Hola...
So, how are we all doing? All excited for the weekend? Yes, me too. Yesterday it was a mixed bag of emotions and somehow i did not let those mixed emotions fen me down. My spirits are somewhat spiking high today as i have to do little bit of shopping for my children for the upcoming festive season. This weekend looks somewhat busy with the kids running to different places and me managing maintaining the sanity. Tonight i will try to make small list. Of course the kids dominate the list.
On Monday its 'Mahalaya' and Bengali's all over the globe are waiting for the Goddess to descend on earth. We Bengalis believe that Goddess Durga descended on earth on this day to end the 'ashurs' or demons thus marking end to the battle between the Goddess and "Mahishahur'. This day is basically celebrated how the Goddess was sent by husband Lord Shiva and other Gods with other powers and weapons to fight against the demons. This day also marks the end of 'Pitri Pokkho' and if you are a Bengali you know what i am talking about.
Growing up i used to see my Mother and all the neighboring ladies cleaning their homes before 'Mahalaya'. They used to say we should clean before the Gooddess arrives on earth. The ladies used to clean everything from bed sheets to window curtains and try to sparkle every corner of the house. Many women used to prepare dry sweets to be stored in air tight containers to be offered to the Goddess over the festive season. I can go on and on but the clock is always swift and somewhat accelerated i feel.
On that note i packed a little different lunch box for my S today. He insisted that will have 'rotis/chapatis' since his friends also carry those. Well, i was happy since he wanted a different menu. So today i packedhim 'roti' with potatato and soya beans curry. I am waiting for the verdict though. His snack box was green grapes and pears and a yoghurt. Her's hoping everyone hold on for some more because Friday is almost here. Stay charged
Thursday, October 4, 2018
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Tiffin Tales 23
Hola....
What a day of surprise... The weather suddenly climbed the stairs and we almost thought that it's a summer day. It was a super windy day but given the temperatures were a darling number hence everyone seemed to enjoy the winds today.
As yesterday was spent in indulging in sartorial choices my cousins made for the festive season, the feeling somehow lingered in my mind and i guess the happiness remained in my blood vessels as well. But life is a jumble and when we try to solve a part of it, another part is alternated. As i spoke to my mother this morning i came to know a few of our long distant relatives passed away. I knew they were struggling with age old diseases and somewhere we find it very hard to accept that we won't see them ever agin in this journey. That barrenness is never repleted. Time makes those memories go weak but that essence never goes away. While i was praying to the Almighty for the departed soul i suddenly started to miss my grandmother. It's been more than a decade that she left us yet at times i still feel her gentle touch. I took a trip the memory lane for sometime and tried to recollect those wonderful years spent with her.
Every year before the festive season starts i pray for her soul to the Almighty. She would be so happy and excited for me and my brother during this season. Her excitement was connected with us and by any chance if there were any school tests around that time she would be more upset than us. Even though she lived a long life yet our human gluttony wants more. Memories are indeed precious.
This morning there was no Broadway show at home and everyone seemed to be very accommodating. I guess someone or something was preparing me for the upcoming news. Life and time moves on and moving on with them is perhaps maturity. Today my S took his favorite 'upma' with added 'ghee'. He loves it and i love making it for him. His snack was little bit different. Along with fruits he he took a packet of popcorn and he seemed quite excited with the change...
Enjoy those precious minutes for they will turn into like a beautiful butterfly of memories. Take care!
What a day of surprise... The weather suddenly climbed the stairs and we almost thought that it's a summer day. It was a super windy day but given the temperatures were a darling number hence everyone seemed to enjoy the winds today.
As yesterday was spent in indulging in sartorial choices my cousins made for the festive season, the feeling somehow lingered in my mind and i guess the happiness remained in my blood vessels as well. But life is a jumble and when we try to solve a part of it, another part is alternated. As i spoke to my mother this morning i came to know a few of our long distant relatives passed away. I knew they were struggling with age old diseases and somewhere we find it very hard to accept that we won't see them ever agin in this journey. That barrenness is never repleted. Time makes those memories go weak but that essence never goes away. While i was praying to the Almighty for the departed soul i suddenly started to miss my grandmother. It's been more than a decade that she left us yet at times i still feel her gentle touch. I took a trip the memory lane for sometime and tried to recollect those wonderful years spent with her.
Every year before the festive season starts i pray for her soul to the Almighty. She would be so happy and excited for me and my brother during this season. Her excitement was connected with us and by any chance if there were any school tests around that time she would be more upset than us. Even though she lived a long life yet our human gluttony wants more. Memories are indeed precious.
This morning there was no Broadway show at home and everyone seemed to be very accommodating. I guess someone or something was preparing me for the upcoming news. Life and time moves on and moving on with them is perhaps maturity. Today my S took his favorite 'upma' with added 'ghee'. He loves it and i love making it for him. His snack was little bit different. Along with fruits he he took a packet of popcorn and he seemed quite excited with the change...
Enjoy those precious minutes for they will turn into like a beautiful butterfly of memories. Take care!
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Tiffin Tales 22
Hola...
It's a Tuesday with lots of mixed emotions just like our weather here. The weather change is hitting hard this time and we are taking our turns to wipe our noses and having bowls of soup to clear throat.
This morning I woke up to see my phone flooded with photos from my cousins who are actively doing shopping for upcoming Durga Puja festival. Lots of sarees with matching accessories, shoes and what not. For a moment all the pictures made me green with envy but I enjoyed browsing the photos. While each one of us poured our crackerjack opinion on the purchases, but my early morning conversation with my cousins definitely exhilarated my mood for the rest of the day.
My S woke up and excitedly asked why i was smiling so i explained him in a nutshell. He grinned and said these are girly talks and doesn't want to know more. I could not help stop laughing. I saw him running to his dad and informing him the same. I don't know what he said but i could hear them giggling. Of course, I ignored because I was almost drowned in the conversation. A quick glance at the clock and I almost started to sprint.
My S had a dentist appointment last evening so he missed doing his homework. This morning I had to get after him to complete his work. Goodness, for a few minutes I was cursing myself why wasted those precious minutes over the phone but the other side of the brain and heart was smiling too.
Staying thousands of miles away from homeland and festivities I was somewhat missing the shopping part but this small moment of conversation cheered me up and this my gratitude of the day. On a happy note i packed egg fried rice for my S and snack box had berries, pears and his daily dosage of yoghurt.
Hop everyone finds their moments of gratitude all day and everyday. Take care...
It's a Tuesday with lots of mixed emotions just like our weather here. The weather change is hitting hard this time and we are taking our turns to wipe our noses and having bowls of soup to clear throat.
This morning I woke up to see my phone flooded with photos from my cousins who are actively doing shopping for upcoming Durga Puja festival. Lots of sarees with matching accessories, shoes and what not. For a moment all the pictures made me green with envy but I enjoyed browsing the photos. While each one of us poured our crackerjack opinion on the purchases, but my early morning conversation with my cousins definitely exhilarated my mood for the rest of the day.
My S woke up and excitedly asked why i was smiling so i explained him in a nutshell. He grinned and said these are girly talks and doesn't want to know more. I could not help stop laughing. I saw him running to his dad and informing him the same. I don't know what he said but i could hear them giggling. Of course, I ignored because I was almost drowned in the conversation. A quick glance at the clock and I almost started to sprint.
My S had a dentist appointment last evening so he missed doing his homework. This morning I had to get after him to complete his work. Goodness, for a few minutes I was cursing myself why wasted those precious minutes over the phone but the other side of the brain and heart was smiling too.
Staying thousands of miles away from homeland and festivities I was somewhat missing the shopping part but this small moment of conversation cheered me up and this my gratitude of the day. On a happy note i packed egg fried rice for my S and snack box had berries, pears and his daily dosage of yoghurt.
Hop everyone finds their moments of gratitude all day and everyday. Take care...
Monday, October 1, 2018
Tiffin Tales 21
Hola....
Its Monday and its super cloudy here. I hope everyone had a good weekend. Only the fortunate ones must have had a relaxing weekend. I managed to steal a few extra minutes (not hours though) for myself this weekend though.
Parenting is so complex and I so wish there was a sure shot formula or blueprint for raising children. As children grow up its not only a whirlwind of emotions for them but for parents as well. We evolve everyday as parents too. Our emotions are thickly attached with our children. When they are upset we get affected too. As grow and discover their surroundings and people, we grow with them too. The constant challenge to guide them, protect them, nourish their brains and body especially when they are totally dependent on you. They start to see the world through our eyes, speak the way we teach them but its their thought process we carefully need to steer. Its the mind which gives rise to curiosity and curiosity leads to discovery.
This morning me and my S were discussing food and its ramification on the body. I was also trying to prioritize not to waste any food. There are millions of people all over the world who go without food for days. After a few minutes of conversation my S wanted an explanation of poverty. What is poverty and how do we get poor? The question was a bit deep to explain in the morning rush. What makes us poor? Unable to eat to unable to share? Well, it hit me somewhere and the entire day those words acted like a hungover. While my objective was to bang in his head that he should not be wasting food, he almost left me numb for the day with his questions.
I think this weekend we will have a detailed conversation on this and i will have a few more lines to write. This morning was very dull and my S wanted something good looking for his lunch box. I made him a vegetable sandwich with loads of combination of colorful vegetables. This weekend we got a a big batch of yoghurt but my S didn't like the taste it seems. So the snack box had fruits and a cheese stick.
More parenting and growing woe tales tomorrow. Take rest! Mondays can be battering too :)
Its Monday and its super cloudy here. I hope everyone had a good weekend. Only the fortunate ones must have had a relaxing weekend. I managed to steal a few extra minutes (not hours though) for myself this weekend though.
Parenting is so complex and I so wish there was a sure shot formula or blueprint for raising children. As children grow up its not only a whirlwind of emotions for them but for parents as well. We evolve everyday as parents too. Our emotions are thickly attached with our children. When they are upset we get affected too. As grow and discover their surroundings and people, we grow with them too. The constant challenge to guide them, protect them, nourish their brains and body especially when they are totally dependent on you. They start to see the world through our eyes, speak the way we teach them but its their thought process we carefully need to steer. Its the mind which gives rise to curiosity and curiosity leads to discovery.
This morning me and my S were discussing food and its ramification on the body. I was also trying to prioritize not to waste any food. There are millions of people all over the world who go without food for days. After a few minutes of conversation my S wanted an explanation of poverty. What is poverty and how do we get poor? The question was a bit deep to explain in the morning rush. What makes us poor? Unable to eat to unable to share? Well, it hit me somewhere and the entire day those words acted like a hungover. While my objective was to bang in his head that he should not be wasting food, he almost left me numb for the day with his questions.
I think this weekend we will have a detailed conversation on this and i will have a few more lines to write. This morning was very dull and my S wanted something good looking for his lunch box. I made him a vegetable sandwich with loads of combination of colorful vegetables. This weekend we got a a big batch of yoghurt but my S didn't like the taste it seems. So the snack box had fruits and a cheese stick.
More parenting and growing woe tales tomorrow. Take rest! Mondays can be battering too :)
Saturday, September 29, 2018
Tiffin Tales 20
Hola...
Yes, yes, i missed Friday post. Even though in this over populated earth there may be or may not be a single reader of my post yet, somehow and somewhere i feel connected. In essence i feel there are many women who face early morning crisis of packing lunch boxes for their children or spouses. I do not have any food blog but take help from different blogs for both Indian and non Indian dish ideas.
There was a reason why i missed my Friday post. As i settled down for the day after sending my S to school, one of my long lost family friend called up. Needless to say i was startled. They informed me that they had some work which was somewhere near our place and expressed their inclination to visit us. I was ecstatic. I was quick to give weight to having all of them dinner with us.
A whirlwind trip to the nearby grocery stored followed. Even though the last time we met i knew they had very simple food habits, yet now years passing by and the kids growing up, i was skeptical as to what to serve them. These days the kids have a different menu everywhere, yet i tried my best to keep it as a fusion of simple and contemporary.
My guests arrived in the evening and what a lovely time we had after so many years. Stories of not so long ago but seemed like centuries ago. The kids looked all grown up yet the element of innocence was still there. My simple food was savored by both young and old and what could i as for. I worked almost the rest of the day from cooking to setting up my small space which looks no less than a battlefield for most part of the day. The guests left satiated and the host could not be happier. The weekend started good but the Saturday rain dampened the day.
I hope wherever you are enjoying or relaxing and if not anything catching up with your lost sleep. Catch you all on Monday....
Yes, yes, i missed Friday post. Even though in this over populated earth there may be or may not be a single reader of my post yet, somehow and somewhere i feel connected. In essence i feel there are many women who face early morning crisis of packing lunch boxes for their children or spouses. I do not have any food blog but take help from different blogs for both Indian and non Indian dish ideas.
There was a reason why i missed my Friday post. As i settled down for the day after sending my S to school, one of my long lost family friend called up. Needless to say i was startled. They informed me that they had some work which was somewhere near our place and expressed their inclination to visit us. I was ecstatic. I was quick to give weight to having all of them dinner with us.
A whirlwind trip to the nearby grocery stored followed. Even though the last time we met i knew they had very simple food habits, yet now years passing by and the kids growing up, i was skeptical as to what to serve them. These days the kids have a different menu everywhere, yet i tried my best to keep it as a fusion of simple and contemporary.
My guests arrived in the evening and what a lovely time we had after so many years. Stories of not so long ago but seemed like centuries ago. The kids looked all grown up yet the element of innocence was still there. My simple food was savored by both young and old and what could i as for. I worked almost the rest of the day from cooking to setting up my small space which looks no less than a battlefield for most part of the day. The guests left satiated and the host could not be happier. The weekend started good but the Saturday rain dampened the day.
I hope wherever you are enjoying or relaxing and if not anything catching up with your lost sleep. Catch you all on Monday....
Thursday, September 27, 2018
Tiffin Tales 19
Hola....
We are approximating towards another weekend. The week a mixed one with mixed feelings. On one hand we are gearing up for the festive season on the other hand there are a few of my family members who are gravely ill. My mind is slightly disturbed but life rolls on as usual.
The other day i was discussing about the gravity of good health especially when age is slowly leaving our side. Good health is a blessing which only a handful of people receive. This morning i received calls from my family members informing about the critical conditions. Since morning thousands of thoughts have crossed my mind sometimes petrifying while sometimes the times spent together with them. All of sudden years seemed to roll in front of eyes like a camera roll and memories seemed to stream my mind.
In today's world we all try to eat healthy, stay fit but sometimes things don't go as we plan. Life throws different curveballs and we are almost thrown offtrack. But still we need to keep calm and try our best to overcome the fence and keep moving ahead.
The day just dragged on today and i was somewhat lost in my thoughts and living the day in the bygone days. But duties are never neglected. Even though i was lost but my priorities never takes a backseat. This morning S requested for 'upma' (semolina) with lots of beans, carrots, peas and groundnuts. Yes, added a generous amount of ghee. He liked it so much that upon his return from school he enquired if there were any leftovers. I felt a tad sad because it was exhausted but promised to make it soon for him. That was reward of the day for me. His snack box was fruits and some cookies and a bottle of smoothie.
Take good care of your health friends. It's the only thing that remains with you when everything else has left you.
We are approximating towards another weekend. The week a mixed one with mixed feelings. On one hand we are gearing up for the festive season on the other hand there are a few of my family members who are gravely ill. My mind is slightly disturbed but life rolls on as usual.
The other day i was discussing about the gravity of good health especially when age is slowly leaving our side. Good health is a blessing which only a handful of people receive. This morning i received calls from my family members informing about the critical conditions. Since morning thousands of thoughts have crossed my mind sometimes petrifying while sometimes the times spent together with them. All of sudden years seemed to roll in front of eyes like a camera roll and memories seemed to stream my mind.
In today's world we all try to eat healthy, stay fit but sometimes things don't go as we plan. Life throws different curveballs and we are almost thrown offtrack. But still we need to keep calm and try our best to overcome the fence and keep moving ahead.
The day just dragged on today and i was somewhat lost in my thoughts and living the day in the bygone days. But duties are never neglected. Even though i was lost but my priorities never takes a backseat. This morning S requested for 'upma' (semolina) with lots of beans, carrots, peas and groundnuts. Yes, added a generous amount of ghee. He liked it so much that upon his return from school he enquired if there were any leftovers. I felt a tad sad because it was exhausted but promised to make it soon for him. That was reward of the day for me. His snack box was fruits and some cookies and a bottle of smoothie.
Take good care of your health friends. It's the only thing that remains with you when everything else has left you.
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Tiffin Tales 18
Hola...
Hope everyone is enjoying wherever you are. Enjoying work, life, or even if you are struggling just know that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Time changes just like the weather and actually its difficult to envision weather.
Life is so similar to weather, just when we thing its 'that' time of the year, time adopts a new path and we have to embrace it. In the last few years of my life, i have learnt a lot when it comes to long term planning. Time has its own planning which is divulged to us at the exact time only.
The festive season is also dawning. I am a Bengali and all over the world Bengalis are gearing up for the biggest festival of the year. Goddess Durga is on her way and her homecoming is a huge celebration. Around the globe Bengali women are stocking up their sarees to wear and welcome the Goddess. Of course i also have my own plans to celebrate her homecoming in my own small way and i am thrilled. The environment feels so warm and loving on those days. Every year we make memories and it feels good to relive them every time. While i cannot do much shopping, but dressing up my children gives me immense happiness.
This morning was cold even though my S refused to carry his sweatshirt. His logic is during the daytime it gets warm and sweatshirt is a baggage. Now my S has so many rationale these days that i have try really hard to cope up with him. Today was pasta day of the week and hence no brainer. The sauce was different today. It was Basil pesto sauce. The snack box had two different kinds of fruit and a bottle of strawberry smoothie.
Catch you all tomorrow. Take rest guys. Rest is very important both for mind and body.....
Hope everyone is enjoying wherever you are. Enjoying work, life, or even if you are struggling just know that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Time changes just like the weather and actually its difficult to envision weather.
Life is so similar to weather, just when we thing its 'that' time of the year, time adopts a new path and we have to embrace it. In the last few years of my life, i have learnt a lot when it comes to long term planning. Time has its own planning which is divulged to us at the exact time only.
The festive season is also dawning. I am a Bengali and all over the world Bengalis are gearing up for the biggest festival of the year. Goddess Durga is on her way and her homecoming is a huge celebration. Around the globe Bengali women are stocking up their sarees to wear and welcome the Goddess. Of course i also have my own plans to celebrate her homecoming in my own small way and i am thrilled. The environment feels so warm and loving on those days. Every year we make memories and it feels good to relive them every time. While i cannot do much shopping, but dressing up my children gives me immense happiness.
This morning was cold even though my S refused to carry his sweatshirt. His logic is during the daytime it gets warm and sweatshirt is a baggage. Now my S has so many rationale these days that i have try really hard to cope up with him. Today was pasta day of the week and hence no brainer. The sauce was different today. It was Basil pesto sauce. The snack box had two different kinds of fruit and a bottle of strawberry smoothie.
Catch you all tomorrow. Take rest guys. Rest is very important both for mind and body.....
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