I Am Near You!

I Am Near You

Oh! Dear, I am near you always

I will be there until the very end

You might not see me or touch me

But I am near, always near

Listen with your heart

You will hear me and all my love to you

Hei, dear I am with you

It feels so good, I truly love you

I’ll be your shadow when you are alone

And your smile when you are not happy

Oh! Dear I will be always near you

I really care, I love you!

Image:www.Google.com 

You are singing, What?

You are in kitchen, cutting vegetables and think about a song. You are thinking…

Johnny Johnny yes papa

Eating sugar no papa

Telling lies no papa

Open your mouth… Hahaha….

You are cleaning your bathroom and signing……

Goosy goosy gander where shall I wander

upstairs and downstairs and in my ladies chamber

there I met an old man who would not say his prayers

I took him by the left leg and throw him down the stairs

It’s happening to me. You forgot all your favorite movie songs and singing your kids favorites’.. How strange is parenting…..

Image: www.Google.com

Mom & Kid

Picture Of The Week

Week # : 5

This is one of the oldest temples in Kancheepuram,Tamil Nadu. The KailasaNathar Temple. Picture is taken while i was visiting the place couple of years back.

This temple was built from 685-705 AD by a Rajasimha ruler of the Pallava Dynasty.

The Kailasanathar Temple

PeekABoo

My son Adi loves the game PeekABoo. He always wants to play it with me. And here I am taking advantage of it maximum. Whenever I have to change his attention from something which he is not supposed to touch, I have to just tell him, “Adi, Amma is gonna play PeekABoo”, and he will be running behind me already. We also play it during his play times and even before his nap time. He enjoys it lot.

When we play it together it joys me as well. And it reminded me of my childhood where we played hide and seek with lot of Interest. My hometown is a village and there were lot of children growing up together. Me, my SIS along with them used to spend most of our playtime by playing hide and seeks. It was our favorite. Hide and seek is bit different from PeekABoo since we hide until someone comes and find you. I already told you guys my home town is a village, and there were lot of places for us to hide. Most of the house sill is inside one acre land which will have lot of trees. And it’s small hilly side so land will not be flat. That made it easy for us to hide for long time and win the game.

So, this day we were playing hide and seek as usual. One of my cousins was the one who needs to find or the seeker. We all got and hide in separate places so the seeker could not find us. At times by giving sound from the hiding places we Made fun of him. At last after a good amount of time he found every one of us except my SIS.

Game got over and we were not able to find her at all. Nobody had any clue about the place where she was hidden. There will be boundary set for the places to hide, so she couldn’t go far away as well. Everyone got scared since we were not able to find her at all. My mom and dad also joined the search and my mom was almost in tears. At last we found her sleeping inside a hole underneath a big tree. She was sleeping nicely making the hole her bed without knowing the fuss she made by disappearing while playing. Everyone got scared for some time for sure, but it makes us laugh always when we remember about it later. She was looking so cute sleeping inside that hole.

Thank God! That was not a time of FB, otherwise many of us would have taken her picture and post it in our wall. We still make fun of her about this incident whenever we all are together.

Now here when Adi has only me to play with him, I remember how much fun filled it is to grow up with lot of children. May be after a year or two Adi will also make friends with some of the neighbors and play hide and seek with them.

I hope he doesn’t sleep inside a dog house.

PeekAboo Adiii

A Perfect Day!!

Disclaimer: This is just an imaginary story. Has nothing to do with anyone or anything. If finds similarity just that we all go through same situations at times..!!!!

Haven’t you ever wanted to have a Day filled with happiness? A day when you think about has only laughs and smiles. Here is one such day anyone loves to have.

Dancing in rain

The Story!

It’s our fifth wedding anniversary. Five years is just a start, but of course it is long beautiful 5*365 mornings with a wonderful person next you to share a smile, Of course some fights as well.

I moved towards his side of the bed to give him a warm hug and special anniversary kiss. But I opened my eyes without seeing him next to me.

Where is he gone this early? It’s always me who wake up first.

I could hear the droplets of rain falling in the ground. A beautiful rainy morning! Oh, God! Thank you for such a start.

But my husband is missing! Where is he? At this time he only tries to cuddle up under a blanket. I wonder where he is gone.

He might have got an urgent call from office.

I couldn’t resist opening my balcony door and enjoy the shining rainy day. I love this, this is my favorite. Rain falls down from the clouds above splashing in puddles.

Let me go ahead and drench in rain.

Let the rain kiss me

Let the rain beat upon my heart with its silver droplets

Let the rain sing a beautiful song for me.

How blissful you are!

Raindrops

I just love the rain and all the rainy days.

I closed my eyes to enjoy the music of rain. I thought I will be dancing in the rain with the most wonderful person in my life. It might be just a dream since he might not agree to it. J

I turn back to see my husband standing with two coffee cups in his hand. I couldn’t believe my eyes. In these five years he has never made me coffee or tea or not even an omelet at any point of time. Even when I were badly sick and lying in the bed. With an amazed face and spangled eyes I took one cup of coffee from him with a thank you in his cheeks.

Sipping hot coffee, we sat together enjoying the morning. We could discuss about anything under the sky or beyond. It is such a wonderful start of a day.

I kept the coffee cup down and run crazily in the rain, holding his hands. It might be nice if someone holds an umbrella for you when it rains. But it is the most wonderful when someone holds your hand and runs in the rain.

                I lean my head on his shoulders and hold him close to me.

A light shower surprised me. I couldn’t ask for a better start for my special day. It looks like a scene from some romantic movie which I watched earlier. But it is real! I have gone through a wonderful experience in my life. All these years I have got many costly gifts for my birthdays and anniversaries. But this one cannot be prize tagged.

Rain

It’s such a perfect day! Rain makes everything beautiful!!!

Picture Of The Week

Week #4 :

Orchids

Oh! Flower, you are such a beauty

Our eyes are drawn to your splendor. 

Oh! Flower you dances in the breeze

Charming our senses!               

Oh! Flower you are such a beauty!!

Be Better!!!

I always sit here and think about what I am gonna write next, nothing. Over these years one habit which doesn’t fade away from me is laziness. I start the whole enchilada, but don’t stick to it for long time.  My interest keeps changing from time to time.

I started this blog thinking of becoming a famous blogger!!! ok…ok at least write few good posts.  But it doesn’t seem like going anywhere. I ran out of ideas soon.  Even if I think for hours and hours I don’t get even a single topic to write about. Why is it so? Why am running out of ideas? May be I don’t think anymore!!

I don’t. I really don’t know how to think. When I sit to write, my mind goes around all the places in my house. Did I switch off the stove? What is my son doing?  Is my laundry done? What else? Ask me, I will have hundred questions in mind.

May be I should practice meditation to concentrate.

My last post was in February.

Maybe I should stop blogging. No! I am not quitting.

I should beat my weakness. I realize to be good at this requires lot of dedication and concentration.

I might not be a famous blogger. But I could be a better one! I am gonna try this!

Image : www.Google.com

Picture Of The Week

Week # 3:

Carrots

This picture was taken few years back. Fresh carrots everywhere… its beauty will be stuck in your eyes forever.
Eat more carrots. They are nutrient rich, low in calories, full of vitamins and are even better if you eat it raw. 

Self Help

Came across these self-help quotes, today. I love these do You.. ?

How to stop time : Kiss

How to travel in time : Read

How to escape time : Music

How to feel time : Write

How to release time : Breathe

Quote Courtesy: etsy.com, 

Image Courtesy: google.com

Picture Of The Week

Week # 2:

This one is from Mahabalipuram/Mamallapuram, which is a historic town in Kancheepuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. 

The Descent Of the Ganges

By the 7th century it was a port city of South Indian dynasty of the Pallavas. It has a group of sanctuaries, which was carved out of rock.  This one is a part of The Descent of the Ganges.

Idly

Do you care for some idly? Yes of-course, who will not like idly? It's one of the healthiest breakfasts ever. It's the national breakfast of South Indians. :)

My mom, like any other mom prefers to prepare idly as the breakfast on any important functions. You have to remember, it's easy to prepare it. Just pour the batter in idly mould and keep it in stove. When it's done, remove it from the stove and serve it hot with some chutney or sambar. You don't have to stand near to the stove forever like dosa or any other breakfast. It's not that she will prepare idly only during festivals or functions. But those days idly is a must.

But idly was a horror breakfast during hostel times. A big no for breakfast during those days! It’s not just idly, sometimes breakfast was a long distant dream.

Now I am settled in Chennai, one of the city famous for idly and dosa and their infinite lovers. There were many weekends I stand in queue to have delicious Idlis from a famous hotel along with lip smacking chutneys and sambar. Chutney is not just one but your plate filled with multi-color chutneys. Red, white, green you choose which color is yours. I am sure that you would also love them if you taste it at least once.

Now I prepare Idlis at home for my two year old son. He loves them. You can prepare the batter at home or buy it from any of the local store. You can get it from anywhere.

Once you have the batter ready, then you need is just an idly mould.  Steel, aluminum, non-stick so many varieties to choose. I have a steel and aluminum. But I choose to prepare in the aluminum mould which is Adi's favorite toy.

Here is how I prepare idly at home.

Recipe: Breakfast

Preparation Time: 10 Hours

Cooking Time: 15 Mins

Serves: 15 Idlis

Ingredients:

Skinned Urad Dal: ½ Cup

Idly Rice: 2 Cups

Salt as required

Water as needed

Method:

Step 1: Wash the rice until the water runs clear. Soak in enough water to cover it by 3 inches and leave aside for 3-4 hours.

Step 2: Wash the Urad dal and soak it as well. Make sure there's enough water for it to absorb and swell. Urad dal requires more water than the rice.

Step 3: Grind the soaked Urad dal and a generous amount of water to the grinder.

Step 4: It will take about 15 mins for the Urad dal to be ground smooth. When you take a little batter and rub between fingers, it should be smooth and flowy. As the Urad dal grinds, it will rise and turn fluffy. This is perfect.

Step 5: Transfer the Urad dal batter to a large enough container and set aside.

Step 6: Grind the Rice next. Rice doesn't need as much water as the dal so add about 1 cup and see if it gets thick as you grind. Grind rice to a smooth paste too.

Step 7: Once done, add this to the Urad dal batter and top off with some salt. Mix gently so that the rice and dal get combined well. The consistency should be fluffy and the batter should fall down easily from your spoon as you mix it.

Step 8: Set aside this batter in a container that is only filled halfway with the batter to allow room for rising during fermentation. Leave the batter overnight.

Step 9:  Next day morning Urad dal would have risen to the top leaving the heavier rice batter at the bottom so you need to mix it uniformly before making idlis.

Step 8: Pour into greased Idli mould and steam for 10-12 mins for super soft and spongy idlis.

So are you guys having some idlis? I am….

Weekend Stories

Lake View

Night rain has reduced the heat little bit. Otherwise even if it's not dawn, it would have been difficult for me to drive this long. It's just gonna be 5 in the morning and I have almost reached my destination. Another ten minutes’ drive from here.

It's always good to drive through the chill air rushing inside with its magnetic spirit, making us feel that the destination never comes.

But today I am even more exited. We are going to have a peaceful day after long days of work and life pressure. Adi is sleeping nicely in his dad's chest who is in his best dreams with calmness in face and heart. I could not afford sleeping right now because we have to reach the place before the sun could come out from the mountains.

At times we spend the weekends there to enjoy ourselves and have the best time without being disturbed by anyone. It's gonna be just me, Adi and him.

A lake flowing through a vast area.  A small farm house near to it which we bought few years back from a friend of us who shifted to another country. A farm house in four acres was not that affordable for us with our financial situations then, but still we were ready to take risk for such a heavenly place. Luckily we are in much better place now.

There are couple of houses nearby which is maintained pretty well. The one next to us is owned by an old couple who got it from their retirement money and made it us a weekend destination. So there will be always some families who spend the weekend with them.

The calmness in the air while the morning Suns first rays touches the water and the light yellow color of the atmosphere is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. The time which I spend here might be the most beautiful in my life. I will have hundreds of beautiful stories to tell about this place. Definitely this story will continue...

Picture of the week

Week # 1:

I am not a great photographer. But I want to share with you some of the pictures which I have taken.

This one I have taken @home for last Diwali.

Nilavilakku

Give Light and the darkness will disappear of Itself.

India is a large country and you can see a variety of cultures, each boasting their own traditions, in different parts of the country. One such practice that is unique to Indian culture is the practice of lighting a lamp. Any auspicious day will not start without this oil lamp being lighted in the house. Diwali is festival of lamps.

Mangoes and Memories

Every Indian will have memories around mangoes. If you have eaten ripe mangoes as a kid, you will know what I am talking about.

As a kid I grew up in a village in Kerala. Unlike other states in India, this is one of the states where you get rain throughout the year. Of Course I have to tell you that it had changed now days since summer started showing its Colors in this beautiful place as well.

We had a mango tree near to my home which was only the one available nearby. The tree was so tall and the mangoes where on top which made it difficult for us to get them. Throwing stones was one of the ways to get those mangoes but I was very bad in it. And we were too small to throw stones and get them. The only source was the heavy wind blew before a thunder storm in the evening time. This was the specialty of the rain in summer time and it comes only in the evening. As soon as the wind blows we, me and my sister and the other kids run towards the tree to pick up the mangoes fallen down due to heavy wind. Kids include everyone from the nearby houses as well. It takes seconds for us to run and pick up the mangoes and run back with the same speed before the raindrops touches the ground.  We made sure that we filled our baskets more than the next one. But most of the time we get drenched and end up in moms scolding. One day like any other we all ran towards the mango tree after a strong wind. As soon as we reached the place a thunder stroked heavily almost like it was on us. With the same speed we came towards the tree we all ran back to our home crying loud. We were so scared that even left the mango baskets near to the tree itself. We were running so fast breathlessly to reach home safe before another such one. After this incident my mom scolded us and told not run for mangoes before rain. Her policy was just to wait until the rain stops and then go and get it. But we knew if we wait for long we will end up getting few mangoes which will not satisfy our taste buds. So her scolding didn't stop us from running towards the tree again on the next day and the many more days to come in all those years. It was always happy ending due to the very tasty mangoes which we ate together watching the heavy rain and the over flowed small river in front of our house. Those days were precious and the mangoes we ate were the most delicious ones.

Then the years pass by and we all grew and settled in different parts of world. Here when I feel like eating mangoes I go pick some from nearby shop which will be filled with them during the season.

At my home my dad has cut of the tall mango tree and planted a new verity. This one is short and the mangoes can be plucked with hands itself.

Now no more running to pick the fallen mangoes and no more thunder strokes. 

Images: https://www.google.co.in

Health benefits of Curry Leaves

Curry Leaves are added to give an aroma and taste to the dishes. But it can give more good to you than just seasoning your food. How many of us know the health benefits of curry leaves? Packed with Carbohydrates, fiber, calcium, phosphorous and vitamins it has many health benefits. However, rather than eating this leaf most of us just throw it away. Know about some of these health benefits of Curry Leaves.

·         Due to the high contents of Vitamin A adding Curry leaves to the daily diet is good for healthy eyes.

·         Curry leaves is effective for indigestion.

·         It contains very strong antioxidant properties which help to treat and prevent skin infections.

·         Curry leaves helps to maintain blood sugar levels by affecting the insulin activity.

·         It also believed to help strengthening hair roots and improve hair growth.

·         A study conducted on the effects of curry leaves on our health has proved that it is very effective in reducing the cholesterol and thus protects us from heart disease.

·         Curry leaves are rich source of iron and folic acid. Folic acid is responsible for iron absorption d since curry leave are rich in both, it is the natural remedy for anemia.

So, the next time you see curry leaves in your plate, don’t throw away but eat them to reap their amazing health benefits.

Images: Google Images

Onion Poha

Here I will tell you about this easy and healthy breakfast recipe.

This is one of the easiest breakfast recipes. But you have to believe me; I have spoiled this dish when I made it for the first time. I never knew how to prepare this and instead of poha it ended up as a gum like rice halwa…

I have tried this recipe only once before and it was a huge blunder. But few days before, I decided to give it a try again. It ended up pretty well and tasty.

Poha can be made with Onions and potato. I made it with Onion. With Onions and seasoning with Chilies, lemon and curry leaves make up a tasty and easy meal.

Onion Poha

Recipe: Break Fast

Preparation Time : 10min

Cooking Time : 20 Min

Serves: 2-3

Ingredients:

Poha/ Pressed Rice : 1 Cup

Oil: 1 Tbsp

Mustard Seeds: 1 Tsp

Black Gram/Urad Dal: 1 Tsp

Bengal Gram/Channa Dal: 1 Tsp

Onions Chopped: 1 Cup

Whole Red Chilies: 2-3

Lemon Juice: 1 Tbsp

Curry Leaves: 8-10

Salt to taste.

Method:

Step 1: Put Poha in a Colander and wash, not letting it soak too long in water. Leave it in the colander to drain out completely.

Step 2: Heat the oil in a pan and add mustard seeds, Bengal Gram, Black gram, curry Leaves and whole red chilies.

Step 3: When it get slightly roasted add onions and sauté well.

Step 4: sauté the onions until it slightly brownish.

Step 5: Now add Poha and salt and mix well.

Step 6: sauté everything till mixed and heated through.

Step 7: now switch off the stove and add the lemon juice.

Have your healthy and tasty breakfast with a happy face. J

Recipes

Until I moved out from home for work, I never had to cook much. Studies was a good reason for being away from kitchen and my dad cooked well in case my mom had to be away for few days. So cooking was not an option for me until I realized that regular meals at a paying guest accommodation might not be that interesting. Depending on nearby restaurants also lost its charm after few days. So we decided to cook, we- me and my friends – started with easy recipes which we know from our home and survived.

So by the time I got married it was bit easy for me to satisfy the home needs. And now I try all type of recipes from most of the known food websites. J

Sometimes when I see the pictures of food, I wish I could make the same, exactly as it looks. It might not be possible always, but I do try my level.

I thought, along with my other curious writings why not include my experiments in kitchen. So here I go…. bear with me and please do try this…

An Unfinished Blog

For last two days I am trying to write something. I will think about some topic which I should write about and open the notepad, but couldn’t write even a single word.

This has happened to me before as well. Thoughts in our mind might not be readily available as words. What is this phenomenon called? I don’t know!!! Does anyone of you guys know?

So I will just tell you this poem I have come across few days back,

Some Days will look like diamonds

Some days will look coal.

But diamonds don’t always sparkle

and rocks aren’t always dull.

Each day is what we make of it

it holds no guarantee.

So choose to make the best of it

since what will be will be.

Picture:www.google.com/

Personal Mail

Today I decided to check my personal mail after a month. Checking mail has been a boring task for me now a days, and that to personal. By the way who is sending you a mail now days? It’s all been into messengers.

In old times messenger was probably a pigeon. But now it’s the apps in your phoneJ. You can send instant messages to anyone, anywhere in this world mostly. All you need is a smartphone and a good data service.

So coming back to the point, after this long gap I opened my Gmail account without making a mistake with the password, great! I can see 9588 unread mails in my inbox.

Oh Man! So much of mails in my personal account and I will tell you none of these are personal.

I can see here a thousand companies waiting to give me a job, another thousand to give pre-approved personal loans and all kinds of junk advertisements from every company you know about and not known about.

And in this if you contact one company wishing to change your workspace; they will not have even a single opening in any position for another five years.  Don’t ask me about the bank loans, when you really need one, there will not be any one to give it.

Why do they send these emails after all?

I wish there is one mail which is really personal, may be from an old friend who forgot their Facebook Id and send a lengthy message to me. I just wish for it!!!

But all I can do is, go back to a number of pages and see some mails from your friends which they have send when you created this mail id, may be a decade ago.

Irregular Blogger Deciding to go Regular!!!!!

I have been blogging for three years now. Now you will think I am great blogger. But, I am not. I am just a below average blogger. Not regular at all. After a few months gap, here I am kick starting my writing skills again.

It’s the beginning of a new year; I am ready to make some changes. This time I will try to keep on track.  This is a promise which I made to myself. It’s actually a month and ten days after New Year and I am sure this year is gonna be super great.

So here I am…..