Documentary

pop culture bought revolution in modern society. everything shaken and spoiled by that. society got so confused, trying to fit in and looking for solutions. pop culture gives quick pleasures and tradition gives long lasting memories, there are no quick ways on anything in life. quick pleasures are dangerous, and for long lasting memories you need old fashion attitude that needs a lot of analyzing and patience.
of course It’s boring.

When you mix both and understood when and how to use accordingly that’s a successful modern life.

There is nothing wrong with all these changes by pop culture, but how you apply those ideas in your life is the key.

Everyone on this planet, whatever they are doing for living, they are doing for basic necessities and no one deny on that. That is food, clothing, and roof over the head.
Food is crucial part. You have to eat to survive even though you don’t have proper clothes or house.

Pop culture changed the whole idea of how we suppose to eat, what we suppose to eat,
how we grow that food, how we suppose to feed our kids, and literally how to brain wash kids with their products. So kid’s brain get used to the taste and convenience of
those products and when they grow that’s what they consume and think that’s how they
suppose to eat or live. How criminal is that!!

I am a suburban mom in America migrated from India. I grew up eating seasonal fruits and veggies from my
own back yard. I have preferences about what I eat. Quality is must. I don’t touch junk unless I am damn hungry. You are in the middle of road trip, no way to find food
anywhere but fast food chains, I do feed my kids that junk no complains or disgusted by it, on top of it junk tastes so damn good when you are really hungry, I praise the
convenience they provide when me and my family are hungry and love their fast service
and customer service. But I appreciate when they just stay on the road side not in my
grocery stores, schools, my house or worst in my kid’s brain. I am aware of the difference.

My daughter is growing in American suburbs. Going to school and eating school lunches.
For her that lunch is just normal thing, and yummy! from my perspective school lunches are disgusting. Those are highly processed; Harmon injected meaty, greasy, slimy junk food. 

Every morning we argue over it.
I say…… I’ll pack it

She says ……there is nothing wrong eating that food. Everybody is eating.
I say ….. I am not busy like their moms; I have plenty of time to pack for you, and i try really hard to convince.
She says….. You think you always right but I don’t think you always right!
I say…… there is nothing wrong knowing what is right from wrong, that’s what kids suppose to do when they are kids.

She had enough already and decide to buy anyway!
It goes on and on until somebody gets broke in tears and leave the place.
This is hard, very hard living in pop culture and make sense on things which don't make sense at all, and really out of hands by the time they realize what’s
going on!

No one can blame anybody, but being aware what's going on around you, educate yourself on it, is the most important thing as an adult and a parent and not involving and trying to follow the crowd or not intoxicating of yourself and family is the only solution and definitely in your own hands, and old fashion stubborn attitude, and patience is the only TOOL 
working your butt off to achieve that, 
because there are no quick fixes here.

if you guys have time and resources try to watch "Food Inc" film, the above youtube clip is just trailer, i did watch with my daughter and now, she agree what i am trying to say to her about processed junk food, and the decreasing healthy choices in super markets, in a quite understanding manner.

{post written by me}

update on seedstarter

March 12, the day i start seeds indoors and

Tada! just 15 days almost all babies show up, except Dosakaya 

not show up yet? or not planning to show up, mystery!

and only one ridge gourd seed germinated so i have to be extra careful with that.

like i said in earlier post you have to get ready for failure but look at the tray!
  beautiful, healthy looking future!

my son is asking yesterday "are you growing rain forest in there amma? Hehehee

some plants are growing tall and faster than i thought, they are beating the Popsicle sticks, so they need bigger pots to spread their roots.
i will do that tomorrow and let you guys know:) 


happy gardening!



{words and pictures by me}

speck

Universe,
Adler planetarium Chicago 

{photo taken by ME}

Spaghetti Pie

i saw this recipe a while ago and wanted to try but keep forgetting to buy the bundt pan and finally got it and tried it today,oh boy! it's a scrumptious dish and glad i tried it. it's a keeper.

 your cutting board looking like this, After chopping veggies,with colors popping to your eye, you are eating healthy food and i am proud of you:) 

here are the ingredients:

1 pack......spaghetti

1 cup.......cheddar cheese

1 ......yellow bellpepper

1.....red bellpepper

1big......onion

1 large.....carrot

2 small.......tomato

4.....eggs

1tsp...salt

2Tbsp.....bread crumbs

1Tbsp......parmesan

1Tbsp.....parsely
4Tbsp.....milk

1tsp.....basil/pepper/chili powder

Dice carrot, peppers, onion, tomato's as equal size as possible.

Heat oil and cook veggies, first onions adding salt and pepper then add bell peppers and carrot, finally tomato's and keep aside.
 add salt in the water and boil spaghetti. 
oil the bundt pan and sprinkle bread crumbs on the bottom.
whisk eggs adding salt, 4 Tbsp milk, chili powder, 1Tbsp Parmesan cheese, basil and cheddar cheese.
Drain spaghetti and wash with cold water to cool it down and combine cooked veggies, pour them in the pan and spread evenly.
pour egg mixer all over and using fork adjust the mix to get down.

No need to pre heat the oven
middle rack
400F and cook for 30 minutes
turn off oven and let it cool in the oven for 30 more minutes.

turn it over and enjoy!

{photos taken by me}

Obsession and observation

eggplant coming from seed 

Ridge gourd (beerakaya)

watermelon coming from seed

Indian broad beans (chikkudu) coming out of seed

if you want to go through all my garden work step by step, you could go to 
labels -> veggie garden 

{photos taken by Me}

sky at dusk

The sky, lazily disdaining to pursue

   The setting sun, too indolent to hold

   A lengthened tournament for flashing gold,

Passively darkens for night’s barbecue

by- Jean Toomer

All vanishes! The Sun, from topmost heaven precipitated, 
Like a globe of iron which is tossed back fiery red 
Into the furnace stirred to fume, 
Shocking the cloudy surges, plashed from its impetuous ire, 
Even to the zenith spattereth in a flecking scud of fire 
The vaporous and inflamèd spaume. 

by -Victor Hugo

{photos taken by me}

POP!

gongura sprout............this dude is really  happy to see me!

Ohhhhh! me too:)

{photo taken by me}

cute couple

if you can't read words on the strip here, click on the strip, it opens in to bigger size.

cartoonist and his wife are young couple here, but in 13 years of our marriage how many of these happened, how nasty we fought for simple things:)......

 ........and shared lovely moments

boys and girls are completely, from separate worlds;)

but these are unbelievably pun!!! expressions are so cute!

{cartoonist Evan Diaz} if you can't read here, click on the strip, it opens in to bigger size.

part 3 -sprouts

these are Brussels sprouts, i sow them 3 days ago,  happy to see them!
if you want start from the seed check part1 and part2

Gardening requires a lot of patience and the attitude of accepting failures, you plant seeds and you get sprouts out of them most of the time, but not "all" the time, that's really annoying, starting all over again is the only option and you are loosing precious growing season or missing the entire crop for that year!

so when you see sprouts coming from the seeds that's a 

sign of relief, but still you have to transplant them, protect from pests, weather and finally the tasting.....looooong road ahead:)

Brussels sprouts

i bought Brussels, garlic, pepper seeds from seed savers exchange, it is a non profit organization, they sell heirloom seeds exchanged by member's ancestors from all over the world and those seeds are dated way back in the 1800's and SSE folks are passionate and acquainted about what they are doing. when you have place, little time and patience why not buy seeds from them and start a tiny garden.



American supermarkets are 
filled with hybrid, look alike veggies and they taste like pesticides. i notice, people aware of it, but there is no other choice but accept commercial markets, especially working, busy families and due to winter months. Apples, oranges, grapes are available through out the year and they look like plastic toys in the display, no blemishes or clumsy. in small farms or back yard garden that is impossible but the choice of veggies you grow, health, taste, IS promising :)

one seed, one plant, one pot at a time.

happy gardening!

{photos taken by me}

ఉగాది శుభాకాంక్షలు

Today is telugu new year 

we start our day and year, tasting ugadi pachadi.

this pachadi represents 'shadruchulu' (six flavors and  emotions) in life.

pachadi ingredients and what they represent:

Neem flowers few..........for bitterness

raw mango half, cut in to pieces.........for tang

tamarind juice 1 cup..........for sourness

black pepper 1tsp..........for heat

Jaggery 4tbsp or 1 ripe banana ..........for sweetness

salt, a pinch............for saltiness

 In a bowl add tamarind juice and black pepper.

raw mango pieces and jaggery or banana pieces

salt and neem flowers.

mix them all together 

 and enjoy

remember tasting 1tsp is enough, that spoon full reminds you of all the emotions and flavors of life with out a doubt hahhahha! 

Musings note: In Cleveland i didn't get neem flowers in store so, i thought, for me maybe or hopefully there is no bitterness this year:)
but i called my friend and asked do you have any bitterness she said, of course i do! so i went and bought some, so no escape from bitter this year too, hahhahah! 

  who ever celebrating telugu new year, around the world

i wish "this year filled with plenty of prosperity and 
Peace within" for you!!!!

{photos taken by me}

pillow case

 stitching something and using them daily is so much fun, my 12 year old daughter is using sewing machine more than me these days, i am really proud of her for taking cooking, sewing, drawing, origami as a hobby, no! not because she is a girl! because hobbies are the real friends, they stay with you all your life and your brain keep on hungry for creativity, it never shut down or get bored and hobbies make you humble for little things in life. 
this is a great way keeping a teenage girl busy from gossiping in the phone with friends, 
some people argue stitching is old fashioned, me and my daughter smile at them because they have no idea what they are missing!
this is a simple pillow case, but for 12 year old that's a winner!
if you want to try here is a free pattern
 

Rainymood relaxation

put earphones on and relax for 10 minutes, you'll go as close as to nature as possible at anytime.
when you are trying to do meditation this soothing sound works amazingly .... you definitely have 10 minutes to relax, isn't it? so, smile, close your eyes, and....listen:)
{don't forget to press play button!} now 
smile, close your eyes, and....listen:)

or 
try this

rainymood

seed starting-part 2

In seed starting
part 1

i talked about choosing seeds, cells, seed starter mix, now we will go to next level, how to plant the seeds.

soak seeds (ridge gourd, chikkudu beans(Indian broad beans) pumpkin) in plain water at least 12 hours before planting (if you soak them overnight, the next day you have plenty of time to work on planting) soaking will protect seeds from fungus, gourds and beans must absorb overnight. 

meanwhile make labels (Popsicle sticks are economical, from dollar store) with date and plant name, leave the bottom space empty since it goes in to dirt, use permanent marker, they stay bright and clean. 

rest of the seeds which is not required soaking {mint, coriander, methi (fenugreek), eggplant, tomato, Brussels, chili, cucumber(dosakaya) gongoora} plant them in cells

 
fill the cells evenly with seed starting mix covering each corner, when putting seeds inside check the package suggestion for depth, tap the tray and 

water them soaking with Luke warm water, label immediately because all baby plants look same (for me especially) cover tray with lid bring it inside and put it near vent so hot air keeps the cells warm.

if you don't have containers with lid, that's ok you just need plastic wrap to cover and put it in the warm place, in a week or so, little water beads form inside, at this time remove the plastic wrap or lid and expose to sun light and at night bring it inside, don't let the cells dry keep them moist.

it looks like a lot of work but once you hang of it, it's just a piece of cake, organizing and patience is key here, do the process outside so dirt stay outside, make sure the tray under the cells is not leaking or spilling with water:)
Now you just

 wait and wait and wait.......for baby plants 
this is the real test for me, being patience.

 i am planning to update each stage, so stay tune;)

{photos by me}
 

seed starting-part 1

spring is around the corner and i am getting ready for veggie garden with seed starter. i used to wonder why anybody wants to start from seed when there are garden centers full of plants. 

what do i know, right? after i started my tiny veggie garden in my backyard about 2 years ago i realized the lack of variety in those garden centers, started gardening 2 years ago with one tomato plant, last year i added 6 varieties now i am planning 24 varieties, and yes! i am a freaky gardener now. since i am from India i don't find any of my Indian veggie plants in local garden center. 

i have to buy seeds and in mini greenhouse i have to grow them indoors, when warm outside i transplant them in the garden, it's a lot of work and planning but i AM a gardener and i hooked with just putting a seed in the ground and getting abundance out of it is a overwhelming joy for me.
today is march 11th and in Cleveland the temperature is 61F and it is beautiful outside, but at night temperatures are dropping and not good for heat loving plants and most Indian veggies require warm climate. so if i start from seed right now indoors, when the ground get warm through out night in May, i am good to go with grownup plants and ready to plant in the ground. head start a month or two early and get the veggies one extra month later, that's the idea :)

all winter i saved my kids cookie boxes with lids to recycle as seed starters. all i need is seed starting soil mix and some 
seeds, peat pots- very cheap, {i bought 5 strip pack for $ 2.oo in wal-mart and they are biodegrades made from compressed peat and entire pot can be planted in the ground and they eliminate transplant shock.} and watering can.

if you are organized and head to store as early as March you could get all things in discount prices to start planting seeds. back of the seed packets they give the suggestions how early you have to start indoors and calculate according to that to your local weather. some seeds you could sow directly in to the ground so read carefully and follow that. 

{photos taken by me}

clean freak approval !

I like design, and everything about design. i don't mind putting extra buck or two, if I am impressed by the design. color comes along with it and so the functionality. i can't settle for less.

who wouldn't appreciate innovation? and
innovator's passion behind it?

since we live in cold place wall to wall carpet is a practical requirement, but maintaining that, is a headache, kids and dust always put me in busy housekeeping mode, after cleaning the carpet looking at it and thinking or wondering, is that really clean? recently i got the answer from Dyson and the resounding answer is NO!!! my carpet looks clean but really not clean!!!

huge difference, thank god we don't have any allergies!!

 

this is a winning sucker! my birthday gift;)

 love at first site when i saw the ad, ad itself though don't have any plans to buy, when it's time to buy vacuum, i check the web and fall for the web design and then went to store, color is damn good (notice my blog header color:) but i simply backed up because of the price, it is too much for a vacuum, but love is love, if there is or there isn't, shouldn't be other doubts, so to test if it is love or attraction, i break up from the idea of owning it, from then on i can't date with any other vacuums they are so dull, unattractive, not powerful, boring to use, old fashioned, after a year of separation it is conformed, me and Dyson meant to be together and enjoy housekeeping for the rest of our lives, that adulation still there so i have to have it!
love is definitely heedless.
my daughter thinks i am nuts to be happy by receiving, vacuum cleaner as a gift!
what did she know, still kid, it's a clean freaks love affair;)

Happy Day to celebrate

Happy women's day to all

thrilled to be a woman

Celebrate the woman you are!

{photos taken by me}

Dollar Pantsuit

My daughter is a Origami enthusiast, she makes them and me and my son are active collectors of those. this dollar bills pajama went to $2 in auction and my son is the owner now. 

sometimes 'suit' rides motorbikes and........

sometimes 'suit' drives fancy old cars...:)

origami is the Japanese traditional folk art of paper folding, in modern technique, cuts and glue are not allowed, but in traditional form they are not that strict.

here are the instructions if you want to try:
Pajama pantsuit

{photos taken by me}