Thunder; a deep, low roar rumbles through the air
Gales slam like a battering ram against the walls of the house, trying to break in.
They are sturdy brick but feel frail and paper thin
As the savage wind gathers branches and tosses them like toys
Rips leaves from the tree and tears away washing lines
Rains lashes like the sky’s angry tears against window glass
I wait indoors, in awe.
His bellowing makes me want to escape.
leaves’ souls burn up in red, orange and yellow flames
gnarled bark shivers in bare naked branches
pale sky wraps up for autumn in a coat of clouds
sweet rain quenches thirsty soil and greedy roots
faded petals crinkle up like tissue paper, shrivelled
but bulbs beneath sit fat and warm, sleeping and waiting
migrating sparrows savour the honey sunset on their wings
in a cave mother bear watches her grown children dream of spring
~ Hanifah
These pictures barely convey how awesome the fireworks display was, it was really beautiful! 🙂
~ Hanifah
I’m sure some people are wondering what happened to me, if indeed any of you still read this blog at all! As per usual, I’ve just been very busy with life. I am now submerged in my A-Levels, which are really enjoyable and interesting, but also a lot of hard work. There are always assignments and homework and extra reading to do even when I’m not actually at school, and I have a lot of after school classes and activities going on as well. This, plus the fact that I now have a weekend job, means I don’t have nearly as much free time as I used to.
It’s not even that I don’t have time to go on the computer– I do – but it’s more the fact that I don’t have anything to post on this blog. I haven’t done anything blog-worthy in a while, as I don’t have much time to write or bake or create artwork anymore. I definitely do miss doing these things but my education is important to me and at this stage in my life I realise I will have to sacrifice a lot of my hobbies and free time. But this time will pass! And I will be able to indulge in everything I used to love doing before, إن شاء الله.
This is my official hiatus notification, if you like. I may occasionally post on this blog (especially in the holidays when I will have a lot more free time) but not that much. I hope that any remaining readers will forgive me and maybe check up on this blog from time to time, as I won’t leave it to die!
Running a blog was one of the best things I ever did. I made so many new friends, and it helped me find myself at a time when I felt really lost. It’s been amazing guys. I love you all, and (cliché though it may be) I hope you all fulfil your dreams and aspirations for the future. J
Farewell (for now!)
~ Hanifah
On the day she gave it to me
it was a gift
nestled in rustling tissue paper in my favourite shade of blue.
But it was the card which brought tears to my eyes;
a loving message of friendship and memories to come, pressed rose petals
and a colourful pencil drawing – a beautiful birthday surprise.
After a week
it was a symbol
of our friendship, a smile pinned up on my bedroom wall,
a patch of warmth and life against the faded lilac wall.
I wanted the world to see and know.
The whole room seemed so much brighter, and I stood tall.
After a month
it was a reminder,
painful to look at, bittersweet memories filling my mouth like bile.
I couldn’t regurgitate them out, haunting me they stay.
I kept it hidden away like a painful memory at the back of my mind.
Yet I couldn’t yet bring myself to throw it away.
After six months
it was forgotten.
Fallen behind furniture with paperclips, and never-finished homework.
Covered by a thin film of dust, a card which once meant so much.
The rose petals lie dry and colourless on the floor.
Like life, they are fragile to the touch.
After a year
it was a piece of card
I found when clearing out my room. I glanced –
it went straight into the bin, along with that top I no longer wore.
Meaningless – a childish doodle on crumpled paper.
Just that, nothing more.
~*~
Thoughts? 🙂
~ Hanifah
Today, after months of summer and holidays, I returned to school. It was a big day because not only was it the first day of school, but also the beginning of my A-levels and sixth form. It was nice to see all my friends after so long! My subjects are biology, chemistry, mathematics and sociology; I’ve seen my classes and I like them, and my teachers seem good too. I feel both nervous (because I know it will be a lot of hard work) and excited (because I love studying subjects which I find interesting) for the next two years. I hope that not only my learning goes well, but also that my friendships are better than those I’ve had in the past few years at school.
And I turn seventeen in less than three months! Wow. I can’t believe how quickly my whole life seems to have gone. Childhood truly is waving me farewell now. But I’m looking forward to the future and what it holds! 🙂
~ Hanifah
Hum dum. I feel like no one reads my blog any more… there has been a severe lack of any likes or comments or any activity at all recently.
Ah well. On with the post!
I love my art journal/scrapbook, it’s such a fun way to express myself creatively. Here are some of my favourite pages:
A random, colourful page. I really like this one for some reason.
One of my favourite quotes by Anne Frank.
A ‘vintage’ themed collage page.
Some pretty bunting! It’s not finished yet, I’m not sure what to put in the bottom half; any ideas?
Do any of my reader have an art journal or scrapbook of any sorts? I’m always looking for new inspiration! 🙂
~ Hanifah
Hey guys! I’m so sorry I haven’t been on in a while. Some of you may know that it’s the islamic month of fasting (Ramadan), which as a muslim I’ve been participating in so I’ve been pretty busy. But I’m back!
Recently we celebrated Eid which was great fun with lots of sweets and gifts and visiting the family. I thought I’d show you guys some of the cool gifts I got and other things I did.
An awesome ring from one of my friends! I just love it
Adorable notebook and pen from my sisters
A yummy face mask from a friend.
Look at these super duper cute sticky memo-note things that my sister gave me!
Gorgeous notebook from my penpal, I love it so much!
Some random party stuff like sweets and party poppers
Pretty bracelet from my mum c:
Delicious waffle from the ice cream parlour we went to.
My knickerbocker glory! Yummy.
My aunt did this beautiful henna on me.
Did any of you celebrate Eid, and what did you do?
~ Hanifah
There’s nothing quite like a slice of homemade pizza; soft warm dough with delicious tomato sauce and gooey cheese, topped with all your favourite things, and finished off with a crunchy crust.
~ Hanifah
Ingredients
100g Butter
175g Caster sugar
75g Brown or muscovado sugar
125g Chocolate (milk or plain)
1 tbsp Golden syrup
2 Eggs
1 tsp Vanilla Essence
100g Plain flour
1/2 tsp Baking powder
2 tbsp Cocoa powder
Method
1. Heat the oven to Gas Mark 4 (180oC), and line a 20cm cake tin.
2. Melt the butter, sugar, chocolate and golden syrup in a saucepan until the mixture is smooth (it may be slightly grainy due to the sugar, but this is fine – as long as all the ingredients are mixed and melted).
3. Beat the eggs until light and frothy, then add the chocolate mixture, vanilla essence, flour, baking powder and cocoa powder. Mix thoroughly until smooth.
4. Pour the mixture into the tin, and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes.
5. Cut into slices and enjoy! Tastes great with ice cream or whipped cream.
~ Hanifah
doodlerainbow.wordpress.com 