March

I recently tried Ikea's lingonberry jam and loved it, it's less sweet and mild compared to strawberry and raspberry jam.  Lingonberries also have some health benefits.  You can sample it at the Ikea restaurant, it's alongside the ketchup and mustard.   It's also sold in the food store by the checkout.

I've been baking a lot lately, such as these classic lemon bars by Joy the Baker:  

Classic Lemon Bars

Next has been having a half price sale, where I picked up this summer blouse:

My Favorite Oscars Gown

I love this gown worn by Camila Alves at the Oscars, it's simple, covered, yet so beautiful.  It's designed by Gabriela Cadena.

Ramadan Journal 27-29

27. Decor:

28.  Traditions- 29: Eid

opening Eid gifts in the morning:

making basbousa with my daughter:

going to the Eid fun fair:

Ramadan Journal 23-26

 23.From Where I Stand:

I was standing in line at Primark yesterday, where they have baskets of lip glosses, argan oil, and candies, when I saw packs of Haribo Gold Gummy Bears with a halal sticker on them!  The ingredient list on the back also said halal beef gelatin.  They used to be sold in Asda, but haven't been there for awhile, so I was excited to see these.  Southall also has some.

24. Watching:

I haven't been watching much tv in Ramadan.  Instead I've been playing and listening to Nouman Ali Khan's Gems of the Quran videos
http://www.quranweekly.com/category/nouman-ali-khan/

25.  Drink:

Today's smoothie was one frozen banana, 1tabspn  peanut butter, a teaspoon of slivered almonds, and milk.

26.  Out and About:

This weekend I went to Southall to get some gifts, I was looking for cotton shalwar suits and found a few. And I got a child-sized red janamaaz (prayer mat) and scarf for a little girl.   I also got some lightweight summer scarves for myself and friends.

Ramadan Journal Day 20

20. Grateful for:

I liked this short video by Nouman Ali Khan on gratitude in the Quran:

http://www.quranweekly.com/juz-13-quranic-gems/

Crayola Ramadan Coloring Pages

Crayola has several Ramadan themed coloring and activity pages on their website here

Ramadan Journal Day 18 and 19

18. In My Bag:

This is my diaper bag:

The colors are a lot more vivid than the photo.  Inside is a pull ups diaper, wipes, changing mat, extra outfit, bib, sun hat, hand sanitizer, bandaids, cotton balls, alcohol wipes, a car window sun shield sticker.  I like this bag because it's compact and waterproof, which is useful with London weather. Also I got it for $17 at Home Goods in the US, when it normally costs $80.  Before I got this one, I used the below oversized Monsoon bag as a diaper bag:

19. Six o'clock:

I'm usually cooking at this time, yesterday for iftar I had dates and cherries, cheese and crackers, rooh afza, and for dinner chicken nihari with homemade roti and salad.  I used half a packet of Laziza Nehari spice mix.