Cruising through the gentle backwaters...

This post comes 6 months too late, but this was such a magical part of our summer vacations in the backwaters of Alleppey this year, I just had to share it with all of you:-)

Our Kerala trip consisted of experiencing the backwaters as well as exploring the lanes of Fort Kochi, I have already shared our trip to Fort Cochin here & here...

Lake Palace Resort in Alleppey was where we stayed since it's located right on back waters.

For the 3 days that we stayed there we took 3 different boats to explore the backwaters.

Riceboats or Kettuvallams are traditional boats that were used in the olden days to transport rice and spices, today they can be hired for the whole day to cruise along the various canals of the backwaters.

The pace at which the boat cruises along is so lovely I recall dozing off every now and then between reading a paragraph of my book.

The riceboat then drops anchor at Lake Vembanad at noon, where the seasoned chefs in the boat's kitchen whip up hot lunch that can be savored at a leisurely pace while watching the other boats and marine birds...

Another day we took a smaller boat that takes you into the narrower canals where one can experience the daily life of people living on the banks of the backwaters.

Stopping now and then to sip some fresh tender coconut water and taking in the beauty of the place.

The last day we took a public transport boat which was lovely too with it's beautiful windows:-)

What a beautiful, serene journey it was...hope all of you visit the backwaters of Kerala at least once in your lives:-)

A rainy morning...

* the photograph is blurry.

* so are things right at this moment.

* it's a rainy, grey morning.

* drinking some hot chai keeps me going.

* rather than complain about the weather, am thinking of ways to make today interesting.

* maybe catch up with some old friends.

* watch some movies on TV.

* bake?

* visit all those inspiring design blogs I haven't visited in a while.

* this blog is lovely.

what are you doing today?

oh those cookery shows....

..I watch them all.

nigella rules, kylie kwong rocks, sanjeev kapoor is fun, aditya bal is funny...

the latest in the list is 'jamie at home'

the new cookery show I have been watching, by Jamie Oliver.

* the rustic kitchen.

* those enamel pots and pans.

* cabbages, baby carrots, radishes, turnips pulled out fresh from his kitchen garden.

* go straight into that huge pot of boiling water.

* oh. its lovely.

* don't understand?

* just watch this:-)

November 1, 2009

* been away for 4 months. wow.

* hi there to people who still visit this space.

* where did I disappear?

* was very much here, but suddenly had nothing really to blog about.

* meanwhile, I upgraded my comp to an Apple Macbook Pro.

* got myself a new lens Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens

* cut my hair.

* attended yoga classes.

* was offline for more days that I ever could imagine.

Suddenly today I wanted to post. So here I am:-)

* winter sunlight just warmed my soft heart.

* those succulent, juicy tomatoes with all their green crowns intact lured me to pick my camera.

* the new chai masala, that I picked up...does have some magical ingredient.

* loads of lotion on dry, dry skin.

* the father and the daughter huddled in the kitchen, trying to whip up a Sunday dinner.

* some new chai cups.

Hope all of you have a serene Sunday.

sweet process...

Basic Cake Recipe
1 Cup- White Castor Sugar
1/2 Cup- Butter
2 -Eggs
2tsp- Vanilla Extract
1and 1/2 Cup- Flour
1 and 3/4 tsp- Baking Powder
1/2 Cup - Milk

* Preheat oven to 175 degrees C/300 degrees F
* Grease cake tin
* Cream together sugar and butter, add beaten eggs slowly.
* Add vanilla extract.
* Combine Flour and baking powder seperately and mix well with the wet mixture.
* Add milk.
* Pour in the greased tin and bake for 30-40 mins until a needle inserted in the cake comes out clean.

Do bake and enjoy the smell lingering in the house in the afternoon!( I decorated it with some chocolate chips)

simple pleasures~

* A bunch of wild flowers tied into a little bunch with a string.
* early morning cool breeze.
* sparrows chirping.
* white rangoli on wet pavements.
* children's laughter.
* fluttering pigeons .
* my favourite song on replay.
* amul roasted almond ice-cream in a tub.
* juicy litchis that don't last longer than few minutes.
* pulpy intoxicating mangoes.
* anticipation of the weekend.
* seeing my cosmos seedlings grow.

what are your simple pleasures?

Eyeing...

...some interesting stuff from people tree.

Today is special...

I receive loads of email everyday.
Spam mails, Lottery mails, query mails, forwarded mails...

I, like many others don't bother too much with forwarded mails, but this one mail from a friend completely appealed to me.

It is long.
If you have the time enjoy it.
If not, come back later to read it.

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written." My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1.Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay cheque.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you no one else.
20. When it to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion, today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Enjoy!

scones and software...

I baked.
I baked scones.
I found.
I found a software long ago.
I finally downloaded it.
I tried it.
I loved it. Recipe for the scones~
from Breakfast Tea Lunch~ Rose Carrarini

Golden Raisin Scones
3 &1/3 Cups - All-purpose flour
1 handful - Whole Wheat flour ( Atta)
2 heaped tbsp- Baking Powder
2 heaped tbsp- Castor Sugar
1 tsp- Salt
1/2 Cup- Unsalted Butter
1 Cup- Golden Raisins
1 & 1/4 Cup- Milk
1 Egg- Beaten for glazing

* Preheat the oven to 200 degree C /400 degree F, grease a baking tray.

* Sift the plain flour into a bowl and add the whole wheat flour.

* Mix in the baking powder, sugar and salt, then add the butter abd rub in with your fingers until the mixture resembles fresh breadcrumbs.

* Add the raisins and mix well.

* Make a well in the middle, pour in the milk and use a fork to work it into the dry ingredients, Finish by hand but without overworking the mixture- just lightly bring everything together to form a softish but firm dough.
If it is too dry add little milk and if it is too wet add some more flour. It must not be sticky.

* On a lightly floured surface, pat or roll the dough into a solid shape about 3 cms thick.

* Using a 2 inch cutter, cut the dough into rounds and place them on the greased baking tray.

* Glaze the tops with the beaten egg and bake for 15-20 min until lightly golden.

Serve warm with butter and jam:-)

Destination of the software~
http://www.poladroid.net

Try it but mind it, it is addictive;-)

books in my compositions...

I love books.
I love reading books.
I also love photographing books.
I have other favourite subjects too, will share in the future:-)
What are you drawn to while photographing?

Enjoy your day!
...with books and magazines.

Delicious drawings...

A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg not only has delicious recipes, but also has beautiful illustrations by one of my favourite artist Camilla Engman.Priya- Here are a couple of pics I took today in a hurry, will post some more later:-)

found...

...the joy of biting into chunks of candied ginger and chocolate chips...

Got my hands on this lovely book that has been on my wish list for sometime. Baked Molly's Banana Bread with Chocolate and Crystallized Ginger.
Enjoy!