Happy New Year 2011

2010 came conquered and leaving in 2 hours! I am home alone with my youngest son, Bhaarath who is recovering from German measles. My friends came over to accompany me, and it has been a quiet gentle day. I am waiting for Siva and Arjoonha to be home from Melaka! 2010 and 2011 is just a difference of another day but no one on earth will feel the same tonight as the new year approaches. Each will be in his thoughts, taking account of the year gone by and looking forward to the possibilities of a new year. New year resolutions to be made and everyone will strive to do better..isn't the spirit of this evening amazing to spend similar thoughts and feelings throughout the planet. I am so thankful for all that I have been blessed with and am so thankful! Looking forward to 2011, may the days be gentle, may it be filled with music, may it be spent with loved ones, may trouble forget me, may contentment fill me, may I give more then I receive.

Building character

My kids are going to be 8 and 5. Having a live in maid meaning most houseworks are done for you and you have someone there all the time to help. That is great, as you can do so much more but the downside of it is we become too reliant on the maid, and kids do not seem to be able to pick up after themselves. We have been pretty firm with them needing to do things for themselves, but they haven't started on doing chores. Have started them right away. I can think of so many to get them to do. Washing dishes, making beds, feeding pet, vacuuming, washing car, ...And to make it all fun..am gonna create a point system. Each chore has a certain point to it. And we can see how many points they collect monthly and that will be converted to something. For example 20 points, and extra hour on the nintendo, 50 points a McDonald burger..that way they earn it and something to look forward to...okay off to do the chart!!!!

Don't sweat the small stuff!

My Acer Aspire net book crashed yesterday, now I hear how crappy acer net book is, and my apartment's pipe busted yesterday, and my sore throat came back with a vengeance. Now do I fret and whine? But I look at my kids they are healthy and good, my hubby grumpy but he is there, my life so rich with friends and family, and I can't bring my self to whine nor be down! I have so much to be thankful for! Thank you!

Wholemeal Cinnamon buns!

We think something is very difficult even before attempting it...I have always thot making good loaves of bread is difficult what more making cinnamon buns!! Bun it's not difficult once you know how to and have the right ingredients. And I am ecstatic as with the whole meal bread dough I made some cinnamon buns..with brown sugar and cinnamon, raisin and walnuts and it was yummy, soft and moist...And I made 2 loaves of bread, one to give away...And now my sister once one and my colleagues too..and I am out of bread flour and wholemeal flour...I need to bake more to be given away for thursday...baking and learning to bake bread was one of my 2010 resolution, and fullfilled at the tail end of the year............Home made bread is here to stay!

Bread Glorious Bread

I have always wanted to bake bread, knead it, see it rise, punch it and form it and bake it...and fill the house with the smell of freshly baked bread. I got a 4 star recipe, and bought all the ingredients...organic bread flour and whole meal flour, honey and yeast...I baked a loaf, baked small buns with chocolate chips and it tasted so good..densed, moist and heavy!!! I am overjoyed..I am going to repeat this recipe very soon and add on some flaxseeds and sunflower seeds. I am going to bake as often as I can and try out new breads..and fill my family up with wholesome bread. I am going to bring a loaf of bread when i visit a friend, as a gift...it's going to be all about bread from,now on..Will this addiction last...and if it last...I will reward myself with a KitchenAid ...or a breadmaker..or both? It is is absolutely therapeutic to dip your hands into risen bread ..........And then seeing your kids spreading the butter and jam on it and devouring it.....Such satisfaction.

Rainy days are so cosy!

December is totally wet. It rains every other day and I so love it. Amidst the cool weather my heart warms up! Also because I love seeing my kids having carefree days with no schools and exams to worry about! Love love love December. Had a long great conversation today with a friend and it was all about forgiving and moving forward, seeing the good in people and the importance of spiritual education for our children. And the conversation made me lighter, happier and hopeful. Sometimes a great conversation with a good friend is the perfect thing ons rainy wainy day.

The sweetness of Friendship

Friends are totally important to me, they are an extension of family to me. I am happiest being with friends and family. Through the years I have learnt that with friends we must give without expecting, and with different friends I am comfortable to share different aspects of my life. I have friends whom I can call at anytime of the day, friends to talk about children, friends to talk about work, friends to talk about spiritual aspects and all of them enriches my life in different ways, and makes this journey of life so much easier and meaningful. I can't imagine not having them in my life. The times spent with friends over a cup of coffee, in the hospital cafeteria, curled up in the sofa, in the car..are special moments. Everyone...especially every girl must have good friends...as others can come and go but good girlfriends are forever!  My resolution for 2011 is not to take them for granted and to spend quality time with each of them.

December 2010

I can't believe it's December 2010, and very soon the year is over with all it's glory! I still remember like it was yesterday, that I was lining up all the resolutions for this year...I cant even remember half of it and definitely did not stick by most of it. This year has been a great year overall...I have been so very blessed in all the areas of my life, I really could not ask for more, while saying this i am feeling nervous knowing that 'To those much is given, much is expected'!! This is the month to reflect for all that has gone right and not so right, and what I could have done better. And more resolutions for next year...definitely..there will always be new resolutions...I want to be a better person next year then I have been this year. More then anything I want to be a great mother, a patient wife, and wonderful sibling, a thoughtful daughter a fun and understanding friend, a useful citizen of the world, and I want to be kind and fair to myself!!! 2011...I am so ready for you.... please shower me with sunshine, green grass, with love and fun, with God and money, with family and friends, with great moments, and manageable challenges, with new experience and gentle weather...