my space...............

stuffed capsicum

2011-08-02T22:00:00.001+08:00

Yes I'm writing after almost an year!!
Loved the recipe...and it came very good!!!

Look for recipe here.

Angry bird fever!!!

2011-05-12T18:32:00.001+08:00

Om is a great fan of Angry birds.
To surprise him I painted a tee for him, and then .........................

for his dad and then.......
for his friend!!!

The runway

2010-10-02T09:26:00.003+08:00

Om wanted a runway for his planes.
And Ravi came up with this superb artistic runway for him.
Om loves playing with his planes on this runway for hours!!

2010-07-05T17:30:00.004+08:00

MOONG DAL VADA RECIPE

Ingredients:

300 gms Moong Dal
25 gms Chopped Coriander
5 gms Cumin Seeds
1 Star anise
8 - 9 Green Chillies chopped
50 gms Onions
Salt to taste
Oil to fry

How to make moong dal vada :

Soak the moong dal in water for a one of hour in hot water.
Grind it properly to form a coarse paste.
Blend it with chopped onions, (chillies), corainder and cumin seed.
Check the salt seasoning and deep fry till golden in color.
Serve with chutney

Mango chutney:

raw mango 1
corriander leaves
cumin seeds 1/2 spoon
salt to taste.

grind all ingredients to make yummy mango chutney.

baby potatoes

2010-03-15T15:45:00.003+08:00

see here for recipe.

OMway sandwiches!

2010-03-14T13:31:00.007+08:00

My lil one is always curious bout my cooking and keeps offering help when im in the kitchen.
when we are at SUBWAY he asks, "appa! carry me, i want to see how they make it!"
So we thought to have a sandwich stand at home. he was so excited, and the sandwiches were scrumptious.

tasting!!

shakes

2010-03-14T12:49:00.005+08:00

strawberry shake

mango shake

TRIO-mango,blueberry,strawberry shake

from my garden!

2010-03-14T12:39:00.004+08:00

painting

2009-10-01T16:58:00.006+08:00

took the brush almost after six months,thought i wont be able to well.

but i think its come out good!!
what say?????

panch aata dosai.

2008-12-01T10:06:00.007+08:00

om is getting very choosy about food,as a result i have to try out new dishes to make sure he is eating healthy.
here is a simple and healthy dosai.
you need:
rice flour-2 spoons
gram flour-2 spoons
rava-2 spoons
wheat flour-4 spoons
raagi flour-4spoons
pinch of cinnamon powder
pinch of cardomon power
pinch of ajwain(bishop's weed)
little salt(to taste)
water.
method:
mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
keep adding water and mixing it,making a batter good enough to make dosai.
heat the non stick tava.
grease it with oil
put the batter and spread it like you do for dosai.
cover it with lid,and cook for 1 min in low flame.
remove the lid,turn the side,cook for sometime,till done.
take in a plate,and serve.(either with jaggery or sugar)
Om loves it,and even my hubby!!

carrot rice

2008-11-28T15:20:00.002+08:00

Again, carrot is what i have used to make this rice dish.
you need:

4 baby carrots,chopped finely
1 tomato,chopped finely
1 onion,chopped finely
i chilly,chopped finely
i clove of garlic,chopped finely
little ginger,chopped finely
2 black cardamons.
2-3 pieces of cinnamon sticks.
1 spoon coriander powder
2 spoons of oil
rice-1 cup,
3 spoons of masoor dal without peel(red lentils),water to cook.
salt to taste.
preparation:
pound black cardamons and cinnamon sticks.
make puree of tomato and carrots and chilly.
wash rice.

method:
heat the cooker,put oil.
after the oil get hot,add pounded cinnamon sticks,black cardamons.
add garlic,ginger and onion.
fry till onion turns golden brown.
add coriander powder,and fry.
add the puree and cook for 2 mins.
add rice,salt and water.
cook for two whistles.
serve hot.

ganesha in colors

2008-11-28T15:04:00.003+08:00

dad is getting creative!!

2008-11-28T14:11:00.006+08:00

Ravi got inspired my tee painting and made this lovely tee for Om.
it has got car logos of Toyota,Audi,Benz,Honda...
car transporter,container truck and other favourites of Om.
Om was so excieted while his dad was making this tee.
have a look and let me know how is it.
the front:

back:

ganeshaya namah

2008-11-24T16:29:00.003+08:00

Jai Durga

2008-11-24T14:05:00.003+08:00

carrot rice

2008-11-18T17:37:00.006+08:00

Again, carrot is what i have used to make this rice dish.
you need:

4 baby carrots,chopped finely
1 tomato,chopped finely
1 onion,chopped finely
i chilly,chopped finely
i clove of garlic,chopped finely
little ginger,chopped finely
2 black cardamons.
2-3 pieces of cinnamon sticks.
1 spoon coriander powder
2 spoons of oil
rice-1 cup,
3 spoons of masoor dal(red lentils),water to cook.
salt to taste.
preparation:
pound black cardamons and cinnamon sticks.
make puree of tomato and carrots and chilly.
wash rice.

method:
heat the cooker,put oil.
after the oil get hot,add pounded cinnamon sticks,black cardamons.
add garlic,ginger and onion.
fry till onion turns golden brown.
add coriander powder,and fry.
add the puree and cook for 2 mins.
add rice,salt and water.
cook for two whistles.
serve hot.

red chutney

2008-11-18T17:16:00.005+08:00

I am in love with carrots.and trying to use it
I made this chutney,so that Om eats vegetables and I'm glad he did eat.
Beacuse of the color,Om named it red chutney.

you need:
4 baby carrots,chopped finely
1/4 of a beetroot,chopped finely.
1 tomato,chopped finely
1 chilly,chopped finely
pinch of cinnamon powder,
pinch of pepper powder,
pinch of clove powder.
salt to taste.

method:
take a non stick pan.
put chopped beetroot,carrots,tomato.
add all the spices and salt.
cover with lid and cook in low flame for 5 mins.
stir it,cover it and cook for another 2 mins.
sprinkle water and cook for another 2 mins.
as the vegetables are chopped finely,they will cook fatser.
put off the fire.
let it cool,grind it,and the chutney is ready.

carrot halwa

2008-11-14T17:39:00.005+08:00

here is a easy to make carrot(gajar)halwa.

u need:
6 medium sized carrots.
milk powder-6 spoons.
sugar-1 spoon
dry fruits.

method:
grate the carrots.(i use the food processor)
put the grated carrots in a heavy bottom vessel.
cover it with lid and cook in medium flame for 10mins.
add sugar,cover and cook for 5mins.
add the dry fruits and milk powder,mix well and cook(without lid) for 5-10 mins.
(make sure that the carrot is cooked well)

serve hot.

crispy onion

2008-11-14T15:33:00.003+08:00

The recipe was told by a cousin of mine who is in US.I loved it and I'm sure you will also like it!!
you need:
medium size onions-6
gram flour-i cup.
little oil,turmeric powder,chilly powder,mustard seeds,salt to taste.

Method:
cut the onions and keep aside.
roast the gram flour and keep aside.
add oil to the wok,add mustard seed when its hot.
add the cut onions,salt,turmeric powder,chilly powder and cover with lid.cook
for 10 min,in low flame.Remove the lid.now fry the onions,till they turn golden brown.
add the gram flour to it and stir for another 5 mins.
take it off the fire.
crispy onions is ready.
goes well with rice-dal.or it can be a side dish with the main course.

bead work on tees

2008-11-13T14:15:00.002+08:00

gave a new look to plain tees,with simple roses and flowers.
I bought these beads from Australia.and the fabric paints are from India.

warli painting

2008-11-11T13:53:00.005+08:00

tried warli painting on my new kurti!!
have a look

Ganesha

2008-11-10T19:37:00.002+08:00

Made for a friend who just shifted to new house!and I'm glad that she loved it!!!

diwali cards

2008-11-10T19:26:00.002+08:00

Made these cards to sell,for a good cause.have made a target for myself to collect money through my art works for charity.getting closer to my target.thanks to all those who bought and supported me!!

lips

2008-11-10T18:13:00.000+08:00

one min cake

2008-11-07T17:21:00.004+08:00

refer this for details.
it was loved by everyone.om enjoyed it the most!

MAD-RAVI!

2008-11-05T11:09:00.004+08:00

painted on a new tee...

front:rose and bead work!
back:my adorable darling -ravi

happy birthday OM!!!

2008-10-10T17:32:00.024+08:00

created for his big day!!!has got few of his favourite things-cars,firetruck,barney,hanumaan

Om's birthday party preparations had kept me busy,and then the navaratri, dusshera..
the list of his friends is so big(mine too)....n he is just 2yrs old.
here are the few things we did for his big day..
the invitation card:
it has pictures of om of the twelve months of the year gone.and few of his favourite things-barney,lightning MC queen,hanumaan.

the return gifts:om enjoyed making and packing these tees for his friends,he was deciding the colors and whom he want to give the tee...it took almost a month for us to finish making twenty tees.
we did it in every three days.
the name of is friend at back of the tee and in the front we have Om's palm prints and OM(in Sanskrit.)making 22 tees was not easy,but it was sure fun for om and me!!
to surprise om,all his friends had worn the tees the very next day,to the play area,n Om was so thrilled to see them!
the rangoli made by ravi-has the car logos,car transporter,double decker bus,fire truck.

cake:he is a car crazy so we ordered a car cake for him from creative cakes.it was yum.

menu: assorted biscuits,cookies,vitagen,samosas,onion pakodas.
and for the dance:Ravi got some nice kids song-
jungle jungle baat chali hai
hakuna matata
i can show u the world
we are one
agdam bhagdam
main hun
anglik banglik
and oms favourite bollywood numbers then-poo poo poo
om shanti om.
ALL IN ALL IT WAS FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

rakhi

2008-08-11T16:47:00.006+08:00

for kids The bond of Rakhi reinforces the love and affection between the siblings against all ills and odds. Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) is celebrated on the Shravan Poornima day in the month of August every year. On the day of Rakhi, sisters decorate Rakhi Thali with sweets, dhoop, roli, betel leaves and Rakhis and tie the sacred thread on the wrist of their brothers as a symbol of love and affection.
this year its falling on 16th of august.

i have used satin ribbons,threads,sequins,stickers,glass beads ,all purpose glue and poster paper to make these rakhis.its time taking and needs good hand control!!
got a few orders and it was fun to make these rakhis.

for kids with cards

im posting these rakhis for the rakhi event hosted by vani.

another tee

2008-07-31T17:08:00.002+08:00

frontback

ALU WADI

2008-07-30T08:24:00.003+08:00

the final entry for the SWC HOSTED BY NEHA.
FOR THE RECIPE SEE THIS.

Poha

2008-07-21T16:46:00.006+08:00

pohe for Swc

Poha is flattened cooked rice.

2 cup Thick Pohe
1 large Onion, chopped
1 large tomato,chopped
1 capcicum chopped(optional)
6french beans chopped(optional)
1 Potato, cubed into 1 inch cubes
2 Green chilies, sliced
1 teaspoon Lemon juice
Salt to taste
1 spoon sugar
1 tbsp oil
2 teaspoons Mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon Asafoetida
2 teaspoons Turmeric powder
some peanuts
Water 1/4th cup

To Garnish

Coriander leaves, chopped finely
Lemon juice
sev

Method:

Wash Pohe and rinse well until the water runs clear. Drain all the water and keep aside for 10 to 15 minutes.

Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds. When they splutter, add asafoetida, turmeric powder, chopped onion, potato,french beans,capcicum and green chilies. When potatoes are almost cooked add the sugar, salt, lemon juice and 1/4th cup of water. Mix well. Now add the soaked pohe. Mix well.

Cover and cook for about 5 minutes on medium heat. Remove the lid, stir and again allow it to cook for 2 minutes. Garnish with sev and coriander leaves. Enjoy !

zunka bhakri

2008-07-18T10:59:00.004+08:00

zunka bhakar for this event.

zunka:
1.Heat a pan and dry roast the besan for 8 minutes on low flame. The besan will turn light pink and send out a beautiful aroma. Turn off the heat.
2.Chop one small onion and one small tomato. Also chop 2 green chillies and 2 garlic flakes.
3.Heat 1 tsp oil in a pan. Add ½ tsp mustard seeds and ¼ tsp cumin seeds. Wait till they splutter and then add green chillies, curry leaves, and chopped garlic. Once the garlic changes color (to light brown), add the chopped onions. Fry till the onions turn golden brown.
4.Add tomato and cook till it turns soft. Now, add besan, ¼ tsp turmeric powder, ¼ tsp red chilli powder, salt, and ½ cup water. Stir and check that no lumps are formed.
5.Cook for 5 minutes and serve hot.

Bhakris

1.Take 2 cups jowar (makes around 6 mini bhakris), add ¼ tsp salt, 1 tsp oil to it. Add water and make dough just the way you make for chapattis.
2.Heat a pan.
3.Take a big ball of dough and roll out the dough just the way you do while making chapattis. Sprinkle jowar flour to ease the rolling process.
4.Put the bhakri on the pan. Take some water and gently spread it on the bhakri. Cook for 2 minutes.
5.Flip on the other side and cook for 2 more minutes. Turn over again till there are brown spots on both sides.
6.Serve hot with zunka, onions(kanda), green chillies, and buttermilk.

thanks swapna for the recipe.

krishna

2008-07-18T09:10:00.003+08:00

when i sat down to paint this tee,i was sure will be asking to help me.thank god i had bought extra tee.so om painted one for his appa and then i could do this one.Om's teacher says he loves painting at school also.I'm glad!!

he picked up the colors and the brushes he wanted to use,and created this cute tee for ravi!!
(the R is written by me)

after he got bored of the free hand style,he said he wanted to do"palm-palm",so we did the palm printing for the back...

here comes my creation....

Paav Bhaaji

2008-07-16T16:20:00.006+08:00

Another dish for the the event.

Paav Bhaji is a fabulous dish prepared with lot of vegetables and buns.

Ingredients

2 cup: Mixed vegetables chopped fine
1 cup: Potatoes-chopped fine
1 cup: Onions-grated
1 tsp: Chopped cloves of garlic-ground together
1 tsp: Chopped ginger
1 cup: Tomato-grated
½ cup: Tomato puree
Green chillies-chopped to taste
2 tsp: Cumin seeds
½ tsp: Turmeric
1 tsp: Pav bhaji masala
½ tsp: Powdered red pepper
1 tbsp: Salt
6 pcs: Pav bread
6 tbsp: Butter for the bread
½ cup: Oil

Method

Heat oil and add cumin seeds, then the onion paste and sauté till brown and fat separates.
Add the mixed vegetables and potatoes and sauté first over high heat, then over low, till cooked through.
Add tomatoes and puree, green chillies, turmeric, salt, pav bhaji masala and and continue cooking till the fat separates. Keep mashing the red pepper vegetables with the stirrer as it cooks.
To serve, heat some butter, slit the bread horizontally and fry in the butter till brown.
Serve hot.

few more paintings of kids...

2008-07-10T11:27:00.004+08:00

the kids are very sweet,have great ability and they are doing wonderful job.
i happy for them!!

SWC: Maharashtrian cuisine

2008-07-09T16:00:00.005+08:00

This event gives me a chance to cook what i enjoyed eating during my stay in nagpur.for 5 years.
nagpur is a great place,i found my friend for life..Akhila in nagpur...i had the best of time there...
i remember having food at neha's place and at times at kallu's place(kalyani)....so now im going to try out my hand at some of the dishes.

the first entry is:

sabudana wadi:

Ingredients:
4 large potatoes boiled, peeled and mashed
1/2 cup sabudana (sago)
Water
1 large onion chopped very fine
1 green chillies chopped very fine(u can add more)
2" piece of ginger grated
1/4 cup peanuts roasted and crushed coarsely
1 tsp raw mango powder
1 tsp cumin seeds
Salt to taste
cooking oil for shallow frying

method:

* Soak the sabudana (sago) in warm water for four hours. It will puff up and become translucent.
* Mix the sabudana with all the other ingredients and form a paste. Add salt to taste.
* Make the paste into equal-sized balls and flatten slightly to form patties.
fry them in oil till golden brown.

its ready to serve.enjoy with chutney.

the second entry is:

Tomato Onion Koshimbir (A Maharashtrian salad)

Ingredients

1. Tomatoes - 2 nos. finely chopped
2. Onion - 1 big, finely chopped
3. Coriander leaves - finely chopped
4. Green chillies - 2 nos. - lengthwise split into halves
5. Peanuts - 1 tbsp
6. Asafoetida
7. Mustard seeds
8. Sugar - 1 tsp (optional)
9. Salt

Broil (dry roast) the peanuts on a tava or in a kadai without using oil. Keep stirring frequently.
When the peanuts get pink-brown spots on them, switch off the flame.
Spread out the peanuts on a plate and let them cool.
After they are cool, hull the peanuts(the papery outer covering) and grind them coarsely.
Now this peanut powder is a common ingredient in Maharastrian cooking,
so in typical households this powder is prepared and stored for a week or so.
Then, just mix the finely chopped tomatoes, onions, peanut powder, salt.
Add sugar if you like a hint of sweetness.
For the tempering or tadka, take 1tsp oil in a small kadai, when the oil heats, add mustard seeds,
asafoetida, curry leaves
and green chillies.
Switch off the flame and pour the tadka on the koshimbir. Mix well and garnish with coriander.

the third entry is:

Maharashtrian Kadhi
Preparation Time : na
Cooking Time : na
Serves / Makes : :04

Ingredients
Bengal Gram Flour (besan) 2 tbsps.
Yogurt 3 cups
tomato 1 chopped
Ginger Paste 1 tbsp.
Garlic Paste 1 tbsp.
Green Chillies (slit) 2
Turmeric Powder 1 tsp.
Mustard Seeds 1/2 tsp.
Curry Leaves 4-6
Oil 1 tbsp.
Salt to taste

Method
Combine besan, curd thoroughly, add about 2 cups of water and turmeric powder. Cook it on slow heat stirring continuously.
Heat oil, add mustard seeds, when they crackle add ginger paste, garlic paste, green chillies and curry leaves. Cook for a moment and then add this to kadhi
Stir continuously on low heat until kadhi is slightly thick.
Remove, adjust salt and serve

for the couple!!!!

2008-07-09T15:43:00.001+08:00

i made it for my devar devarani

getting married soon....

hope they take it easy!!!

yipppe my first award

2008-07-03T17:04:00.000+08:00

thanks sukanya.

another one from lakshmi!!
thanks dear!

u n me....

2008-07-03T15:32:00.001+08:00

you n me.......

paintings by kids....

2008-07-01T10:05:00.000+08:00

I'm sure you ll love these paintings.....

fun sessions with kids

2008-06-18T20:20:00.000+08:00

im having great time with kids who come for art sessions.
we do lot of activities which include art and craft,memory games,dance,songs and rhymes and free play.

kids are smart and follow the instructions very well.
some of their work can be seen in the pictures here.

i believe that accomplishment is more important for these small kids than perfection.
its a great joy to see them happy when they see their art works being appreciated by everyone.

they have become like family members,free as in their own house,showing their work to my in laws ,laughing,learning and having fun!!

i feel great to know from the parents that they don't want to go back...so the session which is supposed to be for an hour goes on till one and half hour....

they painted on t shirts for papas on fathers day,made a gift wrapping paper,and packed it.

tee

2008-06-18T20:17:00.002+08:00

here is another tee.a rose with sequins.....for my sis in law.

mai toh bhool chali babul ka desh

2008-06-01T16:14:00.001+08:00

finished it today....

the best thing is i made it when om was playing around.....
now he knows amma does all this and should not be disturbed!!
after i was done,i showed it to him.

the first thing he said was..."woooow,wooow".

then he took the paint brush and said,"amma some more woow."
which he meant that can he add to it....

then he pointed the DHULHA and said"appa"
and the DULHAN "amma".
and then he pointed at the other guys and said"raghu,bhajin,uncle....."

my mobile pouch....

2008-05-28T10:17:00.000+08:00

here comes another one...

i got inspired to make one mobile pouch after seeing lakshmi's.

its made of felt cloth with beads.

simple beautiful,useful.....

she made this one for me........

thanks lakshmi!!

some more......

2008-05-09T15:34:00.001+08:00

fabric painting

2008-05-08T16:55:00.001+08:00

on bedsheets

this one is done by my cousin sister.border is done my me!!

tees

2008-05-06T15:33:00.000+08:00

inspired by an online friend.......i too have started t-shirt painting..........
did one for om long back.

now for ravi!!!closer look...........

he wanted it this way!!!!!!!!

this one is for me!!!
this one is for my devar who is getting married in july.
front..

BACK...

for a friend of mine......
back...
for akash............

photo frame

2008-05-03T14:28:00.000+08:00

this one is also is 15 mins job.

made from cereal box(kellogs),color paper,stocking flowers, this is an easy to make photo frame.

2008-05-03T13:23:00.000+08:00

mom im a mom!!

mom wake me up at 4am(i never woke up b4 that)
mom where are my glasses??
Mom have you seen the keys of my scooty??
Mom please wait,I've tell u what happened today in school.(it was a daily routine)
it was so easy to rely on mom for every little thing, for i was sure she will never say- no,
she ll never forget.!!
It was divine to have the tea ready before i got up.
it was great to have variation in the daily menu!!
now the story is different........
i'm a mom i get up and make tea for myself(drinking it almost when it is cold) i have to take care of the keys,specs,cards..........
i run after my son all the day when he plays around. i cook good,but mom hasn't told me the magical spice she puts.....
i call her often n talk,but now no more school talks............ its the details about Om(my son).

ITS GREAT TO BE A MOM BUT I STILL LONG TO BE WITH MOM.........!!!!

how is this!!!!!!!!!

2008-04-30T17:14:00.001+08:00

30/05/2008
i have been thinking of how to manage ravi's mails....he gets them in plenty........
then one fine day i saw some very pretty colorful advertisement in the newspaer and got idea to make this lovely letter holder.

i have used the empty carton(om's formula milk),newpaper,glue,ribbons, ear buds to make this stylish letter box.
no cost,15 mins job!!and its ready!!!!!

whta did u do for and on earth day!!!

2008-04-23T11:26:00.000+08:00

"The Earth doesn't have anybody else. We're occupants, and it's our duty to take good care of her."

but are we?how many of us have actualy thought about it?where has all the lessons we learnt in school gone??

i do my bit in following manner.........
1.avoid poly bags
2.reuse zip lock bags.
3 dont use cling wrap
4.dont use alluminium foil
5.use recycle bins for thrash
6.dont use tissue papers
7.artyfy waste like cartons,cans.
8.switch off when not in use
9.use water heater once a day in one go.

art n craft work

2008-04-22T22:59:00.001+08:00

this handbag is made by knitting strings of old used poly bags.....was tedious......could finish with mom help.

Meddling Monsoon

2008-04-22T22:52:00.000+08:00

one of my friend has written this poem.thanks to him to let me publish it at my blog!!

Hot sun scorching in the sky,

With no gust of wind that makes papers to fly,

Started the day in this coastal city,

With sun God having no mercy or pity.

Vehicles zipping past, fast and furious,

Things are serious with nothing hilarious.

Haunting day with weather so dry,

And sun God being happy letting people to fry.

Dazzling buildings with soaring heights,

Cornered slums with never ending fights.

Is the glimpse of city which is by the shore,

With promises filled in directions four.

Sudden gust of wind brought everyone to delight,

None knew the trouble it'd bring will end everyone's plight.

The gust of wind that grew with power,

Brought clouds that were dark with vigor.

Without any warning, struck the thunder,

That split a tree in halves without a blunder.

Blanket of cloud made the place so dark,

Whips of lightning lighted the sky with its spark.

The cloud split up with a huge roar,

Bringing rain that jolted everyone to the core.

The clock ticked for hours and the rain still intense,

With an owe to wreck the city with the effect so immense.

The river so dry and river so calm,

Stretched her arms to cause greater harm.

With great outrage she came, flooding the entire place,

Rattling every frame of the city without a trace.

The city so majestic and the city so fair,

Is now a city of misery, death and despair.

The sounds of chimes and horns in great compliance,

Now replaced by sounds of cries breaking a grave silence.

Like the wave that washes the shore clean,

The floods wiped out the city showing its spleen.

The turbulent rain stopped, bringing a sigh of relief,

To the people who are tormented and are in grief.

The river calmed down and the waters receded,

The plight came to an end and city life proceeded.

The city once choked, thus losing its throttle,

Regained its strength, slowly winning the battle.

- Krishnan.P.V

its been a while since i wrote......................

2008-04-05T14:40:00.000+08:00

had been busy finding a job.now i have one.............
i feel great that i did the Montessori diploma before i became a mom.it has given me insight on child psychology.since the day one i have been applying my knowledge with OM(my son).in fact even before that.and now i can see that Montessori works!!!!i feel all parents should have some knowledge on child psychology.children are much more than we can think of.they have immense self respect,even before they learn to talk.they learn from the world they see.as Montessori says,"the prepared environment" is a must for child's growth.now let me explain it a bit.a place where the child is free to chose what he wants to do,where the materials are kept in an order for him to use.and all materials have some purpose.

i have a little timetable for om.just like we have one in schools.and it helps me to do different things with him.we do painting,art work,reading,cleaning and playing together.there are plenty of things which we can do with kids at home.

When I'm in kitchen,om helps me arranging vessels,when I'm folding clothes,he puts his clothes in his wardrobe.when im making chapati,he plays with the dough.like this i keep involving him in my chores.he is busy,i get my things done.....................good idea .........!!!!!!!!!!!!

experiments in the kitchen............

2008-03-17T17:09:00.003+08:00

i love cooking.i keep trying different dishes.
sanjeev kapoor is my guru next to my amma(mom)

some of my easy to cook dishes.........

carrot paratha.
u need:baby carrots 6,salt to taste,onion seed 1 tab spoon,little Cinnamon powder,

wash and finely grate carrots ,put salt and keep it aside for half an hour.
take wheat flour,add onion seed(ajwain),Cinnamon powder and mix well.

mix both and kneed it with water, tight enough to make paratha.

make thin parathas and cook on both sides with minimun oil in low flame.use oil only to grease the pan.

serve it hot with spicy curd

to make spicy curd:

take thick curd.
add salt,red chili powder,black salt,pepper powder.
mix well.
the food processor helps making this paratha very quick.
i made it once when i had no veggies in the fridge and did not want to make the regular roti.

after then ive been making it on demand.
my father in law too loves it.

let me know u liked it or not!!!

ANOTHER QUICK DISH
idli in cheesy vegetables!!

make instant idli the usual way:

take 1 cup semolina(rava)
1/2 cup curd.
salt to taste.
mix all in a bowl and add baking soda(1/4 spoon) and mix well.
put the batter in the idli mould(grease it with oil)
steam till done.

cheesy vegetables:
cut capsicum,carrot,tomato,beans into small cubes.
in a pan add just a little oil,cumin seed.
add carrots and beans n cover for 1 min.
add capsicum,salt to taste, and cover for 10 mins in very low flame.

stir and add little cinnamon powder,cardomon and clove powder. and stir.add cheese n cover for 2 mins till it melts.
add pepper powder and put off the flame.

its ready!!!

now cut the idly in cubes,mix it with the vegetables n serve hot.

can add chilli flakes if u want it hotttt!!!!!!!

MAGIC MASSORE DAAL............

once i had no time to make the prope rice,dal,sabji for ravi's lunch box.
i woke up and made something which i named magic massore daal........

u need:
2 cups massore dal(with skin)
cumin seed 1/4 spoon
bay leaves-2
turmeric powder 1/4 spoon
chilli powder 1/4 spoon(u can add more if u want hot)
clove powder 1/4 spoon
cinnamon powder 1/4 spoon
cardomom powder 1/4 spoon
salt
mango powder(amchur) 1 spoon.

soak the daal in boiling water,just enough, for 15 mins.
put cooker on stove,put one tea spoon of oil,put cumin seed.
let it crackle.put bay leaves.
put the daal with water,all the spices,salt to taste.
add little water if needed.
close it and cook for 5 whistles.(15 mins) in medium flame.

the daal is ready.....

now why do i call it magic...
coz ravi's lunch box was ready in short time,without any preparations....
and it tastes yummy............

now i make it when i wake up late..............kind of life saver!!!!

PALAK PANEER:

i made it for the first time for the

SWC-Uttar Pradesh/Awadhi Cuisine

u need:

Spinach 1/2 kg
Paneer 100 grams
Onion 1
Butter 3 tbsp.
Bay leaves 2-3
Cumin seeds 1 tsp.
Salt to taste
Black pepper powder 1/4 tsp.
Ginger-garlic paste 3/4 tsp.
Green chilli paste 1/2 tsp.
cinnamon sticks-few.
Vegetable oil as required

method:

mix ginger-garlic paste, green chilli paste and some water with spinach. Pressure cook it for about 7-8 minutes . Cut paneer into small cubes. Keep 3 cubes separately for decoration.
Heat oil in a pan. Fry the paneer pieces on 'medium' heat till they turn slightly brown. Set them aside.
Heat 2 tbsp. of butter. Fry bay leaves and cumin seeds,cinnamon sticks. Add chopped onion. Fry until the onions become pink. Add salt, black pepper powder, garam masala. Stir well. Add paneer and cooked spinach (grinded). Mix well.
Put palak paneer in a baking tray .
Add rest of the butter. Bake for 1/2 hour at 180 deg C.

its ready to eat!!!

utilising the waste at home.

2008-03-06T12:59:00.000+08:00

i believe that wastage is sin.i take care that i use the resources carefully.and being a teacher and a mother it becomes more important to set an example.

here are few of the art stuff i made by using what is called waste, at home.

first one is on the cardboard we get with shirt packing!!

OM on the pistachio shells,base is an empty cookie box.

this is made from the tissue roll,covered with printed cloth which was leftover after i got a new dress stiched.

this is a patch work wall hanging,with unused cloth pieces,decorated with beads,sequins,

these are jars of baby food we got for om!!

some more art works

2008-03-06T12:52:00.001+08:00

here are few more of the arty stuff.

paintings and drawings..........

2008-02-21T15:09:00.000+08:00

for u OM

2008-02-21T15:06:00.000+08:00

this one for om........i wrote it when he was a month old

o little angel...
he came into our world , brightening it.
spreading love with his sweet smile..
i love to look at him when he is sleeping..
tough he wakes up all night..n sleeps in day
i love when he cries while bathing..
i feel so important when he holds me with his little hands...
i feel great when he cries to be held by me!!
i see our world in his eyes..
he looks so cute when he smiles in sleep,
i love him more n more ..as days pass by..
honey im glad that this angel has made our bond stronger,sweeter..
OM WE LOVE U SOOO MUCH-

MOMMY N DADDY

An untimely death

2008-02-21T15:04:00.001+08:00

12/12/96 An untimely death

Oh death!What do you get by doing so...
and that to untimely.
You have laid your icy hands on one more life,
leaving behind the helpless mother and the crying children.
What do u get by taking away the caring hand,
the doer of the family, and letting them suffer , struggle for happiness?

i miss u dad

2008-02-21T15:00:00.000+08:00

5/4/96 DEAR DAD I MISS U

I feel so proud and fortunate I was born to u.
Holding your hands I learnt to walk.
Your joy knew no bounds when i learn to talk.
You guided me when i was wrong.
You loved my ides,my imaginary dreams.
Your heart bled when i cried, my happiness made you content and satisfied.
Now..... when i do wrong, when im sad or when i need your acvice,
your help,your guidance, or just hat lolling pat on my back...
I look for you,but....... you just stare at me from the frame on the wall
neither smiling nor sad
i shall always be proud for i was your child
oh dad!Where have you gone?
Dont you remember me?
for i miss you so much..so much....

here are some of the poems i wrote in schooldays

2008-02-21T14:57:00.000+08:00

dad i miss u

i've been through the toughest times and i missed you at that.
all through the journey i was longing for u.
even when i smiled i wished you could see me happy.
i missed you when tears rolled down my cheeks wishing you could wipe them off.
i needed you when my heart was heavy to seek advice and support.
dear dad i missed you at each moment - happy or sad worried or relaxed, tensed or at comfort. all through the journey i missed you
and i miss u each day
i miss u dad