Brownie Points....

Here's something quick, easy and a sure crowd pleaser...made with regular 'in my pantry' ingredients. I wouldn't say its necessarily healthy but its so much more wholesome than a box of brownies from the store. How can you go wrong with 5 ingredients- butter, eggs, sugar, flour, cocoa, vanilla and baking powder...ok that's 7.
I love recipes that use one dish, require no appliances and can be whipped up in 10 minutes (plus baking time) ! And its foolproof at least in my kitchen - all credits to Hersheys.
https://www.hersheys.com/celebrate/summer/recipedetail.aspx?id=5008

Chocolate brownies with white chocolate chips

A stunner from Zaarga....

So I finally got around to giving this piece of art its space, and what a transformation! The sheets are luxurious and soft, the colors pop out and the design elegant! Check it out at
http://www.zaarga.com/productDetails&productId=135&

Wraps....the easy summer snack/lunch.

Wraps are the most versatile of all easy healthy snacks, so much more interesting than a sandwich and way more presentable ...and kid friendly too!

Ham and Cheese Wraps with Pesto!

Black Necked Cranes

Here's another one from The Artful House creator capturing the timeless grace of the black necked crane onto her line of table settings- its a classic! Can't wait to see the rest of it...

Black Necked Cranes Dinner Plates designed by Padmaja @ Artful House.

Rooms with a view...

When 2 people with 'Kala-bodham' (someone who appreciates art and creates beautiful spaces) get together, here's what you get!

 

Padmaja, my dearest friend from college, set up a home in Singapore that oozes old world charm. Along with her hubby, Pramod ( the sweetest man!), they've created a home that I can't quite find words to describe other than say it’s out of the world charming with plenty of character, drawing you in with warm colors, a blend of old and new furniture and paintings that beckon....

From the koi pond in the dining room to the blue, red and white master bedroom, one living space flows into the next with the most inviting corners to curl up with a book or just stare at the paintings and knickknacks around you and dream.....

Check out her own line of furniture at...Artful House....coming soon.

Come to think of it- 2 of my ex-roomies from the good (?) 'ole college days are into art and home decor- switching fields completely, discovering hidden talents and charting out new adventures- you go girls!! Check out www.Zaarga.com - and look out for a blog soon with pictures of a stunning bedspread in my guest room from Zaarga.

 

All in a days work....

Here's what a talented 12 yr old(my neice!) came up with on a short notice baby shower- move over Martha!

    Diaper Cake!

Its Friday...whats cooking?

Usually nothing- if I'm lucky, there's a whole medley of leftovers from the week.
But here's something from one of those nights when I felt like seafood and Italian...with ingredients on hand...but felt lazy and didn't want to spend time and energy(and money!!) to eat out at my fav seafood restaurant.. a whole lot of conflicting thoughts :)
With the boys on the couch snacking on rose cookies(something I'll probably never make in my life time but have vivid memories of my mom making) and watching Skyfall...30 mins later, here's what got whipped up for dinner- I'm impressed :) Well, the point being, like I tell the boys-we can have "restaurant style" food , ambience and all (almost) right here at home in 30 mins with local grown ingredients, most of it from the Farmer's Market. Set the table, light the candles if the mood calls for it and voila!!
Mushroom Tortellinis with Grilled Salmon and Kale Salad....All's well with the world!