The Story Of Us

September really was quite a month.. we went from Amsterdam to Cairo , Iraq and then finally wrapped things up with friends and family in Dubai. We stayed at my uncle's place, my mom flew in from Karachi to spend some much need time with her grandson. My brother flew in from Sri Lanka, he was having a boy's getaway and catching some cricket matches. M has a few friends and cousin's who live there, as do mine. The plan was to try to meet them all, but by the time we got to Dubai we were exhausted and hibernation seemed like the best idea. So we ate   D played with a miniature shopping cart.. how cute is that! he sat in a car he slept in a car (a crazy expensive bed that had lights) I met my friends.. I have known these ladies since I was 11 or 12 years old. M met up with his cousin.. and here's a little before and after for you.. D with my brother at six months and again at two years. Three days went by in a blur.. and our ad

After our nine hours in Amsterdam and three days in Cairo we were now on our way to spend seven days in Iraq. We spent the first four in Karbala, where the tragic battle of Karbala took place. Here lays the body of Imam Hussain (A.S) and his two sons including six month old Ali Asghar (A.S), his brother Abbas (A.S) and the seventy two martyrs of Karbala   The next three days were spent in Najaf where lies the father of Imam Hussain (A.S), Imam Ali (A.S). The mosque in which Imam Ali (A.S) was martyred in. Also in Najaf is one of the largest cemeteries in the world, it houses over half a million graves including two prophets. We enjoyed a lot of delicious and refreshing pomegranate juice. Being in Iraq was unlike anything I had ever experienced. There were check points every where. You were body searched when you entered the area of the shrines, then you were again searched before entering each shrine. Bags were checked to make sure you had no cell phones or c

I am so glad you all enjoyed our layover in  Amsterdam  and now it's almost time to take you to Egypt, but before I do I must give you a little background. When I told you that we had a trip planned I mentioned that is was not going to be a trip of leisure but of prayer and spirituality. And it was exactly that, it was not about the pyramids or the museums but of a beauty, history and pain of a different kind. Let me explain. Most of you know that we are Muslims. Like most religions, Islam too is divided into many sects, the main two being Sunni and Shia. We belong to the latter. The Shia's are further divided into many sects, we belong to a a sub sect of the Fatimid's known as the Dawoodi Bohra's. You may have seen Muslim women wearing headscarves and burqah's etc. We, the women, traditionally wear what is called a rida (they can be a variety of colors with embroidery and applique, sequins, bead work and ribbon work, the sky is the limit) and the men a white kurta

In September I took a travelling hiatus , on the way to our destination we had a nine hour layover in the wonderfully charming Amsterdam. This was not our first time visiting but it was D's. then  now We had a good six hours to spend in the city, so we took the train to the central station and then walked and reminisced. We had lunch at the Nieuwe Kafe in Dam Square and it was delicious. And then D discovered pigeons. and then we were on our way to Egypt. Get my post directly in you inbox with  Bloglovin I am now also offering ad space.  See  Sponsors  for more information .  Let's Stay Connected, Shall We?

I know this is late.. months late but I haven't forgotten. I had said that I would share the recipe for the Banana Walnut Stuffed French toast I made M for Father's Day  and have now become our Sunday tradition.. they are so easy and delicious. Chop some walnuts, slice a banana sometimes I throw in a strawberry or two into the mix. In a pan take a little butter, add the walnuts, bananas and some brown sugar and cook till nice and gooey :) In another dish whisk an egg in some milk, cream if available or interested and a dash of cinnamon.   Lay out the bread and spread the mixture generously and make a sandwich Soak both sides in the egg mixture and grill in a pan with a bit of oil/butter and serve golden brown. Get my post directly in you inbox with  Bloglovin I am also offering ad space.  See  Sponsors  for more information .  Let's Stay Connected, Shall We?

I can't believe the time has already come, but yes my baby boy is ready to go off school. He is now bored of his mommy and needs some friends his own age.  You can just see the excitement in his eyes. He picked out his own back pack and can get there fast enough. Though he has had a rough first few days. He started the day after we came back from our trip and didn't have time to recover from his jet lag. So while he was excited, he ended up falling asleep mid class (which is three hours, three days a week) The first day he slept till I came to pick him up, the other two he woke up mid way and ended up disoriented and cranky. Hopefully this week will be different. Get my post directly in you inbox with  Bloglovin I am now also offering ad space.  See  Sponsors  for more information .  Let's Stay Connected, Shall We?

Before I get to D's big milestone and cute pictures I'd like to introduce you to the wonderfully talented Coco of Coco's Jewelry she is my October sponsor.  Chunky Resin Beads Necklace with Gold Tell us something about yourself I live in Toronto in a light filled hi-rise condo, where my kitchen has been taken over by my sewing machine, and my den functions as my jewelry studio. I devote pretty much all my time to my work, but when I am not working, I love to spend time with family and friends, cooking gourmet meals and do some travelling. How did you get started in your handmade business? About 3 years ago I visited a yoga retreat in the States and one of my work assignments (karma yoga) was to help with the spiritual jewelry store on campus. It came as a total surprise to me that I actually loved making jewelry! But designs were strictly monitored there; so when I returned home, I set my imagination loose and started to create the type of jewelry I would wear (if

Just to let you all know we're back.. lots of tales to tell.. but first I need to unpack, take a shower and probably eat something.. will be back to my regular posting on Thursday.. and it'll be about a new sponsor and then on Monday D's big milestone.. if you like cute pictures you'll want to be here.. And a little something just for all my fellow coffee lovers source Get my post directly in you inbox with  Bloglovin I am now also offering ad space.  See  Sponsors  for more information .  Click here to vote Let's Stay Connected, Shall We?