Savitri Temple, Pushkar

After climbing small and big 720 stairs on a hill in Pushkar, I reached Savitri Temple to do the prayers and to watch the beautiful sunrise.

A group of foreigners were already there. They ordered the tea from the tea-stall situated at the top of hill to pass the time till sunrise and to get the warmth in the cold morning.

One of the foreigners took a sip from the big mug and said,"You, Indians have God for everything."

"Ya." The tea-stall owner said.
"You don't have CHAI GOD (Tea God)!" She asked.

Desire for liberation

"Chandrika, if you do not have any desire for liberation then why do you practice meditation so regularly?" One of my student asked me.
"Just for time pass!" I said with a wink. "I have nothing else to do!"

Kundalini, the latent energy

"Do you want to do this asana, Chandrika?" Mr. 'S' asked me. "Should I help you?"
I was sitting alone on my yoga mat, watching the group who had made pairs to practice the difficult asana. The teacher had asked the class to practice it with a partner and to support the other person while going in chakrasana from standing position as well as while coming back to normal position.
I said, "No, Thanks. My knees are paining."
I thought, "If I take the support of you while doing this practice, I will awaken your Kundalini, the latent energy by mere touch!"

Vote for Mr. Modi!

Twelve years back
"Whom will you give the vote to?" A shop owner asked a client who was a labourer.
"Who ever gives me money, I will vote for him!" The labour replied.

Today
"Did you get the money from ATM?" A shop owner  asked a client who was a labourer.
"I stood in the queue of ATM thrice but couldn't get the money." The labourer replied.
To tease him the shop owner asked, "Will you give the vote to Mr. Modi in the next election?"
"I will give vote to Mr. Modi only. I will surely give vote to Mr. Modi. I am 100 percent sure that I will vote for him only and will not change my opinion."

I felt a very positive change in our society that an illiterate person has formed his opinion about whom to give vote in the next election and now his vote is no more saleable for the sake of money. He can decide who is a better PM for India! :)

Darling

"Ma'am, do you know what my father called my mother?" A three year old girl too innocently asked her class teacher.
"I do not know." The teacher replied.
"He called her 'Darling'." She innocently revealed the secret.
"He didn't called her by her name."
"No. He called her 'Darling' only."

ATM line?

Are they in ATM line after demonetisation? ;)

Nutritive samosa

On my birthday, I tried a new recipe 'Nutritive samosa' which neither contained maida (refined floor) nor potatoes in filling. It was healthy, nutritive and delicious. Everybody liked it very much so I decided to share this recipe with my readers.
Ingredients
For dough
Wheat floor - 100g
Grinded Bengal gram floor/ Besan - 50g
Mustard oil - 2 table spoon
Salt to taste
For filling
Grated cheese - 100g
Grated cauliflower - 100g
Boiled peas - 40g
Boiled chopped beans - 20g
Boiled chopped carrot - 30g
Boiled sweet corn - 50g
Grated ginger - 1 teaspoon
Chopped green chilly - 1 or 2
Mustard oil - 1 table spoon
Cumin seeds - 1/4 teaspoon
Turmeric powder - 1/2 teaspoon
Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
Coriander powder - 1/2 teaspoon
Salt to taste
For garnishing
Chopped green coriander - 1 tablespoon

Method
1. Sieve wheat floor and besan. Mix them well. Add salt and warm mustard oil to it.
2. Kneed the dough with warm water. Keep the dough on one side and cover it with a wet piece of cloth.
3. For preparing filling, take a pan and put it on fire.
4. Add oil. When it is heated add cumin seeds and grated ginger.
5. Add grated cheese and cauliflower to it.
6. Stir it. Add turmeric powder, black pepper and coriander powder to it.
7. Add boiled vegetables to it.
8. Add salt and stir it gently.
9. Remove from fire and allow it to cool down. Garnish it with coriander.

10. Make small balls out of the dough.
11. Roll them with the help of rolling pin.
12. Make them thin and cut them in half.
13. Apply the water with a help of finger on one side which is cut.
14. Fold it to make a cup and join the wet side of the layer.
15. Fill the cup with vegetable fillings.
16. Apply the water on the edge of cup and closed the lid gently.
17. Make all the samosas.
18. Apply oil on the tray as well as brush the samosas with oil.

19. Grilled them for 10 minutes.
20. Turn them and grilled them on the other side as well.
21. Serve them hot with green chutney or ketchup.

You can even try this recipe in air fryer. :)

A selfie with cow

"The cow is not coming in the screen." A school girl said who was holding a selfie stick to click a selfie with a cow. She came there with her batch-mates on an educational school trip. She moved the stick a bit and said, "Oh no! Now cow can be seen but not me."

A really found the idea to have a selfie with cow ridiculous! :D

Snow leopard

“What are you planning to do after this course is finished?” A batch-mate asked me.
“I am thinking of going on trekking expeditions and visiting nearby national parks.” I said.“You are born and brought up in this area. Do you know in general which animals can be spotted during expeditions?”
“Black bear, brown bear, musk deer, blue sheep and Himalayan tahr. Rarely one sees snow leopard.”
“That sounds interesting!”
“It is a saying that if you ever see snow leopard then run faster than the rest of the group!"

When main gate was locked....

I was travelling from Gangorti to Netala in a shared taxi. I was about to reach Netala in 15 minutes. They closed the door of ashram at 5:30 p.m. My watch was showing 5:09 p.m. I was relaxed, as I would reach there on time, as the taxi was moving with a decent speed on hills.

The taxi slowed down, I could see buffalo herd in front of it. The herd was quite big. The taxi driver blew horn but the buffaloes kept moving with their pace without giving way to the taxi. The taxi owner blew horn continuously, moved his head out of the taxi window and shouted on his high pitch to buffalo owner to goad the buffaloes to one side of road and to make way for the vehicle. Very slowly, the owner goaded them that consumed about 7- 10 minutes of my precious time. The vehicle moved ahead and took its speed. I was calculating the time that I might not be able to reach early but would manage sharply at 5:30 p.m.

The taxi slowed down again and this time an ocean of sheep was ahead of us. The herd owner goaded the animals but they were jumping here and there, making almost impossible for the vehicle to move. Taking all the precautions, the taxt driver moved the vehicle very slowly without hurting innocent little creatures. This also consumed another 10 golden minutes of my life.

The taxi halted on the spot where I had to get down. The taxi owner climbed the roof of taxi to untie the rope and handed the heavy and bulky baggage to me. I was carrying a jacket in my hand and a polythene bag containing apples in another. All of a sudden, it started raining heavily. I took out the umbrella from my bag and opened it. I gave the money to taxi owner and ran downhill towards the ashram, carrying all the things in my hand and bag on my back. The polythene bag was not of good quality, could not hold the weight of apples, tore apart in the mid of road, apples scattered all over the way and a few rolled down far away. A villager saw this, came forward to help me. He gathered all the apples, gave them to me and I stuffed them in my bag which was already full. I walked rather almost ran towards the main gate of ashram. Alas! The gate was locked. What should I do now? I could easily jump that small gate but with the bulky luggage I found it difficult. I could not see anyone nearby whom I could request to open it. If I didn’t get in the ashram where I would spend the night, was the biggest question that was haunting my mind. There were many cheap hotels in Netala but which one was good and safe; I didn’t have an iota of knowledge about that. It was raining and I was sweating!

My presence of mind guided me that there was one more gate to enter the ashram, might be that was open or I could request someone there. I ran hurriedly towards that door, my jacket fell from my hand. I quickly picked it up and ran again. I reached in the front of that back gate. I felt relieved there was no lock on it. I moved the latch of the gate silently, taking every caution not to make noise. A student was sitting on the stairs saw me, he shouted and asked me to come from the main gate. Without wasting a second I was in the ashram premises, I ignored him, walked a couple of steps, threw my baggage, jacket and shoes near the dustbin in the veranda of ashram and ran towards the Director’s office to get myself registered for the course.

Eco-friendly pots in Uttarkashi

One thing that attracted me the most in Uttarkashi was that almost every home had eco-friendly pots in which they have planted tulsi, aloe vera, mint or seasonal flowers.

Some had painted them and some haven't. Clay pots were very rarely seen there.

Mostly people grow plants in empty tins and canes of ghee, mustard oil or other food stuffs.

Restaurants with the same name

My friends and I were travelling together to a hill station. I mailed the programme details like starting time; pick up locations, lunch on the midway in a small town and taxi charges of shared taxi to my friends who were accompanying me in this trip. I chose to have lunch at ‘Lucky Restaurant’. By the time we reached the decided town, we were extremely hungry. The lanes of the town were narrow so we asked the driver to park the taxi in parking area. We got down from the taxi and started walking on the lane in search of the decided restaurant. Hardly 15 meters we had walked then I saw the signboard showing ‘Lucky Restaurant’. We all went in and ordered the food. We chatted until the meal came, had good feast, gave a decent tip and came out of the restaurant.

After a heavy and nice meal, we all decided to walk for some time before starting again for the destination. We moved near about fifty meters then the road took a curved turn. Now I saw another restaurant on which ‘Lucky Restaurant’ was written. According to Google maps, we have to walk for about 60 – 65 meters to reach that restaurant from the parking area. On seeing the earlier board of ‘Lucky Restaurant’ in which we dine, I thought might be Google maps did not show the right distance. Moreover, the strong hunger forbidden me to search further. I thought it might got unnoticed by the group as we were walking with a fast pace. However, I was wrong. One of the person who has strong observation power noticed it and said, “Oh, one more Lucky Restaurant!”

I admitted, “Actually we entered a wrong restaurant!"

He chuckled. He burst into a laugh. While laughing, he gently touched his left hand on my right shoulder then suddenly withdrew his hand, thinking, "She is ‘Touch-Me-Not’ type person!"

Waterfalls in Uttarkashi

"How beautiful waterfall looks!" When I noticed the first waterfall while travelling in car from Rishikesh to Uttarkashi. I have never seen a waterfall before as I was from a semi-arid zone and hadn't travel much. In Uttarakhand during the end of July, it was rainy season. It was raining heavily and rivers were flowing with their full flow. There were waterfalls of all sizes, small n big, fast n slow and twisted in the hills n falling straight from the hills on the ground. Every waterfall was a unique of its own. Sometimes even while travelling waterfall water suddenly splattered on the roof of the car making a thud sound.


Among so many natural waterfalls these man-made waterfalls along the road side attracted me the most! They were not beautiful but hilarious.

A walk with a friend!

During my stay in Netala, I didn't talk much with my batchmates. I tried my best to follow the rules of ashram like speak less and read more, chat less and practice more. I wasn't much curious to know about others and wasn't there to make contacts. I wished to devote my time to my prayers, meditation, spiritual reading and introspection. I wanted to devote each and every second of my time for progress on the spiritual path.

There, I hardly talk with others and preferred to maintain silence. Mostly out of formality, I opened my mouth to utter monosyllables or sometimes sentences. Contrary to that back at home, I was talkative; generally enjoyed talking with persons of all age groups, all genres, all cultures and all socio-economic status. I loved to talk about various topics but I hesitated to talk about my emotions with others. A walk with that friend in the hills around ashram made me so comfortable with her that I shared my inner most emotions with her, may be because we are of same age or shared the same interest or in childhood days lived in a small city and then moved to a metropolitan for professional growth.

We went to a nearby village situated on a hill and from there on the narrow lane into the forest to Bharoon ka mandir (Temple of Lord Bharoon) which was though closed at that time.

We watched the villagers working, cows wandering in hills with bells in their necks, small houses here and there with their tempting kitchen gardens full of organic vegetables like pumpkin, bottle gourd, ridge gourd, beans, brinjal, lady finger, tomato.

The most interesting thing I liked was these toothbrush holders. :) During the walk, my mobile battery said 'Goodbye' so I asked her to click these photos for me. A short but memorable trip! :)

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A bowl of kadhi of a differrence!

"It tastes delicious!" As I sipped the steaming hot kadhi of Ankoot prasadam, I thought.
It did not contain any pakoodis as usual even than it was the tastiest kadhi I have ever eaten. Mango pickle masala was added to it to give it a sour taste as the buttermilk was not that sour. It also contained dried gaur ki phalli. Musturd seeds and cumin seeds tadka made it yummy. Like usual Ankoot kadhi it was not too hot. But the chillies were balancing the taste of pickle very well.

Seeing the bowl of kadhi today in my plate reminded me of that mango pickle taste of kadhi that I ate about a month ago.

Being vegetarian - A fashion statement

"I am vegetarian." A European guy told the group which were dinning together in a restaurant.
"You are vegetarian." I said with a surprise.
"I am also vegetarian." A European woman said.
"But.......how do you manage it?" I asked. "These days it is even difficult in India to be vegetarian."
"These days people are opting to even vegan diet in Europe." The woman explained.
"There are lots of vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Europe." The guy explained.
She told the group, "Its a fashion statement in Europe to be vegetarian."
I said, "Its a fashion statement in India to be non-vegetarian."
She said, "More and more people are opting for vegetarian diet in Europe so more number of eat-out options. I love cooking and mostly cook food at home."
The guy said, "I love to eat-out in resturants, sometimes I cook at home and near my work place there is Hare Krishna Temple, quite often I go there and have prasadam - totally satvik food."

Hilarious business meeting

"So, what do you think about this business case?" My boss, Mr. 'L' said to Mr. 'R'. They both were senior citizens.
"As you say." Mr. 'R' replied as if he has lost all interest in business, "After my wife's death, I shifted to Mumbai and was living with a woman who already had a son from her previous marriage. Some years back, I was very depressed. I felt lonely. There was no company. My sons and daughter-in-laws didn't take care of me. They even did not talk to me."
Mr. 'L' wanted to talk about business, "I think we should file a fresh application."
Mr. 'R' wanted to talk about his love story, "I receive her call for the first time when I was in office. She needed my help. To sort out the things we talk on phone for a couple of times. And we like each other and started loving together in a newly bought flat in Mumbai."
Mr. 'L' wished to focus on work, "We should do something about this business deal."
Mr. 'R' wished to focus on his new love story, "I meet her for the first time she was looking..................she was wearing......................she was feeling.................."

Before this meeting, my boss asked me, "Jot down all the important points of this business meeting." I was writing an unusual love story rather than the boring business related points! ;)

In search of a passenger

“Where that blue checked t-shirt guy went?” The shared taxi owner inquired looking at the back seats of taxi.

“He put his bag on the seat and went away, without telling anyone which way he is going.” One of the passengers sitting on the back seats replied.

“Now, the taxi is full, we must leave for Gangotri.” The taxi driver said. “Today was a bad day it took more than three hours for the taxi to get filled with the passengers.”

“He must have told you where he is going.”

“He didn’t tell me. Moreover, we have already waited for him for more than 30 minutes. It is getting late. We must search him in the vegetable market.”

The taxi driver turned the taxi towards the vegetable market, which was in opposite direction to Gangotri. He moved the vehicle very slowly and asked all the passengers to look for the person in blue checked T- shirt. After covering some distance, I who was one of the passengers pointed at a young person wearing blue checked t-shirt. At that moment, that guy was buying some green leafy vegetables in the market.

I said, “There is that fellow whom we were searching.”

“The taxi driver closely looked at him and said, “No, he is must taller and slimmer than him.”

The taxi moved further to the farthest end of the market but there was no trace of blue checked T-shirt passenger. The taxi driver turned the taxi to go towards the taxi stand. When we reached taxi stand, the blue checked T-shirt guy was waiting there. On seeing the taxi full of passengers, he complained to taxi driver, “How did you left me behind? I was waiting for you for the past 15 minutes.”

“We went towards the vegetable market in search of you! Now, get in quickly! We are getting late!!”

Sleeping Intensive

During the Sadhana Intensive course, I noticed very unusual behaviour of one of the student of the course. I saw Ms. 'D' sleeping all the time on her yoga mat in Satsang Hall and that too close to altar. Whenever I climbed up or down the stairs from Asana Hall where I used to practice my yoga asana and pranayama, I noticed from the glass panes of Satsang Hall that she was sleeping all the time while the rest of the students in that hall were either practicing pranayama, reading or clicking their photos in different as well as difficult asanas. For a few days, I thought she was not feeling well. The point to ponder is that if she was not feeling well then she should have taken rest or at least she should have shifted away from the altar. But even after a week I saw her sleeping on the mat at the same place. I never saw her doing any asana, pranayama or reading book.

It was really very annoying to see her sleeping so close to the altar. The positive vibes near altar help in better meditation, in better focus and in better breath control. For the first time I was noticing someone who was utilising the positive vibes for sleeping more soundly, a tamasic activity.

It was the course for self improvement and development, we all were improving our Sadhana practice where as she was improving her sleeping practice. On the day of convocation, I was really curious to know whether on her certificate it was mentioned that she had done Sadhana Intensive Course or Sleeping Intensive Course.

Grilled bread rolls with cheese fillings

I love to eat bread rolls with potato fillings. The deep fried bread rolls are too oily and heavy. The potato is also not so healthy. So I try a healthy version of bread rolls with very less oil and with cheese and vegetable fillings. I name it as 'Grilled bread rolls with cheese fillings'. The recipe is ....
Ingredients
Bread - 10 slices
Oil - For rubbing on the tray
Milk - For soaking bread

For Filling
Grated cheese - 150g
Boiled peas - 100g
Boiled chopped carrot - 1 small
Grated ginger - 25g
Grated cauliflower - 1-2 floret
Boiled beans - 25g
Oil - 1 teaspoon
Cumin seeds - 15- 20 seeds
Turmeric powder - 1/4 teaspoon
Coriander powder - 1/2 teaspoon
Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon
Chopped green chilli - 1
Chopped coriander leaves - 15g
Salt to taste

Method
1. Heat the oil in pan. Add cumin seeds and grated ginger in it.
2. Add turmeric powder and coriander powder to it. Stir it and quickly add boiled peas, carrot, beans, chilli and grated cauliflower to it.
3. Cook it for 2-3 minutes and then add grated cheese to it.
4. Add salt and black pepper to it.

5. Remove from fire and garnish it with coriander leaves.
6. Boiled corn and other boiled vegetables can be added according to one's liking.
7. Soak the bread in milk. Do not leave it longer in the milk.
8. Quickly remove it from milk, press it between the palms.
9. Put the mixture on it.
10. Roll it into the balls.
11. Apply oil on the tray. Put the bread rolls on it keeping a lit space in between them.

12. Grilled in for 15 minutes. If you want to make it more crispy then take out the tray and turn the rolls and again grilled it for 15 minutes.
13. Serve them hot with ketchup.

You can even try this recipe in air fryer.

I need to talk about this with Mataji

Day 1
"They are giving us boiled whole green gram, khichadi of split green gram dal and sprouts of green gram in salad. Too much of green gram is creating flatulence and giving rise to gastric problems." Ms. 'B' said.
I said, "hmmm...."
"They should not give us sprouted green gram. I need to talk about this with Mataji (Director of the institution)."

Day 2
Ms. 'B', "The toilets are not clean. They are dirty and dustbins are filled. Who will clean the toilets?"
I said, "hmmm....."
"There must be a rule by which each one of should clean it. Who will clean it when? I need to talk about this with Mataji."

I never heard her saying that I need to talk about how to control my negative emotions like jealousy, hatred, anger etc with Mataji. She never said that I need to talk about how to improve my concentration in meditation with Mataji. She want to talk with Mataji about everything except sadhana (meditation).

Set of hand painted terracotta pots

While dusting, I broke a decorative glass pot that I used to place on the side table in my drawing room. Without any decorative piece on the table, it looked too monotonous. An attractive art work could make that place interesting!

I surfed the Kraftly site as I loved the amazing and vast collection of art and handicrafts available on this site. I found the set of three pots very attractive and elegant for that corner. They are available in three different sizes, colours and designs. I am confused which one to buy. Can you help me in selecting?

The three designs are as follows :-

1.      Craftbell miniature Warli table pots blue in terracotta – Set of three gift items home décor

2.      Craftbell miniature Warli table pots yellow in terracotta – Set of three gift items home décor

3.      Craftbell miniature Warli table pots white in terracotta – Set of three gift items home décor

Effect of demonetisation

"Oh! Lift is not working! I have to take stairs to the fourth floor to reach the house of a bank manager, Mr. 'H'." I thought. "What a bad beginning of a day!"
On reaching there, I rang the bell of the house. His wife opened the door.
"Is sir at home?" I asked after greeting her.
"Yes, He is bathing." She replied.
"I just need the document which I gave him for signing."
While standing at the main door she shouted, "Ma'am had come and is asking for paper."
He replied, "I forgot my bag in the office and the document is in the bag."
While she was explaining this to me in detail, she looked inside her house and said, "Come, come! Its fine."
He peeped from on side of the door, wearing towel around his waist and trying to hide his nakedness with his right hand by covering his chest. He said, "It's really messy!"
I thought, "Ya. It is messy because you even forget to dress up properly before coming to the main door of your house."
His wife was smiling trying to control her laugh on the funny situation created suddenly.
I said, "I tried to call you yesterday but your mobile was switched off."
He said, "Sorry, ma'am. Actually I was sleeping as it was holiday. If I have not slept yesterday then today I will not be able to go to office. Sorry! I forget to bring the document amidst the hustle and bustle of demonetisation. From the past five days I was going to office at 8 a.m. and coming back at 9 p.m. It was so hectic. I will bring it today positively. You can collect it tomorrow."
"Fine." I said.
I turned to return, thinking, "What a humorous beginning of the day!"

Bizarre ideas for the study room

I want to renovate my study but in an unusual way, not like the uninteresting study room with books, study table, chair, stationary and pen stand. I wish to make it attractive, interesting and motivating. I search Kraftly site for such bizarre ideas and I find some. I like them so much that I am sharing with you.

1.      Terracotta three idiots pen stand – It’s uniqueness fascinated me. I love the idea. Whenever I will take out or place back a pen or pencil from it, a sweet smile will always appear on my face.

2.      Book Safe – What an innovative idea to fool thieves!

3.      Convenient wooden shelf with side wood log and handcrafted deer – It can be placed on table and is good for holding books. Different bookshelf isn’t it?

The smallest gesture that mean a lot to me!

In the month of August, it was raining and raining in Uttarkashi. It rained all the time. Most of the time, it's drizzling, sometime it's raining lightly and rarely it's raining cats and dogs. There were five - six green colour three sitter cemented benches by the Bhagirati river side in the ashram garden on which most of the students sit in their free time to read, to meditate or to watch the swift flow of river. I also loved to sit on them but my reason was to get some fresh air as I found my room congested. My room was a very small room and four people accommodated in it. Moreover, my room-mates wanted to keep the windows closed and curtains drawn all the time which make the room dark and suffocated. I felt uncomfortable to sit or read in the room.

One day, I took my book and went near the benches to sit, to read and to enjoy. All the benches were full except one on which Mr. 'G' was sitting on one side. I sat on the other side of the bench. As soon as I sat than I got up with a jerk. Even Mr. 'G' was surprised with my sudden reaction.
He asked, "What happened?"
I made my face as I couldn't find the right words to express the situation. He spread his long arm where I was sitting a few moments before to find out the reason. He stretched his fingers further on the bench and touched the water which have gathered there because of drizzling in the early morning.
He said, "Oh it is water!" And shifted towards the water side making space for me on the bench where it was dry.
I sat on the bench and said, "Thanks!"
This simple gesture of his goodwill touched my heart.

Siror Bridge, Netala

There are hundreds of bridge on a river for the persons, animals and vehicles to move from one side of river to another. During the day time, to and fro movement on them can be seen  frequently and during night a bit less frequently.

Though Siror Bridge near Netala is like any ordinary bridge over the river even then I like it very much, may be I love to watch the local people especially women carrying grass bundles or baskets at their back with sticks in their hands or men whistling to ponies to give them instructions and guiding them directions to the destination. Some times school children pass it, some times cars and some times cows but rarely army men cross it with guns for practicing in a nearby area.

During the two courses, whenever I found time I looked at it to admire its giant size so massive so mammoth.

I also appreciated its light swinging movement because of air and its quick swaying because of heavy movements of humans or animals or both over it.

I was amazed that it remained intact even in difficult times joining the two different regions together. It teaches us to bridge family members, office workers and friends together even if they have dissimilar opinions, thoughts and views.

It always inspire me to cross the bridge of my negativities, ignorance and insecurities so that I can embrace positivity and knowledge at the other end.

Antique decorative items for the drawing room

My friend pinged me again on Facebook.

I bought not only hand painted kettles from Kraftly site but also some decorative items for my drawing room.

I replied

That’s great! What did you purchase?

It was very difficult to choose as art and handicraft collection of Kraftly is marvellous.

Very true.

I bought elephant pair hand painted with multicolour shades and traditional kundan stone  work on it.

Its so beautiful! Amazing work by an artist from Jaipur!! What more?

I bought antique decorative gifted handmade ship model.

It seems that it is made up of wooden strips.

Ya. And I bought a pair of peacock made up of paper mache with lac work. I was searching for lac work decorative pieces but couldn’t find them in any shop or fair. I was delighted to find them on this online retail shop.

Wow! They are so cute.

Five most attractive designs of hand painted kettles

Last night, my friend ping me up on Facebook.

Hi Chandrika. I read your yesterday post on the blog about the handicrafts. The painted kettle was very attractive and your post very informative.

I replied

Hi. Thanks. :)

I wish to buy some, may be three or four to decorate my kitchen window. I love the idea of painted kettles but I want to go for some unique themes and vibrant colour combinations. Are there any other options?

Kraftly, online retail store has many exquisite designs. I am sharing some with you.

1.      Hand painted kettle with cards theme.

2.      Hand painted kettle with checkmate theme

3.      Hand painted kettle with Warli Hamlet theme

4.      Hand painted kettle with bicycle dreams theme

5.      Hand painted kettle with woman of world theme

WOW! They are so attractive. I will buy all.

The artistic gifts

I wished to gift my friend a nice gift on her anniversary that too in my budget. While surfing the internet, I came across beautiful handicrafts on Kraftly site. The handicrafts are artistic, attractive and eye-catching. They are made up of metal, wood or glass. They are painted with striking colours. The colour combinations and themes use to decorate them are very innovative. I am mesmerised with the variety of products available in my budget. I liked the hand painted kettle, doorbell with two birds and a wooden truck for the dining table.

1.      This hand painted kettle has exquisite designs and fine finish.

2.      This is beautiful casted metal doorbell.

3.      This is table decor truck.

Dear readers, can you suggest out of these three, which should I gift to my friend?

Banana Pomegranate Smoothie

One more smoothie recipe that I tried which tasted delicious.
Banana Pomegranate Smoothie (No salt no sugar)
Ingredients
Banana - 2
Pomegranate - 2
Buttermilk - 2

Method
1. Chop banana and add pomegranate grains to it.
2. Add buttermilk and mix them well.
3. Do not add any sugar or salt to it. Serve in a glass.

Height of interfering

"What Mr. 'K' was saying to you in dinning hall?" Ms. 'D' asked me as I entered my room.
The sudden attack of this question confused me as a few minutes before I was eating sweets alone in dinning hall while watching the swift flow of River Bhagirathi from the window.
I said, "I didn't talk to him during the tea time."
"During the brunch, when you were sitting next to him and he was saying something. Remember? What he was saying when you and that foreigner woman were listening to him?"
I didn't express my anger on intruding questions from her side rather calmly said,"Oh! At that time, he was saying that he was not able to hold the breath as long we were asked to retain. If he tried to retain longer then his hands get tensed therefore, he decided to hold for only that time he was comfortable with."
Ms. 'D' said, "I am also not able to hold the breath for one minute. What else he told you?"
I said, "He was also complaining that on prolonged sitting his back started aching and then he was not able to focus on his breath as well as retention of breath."
Ms. 'D' said, "I also have this problem. My back starts paining badly due to excessive sitting."

Next day when I entered my room my mind was prepared for the question my room mate was going to ask. Her third question was, "What you were talking with Mr.'K' in satsang hall?"
Even on asking such an interfering question, I remained calm and said, "He was telling that he bought some books from Rishikesh and sent them to his home."
Ms. 'D' asked with a bit of surprise, "Did he send all the books to his home?"
"Ya. The books were very cheap there."
"That's true. I will also buy some books from Rishikesh."
"I was very much curious to know which books he bought. Therefore, he was telling in detail that he bought the books written by Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnudevanada. He also bought the books published by Bihar School of Yoga, Munger."

Nobody has ever dare to ask me such an interfering and intruding question ever in my life - What I was talking with this or that guy?!!!!

Kraftly – The best online shopping site

“Granny, today my best friend ‘D’ called me.” I said.

“One who studied with you in the college?” Granny replied.

“Ya.”

“She also visited your house on the grahpravesh, sang ‘hey prabhu annanddata jnana humko dejeye’ a bhajan melodiously and gifted a pair of metallic elephant statue.”

“You remember her so well.”

“Her sweet voice is unforgettable!”

 “She invited me to her marriage ceremonies. Her marriage has been fixed in the coming week with a Punjabi guy who is NRI and works in a software company in U.S.A. The would-be-bridegroom has to return early therefore the ceremonies will be starting from tomorrow.”

“I am happy to hear about her marriage. Will you be going to attend the functions?”

“I wanted to attend each and every function. But which dress, jewellery, shoes and makeup I will wear in those functions.”

“One can’t repeat the same dress, jewellery, shoes and make up in all the functions because these days every moment are captured in photographs and videos.”

“May be some can wear the same dress is all functions but I can’t do that. I need a different dress with matching accessories for every occasion.”

“Then start shopping now, without wasting a minute.” Granny suggested me.

“Due to the festive season the roads are jam packed. It will take more than one hour to go to the nearest shop. Then how much more time and energy will be needed to shop all.”

“My dear child, actually I was talking about the online shopping.”

“Granny, I love you! You solved my problem.”

“hmmm....”

“In some sites the products are either too costly or of low quality.”

“To avoid such situations, you should only buy from a reputed online store?”

“Which online retail site is good one? Do you have any idea?”

“Kraftly is an online retail store which excels in woman wears. They have fabulous sarees, kurtis, kurtas, salwar kameez, blouse, petticoat, dupatta, churidars, lehangas, leggings, jeggings and tights.”

“I want to wear western dress in atleast one occasion.”

“They have a decent collection of western dresses, top wear, bottom wear, jacket, coats, shrugs, jumpsuits, sweatshirts, hoodies, suits and blazers.”

“To search for matching accessories is also a big problem.”

“They have watches, bags, wallets, sunglasses and other fashion accessories. There jewellery section is adorable. They have wide range of classic as well as stylish jewellery. Rings, necklaces, bangles, earrings, chains, pendants and pendants & earrings sets are amazing.”

“For shoes?”

“Heels, flats, flip flops, bellies, sandals, floaters, wedges, ethnic shoes, pumps and peep toes are trendy.”

“The prices will be too high.”

“The prices of Kraftly are reasonable and affordable to all.”

“Then the quality will be very poor.”

“No, my dear. The quality of the products is good. I wear clothes, jewellery and makeup bought from this site ONLY. I really like this site as it saves my time, energy and money. Moreover delivers good quality products in minimum time. Till now I haven’t return any product nor complaint about any of their product.”

“Now, I will shop with my finger tips on my laptop!”

Apple Pear Smoothie

Today I prepared a delicious and colourful smoothie. I am sharing its recipe here.

Ingredients
Apple -1
Pear -1
Spinach 8-10 leaves
Basil Leaves - 5-6
Honey - 1 tablespoon
White pepper - 1/4 teaspoon
Lime juice - 1/4 teaspoon
Salt to taste
For garnishing - water melon seeds

Method
1. Chop apple and pear in small pieces removing its pips.
2. Add chopped spinach leaves and basil leaves to it.
3. Add honey, white pepper, lime juice and salt to it.
4. Mix them well in a mixer. Pour the liquid in a glass.
5. Garnish it with water melon seeds and serve it.