Hola...
I hope you all had a relaxing weekend and have already got a grasp of the new week. We all have that person in our lives who influences our thoughts and behaviors to an extent. Most of us without skipping a heart beat will say to be their mothers. Of course mothers are but i consider mothers to beyond any comparison. They are selfless made just with love and will go to any length to love and protect their children.
Lets talk about some other people who have influenced you or still are with their actions and work. They could be anyone from friends, relatives, anyone in the family or in the neighbor. we meet so many people over the years but a few people get etched in our minds slowly making space in our hearts.
I visit my memory lane very often and I keep thinking about a few people who shaped my thought process to an extent. I was fortunate enough to spend quality time with my paternal grandmother. She was one lady whom I consecutively remember. My entire childhood was spent around her and listening to the stories she would say each night. Most of those stories were repetitions yet we would enjoy them as if they were told for the first time. In our growing years we had limited access to television and there would be frequent power cuts. So she would cheer us up by those stories which i miss so much. My children have story books but the sheer joy of listening to grandmother narrating those is an invaluable experience for grandchildren I assume. The stories would be mostly about gods and demons, sometimes fairy's and what not. There was one story about lion and rose which she could never complete because she would regret she forgot it completely. I used to pester her to remember and i now feel guilty thinking how hard she must have tried to remember that.
She went to school for a few days and something happened she turned up. She was a voracious reader and would solve word puzzles smoothly till she passed away at the age of 92. She loved books and would go around in our neighborhood houses to enquire about any new book. Most of the families knew her deep love for books and would happily inform her about any new purchase. They would lend her the book thinking that she would keep it for a fortnight but she would surprise everyone by completing it in a week or so. The breakfast and lunch would get cold because she would be in another world, the world of books. My father would subscribe to local newspaper considering her love to read the editorials and solving the puzzles.
This morning in some way or the other I am thinking about her and somehow missing her. I know she is enjoying herself in the world of books and i do not want to disturb her. But she has deeply shaped my thoughts and its not just her memories but her impact too that i still her presence...
This morning my S wanted some 'paneer' rice for his lunch box. I grated some paneer, added some peas and shredded carrots along with mild spices added to rice. It was a complete meal in itself and quite filling too. His snack box had a small medley of fruits today along with yoghurt..
Have a wonderful week and if you would like to share any such memory please share...
Monday, March 18, 2019
Friday, March 15, 2019
Tiffin Tales 93
Hola...
We have reached almost at the end of the week. It's been drizzling since morning and i didn't get proper time to have my breakfast today.
Since it rained almost the entire last night , this morning we all found ourselves running to beat the clock and get things done on time. In my last post i had excitedly shared about going out for walking since its spring weather. Darn, the rains haven't stopped after that. The weather took a sharp turn after that.
It's been quite sometime that I have been home and taking 'good' care of everyone. At times i miss 'myself' especially my childhood. I realize a lot better with time how fun it was to be around parents with so less responsibilities. At times i feel sitting down with my parents would have been the best therapeutic thing for my soul. I remember my red polka dotted dress which my mom had stitched for me and i would twirls in that. She had stitched so many dresses for me but that red dress still remains etched in my mind. There was never a dull day in my childhood. There were meltdowns but all in all when i look back it was nothing less than a magical childhood free from the clutches of gadgets. I guess our television would have conked off i watched even the amount of time my S watches his games. We had tons of outside play time and less of indoors. The rains would stop us but then the boys would enjoy playing football in the rains. For them it was another level of excitement to get drenched and keep playing.
I can keep writing and writing but my neighbor friend just came in and my train of thoughts have been derailed. She came to ask for milk because her can of milk has gone bad. She will probably go tomorrow to get some more as its pouring outside now. This morning I made my S some mixed vegetable 'paratha'. Please do not ask about the vegetables, it was a medley and i do not think you will appreciate the combination. His snack box had some pear slices, and a small packet of chips.
I leave some thoughts for the next week but i hope you all enjoy the weekend and take ample rest. Eat, sleep, watch movies and if possible repeat...Till then Happy Weekend
We have reached almost at the end of the week. It's been drizzling since morning and i didn't get proper time to have my breakfast today.
Since it rained almost the entire last night , this morning we all found ourselves running to beat the clock and get things done on time. In my last post i had excitedly shared about going out for walking since its spring weather. Darn, the rains haven't stopped after that. The weather took a sharp turn after that.
It's been quite sometime that I have been home and taking 'good' care of everyone. At times i miss 'myself' especially my childhood. I realize a lot better with time how fun it was to be around parents with so less responsibilities. At times i feel sitting down with my parents would have been the best therapeutic thing for my soul. I remember my red polka dotted dress which my mom had stitched for me and i would twirls in that. She had stitched so many dresses for me but that red dress still remains etched in my mind. There was never a dull day in my childhood. There were meltdowns but all in all when i look back it was nothing less than a magical childhood free from the clutches of gadgets. I guess our television would have conked off i watched even the amount of time my S watches his games. We had tons of outside play time and less of indoors. The rains would stop us but then the boys would enjoy playing football in the rains. For them it was another level of excitement to get drenched and keep playing.
I can keep writing and writing but my neighbor friend just came in and my train of thoughts have been derailed. She came to ask for milk because her can of milk has gone bad. She will probably go tomorrow to get some more as its pouring outside now. This morning I made my S some mixed vegetable 'paratha'. Please do not ask about the vegetables, it was a medley and i do not think you will appreciate the combination. His snack box had some pear slices, and a small packet of chips.
I leave some thoughts for the next week but i hope you all enjoy the weekend and take ample rest. Eat, sleep, watch movies and if possible repeat...Till then Happy Weekend
Monday, March 11, 2019
Tiffin Tales 92
Hola...
Today, I am literally dancing because the sun is brightly shining even though the winds are accompanying him. The air outside smells spring and what better than that. The winds did not feel like a punch the moment we stepped out in the morning.
The weekend was chaotic as usual. It rained and rained on Saturday and Sunday was too cloudy and moist. We almost had an indoor weekend playing lots of carom and fighting hugely over that. Kids get restless after a while and munching seems to be the only thing that keeps the family active.
The previous week was a bit thought provoking for me to an extent. I remember discussing about a lady who I meet at my local grocery store and exchange pleasantries. This time I got to talk more and walk down her memory lane. I patiently heard her story and was quite moved. In my next post I will discuss her story and less of my anecdotes.
This happy morning I made some 'aloo paratha' with mixed vegetable for lunch box. The snack box had slices of apples and peaches and a pack of yoghurt.
I am keeping my blog too short today because I am ready to go out for my first spring walk. I will catch you all soon. Till then enjoy the day and the week....
Today, I am literally dancing because the sun is brightly shining even though the winds are accompanying him. The air outside smells spring and what better than that. The winds did not feel like a punch the moment we stepped out in the morning.
The weekend was chaotic as usual. It rained and rained on Saturday and Sunday was too cloudy and moist. We almost had an indoor weekend playing lots of carom and fighting hugely over that. Kids get restless after a while and munching seems to be the only thing that keeps the family active.
The previous week was a bit thought provoking for me to an extent. I remember discussing about a lady who I meet at my local grocery store and exchange pleasantries. This time I got to talk more and walk down her memory lane. I patiently heard her story and was quite moved. In my next post I will discuss her story and less of my anecdotes.
This happy morning I made some 'aloo paratha' with mixed vegetable for lunch box. The snack box had slices of apples and peaches and a pack of yoghurt.
I am keeping my blog too short today because I am ready to go out for my first spring walk. I will catch you all soon. Till then enjoy the day and the week....
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Tiffin Tales 91
Hola....
Hope you all have settled into the week since it's mid week already. If you ask me, frankly speaking I am in jitters due to various reasons. Even though our healths are slowly improving by the grace of the weather, yet other auxiliary factors are demanding too much of my mental peace.
It's just mid week and my son has lost a pair of mittens, a few toys are missing, my earrings aren't found and I left an entire packet of groceries in the store itself. It's been messy so far but certainly not unmanageable. The toys most likely ended in the trash cans and picked up by the trash trucks while we searched the house. Our search was no less than the search done by the government officials, the videos that of which we have seen. In that process we just laughed how much junk we collect over the years. The packet of grocery was the biggest loss till now. The packet had lentils and some packet of spices. I did call up the store but they couldn't help me much. While they did admit that they were was unclaimed packet, yet the process of proving my identity to claim my packet seemed a bit tedious. I had to give up thinking about my health too. The week still remains and now I wonder about the surprises that are about to follow. The children enjoyed while messing up and it's been back breaking experience for me to put things back. While we did not find what we were looking for but a few long lost treasures were rediscovered.
I cannot wait to see what the rest of the week brings on...Since my packet of grocery didn't make it to my home now I am wondering how to survive the week with low groceries. This morning I made 'aloo parartha's' for lunch box. I usually add some butter which keeps it soft and he likes it too. His snack box had a few grapes and sliced apples and yoghurt. Let me end today because I am a bit exhausted with the drama that's currently going on. More details on my next post.
Hope you all have settled into the week since it's mid week already. If you ask me, frankly speaking I am in jitters due to various reasons. Even though our healths are slowly improving by the grace of the weather, yet other auxiliary factors are demanding too much of my mental peace.
It's just mid week and my son has lost a pair of mittens, a few toys are missing, my earrings aren't found and I left an entire packet of groceries in the store itself. It's been messy so far but certainly not unmanageable. The toys most likely ended in the trash cans and picked up by the trash trucks while we searched the house. Our search was no less than the search done by the government officials, the videos that of which we have seen. In that process we just laughed how much junk we collect over the years. The packet of grocery was the biggest loss till now. The packet had lentils and some packet of spices. I did call up the store but they couldn't help me much. While they did admit that they were was unclaimed packet, yet the process of proving my identity to claim my packet seemed a bit tedious. I had to give up thinking about my health too. The week still remains and now I wonder about the surprises that are about to follow. The children enjoyed while messing up and it's been back breaking experience for me to put things back. While we did not find what we were looking for but a few long lost treasures were rediscovered.
I cannot wait to see what the rest of the week brings on...Since my packet of grocery didn't make it to my home now I am wondering how to survive the week with low groceries. This morning I made 'aloo parartha's' for lunch box. I usually add some butter which keeps it soft and he likes it too. His snack box had a few grapes and sliced apples and yoghurt. Let me end today because I am a bit exhausted with the drama that's currently going on. More details on my next post.
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Tiffin Tales 90
Hola....
How are you all doing? Talking about me and my family we were slightly hit by some cold waves which led all of us having runny noses and coughing. The house was littered with tissues all over and we had early spring cleaning this weekend. The winters have been relentless this year and now we are restless for the spring to arrive soon.
The best thing about family is that no matter wherever we stay we are always tied by some affection and tenderness. Last week when we all were sneezing and coughing my family made sure to call us every morning and evening to enquire about our health. They are of the opinion thats it's the least of the thing they can do to make us feel better. Staying on the other side of the globe when frequent traveling isn't feasible staying connected with the technology is the only solace. During the last few days my children got some extra flying kisses and me some deep deep love which can come just from family.
The week started with 'Maha Shivaratri' and we celebrate it quite passionately. While I never go to temples to celebrate, because certain things i believe celebrating at home gives the children more participation. Monday being a weekday we had a small celebration at our homes and my S had thousand questions to ask. He is always overflowing with questions and some questions drive me up the wall. Our 'Puja' was concluded with a small vegetarian meal devoid of onion and garlic. Bengali's do not consider onion and garlic to be vegetarians. Now the vegetarian meal also faced some critique and assessment but the taste i guess was positive enough.
This morning was windy too and we started the day rushing to the bus stop. I packed some 'Paneer' rice with some carrots and peas and a dash of butter. The snack box had few oranges a banana and yoghurt.
How are you all sailing through the week? Let me know if possible. Enjoy
How are you all doing? Talking about me and my family we were slightly hit by some cold waves which led all of us having runny noses and coughing. The house was littered with tissues all over and we had early spring cleaning this weekend. The winters have been relentless this year and now we are restless for the spring to arrive soon.
The best thing about family is that no matter wherever we stay we are always tied by some affection and tenderness. Last week when we all were sneezing and coughing my family made sure to call us every morning and evening to enquire about our health. They are of the opinion thats it's the least of the thing they can do to make us feel better. Staying on the other side of the globe when frequent traveling isn't feasible staying connected with the technology is the only solace. During the last few days my children got some extra flying kisses and me some deep deep love which can come just from family.
The week started with 'Maha Shivaratri' and we celebrate it quite passionately. While I never go to temples to celebrate, because certain things i believe celebrating at home gives the children more participation. Monday being a weekday we had a small celebration at our homes and my S had thousand questions to ask. He is always overflowing with questions and some questions drive me up the wall. Our 'Puja' was concluded with a small vegetarian meal devoid of onion and garlic. Bengali's do not consider onion and garlic to be vegetarians. Now the vegetarian meal also faced some critique and assessment but the taste i guess was positive enough.
This morning was windy too and we started the day rushing to the bus stop. I packed some 'Paneer' rice with some carrots and peas and a dash of butter. The snack box had few oranges a banana and yoghurt.
How are you all sailing through the week? Let me know if possible. Enjoy
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Tiffin Tales 89
Hola....
How was your morning coffee/tea today? I am sure a major chunk of the world population start their day with a fresh cup of coffee or hot tea. My mom refuses to do anything without her morning tea. She loves tea but I know the first tea in the morning is without milk. She still has over 3-4 cups per day which may or may not be with milk. Towards the evening she refuses to have any tea fearing acidity even if she is visiting or someone is visiting her. Her love for tea hasn't changed over the years and she enjoys her cup with equal fondness. Over the years we tried to introduce her to different flavors including green tea claiming it to be healthy but she refuses the modifications.
We grew in a place which is still famous for tea leaves. I remember as a child I have been to factories to see the process roughly. While the actual process starts with plucking the correct leaves and then drying them and then the detailed process before they are released in the market in charming packages. A good tea enthusiast can instantly smell and assess the quality of the tea very easily. One of my Uncles had this beatified quality to determine the quality of tea just by smelling or perhaps having a sip. We used to be extra cautious before serving him tea whenever he visited us.
Now, when it comes to me I never had any closeness or emotion any tea. I do sip in at times when I make some pakoras or when its pouring outside. But those memories are much warmer to me instead of the tea cup. This morning and all day I have been thinking of my mother and as usual wished to go to her. Perhaps I would have joined her in her tea time and take a dip in my childhood memories.
Well now that I myself am a mother and and my children are making their childhood memories I want to add all the colors of the rainbow in their lives. All happy hues. This morning I made broccoli stir fried rice along with some diced chicken pieces for lunch box. The snack box had pears and strawberries and yoghurt.
If you are reading this, enjoy with a cup of warm tea, I hope you will enjoy it...Catch you all soon...
How was your morning coffee/tea today? I am sure a major chunk of the world population start their day with a fresh cup of coffee or hot tea. My mom refuses to do anything without her morning tea. She loves tea but I know the first tea in the morning is without milk. She still has over 3-4 cups per day which may or may not be with milk. Towards the evening she refuses to have any tea fearing acidity even if she is visiting or someone is visiting her. Her love for tea hasn't changed over the years and she enjoys her cup with equal fondness. Over the years we tried to introduce her to different flavors including green tea claiming it to be healthy but she refuses the modifications.
We grew in a place which is still famous for tea leaves. I remember as a child I have been to factories to see the process roughly. While the actual process starts with plucking the correct leaves and then drying them and then the detailed process before they are released in the market in charming packages. A good tea enthusiast can instantly smell and assess the quality of the tea very easily. One of my Uncles had this beatified quality to determine the quality of tea just by smelling or perhaps having a sip. We used to be extra cautious before serving him tea whenever he visited us.
Now, when it comes to me I never had any closeness or emotion any tea. I do sip in at times when I make some pakoras or when its pouring outside. But those memories are much warmer to me instead of the tea cup. This morning and all day I have been thinking of my mother and as usual wished to go to her. Perhaps I would have joined her in her tea time and take a dip in my childhood memories.
Well now that I myself am a mother and and my children are making their childhood memories I want to add all the colors of the rainbow in their lives. All happy hues. This morning I made broccoli stir fried rice along with some diced chicken pieces for lunch box. The snack box had pears and strawberries and yoghurt.
If you are reading this, enjoy with a cup of warm tea, I hope you will enjoy it...Catch you all soon...
Monday, February 25, 2019
Tiffin Tales 88
Hola...
Welcome to another week. What's up with everyone and everything? I hope you all are enjoying or even if not taking deep breaths to escape the chaos around you or taking a small vacations to rejuvenate yourselves from time to time. Whatever you do make sure never to neglect yourself or your health. If you are fit then you will generate that feeling to the people around you.
I had a virtual friend of a few years who was a nice middle aged lady with two kids. Being a working mom she used to leave early and come home in the evening. She regularly used to make nice meals for her kids and husband to ensure they all get the best nutrition and to spend some quality time at the dinner table. With heaps of work in the office she used to mange some time to get herself clicked whenever she wore a new dress or anything new for that matter. She was quite active on the social media and enjoyed her attention. She was a doting mother too and never missed helping her kids with their home works or any other assignments.
As I always say life always has its own route and somehow and at some point we align ourselves to move towards that direction. Last week we woke up to the shocking news that her husband who was in his mid forties passed away due to cardiac arrest. I pinched myself to believe that and couldn't even comprehend what she was going through. Like a house of cards which smashed her life along with her children is in tumultuous state now. Losing someone who had no prior illness is the hardest thing to accept. We can offer condolences or pray for her but the storm in her mind and lives can only be slowed down by time. It will take some time before they find a grip over their lives once again. Life can be so harsh at times. When we snatch a toy from a child, the child cries for a few minutes but in case of adults the tears never stops whenever our closed person is snatched from us. The pain never really goes away we somehow learn to live it. I pray for her and her children so that they too can bear the pain and walk the path to future. Let the lost love resonate from all corners of the universe and protect them.
I am sure by now you all must have envisaged what I am trying to say. Love the people around you because time abducts and sweeps away a lot of things. This morning for my S's lunch box I had 'roti and subzi'. By now I am sure you know what these are ;)
Stay well and take care everyone...
Welcome to another week. What's up with everyone and everything? I hope you all are enjoying or even if not taking deep breaths to escape the chaos around you or taking a small vacations to rejuvenate yourselves from time to time. Whatever you do make sure never to neglect yourself or your health. If you are fit then you will generate that feeling to the people around you.
I had a virtual friend of a few years who was a nice middle aged lady with two kids. Being a working mom she used to leave early and come home in the evening. She regularly used to make nice meals for her kids and husband to ensure they all get the best nutrition and to spend some quality time at the dinner table. With heaps of work in the office she used to mange some time to get herself clicked whenever she wore a new dress or anything new for that matter. She was quite active on the social media and enjoyed her attention. She was a doting mother too and never missed helping her kids with their home works or any other assignments.
As I always say life always has its own route and somehow and at some point we align ourselves to move towards that direction. Last week we woke up to the shocking news that her husband who was in his mid forties passed away due to cardiac arrest. I pinched myself to believe that and couldn't even comprehend what she was going through. Like a house of cards which smashed her life along with her children is in tumultuous state now. Losing someone who had no prior illness is the hardest thing to accept. We can offer condolences or pray for her but the storm in her mind and lives can only be slowed down by time. It will take some time before they find a grip over their lives once again. Life can be so harsh at times. When we snatch a toy from a child, the child cries for a few minutes but in case of adults the tears never stops whenever our closed person is snatched from us. The pain never really goes away we somehow learn to live it. I pray for her and her children so that they too can bear the pain and walk the path to future. Let the lost love resonate from all corners of the universe and protect them.
I am sure by now you all must have envisaged what I am trying to say. Love the people around you because time abducts and sweeps away a lot of things. This morning for my S's lunch box I had 'roti and subzi'. By now I am sure you know what these are ;)
Stay well and take care everyone...
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