A wacky month

November has been a total wacky month for me...

Interstellar is a movie which caught B's mind completely, and being a movie which was made for the 70mm screen, he made up his mind to go all the way to the only 70mm screen which exists in India. Yes, we went all the way to Hyderabad, to Prasad IMAX to watch this movie. It was a total weekend trip, quick, fun and something so new. The movie was totally enjoyable, and the screen was phenomenal!

I am taking a trip, without B or T. Its going to be one after 2 years. A trip to Hampi, with office folks. I am excited and also wondering how they would be managing. But T being older and more understanding I am guessing should be very manageable.

And now with just a month left for the year to end, I am thinking I need to speed up my reading and try to complete the many books I am yet to get to. A month to go this year... and I have way too many books than weeks.

Finished:

A book with a number in the title: The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency
A book with a blue cover: And the mountains echoed
A book by a female author: C is for Corpse by Sue Grafton
A book with a mystery: D is for Deadbeat
The second book in a series: River of Smoke (Ibis Trilogy)  (*this can ideally be for a book with more than 500 pages too. Let me see if I manage to read something else by year end for that)
A book with a mystery: Tides of Memory by Sydney Sheldon ( that is in memory of my school time forbidden mystery ;) )
A book your friend loves:  Calligrapher's Daughter by Eugenia Kim
A book that is more than 10 years old:  The House of Kanooru by Kuvempu 
A book with more than 500 pages: Fifty shades of Grey by E.L. James
The First book by a Favourite Author: Sessiv Ev by Orhan Pamuk
A book published this year: Once upon a crush by Kiran Manral
A book that became a movie: Fault in our Stars by John Green
A book which you heard about online: Septembers of Shiraz by Dalia Sofer
A forgotten classic: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
A book set in another continent: Still Alice by Lisa Genova 
A book of short stories: Eunuch Park by Palash Krishna Mehrotra
A best selling book: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Currently Reading:

A funny book: Pricey Thakur Girls by Anuja Chauhan
Free Square: The Korean word for butterfly by James Zerndt 

To be done in 1 month:

A book written by someone under thirty
A book with non human charachters
A book with a one-word title - Infidel by Ayaan Ali
A book of non fiction
A book based on a true story
A book that scares you 
A book at the bottom of your to be read pile

Bingo Update: Fifty shades and Brave New World

10th month of the year and this does warrant a Bingo Update.

Finished:

A book with a number in the title: The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency
A book with a blue cover: And the mountains echoed
A book by a female author: C is for Corpse by Sue Grafton
A book with a mystery: D is for Deadbeat
The second book in a series: River of Smoke (Ibis Trilogy)  (*this can ideally be for a book with more than 500 pages too. Let me see if I manage to read something else by year end for that)
A book with a mystery: Tides of Memory by Sydney Sheldon ( that is in memory of my school time forbidden mystery ;) )
A book your friend loves:  Calligrapher's Daughter by Eugenia Kim
A book that is more than 10 years old: The House of Kanooru by Kuvempu 
A book with more than 500 pages: Fifty shades of Grey by E.L. James
The First book by a Favourite Author: Sessiv Ev by Orhan Pamuk
A book published this year: Once upon a crush by Kiran Manral
A book that became a movie: Fault in our Stars by John Green
A book which you heard about online: Septembers of Shiraz by Dalia Sofer
A forgotten classic: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
A book set in another continent: Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Currently Reading:

A book of short stories: Eunuch Park by Palash Krishna Mehrotra
Free Square: The Korean word for butterfly by James Zerndt

To be done in 3 months:

A book written by someone under thirty
A book with non human charachters
A funny book
A book with a one-word title
A book of non fiction
A book based on a true story
A best selling book
A book that scares you
A book at the bottom of your to be read pile

Can someone suggest a book by an author under thirty?

Fifty shades of Grey

 A book which I thought I would never read.

B cajoled me into trying something not my style, and see how I like it. I was very wary when I picked this up, and I was in no mood for some erotica. Reading the sample, I was convinced this was going to be a complete waste of time. With phrases like ' my sex' I was really unsure why I started reading it. Obviously the BDSM theme was pulling, its not really everyday I come across  work which is really out of the usual expanse of feelings and characters.

One of the things which did push me to attempt the book was the emotions which are shown of the girl, who is hopelessly in love, and who feels the futility of the relationship, and how she is unsure yet pulled into this whole world where she doesn't even know what to expect.And worst of all, he does not even warrant an explanation for why he is what he is. And, she is a person on logic, and reasoning, a hopeless Jane Eyre fan, and so not wanting the weird relationship which is panning out with him.

Very quick read and past the 60% mark, I was reading more of the story and skimming through the sex scenes. Nevertheless, I know that I would like to know the underlying story, so will pick up the second part too.

Brave New World

 This was a book which was suggested to me eons back, but I just never wanted to pick up those sci-fi stuff. I did not see myself reading those, and it just didn't seem to interest me. But when I had to pick a forgotten classic, I thought, why not!

And I was not disappointed !

It was different, a world which looks like a possibility, considering I am reading the book ages after it was originally written. But, the charachters, story and flow was beautiful. It is a very short read, but thoroughly enjoyed it.

I must admit that this is one of the few books which I was left gaping at what exactly happened at the end, and I had to read some critic notes to truly understand the authors thoughts towards the end of the book. It has been a great beginning and I am a little inclined to pick up some Sci-fi now.

Something french

I walked in and looked about. 

Everything looked just about the same. The blue walls, the water coolers, the small garden patch with the benches. It did bring a smile to my face. 

Turning a corner had me walking towards a chattering group and the familiar faces made me the silent spectator as always. 

And then I spotted the coffee brown polo neck and tan corduroy jacket. 

'Hello Sir, how have you been?' 

We started to walk to the playground as he was headed out for his lunch break duty. And I dutifully tagged along speaking about work, travel and all. 

My was smiling all through and seeing him again brought back so many memories or studying and doing things just to have him smile! 

'Amma... wake up.. the sun is OUT! It is day.'

Oh well, there are some dreams and some thoughts which are better off in dreams.  

I opened my eyes smiling, and thought that was the kind of crush high school physics teachers were entitled to :) They last through years and years, 15 years to be precise :)

As I thought back, I was quite surprised by the extend I remember about his dressing style, his goatee, his smile, and the seriousness with which he prepared his classes, and the interruptions which he did not entertain. I still have a vivid picture in my head about how he walked about with his box of chalks and textbooks.

Seems like ages back.

I have an immense liking for french beards, or goatees, or whatever it is called. And when I say immense, I quite mean it.

Source: http://images.yuku.com.s3.amazonaws.com/imag/jpj/9c116a978b4cbfc688ff60acfac9cebc68109854_r.jpg

I believe that is something which I have loved since school, and this teacher being one to sport is so well with his jeans, polo neck and corduroy jackets, had me ( and many more girls) listening raptly to vectors and forces and speed and pressure issues.

 A shaggy look, beard is something I will swoon over, any day, over the clean shaven or mustache. There is a mystery, a warm, fuzzy feeling whenever I see men as above. And that is also the reason, one of my all time favourite men in Bollywood has been Kunal Kapoor. It is as obscure a choice, I have been told, but that is the truth.

Source: http://www.pinbollywood.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/1368073346e4d23.jpg

My fascination with a goatee is to such an extend that I have asked B to attempt a goatee in lieu of any gifts for birthday or anything for the entire year. But, he anyhow picked to give gifts that have an 'itchy beard' ! I believe that there is sure to be a period of irritation, especially when the hair lengths are different, but once trimmed and the threshold is crossed, it would be wonderful. Or so, I believe. I still plan on repeating the request, he might just have that bout of overflowing love wherein he might attempt it one more time.

Fingers crossed!

4 years.... #MB2013

So, I did manage to find a gift for B which he seems to be hooked onto!

I feel very smug and happy when I do that. Its not too often that I can predict what is it that he would truly appreciate, but at times, I put some serious thoughts, or you might just call me lucky, and I do come up with something.

And this time he said, "You really know the kind of stuff I like!"

Now wouldn't that make you really thrilled? Yes, it did it for me.

 I got him Dad's the Word, a not so recent book by Soumya Bhattacharya. I came across this book while reading an ol' review on DNA. And then I started to look around to find where is it that I would find this book, because it was not something I had seen around for sure. I found that Westland books does sell through Ebay and I could order from the publishers. This was the closest I could imagine to getting a confirmed delivery. I did not want to order with the usual online stores as they would send it to me in a week's time, and I sure did not have a week. In fact I had just 4 days to get the book to me.

B loved the book after reading the Preface and has been with the book since yesterday night. This is the person who has not completed And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini in almost 3 months. He is not a very ardent reader, but some books do the trick. He has picked this up like it has done the trick, but it is yet to be seen what would be the final verdict.

When I picked up the book, my thought was that this is the true meaning of our wedding. The fact that we are parents and there is this small person who is just looking at us to play, sing and dance with. And that is when I thought that I should not go for any wedding anniversary celebration without her. It would just be incomplete. She is such an important part of the marriage, and I feel things would have been nothing like what it is if not for her. These thoughts left me with a feeling that this is the book which works the best for him, and this is not about the diaper changes, or sleepless nights. It is about a father and daughter, bonding over mutual interests. I felt it was a perfect gift.

I shall do a review of this book, once I do read it... this will come up in sometime.

A week away #MB2013

Two day from today and a week from today are two very special things.

This is the kind of ring B was looking for during our wedding. 

Two days away is my wedding anniversary, to mark another successful year of love and happiness (along with fighting and bickering). I believe that gifts are nice to receive and gift. There is a happiness associated with it, and if you are the kind of person who will treasure them and pick them up after years knowing when you got it, that is a really special feeling. So, I am yet to figure out what will be B's gift, but there will be something. Has to be!

And a week from now is the new year, and with it the new resolutions. I am not too much of a resolutions person, but I do try to keep things a little in control, and I do try to take up something which I will try to achieve through the year. I have not really thought of what I will be doing this year. Last year, was exercising and trying to keep fit. This year too I believe that has to be a core need, especially now touching on the 30s mark. Apart from this, I wish to learn Kannada. That is a need I see and I want to... I planned to do that I believe sometime mid 2013, but then with work starting, it became difficult. I need to figure out how I can pick this up again. Any leads? Is there anything online? I have not come across anything as yet.

Christmas Cookies #MB2013

I have set myself to do something which I have never ventured into. I am planning to make over 7 dozen cookies for friends and my office and B's office folks. I do not know what has come over me, but I think I want to try doing something which I have always wanted to do, but have stayed away in the belief it is just too much work. Now being in the 'baking season' I thought… why shouldn't I :)

I am going to set myself out to make 3 different kinds of cookies, and make dainty little packs which I can hand over. That is going to be like about 50 cookies of each kind. I actually did sit and work out the details and have a made a list of the recipes which I will be following and how I am going to plan out the whole process. I see now how the professionals actually charter out their day and plan things. It is truly an effort.

Am I thrilled? Oh yes!

Am I petrified? Oh boy… you have no clue.

But, I am going to do it!

A kind of marathon #MB2013

The past 10 odd days, B has been travelling and I have been quite a bit on my own once T is off to bed. I sit about, read, do some crochet and then maybe watch a movie. It does feel lovely to be sitting with some crochet in hand and watch a movie. It is something I believe I did last when I was sitting at home while I was expecting. I watched movies, worked a bit and did lots of new born crochet then. But, now I make a indoor pair of socks for T which would be great during travel and just plod around inside the house, mainly during the morning hours at Bangalore. I shall soon post a photo of the socks once I am done with it. I might even be able to get T to model for me!

So, back to movies, which is what I had intended to write about in this post. So many movies have been watched and individual reviews are too much of a hassle. I shall just put down a few lines on what my thoughts were about each.

Keith (2008)

This was an interesting movie about high school and how an odd boy changes the path set out for the straight A girl. I would call it cheesy for sure, but the story revolves around more on the emotional aspect rather than the high school kids. This worked for me, but it was very predictable and in a way felt a little kiddish. Maybe just me!

Rating: 3/5






Blow (2001)

 This was a movie which I thought of watching solely based on the cast. Jhonny Depp and Penelope Cruz. I knew I would be watching some offbeat movie, but personally I enjoy the stuff.

This is a story about a small town boy making it big in the drug mafia by bringing in Cocaine from Mexico directly, selling it and finally trying to get out of it with not much success. It is based on a real life story of George Jung. The movie proceeds in a narrative mode, with not too many great dialogues, but the story pans out well...giving a peek into how things move in the underworld. Its not great cinema, but I enjoy such offbeat titles.

Rating: 3.5/5


Layer Cake (2004)

I am sure you know why I did end up watching this movie... Daniel Craig! I am not a huge actor crazy person, but I do have some people I like to watch on screen and I end up looking out for movies by these folks. They can be old titles, or new. Like, I love to watch Sean Connery old old movies. Absolutely love them... very little technology, but great cinema.

So, this movie didn't quite cut the mark for me. It again involves the drug mafia and their ruthlessness. It has quite a few twists and turns, but the whole movie lacked good dialogues, and this ended up me just trying hard to finish it rather than enjoy it.

Rating: 2.5/5


Hunger Games (2012)

 Oh well, when the second part was released was when I decided I shall watch this one. And why? I am not a sci-fi person, but still I thought I should as some folks from work were planning to go for the movie, and I needed to know what it was all about. I had read about it, and I knew this was not the Star Trek or X- Men kind of Sci - fi. So, there was still some hope that I shall be able to enjoy this one.

I was completely happy with this selection and thoroughly enjoyed the movie. It had the right amount of story, fantasy, emotions and all. Now I wait to drag someone to watch the second part with.

Rating: 4.5/5

And, that draws the end of my movie marathon which has been ongoing for the past week. I enjoy this alone time and like the less household duties too, but yes, I do want someone to talk to about my day and spend some time with relaxing, instead of being all by myself.

So, I await B's return tonight!

And she came along....

Every time I get angry, I mutter and then go quiet.

Image Source

This was before T came along in 2011. B says that the first time he heard me scream was in the labour room. Well, be damned if I did not scream. I think I did a lifetime of screaming in there... for all the quiet persona I exuded, the delivery did show a completely different side of me.

And from there, I think I have found my voice. There are matters which have started to matter to me, and I voice my opinion, be it accepted or not. I do not take it after a point and give whoever a piece of my mind. I used to be so meek that I could not even get angry with a maid for coming in late every single day. But now, I make myself clear, and heard. This keeps me sane I must add. The muttering is still there when I need to vent out the small angers but when it is something big, my voice is heard now.

And that is all thanks to my daughter :)

Helpless days

Come Diwali, and there goes the maid!

This is something I had posted on Facebook beginning of the week, and I had so many folks agreeing with me and sharing my plight.

I have been completely on a helpless phase the last week. At times I wonder if it was not for the cooking and cleaning which has to be done, I could pretty much manage on my own. I am not saying that I shall not do the above mentioned household duties, but do it spaced out through the week and still manage a half decent looking place by the weekend. When there is a help, then it comes to wanting everything and then the demands also increase. When there is no help, things are more manageable and more planned. I felt that this last week I, myself was also more upbeat and planning things and ticking of the done activities in my head. This did really help in having a clear idea and it certainly did mean less forgetting.

Given this, would I want to go without a help always? I think I prefer it when the help is involved in more basic activities and the rest I manage. This in a way makes me feel more in control. Maybe a control freak? I do not know. Without a help at all? That would be very difficult, and I think disastrous for my back. I hate washing dishes, so maybe if there was a constant help source ;).... then I might even consider that. For that, there has to be a different lifestyle all together. The home has to take almost half a day of two individuals time, then alone can it be worked out without a help. And, I really do think it is possible, it is not that difficult.

Anyhow, let me keep my fingers crossed for the next week and some luck to come my way by then.

A charity drive at home

I have been told time and again to clear out unwanted items and create more space, be it walking or for stocking. And, I must say, I do have a tendency to hold on to my things, and more importantly my way of doing things, which really need not be right,  but it is what I thought of and came up with as an answer. Being a little stubborn, it just makes it so much more difficult to change.

Anyhow, T's old clothes, toys are the ones which were in need of immediate disposal and the ones taking up the maximum space. There were so many clothes which just were small, some in worse condition had been already used as mop cloths. T has a no toy for more than a few months policy, and this means I try to recycle her toys to ensure that she gets something different every week, but there is only so much that she can be happy with her year old toys. And now, in fact I do not buy her the usual run of the mill toys. She plays with it not even for a few hours and I am left guilty for the money wasted. One such toy was a Thomas train which speaks and moves ahead. I got this toy only because she loves Thomas, and she played with it maybe an hour on the day she got it, and that's about it. So, it was time to get things cleared up and segregate toys into 'Want to store' and 'For someone'. Clothes were simpler and the toys got a little tricky with Missy wanting to play with everything and not let go of anything! But, that was easy to get over with her favourite book and father and she being confined to reading sessions on the bed.

Now, where to or rather whom to give is a pertinent question when you have huge bags filled with clothes and toys, and you also do not want it to be all unpacked by the kid soon! I spoke to many homes but no one was interested in clothes, and some had specifications for clothes only for older children. Then, I came upon Shishu Mandir and they were more than eager for any help in any form.

Shishu Mandir is a old children's home which has been in Bangalore since 1983. Below is a small excerpt about them.

The Shishu Mandir Home was established in 1983 in the premises of the Ashok Nursing Home at Ulsoor, Bangalore. At the Shishu Home children were admitted from the slums who were seriously sick and requiring intense medical treatment for many months. When they recovered, some expressed the wish not to be sent home again, but to stay on. Hella could not turn away from that heart-rending request and thus she began to create a Home for them. She followed the idea of a big family where everyone's individuality is recognized. The children live as in a large family, and everyone bears a certain responsibility. The atmosphere is conducive and warm, there is no physical punishment. Children of school-going age are admitted at the Shishu School.

They have a new home which is near the Garden city college, K. R. Puram. It is set amongst the lakes and trees and a huge premise which has been home to many children till date. They also have a school and a vocational traning college in the same area which caters to educational needs of the students in this home. The trust undertakes many projects to benefit the village and to help the children in the surrounding villages. They have a large crowd to help and children in varying age groups. Help is accepted in terms of provision, baby items, furniture, etc. They can be contacted and they will let you know what is that they require immediately. It is a little out of the city, but if you can create a drive in your society or maybe just go by and drop by items once or twice a year, that would certainly be a worthwhile cause!

Blog-a-Prompt, Day 1: My true colours

As I sat with my drink yesterday evening, I realized that one of the facts of life is that my true colours are seen only when I am 2 drinks down. I was having a conversation with B earlier in the day that I am a round about sort of person, I find it exceptionally difficult to give a straight forward answer. I might know what the answer is, and what is my opinion, but I invariably try to give it in a diplomatic/ round - about manner. And that changes once those 2 drinks are down.

I sometimes do wonder why is this. Why is it so difficult? What makes it such a wrong thing in my eyes? I do not know whether if this is truly wrong in my eyes, but I think it it more that I have never ever been the one to give a preference in front of anyone. My closest friends would also say that me giving a choice would mean that I really want that, or I am really comfortable with the group. I realized today that there is another aspect to this, it can also mean that I am 2 drinks down!

Recently when I had gone for the bloggers meet at Kufri too, this was an observation which was made by folks who I met just a few hours back. Given that many of us read each other's blogs, but we were predominantly meeting each other in person for the very first time. I speak when I am comfortable, and this comfort comes about when alcohol comes into the picture. Sad, but true! Thats when my true colours manifest themselves! A  drink has a way of making you feel comfortable, feeling confident, these being the very feelings which can have a positive or a negative impact on the situation. I enjoy sitting with friends and conversing, sharing a drink, having discussions, and these are the times where I speak the most and feel light headed I guess, to speak out without the inhibitions!

Good or Bad? I do not know.
But, these are my true colours!

Image Source: http://s3.favim.com/orig/46/beach-colours-drink-pink-summer-Favim.com-417218.jpg

30 days

I had hopped on board the marathon bloggers to ensure I do my weekly post and I knew there would be some real interesting posts to read. I have been pretty much only the latter for 30 days now, and it is of extreme importance that I get back into groove.

In less than 15 days, I will be going on a 3 day long break away from B, T and everyone at Bangalore, to a place around 2500 kms away. It will be a different world, something I have not ventured into ever. Meeting folks I have mostly never met in my life. It will be an experience and I am looking forward to it immensely. Since the past few days, I also wonder how I will be away from T for these 3 days. I am not sure how she will take it, but this is a step which I want to take up and try. I know there might be issues, especially for her to eat and sleep, the rest of the day should be workable. But, the tug within me, is it fear or maybe just anxiety, I am unsure. It was a instant decision which I took to undertake this trip, and it might have been contributed by the feeling of being trapped in my home life existence. Home life is something which some enjoy and some feel pressurized to undertake due to circumstances. But, in my case, I believe its a mix of both. At times I enjoy the time and the certainty which I can have about T's upbringing, but when I see the world around me moving and me just being involved in the same activities, the grass certainly does look greener. At times that might be for a while, but other times, it seems to be for a far longer period which does have such consequences!

Anyhow, back to the trip, this is something I wished to take up before also, with friends, though that never seemed to work out where three friends live in 3 different locations and 2 different time zones. We had planned this kind of a trip before we got wedded, then now I have a kid so it does seem real long ago.

This will be my first trip away from T for a night. I have always travelled with her, been with her to put her to bed and now when I see that she will be on her own with B and parents to ensure that things will run smooth, there is a knot which comes telling me, what if she just refuses to sleep, or more importantly eat a meal. I need to stop thinking thus, and try it out, she would eventually learn it and know what is the new way of things sooner than later, thats what I wish for anyhow.

A trial which I am willing to undertake and then maybe I can have far more breaks and maybe even start working in a more relaxed manner.

Image Source: http://dribbble.s3.amazonaws.com/users/130631/screenshots/896089/travel_wanderlust_gif.gif

A parent of today

Recently there was an incident at a apartment complex where our friends stay ( and where we ourselves stayed for over 2 years) regarding a security guard misbehaving with 2 kids, a girl and a boy.

The girl (8 year old) was playing with her friends, and when her friends ran towards one direction, a guard who was on duty started asking her questions about which apartment she stays in and so on. Once her friends were out of sight, he tried to pick her up and carry her towards the basement car park.She started to scream and asked to be put down, on hearing which her friends came running back. The guard put her down and walked off. The girl went and told her parents, the guards were rounded up, and the culprit was identified by not only the girl, but her friends too. He was given a thrashing by the dad and handed over to the police and an FIR filed.

The boy (6 year old) was playing near the visitors parking, where he was trying to climb onto a parked motorcycle. The guard on duty, scolded him and not to repeat it. The boy repeated it, and the guard asked him to go and stand facing the main door of an empty apartment on the ground floor of a block. The boy went to his mother and told her that the guard took him into the empty apartment on the ground floor and he felt like he was being kidnapped. The father was promptly called back from work and he came and quizzed the boy more about how the guard got the key and what was he doing when the guard took him into the apartment etc. When the boy felt cornered, he told them the truth.

Now, there are folks questioning whether what the girl told them is true, and what if that is also a fabricated story?

I thought that was really sad... I agree kids might lie or more like twist the truth a bit, but then a girl who came home crying and scared should not be questioned whether she what she is saying is true.

But, I also feel maybe what the father did was also not right. Why did he beat up the guard? As B says... there is always that chance that his intention was not to hurt her, there might be a different explanation... right?

Oatmeal crispies

I have had some Oats lying about every since B stopped having Oats porridge for breakfast. I personally am not a very big fan of oats, so I do not have porridge or the upma variety of Oats. I prefer my simple Kellogg's if I am to have a cereal for breakfast.

The past three months have been few of routine, workouts and measurements. I have been very regular at the gym and I have been trying to tone my body up and get rid of the pregnancy and lactation effects ob my body. In spite of the gym, one of the key factors for a very minimal differenece on the scale was courtesy a very bad eating pattern, and on consulting a dietician, there was really nothing wrong in what I was eating, just that I need to organize meals. That is where these delicious crispies came in. I needed a morning meal prior to my workout.. so that I can follow it up with a good lunch once I am back.


I came across this recipe when I was scurrying about the web in search of how to make some small brinjals/egg plant which I had. I chanced upon Kath's blog and then not only the brinjal but these oat crispies were also tried. They are the perfect morning energy bars and in fact with the walnuts in them, they would be quite nutritious too. I added a little raisins too along with the walnuts, and I think any nuts would be wonderful with oats. Might try almonds and raisins for my next batch.

Here is the recipe. Also do check out Kath's blog for some great meal plans.

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

2 beaten eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1½ cups (180 g) flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon soda

3 cups (360 g) quick-cooking oats 

½ cup chopped walnuts

Method

1. Thoroughly cream the butter and the sugars together. (I mixed them at medium speed in my stand mixer for about 5 minutes.)
2. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat well.
3. Stir together the flour, salt and soda. Add the flour mixture to the dough and mix well.
4. Stir in the oats and chopped walnuts.

5. Shape into 2 or 3 logs and wrap with wax paper. refrigerate overnight. You can also put the wrapped logs in freezer bags ad freeze for later use.

6. This would yield about 3-4 dozen crispies :) baked at 180 C for 10- 12 minutes.

Brown Beauty

This is a recipe from Betty Crocker's Cook Book, the 1980s edition. This was the first book which I came across on baking, something which my mom owned and swore by. I started making the simple cookies and then graduated to dinner rolls and croissants. Everything turned out wonderful when I followed what was written in this book.

So, when I wanted to make a cake for B's birthday I did not want to risk it, and decided to try the Brown Beauty cake from this book. Though the Bangalore Electricity Board played havoc with my cake, the taste and flavor was wonderful and the way I wanted the fudge cake to turn out. The icing which I did spoilt the look, but there is always a next time ;)

Here is the recipe

Ingredients

1/2 cup boiling water
2 oz unsweetened chocolate
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup shortening / unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1 egg

Method

1. Heat oven to 350 F
2. Grease and flour a pan ( 8x8x2" is the approx size required)
3. Stir boiling water and chocolate until the chocolate melts. Once melted, keep aside for cooling
4. Blend flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
5. Stir the blended ingredients into the cooled chocolate
6. Add shortening and beat for 1 minute, medium speed on mixer, continuously scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl
7. Add buttermilk, vanilla essence and egg.
8. Beat for 1 more minute.
9. Pour into the greased pan and bake for 35 - 40 mins.
10. Cool a while in the oven and then transfer to a wire rack.

Time flew

7 months seem like a short period of time for many other things which I have done. But, when I look at my 7 month old daughter, I feel aww, love, amazement. I see everyday a new development, I see a personality developing apart from the milestones which I am quickly counting and documenting. She has her likes and dislikes, somethings will never happen when she doesn't wish for it. But, she also knows when I am losing my temper and she will also quickly concede.

When I embarked on this journey, I was so unprepared, in fact now I look back, I had no idea what to expect. I did not know anything about children. I had only seen my nieces and nephews for brief periods which were more customary than in a taking care role. I was there to take care of them when their mother needed some work done. So, I was the one who would sit down and keep them occupied, but I was never the one who would be with them all through the day and I did not know how I would ever manage that. And today, I have been all alone at home, with no help ( yes, my help bunked), which means cooking, cleaning and T has all been my responsibility.

I do not know whether it was my running about or was it that children tend to get themselves into weird positions, but T just got her first nick while trying to stand up and stumbling, bumping her head on a rocking chair. She screamed and I came running, I saw the tinge of blood and my first instinct was to call B, but then I decided it didn't require that. It was a small nick, and she stopped howling after a minute. I dabbed it with a wet cotton and applied some baby lotion. Now, I believe that children fall down, get hurt and then they become OK, but then the first one being at 7 months is what I did not expect. My mom keeps telling me, you have one very active kid in the making, she will ensure you are on your feet. And my mom is also of the opinion that instead of wasting money on gym, exercise classes et al, I should just start running about with her and interact with her all through the day which will surely have me tired. After one day of managing everything on my own, I think maybe she does have a point, well moms always have a point! Experience that is called!

Anyhow, on the trying to stand up and move about bit, I think maybe it would be a good idea for me to get her a walker so that I know she wont be tumbling down anything soon. Also this will allow her to move about more easily. Any inputs, please do leave a comment. Any particular brand, model which is good, or if you feel walkers are not a good idea.. whichever way. 

The Paan Waala

There is something about entrepreneurship which surely does feel good. And, saying that, I also know that it is not everyones' cup of tea. There are some who find it very difficult to break away from the norm and step up or out to the world unknown to them. And on the other hand, there are some who are more than willing to explore and venture into completely unknown territories just for the kick! 

This grit and fun is one of the many things which I love in B. How did I start writing all this? 

Well, yesterday, B happened to help a Paan waala who has his own small place, which B visits ever so often, to get a new deal and set a new shop in a much better and profitable location. There is a new pub which has opened up a few hundred metres away and that was close to a busy junction, which ensured better traffic and sales. B happened to casually ask the Paan waala why he was not interested in that location as it is very evident that it would be more profitable. The Paan waala was certainly interested, but did not know how to go about it, or whom to go and meet as the pub was just about to open. B made a few calls, and found out from some friends who is the owner, and went promptly along with the Paan waala to meet the owner. He spoke with the owner at length explaining the benefit of having a paan shop outside his pub, and also vouched for the quality of the paan. The owner not only understood that it was a good proposition, but he also agreed on a reasonable amount as deposit and rent to run the Paan shop just at the entrance to the pub. 

When B came back and narrated to me this incident, I was just awed. It was not because of his idea, but that he went ahead and spoke on behalf of the Paan wala and actually went through it the whole way. He not only took the effort to get in touch with the owner, but he also went along with the Paan waala and spoke on his behalf. This is a quality which I know I do not have, and immensely look up to in him. He did not think that this is too lowly a matter to interfere in, nor did he think what would the owner of the pub might think of him if he takes such a matter to him. His only thoughts were that it is a worthwhile venture, and something which might do good for the Paan waala. 

I would not have taken it up on me to go ahead and talk to a third person about a business opportunity for someone else. I would have had so many apprehensions, and felt I, as a person should not interfere in anothers' matters. I would not be the kind to go out of my way to help someone as in this case. I might have found out the name of the owner and given that piece of information to the Paan waala, but going with him and helping him in acquiring the deal is just not something I see myself doing. 

What would you have done?

Image Source: http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=MMIR/2007/05/04/12/Img/Pc0120500.jpg

10 day challenge - Two Songs

The past 9 days, I have been posting on the above 10 Day you Challenge. Some of the days have been very difficult and some comparably simpler. This challenge has made me look within and explore what I feel about many of the challenges. 

Music is something which I like, its soothing to the ears and I love some music to be playing in the background when I am at some task. I love to have music playing when I am cooking, reading or just doing some work. 

I have almost never followed music as chartbusters or billboards, I have just been very stagnant in my music likings. I am not the person who has many favorites, so here I will list two songs which hold some importance for me. 

1. 21st century girl - Def Leppard 

This is the song with which I was introduced to Rock as a genre. I still find it most soothing for any situation, soft rock, hard rock, metal…

2. Do you wanna partner - Partner

This is a song from the first movie I watched with B :) on my 25th birthday eve. And this birthday is the day we started dating :)

Day 11 - Valentine Special

Here is a small part of my surprise Valentine's Day dinner! 

Eons later

Its truly been ages since I have been on my blog, and even longer since I visited any of the blogs which I have been regularly reading. Why? There has been so much happening, so much travelling, and all clubbed together, I have been just too busy the past 1.5 months to do any blog hopping/ reading. I went to Delhi, then Calcutta, and now will be going to Delhi and Goa in the coming weeks. 


So the main update is I am currently unemployed, and I do not seem to mind it at all, a break which I have been wanting, and I guess as of now, with my health situation, its a good thing. There has been a revelation to B and me, and that is that I am expecting, and the best part was I found out at 4 months. Do not ask me how I managed to let something so big slip by unnoticed, but I did! So now, I want to just relax, be at home, help B with work, and keep myself occupied doing tit bits of what I wish to. 


Calcutta trip was amazing, and that requires a post of its own, and our anniversary Goa trip might just be clubbed with it. :)