EXOTICA !!!!!!!!

Hello Everyone!!!!! Its THE time!!!! The time I started this blog last year...... Hmmm.... Time Flies!!!!! As always..... 

It feels like just yesterday...... and it is already a year now..... The time My Blog "ASRA"...ASHAON KA, celebrates its first anniversary..... I am so happy on this accomplishment....

When I started, little did I know, about blogging...... & that I would be blogging seriously..... & would be bonding to make few new relationships, part of my life too.... People I did not know existed......till then, are a part of me now....They are a part of my conversations with my hubby..... their works of perfection, simplicity, elegance, glamor & most importantly DELICIOUSLY SCRUMPTIOUS!!!!!!

Just like Rashmi & Ruchika.... I was a newbie then too..... But sincerely it took me sometime to understand all the HTML things & other matters that involved.......But they have grown up to be Genius now, within a short span of time.... I now enjoy reading what they post & love to write for them tooo (comments)..... I then wondered how would I be awarded & when done, how would I collect them & from where & how would I flaunt them on my space...... How very 'New'bie, of me??????

I felt very much like a newcomer.... Like a kid who attends her first day at school...... & would just keep looking around at the atmosphere there, her teachers, other kids like her & some really extraordinary..... the veterans who are very experienced & big, the way they carry themselves, their attire, the way they speak, looking at all this, thinking that she is a no one & wondering, would she able to cope with all of that outstanding aura.... around....And then after a thought, managing herself, making up an imaginary sculpture of a Guru (teacher) like Guru Dronacharya & confiding in herself that she would be an Ekalavya.... who would try to master that subject, to prove herself....... I do not know if I have been able to prove myself..... but yes I am satisfied that I have been able to gain appreciations, from peeps all around....... Their candid expressions & love that they all share on me & my work are moments for me to be treasured.....

To be truthful ..... I would like to tell you that LOVE is the ONLY part of my treasure & accounts.... I am really happy & proud of it....... The more I spend, the more it increases..... The foundation of course was laid by Kuku -  My Teenage Heart Throb, My Present Sweet Heart & My Future Love & support.......

Oh! I get carried away easily, though!!!! Traveling back with time..... Yes! It is anniversary time..... & I would take this opportunity to share about another newbie..... My lovey lovey newie...... Blog....... Dedicated for my crafty challenges..... I request all, to share your love on my new blog, supporting my Card Making Spree...too.....

Title : "HASTKALA"...ASHAON KA
URL : http://hastkala-oceanichope.blogspot.com/

Marking the Birthday of my Blog, I have made a card, to just symbolize & celebrate the day..... which is posted on my new blog.....

Any thoughts & suggestions.... to help me improve my space & my work....... is always a WELCOME!!!!! I would look forward to it eagerly.... on my toe...... ;-)

I could not do much yesterday to celebrate my Blog Anniversary..... I went hunting for my 'Card'inal paraphernalia...... So I missed on posting yesterday & even preparing something special to celebrate the occasion, unlike many others...... I know & have seen my fellow bloggers celebrating this blessed day...... with yummilicious cakes & such delicacies..... My hubby, on the way picked up some sweets to celebrate the day, though...... So I had a tiny get together.... with just me & Kuku......

After much thinking & rummaging my drafts, I found this dessert-not-posted.......... Hence thought of posting it today..... 'post' anniversary!!! - (Pun Intended ;-)

So here is the delicious Badam Halwa or the Almonds Pudding....... JUST FOR YOU!!!!!



BADAM EXOTICA

Ingredients:

Almonds (Badam, Baadaami) - 1 cup
Milk - 3/4 cup
Sugar - 3/4 cup or as desired
Cardamom(Elaichi) - 4 pieces
Cashew nut - 10
Raisins - 10
Ghee - 3tbsp
Saffron (Kesar, Kesari) - 1 tsp or A pinch, Optional




Method:

Soak almonds in water for minimum 4 hours. Then peel the skin & grind it to make a corse textured paste....... Boil the milk & keep aside.... Fry the cashew & raisins in a tsp of ghee, till golden brown & keep aside.....

Now heat ghee in a thick bottomed vessel or a wok. Add the ground almond paste & stir fry for minimum 5 minutes or till the color changes & a  sweet aroma is released...... 

NOTE: No attempting at escaping moments...... STIRRING HAS TO BE CONTINUOUS.... till the halwa is completely DONE...............






Now add the boiled or condensed milk & the cashews & raisins too......Stir fry further for 25 minutes, while the mixture bubbles or till all the milk is absorbed & the mixture leaves the sides of the vessel. Turn off the flame & add sugar.... Leave it 5 minutes to let the sugar dissolve.... When done mix it well & garnish. Serve it, ready to eat.....

So that was The Exotica from me to every single soul who shared their love on me & my blog........ 



I would like to make this a small Thanks Giving Ceremony......

First & foremost my Kuku, who bore all my delays, right from me preparing to prepare the food till the food was served...... He had to wait & wait, till I was all done with all my required arrangements & CLICKS!!!!!!! He would wait & I would just go Click! Click! Click! ;-) Many a times he had to even wait to bed, till I was done with all the punching of comments & appreciations on my fellow bloggers blogs...... And most of the preps that I have not only known but posted too, was because of his interest in cooking...... Thanks Kuku!!!!!

My brother Amrith, for making this space look so welcoming & NICE..... Breaking the ice of Monotony of a regular blog......He kinda customized it for me as far as possible, with few of his ideas & few of Ours..(both our heads put together :-) Thanks Amrith!!!!

My Amma for her shared recipes, some from Mangalorean Cuisine & some of her own..... My Badimaa (Dodamma) too for her share of preps...... My Maa in-law & Sisters in-law for all the Delicacies in-law, on my post..... If not for them, for the days I was with them & learn't few preps... most of my posts would not have happened...... Than Mangalorean preps, I have more of Bihari cuisine, listed & posted here..... for me as well as all...... Because all that I have learn't & cook is what they have shared & let me know..... Nothing of my own.....
Hence Thanks Amma, Dodamma, Maa, Bhabi & Deedi for all the support rendered!!!!!

Last but certainly not the least..... I owe all my thanks to this BLOGGYWOOD..... The Blog fraternity..... for all their time to time love, appreciations & comments ...... More than me, Kuku is so much addicted to reading them..... Early morning even before I would wake up, he would check my mail comments, when he checked his mails...... He would be so excited with all the words of admiration that people showered on me..... He felt happy that I had totally engaged myself in this..... He would just wait for me to wake up to share the comments with me.... & when he found no comments he would say, may be it is time for you to post your next...... He would not read them on my blog.... So, many a times even if I do with the comments on my blog, I would still leave the ones in my mail, untouched, only for him to read & relish!!!!!!!  So that is the role that my fellow bloggers play in my life...... 

Hence, Thanks to YOU ALL!!!!!!!

TOFA

It is also the time to flaunt few appreciations received from my blogger friends.......

Srilekha of Me & My Kitchen shared this beautiful TOFA, which I am really proud of, for participating in the EFM-Mutton Series, she held......



Jagruti from Joy Of Cooking shared this beautiful Smile, as a mark of her 50th post.....



& Suparna of Food Fascination shared these beautiful set of TOFAS...... I was quick to pick those pieces that were not a part of my 'Treasured Tofas' or 'Blogfares'........ Is it greedy????? Na! Nope....... I would say, it is just being aware of MY PICKS!!!!!! Is  it not???? I thought so...... too........ ;-)











And me would not wanna be just a recipient, but would love to be a donor too...... Ooo! What expressions I use sometimes???? It surprises me too..... that I can connect things..... Sometimes very cleverly... & sometimes very amusingly (not exact funnily, but weirdly too)..........

Dhan Tana!!!!! Here's this piece that I made as a token of my LOVE to YOU ALL........ Marking my time of celebration...... Kindly accept........ :-)



Another year of Colors & Joy!!!!! I wish everyone a very Happy Holi!!!!!

WISHING A LIFE FULL OF COLORS!!!!!

UNTIL NEXT, KEEP THE FAITH!!!!!

CHALLENGING EVENTS - All The Way........

I thank every one of you, who showered your love & wishes on me & my previous post...... Every single mail I read, made me jump with JOY!!!! It made me start my day with lots of happiness & cheer....... The happiness lasted on my face & lips till the time I went to bed at night, in the form of a smile...... Kindly accept my sincere THANKS.... ALL!!!!!!!!
And as for my story further, I would write about it later... sometime..... I surely will..... as I enjoy sharing my ONLY & MAJOR achievement of my LIFE....

I would like to congratulate Priya of Priyas Recipes on her 200th post..... & thank her for sharing this beautiful TOFA...... as a memento, of, her time of celebrations....... Thank You & God Bless!!!

Recent days I've just been spending time Blog Hopping & browsing many more interesting sites ..... I came across many Indian bloggers who were into arts & crafts too.... I was so thrilled to encounter their works..... Works of art & joy..... So I was kinda busy & engrossed in enjoying their master pieces..... Meanwhile I came across few challenges & events too.... Hence thought of participating, too..... So this post of today is basically just that..... but all that, with all those awesome challenges ...... ;-)

And hence participating, for the first time, as far as craft was concerned, I clubbed two of them in one of mine.... Because of my recent card making spree, at its heights, I was swayed by these challenges..... It felt like they were at open just for me...... What more.... without wasting a moment.... I indulged myself in a simple card for the occasions......

One is the Black & White + 1 challenge by Michelle of Scrappy Hours & the
Other is the Get Well Soon challenge by Paula of Creative Card Crew......... It is like the creative card crew are up for some scrappy hours.... together...... Hmm.... I like it..... So it is the Get Well Soon with a color theme...... rather a color-less theme, easily conveying, misses & kisses to the person down in health............. :-)

Find a place there for yourself my deary 'first challenged creation'!!!!!!! TATA!!!!! ;-)


I also came across this unique event called 'THE NO COOK EVENT'.... which I found very interesting, because of its name & theme..... My past as far as cooking is concerned has been really bad.....

When I started working, before seven years, I got really exhausted with my timings & traveling...... And after I reached home, I went to bed with my odd working hours.... As soon as I woke up, I got ready for my next shift..... Within no time, my cab was ready to pick me up.... And went the 4 hours long traveling, both to & fro...... I used to be a dead meat :-( by the time, I reached home...

Hence was my routine for a year, as I was in a Graveyard Shift (night shift)..... I never ever cooked at home.... My hubby managed out & me at my work place...... The only thing we prepared at home was hot beverages, Tea or Coffee...... Or just boiled water...... Sometimes, 2 minutes Maggi.....too....

During my offs I was way tired & exhausted & only wanted to spend my time with Kuku..... So always ended up ordering food from food joints & Pizzas from Pizza Corner, or for a change went to mom's place or she packed, parceled or sometimes delivered food home..... On the whole our daily bread was from or at daily eat-outs.....

So with this kinda routine, my first cooking gas lasted for a year or more..... People would be surprised to see that themselves or when I tell them this, which was a fact.....

But after a year, I got my timings changed to a day shift..... which changed my life & routine for good..... To a certain extent, I started preparing meals at home.... I prepared for Kuku & sometimes for my lunchbox too..... I loved it.... I felt more like a married woman, then.... A responsible homely lady....... But even then I did escape cooking many a times due to exhaustion........

But now past 2 years, after I quit my job..... I am the most happiest .... I loved cooking for Kuku & me.... But this became more interesting only after I started off with blogging.... In order to post my preps, I would always discover & look out for varieties.... My hubby is happy, as he gets to taste varieties at home now..... He is 'all thanks to my Blog' !!!!! But still there are days, when I try to escape this routine.... & hunt for some no cooking involved meals or portions of food to just satiate my appetite...... Me, cooking for myself!!!!!??????*****, would be the last thing I would engage or involve myself in....... I prefer to take a corner & cry for no reason than cooking for ME!!!!! Upphh!

And while doing this, one day when Kuku was late to return home & I was hungry..... My eyes fell on the bananas I had in my fruit bowl.... I don't like them until & unless I am suffering from cold..... The thought of the Prasad I ate as a child, at a temple near by, crossed my mind..... It was a simple & yummy prep, but I loved it a lot in the form of Prasad (DIVINE FOOD), to which they added a dash of honey..... So I made it without honey& had it too, to satisfy my hunger pangs then.....

This is what it is ....... Bowled Banana ..... Yes! as the name suggests... it is....... No No! U don't make a bowl out of a banana but simply cut them & transfer into a bowl....... YES!!!!! It is a kind of banana salad, if you may call so or simply is a banana bowl.....ho! ho! & this is how it goes......

Bowl-ed Banana

Ingredients:

Ripe Banana - 1
Dessicated Coconut - 1 tbsp (fresh or frozen)
Sugar - 2 tsp or as desired

Method:

Peel the banana, but of course, & cut them into rounds. Transfer them into a bowl. Add the dessicated coconut in & sprinkle sugar...... You can either leave it for sometime for the sugar to dissolve or have it as it is, if you enjoy the sugary bits & bites......

So you see, without really getting into the kitchen, you can have a healthy, nutritious & yummy bowl of energy..... Hmmmm..... I surely cooked a No Cook meal for the LOVELY ME & this makes its way to the ' NO COOK' Event held by PJ of Seduce Your Taste Buds..........

That is all for now.......

UNTIL NEXT, KEEP THE FAITH!!!!!!

LOVE IS INDEED IN THE AIR!!!!!!!

I have quite a few things to share today...... Other than my all time sadness, I have had lots of happy moments & treasures...... A milestone, an anniversary, many appreciations & of course my 'card making' passion with cards for occasions....... MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!! but truly, leading to many more such missions.... of course to be accomplished...... which I will for sure....... I just pray God for patience & courage to bear all the miseries & for more LOVE ..... ALL MY WAY..... by my one & ONLY Kuku........

ASRA PANTHIS :

I have just accomplished a triple number in my PANTHIS........ which I am very happy about..... That shows my work has been widely appreciated & liked by many, unknown till then, but now part of my life as a blogger....... And that is sheer MAGIC!!!!!!

TOFAS :

I have been remembered by many blogger friends during their felicitations..... It really means a lot to know that I am being thought of too..... & so is my work. This was like I had been flooded with appreciations......










I thank Neethu Binoi of Kitchen Express for that love she conferred on me through all these tokens of love..... Thank You Neethu & may God Bless you with more happiness that you spread through your cheers..... (Kreativ Blogger, Happy 101, Cheer Leading, Beautiful Blogger, Blog Loving & Smart Blogger)

I thank deary Sarah Naveen of Vazhayila!!! for again remembering my work & me during the occasion of TOFA distribution........ She shared her Blog loving & Smart Blogger TOFAS with me.... Thank You Sarah!!!!!

I thank Jisha of Jisha's Kitchen for inspiring me with smart blogger & tagging me to thank the one who gave me this, Which I am from all my heart & to pass it on dearies around, which is following this THANKSGIVING...... :-)

I am grateful to Devi of Freshers Cook Book for inspiring me with the Kreativ Tag, Thank U & Smart Blogger...... Hmmm....as far as the tag is concerned, you can know me HERE! & I am really thankful for considering me worth of these beautiful TOFAS......

I would love to share ALL the above with & spread cheers to my fellow bloggers, as well.........

Ramya Manja of Veg Delicacies!!!
Chitra of Ratatouille
Cool Lassi of Pan Gravy Kadai Curry
Suparna of Food Fascination
Pari of Foodelicious
Sushma Mallya of Authentic Food Delights
LG of Taste of Mysore
JGH of Nyack Backyard
Ambika of Ambika's Kitchen
Dolly of Curry & beyond
Anu of Anu's Yummy Recipes
Rashmi of Abhi-Ruchi
Ruchika of Ruchika Cooks
Aruna of Aruna's Tasty Bites
Brandi of Queen Of My Kingdom
Fimere of Aux Delices Des Gourmets
Itabira of Magia Da Ines

THANKING ONE & ALL...... I REQUEST U TO KINDLY ACCEPT THE TOFAS (Tokens Of Appreciation) & spread the cheers around...... this Valentines Day!!!!!!! :-)

And as I mentioned in my prior post, the special Hobby interest that I wanted to pursue seriously, I was kinda successful in doing so...... February 12th, was my Dad & Brother's Birthday...... Yes! Both on the same day..... Very unlikely though...... So I made some gifts for them all by myself...... What I made????? Hmmm.... I made a lovely card, a CD pouch & an Envelope Holder to hold them both.....together......

As one of my favorite pastime is watching & enjoying old movies, I had picked up this movie of the 70's MUKTI a hindi film...... Starring Vidya Sinha, Shashi Kapoor & Sanjeev Kumar...... The movie adorned awesome touchy compositions sung by Mukesh like Lalla Lalla Lori, Suhaani Chaandni Raatein & Pyar Hai Ik Nishan Qadmon Ka sung by Mohd Rafi...... Very meaningful, very touchy & full of Love...... Oh! these melodies make me believe that I am alive...when I am totally drowning in my sadness caused due to my HEALTH ...... And I remembered my dad mention it long time back, that he liked & wanted it. So, I thought why not gift him with a copy...... So there it went into the CD pouch.....

The card was for both of them..... & the CD for dad......He called me up to say he was totally impressed by my creativity, which were his exact words..... I was happy that it served my purpose of making him feel so..... I did not have anything else for my brother, I found the Maggi Pasta on my table..... I did not know if he had tried it or not.... Thinking he would like it, packed that along for him.... So there went my handmade gifts for the birthday boys...... ;-)

VALENTINES DAY!!!

Today is February the 14th of 2010........ I know it is special to many, or rather all...... But for me it is a part of my life.... It WAS my past....it IS my present & IS my future too...... This Valentines, we ...... (me & Kuku, of course!!!!) complete 16 years of OUR relationship...... The very thought makes me feel proud...... It means a lot for those who believe in relations & its values..... Hence it means a lot to me.....

Asra Ashaon Ka..... Ek Chotisi Love Story!!!

I still remember the day..... It is still afresh..... I can still smell the freshness of the paint.....

I was an adolescent & so was he..... I was 18 & he was 19...... He came down to our area to reside with his flatmates.... When they were shifting themselves in..... a house beside mine..... I wanted to check out as to who & how they were..... I just went out casually drinking water from a bottle.... I saw few guys shifting their things in..... one guy among them looked up at my balcony & signed the other who stood with his back towards my house..... The guy who first saw me was......... nope! not Kuku..... He was Subhdarsi Mishraji..... The guy he signed at was Kuku, who turned immediately to check me out.... I kinda felt nervous all of a sudden, looked elsewhere taking care of my myself & ran in.....

Later saw through the window & realized that he had booked the window & the room just beside..... which was direct view to each others place if I opened my ground floor living room windows...... I thought Hmmmmmmmm...... Okay.... Clever!!!!! We exchanged glances, now & then..... but I did not seriously feel anything about it..... U know!!!!!

I had 2 Mangalorean kids in that same building where my new neighbor nested, but, on the top floor..... So either me or my mom or sometimes both, made frequent visits to their place..... On the way I had to pass this new neighbor's window or rather their Jharonka...... Again it was just exchange of glances, which meant nothing.....

He was the kind who was bossy & every single chap in their house would look up to him for .... be it..... anything..... He was the one who always took a lead..... There was a bike with 2 names painted or stuck, to either sides of the seat.... One SONU & the other KUKU.... I always wondered what this guys name was & to whom the bike belonged..... The YAMAHA RX100, which was hot & popular in the 90's...... I kinda liked the look of it..... small & cute..... I then kept a check to see who rode it more & that was him.... Now I wanted to know whether he was SONU or KUKU.... Once as I was just talking to the Aunt who resided above his place & told her about the unusual but cute names on the bike..... same time, he was there to ride himself out somewhere & that was when I uttered the names..... He did not react with SONU, but did look above when I said KUKU..... & that was a confirmation that he was KUKU....... Hmmmmm......
& I liked it.....!!!!

He always played beautiful old numbers, which I really enjoyed..... I had a collection too because my dad enjoyed them, at home..... So I flaunted my collection too..... Since we both liked the beautiful romantic songs or even pathos, we did exchange cassettes, through my brother of course ...... but my mom felt irritated because they always played them ALOUD...... she did curse them many a times because of it.... Somehow she learn't his name & would shout often
"Ranjit!, zara volume kam karna.... Bachche Padh rahe hein"...... I enjoyed these moments.... Once he asked me to lend him a Lata Mangeshkar hits & I was like.... 'A Very Clever Young Girl' asked him if that was an excuse for him to talk to me or even befriend me..... to which he said he genuinely wanted it.... I was like "CHOR".... but that was just a thought that crossed my mind.... & I lent him the cassette...... That was when we spoke to each other for the first time..... which I quite liked.... the way he spoke crossed my mind every now & then......

And then he would try his best to make use of the moments on road...... Once when I was on my way to my computer class... First Computers at Navrang.... I waited for a bus, when he stopped by, offering a lift..... to which I was like "NO THANKS! I prefer going by bus" & then fled by getting into the next bus that came along..... After I reached the place, I confessed about this incident to my then friend, VINUTHA...... And she was like "do not fall into this.... it is a trap..... These Biharis would just play with you & your emotions, catch the next train & off would they
vanish from here....leaving you with all the sorrows & miseries later"..... I felt that right too..... My dad was very strict & short tempered..... who would just kill me if he got to know about it..... So I stopped & dropped, even the faintest thought of it...

It was next year the 1994....... and I was eagerly waiting to watch the new release 'HUM AAPKE HAIN KAUN'..... & I did..... with my family of course..... We always watched movies like a team..... together...... me, mom & my brother..... I loved it a lot.... We never watched with anybody else, but us three..... By night, I went out to lock my gate & balcony as usual..... when I saw a large crowd..... guys out having fun, yapping, shouting out the name RANJIT, when they saw me..... They went on asking the birthday boy to come out, wishing him on his day & asking me to wish him too..... Why would I wish strangers????? I just registered the day in my mind & came in..... Hence I remember the day I watched HUM AAPKE HAIN KAUN, very well..... The 4th of January, 1994.... The day this handsome was born..... may be for me.... I just thought then, but was not sure & did not wanna believe it too.....

After few days, one night when I was out to lock my gates, he approached me with a card & I thought, it was not my birthday, then why was he presenting me a card..... I never knew that there were cards meant for proposals too..... I rejected & told him I did not want.... like he was giving it to me for I wanted..... How Dumb!!!! of me..... My mom saw this through the kitchen window & questioned me as to what he gave..... to which I denied & lied that he asked me if I wanted the cassette back..... My mom without wasting a moment, went barging at his door, asked for him & threatened him to stay away from me & how short tempered my dad was & what position he was in, professionally..... Poor him!!!!!

Next encounter was when I went inviting few peeps in my lane for my brothers 'Birthday get together'..... As I was doing my rounds, he made his entry somewhere on the road, stopped by asking me if he was invited too...... to which I replied.... again like a clever one " Sorry! Strangers are not invited...." Ha! Ha! Ha!!!!!! How thoughtful!!!!! Poor him, he just went away 'mayoos'...... again......

I always checked him out at nights through the window...... All hush hush!!!! Chori Chori Chupke Chupke!!!!! To just see what masthis they were all up to.... as we, me & my brother never engaged ourselves in any such light, hearty, bindaas, fun filled Masthi moments.... So I enjoyed watching them have fun playing, eating, yelling at the top of their voices & pulling each others legs..... & laughed at their light moments.....

Then it was the 14th of February..... Afternoon after college, I was at home & saw another guy named KUNDAN Dubey ji get a rose.... I wondered as to whose birthday was it now..... & went to eves drop at my window.... at the first floor living room..... I could see everything inside from that height as they resided on the ground floor..... I saw Kundan ji, give the rose to Kuku.... I wondered why!!!! & then thought may be somebody's birthday there.... & just went away..... That evening when I went to the kids place to drop them back at 8:00 pm, Kundan ji was on his way down from the terrace.... he stopped to tell me that Ranjit looked forward to see me on the terrace..... I was kinda scared, but with all the courage thought he would not eat me up for sure.... lemme check what he wanted.... Dropped the kids at their place & instead of making my way home, I climbed up the stairs to the terrace..... And there he was standing alone in the dark
& welcoming me with a rose in his hand..... He offered me the rose to which I said it was not my birthday..... & he said he just wanted to give it to me.... to which I said a surprised okay & accepted.... He wanted me to meet up with him the next day at Honey Bee.... Popular Bakers nearby.... We discussed how, when, where, pros & cons..... & I then accepted to see him the following day at the bakery..... later I gave him back the rose & left.... what would I tell mom about the rose...... I could have told her that i got it from the kids home or something.... but as I was guilty & scared did not want to risk myself....

It was the following day that I looked forward to; to see him.... Which i thought he would just drop me to my class, but he instead got me to bunk my class & took me to the Sankey Tank..... where we sat together, he uttering something, trying to know me & me busy with my dairy milks that he got for me..... licking every drop of the melted chocolate..... That was how I was.... Kinda DUH!!!! It was only then I realized that the previous day was called VALENTINES DAY & I was on a DATE with KUKU...... VOILA!!!!!

But still it did not mean much to me till a few days later... one night when I watched him down through my window.... I saw him studying & all of a sudden he pulled out a card from his book, looked towards my house & kissed the card deeply..... That was THE MAGICAL MOMENT..... The moment that changed my LIFE....my feelings for him..... Spontaneously without any thought, looking at what I saw, tears rolled down my cheeks...non stop...... I realized that it was the card that he wanted to give me, when I rejected........ I was so touched & believed in him..... his feelings for me & his LOVE...... Even now as I am punching these words, my eyes are filled.... I can feel that moment... Very touchy & exciting!!!!!!! That was when I FELL IN LOVE WITH HIM!!!!!! The one who was meant to be mine..... for this life & others to come......

It was meant to happen..... Because we were from two different corners of this country, He from Bihar & me from Mangalore..... If we were not destined... we would not have met..... Neither his parents would have sent him to Bangalore for further studies, nor would he have come to nest, beside my place, as his college was far far away...... He came here because he wanted to be away from the college crowd to concentrate on his studies.... & meanwhile found me to concentrate on...... ;-)

That is the end of this episode, to be continued further later.....
as it is rather very LENGTHY... It takes time to, have to punch in, all those 8 years of factual story..... before wedding...... ;-)

MY FIRST VALENTINES DAY, MY FIRST PROPOSAL & MY FIRST DATE!!!!!!! I would not call it perfect because I was not in my senses..... meaning I was not aware of all the happenings & the magic of those moments, as I am now, to have enjoyed it the way I would now..... but still I love & treasure it because I was a total DUH! or an adolescent who was not aware of all these moments & what they meant........

So that was my first DATE, who I have been DATING till this day....... & forever would..... I feel so happy about my 16th anniversary of togetherness... I love, respect & enjoy his unconditional love for me...... Nobody loves me the way he does.... He makes me feel special always..... No tags attached.... I know we would be together FOREVER.... as even death would not be able to do us apart.... as we would still find each other besides...... That is the TRUTH of 'OUR' LIFE!!!!!!

I only made a card for him as I could not go out & get him something..... I loved what I made.... I gave it to him exactly at 12:00 am...... Wishing him on our 16th Anniversary of togetherness.... He totally loved it..... He just kept looking at it & was so happy..... & said... "Meri baabu mein to talent khoot khoot ke bhara hua hain"....... Hmmmm.... as always..... & I felt proud & happy again..... So here is the card......

Hmmmm..... That was celebrations of the Valentines Day from my side...... Why don't u share the same with me too????? Come on I would love to hear..... But true stories, with its sanctity..... Not some pastime...... I value the worth of everything on this earth...... So let us paint the BLOGGYWOOD red, & allow it to drip love, in every word & statement...... in the BLOGOSPHERE.............


WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!!!

UNTIL NEXT, KEEP THE FAITH!!!!!!

DILL SE DIL TAK!!!!!!

Many things 'happening' in BLOGGYWOOD...... All are happy (at least many I know & I wish the same for others too) ...... on their milestones achieved....

Like Simply Food is all happy on their reach out to the masses..... & few others like Renuka from Love of Cooking & Sushma of Savi-Ruchi ....... are happy with their additions to their pricey possessions.... the bloggieroll contests they won.... the nice tote bag that Sushma won & the party cooking book of THE Sanjeev Kapoor, that Renuka won..... Same Pinch Renuka!!!! ;-)

I am so happy for all their achievements & additions to their happiness...... KUDOS TO YOU ALL & I wish u & all, many more such happiness & celebrations.... GOD BLESS!!!!

As for me, I did nothing more than just..... Oh! forget it..... better not start..... Yes!!!! I did something nice too.... On January 30, late evening, I watched the news flash on TV, which said the moon happened to be at closest distance from earth & thus appeared bigger & brighter.... at
its fullest.... I wanted to check it out too.... I went out to look.... YUP! I saw it more soothing than what most others did.... They saw it RED!!!! People did even mention that they could see the craters with their naked eyes.... But I just saw this...calm & quiet!!!!! It looked bigger & cuter...... I loved it & wanted to capture that moment..... & so I did.... After I clicked that pic, I kept laughing for half an hour.... Kuku wondered why!!!! & if I had lost some of my screws out near the gate..... while I gaped at the moon!!!!! When asked, I told him, that people would mistake it to be my roti.... with a reflection of light on it.... And I don't know why the thought tickled me for half an hour & I sat there laughing like crazy.....!!!!! May be those were the adverse effects of the moon, on me......!!!!! LOL ;-)

This is what I saw..... Isn't it cute??????

Now before I could write this post, I stumbled over an article or something, here, which said this......
{The full moon on January 30th will fall in the sign of Leo. The next couple weeks will bring a time for you to focus on leadership, amibtion, appearance, children, hard work, determination, sports, music and special hobbies.}

So I guess this was happening..... I don't know about the rest of the things that was mentioned, but this, YES!!! I was totally into card making..... I wanted to make better ones than I did earlier..... Ones, that looked kinda professional..... at least somewhere near it..... I will post them in my future ....... SO may be the moon had its affects on me to let me seriously think of card making.....

Card making was kinda haunting me & I was madly in need of equipments to give my skills a shine.... I was totally impressed by Stampin up! But in vain.... Due to the laws & restrictions, they were not into business here in India...... I was sad again..... but still did not stop hunting for my supplies..... I finally heard of finding my stuffs at Staples..... I keep my fingers crossed & wish I would!!!!! I have not been there as yet.... I would & once I do, I would post about it too......

So now regarding my prep for today's posting.....

I love saag or soppu or just leaves, edible ones, of course ;-) ...... And among them my first & best favorites are the DILL LEAVES..... Sabsige Soppu in Kannada & simply hara saag or in particular Sowa or Soya in Hindi.....

You can certainly learn more about DILL LEAVES here, below.......

1) Dill as in WIKI
2) Dill & its Names
3) Dill & its Values
4) Dill & a Side Effect

There are so many things different to these leaves..... which keeps it above the rest of the edible leaves..... The aroma is certainly one of them... Very DIVINE!!!!! I get carried away easily by that aroma..... I do not mind associating it with KUKU...... Because that is the kind of impact it has on me..... I simply love it!!!!!! DIL SE!!!! The look, the feel, the taste & the aroma................. DILL SE...... DIL TAK (डिल से...... दिल तक)!!!!!!

So here goes the recipe for it.... Very simple, easy & user friendly........

Ingredients:

Dil Leaves (ಸಬ್ಸಿಗೆ ಸೊಪ್ಪು, सोवा साग) - 1/4 kg
Onion - 1 big (finely sliced)
Mustard Oil - 2 tbsp
Dry Red Chilli - 3, broken
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Red Chilli Powder - Less than a quarter
Salt to Taste

Clean & wash the leaves, thoroughly to get rid of dirt & grime..... Now chop them finely & keep aside.... Heat a wok or kadai, with oil. Once the oil is hot, add the dry broken chilli & sliced onions.... Fry till translucent..... Then add the chopped leaves & stir fry.... Add salt, turmeric & red chilli powder & stir to mix well..... Now cook it covered for minimum 3 minutes...... Then uncover & stir fry the contents for 2 to 3 minutes or till all the water evaporates & the leaves are well cooked......

Now serve this with piping hot dal & white rice..... Or simply serve it combined with rice...... AWESOME COMBO....... Just the rice & the dil leaves prep, tastes like heaven.....
(JANNAT!!!!!) ...... The taste is such that, it reaches your soul through your mouth..... as said in hindi, "woh zaika jo zubaan se utharkar seede aathma tak pahunche....." (वह ज़ायका जो जुबां से उतरकर सीदे आत्मा तक पहुंचे)

And this Ash...... made combo , makes its way to the COMBO EVENT, hosted for the first time by Pari of FOODELICIOUS...... Congrats & Wish u all the success Pari...... which I'm sure of...... :-)

WISHING ONE & ALL, HAPPY MOMENTS!!!!!

UNTIL NEXT, KEEP THE FAITH!!!!!