Homemade play dough

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 tbsp cooking oil
1 cup water
2 tsp cream of tartar (this is the key ingredient!)
few drops of food coloring

Mix ingredients in saucepan and cook until thick. Drop on waxed paper and knead. Store in covered container and it will keep for weeks.

variations: add sparkles, mix colors, etc.

question of life

Today Ibraheem asked me, what is my life all about?

So, how do I answer this?

I had no preparation for it, and I probably went over his head. I still don't know how I want to answer it! I told him that we are living a life given to us by God. And that we are able to enjoy the fruits of it, literally and figuratively. (he was eating cantaloupes at the time) I really wanted to drive home the idea that we make our own life, we make choices based on our own values and beliefs, and our faith. so he asked me what faith means. Having faith in something means you believe in something which is what makes you do something, or live your life a certain way. It's such a generic answer, but it sufficed for him. I wanted to explain about daily prayers, and next get into halal, but I was interrupted with his burning thought on what it means to have faith:

Well I have faith in Santa Claus because there MUST be someplace left where you haven't looked to find him yet.

**sigh**

Mama's food

Had to blog this before they could deny it.

Driving up to the sbux window, Imraan says, mama you are good and drinking coffee. I mean, you are good at making coffee. (is that guilt for going out and buying some? not sure...) Ibraheem chimes in: no mama is the best at making muffins and making chicken. So I was on a high. Especially since earlier in the day, Ibraheem requested my tuna salad sandwich (completely out of the blue and so random. SO RANDOM). it was a monumental confession and i soaked up the moment and here i am to document it. honestly, i haven't even documented the foods imraan likes, but of my homemade creations, thus far, he has enjoyed, and requested, my broiled chicken tenders (3 times) and my whole-grain pancakes. i have finally converted him to my homemade waffles, so that is something to be excited about as well. baby steps......

Being Green

Going to update this post continually.

I purchased the book Gorgeously Green. We are going to try a few things, and start with the home cleaning supplies. I have Ibraheem and the other boys on board. We are so excited!!