I have decided to blog often, if not frequently. I am not proud of the way I write and it has taken me a while to actually get to this "task". Yes, as of now, that is how I am going to take it forward. A project in hand. If I don't start today, I am sure a year from now, I going to look back to this day, and wish that I did.
No more regrets. All my outpourings, my blah-blahs, my honest and dishonest opinions, my not so great humorous tales, reviews, and all the dramas of day to day life is going to be all over this page.
I also hope to improve on my articulation skills along the way. But overall, this is going to be my space, where I can just be me.
Take for instance, today I was thinking of how hard it is to let go. Letting go of old habits , a cherished dream or a dear friend. Its always difficult. But I have to overcome the fear of the unknown, and step out of my comfort zone.
There is a beautiful and bright world out there, I'd like to believe. I just wish I can carry the courage in my heart to take that first step. I will know then, even if I failed, I tried. I will pick myself up, and try again.
So here I am letting go of my fear. I will pick that phone up tomorrow and call the car driving school :)
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Friday, April 19, 2013
Spring is here again
I sit here staring at the screen in front of me. My fingers are hovering over the keyboard for quite a while before I start typing some random words into the text box.
This post is not about anything. It is not enlightening or inspiring or even informative.
It is just a few black alphabets coerced to align themselves to form some semblance of sentences.
The structure is right. The sentences do not deviate much from grammar.Yet, of what use is this?
Does everything need to have a purpose, a deeper meaning? Does every story need a plot? Can't beautiful vivid tales be spun with no sudden twist or turn?
Anyway, this post is for me. These random , arbitrary collection of words have somehow managed to convey a deeper purpose to me. That, I should begin now. A new beginning .I have songs to sing.
I will sing everyday.
This post is not about anything. It is not enlightening or inspiring or even informative.
It is just a few black alphabets coerced to align themselves to form some semblance of sentences.
The structure is right. The sentences do not deviate much from grammar.Yet, of what use is this?
Does everything need to have a purpose, a deeper meaning? Does every story need a plot? Can't beautiful vivid tales be spun with no sudden twist or turn?
Anyway, this post is for me. These random , arbitrary collection of words have somehow managed to convey a deeper purpose to me. That, I should begin now. A new beginning .I have songs to sing.
I will sing everyday.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Cobwebs
A room shrouded in mystery
The doors have been locked
A long long time
Not a ray of sun, nor a waft of breeze dare enter .
Chaos and clutter everywhere
Here- Rubbish, garbage and filth, fungus and mould.
There- A few uncherished dust coated gems, long forgotten
A fine carpet of dust on the floor
Bears no footprints
Shelves and cabinets -Unmarked and Mislabelled
A pain to wade through
The room cries for attention
Goes back to sulking, getting none
From the irresponsible home maker.
Today I
Unlock the doors.Draw back the curtains.Throw open the windows.
Soak in the sun
Drink in the breeze.
Throw out the garbage, polish the gems.
Tear down the cobwebs.Sanitize.
Its my mind - my space.
It deserves to be sunny, airy and have lots of room for - ME.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Seeing double ! Photo feature of the week
Captured in a rare moment of extreme cooperation from Shri. :)
I think, she was distracted by her own reflection, in letting me click away to glory, without a whimper or a scowl! The young lady is quite happy with the results too !!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Navratri Puttu Recipe
Another Navaratri, has come and gone.Not one, not two but nine days and nights of gaiety and piety.
The tastes of the variety of sundal prasadams ,smells of jasmine and the chants from Lalitha Sahasranamam are still wafting in the breeze.
And before they get swept away from my limited memory cache, I want to record this very tasty snack which is usually offered to the Goddess on a Navaratri friday.Its a sure-fire hit with kids and all age groups.
This is my mother in law's version of making the traditional puttu, and it is so wonderful and tasty, that I am here to share the recipe.I will be saying it in as many pictures as words, so you can have a clearer understanding of the process.
Ingredients
1. Dry roast the rice flour in a heavy bottomed kadai , using medium heat( You can also use raw rice, which can be dry roasted and powdered in a mixer) till it turns golden.Allow to cool
2.In a separate vessel boil some water, adding a pinch of salt and turmeric powder to it.
3.Add the water to the rice flour slowly (sprinking should be enough), stirring all the while.It should result in a damp powder, like bread crumbs. You may find lumps,which can be sieved to give a uniform texture.
4.In a clean muslin cloth ( a south Indian veshti cloth cut to the size of a scarf will do), add the flour, and tie it up loosely like a bundle and place it to steam in a pressure cooker( in idli plates or a steamer) for about 10 mins.Do not use the cooker weight.
5.When done, remove from cooker and decrumble it, remove lumps (can be seived again) and keep aside to cool.The resultant texture is fluffy and grainy.It should flow freely when allowed to fall from the hand.
6.Meanwhile add the crushed jaggery to 1/2 cup water, and heat it till it dissolves.Jaggery usually has some fine grit,which should be removed.Filter the jaggery water, and place it back on the stove.
8.Heat the jaggery syrup till it reaches the required consistency.i.e As the syrup starts to thicken , drop a bit of the syrup into a small bowl of water .The syrup should soilidify and can be rolled into a small ball.Try dropping the ball back into the water, and you should hear a 'clang' sound.
9.Now add the rice flour to the jaggery syrup, mixing all the while.Its better to ask someone to help, in adding the flour while you concentrate on mixing it thouroughly to form a homogeneous mixture.(Before you start mixing, it would be wise to keep some of the syrup aside for mixing later, if required)
10.Fry the cashews and grated coconut in ghee.Add the cardomum powder, cashews and grated coconut.
Delicious puttu is ready.Can be stored for about 4 days.It is extremely nutritious, and very tasty, though it can be quite a laborious process for first timers.
More to come on the Navarthri magic this year.Hopefully I dont get lathargic and do it by the next year navarathri!
The tastes of the variety of sundal prasadams ,smells of jasmine and the chants from Lalitha Sahasranamam are still wafting in the breeze.
And before they get swept away from my limited memory cache, I want to record this very tasty snack which is usually offered to the Goddess on a Navaratri friday.Its a sure-fire hit with kids and all age groups.
Ingredients
- Rice flour - 1 cup
- Jaggery (crushed) - 1 cup
- Elaichi powder - 2 tsp
- Ghee - 1 tbsp
- Cashew nuts
- Coconut grated - 2 tbsp
- Salt - 1 pinch
- Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
1. Dry roast the rice flour in a heavy bottomed kadai , using medium heat( You can also use raw rice, which can be dry roasted and powdered in a mixer) till it turns golden.Allow to cool
2.In a separate vessel boil some water, adding a pinch of salt and turmeric powder to it.
3.Add the water to the rice flour slowly (sprinking should be enough), stirring all the while.It should result in a damp powder, like bread crumbs. You may find lumps,which can be sieved to give a uniform texture.
4.In a clean muslin cloth ( a south Indian veshti cloth cut to the size of a scarf will do), add the flour, and tie it up loosely like a bundle and place it to steam in a pressure cooker( in idli plates or a steamer) for about 10 mins.Do not use the cooker weight.
5.When done, remove from cooker and decrumble it, remove lumps (can be seived again) and keep aside to cool.The resultant texture is fluffy and grainy.It should flow freely when allowed to fall from the hand.
6.Meanwhile add the crushed jaggery to 1/2 cup water, and heat it till it dissolves.Jaggery usually has some fine grit,which should be removed.Filter the jaggery water, and place it back on the stove.
8.Heat the jaggery syrup till it reaches the required consistency.i.e As the syrup starts to thicken , drop a bit of the syrup into a small bowl of water .The syrup should soilidify and can be rolled into a small ball.Try dropping the ball back into the water, and you should hear a 'clang' sound.
9.Now add the rice flour to the jaggery syrup, mixing all the while.Its better to ask someone to help, in adding the flour while you concentrate on mixing it thouroughly to form a homogeneous mixture.(Before you start mixing, it would be wise to keep some of the syrup aside for mixing later, if required)
10.Fry the cashews and grated coconut in ghee.Add the cardomum powder, cashews and grated coconut.
More to come on the Navarthri magic this year.Hopefully I dont get lathargic and do it by the next year navarathri!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Experiments with the lens - Photo feature of the week
I have been dabbling with the camera ( rather my cellphone flicker!) for sometime now and have decided to post one photo every week, starting today.
Please don't expect any mindblowing shots from a hi-fi camera, and exotic locations.It will mostly feature day to day, ordinary still life, or little Shri in her elements, captured from my perspective with some cooperation from the cell camera.Hope to get better, with the experiments, and have lots of fun in the process !
Here's how..
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Mann ka radio - The song in my head today
Mann Ka Radio by Himesh Reshammiya. Movie: Radio (Upcoming flick).
I know, I know..lots of raised eyebrows..What is happening to me? It is an average song by an overrated singer,but it is playing in an infinite loop in my head.
Its that little imp Shri ( my almost 3 year old) who is to be blamed for it..She simply loves it and insists on playing it forever.and infact keeps singing it throughout the day. I guess the song just grew on me!
Btw, Himesh doesnt sound like himself at all..The nasal voice is almost gone..Has he undergone a "vocal plastic surgery"!? In the promos, he looks fitter, and I guess his bad hair days are left behind.
The lyrics of the song are not extra ordinary, but interesting.The song is ruling all the FM stations in Bangalore.(which is quite obvious, given the lyrics)..and I cant decide whether I like the song or not!Sorry people..listen up..
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