How Have I Been?

For a while, I had forgotten that my blog existed. I started journalling. But those pages in a closed book cannot beat the comfort of this space, and the ease with which I can type here.

How have I been? I could use some terms to describe. I have been dissociated, zoned out and quite honestly, a little lost. I am not at all missing the irony here.

People ask me that do I maintain a blog. I generally link them to my Instagram, which holds everything and everyone dear to me. This space seems like that far-off island on my bucket list where I wish to go someday.

My boss tells me that if I clear my head out, the writing will also sort itself. Honestly, I don’t know if that day will ever come. I am just not in a great mood, and probably, I will take this on, if I have something of substance to say.

Of tiny joys and culinary adventures

A famous person once said, “A recipe has no soul. You as the cook must bring soul to the recipe.” I am sure this person must have been a great cook because I cannot cook anything even to save my life. Being a writer, my words might have soul. Unfortunately, those do not get transferred into pans and pots. People often wonder what will I feed my husband and his family, to which I say that I will marry a chef (I know that is quite a lame response).

Ignoring the comments of my ‘loved’ ones about my culinary skills, my father loves my oval shaped semi cooked rotis. He enjoys the ‘delicious’ watery dal and the spicy ‘aloo mutter’ sabzi.’ That day too was no different. Papa was coming home after a long work-trip and I had not been able to buy something for him. I had made a card for him in my scrawly handwriting along with my crayons.

The fifteen year old me’s excitement was beyond measure. Ma was visiting the relatives. I had decided to take charge of the kitchen and cook a scrumptious meal for my father. In those times, the internet was something novel. Nobody knew about food apps just the way nobody is aware about life on mars. My aunt had dictated the recipe to me over the phone. I went to the market and got all the necessary ingredients before this ‘culinary experiment’ began.

The menu for the day was Puri Bhaji, Pulao along with curd. (I know I was too ambitious for my age). Papa was going to reach home at 9:00 pm. I began with my adventure at 7:30 in the evening. Being a novice, I had no idea how much an onion could make me cry besides homework and science. I started mincing the onion. I was certain that the rivers that poured from my eyes were deeper than the rivers of India.

To ease my cooking shenanigans, I decided to play some music. While Jennifer Lopez could not stop waiting for tonight, I could not stop dancing along to the beat. And then, catastrophe struck! Instead of salt, I put a humble serving of sugar in the bhaji. Panic spread all over me. To counter balance the sugar, I added some salt. I was missing Ma’s expertise in the kitchen. I cursed myself and stamped my foot in anger. Must say that I was jumping around better than a spring.

Luckily, my oval-shaped puris did not burn and there was something in the menu that tasted the way it should. Forget about proper shapes. That is the ‘moh-maaya’ of the culinary world.

Next up was Pulao. I thought how hard it can be. Just rice and some vegetables mixed together. Well, that impression was about to change. I glanced at the clock and it was already 8:15. My knife started moving faster than Schumacher’s car. In my hurry, ‘amchoor’ powder became the new ‘garam’ masala. Oblivious to my error, I chopped up some vegetables into clunky pieces. I had prepared something that at least looked like Pulao.

It was just a little past 9:00 and the doorbell rang. I ran to open the door and there stood Papa with his entire luggage and the biggest smile ever. I gave him the tightest hug. I had already set the table and after freshening up, it was decision time. He tore the puri and dipped into the bhaji. For a micro second, his expression changed but he continued with a smile. He loved the crunch of my pulao. Papa told me that maybe I may have missed the recipe ingredients, but love, one of the most important ingredients was rich in my food.

That evening with papa was perfect, even if the food was not. But had TinyOwl been around during those times, I think nothing would be lacking. Thank to this app, you will not have to put yourself through the misadventures of the culinary world. You will not have to jump around with a broken toe after adding the wrong ingredient. You can choose a restaurant as per your cuisine choice and also enjoy quick delivery of your meal. A tasty meal and some heartfelt conversations make a perfect evening.

So for such wonderful evenings, make sure you have TinyOwl installed on your android (click here) and iOS phones (click here).

What makes our little smile makers smile?

Babies are little bundles of joy. Their smile is enough to melt people’s hearts who get freaked out by these little ones. But, don’t consider them to be any less. When they start crying, they can take the entire house on their tiny heads. The reasons could be many. It could be hunger or getting up from their sleep and the other one, which people cringe at, soiled diapers.

Unlike us adults, they don’t have a boss on their head who can make them tear up or crazy work pressure to be the reason for their greys or a cranky loved one, who in turn makes them cranky. Their reasons are as simple as a soiled diaper.

Now my little niece, when she cries, I actually start doubting her age. 1 year old and such a shrill cry. It’s very easy to make her smile once she has her dry diaper on. For instance, there are times when she starts moving her hands up and down with the cutest smile on her face. And the best part is when I join in. The sound of her laugh is pleasing than the most melodious song ever.

The best part is to see her sleep once she has been changed. She canvasses the entire bed and she has an elaborate ritual, which lasts up to a few minutes and includes her yawning, stretching her hands and moving around the bed and then finally opening her big brown eyes. One year old and she already does all this.

Recently, when she had visited her grandparents’ home, we were all a little too worried because they have a dog in their bungalow. A big black dog. I used to get nightmares. What if she gets ill? What if the dog scares her? You know, I am just an overthinking aunt. But, to my surprise, after my sister used to give her a bath and change her diaper and the usual routine of powder and what not, my niece used to keep following the dog. It was he, who was scared of her. He was petrified of my cute niece. Also, he was a little jealous as she was getting all his attention. But, nevertheless, he adored her too.

I thought diapers were just like a usual thing for children, but dry diapers definitely have magical powers. Children stop being cranky. They actually smile more and freely move around without any rash that is a cause of trouble for them.

All the newbie moms and dads, you might want to check out the offerings of Pampers here: https://www.rewardme.in/tag/Pampers

Watch how Pampers Baby Dry Pants can make your little one’s day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTlVOdovIZ8

Their new range is quite a lifesaver as the dryness is from within and you can be assured that your baby will be a happy and definitely rash-free one. With these on, be ready to chase your baby as they get a new surge of energy and power to become more mischievous and of course! Spread more smiles.