My husband mentioned in passing recently
that we had not been having many guests around.
The last year I had been so focused on my new job and the rowdy teens that
by the end of it I felt the lack of a social life too. I plan to spend more time this year hosting,
visiting friends and perhaps even going out with friends.
I barely made the intention and find
myself with a lunch invite from a close friend and wedding related functions
for the next five to seek weekends alhamdulillah. In reality though I wanted to focus on making
sure I visit all my family friends and the sisters from the masjid in turn and
host once every month or so insh’Allah.
I was blessed with a childhood where I lived with extended family. My grandparents were very sociable and we
would have a stream of guests coming and going virtually daily. In turn we would visit a different family
every weekend for tea and get to play with their children. It is a way of living and building community
I admire.
The first dinner this year was for
a friend who made Umrah (pilgrimage). I
made pea pilau rice, lamb curry, chicken and bell pepper curry (which was
well-received, I will share a recipe insh’Allah) and baked chicken (from this wonderful recipe from Fauzia’s Kitchen Fun). We also had channa chaat, green chutney and salad.
My mum and my friend got talking
and found that they had come to Britain in the 1970’s in the same year, a month
apart. That gave then fuel to reminisce about
shillings and the last days of coal use, much to our amusement.
One of the best things about hosting
though, is being left with lots of leftovers. I refused to cook for the next
few days.
Maaha allah
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