and I would take another one if I could get it until this day.

7. I remember the words to songs for years… My kids think I know every song on the radio! And I wonder why can’t I have that steel trap memory for Quran?

I tag:
Sister Surviving
The Imam's Daughter
Sketched Soul
Unique Muslimah
Mama Mona
Dictator Princess
Bipolar Muslimah

And today playing the part of a Muslim will be....

So, you know I have never represented myself as a scholar or even a person who has a deep understanding of the deen. I feel like I have just started to scratch the surface to tell you the truth, and I am more than well aware of that fact. So naturally when there is a call to teach a class or represent Islam in a theological way I don't even think about volunteering. You want me to talk to a women's sociology class about BEING Muslim? SURE! A panel where views of various community members will represent their PERSPECTIVE on Islam? SURE! A class on Islam for non-muslims? UHHHHHHH, isn't there someone more qualified?

Apparently not. After asking the local community (which includes a prof raised by a pretty big scholar) the University is left with who to teach a class on Islam as part of their community outreach program? A woman who ran away from Saudia with her American boyfriend. Yes folks, and she's apparently pretty bitter about the whole Muslim world. UFFFFFFFFF!!!

I am so angry about this, and I find it hard to believe that no one more qualified is willing to step up and teach this class. I am so TIRED of hearing this story repeat itself!!! From the "expert" on CNN to the person teaching Islam to University students... We are never represented by Muslims. Worse, we are usually represented by people with no respect for Islam at all. SHAME ON US!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you have knowledge, don't let an opportunity pass you to represent the deen. No, you don't have more important things to do. Yes, you are qualified (and if you know someone who knows more than you get him/her to help you or convince them to do it instead!). No, no one else will do it. Yes, it does matter what someones first impression of the religion is. How wonderful would it feel to know that you put someone on the path to understanding the religion?

I know there are instances where the Muslims don't even get asked to speak about Islam... And even in those cases I think it is incumbent upon us to be there in the audience representing. And writing letters VOLUNTEERING to offer a Muslim perspective. And good grief if they come to a masjid ASKING for someone to teach Islam be sure that someone from the community takes them up on the offer.

Meanwhile, I will be signing my hijabified self up for the class to sit in the front row as a little reminder that Allah(swt) is still watching and taking account of her actions even if she is all mad at her Saudi family and stuff. HUMPH. Oh, and don't think I won't be ready if she starts talking trash about Islam.

Stolen meme

I saw this meme on DP's blog and I had to do it!

What kind of soap is in your bathtub right now? Bath and Body Japanese Cherry Blossom... And I also have the lotion and the body spray.

Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator? Yes, and it was expensive!!! But DH loves it.

What would you change about your living room? Hmmmm, size and I think I probably need to replace the nasty furniture.

Are the dishes in your dishwasher clean or dirty? What is this dishwasher of which you speak? Seriously, I ALWAYS seem to have dirty dishes in the sink.

What is in your fridge? A little of everything, alhamdulilah. Specifically, ground beef, chicken leg quarters, many cheeses, lunch meats w/o nitrates, organic milk, half and half, peppermint mocha coffee mate, lettuce, bell peppers, a few salad dressings, various condiments, pickles (American cucumber and Egyptian turnip), eggs, lots of yogurt, sodas (Pepsi, fanta, diet coke), juices (mango, guava, and strawberry kiwi), butter, jam, GF flours and turkey pepperoni.

White or wheat bread? Wheat, and on a good day I make it myself.

What is on top of your refrigerator? A giant fake plant. Oh, and behind that little Rubbermaid containers with dried beans.

What color or design is on your shower curtain? A beach scene.

How many plants are in your home? One, mint (does that count?).

Is your bed made right now? NO, DH is on it when I am not so it is never made.

Comet or Soft Scrub? Comet. And I always come back to it.

Is your closet organized? Yeah, it hasn't been that long since we moved I guess... Now the kid's closet is another story...

Can you describe your flashlight? Just one? With Mr. be prepared we have them in every size shape and color. Should I tell you about the propane heater just in case?

Do you drink out of glass or plastic most of the time at home? Mostly a ceramic mug. I got rid of many of my glasses because of getting broken and me being afraid of broken glass getting into a kid’s hand or something.

Do you have iced tea made in a pitcher right now? Iced tea? No.

If you have a garage, is it cluttered? Once again I will ask, what is this “garage” of which you speak??? My storage shed is nice and neat. I just cleaned and reorganized it last week as a matter of fact.

Curtains or blinds? Both. Privacy is an issue for us since our windows are all basically very visible to the neighbors.

How many pillows do you sleep with? Two, a small one for my head and a long body pillow for well, my body.

Do you sleep with any lights on at night? No, none at all.

How often do you vacuum? I should vacuum daily. However, my vacuum seems to have other ideas. Every time I use it I have to take it apart and unclog it, so I vacuum when I have the temper and time to deal with all that.

Standard toothbrush or electric? Standard. But the kids have electric.

What color is your toothbrush? White

Do you have a welcome mat on your front porch? I have a welcome mat in front of the apartment door.

What is in your oven right now? I have lasagna baking in there.

Is there anything under your bed? No, because our bed sits directly on the floor.

Chore you hate doing the most? Hmmmm, picking up clutter and folding clothes.

What retro items are in your home? Not much really, I can’t think of anything right now… Wait, I have little boom box type stereo from when CD’s were a new technology, doe’s that count?

Do you have a separate room that you use as an office? DH has an office in another place… But we are in a small apartment right now. If I had another room I would separate the kids not make an office.

How many mirrors are in your home? 1

Do you have any hidden emergency money around your home? Yes, we have a fire safe for important documents and emergency money. Remember what I said about Mr. Be Prepared?

What color are your walls? Off White.

Do you keep any kind of protection weapons in your home? No, not really. Maybe one of my heavy Mag-lites?

What does your home smell like right now? Lasagna and garlic bread.

Favorite candle scent? Sandalwood.

What kind of pickles (if any) are in your refrigerator right now? Cucumber (American dill) and turnip (Egyptian style).

What color is your favorite Bible? My favorite Quran is blue.

Ever been on your roof? Nope.

Do you own a stereo? Nope.

How many TVs do you have? One little one in the bedroom.

How many house phones? Three. A regular phone and two cordless.

Do you have a housekeeper? WHAT? Don’t I wish.

What style do you decorate in? Neo-clutter? Seriously, I have four kids and live in 800 square feet. I can’t keep it in order let alone decorate.

Do you like solid colors in furniture or prints? Solid, dark and kidproof.

Is there a smoke detector in your home? Yes, one in every room.

In case of fire, what are the items in your house which you’d grab if you only could make one quick trip? The safe, my diaper bag/purse and maybe my laptop.

Go to Farhana's blog and enter the latest swap. The idea is to swap reusable bags (handmade if you can) with another sister. I love her swaps and you know I will be all over this one! Sounds fun!!

My so called life...

UGH! I looked today and realised that I haven't written in sooooo long. I have been busy with lots of things. Trying to find new vender's for my store, taking my new project before city council, and starting a volunteer position teaching drama at my kids' school. I have been so happy with the teaching, and I hope things are going well with the other two, but you never know.

I have also been going through some personal stuff that I don't think this blog is the place to talk about. I started a new blog and if you know me and don't feel all voyeuristic or think I shouldn't talk about private stuff (which I know has it's issues trust me)... E-mail me and I will give you the address, insha'Allah. Not that it will be private, but I am not just going to link this blog to it because that would defeat the purpose of making it a separate entity. Anywhoo... ummlaylagd@yahoo.com

I am still working out trying to go to Egypt this year, but as this year draws to a close that becomes less and less likely. I am not as flexible as I once was because of school and all the projects we have in the works.

SOOOO, I am trying to get the house in order. Clean, iron, do laundry, clean out the kitchen and the fridge... I have been just puttering around with the i-pod in one ear all weekend. So, part of my house look more inhabitable... But other parts are still awaiting hurricane ummlayla. Mundane, I know. But I have so much on my mind right now and no time to sit down and type it out!!!

BTW... Anyone know how to find islamic lecture MP3's? I have had little to no success finding anything that I can figure out how to download onto my i-pod. I'm thinking my problem is that what I am finding is streaming audio and so I can only listen but not download... HELP!!!

Happy Eid, can I go to bed now?

I don't know about other women out there, but Ramadan leaves me wiped. The cooking and cleaning for the family, preparing for Eid... I think there should be a week of rest for all caregivers after Eid is over. Are you with me?

Of course I have fasting to make up. Insha'Allah I will start this Thursday and fast Mondays and Thursdays until I make up my days. I have been playing with the idea of committing myself to Mondays and Thursdays all the time, I have a BIL who does that. Considering how much fasting I have missed I would like to do it.

How was Eid for everyone? Pretty ho hum here... But the kids were too happy with their gifts and new clothes to care!LOL Alhamdulilah. DH surprised me with some nice gifts (he gave them to me early since he never can seem to keep a secret!LOL) and that was nice. I must admit to going a little crazy the day before Eid though... Trying to get things ready and do the shopping... DH wanted me to go fishing and I was a little too firm with my no I think, but he took the kids and gave me a chance to prepare their gifts and stuff the pinata without them around. One thing I was hoping to do is a goody basket for our neighbors, but I didn't have time. Next Eid, insha'Allah.

Oh, and the TV isn't coming back. I had said it was a Ramadan thing at first... But now I am thinking about making it permanent (DH is not so happy). Seriously, I got more done and the kids actually played with their toys, did craft projects, read, and played board games that haven't seen the light of day in years. Alhamdulilah. Did I mention all the great books I read? I am finishing up Kite Runner... WOW. Seriously people, go read a book!!! You won't regret it!

Amigurumi Chick

Amigu-what? Well, after seeing a friend make a doll that was just too cool for words I asked for the pattern. They called the style of the doll AMIGURUMI. And like a good internet geek I googled it to find out what it means. Apparently it is a style of doll made by crocheting in spirals and adding felt features leaving you with a slightly anime looking character. Soooo, of course I had to make one! The chick above took me maybe 1 1/2 hours and is the height of my cell phone. Awwww!!! I'm hooked (pardon the pun)!

Go check it out:
Amigurumi Kingdom
Ana's Amigurumi Patterns

Now see the fun things you find yourself doing when you get rid of the TV???? Not to mention that I have read three books thus far... More than I read in the entire before!

Basics of my Ramadan craft this year, edited 9/27/07 (photos added)

The basic idea that I was going for was simple. Kindness builds the community. My first thought was a masjid building block set that the kids would get a piece of every time they did a good deed during the month of Ramadan. But, that didn't work out because they were on backorder and I have not been able to get one. So, I did a fabric wall-hanging instead.

I took a .coloring book picture of a masjid and copied it onto fabric, and they will get a piece to iron onto the main scene every time they do a good deed. I made envelopes with the ideas for charity/kindness and in each one there is a new piece of the masjid.


You will need fabric, bonding paper, good scissors, and a pencil to draw the outlines with.


To make the whole thing I took a yard of my main fabric (sky and stars in my case) and then I ironed on a fabric bonding paper (you can find it at craft stores) onto 1/4 yard of a few other colors and 1/2 a yard for the main color of the masjid.



Then, you go to town making the pieces of the mosque by drawing onto the paper backing and then cutting it out. When you are ready to put a piece onto the wall hanging all you do is peel off the paper backing and iron it onto your main fabric.


Here is the basics of what it will look like with all the pieces just laid out over the top where they will be ironed on in the end.

Now, the rub with this one is that it can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. You can use felt and glue rather than the iron on stuff if you want. Or, you can do what I am doing. I have a matching yard for the backing and a piece of batting so I can make it into a quilt in the end. Sooo, after the kids place the piece and we iron it on I will be sewing around the edges of each piece. Then, at the end of the month I will stick the three pieces together with some spray adhesive (saves pinning) and quilt around the design.

Does that make sense at all??? Insha'Allah

The Evolution of Ramadan

I was thinking (as I often do in the quiet time I have eating suhoor in a home with the children all sleeping and my husband at work) how Ramadan has changed for me over the years. I converted a decade ago… And it seems like I am so far from the place I started I wouldn’t even recognize my old self if I bumped into her on the street!

My first Ramadan I was teaching kindergarten at Crescent View Academy in Denver, CO. It was a great time for me, and I was really into the deen and it surrounded me in all aspects of my life. My work, my friends, and my free time were all tied to Islam. I will never forget making little paper lanterns with my class and filling the ceiling of the room with them. And going to work very early… Even eating my suhoor at my desk and praying fajr in the little musullah in the school so I could turn in all my paperwork by the end of the school day and have time for iftar with friends or tarawih at the masjid... It was a blessing to be in such an environment for my first Ramadan, alhamdulilah.

Then, I married my husband. It was during Ramadan, and people told us we were crazy… We told them it was a blessing. People broke their fast at our meager wedding party in December and we all prayed magrib and ate iftar together. And, that was my last Ramadan in a large community. I moved from Denver to a small town in Wyoming.

I would like to tell you now about Ramadan as a young married couple that was still getting to know each other… But I had our first daughter before the next Ramadan, alhamdulilah. We were new parents during that time, and I can’t say that I remember much about it… Other than my husband taking the baby with him when he got up for suhoor and me grabbing much needed minute of sleep while he prepared the food.

From the birth of our daughter on, I have missed many months of fasting due to pregnancy, or having a young nursling. So, Ramadan changed for me. It became about decorating the house, cooking, and trying to get the kids involved in the month. And I started to feel more and more isolated here in the Midwest. And every year I felt Ramadan slipping from my grasp. I felt the spirituality of it just sneaking away from me… All I thought of is what to cook for my fasting husband, and what activity to plan for the children that evening. Many nights I left my husband watching Al-Jazera while I went to tarawih with the kids and concentrated more on the grumpy old people in the masjid being annoyed by my children than the prayer. I came home from an Eid gathering crying one year..

This Ramadan my littlest is 15 months old, and with no other babies in the plans for the next few years I have started to fast again. So, I was excited for Ramadan to begin. But, I knew this year it was up to me to help it have some meaning in our home. I wanted to get the spirit back by force if I had to. So I went all out. I threw the TV into a storage shed and pulled out all sorts of games and crafts for the kids. And I put copies of the Quran in strategic places in the living room and our bedroom, so we can read it when we are relaxing or feeling a little tired. I have also decided that tarawih will be a family affair. We are praying tarawih here, where I don’t have to wonder what the kids are doing or who sees them doing it. And we are planning a vacation for Eid. And you know what? I feel more connected this year than I have in a long time. I feel the joy of preparing food for my fasting husband, I have achieved a calm and even state when dealing with the children… I feel like things are back in order.

It’s like those little geometric puzzles… You have to work with the pieces you have to make the shape you want, and there is no one shape that is right. I was looking for the pieces to fit together in the old way… But I have added so much to my life over the years that I had to make a new picture with my pieces.

I guess what I am saying is that I am doing my best to help myself evolve and adapt with my life. I have realized that I have been missing what I experienced my first Ramadan and it’s holding me back. I have to accept that as my life changes the experience of the ritual of Ramadan will change with it. There are new blessings, new opportunities and new joy… It is up to me to find it, and make every Ramadan the spiritually uplifting experience it should be.

(cross posted on Ramadanish)

Get ready, get set, Craft!!!!!!!

This years Ramadan craft will be posted late tonight,insha'Allah. I am in the final stages of working the photos into a tutorial instructions kinda thing. So stay tuned!

If you haven't seen them, here are the last two years:
Ramadan 2006
Ramadan 2005

And from other sources, here are some great ideas:
Farhana's cool ark suprise box
and her Masjid surprise box
Ramadan Craft Book PDF
Cookie sharing project @ Ramadan Joy
Surviving's no-sew gift bags
Farhana's gift bag tutorial

***Update on 9/16/07- Still working on the photo tutorial. I didn't manage to get it all finished before Ramadan, and now it's going slowly... Insha'Allah, soon!

Cool Blog

Just a quick post to tell you check out Ramadan Joy. Full of wonderful ideas! Masha'Allah.

Fall is here!

Go celebrate fall! I feel it in the air here in WY. And I love fall... You know how everyone has their season? Mine is definitely fall. So, time to get out the jackets and some seasonal foods... Here's one of my favs: Oh, and if you have never baked a pumpkin, get a little pie pumpkin and give it a shot. You will have enough puree for a few different things once you are done!

This pumpkin cookie recipe includes directions for making your own pumpkin purée.
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
1 cup pumpkin purée, canned or homemade*
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup milk
sifted confectioners' sugar, for dusting
PREPARATION:
In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses and egg. Stir in the pumpkin purée. In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Stir flour mixture into the creamed mixture along with the milk. Blend thoroughly but do not over beat.

Drop cookie dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for about 12 minutes, until set. Cool for a minute; remove to racks and continue to cool. Dust pumpkin cookies with sifted confectioners' sugar.


*To make pumpkin purée, cut pumpkin in half, crosswise. Remove seeds and membranes. Place on a greased baking sheet, cut side down, and bake at 325° for 1 hour, or until tender. Cool for 10 minutes. Remove pulp and place in blender or processor. Purée or process until smooth. Place in a cheesecloth-lined mesh strainer or sieve and let drain into a bowl for about an hour. When dripping has stopped, put purée into a container, cover, and refrigerate if not using right away.
Makes about 3 dozen pumpkin cookies.

***These cookies are also great topped with cream cheese frosting, they are just harder to store that way!LOL

Don't let the dunya rule you...

And I mean that. Of course we all KNOW this but only in an intellectual way. All we have ever experienced is the dunya, hence it is natural to get caught up in it. Well, I for one am working on transcendence. But DH has a rope and is ready to tie me to it if he has to. He is all about money and jobs and planning for the future. Trust me, I think about the future but I have an all too real idea that the future I am planning for might be changed in an instant, I am not in charge. So when something happens, I move on. Lately DH just gets stuck in this circular thinking about how bad things are. So he is obsessing about work and money and investments... And I am planning for Ramadan. Today he told me "Wake up yah Amu! We have real problems!" Yes we do, we have four children who have to learn that Allah decides their fate... And I don't think he's even getting it!

The example that I give, and I'm sure anyone who knows me is sick of hearing it, is my father-in-law. FIL was a supreme court judge in Egypt. And, masha'Allah he was a good one who participated in many extra court sessions on illegal gains and had his contract extended many times beyond his mandatory retirement age. When he finally did retire from the Egyptian legal system he took a job in a gulf country. It paid well, very very well by Egyptian standards. The same year, my SIL was in a car accident and EVERY extra penny that he made went to medical care, lawyers, living expenses and all the other things that came up with her rehabilitation and her decision to live here in the US because of accessibility. Now, did my FIL do the right thing by pursuing an extra income for his family? Of course. Did it mean he left his family with tons of money to spare? Did he secure his kids (as I'm sure he intended)? Did DH have money to get married and live easy for the first years? No, uh-uh, nope.

I guess what I'm driving at is don't look at the outcome of your choices as something that stops here. There is only failure and unfairness if you are limiting your accounting to this life. And it seems to me that satisfaction in this life is a slippery little creature. The more you chase it the faster it runs.

Enjoy the gifts you have been given. Savor the moments of contentment when you find them. Wonder at the beauty of this earth. But keep in mind that we are not here only for this. And this is temporary in comparison what comes after death. So, if you want a long term investment... Don't build your bank account. Build your garden in Jennah, insha'Allah.