Halloween 2024

 My creation! I should start a tag, mom’s journey. 

Navratri and Diwal 2023

 I don’t think I added this post before. We have been doing Golu for Navratri for a few years now. A new addition to the collection is Sai uncles Dasavataram set, bought in Pune 1995.

Also had a wonderful Diwali party at home. My favorite way to decorate the stairs :)

Christmas 2021

 What a year it was, so many up's, a few low's. 

Christmas 2021, though in gifts, was great, the mood (for mommy and daddy) was below par. Lot of reasons, maybe one day when you guys grow up we will talk. 

Meanwhile, here is a picture of you two in front of tree, ready to dig in to the gifts. 

Thanksgiving 2021

 Megha and Tanush, I am so incredibly Thankful this year. I have you both and daddy, a job, a home to live. Always remember, love, food, clothing and a roof over your head will all you will ever need to be happy. Always work hard so you can enjoy the fruits of the hard work. Covid has not been very easy on any of us and for the small joys that we can find, we will be thankful. 

Day started off quite well. I havent baked Turkey as the birds are always too big for our family but I baked a whole chicken, with your favorite seasoning. 

We also had steamed corn, mashed potatoes (with just butter, salt, milk and pepper), pumpkin pie, asparagus, pesto flavored rice, deviled eggs (just some dijon mustard and sour cream) and of course cranberry sauce.

Baking our family favorite chicken: 

Prep the marinade: 

1/2C oil, 

2 tbsp garam masala, 

1/2 tsp each (pepper, paprika, turmeric, chili powder, sugar)

1 tbsp ginger and garlic paste

2 tsp salt

3 tbsp lemon juice

Rub the chicken with the above marinade. Rest for 30 mins (min). Pre heat the oven to 400 F. Roast the chicken for 20 mins. Reduce the heat to 350. Continue cooking for another 40 mins. Remove from oven and rest for at least 10 mins before serving.

We also went for a walk :)

our front yard for Fall 2021

Dusshera 2015

Dusshera was a simple affair at home. We did the Aayudha puja followed by a small puja. Megha wearing her pretty outfit..If there is one thing I realized in the last few years, most of the pictures dont get looked at even twice a year. So, no point in stressing over how to get a perfect picture. These days I just try a few times to get a good picture but dont stress if I dont get one. Just enjoy the moments.

Tanush preferred to wear a onesie.

Puja at home

A week or so before the festival, we went to visit a friend who was doing Batakkama (a special flower festival for Dusshera). It was good fun; cold but fun.

With Mommoma

Diwali 2015

Diwali is one of the festivals I really look forward to every year. This year its extra special as its also Tanush's first Diwali. I woke up early and made quite a few delicacies; I really should have written this post sooner. I completely forgot what I made but I do remember I made quite a few items and mom also made some. This is us before heading to the Richmond Hill temple, Tanush's first visit.

The very same evening Anand was leaving for India. This was at the temple...

Isnt Megha looking so very pretty in that outfit?

In the evening we stopped by at our good friends place for another puja.
We didnt make too many crafts thsi year as I was very busy.

Vinayagar Chaturthi 17th sept 2015

One of my favorite festivals when i was a child (and even today) is Vinayagar Chaturthi. I am the happiest mom on earth when I got to celebrate it with Megha and Tanush (and of course Anand and my parents).
Here are the happy kids:

Here is our Puja table which we managed to put together. We also out some of Megha's books and one soft book from Tanush near the puja table.

We made kozukattai, sweet pongal, sundal, lemon rice and a few other things for lunch. Megha dressed in her new outfit and so did Tanush. He didnt particularly like being in fancy cloths and soon I had to take him out of those cloths.

First Rakhi with Megha and Tanush

Tanush's birth happened right before the festival season began. Here are some of the pictures from the Rakhi festival that happened on August 29th, 2015.

 Tying the Rakhi on her brothers hand...

And finally, the most awaited moment (for Megha), her gift from her brother! A live looking dinosaur! Roooar!

We also sent a cute little Rakhi to Jayeesh.