The Gift of Fathers

One of the gifts this Diwali came in this box . Fun is it not? As always, we kept off the noisy crackers and went with the sparklers, chakras and flower pots .

But we made a lot of gushing noises when Navy and his darling daughter Anush made and presented their own pasta in white sauce. Father & daughter plan to make a dish each Sunday. Here is to sustained efforts and fun!

My father got Anush this 150 piece puzzle. He probably recalls my addiction to them and felt that Anush could be challenged more in terms of complexity. Anush managed to do this puzzle with some help. She loved doing it and still remembers Wall-E and Eva!! Unlike me, she was ok dismantling it and doing it all over again from scratch.

Lucky Draw

I have never been lucky with draws and scratch and wins and so on. Navy's cousin won a mid size CAR a few weeks back!!

A few years back, I had won some stuff at the Jaya TV Jackpot ( when Khushboo hosted it) and even before that a Star Movies bag when I was in PG.

But the last 9 years with my firm, I win Rs. 500 or 1000 vouchers without fail each year at the Family day function. And this year too I did and that too at Big Bazaar , which is a short walk from home!!

Of matters BIG

I picked up Anushka from school and she was so pleeeeeeased. Usually my mom picks her up.
Then with concern she asked"Aditi does not need dhudhu? She is very cooperative- so you came to pick me up?" I was so proud. Anush is truly a BIG sister!!

My aunt has got her a floor piano- inspired by the one in the movie BIG. It is absolutely engaging even for the adults here.

Have any of you indulged in this noisy but cool game- Dont break the ice ( from Hasbro). It is BIG on our playlist right now.

A bag full of goodies

To alleviate the rather melancholy mood of last morning I received umpteen surprises:

Aditi decided it was time for a change of view and perspective- she turns and then tries to roll back

Anush painted this all by herself- no tips/ adult presence

My boss actually offered me leave till Feb end when I asked if I could get an extension till Jan end instead of Jan beginning!

And the blogging world invited me onto the fantastic initiative that we all love- Saffron Tree

Gifted!!

I consciously did not buy too many clothes for Aditi except some onesies since Anush used to look super cute in them. But many of the visitors have been abroad or to Mother care and we have received a generous number of onesies. Yipee!

While on gifts, Nilgiris chocolates and biscuit gift packs are completely avoidable. Utter waste of money.

My mother took Anush to this place- Let’s do something( referred by Uma) and it seems to be really nice. It is centrally located above Ganga Sweets. Since my parents had got Anushka a fancy keyboard for Diwali, she has been wanting to learn it from an “ expert”. This activity centre will shortly offer keyboard classes. While checking out the place, I thought Anush may also find the trial dance session interesting. I told her just to watch and that she need not participate unless she wanted to. She liked the thought initially, expecting to see a Cebeebies style dance teacher!

Would like to supply this post from Apu's blog for CROCUS- for older children.

Aditi in Person

Last evening was a blogger meet of a different sort- to introduce Aditi in person to the local blogger friends.

Lavs, IBH, Minka, Adya's mom, Timepass and H from Australia made it with kids and a few hubbies joined in as well. Itchy and her men had already come over anyway.

Thanks Lavs for stepping in and coordinating it for me.

Aditi's grandpa helped set up a slide show of her pics with an apt song( from the book I am going to be a big sister) much to Anushka's delight. My mom managed the food and a good time was had. Must mention that I got very thoughtful gifts from all, for the baby and even for me- guess which book- Bringing up Vasu!!

I was sorry that I could not get anything for all the kids but I did manage to go eco friendly with the bag from Small steps- an interesting initiative. Anush insisted on giving the gift as soon as the guest gifted her or Aditi.

Anush was so taken up with Little Buddha that she told Lavs they could exchange him for Aditi. Broke my heart a little .

But later that night she told me that no one should take Aditi.:-))...in keeping with two earlier instances when she shed tears when our driver and a friend asked if they could take Aditi home with them.

Rest of life

Saw Dil Bole Hadippa, Eeram and Wanted. Liked them in that order though none of them are all that great. Waiting to see Wake up Sid- whenever possible

Read Visitor and reading The Hard Way by Lee Child. Am unable to get through the latest Dan Brown which Navy has finished

Swami and friends is being staged by Madras Players this weekend- should be good- those who are able to catch it do let me know...

Velachery has its own branch of Kailash Parbat- eat your heart out the rest of you!!

Visitors have started coming in to see the baby and each and everyone of them has been getting gifts for Anush as well. God bless them for their thoughtfulness. I had kept some back up gifts ready for her which I have not yet had to use.

Anush's BIG cycle and Zapper scooter became a reality and were gifted by my grand ma and my mother to her.

The last few weeks, Anush is sometimes so over excited -for extended periods of time- so much so that I have taught her the yoga style breathing exercise with count to calm her down...I understand kids need to be kids but then am worried she should not tire herself out or end up cranky.

Cool weekend!

This weekend turned out to be more exciting than anticipated.

A sudden invite for a kiddy birthday party from a new blogger and friend, Anush was immediately better and raring to go. Despite getting hurt in the shrubbery, she enjoyed the bowling and the magnetic dart board games. Anush had fun gift wrapping/ card making and called it protection for the gift.

I relished the snacks. ( must add, pregnancy is no excuse in my case). And we fell in love with the row houses done in Chettinadu style with a private garden as well- wish I had known about them earlier.

Then we had a friend from my first job in Chennai visit us with his family. Anush was at her social best but ended up intimidating his son who was rather sleepy and shy as well. The family could not make it for Anush’s bday and hence had come in to wish and gift her. Anush frankly admitted that she already had the gift that they had got her. But I tired and covered it up and she looked puzzled that I doubted her!! Time to explain white lies?

Sunday morning we went to The Farm, a rustic, little known, resort-restaurant on OMR, that uses firewood for cooking.

Great ambiance and conversation /interaction with the owner's partner who holds a regular day job as well. They have a garden, a pool, some rope walks for kids, shuttle, a swing, cots under trees -nicely done in Fab India kind of bed spreads, for you to chill out and so on.

The food however was not up to our demanding eggetarian taste, except the bread ( made at the Farm itself ) and omelette. Everything smelt of non veg to us. But I think it would suit non veggies very very well though.

The dessert was a lonely and cold gulab jamun and the much talked about, do it yourself pizzas are available only for dinner.

The five star price also came as a shocker- Rs 500 per head for what we had finally- a coconut water, a bread omelette and less than a paratha each!! We felt Rs 300 per head, more for the experience, not the fare, would have been more apt.

But still I would highly recco the place if you are nonveggie or a non fussy veggie.

The book- I'm going to be a big sister- I had been looking for Anush finally came in, post an online transaction through flipkart. But I think it is a little late in the day since we have covered all of it and in greater depth with Anush.

Presenting

This kind of pic post birthday party, with all the gifts still nicely wrapped and spread out, has been a tradition since my second birthday!!

While the first 3 years Anush unwrapped the gifts before I could keep track of who gave what, this year was easier and she was very lady like about the exercise.

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Last night we had friends from Mysore dropping in. Anush was mahaa thrilled to see them. One of the uncles, on seeing an old lamp at home, asked her" Will the genie come if you rub the lamp?"

Seeing no reaction on her face, Navy promptly explained that we had not told her the Aladdin story ( which in fact she has 2 copies of and I have told her!!)

Anush turned around and said to Navy and the uncle " How will the genie come? It is not real - it is only a story!!"... parroting my words to her a few days ago when she saw some demons in some mythological show and seemed disturbed ....

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Anush was browsing through Amar chitra katha and saw a pic of Durga-

" Why does this ummachi have so many hands amma? ....so that she can hold so many things....??"

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Some readers have asked for the contact details of Toysdayout - it is in Velachery. Here is the link

Two of a kind

Anush is thoroughly enjoying the craft gifts she received in particular two of them. She says a Big Thank you to IBH and Ro aunties for these !!

I just had to oversee/ guide her once and then she managed with minimal help.

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On a sad note, India lost two of her best classical singers in the last few days- Pattamaal and Gangubai Hangal.

My earliest recollection of Pattammal was my maternal grand ma listening to her completely mesmerised. . .debatable but my family always thought that this musical genius was to MS what Sivaji was to MGR or say Guru Dutt to Raj Kapoor.

Gangubai Hangal- I listened to one rainy evening in Mumbai when the India Today classical music cassette collection was procured by my folks. A powerful voice - she was very different from the usual classical singers I had been exposed to. Good bye ladies!

Balanced diet and Dates

Anush here in the t shirt from Poppy

The caption says "A balanced diet is an ice cream in each hand" .....cool! Anush was amused to see dates like these. She is used to eating the dried ones only.

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My mother had to do a few days internship with Abacus as part of her Montessori training. A very helpful mother of Anush's classmate- N ( a little boy) - volunteered and dropped Anush home each day.

Now that my mom has again taken charge of fetching Anush from school, N is distressed at not having his travel date!! This is so sweet. . . I had been wanting to pick up some gift for the mom, now I have to find something special for the little guy.

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Yesterday was the long service award ceremony at office( 5yrs and 10 yrs) - now they need to institute the 15 yr award since a couple of employees seem to be clocking in as much next year!!

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If you have the time and inclination, you could catch up with the much delayed update - Mango Mania episode in Mister Muthu's on line version.

The last few days

Friday

Met Usha - one of my oldest blog inspirations. She is just what she is on her blog- frank and lovely. She thoughtfully got Anush a CD of stories. Anush surprised me by really taking to her and not wanting her to leave. She even asked for Usha before the blogger meet at Blore!!

Saturday

Went to Blore for Navy's cousin's wedding. Travelled by the day train after a long time.

Enjoyed the mehendi . . .

Anush to a relative" If we ask for mehendi in only one hand, then they will put till here( till mid arm) . If we ask for both hands then they will put small small....."

Anush to me" Amma that mehendi lady is very good and fast na? .....Shld i say woman not lady?"

Anush delighted the gang with her dancing and prancing to all the " 9xm songs" and even did a solo dance much to her own delight!!

Sunday

Anush dressed up in all her finery and enjoyed herself thoroughly with the teenaged lot at the wedding.

I was asked the same battery of questions " due date... how r you....how is anush reacting....are you still working...." and that was it. Some of the older women told me it would be a boy since my skin looked pretty bad.

Yes, met up with some bloggers and their lovable kids- Poppin's mom with her delectable kids, Monika with Ojas and hubby, the most gracious hosts- Mamamia (Abha) household, Starry and Collection of stars with her lovely daughter.

Monday

Enjoyed the conventional food at the marriage.

Wore a sari after a long gap- a gorgeous Kanchivaram designed by an NID student- one gifted by my mother over a year ago!!

Met a distant relative and friend of Navy's who had been following my blog!!

Took a fancy new Shatabdi and met a lovely co-passenger who indulged Anush almost through out the journey

Sari khabar

I was in Bangalore on work and managed to meet up with some well known mom bloggers -Poppin and Sweet pea's mom, choxbox, mama mia ( abha) and S, an avid blog reader who came in with her adorable 2 yr old. My list of bloggers (plus DC and timepass )met numbers 19 now.

No pics were taken , a lot of banter happened on what was a rushed visit. I felt really comfy with them, though I was rather new to two of them and very familiar with 2 others.

S gave Anush lovely Tulika books and got us all chocolates. Having not much time to plan I only managed some Ettikopaka sharpeners and Tsunamika miniature dolls.

While on gifts, Sue sent Anush a gorgeous sari and here are some pics of Anush in it. My mother draped it the Bangla way courtesy Sue's post of long ago. And do not miss Anush's favourite key chain at the sari edge.

Anushka's Appa's surprise

It is Navy's birthday today.

Last week itself the new clothes and the coffee mug were revealed by Anush, much to Navy's amusement and my mock chagrin.

Anush declared " SURPRISE APPA! Amma has got you a surprise. Come and see it"

Last year's trend of not gifting Navy any gadget or accessory continues....he has only himself to blame- he is choosy and I am not well informed- so could not get him any cool cell phone.

Anyway got him a good perfume- Anush placed a star sticker on the bottle and said it for her star appa.

His gang from office turned up, they amaze me, with candles and salad ( since cake would be anti diet) at midnight for a surprise. They had done this really cool poster.

Anush who had told her Appa the previous night that she had a surprise card made for him but would not show him since it would not remain a surprise ( you bet she is a quick half- learner) rushed in to hand over her card- rolled like a scroll- tied with a "band aid " ( instead of rubber band).

Navy was really touched and proud and he totally deserves to be.

House of Green Mangoes

We were at a road side shop in ECR buying random stuff. There was a mango tree near it.

The tree was laden with raw mangoes of assorted sizes and I was showing them to Anush.

The lady of the house rushed out. She just grabbed a couple of mangoes off and handed them to Anushka.

That was really so unexpected and generous of her! We could not stop gushing our Thanks!!

Made some yummy instant pickle with one of them. Will make kairi lassi with the other today.

While on Mangoes, my latest Mister Muthu ( in Chandamama) is on the stands and is on Mango mania.

Apna Haath Jagannath

Look what one of the most prolific bloggers in India had to say :

"A while ago a friend I haven’t known long or very well gave me something really pretty. I got barely a glimpse of it as I left her place and she only told me that she hopes I don’t mind her giving it to me, because it’s Hindu mythology. I glared at her for imagining I’d ever take offence at something like that, she grinned, we hugged, I rushed off. "


Everyone who visits this blog knows of the recent bloggers' meet at my place. I was not sure if I would be repeating what the kids already had. So I decided to get the moms something. After all, in all the celebration of the kids, we often forget to reward ourselves.


A lot of people liked the coconut ball painted with the Orissa style Jagannath in "Corners of our home." So what began as a gift for Blogeswari, who is doing up her home, ended up being the chosen one for the other ladies as well.

I had a Christian friend who had a Hindu name. She seemed secular enough till she rejected the vibhuti from a temple a colleague offered with a look of scorn ( no problems with the rejection- the scorn was unnecessary) . I have had Ganeshas returned by Hindus because they are Vaishnavites!! I have had a troll admonish me for celebrating Christmas despite being a Hindu.

A seemingly innocuous gift, you could just delight in its beauty, forget any religious significance. But Good intentions aside, a gift should bring joy to the recipient.

I had to be sure- so I asked the Mad momma- though I guessed that despite her trademark strong opinions about a lot of issues, this would be a non issue to her.

If it in music or books - I ask if the person already has that one and replace it if they do. And I gift money when in doubt or when I do not have the time.

Now a little more on the decorative coconuts as I gathered from the artist at Dakshin Chitra-

• The coconut flesh is scooped out , I had thought it was on a copra ball.


• Then the shell is smoothed.


• A fine fabric is stretched and glued onto the shell


• Then some kind of paste is applied and dried


• Usually a Jagannath, a form of Lord Krishna native of Puri in Orissa, is painted on, along with floral patterns


• Since the painting is done with veg-natural dyes which are NOT water proof, for cleaning them only dust off, do not wipe with a damp cloth.


• The coconut balls are available in Orissa handicrafts and at Dakshin Chitra in Chennai.

Sounds of music II and Tribal & Travel Treats

Here are the remaining Hindu Music Festival 2008 reviews from the patriarch of the Artnavy family:

"There is no doubt that both Bombay Jayashri amd T M Krishna are "acclaimed award winning solo performers". Their joint concert held for The Hindu November Fest, was billed as a hope of the vocalists "...to establish a dialogue between their styles...". This was largely belied. Krishna's style was almost imitative of dhrupad where as Jayashri was keen to experiment throughout the recital. One can understand regular artists' boredom with singing the same things everyday, but what is often forgotten is that for each audience it is a rare event. They want to hear what the artists are best known for. The earlier generations of Carnatic musicians did not wish to experiment much and their audience was also not ready for innovation. This is not true of the modern artists and audiences. But one cannot run a full concert on experiments alone.

The Thomas Siffling Trio are a competent professional group from Germany. There was nothing to fault their jazz performance from a technical point of view. Now-a-days it is rare for an artist not to talk to the audience. This certainly builds up rapport and enhances the enjoyment of the performance. But one wishes they had not attempted to converse with the audience in English, a language they did not seem comfortable with. Their attempts at humour only received polite responses.

No one needs to teach Shuba Mudgal to handle the audience. Both she and her musicians performed well. But her experiments with the classical form, in the first half, were only partly successful. For the second half of Indi-pop songs, she used pre-recorded music tracks. This attempt at Karaoke does not go well with our audience who like their meals and music to be cooked from authentic ingredients as they sit down to relish them. "

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There is a Tribal handicraft exhibition on at Sankara hall. I have not yet been to it but my friend says it is not run of the mill .

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Not many bosses would remember a long given promise and make sure to get it as well:

Berry preserve and Wood polish spray

Choxbox's surprise

Pic courtesy web

Handa's surprise and her lost Hen turned out to be a delightful surprise for Anush and her amma ( your truly)

The book has replaced The Perfect Pony as Anush's favourite and the DVD has replaced the most syruppy Tellytubbies (much to Anush's parent's delight.)

Very thoughtful of you Namvor to catch Anush's school trustee on her fleeting trip to the UK and send this through her.

b ftdejegjuregbivehgkjkhgmb- read " Thank you N aunty" in Anush font

Ganesha comes calling

Navy surpirsed me with this yesterday

Pretty is it not? I told Navy I would let him use it, sometimes.

A rhodium and gold mix with a black enamel mooshika!! ( since the pic is not well taken)

So I managed a Ganesha this time as well for Vinayaka Chaturthi without going out to shop for it.