As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

I know I usually have a cookie recipe all ready for Eid for others to try. I'm sorry.. things this year are just beyond crazy.. more mentally than physically.. so no cookie recipe, but I have a cute, fun recipe.. which the kids will love. I'll be honest.. I like it too, and enjoy an ice-cream every time! They are a big hit at bake sales.


Real?
There is a recipe around where you fill the cone with batter and bake it. I personally do not like that method.. for the following reasons: filling it with batter and making sure they stand while carrying it to the oven is an art on its own!, the chances of batter overflowing while baking is great (reviews from others)..and this makes the cone look messy, and it doesn't keep that well..in that the cone gets soggy.

Here is how I make my Ice-Cream Cupcake. I use a mini cupcake pan. One and half cupcake per ice-cream. The cupcakes are a perfect fit, and just enough cake to balance everything off. Any cupcake recipe works fine, this is an easy one - very easy.


Makes 16 ice-creams

8 tblsp butter - softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup flour
Optional: pink food colouring

:: Preheat oven to 350F (180C).
:: Put all ingredients in a bowl, using an electrical mixer, beat together until smooth.
:: Fill all 24 mini cups (no liner needed) until batter is done.
:: Bake until golden.

Butter cream frosting (approx. 2 cups)
16 flat-bottom ice-cream cones
Sprinkles
16 red candies or cherries

:: Cut a cupcake in half, place half in the bottom of the cone.
:: put a little frosting (acts as glue) on and place a whole cupcake on top.
:: Pipe a swirl of frosting on, and decorate (be creative).

Labels: recipes

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh
This is a very simple, easy to make kids tote. I'm posting it because I need it for a different project, insha'Allah.. but I hope you can benefit from it as well. They'd work great as a grocery tote too.


It's kid friendly because of the fabric, size and the handle size. The square bottom makes it roomy enough to fit toys, books, crayons, and the height and width are perfect for standard-size colouring books. They'll be packed and ready for an adventure!









  Stitch around the edge of the top of the bag.
Optional: iron your seams all nice and flat.

Voila!.. you are done!
If anything needs to explained further, please let me know. It's sometimes hard to write a tutorial without making it an essay.

Labels: sewing, tutorials

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

I have some WONDERFUL news! AlhumduliLlah. The girls orphange in Africa have received their dolls done through the Muslimah Doll Project. I don't know if I am more excited or them...hehe The blessings of Ramadaan, subhan'Allah.


Smiles.. and more smiles!
Thank you to everyone at the Sunrise Academy for the 37 gorgeous dolls they sent with so much love, and to the lovely sister who helped organize everything. May Allah reward you all abundantly for your kindness, and shower you with His kindness. Ameen. You've definitely brought more than just smiles to these children.

And thank you to the sisters at the orphanage who helped with everything at that end, and sent us pictures. Jazakum'Allahu khair.


One of the dolls had a letter from the donor with. As you can see, the recipient is thrilled! Tabarak'Allah. The orphanage is going to laminate the letter and keep it at the orphanage.

Girls being girls.
Please keep these children and the many other orphans out there in you prayers. We have updated the site, if you have time please check it out.. and spread the word!

Labels: help, love, reflection

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

There are so many, many videos out there.. but this one is very special to me, and so I'd like to share it with you.

The organization PKPU is one I trust, and have worked with. Please check out the short clip. If you can help financially, this is the perfect month to do so, if you can't.. your prayers are just as important, and I implore you to pray for them before breaking your fast.

Labels: help

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

... alhumduliLlah.

(photo by J. Miguel)
Fasting has no equal (al-Nisaa'i, 4/165; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/413), and the du'aa' of the fasting person will not be refused (reported by al-Bayhaqi, 3/345; al-Silsilat al-Saheeh, 1797).

Please keep me in your prayers.

Labels: love

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

There are a countless number of lectures, articles, and books alhumduliLlah on the purpose of Ramadaan, and on ways we can make the best of the blessed month.

Well this isn't going to be a lecture, or an article.. just a humble effort in trying to open a doorway to collectively do something different this year - to actually apply what those lectures/books talk about. Something I know a lot of people would like to do, but don't always have the means.


Project Description: To sponsor a child for a year, as a group.. insha'Allah. It will cost a total of $360 (Canadian). The more people who join the less money you spend, and your reward stays the same, insha'Allah.. just make sure you have the correct intention.

Are you ready to make your Ramadaan different this year? If you are interested, email me at amtullah79@yahoo.ca On September 3rd, I will let you know how much you will be required to pay. If you agree to this amount, you will be expected to pay it on September 5th. Make sense? (ie: by you signing up it does not mean you are committed, until you know how much and agree to that amount)

Sign-up date due: Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Payment agreement: Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Payment must be made: Friday, September 5, 2008

Before emailing me.. please make sure have the correct intention, (ie: to do it to please Allah).

Note: As a sponsor you will receive a profile of the child, and have permission to write/send cards, etc. to the child. The child will likely be from Kenya or Afghanistan.

Labels: help

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

To all my dear readers, those who comment and those who don't.. please keep the orphans in your prayers... especially during the blessed month coming up.

Abu Darda' (radiAllahu anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam) said,"The supplication of a Muslim for his (Muslim) brother in his absence will certainly be answered. Everytime he makes a supplication for good for his brother, the angel appointed for this particular task says: 'Ameen! May it be for you, too.' " [Muslim, 1495]

We just received an update on what's happening at the Orphanage in Zambia.

Labels: help

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

I'm done z lesson.. yaaaaaaay! I'm so happy. I thought I wasn't going to get it done, alhumduliLlah.

Seerah Of The Prophet

It is based on the book, "Goodnight Stories from the life of the Prophet Mohammad", published by Goodword.



The lesson plan is designed for children ages 5-6. Since they are so young all I really want them to get from this is general idea of what the Prophet's (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam) life consisted of, and to build a love for the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam). So the entire 23 day lesson plan is a scenery! For example when a chapter talks about him traveling to Madinah, we'll be making two camels, and we'll stick that on a wall that has a path set towards 'Madinah' - well.. the cave he hid in. Simple.. fun!

This might not be effective for other children, but I know for Abdullah it is. He also understands we don't use 'images' to represent Prophets, etc. Hence the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam) is represented with 'the seal'. I however have images to represent Khadija (face removed), Buraq (horse with wings), and the Blind Man (mentioned in the Qur'an). You do not have to use these if don't feel it's right.

Insha'Allah I didn't forget anything.. if I did, just email me, or if you have any questions.

This lesson goes great with the Ramadaan Cave.

Labels: lesson

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

Jazakum'Allahu khair to all the sisters who joined the Ramadaan Theme Swap. Insha'Allah I hope you enjoy it, and are rewarded abundantly for your intentions and deeds.

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam) said, exchange gifts, as that will lead to increasing your love to one another. Bukhari

Here is a list of the wonderful suggested themes:

Prayer Journals, Bookmarks & Pens

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Nature Inspired

Another Cuppa

Sisterhood

Time

Increasing Daily Devotion

From Our Table To Yours: how we celebrate ramadaan

Cute Essential Kit For The Modern Muslimah

Light (Wisdom)

Ten Goodies

Nature

Ramadaan Around The World

Unity

Turquoise

Ramadaan Celebration In Your Country

Getting To Know The ONE

Daily Items

Spa & Beauty

Roses

Once you know who your swap partner is: send them an email to introduce yourself (try not to make this the only email you send them).

After purchasing or making your gift: take a picture and send it to me.

When mailing your package: get a tracking number and email it to me. (If it costs more to get a tracking number, you can skip that.. and get me a scan/photo of your receipt.)

Email your swap partner to let her know you have sent out her package.

.... wait for yours.

Once your gift has arrived: email me, and send (snail mail) a thank you to your swap partner.

Note: If your name is green I need a tracking number from you first, (only then will your swap partner send her gift out to you.)
If your swap partner is in green.. please wait for me to tell you when to ship out your package. (make sure it is ready to go by Sep. 2nd.)

- received reply to email titled "How's the swap?"

- picture of gift received

- gift sent out

- gift received

Islamic Unit Studies [&] Stolen Light

sketchedsoul [&] Hijabi Apprentice

Egyptian's wife [&] forgive me...

Gulnarita [&] Nadi

Aaminah [&] UmmUmar

Em [&] the almost nomad..

lifeAgift [&] Islamic Gems

Reflective Dust [&] AlMiskeenah

Nazee [&] Old School Muslima

zamzam design [&] That Silly Girl

Wayfarer's Journey [&] ONtheGo

Please continue to visit this post for swaps updates, from who has sent me a tracking number to who has received a package, and a thank you.

Have fun! I look forward to seeing what everyone comes up with, insha'Allah.

Labels: swaps