March 29th has come and gone β the first milestone in the roadmap out of lockdown, you can now meet 5 other people or another household outdoors. Making the most of the warm weather, (snow is forecast next week!?), my daughters and I sat with my elderly parents in their garden, the first time I have seen them, not behind glass for many weeks, and another step closer to being able to share a hug. My mum, never one for holding back, commented on my βlockdown locksβ, and how I must be looking forward to the opening of hairdressers so my mane could be coiffured by a professional as opposed to me coaxing it into any style that doesnβt look like I have been pulled βthrough a hedge backwardsβ. Well, this got me thinking about my appearance, if Iβm really honest as a busy working mum of two teens, itβs not a subject that even at the best of times, I give a lot of thought to, but during the last year, itβs fair to say I may have gone a little feral.
Flowers come with in-built wiring that connects them straight to our hearts and souls. Their infinite beauty, numerous hues, intoxicating aromas, and loud existence is enough to charm any human being. While there are endless varieties of flowers in India, here we will put the lily plant in the spotlight. So, letβs understand more about the top 10 lily plants and their care prerequisites!
This Fruit Salad recipe is filled with loads of fresh fruit, coated in a light honey-lime dressing. Itβs easy, refreshing, delicious, and pairs so well with just about anything. Perfect for summer BBQβs and potlucks!
Looking for more delicious ways to use fruit? Donβt miss this beautiful Dessert Fruit Pizza or Fruit Bruschetta β both are perfect for summer entertaining!
As much as we absolutely love our Creamy Deli Fruit Salad, itβs so nice to have a simple Fruit Salad in your back pocket β one without cream, yogurt, marshmallows, or nuts. Just gorgeous fresh fruit lightly coated in a sweet, bright dressing. This way the fruit really shines.
We canβt get enough of this one and neither can anyone else, since itβs always devoured whenever we make it!
In 2009, I received an email seeking help. It said, βIβm trying to find a loving home for Dovee, a white pigeon I have in my bathtub in Pacifica, CA.β And that is how the story of Cheryl and SUPER Dovee began.
Cheryl was new to birds but a lover of animals and she was determined to help this stray King pigeon that had been hanging around a neighborhood shopping center. She had initially found him a home but he had been returned and needed another. MickaCoo Pigeon & Dove Rescue was full up and the best we could offer at the time was coaching about how to care for him and a spot on our waiting list.
Cheryl was a quick study and took wonderful care of Dovee while he waited for an opening with MickaCoo. Cheryl began volunteering with us at outreach events all over the Bay Area, helping to inspire support for these smart, gentle birds that are so under-served and overlooked. And she continued to foster Dovee until the day someone inquired about adopting him- thatβs when she realized that Dovee was already home- with her, and on October 4th, 2009, Cheryl officially adopted Dovee.
I call Dovee βSUPER Doveeβ not because he is so special and charismatic (which he is) nor because he looks so good in his SUPER Dovee Pigeon Pants, complete with cape (which he does) but because he brought with him Cheryl- an incredibly amazing supporter for MickaCoo. Cheryl has invested thousands of hours of her time as a volunteer these past four years and donated thousands of dollars. She has lovingly fostered more than 100 pigeons and doves in her five-star aviary and bird room. Cheryl has introduced thousands of event-goers to the plight and potential of these birds; logged thousands of miles on the road; donated nearly a ton of pigeon feed and hosted five $1K Garage Sale Fundraisers for MickaCoo. Cheryl has braved heartbreaking rescues including saving homing pigeons used for testing in a university lab and 216 Persian High Flyers abandoned in filthy sheds. Cheryl serves as the Chair of MickaCooβs Advisory Committee and our Financial Coordinator and inspires all of us every day with her big, strong heart.
The best Mario games remind us why everybody's favorite platforming plumber is still so beloved. In the company of his taller brother Luigi, Mario is one of the most recognizable faces in gaming, having starred in a frankly boggling range of experiences over the years.
Today is the start of Eid al-Fitr, a Muslim festival that signals the end of Ramadan - and which is celebrated with feasts and prayer.
To mark this important date in the Muslim calendar, we've taken a whistlestop tour of the world's most beautiful mosques...
--
By Lizzie Porter
Image: Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
As we celebrate the Holy Month of Ramadan, Agoda , one of the worldβs fastest growing online travel agents (OTA), highlights destinations around the world where travelers will find some of the most awe-inspiring mosques ever built.
In the early days of Islam, mosques were modest affairs. The first ones had neither domes nor minarets. The Prophet Muhammad used his courtyard as a prayer hall. But Arab autocrats now see things differently. Many hope to leave a legacy in stone in keeping with their proclaimed grandeur.
If you ever need help remembering the sacred spaces for Muslims, just think of the three Ms: mosques, Mecca, and Medina.
The most common Islamic holy site is their place of worship: the mosque. Muslims are required to pray five times a day, and though Muslims can pray anywhere, dedicated Muslims strive to participate in the prayer time inside the mosque. Every Friday, Muslims meet at the mosque for special prayer and teaching from the imam, the local Islamic leader of the mosque. Most mosques have classes on the Qurβan, the Muslim holy book, for children and new converts to the Islamic faith.
Muslims consider every mosque a holy place. There are two mosques, however, that, due to the history of their geographical locations, are the most significant: the Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca and the Prophetβs Mosque in Medina. Understanding these two mosques and the cities that host them can help Christians gain a better understanding of the Islamic faith and know how to reach out to Muslims with the gospel.