bake a cake

If you are sighing," Oh! Another recipe for a cake from a- stay -at -home- mom!", rest assured this is not one of those. Its just that, I like to bake a cake when I am stressed out. The mixing together of the sugar and the eggs infuses me with new energy. The blending together of the flour that releases the rich chocolaty colour and rich texture excites me.

Pop it into the oven . And gradually your house is taken over by a delicious chocolateyyy...( pl xcuse me dictionary) aroma that transforms it into a home. And when the children come home in the evening, ( well! I am a part- time - stay-at-home-mom) and bite into a warm chunk of buttery chocolate cake with a grin , you know every bit was worth it. It fills you with bliss and satisfaction, when every crumb is wiped off the plate.

I guess creating anything is blissful. It is calming to know for yourself, that you have achieved something. And being appreciated for it , is like icing on the cake. But I like my cakes without the icing.I mean, when it comes to eating them. The ones with the icing are a little messy. The home baked ones have more warmth in them, like the pullovers that are hand-knitted and require you to stand many number of trials with your back turned.

When I am tired or feeling blue, I trip to the kitchen and reach out to my old friends, to pep me up!

No TV

Courtesy Google Images

     People have always looked at us with incredulity written large on their face when we tell them that we don't own a TV. Their various expressions and responses can be translated into "Are you crazy?"One of my in-laws went to the extent of saying "Don't worry, I'll lend you the money". We found these responses quite amusing. And no, we were not trying to be "different" in an adolescent way. What began as an experiment, soon became a habit. We found the TV intrusive. But of course we had our adjustment blues.

   Let me start at the very beginning.The brainwave occurred to me when my husband was posted to Dehradun. We were moving from the lovely Wellington in the Nilgiris. As is the habit we were disposing certain stuff, and TV happened to be one of the casualties. Prior to this ,we have had our share of family warfare ,on the issues of channel surfing. On reaching the new place I said "No TV". My husband was confused ( You see he is an irrevocable cricket addict!) But he was a sport and went along with the plan. Those were difficult days for him. You could say he was going through withdrawal symptoms. He was glued to the phone as some kind colleagues consented to give him a ball by ball telephonic commentary. When we were around any market area, he could be found hovering around little kiosks or big stores that had TV in them. My daughter couldn't be dragged out of my neighbour's house. There were times I felt guilty and asked him to buy one. But maybe he was gradually getting used to natural sounds( of which Dehradun had plenty to offer). We were talking more often and not just in monosyllables.
           

Coutesy Google Images

   It was liberating . Suddenly our lives were no longer dictated by the inane serials and loud , sensationalizing news channels. . We had the time to pursue hobbies and 'listen' to each other. And we did not feel like misfits in society. Our daughter certainly didn't grow up as an underdeveloped and deprived individual. The time gained was utilised with some habits like reading, sharing thoughts and ideas . The journey into discovery had begun. This does not mean that every thing on TV is mindless. It has its moments of glory and sensibility. But we like our life without the electronic media as of now.

its just me!

I am a little nervous, wary and a bit excited. You see this is my first blog! I was always curious about the entire thing. It was while going through my long lost friend ( may I call you that?) PreetiShenoy's blog that really prompted me to take the baby steps. My husband Siddhartha was always egging me on and today I take the plunge.But blogging is just one of the things which I wanted to do. I would like to take off on a trip on my own at my own pace ,without any guilt pangs.It must be a beautiful place under the ocean which I would like to experience...Do a jig right in the middle of the road...live in a tree house a la phantom style and spend some moonlit nights on the beach in the jade hut with my husband....Well the fantasies and wishes can never be reined in. Yes I would definitely tell my girls to give everything a try for you may never know what you are missing in life.