Thrifty Finds

As much as I love the smell of fresh coffee and croissants waffting through the shopping centres there is only one other feeling that matches that pleasure...scoring thrifty stuff that you know will make your soul happy!

apartmenttherapy

Look what set my heart aflutter on my recent hunts:

A pair of solid brass vintage birds that if I had bought from the most expensive retail design houses in Munich I would have had to amputate my limb maybe.

I have also scored a mid century angular table from ebay..its only flaw being the formaica top..but I still love it.

I had been eying these animal bookends for some time now..the hitch..I didn't think of my son's dinosaurs to be appropriate enough to try :p so one fine day I was in this discount store we have and found these mammoths at a measly price of just 2.99 Euros for the pair!

 Reason for reduction: Torn box..well I was gonna do that anyway!

Next up, only today when I came back home after picking my son up my neighbours had some stuff out on the curb with a label saying ' Please take it ' Yes please!

I picked up two chairs that match my newly found table.

I have intentions of painting them if weather permits. I kept on telling myself that I dont need them..I dont have an inch of extra space left for new additions of furniture; albeit, I knew if I hadn't I'd be regretting it for long..we don't get those sort of sales around here in Munich too often.

Fall Wreath:

I have come across lots of blog posts where pumpkins have replaced peonies on mantels and acorns have taken the place of sea shells on coffee tables. I enjoy this celebration of seasonal change here on blog-sphere. 

Given the limited space that I have I can't make big changes around the house to announce the change of season..the only thing that I keep changing is the front door wreath !

This time I wanted a simple looking wreath with just a hint of warm colors. I asked my husband to get me the crEpe paper rolls that our local Aldi had in its weekly offer. Guess what he did..he got me a lifetime's worth supply of crepe paper! He couldn't decide the colors..so he picked up all the options available! Men:/

I particularly do not like the oranges and deep yellows of the season..my mind reads them as "Halloween" colors instead of autumn colors. So I chose purple, yellow and white.

Tried three different types of flowers.

Catching up & My Travel Diary

Hello my little blog! Long time no see :D

I was going through those days when every Friday I found myself in a moment of disbelief that " What?! Is it Friday again? Wooh slow down Mr. Calender." All in good spirits though.

If I were to sum it all up here's how it went.

Ramadan > Eid > Mini Holiday ( thats 6 destinations in one week Btw) > Back to School > Intensive Driving Lessons > Cold Weather Induced Sluggishness > Guests every Weekend > and a forgotton Blog!

As usual our trip was a last minute plan. We set off with only one hotel booking in Dresden--the rest of the trip unfolded on the way:)

Yenidze is the name of a former cigarette factory building in Dresden. I was curious about the choice of architectural style of a tobacco company. It was designed by a jewish man who imported not only tobacco from the Ottoman region but also their architecture.

The Bundeswehr Military History Museum:Dresden

The Fürstenzug (English: Procession of Princes) in Dresden, Germany, is a large mural of a mounted procession of the rulers of Saxony.  It is known as the largest porcelain artwork in the world.

Berlin’s Siegessäule - Victory Column -

The Berlin Wall-

The iconic Brandenburg Gate: Berlin

 Rickmer Rickmers: A permanently moored ship in Hamburg, Cap San Diego.  Built in 1896 . It is currently a floating museum.

 Port of Hamburg on the Elbe River. It is named Germany's "Gateway to the World" and is the largest port in Germany. The port of Hamburg is the third-busiest port in Europe (after the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp) and 15th-largest worldwide.

 Hamburg City square; its its padlocks and a city model

 Bird's Eye view from Hohenbaden (old castle) in Baden-Baden, Germany.Baden-Baden is a spa town in the German state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany .It is located in the northern foothills of the Black Forest, on the banks of the Oos River in close proximity to France.

The Hercules Monument: Kassel

Water running down the cascades in Bergpark, Kassel

 Checkpoint Charlie was the name given by the Western Allies to the best-known Berlin Wall crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin during the Cold War.

 A very blurred picture snapped from within a dry and comfy car But, it says so much..earning a comfortable life is not easy for everyone. This was a red signal on a  road in Hamburg where two people with bright red clown noses started juggling balls and hopes for some loose cash dropped in their bowl before the lights turned amber. Whatever brought them to this point..I kept wondering.

I thank my husband who gave us the opportunity to explore a little more. He drove 2300km without his tea..I forgot the thermos home! My baby who sat patiently in the car seat :)

All descriptive Information was picked up from Wikipedia. I can only hope for authenticity.

Ramadan: Ideas and Tips

Ramadan Mubarak to Muslims all around the globe. I hope this month brings countless blessings for us. I had written this post earlier but yould really not find the time to post it. Our Ramadan is Alhumdulliah going well so far.

I thought about sharing some ideas that might help you while you prepare for Ramadan. I am not here to give out religious advice on how to spend your Ramadan. I pray that everyone who can fast and can not fast be equally guided by Allah. I am here to share some very simply tips that I have found useful.

Make Life Easier

I do not boast of a squeaky clean house, infact sometimes an unexpected door bell sends waves of horror down my spine when I look around to see a dining table heaped with toys..oh the relief to find out that its just the postman! BUT I do like to try making life easier in the kitchen. Before Ramadan started I decided to rearrange my tiny pantry shelf to make it more practical keeping Ramadan in mind.

 PS. The postman sometimes brings treats too :p

A box of Luxurious Pecan Filled Bateel Dates Sent from my Brother

I generally don't like Dry Dates..but These are just heavenly.

You can find out more about these 'designer dates' shall I say, in the online catalogue.

http://www.bateel.co.uk/documents/Product.pdf

  Coming back:

I got my self some plastic containers for ingredients that I know would be consumed more often then usual. Labeled them with chalk paint stickers.

Tang, White Sugar, Boondi, Almonds, Brown Sugar, Sultaniens, Besan, Cereal

Stackable boxes for pulses extra spices and other dry ingredients. They save so much space!

Make Waddu Easier

I was wondering whether to share this or not because it might seem stupid to share that my bathroom sink's faucet was a bit clogged..I do use an old toothbrush to clean the mesh but the stream of water was very strained..you know what I mean? Offcourse you wouldn't if your taps are perfectly in order!

Anyways! I did the old trick I learned from Aggie from bbc's 'How Clean is Your Home'

Pour some vinegar and lemon juice in a plastic bag and tie it around your faucet or shower head with a rubber band. The head should be completely immersed in the liquid. Go out to the shops or write a blog or stalk people on facebook! Just leave it for a couple of hours. After that..its magic..a clean spring of fresh bubbly water! I cleaned it with the intention of making waddu easier and cleaner:)

Make Dahi Bharay Instantly

If you make Baray from Urid and yellow lentils..I have tried and tested that they freeze super good. Fry and Freeze the bharay in portions. To defrost soak them in hot water from the kettle. Let them soak for 15 mins and then press between palms to use as you would normally do.

If you don't make bharay from daal..like I don't always make them that way..I use besan..and haven't tried freezing them. .what you can do to make life easy is to make imly chutney before hand and freeze it in large cubes. When needed just take it out of the freezer and let it thaw..ready to use!

Boil n Shred Chicken

Before Ramadan started I boiled 3 large chickens in a pot with some salt, pepper corns, and onion. I shredded the chicken and freezed it in small portions. This can be used to add to

potato-chicken bread pakoras,

Chinese rice,

spring rolls etc.

The Stock can also be frozen..for pulao or soup. Double benefits

 I did not make spring rolls in advance because I wanted to avoid them as they need frying. I'm also doing a pakora free Ramadan!

Chop and Freeze Carrots and Peppers

I like bell peppers and they can be used in soooo many ways..In sweet n sour, in noodles, with potato curry, finely chopped one can be used for potato cutlets, chicken meatballs...and so on.

I made a packet of finely chopper chopped ( is that a right way to say) carrot and shimly for quick fillers.

!

Ramadan: Freezer Cooking (Part 1)

I mentioned in my last post that Ramadan provides the perfect oppurtunity to fast and cleanse the Body. Thats what we really are supposed to do BUT customarily muslims all around the world take Ramadan as a fest and celeberate it by breaking the fast with large crowds of People, friends and Family that we don't meet and share a meal with so often throughout the year. Therefore, FOOD is an essential part of the Iftar gatherings. I do admit that in our culture we oftentimes submit to the sin of gluttony at Iftar which is totally against the Spirit of Ramadan.

  Please do not take this post as a central Agenda of Ramadan. It is only an example of how things can be planned beforehand so that during the month itself one gets all the time to concentrate on praying and not worrying about Food and guests all the time.

This year around I tried the Easy Freezy Way. I am lucky to own a  large upright freezer.

Why not make use of it.

Here's what I have stocked up in prep for Ramadan, which is only 1 week away!!

Today I spent a few hours in the kitchen making the 'BASICs'

These are the time consuming things that if you already have ready to be pulled out of the freezer..you don't have to worry about last Minute Company or a busy day with the toddler!

Here are a few suggestions to have in mind before you find yourself Setting your Alarm for the first Sehri !

• Stock up on as much meat as your freezer space allows. Wash, Clean and Freeze. (Since we buy halal meat, we have to Skin and cut the chickens ourselves! )

• Depending on Family preferences, decide what are you going to offer for aftar. Is it going to be 4 different Snacks or just one solid meal? whatever you decide think how can you prepare stuff in advance.

Eva Image

 For instance if you make shami Kebab it serves as

a burger patty

as a Snack

as a side dish

or make a Paratha Roll with it!

OR

If you choose to have dinner as usual with a Curry and chappatti:

Make the 'Basic masala' and freeze into smaller portions.

Here's how:

Throw onions in to a chopper. Blitzz

Tomatoes..Blitzz

Fry the onions in a lil olive oil..then add tomatoes. I used a pressure cooker to soften it all up. Stir on high heat to reduce. I added just a Little bit of spices..so that I can adjust later.

Bring to R.T and Freeze in portions.

• Prepare the chicken for an instant pulao in case you have Company. Just fry the chicken in some oil with ginger garlic. Add a cininmon stick, a black cardamom and cloves. Put it in a zippy and you'll only Need to add Rice and fix the spices when needed. OR just put a Portion of your already prepared masala in it.

• I also cooked some minced chicken and freezed it.

This can be used as a filling for

Lasagne

Macaroni

or just have it with naan!

• Emergency Pull out Dinner
Have atleast one small Portion of a fully prepared meal for last Minute plans. I made sesame chicken.

You never know...who shows up to have a pakora or two you gotta hav sumthin'
• Prepare the Base for Corriander and Mint chutneý.
 Chutney!! After ketchup this is the one Thing that gets consumed so much during Ramadan.
Add yougurt to your premade Chutney base and serve it with anything!! I even love it on my fruit Chat!
• Fruit Chat / Fruit Salad

I have made this a rule to have fruit Chat atleast 4 times a week if not everyday! thats the only way I can eat all the fruit that I never have otherwise. Healthy!! (This really does not belong in the freezer cooking post but anyyyyway!)

• Chopped Herbs
Mint and Corriander are the compulsory Dressings of most of our dishes. We dont get them easily here in munich. Sow henever we do get them I always freeze them ! Avoid that chopping board as much as you can during Ramadan!!
• Plan a couple of Desserts too
• 

Desserts often are the most time consuming. Have a rough idea of what could be made for a Party.

I made the most ridiculously easy Thing to do. Sugar Syrup! But hey think of it when you have your guests coming you've got more stuff to worry about. So there'S one less pot to wash on the actual day.

 I cooked a thick 'sheera' and freezed it.

 I plan to use it for Jalebi or ghulab jamun.

 I plan to do another post on some more items that can be stashed into the freezer not just for Ramadan but otherwise too. How have you prepared ?



Ramadan 2013

I can't believe its almost here! One month of detox for the Body and Soul. The holy month of Ramadan is such a beautiful plan of Allah. Each year believers are given a chance to bow down, reflect, Refrain and get a refresher course of imaan. May we all be blessed to experience the strength and peace of of this month. You can read my Posts about Ramadan 2012 here.Ramadan

Last year I did a few Ramadan related Posts which might interest you :)

                     

 

 

Prayer Mat for my Son See Here

Bookmark for the Quran See Here

Cover and Case For The Quran See Here

 

 

Happy Ramadan

Personalized Kid's Pillow

A quick upgrade to an old Ikea pillow. 

I wanted to try textile paint ; knowing well my not so super steady paint brush holding skills and the hand writing of a 6 y/o I still gave it a try:) 

I tried my best to paint as neat as possible but with someone telling you to cut a mango for them mid way you get a crooked looking 'y'.

I did use a font as my guide.

Now I know why I was dropped in school to take part in a calligraphy competition :p I always thought that the teacher hated me.

Also, would like to share these lines which I found to be true from Nate Berkus.