MAKE ROOM FOR MUSHROOMS!!!!!

On this occasion of our Nation celebrating its 61 st Republic Day, Let's celebrate the Heritage & sovereignty of our NATION..... let us think of those... who protect us from all odds & pay homage to them for their selfless service......

I sincerely wish, one & all Indians, give those 'UNSUNG HEROES' their due ..... for the selfless love & dedication towards the country & its people...... Let us all question ourselves, after all the sacrifice & service to the nation, what is it that they get in return..... nothing but those minutes of silence, which is a beginning of a life long silence for their families.....Families who sacrificed the member of their family, for 'us', gets only trauma, in the name of their sacrifice..... They would be remembered 'once', when the government honors them with recognitions posthumously........ After which again a total silence for years till the death of all their family members...... The mothers, the fathers, wives, sisters & children who sacrificed their beloveds for the country gets no benefits or privileges...... but a life of darkness & sorrow.......

Unlike, those lucky enough, to get the best in life, they never expected, after winning gold in the Olympics, which is just a game....... by just wasting few bullets ...... What a Life they all lead after the GAME????? A CELEBRITY LIFESTYLE....... Shame on all of us.... who air these discrimination's...... The rich gets richer & the poor gets poorer....... I am sincerely ashamed to be a part of this world..... who do not recognize people for what they deserve..... I hate myself for not being able to DO something about it..... than just write......

I was shocked to see the new version of the OLD, melodious & mesmerizing "Mile Sur Mera Tumara"....... Looks like it is only the BOLLYWOOD tunes (sur) that are synchronizing now...... The very composition lost all its charm, the feel of integrity.... Now it is totally an essence less glamorized song..... FUNNY & FOOLISH...............

I don't think anything is possible in this country minus bollywood & its so called celebrities..... The foolish public goes ga ga over them, by wasting their hard earned money, to give THEM the CELEBRITY status............ Initially when it all began, I don't think there were any 'celebrities' as such..... All those who were there, were Actors who excelled in their ART FORM, & who were dedicated towards this art.... But now ACTORS are a HANDFUL, rest are all HEROES & HEROINES, who portray those emotions on screen, which are meant to be inside the four walls & become the so called 'Hero' & 'Heart Throb'...... Why is ones husband or wive not a heart throb anymore????.... No wonder when this generation is questioned about any Hero, all they can answer is about some of these mentioned above... SO where do these UNSUNG HEROES stand????? .... Bloody Fish!!!!

Oops! I have a head ache, with all my BP rising high........ I'm just pissed to an extent that I would have a breakdown.... I better continue later...... :-(

Okay! Hello again..... I came across this tag 'By the Book' of Jayashree & kinda liked it for its importance in all our lives.... Not just OLD or New..... Not just Old or Young..... It has seen a place in everybody's life...as far as I know & understand.... GUIDANCE of a Book, is taken by all..... Like a beacon is to navigators, so is our preserved & trusted Cookbook, to us, in our journey towards kitchen & its skills....... May be a printed book by a renowned chef or very often, hand written notes, passed on to us from the most experienced cooks in our life's... Maa or Mother in-law...... Or even a friend.... because I did...... I gave a handwritten book to my friend Sandhya, during her wedding, consisting of the preps that I prepared as a newly married & few guided by my Mother in-law....

And these books become a part of our life, unknowingly..... A PRICEY POSSESSION!!!! Losing it, would feel like we lost a member in our family or our close ones..... It becomes very close to heart & would wanna preserve it for our future generations too..... At least I would love to, but.......... Anyways.... Nothing to worry, if not my own, I would surely hand it over to some girl in my family who would deserve it.... as there are many in my family.....

So here I am posting about MY PRICEY POSSESSIONS, My Daari Deevige (ದಾರಿ ದೀಪ), My Beacon.........

Since childhood, I was always inclined towards collecting recipes for my future.... U know!!! AMS - 'After Marriage' Syndrome...... I never learn' t any cooking nor was keen on preparing something.... but was very much interested in collecting, recipes I came across..... Sources
being newspapers, TV shows & mostly magazines (Femina & Woman's Era)..... I pulled out recipes from all the magazines, that I could lay my hands on....... And I had a bundle of them...... After wedding, Kuku initiated to get it book bound for me, than preserving it in files & folders...... Hence I got it book bound..... So that is NOW, my own COOK BOOK....... Dhan Tana!!!!!

The other is the diary that I started just before my wedding.... Since I would leave my mom, I got most of her, lovely, sumptuous recipes, noted down for me..... in there.... After wedding, when it was time for me to leave my maa in-law, I got her interesting, rich & delightful recipes jotted down for me, in it...... So those are my two favorite, most expensive cook books, and rather, a very trusted source for MY NEW LIFE....... My New Beginning!!!!! For my new GRIHASTI!!!!!! I would lose myself if I have to lose them any day...... I LOVE & THANK MY GURUS!!!!!

But yes now I have another cook book, My Jeeta Jaagtha Cookbook..... My Kuku..... He had to be a chef, than get into Garment Business, I seriously feel.... He cooks really yum!!!!! He loves & enjoys it too...... So I would never dare to lose him too..... for my cookery references & other things, but of course ;-) LOVE & THANK HIM TOO!!!!!!

***I would love to get everyone tagged with this, as this is a very simple & a common tag, but of immense value & IMPORTANCE............ So I request everyone to write about it & let us know about it & flaunt it too, to kinda immortalize it..... So we can all be a part of each others treasured BEACONS!!!!!!***

Now after all this discussion about our trusted sources for our cooking skills, I would like to post something from it, but with a change of course.... Because, what I learn' t was a regular pulao, which I now prepare using the ingredients or rather the main Ingredient I like or have........ So it is the same method, but with any main ingredient of your choice..... Anything & everything is Awesome!!!!!!

Okay!!!!! Make Room For Mushrooms............. Because that is my main ingredient today........ which can be substituted with any other veggie of your choice......

Here's presenting to you THE MUSHROOM RICE...............

I love mushrooms & I am always in a hunt for different recipes, on internet... And when one posts one such prep..... I save it for future reference..... I have many such, yet to be tried recipes.... But surely will some day.....

Ingredients:

Mushroom - 1/4 kg ( cleaned)
Onion - 2 medium, (finely sliced)
Green Chilli - 4, (slit lengthwise)
Cardamom - 6 pieces
Cloves - 5 pieces
Oil - 3 tbsp
Ghee - 1 tbsp
Milk - 1/2 cup
Long Grain Rice (Basmati) - 4 cups
Water - 5 cups
Cashew - 10 pieces
Raisins - 10 pieces
Cinnamon - 1" piece
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt to Taste
Kitchen King Masala - 1/2 tsp
Coriander Powder - 1/2 tsp
Cumin Powder - 1/2 tsp
Capsicum - 1 medium, (sliced for garnish)

Method:

Chop the cleaned mushrooms, to desirable chunks & keep aside.... Wash the rice & keep aside too.

Heat oil + ghee in a cooker. Add the cardamom, cloves & cinnamon & saute` for a minute or two. Then add the green chilli & onions & fry till translucent...... Once done u may add the cashew & raisins too & saute for 2 minutes..... or till the raisins shape up...... Now add in the chunked mushrooms & saute further for a minute or two..... Then add the masala powders & stir fry further for 3-4 minutes.... Now add the rice in & saute for 5 minutes further..... When the rice grains turn translucent or kinda shiny, add in milk & ghee & mix it to combine well..... But with caution, not to breal the rice grains.... Tighten up the lid of the pressure cooker & allow it to blow 4-5 whistles..... Once done, turn off the heat & keep aside.... Once the pressure releases completely, uncover & transfer the contents to a wide mouthed vessel, which would allow you to mix the contents, without hassles...... Transfer it to a serving bowl & garnish with sliced capsicums.......

This prep does not need any any accompaniment as such, but can be accompanied with a plain simple raitha or any gravy of your choice.... I liked a dry to accompany & as I had few mushrooms, left over, thought of preparing them dry..... Hence presenting a simple & instant...........

STIR-FRIED MUSHROOMS

Ingredients:

Mushrooms - 200gm (cleaned)
Green Chilli - 2 to 3 (cut diagonally)
Onions - 2 medium (sliced in rings)
Capsicum - 1 medium (sliced)
Garlic - 2 to 3 flakes (minced or chopped)
Oil - 2 tbsp
Lime Juice - 2 tbsp
Salt & Pepper to Taste
Coriander Leaves - 3 twigs (for garnish)

Method:

Heat oil in a frying pan & fry garlic, green chilli, onions & capsicum for a minute. Add mushrooms & stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes.
Add lime juice, salt & pepper. Stir well & cook until done. Then, transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with coriander leaves & onion rings & serve hot.

It is said that Mushrooms are Nature's hidden treasures..... They contain certain minerals, that improve our immune system..... So I guess, they are not only pleasing on our palates, but are healthy too..... So MAKE ROOM for MUSHROOMS!!!!! in your diet & Enjoy these delights..... Delightfully!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Screening MY BLOGFARES:

Oh! there is a kinda backlog..... on my unpublished list of TOFAS....... Since I''m posting after a lengthy gap, I could not flaunt or write about them, before this..... But is surely not late for me to go ahead with it.....

I thank Sailaja of Sailaja Kitchen for passing on her Happy 101, & also would thank Swarna from Kovaihot Kitchen, Indu of Kitchen Queen , Vineetha of Ruchi & Queen B of Queen Of My Kingdom, for sharing this cute & happy TOFA with me..... It means a lot to receive it from all these talented & yummy prep makers.... who not only prepare, but create new creations too...... which are so soothing to eyes & our grocery lists .... as they are all many a times very affordable & available at the nearest place.... So Thanks once again...... And Queen B had tagged me with 10 Things that make me HAPPY......

They would be........ as follows.......

1) Kuku!!!!!!!!!!! All the Way......
2) My Freedom ..... from my distress of course!!!!!
3) Shopping!!!!!!!
4) Outings & Food........
5) Romantic & meaningful Movies
6) Romantic & Emotional Songs..... Especially old melodies that kindles your emotions.... happy, sad or romantic......... ALL THE WAY!!!!!!
7) My Creative Arts...... When I indulge in them for my FAMILY!!!!!
8) Good, kind, genuine words & gestures
9) A SMILE!!!!
10) Healthy Flirting, with peeps I know.......... ;-)

Thank You Renuka, Vineetha & Spice for remembering me & sharing the Beautiful Blogger Award...... This is indeed one of my treasures too...... These moments are treasured forever.....

I am grateful to Vineetha & Spice for tagging me with 7 truths about myself, which are mentioned here..... with the Kreativ Blogger Award...... Dhanyavad!!!!!

I would also thank Vineetha & for she thought of me & my space, when she shared A Fabulous Blog TOFA & it really inspires me to make this space interesting & inviting.......

Heartfelt thanks to ONE & ALL!!!!!!!!!!!

ENJOY EVERY SECOND OF YOUR LIFE TO THE FULLEST!!!!!

UNTIL WE MEET NEXT, KEEP THE FAITH!!!!!

JAI HIND!!!!!!!!!

AASAAN-E-PARATA & ME!!!!! With all the HAPPENINGS & MOMENTS....In & Of MY LIFE!!!!!

I received the 'Sanjeev Kapoor's Party Cooking' I won, yesterday..... I was so happy.... to have received it.... Wanted to try out something from it.... But I will & post them, for all.... The courier guy who delivered it was funny.... He dropped by, early morning say about 8:30 am.... Usually not the time for couriers.... so we were kinda surprised..... He talked with a funny tone.... And as soon as my hubby was out to collect it..... he asked Kuku "Sir, naayi unta???" (Is a dog there???) ... My hubby was like "hmm???" He repeated himself asking the same.... & Kuku 'pounced' on him, literally, with his not so perfect Kannada "Yaake??? " (Why???) That lean, almost vulnerable guy, freaked out by this, answered "summane kelide sir.." (I just asked!)

This encounter with him (the courier guy) was funny, firstly because of his voice & tone & secondly because he was totally unexpected both in person & his unusual questions.......
SO I WOULD REMEMBER THIS BOOK FOR ALL THE UNEXPECTED FEEL & LAUGHS involved..... Thank You again, FOODIE BLOGROLL!!!!!!!!! for letting my shelf adorn another pricey possession....... :-p

And yes! regarding the prep I'm posting, this is one easy, yummy, healthy, enjoyable & 'at any circumstances' food, which takes no much time & effort...... CONVENIENT!!!!! I say this because, this is one prep that Kuku had been enjoying during his school days.... (without me of course!!!!!...MEANIE :-0) Maa in-law prepared this instantly for his tiffin or break fast, with LOVE & CARE .... This Parata, is delightful with or without any accompaniment...

Since Kuku & his siblings were totally 5, who went to school together, sometimes when in hurry, maa in-law packed bread omlette or bread & jam, for tiffin.... But with the kind of food the kids were used to, it got their hunger pangs to strike them hard, very soon after lunch.... And they would be lured by these road side stalls, with their not so healthy, unhygienic foodies....... Hence maa in-law thought of this prep as an instant one to be packed for tiffins, during those busy mornings that she had to be ready for...... And was healthy & yummy enough to keep the kids at bay from those luring road side foodies...... 2-3 paratas with a little pickle..... was a day minus the tension, for both the kids & the mother.....
Oh!!!! I wish I was with Kuku & his toli to share a bite too..... to feed a bite & to be fed too.... Hmmmmmm.......... Those days I miss being with KUKU...... :-(

As he told me about this, I thought so what if I wasn't around him those days.... Now that I am... I wanna make use of this time.... to satiate myself..... with all those quickies that I can LOVE & LIVE..... with him.... Hence thought of preparing this for him, with lots of LOVE, with his guidance of course...... :-)

So here I am posting about that "FAST FOOD" in its true sense..... A healthy one though..... for all the mothers & the hungry kids.....

Presenting to you is "The Aasaan-e-Parata" ........Dhan Tana!!!!!!!

Ingredients:

Wheat Flour (ಗೋಧಿ ಹಿಟ್ಟು, आट्टा) - 250 gm
Oil - 2 tsp
Onion - 1 medium, (finely chopped)
Green Chilli - 3 (finely chopped)
Ajwain + Mangrela (Carom Seeds or Oma + Black Sesame Seeds) - 1 tsp ( I keep a mix of both)
Salt to Taste
Water as required

Method:

Mix all the above ingredients well & add enough water to knead into a smooth & soft dough. Keep it aside for 30 minutes, covered...

Then make lemon sized balls & with the help of a rolling pin, roll it into flat rounds.

Heat a non stick tawa or a flat iron skillet, & transfer the rolled bread onto it to let it cook. Once a side is done, turn it over to cook the other side... meanwhile spread a little oil or butter on the cooked side & then turn it over again to see it evenly cooked on both the sides... Repeat with the number u wanna have for breakfast, lunch or dinner....

Serve it hot with any accompaniments... u like.... pickle (अचार), sauce, chutney or gravy....... RELISH WITH PLEASING SOUNDS........ Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm............... & Taste to comment ....;-)

And this prep finds its way to FF7SL's event HEALTHY FAST FOOD hosted by RV & Cook like a Bong by Sudeshna

and also makes its way to Gourmet Affair's maiden event SERVED WITH LOVE hosted by Arundhuti..... I send this prep with love & wishes to you, Aru.............

BLOGFARES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MY TOFA's (Token Of Appreciation)

I was conferred with love & appreciations, by the blog fraternity.... So I would love to take this moment to thank them for their kindness & encouragement......

I would like to thank Dolly for she remembered & thought me deserving..... This Beautiful, Blogger Award....

And Renuka for sharing this Kreativ Blogger Award......

To my gladness, I was tagged too by my friendly bloggers....... for the first time, of course!!!! And I was happy to exercise this practice ..... And would like to express my gratitude to Faiza Ali, Vineetha & The Cool Lass, for tagging me with the KREATIV BLOGGER AWARD!!!!!!

So it goes as follows.......

1. Thank the person who tagged u with this TOFA
2. Flaunt the TOFA, on your blog
3. Do Not Forget To Link Them with gratitude
   
4. Share 7 truths about you, for peeps to know YOU
5. Pay it Forward to 7 other Bloggers
6. Link them too, for convenience
7. Let Them Know Of This TOFA, through comment
   

And here I exercise my tag, as below......


SEVEN TRUTHS ABOUT ME:


PERFECTIONIST - No man is perfect, but one can always try to be ... I'm in my work... I prefer things to be so..... I don't do things just for the heck of it..... I'm a perfectionist in everything I do..... Sometimes irritating others, but I do what I believe is right....

HATE - I hate double faced diplomacy.... When u know u r right , why should one hide under the sheets of diplomacy???? Why should one be a Hypocrite???? Show the real u... be it good or bad.... Take it or leave it..... Let the world decide..... But don't cream the bitter gourds.... World still loves bitter gourd, for its bitterness.... At least the other person knows what to expect from you...

EMOTIONAL - I'm basically very emotional.... I cry as much as I laugh..... I am very empathetic. I can feel the pain the opposite is undergoing.... be it physical or mental.... I am emotional about my family.... Very much about Kuku... I always reminisce my past, I feel for my present & expect my future to be emotional too as far as my Kuku is concerned.... I am proud of MY ACHIEVEMENT.....

KARMA - I strongly believe in KARMA. Good deeds always comes back to you with good..... But situations do surprise me, when they differ, from my belief..... But still believe my belief.....

SHOPAHOLIC - I have a very gr8 fascination for all good things.... be it unique things of decor or just mere possessions.... I find pride in those.... I fascinate all good clothes, shoes & hand bags..with perfection of course.... I love to adorn my collections with all that is tagged good & unique.... be it books, mugs, jewelery, clothes, handbags, shoes, artifacts, glam decor, ideas, almost everything existing..... from small to big.... Kuku says, he takes me to a hardware store, I would still find something there to suite myself & buy, of course..... LOL!!!!

TALENT - Very much into arts & crafts (U know)..... And arts..... I sing well & did dance well too... of course during college days.... I was always into extra curricular activities.... I love to perform...but again with perfection..... Kuku always says..... "Baabu mein to talent koot kootke bhara hua hain"..... which makes me feel so happy that I fly.... ;-)

LOVE - There are many other things I love too ..... I have a fascination for languages; I loved English a lot, right from childhood, was always interested in Hindi (which is now my husband tongue) & knew Kannada too, as it is my mother tongue....
Hmmm.... I love to flirt too.... I do not miss a chance to lock my eyes, with guys who seem interesting..... I simply love that.... & I love sharing those experiences with KUKU..... Life's not complete without some fun in it.... Just like our food is not complete, without pickle in it.....!!!!! GOTCHA????

Should have been seven, but I could not strike this off my list, however hard I tried...... as I talk about my health very often & I should let peeps know that I'm not suffering from CANCER, but something that has eaten me enough...... I am......

'MENSTRUALLY CHALLENGED' - The last but not the least is that I am 'M' lly Challenged.... DO NOT READ IT WRONG!!!! Not mentally but may be I would end up being so....Yes! U heard & got it right... I coined that word myself & my doctor appreciated me for doing it.... & few other 'learned' people too....

So I'm PROUD of ALL MY SKILLS & MY WORTH!!!!

Time for PAY IT FORWARD!!!!!!!!

Anybody who blogs, has that thought, it takes to blog.... & the required skills too.... Some of them are extraordinary, some are not so particular about it, some others like me, are trying to catch up everyday..... So it becomes difficult for me to pass it to a limited seven.... but since this TAG demands it..... I here by get these people tagged with it.... (Believe me it has taken a lot of research & fights with myself...to get into this conclusion........)

1. Krishnaveni from Ruchi Ruchi Adige
   
2. Elizabeth from Elizabeth's Craft Room
3. Nitya from Nits Arts & Crafts
4. Coconut Recipes from Coconut Recipes
5. Prasu from My Culinary World
6. Arundhuti S Rama from Gourmet Affair
7. Sushma from Savi Ruchi
   

Kindly accept this TOFA............ & help me & all, Know YOU............

WISHES & JOY TO ALL!!!!!

UNTIL NEXT, KEEP THE FAITH!!!!!

BEET 'N' RICE & the FOODIE BLOGROLL : Contests and Rewards....... I WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HURRAY!!!!!!! for I won the "Comment to win a copy of Sanjeev kapoor's Party Cooking Book" contest.......

That was the first time I participated in the contest, after checking it, for quite sometime now..... & Yuppie!!!! I won it....!!! I loved it because I would be adding another cook book to my shelf...... & that too of Mr. Sanjeev Kapoor, The Master Chef......!!! I like him because of all the twists & turns he gives to his preparations..... & makes it lovable at the end or rather edible..... which means.... HAPPY ENDING!!!!!! So did my contest..... "had a HAPPY ENDING!!!!! "

As usual I opened my mailbox to check out that days communication to me..... And I read all my comments first...HAPPY!!!!! Then directing them to their respective folders, I check the ones that are just informative or fun or "just Garbage"....... & opened this to see who won it...... & VOILA!!!!!!!!! It was me..... The blessed one..... (at least sometimes I am....) ;-)

I was so happy to read through it.... I even commented to receive that Tote bag.... which is truly cute & serves the purpose too.... but no regrets..... I love what I got...... OK.....!!!! will write more later.... Lets get down to talk about the prep, I wanted to post about......

I love Beetroots...... !!!!! Is it not that I love almost everything existing?????? It sounds kinda repetitive...... So........... let me say, I adore beets a lot.... The primary reason being, it's color........ It is one vegetable, that is blessed with a bright vibrant color...... Just add this into anything, be it plain curd..... The same old curd would seem to appear happy with that new color it adorns..... Like a NEW BRIDE.... who is all pink, blushing & red in her outfit all gracing that nuptial bed!!!!!!! So does the beet seem to grace the bowl..........!!!!!!!!!!!

During childhood, when mom prepared beetroot pallya, I would take a table spoonful of it, beat it into the curds & enjoyed this combo, like it was my own prep...... a yummy dessert...something like a custard....... I shared & ate the same with a lot of pride......

And as I shared earlier, I get bored very soon with veggies prepared regularly..... It is then I get down to prepare a veggie rice or a pulao...... SO that day I had just a, kinda dried up beet, which I did not wanna waste.... So I thought I would add this to the rice & prepare a pulao kinda delight...... Be it whatever, even grass cooked with a little salt, spice & oil would taste yum too..... !!!!!!!!!! That was how this 'Beet'n Rice came into being.....

Beetn Rice

Ingredients:

Beetroot - 1 medium (dried...maybe ;-) sorry!)
Long Grained Rice or Basmati - 2 cups (I used the regular though)
Onion - 1 medium, finely chopped
Tomato - 1 small, finely chopped (optional)
Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 1/2 tsp
Green Chilli - 1, slit lengthwise
Coriander Leaves - 6 to 7 twigs, finely chopped
Mint Leaves - a handful, finely chopped
Turmeric Powder - 1 tsp
Red Chilli Powder - 1 tsp
Garam Masala Powder - 1 tsp
Coriander Powder - 1 tsp
Cumin Powder - 1 tsp
Oil - 2 tbsp
Water - 1 1/2 cups
Salt to Taste

PS: May add all the whole spices (Ghota Masala) for that rich taste.

Method:

Peel & wash the beetroot, well. Cut them into small cubes & keep aside..... Wash the rice, drain & keep it aside too.

Place a cooker on fire & heat the oil. Now add the slit green chilli & saute for a minute. Then add the chopped onions & fry till translucent. Add ginger garlic paste & stir fry for a minute or two. If adding tomato, then do & fry till it is soft & mushy. Then add the cubed beet & stir fry. Then add the chopped leaves & stir fry further, till all the ingredients blend well. Now add the powdered masalas & combine, stirring at regular intervals. Do not forget the salt......

When all the ingredients have been fried & combined well, add enough water, tighten the lid & wait for 4 to 5 whistles. Remove from fire...... allow the steam to release completely, all by itself...... Now transfer the finally 'Beetn Rice' to a serving bowl....

Now for the accompaniment..... goes with anything & everything..... If nothing more is available.... just make a simple raitha.... for it....

Simple Cucumber Raitha

Ingredients:

Set Curd - 1/2 cup
Cucumber - 1/4 cup, finely chopped
Salt to Taste

Method:

Beat the set curd well.... to a thick & smooth consistency. Add the chopped cucumber & salt & mix well, gently.....

Now serve the above prepared 'Beetn Rice' with this yummy & delectable raitha. Savor with sounds every time you relish a spoonful of this delectable preparation.........

BLOGFARE:

Sailaja has passed on her Beautiful Blogger Blogfare with her friends..... As I consider myself to be one too, did take a pick......... & I would like to thank her, for being so large heart 'ed & passing on the same.........

Hmmmmmmm....... But that doesn't stop there...... as I need to announce my WIN!!! WIN!!! TOFA, my reward, that I was bragging about at the very beginning of this post......

So this is what I commented on the "Comment to win a copy of Sanjeev Kapoor's Party Cooking Book" contest! Hope it is clear..... though not CRYSTAL CLEAR!!!!

Foodie Blogroll : Contests and Rewards




But as I just read now, it says, to write about it when I receive it...... which I have not..... It's OK..... The day I receive it, I would flaunt it in flesh (pages & cover) & brag about it again, too...... I can always write about things, without falling short of words....... And yes! I love & adore that small & cute little Rewards ICON!!!! Don't you ..............???????????

WISHING ALL LUCK & HOPE!!!!!!!!!

UNTIL WE C NEXT...... KEEP THE FAITH!!!!!!!!! :-)

CASUALS FOR KUKU ( First Post this Year, with 'CASUAL' Card for Kuku on his Birthday)

Hey Peeps!!!!!! I'm back with my first posting for this New Year........ Hurray!!!!!!! It's 2010!!!!!!!!!

I hope to see a better year...... free of sorrows & tears..... free of pain....... free of fear ...be it any sort..... Just let yourself free mentally & give way to happiness & joy to make its place in your lives.....

I loved the recent Ad I watched on TV.... based on Indo Pak relation..... (The AMAN KI ASHA - INDO PAK PEACE PROJECT) ..... It was so simple in its make & understanding..... There was only one basic thing to it...... EMOTIONS!!!! And the main base for it is TRANSPARENCY (BE GENUINE.......) Emotions are basically so simple & common across the world..... We make them complicated.....
BE TRANSPARENT...... EMOTIONS WOULD BE CLEAR...... Be it love or anger........

Do not make them so complicated, that you, just see yourself stuck in those tangles & knots..... finding it difficult to make YOUR way to LOVE & in turn making it difficult, for LOVE to make its way TO YOU........ When you realize the wrong you have done, put in all the efforts to not repeat them..... You say SORRY & continue doing the same... no use..... no meaning......

Let us all, let our emotions fly like doves, free & peaceful, around us...... Keeping fingers crossed!!!!!!

By the end of the year my cousin sis in-law flew down to India from UK, & I had to see her at my mom's place...... but could not.... again because of my health..... Later, when I went to my mom, mom gave me the goodies that she left for me...... COOKIES..... Yummy ones.... She had missed my brother's wedding & gave his wifey a jewelery box, which was splendid..... Beautiful & elegant in its own way.... I have no pic of that.....sorry!!!!! But here are the cookies, for u too.........

My New Year eve was boring & sad..... because of my health issues...... But thought would do something or at least prepare something interesting for my hubby...... My Badimaa/ Doddamma called, & asked me to have an early dinner, by evening, because of some bad effects of my stars & the eclipse that was to happen.... Hmmmm..... There we dropped the idea of making the eve interesting....

It never happens that she advices me often or in turn I follow all that she says..... When she was worried & concerned about me & my health, I thought why not I show her, that I cared for her, too..... What she expected was not something out of the world or something that I could not do..... Hence I did with my meals as she said & gave Kuku a usual but late dinner..... Kuku, is bad with his hunger pangs..... Thought why trouble him, with me & my screwed up stars......?????? So that was our New Year Eve.....

But the next day...... I wore my apron to give him a better or best lunch......& I did...... Nothing different, but our usual, that we love............. He was FULLLLLLL...... KHUSHHHHHHH...... He savored the meal with much appreciation & content...... I was happy seeing him happy.....

It is only with him, that I can be what I am, totally transparent, no covers, no pretenses..... HE IS ALL THAT I HAVE..... I THANK GOD FOR blessing ME, with HIM...... But sometimes I see myself failing him too, when I tend to stretch too much.... It is always better to make ONE HAPPY, than DISAPPOINTING them ALL....... I'll remember that..... forever.....!!!!!

When we begin with the new year & its celebrations...... my celebrations kick starts too...... Because 4th of Jan, is my Kuku's Birthday...... The auspicious day of Kuku's birth... The day God sent him for me, on this earth.... Sad that he had to wait for me, for two years..... And then, we both had to wait for 17 years, JAB WE finally MET.... We were both in college, that too different ones .....

Now when I sit back to think, I miss all those days, that we were away from each other.... those cute child like & childish moments that we spent .... those games we played as kids, those fights we fought, those laughs we laughed, those tears we wiped with our hands..... all alone, those growing up issues, those Crush we felt or experienced..... when we were ALREADY DESTINED to LOVE & LIVE for EACH OTHER..... I MISS KUKU in ALL THOSE MOMENTS........... Ooooooooops!!!!

I go nuts, thinking about how would it have been...... Anyways, now I try all that I can, to make up for all those days that I was away from him........ I even feel that at the time of my death... I would still feel, that I have not loved him enough............ Crazy!!!!!! In its true sense....literally....kuku..... Hmmmmm......

Coming back to where we stopped, I sat down to make a card for him on his Birthday........ I wondered what I would give him..... I love him in his casual Adidas T's... I wanted to gift him those.... but as usual he owns many & is into Garments himself... So I thought of this.....
JUST FOR HIM......

He loved, what I made for him..... I could feel his happiness..... & was moved too..... I played the birthday tune for him on comp & gave this card to him at 12:00 mid night.... The next day morning we went to temple & had a quiet lunch at home, since we had non veg already for the new year....& did not wanna repeat.... I prepared kheer for him, to celebrate.....

So here I am today, posting all these kiss-happenings in my life...till this day of the new year...... & looking forward to many more.....

BLOGFARES!!!!!!!!

This new year also got me few appreciations from my blogger friends..... Which I would love to flaunt here........... & of course take this opportunity to thank them for their kind gesture, too.........

I would like to thank For the Gourmet Delights or auxdelicesdesgourmets for passing on this conspicuous TOFA.....

& would also thank Aruna Manikandan for sharing this cute & lovable award with me.....

THANK YOU BOTH!!!!!!

With lots & lots of love & joy, Until we meet Next...... KEEP THE FAITH!!!!!!