Indian Summer!!!

 There is nothing like home!

The season every Indian dreads turned out to be quite a blessing for me. I landed in India to a full day current cut due to some maintenance at the electricity board. We didn't loose hope. We planned an awesome lunch get together at my aunt P's personal terrace. We kids played cricket (Yes, we always are kids!!!!) in the evening with tea breaks in between the noisy game. We gossiped, pulled each others leg and had loads of neer mor (buttermilk) to keep the heat away. I finally realized that happiness is in one's own hand. This is what 2011 has given me: Patience and happiness no matter what. After a heavy dinner, my mom also made some kashayam (herbal drink, usually bitter-sweet) to ease the digestion  for all of us which was surprisingly gulped  down by all of us in seconds. In midst of all the laughter, we forgot how bitter the kashayam was.

Not to forget my aunt L's magical fingers; the heavenly oil massage before bath and applying vicks before I go to sleep made me just forget the whole world! I no longer needed any TV, music or books to relax. She does have magical fingers...or may be it is just love :).

Grandma S's Kashayam

What is summer without mangoes? Some diced mangoes with thair sadam (curd rice) and avakkai (mango)
pickle is an elixir for all. I just can't wait to start shopping next week when my jet lag is all gone. India is a shopping paradise now and some shopping does a lot for my good health :P. Thanks to my aunt L and uncle R's nice-nice goodies. One unique sweet I tasted this time is called, "sweet idli" from K C Das. It so much looked like idlies rubbed with molagai/milagai podi but was a reminiscent to rosagulla in taste.

Not to forget the old n gold bonds. My grandma M's repertoire of advices while feeding me badam halwa everyday and Grandma S's crotchet tips are so very special. My aunt R's unquestioning support, love and friendship tempts me to pretend to be sick so that she would stay a tad bit longer :P. I have decided to buy an Indian food processor to take to US. I would love to know which one you guys would recommend. I recently saw a prestige maestro that looked great. Nevertheless, do let me know . I would love something with good motor speed.

Aunt R and Myself :)

To all those away from home: make a trip ASAP! It is totally worth every bit of it!Not to forget amma's home made Pani puri feast at tea time. Yummmmm. Try adding healthy ingredients like sprouted moong, cooked lentils and vegetables as filling. Thanks to appa's temple trips and timely jokes to make us laugh during the evenings.

Mini's Golgappe Treat!

There is nothing like home and home is truly heaven, even with its imperfections like slow internet, bad traffic and load shedding. I am in love with it for all the love, joy and fun it showers on me. I would kill to eat these gol gappe's everyday made in a jiffy by amma and I am sure you guys feel the same with different stories to share. Waiting to hear from your side.