...hilly holiday.

We decided to take a quick holiday before our daughter's school session resumes and we get sucked into the daily routine of city life.
After much research we zeroed in on the Nilgiri Hills. Our destination was a resort nestled in the Coonoor valley...but the journey was as breathtaking if not better than the destination.

* Lush green hills covered with tea plantations.
* Quaint little roadside shops.
* The fragrance of eucalyptus & wintergreen trees.
* A nip in the air as we started the ascend on the 36 hairpin bends on the hilly road.
* White-washed churches.
* Narrow lanes leading upto old British style bunglows.
* An old world charm just enveloped us as we passed by many tiled houses.
* Trucks carrying fresh vegetables from the farms on the hills.
* Grey clouds threatening to rain.
* The mountain railway tracks appearing now and then at various bends of the hilly road.

...left us completely enthralled and in a state between a sweet dream & reality.Little did we realise that the reality waiting at the end of the road nestled in the lap of nature was no less than a dream.

I am back!

Well, I am happy to be back: To be using my computer to check my mails and flickr.

I am a bit sad: My Nikon Coolpix 885 camera which is a contant fixture in my handbag had a fall and am trying to get it repaired and retrieve loads of pics I have been taking during the period of my absence from cyberspace.

Hope to be back soon to share all the interesting things & pics.
Till then here's something from my archives.

Taking a blogging break!

I am taking a break from blogging for a while.
Will be ~
* Scrubbing my kitchen floors clean.
* Re-potting my mint plants.
* Arranging & re-arranging the furniture in my home.
* Sipping endless cups of 'Garam Chai'.

So till then, enjoy your cup of tea!

Flowers in my home.

Every week beginning I pick up fresh flowers from my local florist and make simple flower arrangements like keeping flowers in empty jam glass bottles (Martha Stewart Inspiration?) & have a common theme in the various rooms...

Check out some previous posts on my love for fresh flowers in my home... here , here & here.

Ode to 'A Cup of Tea'.

'A cup of tea to say thank you
For all the things You've done,
And wishes that the day will bring You happiness and fun..'

©birdiekity May - 1998

Daytrip to Kanva Reservoir.

After major discussions,
The Destination: Kanva Reservoir.
Distance from Bangalore: 69 Kms.
The team: Me, My enthusiastic husband, a (waiting for an Indian adventure) cousin from the U.S. & a very naughty daughter.


* Great Idli-Vadas from Kamat Lokaruchi.

* Lovely village scenes enroute.

* Gulmohar Trees in full bloom.

* Mango trees drooping with the weight of fresh green raw mangoes.

* Friendly village folks giving us directions to the reservoir.

* Beautiful, open expanse of land with the reservoir at a distance.

* Mohan-the boatman who took us in his coracle.

* Simple, friendly fishermen who offered us tea.

* Waddling through the shallow waters.

* Life is simple. Life is beautiful.

If you need a break from the hustle-bustle of city life, head straight to Kanva. Where the only things you'd probably hear are cuckoos in the mango groves and the shwish of the boatman's oars.

Obssessing over a cup...

I just can't get over this lovely green Ikea cup, that I pleaded my husband to pick up on his recent visit to the U.S.
The shape is beautiful and handle a little odd but I think that is what makes it so appealing to me.*Sigh*

Well, now you know the various ways of using a cup.;-)

sun, sand and the calm...

We are just back from a long weekend trip to coastal karnataka.
Lovely vacation with ~

* trips to the local temples
* lazying around in our tents
* long walks on the beaches
* collecting shells & pebbles
* building sand castles with my daughter
* watching the sunset
* the warm waves beating against my feet
* sweet fragrance of the cashew fruit
* rendezvous with the fisherwoman
* playing ball with the two very friendly labradors. All these simple activities put things back in perspective. Making grand plans for the future, the stress of daily city life just melts away and what remains is NOW. Just enjoying the present...

Colour, Smell & Taste.

A Melon is a delight to the senses. The sweet smell of musk melon, the refreshing taste and the colour is a great way to start the day.We are off for the long weekend of Ugadi festival. Will see you next week. Enjoy Summer!

:::Summer is here:::

*Mornings are beautiful.

*The cuckoos have started clearing their throats.

*Washed clothes come back crisp after drying out in the sun.

*Melons have started flooding the markets.

*The schools are going to close for summer vacations in few weeks time.

*Time for swimming lessons.

*Fresh strawberry milkshakes & cold ice-creams.

*Unwinding with loads of magazines.

Been away...

I have been off blogging for quite a while, will try and be back soon. Meanwhile you can check out my pictures on Flickr.

Colour of the Season!

I am completely spellbound by this beauty of nature.

Captured here are the Tabebuia Blossoms on the way to Nandi Hills. They brightened up the scene inspite of cloudy skies. Just LOVE it!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Raisin Cake- Our Valentines Day Special.

Only Yesterday...

It seems just yesterday

*I was holding her in my arms and tip-toeing around the house lest she wakes up.

*Raffi's One light, One Sun CD was on replay the whole day because only his songs soothed her.

*She sucked all her fingers before settling for her thumb.

*Her tiny pink feet fit right within my palm.

Today

*She makes 'hot soup' in her kitchen set for me when she thinks I look tired.

*'Where's the party tonight?' is her favourite song.

*She draws everyday & wants it to be scanned and 'uploaded' on to her blog.

*She wants her toe nails to be painted pink.

~Orange~

I don't mind packaged fruit juices but nothing to beat freshly squeezed Orange Juice.

I love the orange colour, the refreshing smell and the taste & so does Mallika.

So, fresh orange juice anyone?

I'm Back!

Yes, Yes, I have just been plain lazy. Have been checking out all the interesting blogs, have been addicted to Flickr and more recently food blogs.
Do check out Mahanandi for cooking with consciousness. I tried out her recipe for Vegetable Pongal with Red rice. Delicious!
So next time, when you are stuck with the question at 4.30 p.m.'What to cook for dinner?"just check out her blog.

Other things that I am busy doing nowadays.
* Loving my Tetley Elaichi Tea.
* Planting mint and coriander.
* Listening to Radio Indigo.
* Spring cleaning.
* Cleaning my hob & chimney with 'Easy Off Bang' ( yes it works!!!, the grease just came off in a jiffy)
* Uploading loads of pictures on Flickr.
* Trying to balance the task of managing 3 blogs that I have started.