tik tik tik...count down to new year 2009 :)

Can't believe...how time flies ! Time to take stock of this year and prepare a balance sheet.

How has 2008 treated you ? good or bad ? or still hoping for a miracle to happen at the last moment ?

I Shared a lota happy moments I am grateful for. Blessed to be in a new country; made few good friends, hobbies went up quite a bit - read some books, started blogging. And yes I sure did plant few roses in the desert- a rose tht brought joy to me as well as friends whom i treasure. Lota good moments shared online. I consider a joke well told, as a way of loving others. Yes, the lightness of laughter lifts us all. Now you all may try sharing some good jokes and check ur humour quotient ;).

There were a few bad moments too, but, all in all..another year, I'm still healthy and kickin!

To brief it up, lived as if i only had one year to live. It's nice to have a bright looking future with loads of options ahead, keeping my fingers crossed. Here am standing with open arms to welcome a grr8 yr 2009.

Happy New Year Friends, I wish you all the best of everything !!!

Shrimp Masala

Shrimp(Chemmeen) - 1/2 kg

Onion(medium) - 3 nos

Garlic pods - 1 no

Ginger - small piece

Green chilly - 2 nos

Tomato(medium) - 1 no

Red chilly powder - 2 - 3 tsp

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Coriander powder - 2 tsp

Garam masala - 1/4 tsp

Salt - As reqd

Oil - 2 - 3 tbsp

Coriander leaves - 3 stems

Heat oil in a pan.

Add chopped onions and saute them well.

Add crushed ginger and garlic and keep stirring.

Add salt, red chilly pwd,turmeric pwd, coriander pwd and garam masala pwd and saute.

Add finely cut tomatoes and allow the tomatoes to set in.

Add the cleaned prawns and cover with a lid.

Allow it to cook.

When almost done, add the slit green chillies.

Garnish with coriander leaves.:- Serve hot with chappathi, roti or rice.

NB: Made an extra spl lunch for my darling with this favourite dish of his. see the pic :).

ക്രിസ്മസ് സമ്മാനം

നമസ്ക്കാരം :). സുഹൃത്തുക്കളെ സുഖം തന്നെ അല്ലെ ? ഇന്നു ഒരു ചേഞ്ച്‌ ഇന് മലയാളത്തില്‍ വച്ചു കാച്ചാം എന്ന് കരുതി. ഒരു ഫ്രണ്ട് ഇന്റെ ബ്ലോഗ് ആണ് പ്രജോദനം ആയതു. രാവിലെ ഈ കോരി തരിക്കുന്ന തണുത്ത വെളുപ്പാന്‍ കാലത്ത് തലയില്‍ ഒന്നും വരുന്നില്ലെങ്ങില്‍ കൂടി മലയാളത്തില്‍ എഴുതുന്നതിന്റെ ഒരു ത്രില്‍ ഇല്ലാതില്ല. അപ്പോഴേ ക്രിസ്മസ് ഇന് എന്ഥ പരുപാടി ? അത് പറഞ്ഞപ്പോഴാ ഇന്നലെ അയല്‍വാസിയുടെ ക്രിസ്മസ് ട്രീ കാണാന്‍ പോയത് ഓര്മ വന്നത്. വളരെ ഭംഗി ആയി ഒരുക്കി വച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു . അതിന്റെ ഫോടോ ദേ കണ്ടോ . രാവിലെ തന്നെ ഒന്നു രണ്ടു ഫ്രണ്ട്സ് ഓണ്‍ലൈന്‍ വന്നു ചാടിയിട്ടുണ്ട്‌. ഇനി അവരെ കുറച്ചു നേരം എന്റെ തമാശകള്‍ പറഞ്ഞു രസിപ്പിക്കണം. ഓ ഈ എന്റെ ഒരു കാര്യം. എന്നെ സമ്മതിക്കണം അല്ലെ. അങ്ങനെ എന്തൊക്കെ കാര്യങ്ങള്‍ ആണ് ഡെയിലി ഞാന്‍ ചെയ്യുന്നത്. ആലോചിച്ചാല്‍ ഒരു അന്തവും കുന്തവുമില്ല. ഹി ഹി ! അപ്പോഴേ രാവിലെ ഇങ്ങനെ ഇരുന്നു ബ്ലോഗിയാല്‍ മതിയോ ? ഉച്ച ഭക്ഷണം തയ്യാര്‍ ആക്കണ്ടെ ഈ എനിക്ക് ? ഭര്‍ത്താവും കൊച്ചും വരുമ്പോള്‍ വല്ലതും വിലംബണ്ടെ ? എളുപ്പ പണിയായി ഇന്നു അപ്പവും മുട്ട റോസ്ടുമാ ഉണ്ടാക്കാന്‍ പരുപാടി. എന്ധാ അത് പോരെ ? മതി മതി. ഇങ്ങനെ ഇരിക്കും വ ല്ല വ ന്റെ കയ്യിലും പേന കിട്ടിയാല്‍. ഇപ്പൊ മനസ്സിലായ ? എന്ത് തോന്നിവാസവും എഴുതികൊള്ളും. നിങ്ങള്‍ വായനകാര്‍ക്ക് ഇതൊക്കെ അനുഭവിക്കാന്‍ യോഗം ഉണ്ടെങ്കില്‍ പിന്നെ പറഞ്ഞിട്ട് എന്ത് കാര്യം. അപ്പൊ ഇതാണ് നിങ്ങള്‍ക്കുള്ള എന്റെ ക്രിസ്മസ് സമ്മാനം. ഇഷ്ട്ടപെട്ടു കാണും എന്ന് കരുതുന്നു. വീണ്ടും കാണാം. കാണണം !!!!

Happy to c ye December !

What a month. I am glad it's over ; a season of coughs, sneezes and sniffles. I usually don't fall sick often, but lately I was so sick that I broke down. And so forgot a few b'days, few anniversaries.....sorry buddies....anyways my heartfelt wishes and prayers r always there for ye all.


Here it is , anyways decorating season is in. I love december. It's the time to review the year as we plan for the next. I am so blessed to be able to spend my days in the web world with all of you around. I wish the very best to you all throughout the holidays!


As another year is passing by, take a moment to note down the following tips to 've a more contended future.


• Be fully present in the moment.
• Invite joy.
• Create your future.
• Surround yourself with those who love and
support your dreams and hopes.
• Eliminate the unnecessary and unimportant.
• Choose hope.
• Breathe!


There r jus 30 days remaining, until the end of the yr. So looking forward to spread a little more christmas cheer, and gain some holiday pounds and relish the delicate flavor of chirstmas fruit cake.


Enjoy :)

Hooked up ???

gosh... can't imagine life without internet. World Wide Web has changed my life.....my lappie is always on and am connected 24 x7 , 365 days ...well, tht's exaggeration ;)

've u ever thought how life would be without these networking sites .... myspace, facebook ,Twitter, orkut ???? yea ?

a day without online chatting ? well, thts all thts happening these days. Guess i need to get some immediate medical attention for this new disorder - internet addiction disorder. wat ye say ? by the way tell me do ye all spend too much time online ? and wat do ye think is the reason for this addiction ? i think it's social interactions thts makign it so addicting. i spend time with my friends exchanging information, support, and chit-chat . But then would we ever characterize any time spent in the real world with friends as "addicting?" Of course not. Don't we talk on the phone for hours on end, with people we see everyday ? Do we say they are addicted to the telephone? Of course not. People lose hours at a time, immersed in a book, ignoring friends and family, and often not even picking up the phone when it rings. Do we say they are addicted to the book? Of course not. So ...so ...guess there is no need to create all this hoopla about a new diagnosis.

By the time i sort out this problem, let sunday clear away the rust of the whole week. enjoy ur day :).

god bless !!!

Mother's pet ...is tht U ???

YES YES YES !!!!

I was sitting down to write a b'day card to you
I was searching my heart for the right words
And I realized tht there r not enough words to express my feelings

From the moment I conceived you
You 've been the treasure of my heart
You are my son, my dearest one
The best I can ever have.

I'm a proud mother
'coz you r my son
and I love u so much !!!

God Bless You Darling Baby :)

NB: that's spl b'day pudding for mama's pet.Njoyy !

Magical evening !!!

We were looking outta the window of our cliff-top hotel room which had the perfect romantic ambiance and then he carried me to the private balcony to enjoy the breathtaking view. Watching the spectacular sunset is truly a magic moment to be shared with the one you love. we stayed there long whispering sweet nothings, listening to some soft music and drinking some good wine. The moonlit starry sky is just amazing, we took a walk along the beach sand holding hands. Trees swaying in the gentle breeze, I could feel the wind blow thr' my hair. We were wrapped in each others' arms. ...........wrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnggg goes the alarm .....hey good morning to y'all.

Though it took some time outta my sleep, it sure was a worthwhile experience. one perfect dream, hoping to enjoy a perfect sunday :)

A Joyous Diwali !!!

Wishing y'all A VERY HAPPY DIWALI and an year filled with happiness, success and prosperity, and ofcourse good health too :)

Diwali is not just a festival of lights, but time for some mouth-watering delights too. Is there a Diwali without sweets ? Not a chance!!! I made basen ladoos this time. I had first tried making ladoos mabbe coupla yrs bak. So it was not tht easy to recollect the recipe. Well I made a quick ISD call to my friend kala and a big thanx to her for instantly mailing me the recipe. And it came out really good. See them on the pic, and u'll agree with me ;).

So friends, 've a fun filled diwali !!!!!

An energetic outdoor sport !!!

The flying machine !!!

Throwing a Frisbee may seem like a kiddie game. but u may take my word ......it's truly amazing!!! thanx to the inventor :).

I 've had lota fun playing frisbee with my neighbours in my school days. It may be the best toy I've ever played with. I totally enjoyed playing it, now my son loves it too :). We had to teach him the fundamentals of throwing. Well with no wind, ye can just throw it just perfect. you may try too, all you need is an open space and u and ofcourse the flying m/c ;).

I have found this wonder disk to be a refreshing break from the monotony of the standard routine activities. And it sure brings the family together in this electronic overloaded hectic scheduled world.

Somehow chasing a flying disc that seems to refuse to stop flying has given new meaning to an otherwise monotonous life... ..well how abt joining me for a game !!!!

Spicy Chicken Curry

My mother in law is the best one to prepare a traditional chicken curry. Am yet to master her style of preparation. well here is my version for the time being, which is not bad at all ;) ...

Here it goes....

Ingredients

1/2 kg Chicken

4 medium Onions

2 medium Tomatoes
chopped coriander leaves

1 tablespoon Ginger-garlic paste

1 teaspoon Turmeric powder

1/2 teaspoon Red chilli powder(kashmiri chilly)

1 1/2 teaspoon Coriander powder
1/2 teaspoon garam masala
1/2 teaspoon pepper powder
curry leaves

3 tablespoons coconut oil
Salt to taste

Preparation

Heat oil in a pan, fry the ginger garlic paste till golden. Add the chopped onions and fry till golden brown, add the tomatoes and saute well. Once the raw smell goes, add all the powder masalas and fry for sometime.

Add water and allow to boil, once the water starts boiling add the marinated chicken (marinate chicken with yoghurt,salt, turmeric and pepper and keep it for 1/2 an hr)and cook on a medium flame till the chicken is cooked( u may use pressure cooker - 3 whistles). Add the coconut milk in required consistency. Cover and simmer for 5-7 minutes, garnish with curryleaves and read chilly.

Serve hot with chappathi , appam, idiappam, puttu or rice.

Doesn't this look yummmy ??

Hard to resist, rite ??? Trust me, it tastes as yummy as it looks! 'coz i just gobbled up these crispies ...hot ...hot..Making cutlets is not @ all a tough job. If u have the patience, u may try too. Ye may ask me, if u need the recipe. By the way howz my presentation ?

Gud Day Buddies ! am enjoying a cutlety monday ;)

Keep on running :)

Evening jogging along the corniche is on and fun...

I'm enjoying the lovely sea air...yea buddies...am here to promote a healthy lifestyle ;).

we have been going for long walks every evening along the corniche, the most attractive area here. At night the city's blaze of light is reflected off the calm water. Infact I clicked a few photos, but it didn't turn out good. hey c'mon now don't say tht i don't know how to use the camera. With the night snap option, it gets a little blurry, so I had to experiment.

Last eve I had a great time jogging with my son, while he was riding his cycle along the path.It's very encouraging as well, though i 've to carry few stuffs for him. Thats how u get fit with your child !! So here v r ...on the run...having fun :)

I feel that am getting a pretty damn good work out. Probably the best way to sweat out and burn some calories. And we are making a determined efforts to make walking a part of our daily routine. But I tell ye, I need constant praise to keep going.

I 've learned one more thing. This additional work out makes you very hungry. So once u start, don't go crazy on eating.....

It's not a big deal friends....happy jogging !!!

The Sun, Sand 'n Sea

Wow.......it was such a gorgeous evening ......really enjoyed the cool sea breeze, summer is not over yet though.

Yesterday afternoon we enjoyed a great arabic meal and then we were off to the beach. A beach with fine white sand and clear turquoise water. Been longing to spend sometime in a calm and serene atmosphere.On the contrary, being a holiday, there was a huge crowd on the beach. There were many on dune buggy zooming around on the beach sand, which annoyed my sis and she was rolling up her sleeves to 've a fight with them, 'coz they were riding so close to where the kids were sitting building sand castle and stuff. Many were having fun in the sea, spinning and turning around on water scooters. I really wished to take myself a ride on the scooter and experience the thrill. mabbe next time ;). Found it to be the most fun way to travel around the sea.

Expect to spend a lil longer time in our next visit.....its so relaxing, even now i can feel the waves on my feet ;).

So r u guys passionate about the sun, sand 'n sea ????

Embarked on writing!

As Novelist Toni Morrison puts it "If there's a book you really want to read but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." .......So here I am, with a dream to write a book.

How about writing about myself ? But then why would anyone be interested in my story ? well thats for yall to wait and watch. How about writing about friends, the men and women i 've known over the years and their lives. More importantly I wanna write for myself, without worrying about the language or the theme or the accuracy of details. Right now am on a research, browsing for some interesting ideas to work on, which sure should have a touch of verisimilitude, like the right amount of spices you add in to make your biriyani delicious.

Looking forward to turning raw words into something I can be proud of. Wish to create a book thats really entertaining. Will I be able to feel the words if I key them in onto the lappie, or should I try writing them down on a paper ? Hey, I got something to think on...

A good writer should be a good reader first , right ? so wat am I doing here .....lemme grab a book and read on ......b bak soon !

Hey so yall 've fun on a sunday and am hoping that my dream would materialise someday :)

Tip of the Day !

The morning air is so crisp

So is my breakfast cookies

Here comes my online friends

For our routine session of chit-chat

Another weekend's hangover ?
oh! learn to beat the monday morning blues

Me taking a break in between the household chores
And you amidst the piled up files

You talk about testing the s/w
And me on the menu for the day

Thus we share our thoughts
And learn a lota things each day

We have our share of laugh
And wish eachother a good day

So here I am, fully charged up for whatever lies ahead .....

Buddies, note down the tip of the day "Keep chatting and Feel Energized" !!!

Food and a Friend :)

I'm a foodie. I love food - I like to read about it - experiment it - cook it - review it ...

Well, in an online chat with my friend "D" on thursday morning, we happened to discuss abt the menu for the day. It was weekend special for us - Biriyani. According to me, a "biriyani" dish is rice with a mixture of whatever takes your fancy; in this case its chicken. The moment I mentioned the item, "D" made a request tht she wants to see a pic of my spl chicken biriyani...so here it comes.....

We enjoyed eating it !!! Have any tried this? Even if you haven't - let me know what you think abt this one !

Happy B'Day 2 ME !

Happy Birthday to ME :)..hope to 've a pleasant day and moreover hope to recv some nice gifts too ;)....heard tht friends ????

Being so far away from home, am missing all the fun ...i even forgot abt my b'day until 'S' woke me up at 12am and greeted me with a beautiful card. It was so thoughtful of him!!! Thank You Chweetie :)

Today, things are different. The first thing I notice as I log into Orkut is the long list of birthdays every single day; an ego shattering little reminder that every single person has a birthday and probably thinks it's just as special as yours. Do i sound selfish ??? Yes I'm ! Really, it isn't that I want more attention than the others, I just feel that it's our lives outside of the convenience of the Internet that really counts. I mean, how often do you even get real tangible birthday cards from someone other than your P'n P (Parents and Partner) ???? u agree ??? The next time you spot an upcoming birthday on your Orkut page, u sure will think of ME ;)

Do you buy yourself a Birthday gift ?? Yes, I 've done it, but its a gift for yourself with friends money ;). Well long time bak during my college days, oh how I enjoyed selecting gift for myself. We, a gang of 5 would go to nearby Archies Gallery and wud browse and buy the best one you can put ur hands on with the available resource (yeah, we used to collect money and buy a GG-Group Gift on each ones B'Day)..heehee....it was real fun. Miss Yall gals !

Birthday isn't juz a day

That comes and hurries by-

It's a time for me to say

'Thank You' to all my friends

For wishing so well today.

I really wouldnt be here without you guys. Love Yall :))

And Finally, thanks to internet bhagvan and the ppl involved in the invention of internet....so tht i can recv umpteen online greetings :)

Oraayiram Ponnonashamsakal !!! (Happy ONAM)

Wish yall a very

Happy,'n Prosperous

Healthy 'n wealthy

Colourful 'n funfilled Onam!

I'm reminded of a popular song which narrates the glories of a period of peace and plenty in the distant past when King Mahabali (an asura-demon) ruled over the land of kerala..."Maveli Nadu Vaneedum Kalam Manusharellarum Onnu Pole"...i sincerely hope for a future of equality, prosperity and social justice !

Without doubt the most delicious part of this grand festival is Onasadhya :)...hey friends, do remember this dear friend here b4 u start gorging the lip smacking meal.

Amma...miss ur onasadhya....thinking abt it made me drool ;)

'Njoyyy!!!

Happy Anniversary ..a day for reminiscing!

~Thank You Lord ~

Time goes on changing

So does the state of mind

Substituting worries for happiness

And joy for sorrow

The pleasure derived from those happy moments outweigh

the burden of disappointments

Thank you Lord for dealing justly and

pray to you to be the centre of our relationship always !!!

Darling,

Each moment with you

has been a new experience.

A will to love has

brought me this far.

We 've had our share of rippled calms

that always doubled the joy

We 've been through turbulence in the past

but it has not changed my love for u.

I thank you on this day

for sticking by my side :)

May our love for each other continue to grow..........

And yeah...thank you for the wonderful gift ;) Love U, Darling!!!!!

Trapped in the mirror !

After I knew I would be getting new glasses, I decided I needed a new hair cut to go with my new glasses. So I tried the normal step-cut this time, though not sure if it is the best choice, anyways I love the cut! To tell yall the truth i really got bored with my previous hairstyle. Long straight hair with short fringes in the front. I 've had this haircut since childhood. I shoulg gain the guts to tell this to my mom. Ye know wat....i think i did spenx a li'l longer time in front of the mirror this morning....admiring my new appearance....now, pls don't label me a narcist ;)...well am not one ! But i really like the new look. Changing look for a change !!!

the new "intellectual" look !

Does 'the glasses make the person '???... like 'the clothes make the man'......

I 've been suffering from severe eye strain and blurred vision which no doubt is caused by excessive computer use and so now I fall under the category of CVS - Computer Vision Syndrome. well I was forced to consult an eye specialist at this point, after a comprehensive eye examination it was determined that i 've astigmatism. so am advised to wear correction glasses. 've selected a fancy featherlight frame and 've placed the order for the glasses....yaay...so am i gonna 've a Dr.k look now???((@least i can pretend to be an intellect, duh)) Now look, am not worried abt how well its gonna help me see the world, am worried abt how the world sees me !!!!

Do ye guys use ur lappie for more than 3 hrs in a day ? here r some tips to reduce strain ...jus 4 u !

1)First, rub your hands together until they feel warm (about 15 to 20 seconds). Then place your cupped hands over your closed eyes, being careful not to touch your eyes with the palms of your hands. Don't apply pressure.
2)Hold your thumb six inches from your nose. Focus on your thumb. Take one deep breath and exhale slowly. Then focus on an object about 10 feet away. Take another deep breath and slowly exhale. Repeat back and forth.
3)Sitting or standing at one end of a room, let your eyes scan around the objects in the room - clocks, televisions, doors, lights, computers, etc. The object of this exercise is to keep your eyes moving in a loose and fluid way.
4)Slowly and gently roll your head around to the left, then back, keeping your shoulders still and relaxed. Make your movements slowly, carefully and deliberately. Now repeat the same to the other direction as well.

Thats all for now.Wish me good luck friends...am looking fwd to better vision :)

Good Luck mothers :)

Can kids handle funky food combinations ? my answer being "NOT ALWAYS" !

Well here is the proof ;)

My son gets bak home early from school dis days...'coz of ramadan. And am in a hurry to feed him lunch before he starts his hunt for custards and chocolates in the fridge. This is the point where me and my hubby get into an argument. He doesn't like me forcing the kid to eat. He says he 'll come to you when hez hungry. U know how fustrating it can be to try to get him to eat especially when hez a fussy eater. Anyways i was happy for being successfull this time. Excellent, he loved my daal curry, spinach as well as fish fry....surely i 'll make them again and again...otherwise its red beetroot curry thats his standard choice.
My idea of offering a dessert as a reward was foolish this time :(. well the lil one didn't stop at that. He was particularly looking for his favourite choco-hazelnut spread jar. In no time he found the jar and he was like yayy....even i love it...it tastes awesome!!..oh my god....and he didn't stop with one spoon. he went on and on until he flew down the hall to the bathroom. he jus threw up !!!!This is exactly what happens when u stuff more on top of an already overloaded stomach.
Put all of those things together and you have the perfect recipe for vomiting. I wanted to scream at him but then felt really sorry for him so i gently explained to him that, although he didn't do it intentionally, what he ate made him sick. Though he felt irritated , he came bak to me saying i love u mom....love u too darling :)

Good luck mothers !!!

Ramadan Kareem!

Assalamualaikum :)

Ramadan...the most blessed month of the islamic year has arrived. Days of fasting and feasting has begun.

In this part of the world, the phrase used to greet during Ramadan, is 'Ramadan Kareem' meaning 'Ramadan is generous'. So here is wishing yall Ramadan Kareem ....enjoy the month !!!!

The most prominent event of this month is the fasting practiced by observant Muslims. In addition to this, they are encouraged to read the entire Qur'an. Simi, you would be the rite person to share the significance of this month.....pls do! I still remember how you used to go and stay outside the classroom while we gobbled down our lunch during those ramadan days.

I had been to Iftar(fast-breaking) manya times.Iftar is done right after Maghrib (sunset) time. Traditionally, a date is the first thing to be consumed during Iftar when the fast is broken. A wide variety of food is also served. It is a belief that feeding someone Iftar as a form of charity is very rewarding.

So friends 've a blessed month :)

Stressed out ?

R u all 'ving a busy day ????


Do you wish to stay fresh and lively all day long ? who doesn't ! hers is a simple tip to achieve the same. Take a moment to relax, by closing ur eyes. Now we are cutting our senses which connect us with the world around us. Remain calm and take a long deep breath in and slowly exhale. Focusing on this process (air in and out) can help calm our mental activity. It soothes your body and mind and you feel rejuvenated. It can b done any time of the day whether you are @ ur workplace or in the midst of doing household chores or while studying. Repeat the same when u r stressed out, thus regenerating freshness in life.

So friends, try this relaxation technique - its as simple as it sounds.


've a great day :)

Twin cats ...r they ?

How cute !!! see how well r they posing for my camera. seems to b enjoying long naps in this humid weather. i clicked this one myself while we went on a walk around the corniche...

Happy Monday, everyone !

plugged in!

Whats new in iPhone ? it sure has once again refueled the raging mobile battle. Its for us to wait 'n see how these hottest competitors manage to score over iPhone.

Well thats not the issue here. me and my hubby almost suffered nomophobia ("no mobile" phobia) the last coupla days.

My 3 yr old nokia mobile is suddenly dead. it juz wouldn't detect signal. we had given it @ the Nokia care and was really disappointed to find out that it is damaged beyond repair.

Now see the kinda unity, my sweetheart lost his mobile phone while we were on our weekend outing. Though we went bak and pinned the whole place it was of no use. we did register a complaint with the security in-charge of the mall. and first thing that came to mind was to call the operator's service centre and block the simcard. we were more upset about the invaluable collection of contacts and photos that we took & never bothered to upload.

we all 've become so dependent on our mobiles that discovering it is out of charge or simply misplacing it sends stress levels soaring.

Left with no other option, we bought for ourselves Sony Ericsson Walkman Mobiles. Here it is ....take a look @ them....and my hubby announces that its a b'day gift for me well in advance.....so that means i shall not b recvn any surprise gifts for my b'day on the 17th of sept. poor me :(

Holding my new pink phone am all dressed in black still mourning the death of my sweetie-nokia flip open phone .....i miss u ...i really do!!!

MeatPuttu

-For chicken Mixture-


minced chicken 1 cup [ any meat can be used ]
Onion chopped 2 nos
Tomato chopped 1 no
Ginger chopped finely ¼ tsp
Garlic chopped finely ¼ tsp
Red chilly powder 1 tsp
Turmeric powder ¼ tsp
Fenugreek pwd 1 pinch
Garam masala pwd ¼ tsp
Salt to taste
Oil

Saute all of the above items except chicken.Keep stirring until the raw smell disappears. And now add minced chicken and let it cook well. It should b in a dry form once it is done. Add chopped coriander leaves and curry leaves in the end.

-For Puttu -

Rice flour 2 cups; Grated coconut 4 table spoons; Water -required qty (around 1/2 cup)

Salt to taste

Add salt & water to the rice flour & mix in required consistency. It should neither be too wet nor too dry. In a puttu maker, layer 2 tsp grated coconut, rice mixture, then the meat stuff, again rice mix then grated coconut & steam till done!!

It sure is a simple recipe ...delicious too :).

Tranquility

Am enjoying the stillness of this moment

Free from fears and worries

Complete absence of noise and interruption

An exemption from quarrels and war

A state of being contented

I wish it's an unceasing state !!!!

Bachna Ae Haseeno - Ranbir Rocks :)

Rating- ****

Try hard as you can.......lekin bachna mushkil hain. A thoroughly enjoyable movie after a long time and a fresh one too. Just no way you can miss it.

The guy is too cool, sweet, sexy 'n smart. You just fall in love with this 'killer'(thts wat he calls himself) again and again. Really didn't expect so much from him after seeing his performance in saawariya.

The three ladies look great and sure has given their best shot, be it Minisha Lamba, Bipasha Basu or Deepika Padukone.

You can see Kunnal Kapoor in a cameo. And no doubt Hiten Paintal has done a good job.

With Exotic locations, melodious songs and rite amount of fun and sentimental stuff its sure to hit the chart.

"Khuda Jaane" magnificently picturised with Ranbir and Deepika is the best romantic track. Also loved "Jogi Mahi" which is a foot-tapping and peppi number. The title track "bachna ae haseeno" creates history with raps added in b/w giving the song the much needed zing for the generation next!

So guys.....wat r u waiting for.....go 'n 've some fun.

Anyone can cook .....(watch 'Ratatouille' to learn more ;)

I'm not a chef. I'm not a professional cook. But I love what happens when you serve up delicious food from your own kitchen. Cooking is really about love and connection.

I never knew how to cook a decent meal until i got married. My husband is my biggest admirer. He has always appreciated my innovations and thats what motivates me to experiment more delicious and interesting recipes.

The secret of Indian cooking lies in the blending of spices and your instinct. That is why one would notice that the same dish prepared by different people, tastes different. A well-cooked meal is simply a vehicle to deeper friendships, fascinating conversation, family together time 'n so on....

Here is something special(sambar 'n Avial) from my own kitchen prepared today exclusively for my preggy neighbour......

I love food and feeding others too :).

Getting bak on track...

A Big 'Hi' to all those who checked in b/w for an update .......am bak friends :)

I luv vacationing. But looks like i need a vacation to recover from the vacation ;). This time it was too short and hectic too. I'm really exhausted. The one big tip that i wanted to share was this - give ur health first priority when u have those hectic vacation schedules.

Sure had fun meeting up with friends-long time friends indeed.Moments .......wonderful! hope u gals(LAKSHMI,MANJU, DEEPA 'N SIMI) feel the same. do add in ur comments pls... I know that I'm not the only one who looks back on my college days as a wonderful time in my life. My college years are yellow with time and age, but I remember them as being the best of my teens .Without a doubt I had a blast. This day we 5 met was truly a wonderful gift. Believe it or not, though we look different now, we still sound the same. Hey gals, how fun it was juz to discuss philosophical issues into the evening.

I will write soon about what I saw and took away from my trip besides just having fun in rain.

I'm really looking forward to my next VACATION......

Lemme get some rest ..bi for now.....b bak soon ......

How to look your best with a beautiful and elegant hair

Hair Care Tips 4 u gals........

Brush your hair regularly before going to bed each night.
Take a calcium supplement or drink two glasses of milk a day.
Add iron and minerals in the natural form in your diet.
Restrict blow-drying your hair. The process of blow-drying is harsh on hair as it robs it of moisture.
Use mehandi (henna) as a conditioner and colouring agent.
Trim your hair once in 7 weeks to avoid split ends.
If your hair is oily, cut down on fried food and fat. Drink plenty of water.

Hair Types

Normal hair is shiny yet not greasy, and fairly easy to manage.
Greasy hair looks good for a day or two after shampooing, but then quickly becomes lank.
Dry hair is difficult to control after shampooing, looks dull and has ends that are dry and split.
Greasy dry hair is usually fairly long and the hair nearest the scalp is greasy while the ends are dry.

Beautiful Hair Tips

1. Use a hair oil with Vitamin E which has a vitalising cause on hair.
2. Avoid sleeping in hair accessories such as clips, head bands etc.
3. Avoid shampoos that having sodium laurel sulfate, or sodium laureth sulfate.
4. Drink coconut water at least twice a week. It is good for hair.
5. Apply egg white once a week, it gives ur hair a shiny look.
6. Lemon juice mixed with water can also be used as a last rinse to give ur hair a shiny and bouncy look.

K-K-C - Kavi's Kadai Chicken

Recipe of the week , juz for u....

1 kg chicken, washed,cleaned and cut into small pieces
4 tablespoons oil
1/2 cup onion sliced
1 1/2 cups tomatoes sliced
2 tablespoons fresh coriander leaves chopped
1 tablespoon ginger paste
1 tablespoon garlic paste
1 tablespoon pepper corn
1 tablespoon kashmiri chilli powder
2 tablespoon coriander powder
1 teaspoon garam masala powder
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
salt to taste

Method:

Thoroughly clean the chicken and cut into pieces.
Heat oil in a kadai. saute onion until light golden brown in color.
Add pepper corns,red chilli powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, coriander powder and salt. Mix well.
Add tomatoes, ginger, garlic paste and cook until the tomatoes become tender.
Grind the above gravy by adding lil warm water, to form a thick gravy.(meantime u may pressure cook the chicken adding lil of salt, coriander pwd and chilly powder)
Add the cooked chicken pieces to this gravy and mix well
Reduce the heat. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes (or until fully cooked).


If you have copper base kadai then transfer the contents to that. Heat for a while. Then garnish with chopped coriander leaves, saute onion cubes,tomatoes w/o seed and capsicum.
and serve hot.

Let's Dance!

Could salsa b the next big thing ? i 've been wanting to learn salsa for a long time...

Anybody there who wish to know more abt salsa ?

1, 2, 3......high energy Salsa, an energetic dance form which is becoming increasingly popular in the Indian metros in an astonishingly short time.

There are several versions of the salsa. The most popular one is Club Salsa, the Cuban version.Salsa is a very vigorous dance, the mere sight of girls doing the twirls and the swirls on six inch heels is enough to go "ouch!". There is a lot of toil, sweat and pain (not necessarily in that order) involved in acquiring some level of proficiency. To pick up the dance or at least the basic steps one would need a couple of weeks.

Passion is the key.One has to have a lot of that if you are going to be dancing on six inch heels (for the women) for a couple of hours a day. Dancing in high heels is tough, but footwear is important for the look and feel of the dance.

Besides being an interesting form of dance it is good exercise as well. The movements are vigourous and 15 minutes into each practise session you are drenched in sweat. This is a very good workout regimen as well, plus you are learning a dance form. Its more like a social dance. People salsa because it's exciting.And because it's addictive. But mostly because, there are few short cuts to happiness and dancing is one of them.

You may learn it online too. Its a great way to start learning, especially if you are shy and feel awkward learning around other people

anyone wish to b my dance partner ? what are you waiting for ? Time to put on your dancing shoes. wait.....b4 tht lemme learn the steps myself first ;)

Dust Bowl !

Nature's most unpredictable phenomena !

Ever seen a parade of dust plumes ? I can tell u its a sight i 've never seen or experienced b4, a solid wall of sand reducing ur visibility. well sandstorms in the middle east are incomparable and are frequent visitors on hot summer days. And it may be stating the obvious, but trying to live and breathe in a cloud of micro-particles can have a major respiratory impact for people as well. so better stay inside. Once it sets in, its lasts for 3 or 4 days. so ladies, get set to clean the accumulated dust @ home. And especially if u r prone to allergy, then need to take extra care. Come to think of it, i 've been sneezing more lately.....

Each time there is a sand storm, my son gets allergic rhinitis and coughing. Is there any natural remedy I can give him either during the problem or as a prevention? Add in the comments pls!

There are various brands of air purifier units available in the market today. These units will clean the air and helps you stay healthy. we have decided to get one for our home.

See the pic above, the one i clicked when i was out this morning.

Breath Easy !!!!

Life a Puzzle!!!

All set to solve the puzzle
that life offers each day
Be ready to accept the best and the worst
no matter what you gain
Once I wished to live longer
with you by my side
Now, after days of grief
I turn a deaf ear to the inner sobs
escaping through my breath
You came to me seeking forgiveness
repenting with hands outstretched
I hate the moment, I hate the day
I whispered a prayer in my mind
Oh Lord, please forgive him.

Mama...come play with me :)

Hi Everyone .....am looking for creative, fun ways to keep my son busy. Whenever i'm in the middle of something, my kitchen door opens and it would be none other than my sweetie pie, complaining that hez feeling bored. During holidays its really difficult to keep them occupied 'coz how long do u expect them to do the same thing over 'n over. Either they spend time in front of the TV or else would pass time with play station.

When we think of play today, the first thing that comes to mind are toys. But then should one waste money on useless toys ? One should go for some creative learning toy like a jigsaw puzzle. There are lota online interactive activities for various age groups, which kids would love to do.

Couple of days back when we went out shopping, sang bought for adi, Monopoly- junior edition. Thats' his first monopoly board game. Its really a fun game for children to play.It helps kids learn to take turns, follow directions, and learn basic counting skills. In many ways the game is just like Monopoly. The goal is to end the game with the most money. Cheers to Parker Brothers for reaching not only out with trendy variations of its flagship product (Star Trek, Pokemon Monopoly, etc.) but to the youngest players who would enjoy and learn from this beloved game.

Major advantage of the game being it could go on for hours and is sure to become a family favourite. I feel no home should b without it.

wish to pour in some idea ? share in the comments!

Happy Playing :)

Nadan kerala karimeen porichathu (Pearlspot fish fry).

karimeen - around 4 nos

Red chilly pwd - 2 tsp

Turmeric pwd - 1/4 tsp

coriander pwd - 2 tsp

ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp

pepper pwd - 1/4 tsp

salt - to taste

curry leaves

lime juice - optional.

Scale clean the fish thoroughly. u may remove the skin if u wish.

Make deep slit on either side.

Make a mixture of the above ingredients,except oil and marinate the fish well, for an hour.

Heat coconut oil in a pan.

shallow fry till done.

serve it hot. oh yeah garnish it with onion rings........

Try it out and do post ur comments.

Sleep becoming a stranger

Hope to get some sleep tonite.... i kinda started losing it lately. now don't think its a sleep disorder. this is wat led me to creation of a blogsite....actually the urge to do something productive and creative was developed during these sleepless nights. see there are inspirational miracles happening. But it is to those of you who thought I couldn't do it,It is you I thank the most. Because without you I wouldn't have tried!

Now I think I should go around ,fetch a book to read, or do something, but in the middle of the dark night, when all you want to do is sleep, it's hard to think straight. how about a coffee break ? guess wat am drinking a cup of rich-brewed coffee at this very moment. Its a known fact that caffeine can also interfere with normal sleep. but then sorry...i couldn't help it.

well I shud get back on track ...my morning workout routine. The past few weeks i 've been in a real slump. I will try harder t'row.Its mainly 'coz of sang's night shifts; he 'll b sleeping and I 'll wake him up if am on my elliptical. I 've noticed that when u workout regularly, you set the pace for the rest of your day and will get a good nights' sleep. Remember my instructor's advice on how practice of yoga can help u sleep better. lets see how i go... pls friends keep me motivated....thank u all in advance.

Lemme sing a lullaby 4 myself...
Sleep, sleep,
come this way.
Let me sleep,
So I can start a new day...

Friends now its time to say good night, sleep tight, wake up bright :)

I'm here to share something sweet

B4 u start reading- make sure u 've got a big bar of chocolate next to you....

Its one of the most satisfying habit tht i 've developed over the years.
i 've tried all kinds of yummy chocolate...u name it , i 've tried them all. The more i tasted the more i became addicted to this unique thing. I remember , during my childhood, dad used to bring dairy milk chocolates when he returns frm work and how i would eat them all in one sitting. wow how it dissolves 'n liquefy in the mouth.....u gotta experience it ..allow the chocolate to slowly melt on the tongue.

My hubby is the one who introduced me to umpteen brands of great tasting chocolates.Quality street chocolates are really yummy. All the flavours make my mouth happy.

Even while reading a book, u can hear the gentle nibbling noise and may find a secret stash of chocolate bar under my quilt. don't b surprised ;). And that there is no particular time associated with eating chocolate as all hours of the day and night are fair game. Am i a chocoholic ???? well praise the choccie god for that matter ! For anyone else out there with the same default habit ,then I hope reading this gives you inspiration.

Hats off to cadbury. Thats my all time favourite. The 'Real Taste of Life' campaign had many memorable executions, which people still fondly remember. However, the one with the "girl dancing on the cricket field" has remained etched in everyone's memory, as the most spontaneous & un-inhibited expression of happiness.Hey how can i miss out on cadbury 5 star....its another delightful experience.

gimme more..i luv it to death. anyone wish to join me for a research on how various chocolate tastes ......i assure u its a most enjoyable course of study.


I can go on and on and on...........to b continued....

Thanks for reading and I intend to keep writing as time allows.