*...chasing Rainbow: August 2011

Book of the Week: Feelings

Posted by Salma @ Chasing Rainbow - - 6 comments

Bismillah...

This week we read a fun book about feelings. Feelings by Kristen Balouch is a short and sweet book about emotions.

Rainbow and I loved Feelings. The pictures are colourful and "expressive", and the plot is simple to follow. Feelings was also fun to play dress-up, and act out with Rainbow.

Did you read any books this week? Tell us about it.

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World Moms Blog Interview

Posted by Salma @ Chasing Rainbow - - 5 comments

Bismillah...

How was your day? What about your Eid celebrations (for those who celebrated)? I hope you all had a Blessed Day! I will catch up on our activities very soon, inshaAllah, but have to run back to the family.

I just wanted to drop a quick note about another initiative that I am very excited about...

Do you know besides being a mommy what I love to do the most? OK, it doesn't equal to being a mom, but you get what I mean right?

I love writing. I love expressing myself (as if you couldn't tell, huh)? AND,most of all, I love connecting with other women.

Well, that's just what I am doing.

Please go over to the World Mom Blogs and check out my interview. InshaAllah, soon the Salma that some of you know will be sharing more than diaper stories...

Wanna know what WMB is about? Check it out here

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From my Family to Yours

Posted by Salma @ Chasing Rainbow - - 12 comments

Bismillah...

Islamic Greeting Card by Alhabib

Rainbow, Amira, Iman, Abu Hussein and I, wish you all a Blessed Eid!

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Tuesdays Around the World: He'sssssss STANDING

Posted by Salma @ Chasing Rainbow - - 9 comments

Bismillah...

i FINALLY GOT a shot of Rainbow standing up.
It's blurry, but I had to move fast, lol.

We're going to be celebrating EID, so a very Happy and Blessed Eid to you all.

So, this is our Tuesday (for now). I will share some of our celebration photos tomorrow, inshaAllah. Stop by and link up with my sisters at Communal Global and tell us what you are up to today.

xo

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10 Months

Posted by Salma @ Chasing Rainbow - - 7 comments

Bismillah...

Someone is

months old...

where

does

the

time

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Ramadan Recipe: South African {Inspired} Sosaties

Posted by Salma @ Chasing Rainbow - - 2 comments

Bismillah... Last week I shared hubby's fave food, now I want to share mine. This recipe has been modified from the original, but is so delicious. The original recipe calls for lamb.

I don't eat lamb very often, however, the first time I ate the dish it was with succulent roasted lamb that was so mouth-watering that I had to ask the hostess for the recipe.

It is now my all-time favorite recipe.

Here it is...

Ingredients

The recipe calls for 3 pounds lamb cut into 1″ pieces
(for this particular meal I used 3 medium chicken breasts cut into one inch cubes)
4 tablespoons oil
1 cup onions, chopped
1 teaspoon curry powder
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tablespoon sugar
1 Tablespoon tamarind paste
2 cups white vinegar
2 tablespoons apricot jam
½ pound dried apricots
1 medium sized red onion
Salt & pepper
Kabob Skewers

Directions

Wash hands & say Bismillah...
Place the meat (I used chicken this time) pieces in a large bowl Season with salt and pepper, and garlic.
In a saucepan, heat the oil.
Cool, then add to the meat and toss well. Marinate in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
One day before preparing the sosaties, combine the dried apricots in a small bowl, cover, and let sit overnight in the refrigerator.
Drain meat from sauce and reserve. Thread chicken and apricots (and onion) on Cast Iron Modern Grilling Kabob Skewers.
Add the onions and sauté for 5-6 minutes, then add the curry powder.
Sauté for another minute. Add the sugar, tamarind paste, vinegar, and jam and stir well.
Brush sauce onto threaded meat/onions & apricots
Grill in oven or bbq and serve with basmatti rice

By the way, this recipe is already pretty diet-friendly, but if you're really watching your weight, try sprinkling some Sensa onto your kabob!

ENJOY!

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Rainbow helps with the groceries

Posted by Salma @ Chasing Rainbow - - 4 comments

Bismillah...we've hooked up with Kristin at Once a Mother for her Rainbow Baby Blog Hop.

This week Rainbow started his training as a man (yes, uhm, you heard me), a MAN. Not only did he do the grocery shopping (with ummi); he also put away the groceries.

"what do you want me to do with this?"

"....okay, I'll put it in the fridge..."

"I'm beat...can you help me up?"

Do you have a Rainbow? Go over and join in the fun.

Speaking of babies. Bonnie at Blessings through Trials just gave birth to a beautiful, healthy little boy, mashaAllah. Won't you stop by and wish her family well (and look at the gorgeous baby)!

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Friday Wisdom: Get Started

Posted by Salma @ Chasing Rainbow - - 2 comments

Bismillah...
It's time for a dose of Friday Wisdom with Muslim Mummy.

Go over to Muslim Mummy's blog to find out what Friday Wisdom is all about.

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Yesterday & uhmm Time...

Posted by Salma @ Chasing Rainbow - - 0 comments

Bismillah...hello lovely readers and friends (or both?). Thanks a million for stopping by and reading.

Just a short note! Yesterday was a huge deal for me. I went for training at the {new} organization where I will be volunteering, and I had a lot of fun. I also learned so much about myself, and got to venture out of my shell in this new place.

To be honest, this position is so different from anything I have ever done, I am beyond over the moon.

Oh, and I should note that yesterday was the first day in almost 10 months (if you don't count pregnancy), that I spent most of the day away from Rainbow.

The girls were great babysitters. They planned games, and activities, and even gave him a soothing bath-something I can't seem to do these days.

I am so sorry for my absence, and seriously, missing a day meant that I missed a lot of your activities. Nishana and Amalia, thanks for sharing your Book of the Week; Rainbow and I can't wait to read the stories.

Finally, lately, my posts are scheduled, so I don't always get to your comments etc, but know that I am very thankful for your friendship, and I love when you stop by.

I will try to catch up tomorrow, inshaAllah.

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Good-bye Jack

Posted by Salma @ Chasing Rainbow - - 0 comments

Bismillah...

Family, dignitaries, political friends and political foes were the first to pay their respects to NDP leader Jack Layton as he lay in state on Parliament Hill, Wednesday. Canadians will follow their lead and visit Layton's casket on the Hill in the next two days, before he is moved to Toronto, where citizens will have another two days to mourn, before his funeral service, Saturday.

from MSN news.

I met Jack Layton on 2 occasions - in 2005 when he attended an event at City Hall and just last summer (2010).

In 2005, when Iman sang with a youth choir, Jack and Olivia showed up and mingled with the guests. Jack did not only pose for photos with my daughter, he also spoke to her about what she wanted to be when she grew up (at the time she wanted to be a writer (I believe)).

He told her that "as a Canadian, she can be WHATEVER she wants".

Last summer when I was at an ultrasound clinic in Toronto (pregnant with Rainbow). I ran into Jack again as I stepped out of the elevator. This time he was with (whom I believe to be) his mother-in-law. He was a 'gentle" man, and he guided the old lady and spoke to her very softly.

I said "hello", and reminded him of the year we (my family) met him at City Hall. He noted my pregnancy, and congratulated me.

I wish I was still in Toronto, so that I could pay my respects, so I am doing it here and now.

Good-bye Jack & Salam Alaikum!

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Book of the Week: Dot & Dash Meet Their Friends

Posted by Salma @ Chasing Rainbow - - 4 comments

Bismillah...welcome to another Story of the Week. The theme for this week is Friends. We want to share a story that Rainbow enjoyed very much Dot and Dash Meet Their Friends by Emma Dodd.

Dot and Dash are ready to play, but they can't find their friend Small. They look everywhere, but they are puzzled, Small seems to be missing.

Dot and Dash Meet Their Friends is a colourful, fun to read book. Rainbow tried to find Small under the flaps, and your little one will love to peek under the flaps too.

As a parent I loved this book firstly because it is a board book. Usually, I have to be very careful with Rainbow trying to rip books apart, thus, reading time can be a bit trying.

Second, with flaps that have a surprise waiting behind them,I am able to participate in, and encourage interaction. Eacg time Rainbow searched for Small, he would poke his head around to see what would pop out from behind the flap (totally cute).

At Rainbow's age, I still appreciate big, bright bold colours, and aside from showing him the opposites (big vs small) etc, we also learned shapes Elephant's house (square), Dash's ball (circle), and the tepee (triangle).