Showing posts with label ishita. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ishita. Show all posts
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Long time...
Just a shout out to any BUFers who still visit :)! There's been no activity here for a while but I drop by to read through old posts and relive some of the memories of those days. This space was special :) ... always will be!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Better late than never (Ishita)
About time I put up a post here!!! I meant to do so earlier but got caught up with stuff at home (been updating my blog with whatever's on with me)....BUF is one blog that I have followed through out my self imposed break. There were days when I would get to BUF even without going through my own blog :) ... I must thank those of you who still get here for sustaining it. Though I do miss the ones who well aren't around. But then I tell myself just as I had reasons to stay away, I am sure they have theirs.
I won't put an update on my life. Most of you know it all :)
I will however make a topic suggestion. It's quite a simple one really. How about a topic called "I recommend..." so basically u can write about whatever u want to recommend to people...a book, a dish, a movie, a blog, clothes, places to visit, suggestions to improve BUF!, blogging tips....u have an idea to recommend...just go ahead write about it!
I'll get back once I work on mine :) ...
Of course apart from Kesh and Amit no one's been posting regularly here...but BUF's a blog and even one person is enough to make it work :) ... I'll do my bit and send out a mail to everyone (just presuming that some don't get here at all and hence don't know what's going on...or if anythings on at all!)
That's it for now :) ... I'll be back!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Birthday Wishes for the ever-special KESHI! :)
Wishing you the best always and all the love, happiness and joy you wish for!"Instead of counting candles,
Or tallying the years,
Contemplate your blessings,
As your birthday nears.
Consider special people
Who love you, and who care,
And others who’ve enriched your life
Just by being there.
Think about the memories
Passing years can never mar,
Experiences great and small
That have made you who you are.
Another year is a happy gift,
So cut your cake, and say,
"Instead of counting birthdays,
I count blessings every day!"
By Joanna Fuchs
Who love you, and who care,
And others who’ve enriched your life
Just by being there.
Think about the memories
Passing years can never mar,
Experiences great and small
That have made you who you are.
Another year is a happy gift,
So cut your cake, and say,
"Instead of counting birthdays,
I count blessings every day!"
By Joanna Fuchs
Someday we're going to sit together and share a yummy yummy birthday cake, what say Kesh? :) ... *hugggzzz*
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
The Good and the Bad.... (Ishita)
::: Hey Amit… I know you had a post ready for today but I’ll be off again till next week, so here’s one from me :)
A few lines about BUF before I get on with my choice of topic!
Once upon a time there was a blog with a whole lot of faces – familiar and new. With bloggers who wanted to share and be part of a group with a common love for writing and expressing their views. Some were old friends, some didn’t really see eye to eye. What seemed like a successful idea then turned ugly when opinions clashed and personalities overshadowed the basic premise of friendship. Bruised egos walked away and some who simply didn’t get involved but despised the constant bickering, preferred to stay away. What remains now are a handful (?) of people genuinely interested in the idea of keeping a space called “Between Friends” and some who silently stay on for they feel walking away would seem so frivolous and probably they feel their non involvement is a way to keep out of unnecessary conflict.
Anyway… every time I get back to do a post here on BUF, I can’t help but make an observation on the rather dismal state of the blog and us who seem to be waging a losing battle to keep it going….as they say *sigh*…
So if you’ve managed to read through the last two paragraphs without rolling your eyes and going “not againnnn ishiii!!”, here’s my take on one of the several interesting topics put up by Amit :)
I’ll write about the first one “Compliments and Brickbats” but in a different context. I’m simply going to narrate two instances here in blogsville where I felt really good and one which made me think about what could be termed as an observation that made me look within and change myself.
The first one is rather easy and has to do with a random comment I received for one of my blog posts where a guy had put up one of my posts (in fact my only attempt at writing a story) in his blog and spoke of how reading it had inspired him to take up blogging too. Coming from a complete stranger, this one instance gave me a whole new high :) and of course a lot more confidence in my ability to express myself in words! It made me believe that through my words I can make a difference…
The second instance of a negative situation
has a lot to do with the way I handled BUF and still do. And here is where I have learnt a lot about myself and my sensitivity to issues which at times I should have simply let be. To get so passionately involved in a diverse group is bound to give rise to some unpleasant situations and put us in situations where we find ourselves making difficult choices or forcing others to do the same. It took me time to learn to think and not to simply feel… or should I say use my head and not my heart to define my equations with people. That I guess saves us from a lot of emotional upheavals and constant hurt.
Either instance – positive and negative – worked towards making me a better individual. I may never be satisfied enough to say I am happy with the kind of person I am but I know that IF I am constantly learning and getting better, I think that’s more than enough to keep me feeling positive and hopeful about each new day!!
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
- Maya Angelou quotes
A few lines about BUF before I get on with my choice of topic!
Once upon a time there was a blog with a whole lot of faces – familiar and new. With bloggers who wanted to share and be part of a group with a common love for writing and expressing their views. Some were old friends, some didn’t really see eye to eye. What seemed like a successful idea then turned ugly when opinions clashed and personalities overshadowed the basic premise of friendship. Bruised egos walked away and some who simply didn’t get involved but despised the constant bickering, preferred to stay away. What remains now are a handful (?) of people genuinely interested in the idea of keeping a space called “Between Friends” and some who silently stay on for they feel walking away would seem so frivolous and probably they feel their non involvement is a way to keep out of unnecessary conflict.
Anyway… every time I get back to do a post here on BUF, I can’t help but make an observation on the rather dismal state of the blog and us who seem to be waging a losing battle to keep it going….as they say *sigh*…
So if you’ve managed to read through the last two paragraphs without rolling your eyes and going “not againnnn ishiii!!”, here’s my take on one of the several interesting topics put up by Amit :)
I’ll write about the first one “Compliments and Brickbats” but in a different context. I’m simply going to narrate two instances here in blogsville where I felt really good and one which made me think about what could be termed as an observation that made me look within and change myself.
The first one is rather easy and has to do with a random comment I received for one of my blog posts where a guy had put up one of my posts (in fact my only attempt at writing a story) in his blog and spoke of how reading it had inspired him to take up blogging too. Coming from a complete stranger, this one instance gave me a whole new high :) and of course a lot more confidence in my ability to express myself in words! It made me believe that through my words I can make a difference…The second instance of a negative situation
has a lot to do with the way I handled BUF and still do. And here is where I have learnt a lot about myself and my sensitivity to issues which at times I should have simply let be. To get so passionately involved in a diverse group is bound to give rise to some unpleasant situations and put us in situations where we find ourselves making difficult choices or forcing others to do the same. It took me time to learn to think and not to simply feel… or should I say use my head and not my heart to define my equations with people. That I guess saves us from a lot of emotional upheavals and constant hurt.Either instance – positive and negative – worked towards making me a better individual. I may never be satisfied enough to say I am happy with the kind of person I am but I know that IF I am constantly learning and getting better, I think that’s more than enough to keep me feeling positive and hopeful about each new day!!
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”- Maya Angelou quotes
Thursday, March 13, 2008
These are few of my favorite "times" (Ishita)
I mentioned it in my comment in Amit’s post that my fav time would ideally be mid morning! Yes it’s when I am alone and free do what I please at my own pace and in my own space … But, when I sit down to give it a serious thought, my fav time is not a certain time of the day but rather made up by moments in a day which could come up at any random time :)
What’s that you ask? Simple! It’s made up by moments when Vedant gets all cute and cuddly with me, when he’s being indulgent and the times when he says the funniest things. These happen spontaneously and can make me smile just like that!
Nowadays there’s yet another feeling and that’s when I feel the lil one move in me (not kicking yet but more like a fluttering feeling...sometimes a like a nudge :P). It’s a familiar feeling that I’d forgotten in the past many years and one that has me as excited each time as I was the first time I felt it!
It’s also in time spent with R when we’re simply talking about stuff and watching a show we like or munching on our fav snack along with our fav cup of tea!
Of course, when friends drop by and time spent with them chit chatting, sharing a meal and better still when they stay over :) … more the merrier!
And having our extended family visit us!
I guess people, occasions matter to me more because I spend a lot of time by myself at home and unlike others who lead a hectic working life, I don’t crave solitude. I get a fair share of that after all!
But a few months more and I will be back to a hectic schedule…back to sleepless nights…and days!! And a long wait to a regular, monotonous schedule!
So I guess till then, I’m gonna savour every moment of my “alone” time once R and V leave for work and school respectively… :) … writing random posts, surfing good ol blogs, watching my fav shows on TV, reading a book, munching on snacks, sipping my cup of milk, playing “spider solitaire” or “scrabble”….chatting with friends online or on the phone… *sigh*…time flies right? :)
What’s that you ask? Simple! It’s made up by moments when Vedant gets all cute and cuddly with me, when he’s being indulgent and the times when he says the funniest things. These happen spontaneously and can make me smile just like that!
Nowadays there’s yet another feeling and that’s when I feel the lil one move in me (not kicking yet but more like a fluttering feeling...sometimes a like a nudge :P). It’s a familiar feeling that I’d forgotten in the past many years and one that has me as excited each time as I was the first time I felt it!
It’s also in time spent with R when we’re simply talking about stuff and watching a show we like or munching on our fav snack along with our fav cup of tea!Of course, when friends drop by and time spent with them chit chatting, sharing a meal and better still when they stay over :) … more the merrier!
And having our extended family visit us!
I guess people, occasions matter to me more because I spend a lot of time by myself at home and unlike others who lead a hectic working life, I don’t crave solitude. I get a fair share of that after all!But a few months more and I will be back to a hectic schedule…back to sleepless nights…and days!! And a long wait to a regular, monotonous schedule!
So I guess till then, I’m gonna savour every moment of my “alone” time once R and V leave for work and school respectively… :) … writing random posts, surfing good ol blogs, watching my fav shows on TV, reading a book, munching on snacks, sipping my cup of milk, playing “spider solitaire” or “scrabble”….chatting with friends online or on the phone… *sigh*…time flies right? :)
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUF! (Ishita)
"3rd March was the day it all started a year ago. Where was I this time? Caught up with my life like most of us BUFers...atleast those who still get around here sometimes. Well, I can't believe I let it slip away unannounced...*sigh*
A year completed. A year drifted away...
With a wish of love and happiness for all the people who were, are and will be a part of this...space...I can't help but wonder if this is simply the beginning of the end of what was once a beautiful blog to be a part of and which still tugs at my heart making me long for the people who once made it the crazy funfilled place it was...
But hey, we still have some of us who still find time to share our thoughts, lives, ideas, creativity with each other :) and I've always been one to believe in what we have rather than get negative about what's no longer there!
It takes a lot to walk past differences, to be your own person and yet accept the differences in others...for those who survive in BUF, it shows you guys are special and believe in making things...ideas, relationships....work.
Thank you all and although belated :)...wishing us all
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUF! and BUFers!!! "
A year completed. A year drifted away...
With a wish of love and happiness for all the people who were, are and will be a part of this...space...I can't help but wonder if this is simply the beginning of the end of what was once a beautiful blog to be a part of and which still tugs at my heart making me long for the people who once made it the crazy funfilled place it was...
But hey, we still have some of us who still find time to share our thoughts, lives, ideas, creativity with each other :) and I've always been one to believe in what we have rather than get negative about what's no longer there!
It takes a lot to walk past differences, to be your own person and yet accept the differences in others...for those who survive in BUF, it shows you guys are special and believe in making things...ideas, relationships....work.
Thank you all and although belated :)...wishing us all
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUF! and BUFers!!! "
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Wishing you all love, happiness and joy! Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Happy Birthday Uttsy! :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY UTTSY!! :)"Special wishes of love, joy and happiness to our sunshine girl :)! Hope the year ahead brings true all your wishes and you find the happiness you truly deserve. Stay smiling and warm the hearts of all of us with your eternal cheer!"
Friday, February 1, 2008
I, me and BUF... (Ishita)
Hmmm… Not that I intended to get here today and do a post. But I guess it’s become necessary to do so. For one thing I haven’t made a formal announcement of my extended break from BUF though I have blogged about it in my ‘personal’ blog to which some of you do have access but it’s a different story that not many get around it. And of course another reason for this post is simply to question the absence of many of us from BUF. I think I know why Kesh feels the way she does right now because I’ve been through the same feelings many times over here on BUF. Every single time someone’s walked away with or without a reason. I don't know if reading this will change your mind about staying or leaving Kesh. But I know for a fact BUF won't be the same without you....
BUF by the way…just in case any of you didn’t notice…will be completing a year in March (and almost touching the 450 post mark...this one's no. 449) and amazingly it feels like more than a year has passed by when I look at the way BUF’s been. Personally, I think I lost more than gained here. But the optimist in me chooses to look at the positives rather than the negatives. That’s simply the way I’ve conditioned my mind. It may not always be realistic but it works for me.
I guess in many ways the loss of friends from BUF doesn’t hurt as much because I do still keep in touch out of BUF. What hurts is the loss of BUF as I thought it would be…could be….should have been. A huge part of my resentment lies in the way I probably handled it. I sometimes get confused as to which is the right approach. When I would email frequently and do updates and send out personal mails etc etc, some termed it pushy and asked for more freedom to post per will. When I made BUF more flexible and open, I found BUFer’s losing interest. I’m not sure what works best for BUF….or maybe BUF doesn’t work at all? It’s an idea like many that just fizzles away once the novelty is gone…maybe that’s it?
But I don’t want to sit and analyse it all here. I’ve been more or less off blogging and the virtual world for the past month…though the blogger in me does do the random post now and then on “Daily Dose” (my personal space). It has a lot to do with some changes in my personal life. These are days of complete relaxation and anticipation for me. I’ve been told to stay completely stress free so I intend to keep it that way!! I’m superstitious I guess which is why I won’t blog about it openly but you’re free to make your own guesses :)
And yes, my past experience in being an active BUFer has been anything but stress free :P … No seriously, I enjoyed it (despite the many mistakes I might have made) but the times when issues cropped up took a huge toll on me and people living around me, which is why I’ve been advised to stay off BUF in terms of handling stuff around here.
Of course that would mean having someone else or everyone taking the onus of keeping BUF going. I’d rather everyone did so. Make your suggestions in the shoutbox., do an occasional update, wish each other on your special days….etc. Just be interactive and hang around chit chatting. No one gets around here anymore…. It’s simply sad :( *sigh*
I will be back you know. I can’t be kept away forever. But I’m wondering what will I come back to? That’s the thought that plays on my mind….the answer to which I dread.
That’s all for now…I’m hoping some of u will drop by to read and comment and maybe come up with some answers.
4th February and 5th February are special days … Deepthi and Uttara’s birthday respectively! Nope I’m not wishing you yet :P but I hope to be around and write on your day uttsy :)!
9th February is Rajbir and Kavita's anniversary...another milestone...another year of togetherness :)
24th February is also an old long missing BUFer and dear friend to many...Kathy's anniversary. Miss u girl!
I haven’t accessed the team mailbox in ages. If I’ve missed any special days, I sincerely apologise. It’s not intentional at all and I want to thank Rajbir for the lovely dedication for Messy. Hope you had a lovely day and have many more such special and happy birthdays :)
Wishing you all a whole lot of reasons to smile :)
Ishi
BUF by the way…just in case any of you didn’t notice…will be completing a year in March (and almost touching the 450 post mark...this one's no. 449) and amazingly it feels like more than a year has passed by when I look at the way BUF’s been. Personally, I think I lost more than gained here. But the optimist in me chooses to look at the positives rather than the negatives. That’s simply the way I’ve conditioned my mind. It may not always be realistic but it works for me.
I guess in many ways the loss of friends from BUF doesn’t hurt as much because I do still keep in touch out of BUF. What hurts is the loss of BUF as I thought it would be…could be….should have been. A huge part of my resentment lies in the way I probably handled it. I sometimes get confused as to which is the right approach. When I would email frequently and do updates and send out personal mails etc etc, some termed it pushy and asked for more freedom to post per will. When I made BUF more flexible and open, I found BUFer’s losing interest. I’m not sure what works best for BUF….or maybe BUF doesn’t work at all? It’s an idea like many that just fizzles away once the novelty is gone…maybe that’s it?
But I don’t want to sit and analyse it all here. I’ve been more or less off blogging and the virtual world for the past month…though the blogger in me does do the random post now and then on “Daily Dose” (my personal space). It has a lot to do with some changes in my personal life. These are days of complete relaxation and anticipation for me. I’ve been told to stay completely stress free so I intend to keep it that way!! I’m superstitious I guess which is why I won’t blog about it openly but you’re free to make your own guesses :)
And yes, my past experience in being an active BUFer has been anything but stress free :P … No seriously, I enjoyed it (despite the many mistakes I might have made) but the times when issues cropped up took a huge toll on me and people living around me, which is why I’ve been advised to stay off BUF in terms of handling stuff around here.
Of course that would mean having someone else or everyone taking the onus of keeping BUF going. I’d rather everyone did so. Make your suggestions in the shoutbox., do an occasional update, wish each other on your special days….etc. Just be interactive and hang around chit chatting. No one gets around here anymore…. It’s simply sad :( *sigh*
I will be back you know. I can’t be kept away forever. But I’m wondering what will I come back to? That’s the thought that plays on my mind….the answer to which I dread.
That’s all for now…I’m hoping some of u will drop by to read and comment and maybe come up with some answers.
4th February and 5th February are special days … Deepthi and Uttara’s birthday respectively! Nope I’m not wishing you yet :P but I hope to be around and write on your day uttsy :)!
9th February is Rajbir and Kavita's anniversary...another milestone...another year of togetherness :)
24th February is also an old long missing BUFer and dear friend to many...Kathy's anniversary. Miss u girl!
I haven’t accessed the team mailbox in ages. If I’ve missed any special days, I sincerely apologise. It’s not intentional at all and I want to thank Rajbir for the lovely dedication for Messy. Hope you had a lovely day and have many more such special and happy birthdays :)
Wishing you all a whole lot of reasons to smile :)
Ishi
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Birthday Wishes for Yashita (Ishita)
"Today is your birthday to celebrateFor you to be a star...
So let your loved ones cheer
And say how special you are!
A year of fun and happiness
Is my Birthday wish for you
You are someone special
And your birthday should be too! :)"
HAPPY BIRTHDAY YASHITA!!!!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
New Year & Resolutions! (Ishita)
Looks like everyone’s already settled into the xmas and new year holiday mode judging by the lack of posts here!!
Well, before I do the same…thought I’d better get here and do a post on one of the several topics set out in the last update.
I choose “New Year” & "Resolutions"
I believe in this superstition that how I spend my b’day and new year (1st Jan) more or less defines how the rest of the year is going to be :P … for instance if I spend it meeting new friends and travelling, I’ll be doing a lot of it the following year. That may not necessarily be the case but I believe in it all the same and maybe that’s why I always try to keep myself in a positive frame of mind!!! If nothing else at least I won’t be caught moping the whole year through! :)
This New Years I am looking forward to time spent at home with the family. I haven’t been keeping too well off late and the medication I’m on makes me terribly drowsy and when I’m home alone it’s tempting enough to sleep away the hours!! But with everyone home I’m kept busy and on my toes which is what I look forward to this holiday season!
I’m terrible with New Year resolutions like most of us are! But one New Year I promised myself I’d improve my cooking skills and I guess that I did that to a certain extent! Making one out of three resolutions work is fair enough I guess!!
I don’t intend making any new ones this year but I hope to live up to my favourite expression – “take each day as it comes” – being less presumptuous and having no unreal expectations from life and esp. people. I sense a need to change myself in this respect and be more realistic about change which as I have learnt over time is inevitable!
Speaking of presumptions, I do have this feeling in me that the year ahead is going to be eventful in many ways. Enough to keep me busy busy busy...*sigh* time will tell I guess!....ooops, there u go!!! At this rate I'll never stick to my wish!!! :D
On this rather thoughtful note, I wish everyone at BUF and beyond the best holiday season and a wonderful year ahead with family, friends and loved ones! Stay special!
Well, before I do the same…thought I’d better get here and do a post on one of the several topics set out in the last update.
I choose “New Year” & "Resolutions"
I believe in this superstition that how I spend my b’day and new year (1st Jan) more or less defines how the rest of the year is going to be :P … for instance if I spend it meeting new friends and travelling, I’ll be doing a lot of it the following year. That may not necessarily be the case but I believe in it all the same and maybe that’s why I always try to keep myself in a positive frame of mind!!! If nothing else at least I won’t be caught moping the whole year through! :)
This New Years I am looking forward to time spent at home with the family. I haven’t been keeping too well off late and the medication I’m on makes me terribly drowsy and when I’m home alone it’s tempting enough to sleep away the hours!! But with everyone home I’m kept busy and on my toes which is what I look forward to this holiday season!I’m terrible with New Year resolutions like most of us are! But one New Year I promised myself I’d improve my cooking skills and I guess that I did that to a certain extent! Making one out of three resolutions work is fair enough I guess!!
I don’t intend making any new ones this year but I hope to live up to my favourite expression – “take each day as it comes” – being less presumptuous and having no unreal expectations from life and esp. people. I sense a need to change myself in this respect and be more realistic about change which as I have learnt over time is inevitable!Speaking of presumptions, I do have this feeling in me that the year ahead is going to be eventful in many ways. Enough to keep me busy busy busy...*sigh* time will tell I guess!....ooops, there u go!!! At this rate I'll never stick to my wish!!! :D
On this rather thoughtful note, I wish everyone at BUF and beyond the best holiday season and a wonderful year ahead with family, friends and loved ones! Stay special!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Birthday Wishes!! (Ishita)
You’re always very specialAnd you should know today
That you are wished the nicest things
That life can bring your way
Like warm and loving wishes
And happiness and cheer
And everything you need to start
Another happy year
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUDEEP!!!!!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Anniversary Joy (Ishita)
Happy Anniversary Amit & Arti
8th Dec
"Your anniversary is a time
For sharing your affection;
It’s obvious the two of you
Have quite a deep connection!
We send glad congratulations
And heartfelt wishes, too,
For joyful happiness and love
In everything you do."
By Joanna Fuchs
Ps: I'm really sorry I missed this Amit! :( ... I misplaced the anniversaries/b'day list but I hope you and Arti had a beautiful day :) and have many more lovely years of togetherness!!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Congratulations & Topics (Ishita)
On Marriage
Kahlil Gibran
"You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow."
Kahlil Gibran
"You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow."
Congratulations Poo :) and Satya. Wishing you happiness forever! (10th Dec)
::: About the topics, the word is "Spirit" and the other topics to write on include "Christmas", "New Year" & "Resolutions" :)
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Live to eat or eat to live! (Ishita)
It’s getting colder day by day. Winter is when I love to indulge in soups and bakes. Below are some recipes that have been sourced from the internet by my sis-in-law who’s a very good cook and passed on to me via my mom who of course tried these out successfully and made one such family reunion many years ago so memorable! Nothing beats having a scrumptious home cooked meal with friends and family!!
I’ve picked out my favourites below and looked up links for the same. There are two soup recipes (one a veggie delight and the other a very delicious non-veg soup!) and finally a bake which tastes as good as it sounds :P … ENJOY!
Spicy Tomato & Cilantro (coriander/dhania leaves) Soup (Serves: 4)
http://www.calorie-count.com/recipe/36332.html
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds tomatoes
- 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 scallions (spring onions) chopped
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp crushed garlic
- 1 tsp crushed black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (dhania/coriander leaves)
- 3 cups water
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp light cream to serve
Method
To peel the tomatoes, plunge them into very hot water, using a spoon lift them almost at once. The skin should now peel off quickly and easily. Once this is done, chop the tomatoes roughly.
In a medium size saucepan, heat the oil. Add the tomatoes, bay leaf and chopped scallions (spring onions) and for a few minutes till soft and translucent, but not brown.
Add the salt, crushed garlic, pepper and fresh chopped cilantro (coriander/dhania leaves) to the tomato mixture. Stir in the water.
Bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile, dissolve the cornstarch in a little cold water, set aside.
Remove the soup from the heat and pour through a strainer placed over a bowl. Discard the strained vegetables.
Return the soup to the pan, add the cornstarch mixture and stir over low heat for about 3 minutes till thick. Pour into soup bowls and serve with a swirl of cream!
Shrimp & Corn Soup (Serves: 4)
There are a lot of links on google for this recipe. Each one slightly different from the other of course…you can look up some others or simply try this one below which we tried out at home :)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely minced
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 3 cups fish stock
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cups shelled cooked small shrimp
- 1 ½ cups whole corn kernels
- 1 ½ tsp chopped fresh dill/thyme (herbs…I’ve used dried ones too)
- Hot pepper sauce
- ½ cup light cream
- Salt to taste
Method
Heat the olive oil in a large heavy bottomed pan. Add the onion and cook over low heat for 8-10 minutes until soft.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium size saucepan. Add the flour & cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring. Stir in the stock and milk, bring to a boil and cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring frequently.
Cut each shrimp into 2-3 pieces. Add to the onion with the corn kernels & dill/thyme and cook for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
Stir the sauce mixture into the shrimp and corn mixture. Remove 2 cups of the soup and puree in a blender. Return it to the rest of the soup in the pan and stir well. Season with the salt and pepper and hot pepper sauce to taste.
Add the cream and stir to blend. Heat the soup almost to boiling point, stirring frequently
Ladle into soup bowls, serve hot garnished with sprigs of dill.
This last recipe is also a tried and tested one. Comes out yummy and is ideal for a winter meal. It’s also listed in this site - http://www.bawarchi.com/cookbook/paneer5.html which is where I think my sis-in-law got it from :)
Paneer (Cottage cheese) Casserole Bake
Making time: 45 minutesServes:
Shelf life: Few hours ahead of requirement.
Ingredients
- 200 Gms Paneer (cottage cheese) sliced into thin horizontal slabs or grated.
- 1 tbsp. grated paneer
- 2 potatoes, boiled, peeled and thinly sliced rounds
- 1 large capsicum (Green bell pepper), sliced into thin strips
- 1 ½ cups thick white sauce
- 2 sliced bread ground to crumbs
- 2 crushed green chillies
- 1 finely chopped spring onion
- 1 tsp black pepper powder
- ½ tsp sugar
- Salt to taste
- 1 tbsp. butter
For the white sauce –
- 2 tbsp plain flour
- ½ tbsp butter
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 1 tbsp grated cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method for the white sauce –
Dry roast flour in a heavy pan, remove, and keep aside to cool. Mix cooled flour in a little milk till smooth and no lumps remain. Heat milk in a pan and add butter. Add milk and flour paste, cheese, salt and pepper. Stir continuously till it boils. Let it boil till the mixture has a thick sauce like consistency, then remove from heat and set aside.
Method for the Casserole Bake -
Grease and oven proof casserole generously with butter. Place a layer of potato slices to cover the bottom. Sprinkle salt, pepper, sugar and ½ tbsp of white sauce.
Place over it a layer of paneer slabs and season it as done for the potato layer. Repeat layering till potato and paneer is used up.
Now sprinkle the capsicum and repeat seasoning.
Mix the spring onions and green chillies in the remaining sauce and pour over the capsicum to cover fully.
Sprinkle the bread crumbs evenly.
Bake in a pre-heated oven at 250 degrees for 20 minutes or till top layer is golden brown.
Happy Feasting!!!
I’ve picked out my favourites below and looked up links for the same. There are two soup recipes (one a veggie delight and the other a very delicious non-veg soup!) and finally a bake which tastes as good as it sounds :P … ENJOY!
Spicy Tomato & Cilantro (coriander/dhania leaves) Soup (Serves: 4)
http://www.calorie-count.com/recipe/36332.html
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds tomatoes
- 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 scallions (spring onions) chopped
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp crushed garlic
- 1 tsp crushed black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (dhania/coriander leaves)
- 3 cups water
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp light cream to serve
Method
To peel the tomatoes, plunge them into very hot water, using a spoon lift them almost at once. The skin should now peel off quickly and easily. Once this is done, chop the tomatoes roughly.
In a medium size saucepan, heat the oil. Add the tomatoes, bay leaf and chopped scallions (spring onions) and for a few minutes till soft and translucent, but not brown.
Add the salt, crushed garlic, pepper and fresh chopped cilantro (coriander/dhania leaves) to the tomato mixture. Stir in the water.
Bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile, dissolve the cornstarch in a little cold water, set aside.
Remove the soup from the heat and pour through a strainer placed over a bowl. Discard the strained vegetables.
Return the soup to the pan, add the cornstarch mixture and stir over low heat for about 3 minutes till thick. Pour into soup bowls and serve with a swirl of cream!
Shrimp & Corn Soup (Serves: 4)
There are a lot of links on google for this recipe. Each one slightly different from the other of course…you can look up some others or simply try this one below which we tried out at home :)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely minced
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 3 cups fish stock
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cups shelled cooked small shrimp
- 1 ½ cups whole corn kernels
- 1 ½ tsp chopped fresh dill/thyme (herbs…I’ve used dried ones too)
- Hot pepper sauce
- ½ cup light cream
- Salt to taste
Method
Heat the olive oil in a large heavy bottomed pan. Add the onion and cook over low heat for 8-10 minutes until soft.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium size saucepan. Add the flour & cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring. Stir in the stock and milk, bring to a boil and cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring frequently.
Cut each shrimp into 2-3 pieces. Add to the onion with the corn kernels & dill/thyme and cook for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
Stir the sauce mixture into the shrimp and corn mixture. Remove 2 cups of the soup and puree in a blender. Return it to the rest of the soup in the pan and stir well. Season with the salt and pepper and hot pepper sauce to taste.
Add the cream and stir to blend. Heat the soup almost to boiling point, stirring frequently
Ladle into soup bowls, serve hot garnished with sprigs of dill.
This last recipe is also a tried and tested one. Comes out yummy and is ideal for a winter meal. It’s also listed in this site - http://www.bawarchi.com/cookbook/paneer5.html which is where I think my sis-in-law got it from :)
Paneer (Cottage cheese) Casserole Bake
Making time: 45 minutesServes:
Shelf life: Few hours ahead of requirement.
Ingredients
- 200 Gms Paneer (cottage cheese) sliced into thin horizontal slabs or grated.
- 1 tbsp. grated paneer
- 2 potatoes, boiled, peeled and thinly sliced rounds
- 1 large capsicum (Green bell pepper), sliced into thin strips
- 1 ½ cups thick white sauce
- 2 sliced bread ground to crumbs
- 2 crushed green chillies
- 1 finely chopped spring onion
- 1 tsp black pepper powder
- ½ tsp sugar
- Salt to taste
- 1 tbsp. butter
For the white sauce –
- 2 tbsp plain flour
- ½ tbsp butter
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 1 tbsp grated cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method for the white sauce –
Dry roast flour in a heavy pan, remove, and keep aside to cool. Mix cooled flour in a little milk till smooth and no lumps remain. Heat milk in a pan and add butter. Add milk and flour paste, cheese, salt and pepper. Stir continuously till it boils. Let it boil till the mixture has a thick sauce like consistency, then remove from heat and set aside.
Method for the Casserole Bake -
Grease and oven proof casserole generously with butter. Place a layer of potato slices to cover the bottom. Sprinkle salt, pepper, sugar and ½ tbsp of white sauce.
Place over it a layer of paneer slabs and season it as done for the potato layer. Repeat layering till potato and paneer is used up.
Now sprinkle the capsicum and repeat seasoning.
Mix the spring onions and green chillies in the remaining sauce and pour over the capsicum to cover fully.
Sprinkle the bread crumbs evenly.
Bake in a pre-heated oven at 250 degrees for 20 minutes or till top layer is golden brown.
Happy Feasting!!!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Wishes (Ishita)
"One Woman, one Manwith hearts so true
come before you
to say I do...
A love so fair
A dream come true
A couple shares
what they are destined to do
He takes her hand
to have and to hold
Their hearts embrace
and never let go...
A touch so pure
A smile so real
She closes her eyes
so she may feel
The love of one man
The love of her life
They join as one
as Man and Wife... "
- Gretchen Gould –
Congratulations Silvara and Evs :) ...Wishing you happiness and a lifetime of togetherness! :)
And Pavan (an ex-BUFer and dear friend) who’s getting engaged today! Congrats!!!! :)))Andd… Diya on her Anniversary on 26th! Happy Anniversary!!
That’s a whole lot of loving and happiness for us to celebrate right :)
Stay Beautiful…Stay loved…
The song is a dedication for all of them… *smile*
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Hello :-) (Ishita)
The word "Hello" reminds me of a song I love :) by my all time favorite band - The Beatles!!!
Enjoy :)
Enjoy :)
Monday, November 19, 2007
Knock Knock!! :-) (Ishita)
Yes I had a wonderful holiday … thank you :)Being with my family, both brothers and their families after a span of “God knows how many” years … was something that had me break down in tears when the time to say goodbye came. And now I’m left wondering when next?
Accessing the net was a MAJOR problem at my parents place – they have dial-up you see! And the one day we all decided to check our mails…the home pc crashed!! Yeah, lucky us :P … heh…
Anyway, the laptops came in handy but we had so many things to do and catch up on that being online or checking emails was simply set aside….BUT of course I sneaked in to check on BUF….
What amazes me is that despite the whole lot of topics given and the freedom to write on that many….the response has been…quite disappointing. Then again I know how it is during the festival season etc. So let’s just say the disappointment was ‘expected’ yet prior knowledge did nothing to ease that… *sigh*
I don’t want to start yet another debate on why, what, if, how…blah blah. Seriously, I think those of us who care to hang around and be a part of this space for the purpose of keeping in touch and simply being ourselves should simply let it be…
Let it be… and by that I mean, let each of us prioritise BUF the way we want to. First or last in our scheme of things, a visit a day or a week or a fortnight or a month or never at all…at the risk of sounding “oh so philosophical’ – lets just not “EXPECT” things from each other except the one basic thing that can make relationships (be it virtual or online) work – an effort to see it (the way people choose to prioritise BUF) from their point of view.
No one can feel more elated than I do when BUFers write and comment at a regular pace and no one can feel more disappointed when they don’t…! And if I can reach a stage where after all the “appreciation” and the “criticism” I can still hope to make it work…. I don’t see why the rest of you can’t? I guess you do. It gets very upsetting at times I know….but when’s life perfect?
I’ve tried different ways and means to sustain this plc… BUT it’s never been about the kind of effort I may make….in the end it’s always been about everyone in it and the level of interest shown. I dread to think what would become of this place if everyone decided to put BUF at the bottom of their list of priorities OR lose the ability to step into each others shoes…
The true test of friendships…I guess…is in difficult times. And Keshi’s sense of frustration is one I completely empathise with. I struggle with my sense of disappointment with the diminishing enthusiasm among BUFers and at the same time understanding that everyone has a life…it’s not easy…
I could go on and on and on and on….
But seriously, what I’d like to see in this space which lets remember is a BLOG first….is some posts and good writing. Comments or no comments – BUF is essentially a space to write!
If the will to write is gone…then this space has no meaning – right? :)
So if there’s just me and a handful who want to keep “writing” on topics … that’s what matters in the end – that’s enough reason to keep BUF going :)
I’ll be back when I’m ready with a post on the topics mentioned in this post (put up before I went off) –
http://betweenusfriends.blogspot.com/2007/10/whats-on-buf-ishita.html
Till then,
Happy Blogging!
Ps: The pic was taken at my parent's place...I love the diya (lamp) amidst the flowers.*sigh* I miss home...
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
What's on @ BUF! (Ishita)
Hi
Right then, as is obvious I’ve been busy and haven’t been coming around here since I put up my last post…
And this is likely to continue in the next couple of weeks. On 6th I will be off to visit my folks and being online will be severely limited. But before that in the next 5 days I have a helluva lot of stuff to pack and settle plus two events coming up – the grandparent’s day show at Vedant’s school :) and a Diwali Extravaganza in out apartment complex this weekend…which ofcourse leaves me with less than 5 days to get set for my trip!!!
So now while I am away what’s gonna go on in BUF? :P
Lots if I can have my way and convince you all to be in it! I do notice it gets a little slow here towards the end of a topic…and since I will be off for 2 whole weeks, I guess it’s best to run more than one word or one topic ….
Firstly, besides the word that did get selected “color” … feel free to write on all the other words on the poll! Yes that’s – ‘Hello’, ‘Ring’, ‘Fault’ and ‘Home’!
Also from the old topics – let’s have posts on “Blog/Music/Movie Review” and “My fav recipe” ….
And if that’s not enough, how about “10 things” but this time pick a fellow BUFer and write about them!
Or any updates or dedication...
I guess that’s a lot to write and comment on for the next two weeks. If there are pending invites, I’ll try and get those done before I leave.
I’m sorry I can’t come around and leave comments…I just read up the posts I missed out on and needless to say loved them all!
Loony I envy your beautiful fingers and the way you come up with such innovative ideas!
Vipul sorry I had no clue u were unwell…hope u’re much better and have a wonderful festival wkend :)
Sudeep, Mich, Silvara, Kesh and Amit….Sudeep ke pics ka toh kya kehna :P! I’ve always loved Mich’s posts…Silvara – lovely read :) … Kesh that pic is beautiful…and Amit yours made an interesting read indeed!
Lack of time has me writing this out here rather than commenting on your posts individually….I hope you guys understand…
Ideally I'd have written a post on this in my personal blogs but since that no longer exists...I'm sharing this special mention here ... Read the following!:)
Back in May I wrote a post on the topic “One day with someone from BUF” – Read this! And this weekend I finally met John and it was fun!!! He was just the way I thought he would be and that made it all the more easy to just be myself and feel totally comfortable with him. Which I guess is the way we all (R, Vedant, Suchi) felt….in fact V is quite a fan of John “bhaiya” as he chooses to call him. Interestingly, he was John uncle till one evening he spent sometime with V playing online games and since then V switched to bhaiya… :D … and we gotto have his famous chicken curry (Read here!) which was Yummyy! :) …. All in all time well spent and I’m hoping he’ll come stay with us again! :)
Right then, as is obvious I’ve been busy and haven’t been coming around here since I put up my last post…
And this is likely to continue in the next couple of weeks. On 6th I will be off to visit my folks and being online will be severely limited. But before that in the next 5 days I have a helluva lot of stuff to pack and settle plus two events coming up – the grandparent’s day show at Vedant’s school :) and a Diwali Extravaganza in out apartment complex this weekend…which ofcourse leaves me with less than 5 days to get set for my trip!!!
So now while I am away what’s gonna go on in BUF? :P
Lots if I can have my way and convince you all to be in it! I do notice it gets a little slow here towards the end of a topic…and since I will be off for 2 whole weeks, I guess it’s best to run more than one word or one topic ….
Firstly, besides the word that did get selected “color” … feel free to write on all the other words on the poll! Yes that’s – ‘Hello’, ‘Ring’, ‘Fault’ and ‘Home’!
Also from the old topics – let’s have posts on “Blog/Music/Movie Review” and “My fav recipe” ….
And if that’s not enough, how about “10 things” but this time pick a fellow BUFer and write about them!
Or any updates or dedication...
I guess that’s a lot to write and comment on for the next two weeks. If there are pending invites, I’ll try and get those done before I leave.
I’m sorry I can’t come around and leave comments…I just read up the posts I missed out on and needless to say loved them all!
Loony I envy your beautiful fingers and the way you come up with such innovative ideas!
Vipul sorry I had no clue u were unwell…hope u’re much better and have a wonderful festival wkend :)
Sudeep, Mich, Silvara, Kesh and Amit….Sudeep ke pics ka toh kya kehna :P! I’ve always loved Mich’s posts…Silvara – lovely read :) … Kesh that pic is beautiful…and Amit yours made an interesting read indeed!
Lack of time has me writing this out here rather than commenting on your posts individually….I hope you guys understand…
Ideally I'd have written a post on this in my personal blogs but since that no longer exists...I'm sharing this special mention here ... Read the following!:)
Back in May I wrote a post on the topic “One day with someone from BUF” – Read this! And this weekend I finally met John and it was fun!!! He was just the way I thought he would be and that made it all the more easy to just be myself and feel totally comfortable with him. Which I guess is the way we all (R, Vedant, Suchi) felt….in fact V is quite a fan of John “bhaiya” as he chooses to call him. Interestingly, he was John uncle till one evening he spent sometime with V playing online games and since then V switched to bhaiya… :D … and we gotto have his famous chicken curry (Read here!) which was Yummyy! :) …. All in all time well spent and I’m hoping he’ll come stay with us again! :)
That's it ppl...Have fun!And oh yes Happy Diwali!!! :) (that's on 9th Oct)
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