Today was the first day of fasting. Like many others, I thought that fasting was supposed to begin on Tuesday. I didn’t find out until Sunday and we had plans to be away from home all day. This morning for suhoor, we had bacon waffles, scrambled eggs, strawberries, blueberries, big glasses of milk and water. The bacon waffles were inspired by an episode of Trisha Yearwood’s cooking show I overheard on Saturday. Click here if you want to follow Trisha’s... Read more
It seems like everything I read these days online is about the election candidates, Ramadan or college. Seriously! I’m done with the election already. Whatever democrat is the nominee, that’s who I’m voting for. Boom. Done Deal. Next! Ramadan? Well, honestly I’ve been thinking about and planning for Ramadan for 3 months now. Searching for new breakfast ideas, shopping for Eid abayas, thinking about celebrating the Eid, hosting an iftar or two. Inviting non-Muslims to participate in some small way.... Read more
These days my life is a lot more mundane than over the top Islamic. I work. My husband works. My people go to school. They have friends. We grocery shop, we do yard work, we clean the house. Rinse, repeat. I’ve been living this Islamic Life for going on almost 20 years now. Sometimes I forget what parts of my life are Islamic and what isn’t anymore. Then I talk to my friend and mention something and she tells me... Read more
Last weekend, I had a dream that caused me to wake in a panic. I was grocery shopping with my husband at local neighborhood market that is right around the corner from our home, a store that we frequent on a weekly basis. I was shopping for smoothie ingredients. I wanted specific fruits and vegetables and asked the employees to find them for me while I was at the counter. (In this dream, the fruit and veggie department was linked... Read more
Yesterday was Ash Wednesday. The first day of Lent. I’m not Catholic, and I’m not really Protestant either. But for the last 2 years, I’ve observed Lent in a way that works for me. 3 years ago, Magda told me about how her church in New York observes Lent. They pray purposefully. The main gist of it is that you choose 6 people on the periphery of your life that you pray for the whole 40 days. You pray for... Read more
Happy Thursday my friends! Its a new year and with that a new batch of goals and trying on new routines. I’m doing the work, trying to make a difference here in my small-ish town and living my dreams. Each year, for the last 3 years, I begin the year by closing out the old and welcoming in the new…I’m not talking about New Year’s Eve celebrations, but by working on ME. I learned 3 years ago that for me... Read more
My mind is racing and there are 5,000 things to be done today. It is the first day. Today feels like the real first day of the year. My babies are all shuttled off to school and while I mourn the cozy, sleepy time of winter break with our late nights all gathered into the living room and our sleeping in; its difficult to really buckle down and get to work when everyone’s schedules are so relaxed. During break I... Read more
Good morning my friends. I woke this morning to the gentle sound of rain outside and even though it is December 21st and it should be snowing here in Ohio, I gave thanks for the rain. Because it is enough. I’ve been thinking a lot these last few weeks about giving and receiving. About being valued and honored and about being enough. I pray and speak to God in a way that allows me the most connection to the... Read more
I am so very thankful. I am so very blessed. We are healthy, we are happy, we like each other and we love each other. As I stand here in our kitchen with Khaled, our family prepares to welcome our friends and family into our home to break bread. I am so thankful. Today, I pray that no one person is touched by violence. Thank you to the Indigenous people of America, my European ancestors, my country of origin,... Read more
Monday, I came across this question posted on the About page. Instead of responding there, I thought to share it here in case any of you have more input. Hi, I have a question. Well you see I’ve been dating this Muslim guy from Pakistan, but I’m not Muslim. I have been learning more about the culture and all. I’m afraid I of what my family will say if they know I may become Muslim. I love him with all... Read more
My Islamic Life
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