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Recent Reads

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Rise of the Magicks by Nora Roberts Synopsis -  After the sickness known as the Doom destroyed civilization, magick has become commonplace, and Fallon Swift has spent her young years learning its ways. Fallon cannot live in peace until she frees those who have been preyed upon by the government or the fanatical Purity Warriors, endlessly hunted or locked up in laboratories, brutalized for years on end. She is determined to save even those who have been complicit with this evil out of fear or weakness--if, indeed, they can be saved. Strengthened by the bond she shares with her fellow warrior, Duncan, Fallon has already succeeded in rescuing countless shifters and elves and ordinary humans. Now she must help them heal--and rediscover the light and faith within themselves. For although from the time of her birth, she has been The One, she is still only one. And as she faces down an old nemesis, sets her sights on the enemy's stronghold, and pursues her destiny--to finally restore the

Eid Mubarak!

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Eid Mubarak! We celebrated Eid on Tuesday.  Traditionally there are two foods that are made in every home during eid, dates and sheerkuma. The dates are not the medjool dates but a dried version which we soak in water to replump and then cook in milk and then stuff with a sweet nut mixture. Sheerkuma is a milk based drink with chopped nuts, chopped dates and vermicelli.. mostly drunk warm but M and I like ours cold.   Tuesday morning we went to the mosque for prayers and then after breakfast and a much craved cup of coffee we went to the movies.        We went to watch the new Ghostbusters movie.. and when you go to the movies in the early afternoon on a weekday the tickets are not only cheaper but you get the whole place to yourself. Then we hit the mall and let the kids go on a little shopping spree. Later that evening we got all dressed up and went out with our friends for dinner. We ate at a local Turkish restaurant and I made a reel here if you want to check it out.  On Eid the k

lately

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Not much has been going on lately. Today marks day 23 of fasting. The countdown has begun.  It has been raining pretty steadily here.. not my favorite weather but it also means things are starting to bloom. The kids just started their spring break and just because we can't go anywhere right now doesn't mean I am not planning the rest of the years trips.  A couple weekends ago we hosted an iftar (breaking of fast) party at our house and I made these delicious pistachio tiramisu . Very easy and super yummy.  M and I really liked these coconut clusters at Costco to use as granola but they no longer carry them and after trying a few other granola's and not loving them I decided to make my own. So easy.. why have I not been doing this all along?! I used coconut flakes, pumpkin seeds, sunflowers seeds, ground chia seeds, ground flax seeds, pecans, cinnamon and steel cut oats. And bound the mixture using honey, vanilla and coconut oil.    In addition, to help us get through our Ra

Friday Photography

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Blue Dome - The iconic white and blue dome in Oia, Santorini. Read more about our trip to Santorini  here You can buy this print  here . Get Free Shipping with code BLOGGER Prints also available in larger sizes. Contact for more information and special requests. I am open to wholesale and licensing opportunities. Get in touch for more information. Etsy             Instagram             Twitter             Redbubble             Zazzle             Society6  

Personalized Photo Memory Game

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Many many years ago when D was just four I had spotted this memory game on Cup Of Jo that you could personalize.. when H turned four I created another set. I posted about it back in 2017 .  We don't have much family near us so when I made the initial sets I wanted to included pictures of them with various family members. We were playing just a few months ago.. yes we still play it. We thought we should maybe add under set.. up the ante. So I culminated through the last seven years worth of pictures to pick the top twelve. So we play with 72 cards now..  The kids decimate us with their fresh young brains..  One of the best things I have ever bought. We have already decided to buy another set in another 4-5 years.. and keep building as long as the company still exists.  FYI - Not a sponsored post. But still posting a link in case you're interested.                               Etsy             Instagram             Twitter             Redbubble             Zazzle           

Friday Photography

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Amoudi Bay - The beautiful blue waters and red clay cliffs of Amoudi Bay, Oia, Santorini. Read more about our trip to Santorini here You can buy this print  here . Get Free Shipping with code BLOGGER Prints also available in larger sizes. Contact for more information and special requests. I am open to wholesale and licensing opportunities. Get in touch for more information. Etsy             Instagram             Twitter             Redbubble             Zazzle             Society6  

The Holy Month Of Ramadan

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First of all, thank you for all comments about the basement.This is what it looks like now. It's a work in progress but atleast progress is being made. On Sunday we celebrated the first day of Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar. Islam follows a lunar calendar meaning it changes every year. It is the month of fasting, prayer and charity.  We start the roza (fasting) just before dawn, there is an actual time when the roza starts so all eating must be done before then. We wake up and have sehri (breakfast) which can be as simple as a bowl of cereal to an elaborate multi dished meal. M and I try to open our eyes as little as possible so we stick with simple. We mix it up a bit with eggs and toast, cereal with fruit. In my opinion this is the hardest part of the fast. Forcing yourself to eat a meal in the middle of the night. Once the roza starts there is no intake of any food or fluids. No sips of water, no medication, no lip balm, toothpaste (we still brush o