We’re about one-third of the way through Ramadan, and while it hasn’t taken too much of a toll on me, I have been indulging in my daily afternoon naps. I have to say, this is pretty much the only time of year I’m able to take a nap mid-day – and two-hour naps at that! You’d think that would mess up my sleep schedule, and in a way it has, but not too extremely. (more…)
There’s something about Arabic desserts that I love. If I had to choose between any Arabic sweet and a piece of cake, the Arabic sweet usually wins out. One of my favorites [there really are too many to name] is Muhallabiyeh مهلبية. I vividly remember eating Muhallabiyeh out of small chilled bowls as a child at my Tayta’s house. So sweet, so cold, and so delicious. No one makes the dessert quite like my Tayta. (more…)
Happy Birthday, America!
This year, we were lucky enough that July 4 fell on a Friday, giving us all an extra-long weekend to celebrate everything red, white and blue. If you haven’t picked up on it already, I’m all about themes. If there’s a theme, I’m on it. (more…)
Ramadan Kareem!
Yesterday marked the first day of the holy month of Ramadan – where billions of people around the world refrain from food and drink from sunrise until sunset for 29-30 days based on the lunar calendar. It is a time to reflect on your life, reconnect with god and be thankful for everything you have, most notably a kitchen full of food (which those less fortunate do not have the luxury of having). (more…)
Every occasion is an excuse to craft. At least, that’s my philosophy.
My mom’s birthday at the end of June marks the last of our June festivities. But that’s not to say we don’t go all out! The minimum in our household is a family birthday celebration that includes singing happy birthday and a birthday cake. As the siblings have gotten older, that’s the least we can dedicate to our parents – you know, those people who brought us into this world and spent years raising us. They deserve to tell us our birth story and fawn over us for a couple hours. (more…)
It’s graduation day! Our youngest brother, Tarik, is leaving high school behind to start his journey in college.
It’s a big day for us all. It always seems like the youngest takes forever to catch up to the rest of us who have already found our career paths, or are finishing up college in that first step towards adulthood and responsibility. So when the youngest of the pack is growing up and reaching a major benchmark, that’s a pretty big deal. (more…)