What's Going On?

I was in Richmond on a business trip last week and spent my evenings reading blogs sans commenting. I was hoping to see cherry blossoms and did not get to. May be next year. On the home front, my husband and I debated between moving closer to my work and staying in our current house. After a series of back and forth discussions, we decided to stay and work from home more often. After all that new home research, we both are badly in need of a vacation and we are leaning more towards a beach resort, all inclusive types.

Spring is usually a teaser in Dallas. I am glad it extended more than a week this year. The vegetable garden is sprouting. The first few harvests of cilantro always tastes the best. The heat kind of takes away the flavor from cilantro.

I love roses, actually any flower for that matter. I could do posts after posts on roses. My next is to get a set of Knock Out roses. What's gardening in Texas with out some knock out roses.

Recently framed art work, looking for a wall space, which is not a difficult task.

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Cooper Lake, Texas

Last week was Spring break in Texas schools. We took some time off to enjoy the break with the kids. Also  kept up with our tradition of visiting a local state park and gave our best shot at not doing anything. My bar is set pretty low when it comes to Texas State park. Other than the close proximity, you are truly not missing anything by not visiting this one.

Like most parks, you could still do canoeing, swimming (may be not in March), and some long hiking trails.

The green pastures and the healthy cows were a sight for the sore eye. Too bad I did not stop the car to take pictures. You already know the books I read. Here's a pictorial of what else we did.

Camp fire in Lake Cooper

Long walk on the road as the hiking path was wet and slimy from all the rain.

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Vintage Thrillers and LOLs

Sure has been a while and will save you the long apologetic post on why I was distracted. Instead will get you started on the book I am reading.

The Larsson's series took me back in time to a period when I had all the time to read a gripping book cover to cover in one sitting accompanied by music and snacks. Thank goodness I found the book on our Spring Break trip and had the time to read it without distraction. I read book #2 first, #3 next and then book #1. I would highly suggest reading them in order, if you have not watched the movie yet.

Do not read Bossypants in public, unless you are really comfortable laughing out loud by yourself. I bought my copy of the Bossypants in the airport on my way back from Richmond. The book is drop dead hilarious (if I can coin a phrase like that). Numerous women stopped me and wanted to know how the book was. It's a must read.

Mindy's "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me" is more like having one of your chatty friend over for tea and she goes on and on ..in a fun hilarious way. As I read the book the voice in my head started sounding more like that of Kelly Kapor's (of Office fame).

 
Anyone who ever said women cannot be funny has to read Mindy Kaling's and Tina Fey's books.


Images Source : Google.com

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Say It With Flowers

We are not big on celebrating Valentine's day and definitely try to stay away from restaurants this day as they are generally packed. Chocolates or flowers may sneak in. Not so sure this time around. The word in the grapevine is that Mr M is looking forward to cooking up a feast and the kids are exited about eating on the formal table.

Well for me, my cousin from Australia is in town and I am super-exited about it. Too bad he's in the country for just 4 days. 

Happy Valentine's Day

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Lauren Myracle

Source : Amazon.com

How exiting it is for a eleven year old to meet one of her favorite authors? An author who has a way into a girl's head that Riya is certain the author can almost read her mind. May be a book I should read soon.

Lauren Myracle is visiting my daughter's school. Riya got to be one of the lucky people to go.

In my daughter's favorite, well known series, the Winnie years, Winnie shares her adventures about growing up from starting as a spazzy (that's my daughter's favorite word, so had it fit in somewhere) idea generator to being a role model for her little brother. I think she likes the series as she can relate to the relationship between the brother and sister.

My daughter hopes to get an autographed copy of one of the books from the Winnie Series and eat cake with her. Amazing, how important cake can be for a 11 year old. Riya also has an idea that she wants to share with the author for her next series. Lets see how that goes.

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Mudge and Dinosaurs

After years of doing girl's room, it was time to pep up my little boy's room. We started off with a Snow White room for my daughter, which was pretty much easy-peel-off-stickers on our apartment, then an yellow Winnie The Pooh room, then came along the pink room and now a purple room. I find it easier to do the girl's room; almost like living-my-dreams-through-her-room kind of a situation. I can only put off a my son's room for so long and we started working towards it during the holidays.

Henry and Mudge is a captivating series about a little boy and his pet dog Mudge. That big pillow-pet on his bed is Mudge. Well, that's also my answer to his request for a dog. Shame on me. However, keep in mind, everything is fair in parenting.

We pulled in things he likes as a 6 year old. Lots of animals and a few posters of the games he's been to. Above is a rug art of one of the characters in Rugrats. Didn't really mean to add it for the rhyming effect.

We painted the letters of his name in different colors. Added custom knobs in the shape of a football to his closet/sink area. The valance came with his dinosaur bedding set. The rest of the wall is empty for him to fill it up with things he likes. Yes, I am open to the idea of posters on the wall.

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Cauliflower Manchurian

I find deep frying a tedious task and a big waste of all the oil that goes with it. Again, anything breaded is a big turn off for me. When I make manchurian, instead of deep frying,  I cook the cauliflower until it's 3/4th done in boiling water/salt and to get the crunch with every bite, I broil it on high for a few minutes until its crispy. 

I generally do not give out ingredients as in Indian cooking, use your own judgement.

Recipe

1. Chop a bunch of cauliflower into big florets.
2. Boil water and cook cauliflower until its done 3/4th with salt.
3. Pre-heat the broiler on high settings.
4. Transfer the cooked florets on to a baking sheet and drizzle olive oil and pepper powder.
5. Broil on High for 15 minutes or until the florets turn golden/ crunchy
6. Mince 1 big or 2 small onions, a few garlic pods, an inch ginger and some green chilies
7. Heat oil in a wok and sautee the minced onions, garlic, green chilies and ginger until onions are translucent.
8. Add soy sauce, chilli-garlic sauce and saute for a few more minutes until the raw garlic smell leaves
9. Add a cup of water.
10. Dissolve starch powder in water and add it to the mixture to thicken it on low heat. Keep stirring.
11. Add the crunchy florets and cook for a few minutes.
12. Switch off heat and give the cauliflowers a few minutes to soak in the flavor. Garnish with green onions/chives and serve.

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