Buckling down to studies during the poppy fiesta

In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful.

29 September 2014.

Where has the time flown to? September comes to an end and then one more term to the end of the year. The garden with all of its beauty and enticements does not draw me out at all today, save just for a quick walk to stretch legs from hours of typing and writing and reading other research. The poppies are just so awesome everyday more and more talking heads open, yep like they are having a conversation with everyone chipping in. They do their best to lure me outside, this beautiful spread of deep red but I am tough. I have some work to deliver to my supervisors inshaAllah and then I can get cracking!

So ja when I have work to do, I create the space without distraction, the phone does not get picked up for fear of long conversations that obstruct the day's work and the mind's trajectory. I am really on a high because in the middle of the night when the house is still I have my lightbulb moments. I beseech Allah's guidance, I recite with fervour and then it dawns upon me this will be my area of research in a sea of different ways to look at it. Ha, so I am happy to make good progress and I am happy that I have two excellent supervisors, thank you Allah, who allows me to run the gauntlet, yet as guiding beacons to an interesting and thorough study. I have done most of my marking for the youth leadership course and await meetings with tutors so we can send in marks.

But believe me, I close the door to keep myself glued to the computer, I allocate breaks and much cups of tea finds its way here. And then a friendly knock. "Gwannie - can I sit on your lap a bit?' Aah?  So here I am poised with a three year old, a cup of tea and a quick note.

Despite my attempts to quiet my space, release my creativity and investigate the development of my own work, the aroma of baking tries to find its in way here. Despite my resolute attitude, my mind is also in the hub of the Haram, at the pulse of the Tawaaf, on the plains of Mina and Arafah. Despite my resolve I wonder how the children of hujaj are coping. Despite the unfolding of questions for focus groups, my mind wanders a bit to the progress of the carving and slip out just for a peak. I am humbled at the progress and will take pictures to show you tomorrow.

Despite the lure of the surroundings I take a handful of strawberries, set down my grandson and buckle down, the more work I finish the quicker I can start my research. The quicker I can get marks in the for the Leadership course the better I can organise the final term.

I am resolute. Today, no disturbances, no housework, no cooking and no planning for Eid, at least not yet. I have enough pastry makers and roulade bakers and hey here comes Abu after shopping for supplies. Only me, the computer, and strawberries. What more could a girl ask for?

Grow food and contemplate the hajj.

Yasmine

Borage loves strawberry

In the name of Allah the most gracious, the most merciful

3 Dhil-hijja 1435.

 

How wonderful to be present in this month with all of its Barakah. Our hujjaj are preparing and are both nervous and excited for the culmination and the pinnacle of their journey. O would that I were there. We are just as excited, we walk every step with them and we patiently await the day of Arafah so we can fast while they are immersed in Thikrulaah, and when that cool little wind blows  Wuqoof, we are transported back in time. Before we know it, it is Eidul Adhaa and the time for qurbaan and then it’s time for the hujajj to return to their beloved ones.

red cheek apricot

Here at home the night is a bit chilly but grand and fresh - the sickle moon and stars grace the darkness. The property is peaceful, all the guests have left and our young have returned from the Three Strangers Tour. The Qur’an is being recited, refined, explained and even carved in wood, how awesome is that? Subhanallah.


Thus whatever we plant grows beautifully and yields much. This weekend we were privileged to have visitors- from young to very old who came just for a while to sit in between the greenery, to collect some green supplies and some plants to lighten up their gardens and of course the strawberries. I love watching the little ones linger in the beds, like manna from the heavens stuffing their mouths and enough to take home to their Moms.

work in progress

While the expeditions in the garden continues, the sketches and carving takes place. Wood carving has everything to do with patience and love. Love for wood and working it into shape. Shapes in nature – lillies and dolphins and roses. But by far the most beautiful are the calligraphy shapes, from Allah’s most high name to the name of the Nabi Muhamad SAW to the command Iqrah.

And while the carving is enjoyed till late in the night, the konfyts are made and sold, the last few melons will be cooked this week. So everything comes full circle. The Qur’an is read and studied here, the garden is the space where we see the learning in practice, the seed as it splits, and the carving and painting capture the beauty of nature and Allah’s names. The konfyt is made from melons from the soil. The students enjoy the bounties of the garden too and take the knowledge and enjoyment back home and start their own gardens. I am humbled by it all. So that’s why tonight I have made some time to share some of our goings-on here.

poppy splurge

The poppies have really splurged out and the flowers are beautiful enough to look stunning in the garden as well as in our vases. The basil seedlings are being planted out and the cucumber seedlings have made an arrival too.

borage in bloom

The borage that we planted are flowering. We planted them particularly because they are by far the best companions to strawberries and benefit the garden at large. It improves the flavour of strawberries and borage tend to deter many of the insect pests that afflict strawberry plant.  Additionally, they are a powerful pollinator attractor and can make pollination more robust; they bring other helpful defenders of strawberry plants: predatory such as praying mantis and predatory wasps.  It is also believed that borage plants increase the level of trace minerals in the soil in which they are planted making the strawberries planted near them even more beneficial for health!

ranunculi

The new pepper plants are standing strong with cloches for wind protection and the apricots have red cheeks! So veggie beds are already being harvested from - can you believe it? We planted three weeks ago and the clean seed lettuce heads are being plucked and the danya is just dandy for curries.

  So Alhamdulilaah every day we start our day in the garden sommer picking and eating and saving some for toppings on French toast and with yoghurt and ice cream. And we invite all in the area to come and enjoy the pickings.

Grow food and plant borage.

Yasmine

Asparagus canes and cardamom pods.

In the name of Allah the most gracious, the most merciful.

22 September 2014

We have been so busy, little time for blogging. We have been seeding, and replanting, mulching and weeding, picking and cleaning, konfyting and bottling, watering and shading and all of the exciting –ings that happens on a small holding goes on here.

The boys have been busy with sketching and carving, sanding and messing and cleaning up and it’s all good. The results are fabulous. Luqmaan, Zain and Abu are busy with all kinds of wonderful Arabic script for painting and etching. I don’t mind all of the goings on what with sharpening of tools – don’t forget my knives need sharpening too. All the hands around to help with pricking and picking up heavy cauldrons, I like the buzz.

The poppies finally arrived with petals as red as the red chard stems. I did so hope for some white ones like peace doves, from the seeds that were strewn.  This red flush of poppies are different – stronger and longer stems and bigger heads. They stand proudly just behind the California poppies, a sight to behold Subhanallah. Today Aaqilah one of our principal helpers has gone in for an operation and we make duah that the operation is a success; that she handles her situation with Sabr and grace that she possesses and that the healing takes place steadily. We are starting to make this place wheelchair friendly don't worry!

I have always wanted to grow Asparagus and on Sunday when I paid a visit to the nursery they had some seedlings and we bought a dozen. The thing with Asparagus is patience. It takes twenty four months to reach adulthood but then one has 15 years of harvest. So essentially it is planted in spring as seedlings and when they are one year old ‘crowns’ to plant them 30cm apart, spreading roots over a 10cm high ridge in a 20cm deep trench. Half fill with soil; backfill the rest as plants grow.

Then one has to water plants until established and remove the weeds by hand as plants are shallow rooted. When leaves yellow in autumn cut stems to 2.5cm. Harvest from second year. Cut 15-20cm high ‘spears’ just below the soil surface for eight weeks and then allow shoots grow. Best friends of Asparagus to plant nearby, parsley, tomatoes, peppers and basil. InshaAllah, I make duah that we manage to grow it well.

We also planted some brussel sprouts that we seeded ourselves and they have been replanted in the beds. And I managed to buy a few Chinese cabbages which serves two purposes for me – they are excellent at attracting caterpillars and hardy, after that they just have a growth spurt and then they are ready to be cooked in stews and in stir-fries. I was too impatient for the rocket seed to dry out so I bought just a few for the beds. So I am introducing new healthy vegetables into our diet all of the time, I am so waiting for the tiny artichoke plants to grow into thick healthy bushes so I can cut off some heads, cut them in half, take out the hairy choke and steam them. Sounds good dipping them into butter and pulling them through one’s teeth, ne?

The straw mulching is really working well for the strawberries, so we don’t have to water as much and also good camouflage for bugs and birds. The dried leafy mulch around the small vitex trees look so beautiful and is really helping maintain moisture in the bed.

The ginger is doing fabulously after I took it indoors. I do intend taking them out as the weather warms up and it needs more kind of dappled sunlight or mostly shade. The one thing I do regret is not planting them in bigger containers to allow the rhizome to really grow. Apparently one has to wait for the proper time to harvest, when the leafs begin to turn brown and wilt away, most plants grow fast enough that parts can be used after only about 4 – 6 months of growth.. To harvest the rhizome cut the new horizontally growing rhizomes off the base-rhizome of the plant. Clean the rhizomes gently and place them on a clean and breathable cover in the sun to dry.

Now I want to try my hand at growing cardamom inshaAllah. It is said that the hard seed sprouts more easily if given a signal to initiate growth. A good signal is a cut (not into the core), smoke, hot water or a file/sandpaper scratch. Place indoor in pots with rich moist soil to facilitate growth. Then to plant out in protected area of the garden with filtered shade. Did you know that to chew a few cardamom pods has a calming effect plus good breath?

Later

Grow food and try your hand at planting asparagus.

Yasmine

Strawberry spritzers and giant pumpkins

In the name of Allah, the most merciful, the most gracious.

 

 

20 September 2014.

What a treat, what barakah we have in the strawberries. Every day, twice a day or more we fill basins full and there are enough to eat for the students as well. As soon as its break time young boys in white thaubs scurry around like bees looking for fully ripened strawberries and have their fill. And when all is quiet the birds take their turn - there is enough for everyone thank you Allah.

We have strawberries in smoothies and on French toast (chopped up and chilled with a dash of castor sugar) on pancakes and in salads and strawberry spritzers and just as is. And we have enough left to give some to family and friends.

The new beds are firming up and the seedlings are strong even though there are some strong winds now and then and even though there is a bit of cold and especially after a bit of rainfall.

Alhamdulillah the last two batches of water melon konfyt have been superb as they were soaked in slaked lime for a bit more than two days, cut to proper manageable sizes and slow, slow cooked until the sugar had browned them and soaked in deeply and the aroma of dried ginger filled out senses. We bottled the konfyt and the rest was utilised and enjoyed by friends and neighbours and at home on slices of toast, on fresh brown bread and warmly baked bread. The last of the melons were cleaned this morning and peeled and pricked. I really must think of a better device for pricking the thick rind, our hands were aching as the last few pieces were immersed in a large bath of lime water. My friend Safiyyah did mention that she thought the spiked steel thingy that we used to put in vases to secure roses could probably do the job. Hhhhm, should try it. Late on Monday inshaAllah the melon will be a-cooking.

We cleared a long space of land next to the wall and composted it and transplanted some wild dagga as the neighbours cleared out all of theirs to plant a crop of potatoes, so the sunbirds know where to go. A few weeks ago they put in their chitted potatoes and now small plants have sprouted!  Against our side of the wall we planted the last of the onion seedlings, the onions we planted a few months ago are making their way into salads and food. We also planted some tomatoes, some spinach and I popped some butternut, squash, giant pumpkin and water melon seeds into the soil too.  I have grown sweet melons and cucumbers and squash but never red summer watermelon yet, so inshaAllah I look forward to it in the warm summer months.

Talk about giant pumpkins, Abu bought some clean seed giant pumpkins and planted one in a pot until I found a space where it could meander along. The potatoes in the baths have all been eaten and so I planted a few pea plants around the sides and some cucumber and one giant pumpkin in the middle. Thought they could hang over and ramble around and under the baths. As I tipped over the pot to take out the plant it slipped from my hands and I broke the stem.

Head in hands I sommer burst out crying, I have been waiting for weeks to find the right spot. With a firm Bismillah I pressed the stem together and pushed it into the soil. This morning I assumed the plant would be withered and verlep, and what do you know? The stem had healed, you can see in the pic, the pumpkin plant is producing buds which I will remove so it can get stronger first.  We have really enjoyed the crop of beetroot and planted some more, an entire bed full. We continue eating the nasturtium blossoms and the stems I trimmed off the pomegranate bush and placed in a vase continues to grow even in the water, subhaanallah!

The flax seeds are dried out and find their way on porridge, on bread and sprinkled around for the birds. I crumble the seed heads and blow lightly on the thin skins and I have a spoonful of seeds are left in my palm. The new poppies are taking their time to open their petals and it looks like these blooms will be white. The purple irises are in full bloom and the seeds that I thought had died in the cold weather have made their appearance some Canterbury bells and pansies. The sweet peas (thought they were dwarf bushes) somehow wind themselves around any plants in their path and will be flowering soon and I am so happy the delphinium plants are growing stronger and thicker at the feet of the poppies. One arum lily will be blooming soon and all of the artichoke seedlings have been planted. My sister in law sent me a few brinjals and pepper seedlings and I write as I wait for the shade to plant them in.

Later.

Grow food and plant giant pumpkins.

Yasmine

 

 

 

Nasturtiums, orange blossoms and irises

In the name of Allah the most gracious the most merciful.

14 September 2014.

nasturtiums in vase

 Verily all praise to our Rabb for strength. We have been working really hard taking full advantage of pleasant weather conditions to weed all around the property, extend a compost dressing and start the mulching process to subdue weeds; protect the soil from wind erosion thus saving on having to water so much.

orange blossoms

So all of the hujjaj have arrived safely and we are happy when they send us pictures of Madinah Munowarrah, Alhamdulilaah. I am so thankful for all of the helping hands without which none of this is possible and the bounty it brings, the more the strawberries are picked and enjoyed the more they fruit. The orange tree have small little blossoms and apricot blooms have transformed the tree into beautiful foliage and small little apricots, thank you Allah. There are at least a handful of almonds that made it to young fruit - not too shabby for a first flush on so young a tree.

blue berries

The blue berries will offer its third crop of blue berries, inshaAllah since we planted it and I am waiting with bated breath for the blackberries to follow suit. The gooseberry bush has developed from a small bush into a grand bush heavy with unripe berries and the granadilla creepers as well as the grapevine are ready to intertwine with the slats close by.

irises

As for the flowers, the garden is such a sight to behold now and vases are filled. Good thing that I pinched out the lavender bushes because they are blooming so much stronger and taller and the air is filled with their aroma, especially so when it gets a bit of a watering. The irises are blooming too although not in tandem but I await their blooms patiently. When I planted the poppies I threw a whole variety of different kinds and although the California poppies are nearly spent, a strong double headed variety has buds twice the size. The nasturtiums are so delightful in their arduous embrace of anything they can entwine with, so I cut down some of their tentacles and stuff them in vases and eat the blossoms in garden salads.

broad bean blossoms

So all is well with attracting bees to the area and the vegetables are in various stages of growth. Beautiful blossoms from the broad bean bushes, the red swiss chard stems are bloody, the red cabbage is almost ready for that awesome coleslaw and lettuce are going bos.

swiss chard

 I tried to calculate the savings we have made for a month so I backtracked to what we ate from the garden. Four cauliflowers (2 as gifts) , two kale bushes and two as gifts, potatoes for a two weeks every day; onions (brown and red); spring onions and leeks; at least three bunches of beetroot (8 at a time); leeks (twice in soup and two bunches as gifts; celery in soup as well as gifts; loads and loads of spinach as gifts in sauces and tarts and samoosas; chillies and garlic for foods; loads and loads of danya and flax seeds for breads and herbs (oregano, sage, chives, rosemary, thyme), oh and four small brinjals. So if for 14 days I have not spent R25 (modest gestimate) on buying vegetables that’s a heck of a saving in 14 days, yes? R350 is not too shabby, plus so much healthier. I do urge you to start grow food even in a small way, with danya and chilies and herbs, make your niyyah and I can reassure you that you will not regret it.

It is wonderful when youngsters come by and 

red cabbage

ask me to buy seedlings and herbs and some plants. Alhamdulilaah I think this love for the soil is rubbing off somehow. Abu started with offering visitors dates and asking them to keep the seeds and plant it in a grow bag, here is a sunnah to perform and what do you know at least 20 small date plants have emerged.

new poppies

We are exploring with different kinds of vegetables now such as the artichokes from Algeria, some clean seed – tatsoi and  pakchoi, red swiss chards; brussel sprouts,  red Russian kale, mustards and I really would like to recommend that you plant flaxseed/linseed as borders. Sommer buy some at the spice shop and make shallow furrows and sprinkle them in. Today I used our seeds on the baked bread and it is such an attractive border and wind break, tall and elegant and wistful (The plants grow up to a meter in height). Besides you will be improving the soil, grows well with potatoes and carrots. It makes a useful stake for climbing peas. Flax's stems are used for making paper and linen too. Artists use linseed oil in oil painting and it is widely used as a wood protection. Flax is also known to be a laxative (flaxative ha ha) and a poultice of flaxseed assists in drawing out boils.

Linseed oil added to the diet in combination with cheese or yoghurt is great for easing creaking joints in the body. When I buy those slices of wood stumps to use in path ways I soak them in linseed oil so they will be hard and strong, Abu always has some that he uses for his painting.

So there you have it.

Plant flax and grow food, and maybe make our own linen and paper?

Yasmine

 

more pics

 

almond fruits

apricots new growth

 

 

Everything is coming up roses.

In the name of Allah, most gracious most merciful.

 

 

 9 September 2014
Subhanallah, when we observe the changing of the seasons, like the seasons in our lives, it seems so gradual and then suddenly out of nowhere it is just apparent. After the winter slumber, the gradual awakening of the gardens sent us little signals of buds forming; of the landscape greening; of the seeds germinating and lots of aatishoos!

 

irises

ranunculi

 And now, each strawberry bush is fruiting and not just sommer so, but huge lush strawberries succulent and sweet. I did mention that it takes 25 plants to feed a family of five, yes? Well we have so many this year that the birds are stuffed and are not feeding from them any longer; we use it in our éclair rings; smoothies and as we are busy working in the garden the fully ripened ones beckon us with red cheeks. Nasturtiums invade every space available and grace it with bright yellow and orange flowers, while mint creepers are running riot.  Now, every flower opens her petals and the vegetables have sped up their progress – onions and beets have swollen, cauliflowers have ripened and rows and rows of spinach, swiss chard and kale may their way to the table. Irises and ranunculi, sweet peas and poppies, daisies and pansies are starting to bloom. Oh sweet bounty of consistent work!

The warm weather allows us to work early in the morning till late at night and so we plant rows and rows of tomatoes, onions, spinach, butternut, African calabash, beetroot, pumpkins, sweet potato, mustard, danya, beans and cabbages. We weed and weed and as soon as the last bed is weeded, the first bed needs attention again, so we are gathering the troops to help with mulching to help stifle weeds as well as conserve water.


Abubakr and crew are busy erecting more under cover spaces and we are giving the food gardens a complete overall – shifting beds and creating a space where we can set up cement table and benches with an umbrella overhead. This space will have many uses I can just see it in my mind’s – early morning reciting of the Qur’an where birds alight in lush surrounds; a space for brioche breakfasts and sundown snacks; a space to clean fruits for konfyts and a place to sit and contemplate the signs of Allah. When my friend Masturah visited from Gauteng we sat there on the paths to give Shukr for all the ni’amah.

My grandson, Mikaeel is up early in the morning not waiting for breakfast, impatient to be outside. Where he gets lifts in wheelbarrows and mimics us trying to dig up weeds while he is busy singing and swiping strawberries as he finds them. He has a delectable lisp when he chats, “Gwannie, I’m too short to weach!” or “Is this stwabewwy wipe?” and stuffs his mouth all day long. Too cute as he helps me pull the hosepipe from the one side of the house to the other or steps into any pair of gumboots lying around. He is a bit scared of bugs though, but delightedly runs after butterflies. And just before Thuhr, he climbs up on any lap that will hold him and wants to doze off.   And wakes as I pull out some beets to accompany evening supper.


Anyway thought I have not posted a recipe for a while. For Abu’s birthday last week I wanted to make some éclairs but because my oven is so small I thought to scoop all of the choux pastry into a bundt, I usually make éclair rings filled with fruits and cream in the summer time. So here goes:

Éclair Fruit Ring

Choux pastry

• 1 cup of hot water
• 1 cup of flour
• 100 g butter
• 4 eggs

Filling:

• A light layer of caramel cream
• 3 bananas sliced with lemon squeezed on it.
• About a punnet of strawberries sliced
• 1 small carton of fresh cream whipped

Topping:

200g dark chocolate melted

1 tin of thick cream stirred in

 

Preparation:

Place water and butter in saucepan and bring to boil, bring heat down a bit and quickly stir in flour and avoid lumps. When the mixture leaves sides of pan, remove from heat and allow cooling.

Preheat oven to 220 degrees Celsius or 420 Fahrenheit. With a beater, mix in one egg at a time until thoroughly mixed and the mixture is glossy and light. Spray bundt with non-stick spray and fill the bottom of bundt evenly with choux pastry and bake for 20 minutes at hot temperature and then reduce heat to a moderate oven of about 180C or 350F for another 35 minutes. It will be completely puffed up and golden brown. Take a small sharp knife and make incisions in the side to let out the air and return to oven (100C/200F) for a final 15 minutes to dry out until hard and crisp.

Loosen sides gently and remove from bundt when completely cooled. Cut off top about a third of the way and remove any soft filling inside.

Layer lightly with caramel cream, then a layer of fruit and finally a layer of whipped cream. Replace the top layer of éclair ring steadily and criss cross dark chocolate mixture on the top. Voila! Serve on pretty plate.

Plant food and make éclair rings for the summer.

Yasmine

The thing about airports.

In the name of Allah most gracious most merciful.

6 September 2014.

 

I love going to the airport. The marketplace of salaams, of goodbyes and hellos and farewells. I love going to the airport to see planes take off and land, going somewhere, going nowhere. People are on their way or coming home or a bit in limbo to the next flight. There is that sense of lightness waiting to board the bus, boarding pass in hand, the nimbleness in one’s step as you crane your head for that familiar face that was missed so, so much. The relief in one’s eye after the patient waiting (because the plane is late) that transforms into a wide smile and warm embrace. And then there’s that air about travellers – a business-like hurry, a quick smile and comfortableness with trolleys, anonymous in a sea of strangers. .  Aah I love going to the airport - a place of such mixed emotions.

Especially so when we see off hujjaj, being sad yet joyful for their journey ahead. Feeling tender towards them leaving as they give that last glimpse back at loved ones and march forward with Biesmillaah, bag perched on their shoulder, musallah over the arm and sibgah in hand. I remember my late father in law as he bid us farewell. I leaned over for his soft message, he gripped my face between his hands and told me not to look back, that our children were in Allah’s hands now and not to forget his salaams to our Beloved Rasululah SAW. Then he slipped his white handkerchief in my hands to wipe my nose. Little were we to know that the next day he would meet his Maker, and Allah knows best.

Ja, bittersweet memories of airports, but it still fills us with excitement. In Johannesburg we would go to the airport during hujjaj season and stay there for the day. A myriad of people all with the same purpose.  Seeing old friends and relatives having a last cup of tea (OK not a cup a container) and listening to when their journeys started and what inspired them. Sometimes I am awestruck at the deep sincerity that surfaces and the Nur on the faces of pilgrims and the stories, amazing. I met a woman traveling in the company of a group who had for ten years saved her money selling koeksisters for hajj and then her husband passed. I met old people who have waited and waited for years to go and young people who just put everything on hold, because this was a debt to Allah.  Subhanallah.

Old and young, beautiful in their tranquillity a far- off look already in their eyes. And then they are in the queue and they wave with bright eyes and they are off on their illustrious journey physically and spiritually, a moment of serenity that we are honoured to share Alhamdulillah. And my heart starts to Labaik – Oh Allah here I am, and a sob sit rights there but I do not let it out, a final ‘Fee Amaanillah’ and they’re off.

Oh Allah,  guide the hujjaj and welcome them as specially as we were welcomed and afford for them beautiful lasting moments filled with Nur upon Nur, such as that first sip of zam zam, that first salaah on the Sufah; that first delightful smell of attar when they stand at the kabr of Rasululah SAW, that first bite into a sweet dark date, the first donning of Ihraam;  the first Labaik that their lips utter and their hearts echo; that first glimpse of the Ka’abah – silent as a pupa; that first footsteps of tawaaf; the first raka’ahs in the Hijr Ismail and at the Maqam Ebrahim; those first steps between Saffa and Marwa. Oh Allah hold the hujjaj in Thine proverbial hand so that they can perform all of their manaasik and have time and opportunity for nawafil and goodness. And Oh Allah allow their hajj be an anchor for their lives forever, as they step gently towards Thee, inshaAllah.

 And so we spent our early day, at 4.30 am en route to the airport. Sad goodbyes to cousins and sisters and brothers, consoling children and slowly making our way home, in silence. Outside of the airport spring has arrived too, In a square, a tree entwined in arabesque starts sprouting tiny shoots of bright green leaves against a hazy purple blue sky that awaits the arrival Ishraaq. We make our way back, the dishes are dirty and the house as we left it and we roll up our sleeves and busy ourselves with cleaning with light/heavy heart – the journey of our hujjaj has started. Allah hu Akbar!

Later.

Grow food and spend time at the airport.

Yasmine

Treading gently on Hajj.

In the name of Allah most gracious most merciful.

2 September 2014.

This is the time of the year when you may be driving around at 2 in the am and cars pass with men wearing white fezzes and women with their scarves in the brightest colours either coming from or going to hujjaj. The first thing that we do from our salaries and wages is put aside some money for the hujjaj who will present us as a community on Arafat this year. We call it slaawats, those little envelopes which with sleight of hand is slipped into the palm of the hujjaj with a beautiful duah – “May Allah SWT afford you a hajj mabruhr and a Sa’i mashkur and don’t forget to deliver our warmest salaams when you stand at the qabr of our Beloved Rasululah SAW.” Or when you spend this money, buy the first cup of tea or coffee with it and think about us.

No matter how long ago you were at the door of the house of Allah, one remembers it like yesterday. It is imprinted in your heart and your mind and your sub conscience forever -that day on Arafat, that first glimpse of the Ka’aba; that moment that you stood at qabr in Madinah; that view from Jabal Rahmah; that moment of Wuqoof when the cool zephyr blows and many other snapshots of memory. No matter how long ago one has been invited, one follows the footsteps of every hajjah and the heart if filled. This is the time when everyone in their small ways trying to make the farewell as easy for the traveller, by making food, baking cakes, offering the Ihram garments, a pair of socks or ghufs, making duahs, to help pack cases, in order that some of the barakah an blessings are enjoyed by all.

In Cape Town as many people as possible try to walk those final steps with you even though you may be leaving home at 4.00 in the morning. Someone will make the athaan, someone will make the final duah and someone will remind that one may not be coming home, so cleanse your heart of any rancour and forgive all and all will be forgiven. You will return with a clean slate because when hujjaj are on standing Wuqoof, according to hadith  "Verily Allah boasts of the people of 'Arafah before the people of heaven (the angels), saying : 'Look to my servants who have come to Me dishevelled and dusty.'" and he remains in that state until the sun sets.

These last few days before leaving one is still a bit star struck, am I really leaving for hajj. Is this real? I am so going to miss my children and my family. Will my actions please my Creator and will He forgive my trespasses? I remember the day before we were to leave for Mina the Sheikh said to us: “two things the hujjaj fear – the toilets on Arafat and the zahmah that is full. Firstly Arafat and Mina and all places have been upgraded and have running toilets. And the zahmah will be full - so step onto the mataaf and be the zahmah!”

So if you have not visited, make haste with asking permissions, make haste to gather your money and make haste at warm your heart, for time waits for no one. Oh would that I be re invited inshaAllah, with my entire family, to be a petal in the flower that opens and closes in the salaah facing the ka'abah, Subhanallah!

Please also read the Green Guide for Hajj where Dr Husna discusses: Preparing mindfully; traveling lightly and not purchasing plastics bottles and containers to take with on hajj; choosing sustainable tourist agencies and buying environmentally friendly products.

It’s available in PDF form.

Grow food and have a green pilgrimage.

Yasmine

 

Spring is here in all of her glory

In the name of Allah most gracious most merciful.

 

 2 September 2014.

It is officially spring although we brace ourselves for more cold and rain in between,  today, yesterday and tomorrow indicates that all is well. The weather is superb so its lunch outside again, firewood tossed on the braai, stretching out lekker on the couch outside and ja, so the sneezing begins, for some.

I know its spring when Abu wants to take a drive to the beach, when the nose starts tickling and one bush after the other magically produce blossoms. I know its spring because I have a yen to wash the windows, turn out winter from every corner and consider lighter, brighter clothing. I know its spring because all extra blankets are packed away, mosquito netting is hoisted to the ceiling and boots are banished. I know its spring when Abu reflects on the garden and takes out his canvasses and bright acrylics; when the cuttings of lavender stand majestically and the grapevines have new life. So welcome spring in all of her majesty.

Alas always the balance, the good and not so good.  Just as I gain control over soiled laundry, the washing machine throws a tantrum; the clutch of the bakkie is bust and everyone seems to be having some change of season sniffles. The seedlings have maintained their dignity through the drenching last week and more almonds have developed as the apricot tree bursts into bloom. The strawberries are fruiting and ripening more frequently and the birds it seems have eaten their fill.

It is delightful though all the visitors yesterday - birthday celebrations for my son's birthday; archers talking arrows while volunteers dig in compost and many little ones delighted to see strawberries grow on bushes and not on Woolworths selves. With weather warming up considerably I can’t wait for the bakkie to be fixed so we can take beach walks and warm up for a good hike. This will be our second summer so we are more prepared for mosquitos and shading up spaces outside. Here most of summer is spent outside, eating praying and working and enjoying the bounty of the land Alhamdulilaah.

So take out those sandals and beautiful hued skirts and if the hay fever gets the better of you rinse out with mild salt water but try not to stay out of the garden! Let me go and peep into the studio with some warm tea and see how far Abu is with his Cape Town series of abstracts! Later.

Grow food and enjoy the outdoors.

Yasmine