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!

Trip down Nostalgia Lane with Mathi Peera Pattichethu....(Sardines with coconut)

Been craving Mathi ever since I got back from a trip home where my fav Aunt and dear old N chechi cooked them for me everyday I was there- I miss them! Mathi fried is always my first choice in seafood back home (after fish head curry!!) but I'll settle for peera too.

 The cravings are not the kind that will get me to drive down to the Asian fish stores, buy fresh sardines, clean them, cook them - no thanks! By then I'd be stressed out by the smell, the imaginary scales on the kitchen walls and counters and worse still, if they're not fresh- there goes my property value- I'd never be able to get the smell of rotten sardines out of my house or neighbourhood for that matter...

However on a recent grocery shopping trip, I was surprised to find that the local Whole Foods carries fresh wild sardines, cleaned and looking good!! And here's what transpired shortly there after...

 

The clutter in our lives....

When one of the many "catch all" baskets tipped over :) The pantry bulb that needs replacing, the pack of cards with a few always missing, the 'must have' Angry Birds mittens, the 'Crazy Bands' that were the craze one time with the most sophisticated barter systems revolving around them, the old GPS with its holder that may have a purpose someday esp. now that the phones and cars all have GPS !!!

(Yet) another new beginning...

Well.. I believe new beginnings are always good- it shows you're trying, failing and trying again!! The mantra now is still the same as before- eat healthy, move more. Easier said than done but here is why I think it’s worth trying over and over again:

• We truly live in the land of plenty, fresh organic fruits and vegetables in plenty. A recent trip outside the country makes me appreciate this even more...
• · Living in a beautiful city with the mountains around you, it’s uplifting each time you look around you...but we don't stop and marvel! Move around outdoors more often, I do love to be outdoors but in my defense , my allergies are the roadblock here.   

On the breakfast menu today: