Peg puff

and proud?

Peg puff: A young woman with the manners of an old one (Old Scots language)

Every time I go back to class on Tuesday (😏), everyone asks the same question: “What did you do this weekend?” and the answer is always the same thing, “nothing much, I rested, did some shopping and made chai”.

Having the same answer 3 weeks in a row made me start to question my level in the boringness scale. I was dangerously getting to the red zone and as a 20-something, you can imagine how alarming that is. I started asking myself what I could do to make my weekends more interesting. While thinking (scrolling on Pinterest like I didn’t have 20 other things to do), I fell on a poem by one of my favourite poets!

That’s when I came to the realization that I was a peg puff. I’ve always been and I actually like being one. I like taking walks in nature and drinking spicy chai when I get home. I like knitting and sudoku and puzzles. I like sitting down with my favourite people and watching them eat what I made for them. I am like a grandma and I love that. The poem just above resonates with me and I am so grateful to be boring.

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It’s hijabi seazzzzon aka my fingers are getting ready to fall off. Here’s the post I wrote about that last year!

(Should I go back to making posts like this cause I’m funny ngl. Lmk in the comments or send me a message <333)

Continuing with our theme of cozy fall vibes, there’s something wonderfully comforting in the simplicity of routine and finding joy in small pleasures. I mean, what could be more peaceful than embracing your inner Peg Puff and enjoying a quiet evening with a warm cup of chai?

Speaking of which, I’ve been all about chai lately. It’s rich, spicy, and perfect for this time of year, especially when you make it with evaporated milk—it just adds this creamy depth that regular milk can’t quite achieve. So, let’s whip up a batch!

Here’s a quick chai recipe to try:

Cozy Fall Chai Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 4-5 cardamom pods (crushed)

• 2 cloves

• 1-inch piece of ginger (sliced)

• 1-2 black tea bags (depending on how strong you like it)

• 1 cup evaporated milk

• 1-2 tablespoons sugar (to taste)

Instructions:

1. Bring the water, cinnamon stick, cardamom, cloves, and ginger to a boil. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes to really infuse those flavors.

2. Add the tea bags and let it steep for a couple of minutes.

3. Stir in the evaporated milk and sugar. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil again, then remove from heat.

4. Strain into your favorite mug and enjoy the perfect fall chai moment!

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Here’s a little story to end this newsletter:

Once, Saidina Ali (a.s.) was on a journey, and as the time for prayer approached, he stopped at a nearby mosque. He asked a man standing close by to look after his horse while he performed his prayer. After finishing, he intended to pay the man 4 dinars for his help, but when he returned, both the man and the horse's saddle were gone.

Saidina Ali (a.s.) set out in search of the man and eventually arrived at the marketplace, where he found another man selling the very same saddle. Curious, he asked the seller how much he had paid for it, and the answer was 4 dinars. Saidina Ali (a.s.) shared with his companion how, from the start, his intention was to give the man those 4 dinars, which were written as his rizq, but instead, the man chose to seek it through haram means.

This story reminds us that our rizq is already destined for us. Whether it comes to us through righteous or sinful ways is our choice. The beauty of tawakkul lies in trusting that Allah has written our provisions, and what is meant for us will never miss us.

When we truly place our trust in Allah and seek to live righteously, we can hold on to that faith, knowing that it won’t falter as much the next time. I like to think of it as building an iman reservoir—each act of trust and patience makes it stronger, so even when it dips, it never falls as low as before. And like those who hear the verses of Allah and feel their hearts grow in faith, we too can anchor ourselves in these teachings, letting them remind us that everything—good or challenging—comes with purpose.

There's a peacefulness in embracing the simple things in life, like being a "peg puff"—steady, secure, and content in our routines. It’s comforting, much like tawakkul (trust in Allah), which brings a deeper sense of peace. Just as we trust in Allah to provide for us, there’s reassurance in accepting who we are and what we have, without always striving for more.

Stay anchored in faith, even when life feels uncertain. Your rizq will always find you through the halal paths you choose, and the highest form of tawakkul is entrusting your affairs to Allah while continuing to put in the effort.

Simplicity—whether in character, daily routines, or trusting in our rizq—reflects contentment, not dullness. Like the story of Saidina Ali (a.s.) shows, what’s meant for you will come, and there's no need to complicate life. Sometimes, it’s about appreciating what’s already here.

As usual, don’t forget to hydrate, eat your fruits and veggies, and all the good stuff.