Dor-the movie

Finally! after a long time, i watched the movie i liked and the one i can put it here.....it is colorful, past few days i am looking for some color around me and my eyes were rejoice after i watched this movie,and cinematography is so good so does the screenplay!
Dor means string.

 In the beginning it didn't fascinate me so i wanted to stop watching, i continue just because of the scenery and then suddenly the story started picking up i completely hooked by the charm of the acting, direction and music.

breathtaking cinematography of two diverse but duly beautiful Indian landscapes.
Rajasthan and Madyapradesh
the girls who performed in the movie, are the modern girls.....

......but through out the movie they carry out amazingly good. Girish Karnad is a surprise.
it's not a typical dancing, singing bollywood movie;)  such a pleasure to watch!

{images are from search engine}

turkey chili

Most popular chili is usually made with ground beef, i don't eat beef, so i really don't know how it tastes, but my variation is turkey and much healthier version than beef with out a doubt! i spice up little to my taste and preparation time is a snap but cooking time, well you don't have to stand there and look at it while it is simmering for 2 hours, take a quick nap! or watch movie, read a book, you could dust the entire house, write a blog, meditation, or admire the sun peeking 
in and out in a snowy day:)

what ever you do just do me a favor, gently stir it every half an hour and enjoy!

you need these:

• 1 pound ground turkey or chicken or kheema(ground goat)
• salt
• 1Tbsp chili powder (more if you insist)
• 1Tbsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder (if you don't have this handy add garlic clove crushed in a mortar)
• 4 or 5 hot green chilies cut length wise
• 2 cloves of garlic minced
• 2 cups of tomato, diced
• 15oz can of beans any kind is fine (kidney beans, chili beans, pinto beans- i used pinto beans)
• 8oz can tomato sauce
• fistful of basil dice in to small 

in a wide deep pan add 1sp oil, ground turkey, salt, chili powder, cumin- garlic powders, stirring constantly cook until turkey is brown in color then remove in to a dish and set it aside.

in the same pan add 1sp oil and cook onion, green chili, garlic, let onion soften then add tomato, cook really well, and mash them with back of the spoon, return turkey back, beans from the can along with can water, tomato sauce, basil, 2 cups of water and bring it to boil. reduce heat to simmer and let it cook for 2 hours. stirring occasionally.

adjust seasoning 

serve in a soup bowl along with crusty loaf of bread.

{pictures taken by me}

pay attention what you are wishing for!

You couldn't pay me millions of dollars to live in south (or any hot place in that case) I hate the humidity so much all my life, my body can't take the heat, i lived about 20 years  in a serene Island surrounded with

palm trees,
tropical weather, canals, 

rice fields, 
festivity, people generosity, ancient temples, boat rides, coconut water, 

mango trees in your own backyard 
but i allured my beloved island only winter months and monsoon days. BUT, when summer comes i transform in to somebody else, not able to stand the heat and sweat, my dad used to turn the floor fans towards me and secretly wished for tranquility in the house, if there is a power cut, you could imagine the nightmare i used to create, Every summer, every muggy day, i sit in the porch daydreaming for foggy, snowy surroundings. Always wanted to escape summer to beautiful hill stations of India or way up north as close as Himalayas!
 Did i wished too hard on the porch or people around me wished too hard to send me off :) in anyway that is, it worked!!
and i landed in (drum roll please)

America's Worst # 1 Winter Weather Cities! 

Cleveland , Hurrah!!!

ski resort, BMBW Ohio

i genuinely enjoy both worlds and embrace them equally, those are the best places to live!

if that's the meaning of serendipity i humbly show my gratitude to universe up there and the power of wishes and the way they come true when you least expect them.
i cannot believe my folks wanted me go away that bad ;) i understand they are the serious victims of my aggravation:) but, still i can't believe! hehehehe

 pay attention what you are wishing for, seriously! 

{images taken by ME and my nephew}

flowers!

spring anticipation!!

heading to March and my bones are begging for some sun shine, and my body is nagging for long walk! 
sky is still gray, 
soil, still covered with snow

my soul is peeking for glimpses of sun rays;)

{photo taken by ME}

Samosa chaat

who ever likes Indian food knows what "samosa" is, and it is a party favorite for kids and adults alike. if it is everybody's favorite why don't we spice up little and display top notch to surprise guests! samosa chaat display send each of the guest in to their respective childhood memories and become a conversational point, trust me it's a huge hit when i did that!
i choose attractive, colorful center piece and white bowls to put all the ingredients and announce the guests to choose what ever they like in their chaat and they appreciated that flexibility.

here what you need:

good looking serving bowls to display

• samosa.....you could buy them in Indian store or restaurant, these are huge so i cut them in to half, 
• chaat masala.....i used MDH brand
• tomatos..... chopped 
• cilantro..... chopped
• cooking onion.....chopped 
• chickpeas ...... remove from can and rinse well
• sev.....it gives crunchy texture in the chaat
• boondi.....this is optional (crunchy texture)
• green chutney.....you can find it in Indian store (coriander, mint, or both)
• coriander powder
• tamarind and date chutney
• yogurt ...... plain (whisk it really good with out lumps)
• lemon or lime 
• green chili ....chopped (optional)

in a bowl start adding what you like:) ....i usually put the samosa in the bottom crush it little then start adding one by one as layers then finally the yogurt because i want the samosa crust still crunchy while i am eating, yogurt definitely make it soggy, so i keep that for last layer, mix it real quick and  
enjoy. 
                                                  

 tempting isn't it!! sheer pleasures:)

{pictures taken by me}

Intersection

ooooookaaaaaay! which way we suppose to go? oH! that's what "crossroad" literally means:), "confusion" or "stuck", now i got it. did you get it?

{image is not mine, but i don't remember where i saved it from}

girls fantasy

Recently my daughters fantasy came true in an unusual way. her dad returned from Vegas trip with a trophy just for her! it's a water jug in a trophy shape. it's a ceramic materiel with straw hole and awesome eye catchy colors and design, palm trees with pairs and Las Vegas name written all over it. oh! i forgot the wide mouth with lid, in any way you see, it's a girls fantasy came true! and she is in 
ecstasy.

she fell in love with Nanna all over again.

 there is no need to tell her to drink a lot of water as long as that cute thing survives!

{images taken by ME}

Television recollections!

When ever i say Tv time is over, my daughter and son are so hate me...one time she even ask me, amma did you ever watch tv when you grow up? i said yes! i do, we used to have "the" first color tv in our street;) and she said Oh! what is that supposed to mean? that means we are the only ones own color set and neighbors used to come to our house to watch tv, but my mom don't have to tell me that's enough watching for today or turn off tv and play outside or read a book instead of watching tv or anything like that! i am not saying i am really good at turning it off even before mom ask me to do, there are other frustrations involved, like, suddenly there is a power cut,  low signal of antenna, you are watching tv and suddenly screen turns to green with black dots ( why? because, now we have power at home but the tv station don't!) 

it happens all the time when you are watching your favorite show and that's it! you had enough of it! you are so mad at power station! tv station! satellites, scientists who build that satellite, the town you are living and dad who is not buying generator to back up tv, what not, so much frustration and you just go out and play, good part is your friends are out side waiting for you too:)
moms don't even have to involve in that drama. circumstances raise you well.

tv program's and commercials are so naive and pure.

they always represent the world out side of our town and our mindsets.

even you turn off tv in your house you always hear all the commercials and all the noise from next door or across the street :) Nirma...nirma...washing powder nirma!!!

Hamara bajaj .......Hamara bajaj

i found some in you tube to show it to my kids, my daughter saw some of them, she look at me and said, what are you doing to me? are you kidding me! hahahha! but i make myself sooooo happy!

To watch Jungle book we did all the chores what amma tell us to do in rocket speed :) unbelievable memory. Sunday is temper tantrum day for me, i don't want to go through warm coconut oil message from hair to toe. i want to watch cartoons in TV. boy this song reminds me of how much trouble i gave to amma. this is about early 1980 by the way.

I used to get emotional when ever i watch Mile sur mera thumhara , i still does and i strongly believe, this is the foundation to understand India as a country!

They used to play them over and over, so the music, dance, colors stuck in your head and feels like you are there doing all that by your self!

 

I still buy parle-g in America! ....just for nostalgia.                               classic!

 wow! companies put a lot of effort to convince Indian women in 80's

 kich kich goli                                                                 'zero' bacteria! that's funny!

                                                                          

i can't end this list without this ad....my dad own bajaj as far as i remember and i learn how to drive this and rode where ever i go as a teenager, in my bumpy village roads this scooter survived pretty good.

(video quality is not that good, i know, but still i want to put them here!) next i will start collecting serials i used to watch!

Valentine's day?

valentine's day! what is that?! that is the question amma asked me, the first time when i ask money for cards.  I don't know, honestly who wants to know, my friends buying those, so i want to buy, that's about it. no logic involved for certain things, we do it for fun! that's mid 90's in India, we are so naive, card's are so cute, card exchange is not even between boy and girl, there is no such thing. Up until that, we see expressing love only in movies, never openly to none, not even mom and dad. so this become such a phenomenon to our generation, forget about the saint valentine himself, did any body know about him? we just pick the idea of expressing our love to our loved ones and we started exchanging cards with mom and dad, sisters, cousins because, "well" Thanks to a scrutinizing marketing effort, from greeting card companies, media's back up for that, our youthfulness we can't resist the atmosphere it creates. After i moved to America, the real story reveals, and then i understood the marketing strategy behind it and lost the excitement on stuff, but they definitely knowingly or unknowingly taught us how to express our love to loved ones and now I don't feel shy to give plenty of hugs and say how much i love them and appreciate them more than once a day. next generation excitement is going on in my house now, and i have no choice but participate it, just like amma did, weather i acknowledge it or not.

I still love the cupcakes!!
and pastries, colors that comes along just for this day!

(Photos taken by Me)

butterflies

 fall in love, or fall in hate.

get inspired or get depressed.

ace a test or flunk a class.

speak the truth or lie and cheat.

dance on tables or sit in the corner.

life is divine chaos 

embrace it

forgive yourself. breath.

and enjoy the ride.....

      -solbeam

Constantly creepin' caterpillar,
Still a swoon in a cocoon.
Soon you might emerge,
And you're made to emerge.
A little longing to love, lush,
Starving for affection.
Hidden by the size of my perfection,
With one exception...

If you wanna butterfly,
You gotta be a butterfly.
You know that nothing falls out of the sky.
Still a swoon in a cocoon.
If you wanna butterfly,
You gotta be a butterfly.
You know that nothing falls out of the sky.

How do I hide somebody from the great blue wide?
I'll come and sweep you up,
'Cause your time ain't up, be patient.
Now you see the sun is rising and your realizing,
Wise enough to know,
That you gotta let yourself grow.

If you wanna butterfly,
You gotta be a butterfly.
You know that nothing falls out of the sky.
Still a swoon in a cocoon.
If you wanna butterfly,
You gotta be a butterfly.
You know that nothing falls out of the sky.

What goes around comes back around;
This is nature's way.
Be conscious of what you do,
Because you will be repaid.
If you put turnips in the ground,
You will not harvest grapes.
You are what you attracted,
And this is why I say;

Uhhhhhh...

If you wanna a butterfly,
You gotta be a butterfly.
You know that nothing falls out of the sky.
Still a swoon in a cocoon.
If you wanna a butterfly,
You gotta be a butterfly.
You know that nothing falls out of the sky.

Constantly creepin' caterpillar,
Still a swoon in a cocoon.
Soon you might emerge,
And be made to emerge.

Maybe...
Still a swoon in a cocoon (repeated MANY times!)
Uhhhhhh...

                    -India Arie

snow storm

I came from hottest and humid part of south India to cold place in North America. snow used to be a fantasy for me.

For my kids it's all the way around, they are making memories of this place and there fantasy is visiting cousins, places where mom and dad grew up, in the hottest weather conditions, four of us heap memories about same places with different view point.

  Friday night we had a snow storm passed by with wild winds leaving us with breathtaking beauty and chores. we wake up with one foot snow piled up around the place. no one touched it yet so its like a white carpet everywhere, so warm and cozy inside and spectacular outside. but reality hits.

we have to clean the driveway! you can't leave it, since this beautiful fluffy snow become ice soon, and if somebody walks on it, slip and break their neck, beauty becomes nightmare and you are Guilty! Damn! why it has to be like that. there is always a price for amenity. 

Well boys get ready. eat extra idli and drink more milk put the cold gear on, duty is calling. they didn't say a thing. whining is not allowed. life must move on. 

shoveling snow is grueling job, it looks like you are dealing a fluffy snow but your back hurts like hell while doing it, on top of it snow blowing on your face, your skin started cracking and numb your nerve. it's not fun huh! you experience fantasy and pain at the same time:)

The essence of life is not attaining happiness, but to live with neutrality where there is neither happiness nor sorrow but contentment.

 for him it's a solid one hour workout.

and for kids it's playtime !!

what am i doing you may ask! i never get tired of taking pictures

windy perfect layers!

who said only clear night sky lit with stars. look closer there are millions under the bright sunny day on snow:)

click on image if you want to see full size, all images, taken by Me

whimsy

 

 

cold weather cravings

weather is really cold,  snowing out side and i am digging in the pantries and fridge for special ingredients to satisfy my cold weather cravings. i always store them in my pantry because you NEVER know, when your heart suddenly want to enjoy the weather and ambiance of your own backyard with bhel puri. so for now i just pretend like road side vendor and mix the ingredients like pro, make some tea and enjoy the snow.

                                          THERE is no use of COMPLAINING WEATHER 

                                                        when it is gorgeous outside                

                                                FIND THE WAY HOW TO ENJOY IT:)

when you are mixing bhel puri ingredients together you have to be careful since the juicy veggies and sauces make puffed rice soggy, so add the crunchy stuff just before you eat or before serve.

Ingredients:

•   puffed rice-2cups

•  boondi -1/4 cup

•  sev -1/4 cup

• crunchy papdi - crush them by hand and take fistful

• cooked potato - 1/4 cup diced in to small cubes (optional) 

• finely chopped red onion- 1/2 small onion 

• cucumber- diced in to small pieces (optional)
  

• tomato - 1 Roma tomato  or any one you have, dice it.

• green chillies- 2 chopped chillies or add more if you want more spicy
  

•  grated carrot- little bit (optional)

• coriander chop in to small - fist ful

• tamarind chutney, green chutney,chilli powder, chaat masala- 1 tsp each or more if you want

                               salt, you don't need it since chutneys, boondi, sev, had plenty of it.
                             even thought you stubbornly wanted more salt just go ahead and add;)
                                                   mix all of them together...find a good corner
                                                               with a window view and .........

                                                           ....................enjoy !!

that's my backyard 
lake is frozen and goose are ice skating :)
enjoy good music or a poem

Snow in the Air by Raymond A. Foss
Snow in the air
long before the first flakes
started their long fall from the heavens
snow in the feel, the smell,
the texture of the air
feeling the falling barometer
the shift in the weather
Falling lightly at first, while
I stood at the sink,
mesmerized, watching
their dance downward
Go upstairs, roust the girls,
hear the excitement, the joy
at the first real snowfall
Accumulating white, flake by flake
on the ground, the cars,
still quiet snow, light and airy
a film of white, cell by cell
cleaning the world
in white

all images taken by ME

welcome February:)