Hola...
So with Diwali festivals are 'almost' over. We Bengali's have a common saying that "we have 13 festivals" in 12 months. We take pride in celebrating those but Diwali is now almost a national festival. People celebrate Diwali irrespective of religion or region.
We tried our best to celebrate Diwali in our small little way. I made a couple of dry and gravy items. I tried to make a small little 'rangoli'. In the evening we dressed up a bit, we lit all the candles and celebrated with a few sparklers. The joy on my S's face was unparalleled.
Each festival has its own uniqueness. What each festival does is to bring the families together. We always look for that perfect moment to celebrate but in the process of making that moment perfect we add memories for lifetime. Make each moment so precious that you would like to remember them lovingly.
I am still in a 'Diwali hungover'. Life is rushing so fast but i want to pause a bit. To breathe, to relax and watch my children growing. They are growing up at an agile speed.
I somehow woke up early this morning and cleaned up all the candles and the drops of wax. For my S's lunch box i made him egg fried rice with some vegetables. His snack box had apples, a small sweet and yoghurt.
Enjoy your day folks and cherish every moment of it...
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Tiffin Tales 48
Hola..
HAPPY DIWALI...
I hope everyone around, near and far is celebrating this day of with twinkle in their houses and hearts. Bengali's are celebrating 'Kali Pujo' today. Whichever form of the Goddess you are worshipping, all it matters is devotion and celebration.
My S woke up hurriedly and excitedly to celebrate Diwali in the morning itself but since the schools are open, he had to go to school. I promised him that we will have our share of fun in the evening. Childhood is perhaps the only time in our lives when we celebrate all the festivals under one roof and at one table. As we grow up and get bounded by our duties, celebrating all the festivals together with the family becomes one beautiful dream. We constantly go back to our growing years and visit those memories. While we try to make new memories with people around, those childhood moments always remain fresh in our garden of memories.
I do not have any guide book for raising my children but i try to teach them to be always compassionate to the people who are in need. Diwali is indeed a festival of lights but there are scores of people who go hungry to sleep, or lights in their houses. Sweets and other festival food items are dreams for them. We can change their plights in one day or Diwali night but to think about them, say a prayer for them and whenever we get a chance to help them with whatever way possible is something i want them to learn. Celebration is always happy when everyone around is happy and helping someone in need is perhaps provides the greatest level of satisfaction. It's my self effacing way to give back the world something for everything the world has given me.
On the occasion of Diwali, today i made a few dishes like paneer pulao, choley, dahi vada and namakpara. It consumed a good amount of time but then its Diwali..
For my S lunch box i packed vegetable rice and a small salad. His snack box had pineapples, kaju roll and yogurt.
Enjoy Diwali and make tons of memories....Good wishes from my family to you and your's....
HAPPY DIWALI...
I hope everyone around, near and far is celebrating this day of with twinkle in their houses and hearts. Bengali's are celebrating 'Kali Pujo' today. Whichever form of the Goddess you are worshipping, all it matters is devotion and celebration.
My S woke up hurriedly and excitedly to celebrate Diwali in the morning itself but since the schools are open, he had to go to school. I promised him that we will have our share of fun in the evening. Childhood is perhaps the only time in our lives when we celebrate all the festivals under one roof and at one table. As we grow up and get bounded by our duties, celebrating all the festivals together with the family becomes one beautiful dream. We constantly go back to our growing years and visit those memories. While we try to make new memories with people around, those childhood moments always remain fresh in our garden of memories.
I do not have any guide book for raising my children but i try to teach them to be always compassionate to the people who are in need. Diwali is indeed a festival of lights but there are scores of people who go hungry to sleep, or lights in their houses. Sweets and other festival food items are dreams for them. We can change their plights in one day or Diwali night but to think about them, say a prayer for them and whenever we get a chance to help them with whatever way possible is something i want them to learn. Celebration is always happy when everyone around is happy and helping someone in need is perhaps provides the greatest level of satisfaction. It's my self effacing way to give back the world something for everything the world has given me.
On the occasion of Diwali, today i made a few dishes like paneer pulao, choley, dahi vada and namakpara. It consumed a good amount of time but then its Diwali..
For my S lunch box i packed vegetable rice and a small salad. His snack box had pineapples, kaju roll and yogurt.
Enjoy Diwali and make tons of memories....Good wishes from my family to you and your's....
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Tiffin Tales 47
Hola...
All excited for Diwali? Me too.... The house looks squeaky clean and feels so good. The divine energy is strongly felt even though a thick aura of home sickness is making my heart a bit heavy. Festivals are the time when we miss our loved ones. I am yet to triumph over that feeling of missing my home and parents. Some things never change with time, we just get used to living with that.
At present, I am gearing up to celebrate this year Diwali with my small little family. My S is super excited to light up those 'diya's' and candles. Wearing those festive dress and festive smile everything looks luminescent. Well, that's what is Diwali. Brightening up and penetrating through the darkness, lights all around Diwali is a celebration of lights.
Another legend goes that after a long battle with Ravana, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman. The people of his kingdom welcomed them and celebrated this day as his homecoming.
There can be so many legends but to celebrate and be happy we all need is to be happy and spread the happiness. Friends celebrate this day as a victory of lights over darkness, let the positive power take over your minds and lives. May happiness be with you and your families all throughout.
Any festival involves tons of cooking and Diwali is no different. I have quite a to do list and will happily share here tomorrow. Today was a holiday too but tomorrow is a regular school day. For lunch i made a simple Bengali meal of 'shaak', dal, mixed vegetable curry and a fish curry. For evening snack i made 'dahi puchka'.
Enjoy your day and the season.
All excited for Diwali? Me too.... The house looks squeaky clean and feels so good. The divine energy is strongly felt even though a thick aura of home sickness is making my heart a bit heavy. Festivals are the time when we miss our loved ones. I am yet to triumph over that feeling of missing my home and parents. Some things never change with time, we just get used to living with that.
At present, I am gearing up to celebrate this year Diwali with my small little family. My S is super excited to light up those 'diya's' and candles. Wearing those festive dress and festive smile everything looks luminescent. Well, that's what is Diwali. Brightening up and penetrating through the darkness, lights all around Diwali is a celebration of lights.
Another legend goes that after a long battle with Ravana, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman. The people of his kingdom welcomed them and celebrated this day as his homecoming.
There can be so many legends but to celebrate and be happy we all need is to be happy and spread the happiness. Friends celebrate this day as a victory of lights over darkness, let the positive power take over your minds and lives. May happiness be with you and your families all throughout.
Any festival involves tons of cooking and Diwali is no different. I have quite a to do list and will happily share here tomorrow. Today was a holiday too but tomorrow is a regular school day. For lunch i made a simple Bengali meal of 'shaak', dal, mixed vegetable curry and a fish curry. For evening snack i made 'dahi puchka'.
Enjoy your day and the season.
Monday, November 5, 2018
Tiffin Tales 46
Hola..
I am optimistic that you all had a nice weekend. Saturday was windy and Sunday all day it just poured and poured. Well certainly not a happy weekend for us here. But yes, on Sunday we all took a long nap to beat the rainy mood blues and certainly it helped to an extent.
My Diwali shopping is still incomplete. The major part of cleaning and dusting is done and no i haven't made sweets or any goodies yet. Bengali's worship Goddess Kali on this day while mostly others worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha on this day. Lights adorn mostly all the houses and people use 'diya's' too illuminate. With changing times and different locales people use candles, especially tea lights to brighten up.
When we were growing up Diwali was much awaited festival because of the fire crackers. I along with my brother always used to enjoy bursting those and till this date i have fond memories of them. As we are from a meagre income family, our fire crackers weren't varied or too many. We had limited number of crackers but our excitement to burst them would multiply the happiness. Sometimes we used to wonder at our neighbors who used to burst tons of them probably but our parents always comforted us saying that happiness is never in them. Deep down in our hearts we weren't convinced but always being the obedient kids we were we never revolted. I can only dream of those days now because the winds have changed and these kids almost bring the house down when their expectations aren't met.
Over the years with the pollution levels going alarmingly high, its indeed wise to restrict Diwali lights and spreading the cheer with sweets and savories. The smoke from the crackers are quite disruptive not only on the day of Diwali but for for the consecutive days. People with asthma, babies and elderly people and animals who are the worst affected because they cannot express their despair. A lot of people have over the years have given up their love for crackers but there are scores who are yet to give up this love.
My children will perhaps never experience the joy of bursting crackers, but being a responsible citizen i refrain from polluting the air around me. For them Diwali should be lighting the house, knowing the reason behind celebrating this festival and spreading positivity.
Today the school is closed hence i got an escapade from making 'tiffin' but of course i had to make detailed lunch. Let's hope the festive week brings joy in all our lives...
I am optimistic that you all had a nice weekend. Saturday was windy and Sunday all day it just poured and poured. Well certainly not a happy weekend for us here. But yes, on Sunday we all took a long nap to beat the rainy mood blues and certainly it helped to an extent.
My Diwali shopping is still incomplete. The major part of cleaning and dusting is done and no i haven't made sweets or any goodies yet. Bengali's worship Goddess Kali on this day while mostly others worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha on this day. Lights adorn mostly all the houses and people use 'diya's' too illuminate. With changing times and different locales people use candles, especially tea lights to brighten up.
When we were growing up Diwali was much awaited festival because of the fire crackers. I along with my brother always used to enjoy bursting those and till this date i have fond memories of them. As we are from a meagre income family, our fire crackers weren't varied or too many. We had limited number of crackers but our excitement to burst them would multiply the happiness. Sometimes we used to wonder at our neighbors who used to burst tons of them probably but our parents always comforted us saying that happiness is never in them. Deep down in our hearts we weren't convinced but always being the obedient kids we were we never revolted. I can only dream of those days now because the winds have changed and these kids almost bring the house down when their expectations aren't met.
Over the years with the pollution levels going alarmingly high, its indeed wise to restrict Diwali lights and spreading the cheer with sweets and savories. The smoke from the crackers are quite disruptive not only on the day of Diwali but for for the consecutive days. People with asthma, babies and elderly people and animals who are the worst affected because they cannot express their despair. A lot of people have over the years have given up their love for crackers but there are scores who are yet to give up this love.
My children will perhaps never experience the joy of bursting crackers, but being a responsible citizen i refrain from polluting the air around me. For them Diwali should be lighting the house, knowing the reason behind celebrating this festival and spreading positivity.
Today the school is closed hence i got an escapade from making 'tiffin' but of course i had to make detailed lunch. Let's hope the festive week brings joy in all our lives...
Friday, November 2, 2018
Tiffin Tales 45
Hola...
It's last day of the week, well working day of the week. There are people who work on weekends too but we all love to call Friday as the start or weekend.
Today i went to get some groceries and i was surprised to see the parking lots full. I usually go to get some fruits and veggies but since other grocery items were running low i made a list to get those too. Upon entering the shop i quickly realized that its the last weekend before 'Diwali'. People were busy buying sweets and other savories to relish at Diwali. The shops carried some nice home decor for Diwali and they indeed looked eye catching. While i managed to grab some vegetables i didn't venture much to get other grocery items. The cash counters had a long queue and i didn't want to wait for too long.
On the other hand there were stores which were full items for Thanksgiving gifts or food items. The stuffing for Turkey, different flavors of eggnog, cakes and baked goodies. It gave me a very good feeling of festive season with the on start of November. The atmosphere looks and feels celebratory and convivial nature. Starting now everything will wear a cherry look till the New year starts. The temperatures will start going downhill and sipping on hot beverages will be comforting.
My S is yet to open and enjoy his birthday presents. Even though he had a quick glimpse of the gifts i asked him to wait for weekend to open individually. Thankfully he obliged. I know most of them would require a bit of assistance in setting them and yes i have ordered some batteries which would be required. The batteries in my house disappear like some fresh baked muffins. From television remote, to toys to other gadgets everything needs batteries and i somewhat exhausted buying them. I do not run batteries though, lol..
As it's Friday i am sure my S is enjoying his pizza platter. Hence i made some mixed vegetable parathas with a cheese stick and a fig roll to go as his today's snack. Have a relaxing weekend and enjoy your last minute shopping if are celebrating 'Diwali'. For others you can save some nice Turkey recipes and make a detailed plan for that. Enjoy....
It's last day of the week, well working day of the week. There are people who work on weekends too but we all love to call Friday as the start or weekend.
Today i went to get some groceries and i was surprised to see the parking lots full. I usually go to get some fruits and veggies but since other grocery items were running low i made a list to get those too. Upon entering the shop i quickly realized that its the last weekend before 'Diwali'. People were busy buying sweets and other savories to relish at Diwali. The shops carried some nice home decor for Diwali and they indeed looked eye catching. While i managed to grab some vegetables i didn't venture much to get other grocery items. The cash counters had a long queue and i didn't want to wait for too long.
On the other hand there were stores which were full items for Thanksgiving gifts or food items. The stuffing for Turkey, different flavors of eggnog, cakes and baked goodies. It gave me a very good feeling of festive season with the on start of November. The atmosphere looks and feels celebratory and convivial nature. Starting now everything will wear a cherry look till the New year starts. The temperatures will start going downhill and sipping on hot beverages will be comforting.
My S is yet to open and enjoy his birthday presents. Even though he had a quick glimpse of the gifts i asked him to wait for weekend to open individually. Thankfully he obliged. I know most of them would require a bit of assistance in setting them and yes i have ordered some batteries which would be required. The batteries in my house disappear like some fresh baked muffins. From television remote, to toys to other gadgets everything needs batteries and i somewhat exhausted buying them. I do not run batteries though, lol..
As it's Friday i am sure my S is enjoying his pizza platter. Hence i made some mixed vegetable parathas with a cheese stick and a fig roll to go as his today's snack. Have a relaxing weekend and enjoy your last minute shopping if are celebrating 'Diwali'. For others you can save some nice Turkey recipes and make a detailed plan for that. Enjoy....
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Tiffin Tales 44
Hola...
I hope everyone had a spooky and enjoyable Halloween yesterday.
Hello November. Welcome to the second last month of the year. 2018 is almost coming to close with lots of memories and experiences. The month of November is a mix of spring and winter. The last batch of leaves in tree fade away and the days get shorter and shorter.
It's a cloudy day and we need lights to see things clearly inside the house. Lots of kids came yesterday for trick or treat and along with them came lots of dried strewn leaves. This morning the hallway smelt somewhat sweet. People must have used pumpkin and cinnamon candles yesterday and the air was still stuck.
Today after a long time spoke to a person who almost rejuvenated me. I in fact texted her asking about her wellbeing and she in turn called me back and funnily enough our conversation lasted for 1 hour. Lots of catch but i enjoyed was a candid conversation. She is an honest person but as matter of fact people always do not enjoy people much. Fake things and people captivate others more while the honest are little left aside. As for myself i do not have galore of friends but there are some who are keepers for life.
This is what i want to teach my children. Having a lot of things doesn't have immense happiness. The real happiness is in sharing, being compassionate with others and enjoying whatever we have. I certainly do not expect the tiny humans do understand such profundity but i am hopeful that some of efforts will be appreciated if not all.
Halloween comes with lots of candies and gorging on a few of them my S wanted something salty but less spicy and it was he who was me for 'upma'. I made it with cauliflower, peas and carrots. HI snack box had apples and grapes and yoghurt.
I hope you enjoy your Thursday and i will share another snippet with you all tomorrow.
I hope everyone had a spooky and enjoyable Halloween yesterday.
Hello November. Welcome to the second last month of the year. 2018 is almost coming to close with lots of memories and experiences. The month of November is a mix of spring and winter. The last batch of leaves in tree fade away and the days get shorter and shorter.
It's a cloudy day and we need lights to see things clearly inside the house. Lots of kids came yesterday for trick or treat and along with them came lots of dried strewn leaves. This morning the hallway smelt somewhat sweet. People must have used pumpkin and cinnamon candles yesterday and the air was still stuck.
Today after a long time spoke to a person who almost rejuvenated me. I in fact texted her asking about her wellbeing and she in turn called me back and funnily enough our conversation lasted for 1 hour. Lots of catch but i enjoyed was a candid conversation. She is an honest person but as matter of fact people always do not enjoy people much. Fake things and people captivate others more while the honest are little left aside. As for myself i do not have galore of friends but there are some who are keepers for life.
This is what i want to teach my children. Having a lot of things doesn't have immense happiness. The real happiness is in sharing, being compassionate with others and enjoying whatever we have. I certainly do not expect the tiny humans do understand such profundity but i am hopeful that some of efforts will be appreciated if not all.
Halloween comes with lots of candies and gorging on a few of them my S wanted something salty but less spicy and it was he who was me for 'upma'. I made it with cauliflower, peas and carrots. HI snack box had apples and grapes and yoghurt.
I hope you enjoy your Thursday and i will share another snippet with you all tomorrow.
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Tiffin Tales 43
Hola...
Happy Halloween to everyone who or whose children are celebrating. The pumpkin gets a royal treatment today and forgotten tomorrow. Children today have donned lots of nice character dresses and the elder ones got the opportunity to dye or paint their faces.
The boys mostly wear the spider-man, batman, star war characters while the girls enjoy various Disney princess characters. My visual experience so far. There are so many options in the market these days to create some unique characters. Last year i saw a lot of kids dressed up as trolls characters and they indeed looked adorable in those.
This morning students near the bus stop were almost unrecognizable with all their masks and helmets. Everyone was super excited to scare the other and it was a fun to see all the children. Last night we had a small birthday celebration and my S overjoyed on seeing his friends. A small gathering over cake and pizzas and a tired S went to bed early. This morning he woke up a couple of minutes earlier and i was surprised. I almost thought i would have to drag him out of bed given his energy levels went down yesterday after all those giggling and running around. With a twinkle in his eyes he explained that he wanted to open his gifts and that's the reason why he woke up early. Both the mommy and son excitedly opened and appreciated each gift that he received.
It is very important for kids to learn about gratitude and be appreciative. Over the years i have gently tried to explain him that size of the gift box never matters. It's the love and emotions that counts. I do not know how far my teachings will remain with him in the long run but at least i can comfort my self that 'i tried'.
On a Halloween day he wanted to eat something colorful. So i made him beetroot rice and gave him sautéed vegetables separately. His snack box had grapes and fig bars and a yoghurt.
All from the month of October. Catch you all in November.
Happy Halloween to everyone who or whose children are celebrating. The pumpkin gets a royal treatment today and forgotten tomorrow. Children today have donned lots of nice character dresses and the elder ones got the opportunity to dye or paint their faces.
The boys mostly wear the spider-man, batman, star war characters while the girls enjoy various Disney princess characters. My visual experience so far. There are so many options in the market these days to create some unique characters. Last year i saw a lot of kids dressed up as trolls characters and they indeed looked adorable in those.
This morning students near the bus stop were almost unrecognizable with all their masks and helmets. Everyone was super excited to scare the other and it was a fun to see all the children. Last night we had a small birthday celebration and my S overjoyed on seeing his friends. A small gathering over cake and pizzas and a tired S went to bed early. This morning he woke up a couple of minutes earlier and i was surprised. I almost thought i would have to drag him out of bed given his energy levels went down yesterday after all those giggling and running around. With a twinkle in his eyes he explained that he wanted to open his gifts and that's the reason why he woke up early. Both the mommy and son excitedly opened and appreciated each gift that he received.
It is very important for kids to learn about gratitude and be appreciative. Over the years i have gently tried to explain him that size of the gift box never matters. It's the love and emotions that counts. I do not know how far my teachings will remain with him in the long run but at least i can comfort my self that 'i tried'.
On a Halloween day he wanted to eat something colorful. So i made him beetroot rice and gave him sautéed vegetables separately. His snack box had grapes and fig bars and a yoghurt.
All from the month of October. Catch you all in November.
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