October 31, 2013

Happy Diwali Folks

Festivals are about enjoying and enhancing the beauty around us in whatever way we enjoy....so as I take off on a trip with loved ones here is a post that shows what you could do at home!

http://housedelic.com/deepavali-mind/

October 30, 2013

Onam and Ahmedabad

How are these two connected? Well, I was a part of both over the last few days
We had a belated Onam do at our apartment and had great fun while at it including a Sadyaa

 Onam Feast also means dress up !

Was in Ahmedabad and made the most of the trip by doing Modhera Sun temple and the Adalaj well thanks to ItchyFeet's recommendation

The Adalaj well above

The well at the Sun Temple



October 28, 2013

Colombo and Ranganna trip

This time my official trip was a bit relaxed on day 1 and cramped on day 2

The whole city is excited about the opening of the new expressway from the airport to the city

I saw a rainbow and managed to visit the Gangaramaya temple- as much a museum as it is a Buddhist temple

Shopped at Thimgaragasya road at Vaishis and Factory Seconds and RV fashions on the Airport road
What more to ask?

This Saturday marked the end of all the main Ranganna Jamboree.
Had one at Hyderabad -courtesy Anitha of UTBT fame and one at ThinkBox!

October 26, 2013

Aditty and Anushism

 An Aditty and an Anushism to make you smile

In Tamil, lots of animal names are terms of endearment

Appa- Where is my buffalo ?
Aditi  - I am a calf not a buffalo Appa.

We were referring to Valmiki
Anush- Is it Walt Mickey she asked?
We burst into laughter

She was sheepish and then asked and soaked in gyaan about Valmika and Ved Vyas.


October 19, 2013

CROCUS 2013

It  is CROCUS 2013 time at Saffron Tree!

Come one and all - it is a theme close to my heart- migration.


We have moved over 20 homes across 6 cities within the country. I have never felt uprooted but there are those less fortunate who have never moved or been forced to move.

Join us at Saffron Tree as we look at books and bring you views from some very noted personaities in the chindren's publishing space.

And here is something by the immensely talented Lavanya that captures the entire effort :


October 18, 2013

Yumm in Amritsar


Brothers Dhaba- oily but tasty
 
A hole in the wall kind of Vaishno Dhaba near our hotel CJ- the best a stomach can get

 Papad wala- plenty around

Gyaani Lassi- pretty addictive if you like malai

 Tikki Pav- interesting twist to Dabeli/ burger
 
Roadside Kulfi- creamy and rich

And if this was not enough, we also ordered from Shudh  - pure delight but a sanitized version.

October 17, 2013

Delhi- Amritsar- Agra- Fatehpursikri

Went to Agra and Fatehpursikri on an ambitious day trip and covered a lot despite the heat 

The magnificent introduction to Agra- Sikandra- Akbar's tomb,  
Taj-  awe inspiring - almost justifies the hype that surrounds it, 
The more intricate version of the Taj-  Itmad ud Daulah, 
My Favourite- the unknown and rundown Persian blue tile work filled Chinni da rowza
The mammoth fort at Fatehpur Sikri- can compete with any historic square anywhere in the world

When you think about it, you cant but wonder ( and feel rather sad ) for the labour force that must have toiled for perhaps nothing on creating these gorgeous wonders.



 Went to Amritsar- gorged on both the culinary ( kulfi,  tikki burger, kulcha, paratha, lassi.)and the culltural delights and of course shopped and in all this -enjoyed family time.
Apart from the Golden temple, the Ranjit Singh panaroma is a wonderful place for art and history lovers
The Jallianwalah Bagh, a stone's throw from the temple, if saddening and arouses anger too

My father had taken the girls to various Delhi monuments as well- more on that later.


Met a couple of friends at Gurgaon at the Stellar Museum- must do for all with kids 4- 9 yrs! Could not meet Nm who had successfully conducted the Ranganna event in Delhi over the same weekend


Navy could not come along but my folks and my chithi were there and the kids had a wonderful time.


October 09, 2013

Dilli door nahin

Another friend has graciously offered to do the Delhi session. Do attend!

With storyteller Nidhi Mittal and Eureka! Bookstore in Delhi

When: October 12, Saturday, 11 am
Where: BumbleBees School, S-452, GK-II, New Delhi
Call 26021092 for details



October 07, 2013

Golu 2013


Tried a different sort of Golu/Kolu this time with only our brass/ bronze idols, toys and lamps.
It was not bad at all.

Easier to set up? Yes,  of course! Given all the holiday and office travel, it made sense.

Wanted the marapachi ommais and was delighted that the first box I took from the attic had them!!
The kettle display shelf was turned into a backdrop and we made just three steps from stools and trunks.

Our first Golu in this home, we had a good turn out on Sunday. Lot of food and  music, some dance and some colour!



October 05, 2013

Calling Chennai

I have an affinity for Chennai, old readers of this blog know that. Having spent over a decade there.
My office and first house still being there , give me a strong connect to the place.

It is time to do a story session and where better than at Hippo?
Do come - old friends and new.



October 04, 2013

How do you spell Dussera?

The title is Anushka's question....

Girls all excited about the vacation and Golu
They were a bit disappointed when I said Golu will be low key at home
But on seeing it they are happy. Kids can be so easy to please at times!


Happy Dassera! Pics coming up shortly.

*******

Had a fab time at Namma Tatanagar Reader's Hub and at the Storyfeast at Kitshdii
Took Adi to one event and Anush for the other. Appa was my trusted aide at the former.
Artsy Craftsy paid us a visit and it was fun catching up in person.

Being a part of Indian Moms!!