In the company of trees – the Rhododendron blooms and delights

I sought the company of trees, particularly the Rhododendron trees this past Easter weekend. It felt like a soothing balm for my head as well as the heart. I am currently working for an eating disorders charity - this particular role involves looking after their email service, tending to the many emails, writing, editing, and … Continue reading In the company of trees – the Rhododendron blooms and delights →

A purr(fect) guide to finding joy & losing stress in the cobbled streets of Kaleiçi, Antalya

About three weeks prior to our trip to Antalya, Turkey, my husband and I caught Covid. For the first time ever. While we recovered and tested negative, we still felt drained. What would we do in Antalya, I wondered. Would we just eat and sleep in our hotel room? Turns out that I couldn't be … Continue reading A purr(fect) guide to finding joy & losing stress in the cobbled streets of Kaleiçi, Antalya →

The Gujarati phulka-rotli – a taste of heaven…

On the Gujarati New Year or Bestu Varash as it is called, I admired the stack of neatly piled Gujarati rotlis in the rotli container, known as 'garmu' in Gujarati. They were evenly rolled out, lightly dotted after being carefully roasted for (some seconds on the fire), almost all of them had puffed up, and … Continue reading The Gujarati phulka-rotli – a taste of heaven… →

Diwali customs – some forgotten, some held on to…

On November 12, is Diwali. A festival that's celebrated in many parts of India, and popularly known as the Festival of Lights. While the festival can be called a pan-India celebration, the customs and traditions associated with the five days of Diwali are different depending upon the part of India you call home. As a … Continue reading Diwali customs – some forgotten, some held on to… →

Lithuania in Dublin: Sampling a little bit of their food and culture

The food was set up on beautifully decorated tables (the theme of the décor seemed to be an ode to autumn). There were cured meats, cheeses, sweets, rye bread and many other traditional foods and beverages. There was also a display of how authentic Šakotis (Tree cake) is made in Lithuania. Šakotis means "branched" and it has a distinctive shape. It's baked by painting layers of batter onto a rotating spit over a wood-burning fire in a special oven.

A seven-month hiatus, and some lessons learnt

Those who want to help find a way. Others will send you well-meaning, lifted-from-a-WhatsApp textbook like messages that mean nothing and will never amount to anything. Real help comes in many forms. If someone is sick, facing bereavement or going through something difficult and challenging, you can send meal/s, put together a care package, genuinely listen to them (without interrupting, asking intrusive questions or giving unsolicited advice), help them in ways that they ask for to be helped.

The curry-patta plant, and a flood load of memories

It was abundant and gorgeous, and we never had to buy curry-pata from the vegetable vendor. And it was generous in its bounty and so neither of our neighbours had to buy curry leaves too. It provided for everyone. Whenever we had a guest or a visitor, he or she never went home without a bunch of these precious leaves that are such an essential part of Indian cooking, and the Indian pantry. Whether you are making bateka-poha, sambhar, upma, or a variety of other shaaks or kadhis, the curry-pata leaf is indispensible and lends its distinct flavour to all of these dishes and more.

Have your drink, give me your empty bottles

I grew up surrounded by money plants in bottles that were in the second innings of their lives. Perhaps that is why when I see any 'good looking' alcohol bottles, my first instinct is - when would these be empty of their contents and be mine? Mine to put in dried roses or flowers that I save from withering bouquets, or to put in a feather or a paintbrush?