Reviving From Slumber

I'm glad to announce that this blog is reviving from its 5-month long slumber, and shaking back to life.

These last few months have been a rollercoaster ride with too many things squeezed into too little a time frame. But somewhere I enjoyed the frenzy and the madness.... and clicked loads of pictures with my new camera to share with you.

Here's one from springtime when the butterflies were all over the garden laying eggs.

Can you imagine this one actually is blue and black when it opens its wings! What a pity I couldn't catch it with open wings; it was way too quick and flew away before I could capture it through my lens.

Summer has brought with it these Gulmohar blooms.

I just love the way one can see the blue sky from between its leaves.

Sharing Vacation Moments: Rishikesh

On a pleasantly cool winter morning in early November, we boarded the train to our vacation destination Rishikesh. Situated in the lower Himalayas in the northern part of the country, this town is well-known both for its spiritual connection as well as for its charming natural beauty.

As our train chugged across the pretty Indian countryside, we enjoyed these vistas.

Reaching Haridwar around midday, we drove past its famed ghats into the looming mountains ahead, on to our destination Rishikesh.

In the evening we went down to the mighty river Ganges. The kids were mesmerized to see so much water…. such a wide expanse of river! They floated flowers, incense and ‘diyas’.

As the evening turned to dusk the riverside echoed with the sounds of holy ‘mantras’ and huge traditional lamps were lit for the ‘arati’.

Next morning we visited the two suspension bridges – Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula - that take you across the vast river.

From the bridges one gets to see mesmerizing views of the Ganges and the surrounding hills. And loads of fish in the water… the kids loved it! :)

On the third day we chose to spend some more time by the riverside, at an unhurried pace. We got into the water, which was surprisingly warm and comfortable even for the kids.

Those are my feet in the river...

We drew pictures on the sand. And we collected shiny round stones from the riverside, both as mementoes and for using in the gardens of our new home.

We also spotted some feathered friends…and marveled as the sun turned the river into a shimmery sheet of molten gold.

In the evening we headed back home but not before we spotted a family of monkeys at the Haridwar station, deftly balancing their way across the iron girders of the station roof!

Hope you enjoyed this tour of Rishikesh with me.

P.S.: I have a confession to make. This post does not carry my best pictures of the trip simply because I am wary of plagiarists. Of late I have come across numerous incidents of stealing from blogs, and have hence decided to play safe. Sorry for robbing my readers of the best shots!

Tis’ A Time For Change

It is that time of the year again… when there is a nip the air

Large white clouds float across the blue skies making fascinating shapes

The chameli flowers (Indian jasmine) spread their sharp fragrance in the air

Photo from external source; click on photo for original source

...and the mornings become chilly.

Monsoon showers try to assert their weight in one last show of day-long showers before the autumn sets in.

Autumn in India means the advent of the festive season. The sales start in earnest as festive buying picks up. The Ravana-makers start making bamboo frames of the demon king. (I'll tell you more about this in a future post, promise!)

As the days become shorter, everyone starts counting days for the upcoming holidays.

And in this time of change, I have decided to bring about some alteration in my life. Yes, I am standing on the verge of another ending, or maybe… it will be a new beginning after all!

At the end of the month, I shall quit my well-paying full-time job for the sake of home, family, kids, and most importantly, for myself. My heart tells me that I owe my time more to my kids at this point in life than to some random software product. And I have chosen to hear the sayings of my heart...

Of course there are mixed feelings – slight trepidation for the financial setback (after all who doesn’t want money to raise two kids), but somehow the feeling of freedom and liberation is far greater. I feel more confident of finally leading the life I had always wanted - with my paints and brushes, and the attendant creative chaos. To me this is leading the charmed life, and I am so thankful to have a partner who not only understands but supports my decision.

What would you follow at the important junctures of life – your head or your heart? I have mostly followed my heart, and never regretted a moment for it!

Am leaving you with this lovely image of the fall colours that I saved from some e-mail forward. We don't get these in India but here's wishing all my readers all the beautiful hues in your life...

Autumn Visitor and Pansy Progress

We had a visitor this morning in our garden; I quite like its blue-black-yellow spots. Sorry about the picture quality though.... I was too scared to go too near and make it fly off! But clicking on the picture for a larger view may help. Does anyone know its name?

This week my artist friend Debbie has started work on the giveaway I won over at her blog Reflections of Debbie. The yellow pansy is coming up beautifully, and you can see her work in progress right here. I am keenly following this, Debbie, for the artist hidden deep within me loves to see the process of creation unravel in all its glory.

Hope all of you enjoy the creative process just as much.... and a little bit more! :)

Can’t Stop Smiling Today: Thank You, Debbie!

It is a beautiful day outside – sunny and bright, but with a cool breeze gently caressing my face. The kind of day that makes you feel that autumn is just around the corner. But the reason for my happiness is something else…. Whoopee!! I just won the Gallery Days Giveaway contest over at Reflections of Debbie. And ever since I read her post announcing the winner I can’t stop smiling.

The yellow pansy that made it to the top is from my mom’s terrace garden. I clicked it a couple of years back, wanting to make a watercolor of it myself. Never got round to doing that, but today I feel so special that Debbie chose to turn this into a drawing.

Thank you so much, Debbie. You have made me so happy today. Can’t wait to see you start on the drawing. And now that I have a new house (you can read about that here), I promise you that this drawing will hold pride of place in my new abode.

Are My Pictures Perfect?

Blogosphere is so full of interesting people.... like my new artist friend Debbie who is holding a giveaway. Go over to Reflections Of Debbie to check out the details. And then rush off with your cameras....

Debbie, here are my entries for the Gallery Days Giveaway. And at the cost of sounding immodest, I really, really wish one of these becomes the winner. Though I am half-way across the globe from you :) but I would so love to have a picture in my post!

Yellow Pansy

Gorgeous Leaves

Mimosa flower

The competition at Reflections Of Debbie closes on 25August, Monday, so you still have the weekend to take pictures and send across a link.

Keeping my fingers crossed....

For the Love of Lilies

I just had to show you this. Remember when I told you in the warmer month of June how a few drops of monsoon rain does wonders for the white grass lilies in our garden? Well, here they are, in all their glory.

An absolute delight to behold, as a huge cluster sways gently in the morning breeze.

Sometimes the simplest of Nature’s creations have the power to affect us profoundly…. just as these do. Every time we get a large bunch, our happiness quotient goes up a few notches. :)

Monsoon Magic

It has been raining here this weekend.

Sharp showers and overcast skies made me want to share a few glimpses of what the monsoons mean to me…

Pitter-patter raindrops, as they create their own music

Lush, leafy green all around… and toadstools popping up here, there, everywhere

Bhuttas (corn on the cob) roasted over a charcoal fire to a golden yellow, with a dash of lime and masala

Colourful umbrellas on squelchy, waterlogged roads

And of course, everybody’s favourite – chai and pakoras (tea with vegetable fries)

Happy soaking this season!

Summer Roses

Juliet:"What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet."
Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)

Couldn't help but remember these immortal lines from Shakespeare. Comes naturally, I guess, since I majored in English Literature all those ages back! And ShakesP has been a favourite.... One of my retirement wishes includes curling up in a comfy rocker with the Complete Works of the master.

Well, the pictures are from my mom's garden. And they remind me of another favourite - Kiss from a Rose by Seal. You can find the lyrics to this soulful, haunting number right here.

Happy crooning!

Vignettes of a weekend

I’ve had a busy, happy and fulfilling weekend…. Really, how often can you use all these adjectives together to describe a measly two days off from work!

Well, for starters there was a reunion luncheon with college buddies at a posh restaurant. Imagine meeting people after 15 years and reliving all the good times you have shared with them!! Seeing your giggly bunch of college pals morph into sophisticated, confident women gives a massive high…..

Then there was that little butterfly I’d been trying to catch for the last few days… on camera, I mean. I finally managed to do it, even though the shots weren’t as good as I would have liked. But at least I made a start…. Now there’s another blue-hued one I’ve set my heart upon for my next conquest.

And finally, I actually managed to take out some time (read half-an-hour) to revive my creative instincts, and get started on one of my recycling projects that I’d been yearning to do for a while. The stuff is still half-done but I hope to pin it down soon. Keep checking for more…