A Pinch of Love: April 2011

Bonjour Mesdames et Messieurs!

Enjoying sun? Finally spring is here, crisp sun, budding green leaves, cheerful people and so far 16 hrs daylight, Bliss! With joyous attitude I have three happy news to share.

Happy feet1 - We have a new addition in our family, I'm aunt again, my sis delivered a baby Boy two weeks ago, a new welcoming change has been best so far! He is darling sleeping day in and out. can't wait to see him! Not sure when I will go but my thoughts are completely there!

Happy feet2 - A new macro lens in my DSLR kit, very handsome guy I say, one disadvantage which I felt was there was it doesn't have IS, but well manageable. Haven't started playing with him, work has been keeping too much occupied, today's photos are my first trial (have taken in manual mode f/2.8). Slowly I'm sneaking into nook and corner of my house, it's amazing to get into fine details. During spring party I tried few portraits it worked good, waiting for sometime to learn him better!

Happy Feet3 APL turned one. 43 food post, 30,000 views and huge bunch of wonderful people feels like a winner! Thanks to my lens, made a self check with my earlier posts, was shocked to see the date. It was a dubious start, but the journey so far has been glorious. APL has been a platform for me to connect with all you lovely people out here, without you guys, trust me she wouldn't have reached here. You all have been a part my joy, understanding my thoughts, encouraging me for both (blog and PhD) and top most all the love. Big THANKS to all of you, keep us loved! Would like to be more regular in posting to keep the visual treat on, you already know why, will try my best this year.

Today recipe is very special one for me, it was dream to make this kind of layered mousse cake, I spend days in other versatile food pages seeing and getting inspired. When I saw Mango event in Tanvi's Sinfully Spicy, when I saw the book she is going to give as the gift I knew what I have to make. So here is guys, I wanted to try the way I could handle, by keep it extremely simple and very subtle. Base cake (mango saffron olive oil cake) I tried couple of months before when mum went back to India made it for my sis, she was singing glories of it so wanted to it make it for myself....it is fantastic! When I made it for my sis, used normal cooking oil but for the competition made it olive oil, since I didn't taste it last time, not sure if there was change in taste, but I believe there shouldn't be much. I'm submitting it for the Mango event.

That is the end of my happy feet story, I shall dance along it for some more days, you guys have a wonderful weekend and happy may day. Envoi de L'amour :)

For Recipe read more >>

Iniya Tamizh Puthaandu Nalvaazhthukkal Happy Tamil New Year. Sorry I have no idea about the significance and rituals, but it is all about new beginning! Next time I visit India shalll try to dig into in elders brain to get into the roots, as of now all I remember is dad doing long pooja (prayer) and mum cooking all good food! As kids my sis being responsible helped mum in cooking and I was forced to help dad for prayer preparation and dad is a perfectionist, I will be assigned to do all the annoying work (you know 2nd assistant work). While all going on in full swing I usually sneak out to play with doggie, my mum not being happy used to say "stop playing and concentrate on God so that you could study well" Dang! I will be left speechless do the necessary.

Special food that will be usually prepared are puran poli's, pachadi (raw mango, jaggery, tamarind and neem flowers not my fav coz of neem flowers, mum will force it into our throats!). We fast till pooja/offerings are done, contentment of food we get after long wait is supreme. Again I'm missing all these fun here! When mum was here with me, she made puran polies as it is in my top listed favourites, she makes the best according to me, neither did I want to miss a chance to note it down. So here is the recipe do enjoy. Mum jaan has stored in the freezer for me i'm going to enjoy my share :D

Forgetting not, THANKS TONS all you lovely people for encouraging words regarding my PhD it DID rise my confidence level and motivated me. Love ya!