New Year

Wishing All My Friends A Happy And Prosperous New Year!!
Ashwini

Dusherra

Friends,
 This is the 'Ravan Dahan' a ritual carried on the day of 'Dusherra' where in an effigy of Ravan is burnt along with others. The above picture  is of same being done at my home on 'Dusherra' of 2013, the ravana cut out is made out of cardboard with embellishments done later and decorated. It was indeed an enjoyable family activity. This a typical Hindu tradition. This actvity we try to take up every year with slight changes affecting the face and size of the ravana cut out due to over enthusiasm or under enthusiasm .
My son is peeking out from the backside of 'King Ravana' as he is surely not fearful of him because of  sheer size of paper Ravana who is harmless.

Crochet Blanket

Hello Friends
It has been a long time since I have posted something new. Currently I am participating in an event of 'Crochet Craft' of making baby blankets which involves a large group of Indian ladies to break the current  'Guinness Book Of World Record' for  creating a largest crochet blanket. Indian ladies from India and overseas have taken up this challenge to break the earlier record held by South Africa. These blankets will be distributed all over India to the needy after the completion of the event.
 This  social cause gives a reason of  making my country proud for coming together just by a THREAD.....
This gives me pleasure which I am sharing with you all.

The picture above here is of  the blanket I handcrafted for the challenge.

Paper napkin holder

This holds special value for me as it  is completely reconstructed from broken pieces of once a' new casing' to hold tissues. Courtesy my son.

Spice powder

This is sauteed curry leaves (Kadipatta)  with spices  which can be pounded or ground to relish as a side dish with main course of Indian food of lentis ( dal) chapatis( unleavened bread) , rice, a vegetable and a  salad which is made in many forms like finely chopped and mixed together with salt and spices or simply sliced,whole, generally considered a complete meal.. 

Rangoli

Hello Friends,

This is the recent 'Rangoli' or geometric pattern I made on the front porch of my house. I enjoy  making different patterns and styles. The white and coloured powders are easily available in the market.
Bye

A Tribute

http://www.acreativebeing.com/

RIP Winkieflash . You will be remembered for your wonderful work. Thanks for the pattern 'crochet mandala'.

Cushion decorated with crocheted flowers!

Crocheted flowers made by me and decorated on the cushion. Pattern courtesy Sarah London.

Quotes

Hi everybody,
A pencil sketch of the 'Simba' from the film 'Lion King' done by me hurriedly for my son, to which he smiled radiantly.

A notebook of 'Quotes' collected  little over a period of  20 yrs from various sources like magzines, newspapers  to which I am still fascinated , so I  scribbled  them  which I now read nostalgically and keep adding to the same collection newer quotes, which impress me the most....

Rangoli

Rangoli

It is an art form practised in India to decorate the houses, the front porch, the garden and is  considered auspicious . The floor is usually cleaned first and the designs and patterns are made with coloured powders or rice flour in geometrical or  freehand in an imaginative way thus giving a  pleasing sight .

The above rangoli is a simple design made from a book on the eve of a 'Hindu' new year falling on 21st march to welcome the new year.

Holi

'Happy Holi', Festival  of Colours In India

The festival signifies unity among diversity and evokes the  feeling of happiness around. It is celebrated through out the country.

Sweets like 'Gujiya', which are sweet deep fried dumplings of pastry sheets shaped in crescent moon made in plastic moulds as pictured above with dry fruits, grated coconut, sugar, milk solids as stuffing are made fresh and shared with family and friends and seek the blessings of elders. Children and all play with dry coloured powders and make merry. It is a festival of renewing the bonds of friendship all over again.

Dahiwada

Hello Everyone!

This is mouthwatering 'Dahiwada' which I made and enjoyed on a Sunday afternoon lunch.These are deep fried lentil dumplings dipped in seasoned, beaten curds.This dish, best enjoyed with sweet and sour 'chatnis' (seasoned sauces) and roasted cumin seed powder, salt, black pepper powder and chopped coriander leaves as garnish.It is best eaten refrigerated for an hour or two.

Mirchi Bhajji (Stuffed chilli Peppers)

Ingredients

Peppers (chilli) 10 in nos. (Washed, patted dry, de-seeded)

Roasted sesame seed powder- 3 Tablespoon
Salt- as per taste
Roasted coriander seed powder- 1 Teaspoon
Thick tamarind juice- 2 Tablespoon
Gram flour- 1 cup (Besan)
Oil- to deep fry
Red chilli powder-1/2 Teaspoon
Turmeric powder- 1/2 Teaspoon
Tomato ketchup

Method

In a bowl mix besan, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, and little salt. Make a paste of batter consistency  using water as per the requirement taking care that no lumps form and the mixture is smooth.

Slit peppers or mirchi lengthwise and deseed. Similarly in another bowl prepare the stuffing mixture for peppers. Take sesame seed powder, tamarind juice, salt, coriander powder, mix well. Stuff this in chilli peppers.

Heat oil in a wok, dip the peppers in prepared paste of gramflour (besan) earlier and drop in heated oil slowly and deep fry until crisp.
Serve hot with tomato ketchup. Enjoy these delicious bhajjis on a rainy day with a cup of hot tea!