In like a lion...

Yup, we're celebrating spring over here with a prediction of six to eight inches of snow tomorrow! Well to be fair the prediction is for Madison. Chicago should be getting some snow showers, that's it. But since I'm going to be spending the coming 4 days up in Madison. I'll be definitely getting part of the action, or I guess all the action. Believe me I'm not very happy about this! March isn't really living up to his expectations! So what happened to the " In like a lion, out like a lamb" thingy? March we need to talk!

Swallowing the whole ordeal and moving on...

Inspired by this lovely lady, I'm giving my girls blog names. I came up with one name, the other one I'm still working on.



She drools, she bites(AWEE!), she flips to one side, but most of all she grabs anything that comes in sight.. Introducing my 5 months old. Ladies and gentlemen give it up for little miss "Graby" . Yup that's her name from now on.

Any ideas for her big sister's blog name?

Peace.

Two long hours

I can't remember how long it's been since I went out by myself (when I say by myself, I mean completely alone. No babies, no husband, no friends! Just good ol'moi)

Well, yesterday was one of those lucky days. I had two whole hours! I didn't think I would know what to do with myself. To my surprise there were plenty of things I could do.


I could ride the train with out running up two flights of stairs while carrying a toddler, a diaper bag and another bag full of library books so we don't miss our ride!( we often times do!)


I could sit on the station's floor, choose the sunniest area that happens to be near the tracks, get out my book and read in the sunlight without worrying about a toddler jumping in.



I could jump out at any stop I choose, explore the neighborhood then hop back on the train and explore another neighborhood.


I could go to a second hand store and browse through rows and rows of goodies without worrying about my toddler bringing the down house( literally).




I also could get lucky enough, and discover a favorite antique store, buy a bunch of old time-y photo cards, some wooden pins and dream about my next alone time and next visit to these hidden treasures ( which happens to be the antique stores name).


Can someone do all this stuff in only two hours? well I just did and I wasn't even rushing!




I also had time to stop by a coffee shop drink some tea and read more of my book. I guess I forgot how things go faster without a two year old by your side and an almost 5 months old strapped to your chest, taking wee steps at a time.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the antique store photos even though my phone camera doesn't do them justice! ( in case you're wondering I did take permission)

Peace!

This part is added:

The wedding photo:: An observation
In old time-y Egyptian photos the groom would be the one sitting on a chair with a tall fez hat and a walking cane held upright by both his hands and the bride standing behind him maybe resting one hand on his shoulder. I thought it was a nice contrast.

A year of mornings

A couple of weeks back I signed up on flickr. On the same exact day I dropped my (our) digital camera and broke it irreversibly. Ha! (typical)
I didn't get discouraged though, I figured a phone camera is as good as any. Plus I don't want to be a professional, I just like to try out shots, angles and just play around.

I found this neat group called " A year of mornings" inspired by a book with the same title and joined. I don't know if I'll commit to a whole year, but for now I am enjoying it. Documenting a specific detail from my morning every day in this form has already made me more mindful, and observant of small details and simple everyday blessings. I wonder how I'll feel when I look back at this project. For now it's carzy fun! I might be popping every now and then and sharing one of my mornings with you.

Here's todays photo ( buds of spring) day 11/365


if you click on it, you'll go to my flickr account.

Peace and happy happy spring:)

Mama made::

These cute re-purposed t-shirt pants from this awesome book, with my super old 1908 Singer sewing machine. It looks pretty cool but seriously I need a machine that can do more than the one stitch( it doesn't even stitch backward) and does not weigh a thousand pounds. My coming birthday is this July. (hint hint hubby!)

Peace

New Banner and blogging

Man, I'm so bad with computer stuff, I've been trying to re-size my display photo but can't figure it out ( any tips?). Please, bear with the enormous banner for now, sorry about that!

Here's The Banner Story
About a year ago or a little bit longer, I started this blog, under the suggestion of one of my friends. I wanted to blog about sustainable living and Islam, but as you've probably noticed have been slowly moving away from the topic. Not that the topic is not important to me anymore, on the contrary. I am continuously trying to tread lightly, be aware and incorporate whatever I learn in my life and in the way I raise my children. I do firmly believe it's my religious duty to do so. But blogging about it at times felt too preachy and honestly wasn't my passion.
I guess that's not the banner story though. Sorry, I got side tracked!

Here's The Real (hopefully!) Super Short Banner story
I started this blog and wanted a cool banner. I asked my brother's very talented fiance' to draw something fitting for my blog and that was it.
Yesterday( a year later) I received the current banner photo in my e-mail along with this line:

"Hello, I suddenly remembered that you asked me once to draw a display picture for your blog. After reading your recent posts I was inspired to draw this. I hope you like it enough to post it :)"
I guess I like it enough ( A LOT!) to post it:)

The little side track story that I wrote explains to me why the picture got sent just now.
I'm glad it arrived when it arrived.

A picture about my family drawn by family.
Thank you future sister in law (inshaAllah!)

Peace

Smile::

I received this in my e-mail today!( click on it for a bigger image)

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

You put a smile on my face on canvas and in real life.
(Btw, this might be the new banner for my blog, more details later)

Peace!

Our president ROCKS!

See how I sneaked in and made him my president too! ( well for now he is).

Anywho, remember this?
Well, now check out this:)

Peace!