Last week our weekend arrived a little early…or should I say we got into the weekend mood a little early.
Thursday morning,we woke up to an irritated Aadya and realised that she is teething.She refused to let go of mommy..and by evening, we had a very fussy Aadya,a near starving Mumma and a confused Papa. Looking at my tired face,Sanj offered to take me out of dinner..and my face lit up.”Enchiladas” I thought and he guessed it,looking at the faint smile on my lips. So, we set off to look for a nice Mexican restaurant.We just drove off on a road, less travelled by us and saw this restaurant called “La Hacienda Ranch”.It had a very rustic look from the outside and I almost didn’t want to go inside..It just looked like a deserted inn in the middle of nowhere…and I was sure to find it full of drunks and truckers. But as we slowly circled around the parking lot,we saw a couple of families and decided to try it.
As soon as we opened the door, we were greeted by a huge BEAR! A stuffed full-sized bear was placed exactly opposite the door. And looking at that magnificent animal,Aadya refused to enter..We finally coaxed her in and stepped into the actual restaurant. A beautiful hostess in a white shirt.blue jeans and cowboy boots and hats showed us to our table and then,began a wonderful experience . We each ordered for drinks and munched on the chips and Salsa,waiting for our server. If the outside was rustic, the inside was even more rustic..There were lanterns hung by the windows.The tables were covered with plastic cow-skin print table covers. The actual restaurant was kind of like a log cabin.The bar was adorned with rifles and antler heads and there was also a cute log bench,to rest your butt on.
The food arrived in big china plates and the portions were sumptuous. While we were chomping on our food,some one on the next table ordered Guacamole and the waitress made it fresh for them,right in front of their eyes..I thought that was pretty cool.I ordered an Enchilada for Aadya too and she finished it. So, now I am looking for Enchilada recipe.
Half way through the meal,Aadya tried to grab food from my plate-when I said No, she reached for Sanj’s drink..I said No again and she got angry,refused to look at me for a long time.I tried the same trick,but she knows how to take mumma’s heart and turn it to mush..When I pretended to not look at her,she pulled my hand and kissed it silly.I gave up!!
On our way out, we saw that that outside,there were bags filled with water hanging..I think for thirsty travellers or their horses,like in olden days. All in all it was a great experience..I only wish I had my camera..but may be taking some pictures is just the right excuse to go back there!
Friday night was spent bowling.We went bowling after almost 2 years.The last time,we went bowling was 2 days before we found out I am pregnant..and then,we never got a chance to go.Another couple and their two year old,Aashi joined us. Aadya decided she really liked Aashi and wanted to kiss her..ON HER LIPS! Aashi tried to point at her cheeks to tell Aadya to kiss there.. but she just wanted to kiss her friend on the lips,much to our amusement and Sanj’s dismay.We had fun bowling and Aadya had fun..running away,patting strange men on their bare knees,embarrassing us,dancing on the table and lifting her shirt…Sanj shot me such looks..like “Where is she learning all this from?”..Oh well..At least we will be prepared for much worse when she turns into a teenager.
Saturday was relaxing…I went for a much needed Mani-pedi TLC session with two Girl-friends and boy! was it fun! This is a Chinese place and they do amazing hot-stone massages..I came back rested and relaxed,only to stuff my toe,on the way in the door. The darn thing started bleeding and is now swollen like a raisin in water..and it hurts like hell.Oh and before leaving from the nail spa,I fell down..I tried sitting on a chair and it moved and I landed rather ungracefully on my butt. Anyway,coming back to the toe..SAnj cleaned and band-aided it and then,I went outside to the balcony to get something and opened the balcony door without looking and It came right on my other foot,scratching it and that started bleeding.And the cherry on top,I was closing a drawer and my finger got caught in it..Yeah,Ok..I know..someone had hexed a curse!!!Wonder who?
Sunday was nice..We went to a splash park, first thing in the morning..Aadya had a blast,running through the water fountains .She tried to drink it directly by putting her face right on top of it and opening her mouth wide..She did take some time getting warmed up..she was surprised to see so much water and didn’t know what to do..And then the unthinkable happened.Sanj got in the water.I say, unthinkable..because this is the guy,who doesn’t like the beach..he avoids getting wet..as much as he can.. but he really wanted Aadya to get in there and enjoy…and sure enough,seeing daddy there,she sauntered in too..and refused to leave later.Go on tell me..He is sweet!!
Then we went to have brunch at Panera and came home to enjoy the sweet afternoon siesta.It was a nice relaxed weekend 🙂
OK now your turn, tell me how was your weekend?
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Now we have lived in this area long enough to have places that we call our own..our library,our pharmacy,our grocery store and our park. Since the two-three weeks,we have started going to the park almost every day. This park has a beautiful trail,where we can walk.a nice play ground where Aadi can play and a lot of desis- of all shapes and sizes. There are moms and dads with their kids,there are pregnant couples,out for a walk.Then there are grand parents,taking a walk or watching their grand kids play.There are also some pet owners,walking their dogs..dogs of all sizes.
Now,Aadi knows we are going to the park.As soon as we turn in to the park’s street,she gets excited and starts squealing.At the park,we put her in the swing,or let her jump and play on one of the monkey bars and slide down the slide.And then,we strap her in her stroller and take long walks.A good 30-40 minute walk roughly around 4-5 circles along the trail is good exercise. Aadya loves her stroller and as long as we are moving ,she doesn’t mind being in it.
Today was no different. Sanj took Aadi to the play ground,while I started walking on the trail. I had finished just one round and saw her playing happily-jumping on one of those iron bridges and squealing. I abandoned the walk half way and went and joined the father-daughter. We had a nice time climbing up the steps and climbing down the steps.She is so confident going down the steps,almost like a grown up.Head held up,holding the side bar and putting the first foot down.
Then,I took her through one of the tunnels and she squealed with joy,seeing me inside the tunnel,she promptly followed and had so much fun going from one end to the other.
Then,we moved to another play station, and there she tried to climb up on the slide. There was this other kid playing there..I say kid, because I am not sure if it was a girl or a boy..the name sounded girlish but he was dressed in a boy’s clothes.Now,I dress Aadya in cute boy shorts too sometimes,so it could have been a girl too..and his/her grand father didn’t seem interested in making friends so I just kept my mouth shut and refrained from asking.
So anyway,Ms.Aadya was busy climbing up the slide and this kid,tried to get in the middle..we asked her to “be nice and lets share” the other kid stopped too,waited for her to finish her short hike..but she kept slipping and falling.Now the other kid was getting impatient..and to be fair he had waited so,I asked Sanj to pick up Aadya and let the other kid get his turn.So Sanj slowly pulled her back,and the other kid,hopped on ..put his first foot and did the mistake of looking at Aadya and what do I see? She gave him the eyes!!!
She narrowed her eyes,scrunched her nose.It was the exact same look I have,when I am trying to scare her!!GASP! I almost fainted there..Instantly both of us said,Aadya,be nice..but the other kid had kind of got the message and backed off.. I was so embarrassed..Well to be honest,a little proud too..Proud because I know,she will be able to watch out for herself.
Anyway,I chucked all those feelings away and asked the other kid,to please have his turn. To give credit to Aadya,she did smile at him sweetly and was happy to play somewhere else..So,that makes me wonder if she was really trying to scare him or was just being playful. When we are in the car,and she is whining,I look at her through the passenger mirror and frown..and she frowns back at me..then I smile and she smiles..then another expression and she imitates that..So may be she was just playing?
Anyway,we moved to yet another play-station and there she made friends with another mom and even told her her name..When she asked her,What’s your name? She said “AAADYA” in a firang accent. Well.whatever..as long as she says her name its fine.
I still can’t forget the look that she gave that other kid..and guess I won’t forget it for a long time..Because,Sanj kept ribbing me all the way home,about “that’s another thing,she learnt from me”.
The park is mostly pretty crowded till 9.00 pm,which is when its just starting to get dark.That’s when we leave mostly.Today we were there till 9.20 pm and I was amazed at how quickly it got dark and how quickly every one left. One minute there were kids and parents and people walking their dogs and the next moment it was deserted and the silence was so eerie,I couldn’t wait to get out of there.
I leave you with this-
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Yes! It happenned. We met Rayshma and boy! was it fun.
Let me start at the very beginning..I am sure by now,you all know my penchant for details.
So,I spoke to Rayshma on Thursday afternoon and we decided on meeting..well, we’d have to take a small detour..but anything for a friend.
So,I hung up tellling her I would discuss the plan with Sanj and get back to her with details.I spoke to Sanj,planned out everything and we decided to go to her place on Sunday..and in all the excitement,I forgot to call up Raysh and tell her what day we were going to stop by.
So,Saturday morning Rayshma called me up and asked me if we were going to visit and that’s when I realised,my blunder.
Anyway,the date was set..we were meeting on Sunday for lunch. Then happenned Blunder no.2.
Rayshma told me the approximate time,it would take us to reach..and in some crazy state of mind,I just heard the last part and that it was a 2 hour drive..happily told Sanj.. When we put fed the address into the GPS, it said 4 hours..and Raysh said..yeah thats right..that’s what I told you..That’s when I realised..My brain had shut off long back.
So,anyway,we reached their town at around 3.30pm..actually around 3.00pm and then we stopped to pick up cheesecake..she loves it..how could I go see her,without bringing one along.
We first met Vin,he came down to tell Sanj where to park..Aadya,who was screaming and babbling just a few second ago had metamorphosed into a shy little girl,on seeing him.
As we were climbing up the stairs to get to their apartment,we were greeted with drool-inducing yummalicious aroma.I wonder how Vin and Raysh stopped themselves from eating. And then,there was Rayshma…wearing a Cute T-Shirt..which said she was PURRRRRRRRRRFect!hhehe..
And after that,we just attacked the food…all of us were starving and did full justice to Rayshma’s yummy chicken curry..yumm yumm. Aadya was torn between clinging to me and sneaking glances at Vin and Raysh,who were competing with each other for her smile. And then,half way through the meal,she bestowed Aunty R with a sweet smile. Uncle Vin had to try some more.
Aadi was tired and it was a hot day,new place.She was hungry too..she stuck to me like Super-glue. At one time,her face was almost sticking to my lips..like if she had a choice,she would just disappear into me. As we chomped on,conversation flowed,so effortlessly. I had spoken to Rayshma and knew she would be fun to talk to..And we are both natural chatter-boxes..but I was wondering how the husbands would take to each other. Well,they did so well. For one,they had their quirky wives to discuss.. how we none of us knew any major details about the other.. but knew the smallest things that happenned in our lives..and that was ice-breaker enough.
So, without any beers or any other tongue-looseing agent, the hubbies chatted too..It was so much fun,sharing stories,giggling non-stop,completing each others sentences..Sanj takes his own time opening up with new people but this time was different.It never felt like we were meeting for the first time.
When I cribbed about Aadya being too clingy,I was chided immediately by her Aunty R..who made me admit..that I wouldn’t be too happy if she wasn’t clingy and was happily running off with strangers.
Just when Aadi was beginning to get comfortable,it was almost time to leave. But before leaving,she shared a gibberish story with Rayshma and taught her a quick trick to take off her shirt..first she demonstrated then urged Raysh to try it..ofcourse,Raysh had to politely decline. But,they were friends and before leaving Aadi gave her a kissie..ofcourse there was none for Vin.
We said goodbyes, hugged and were on our way..we had a long drive ahead..but a beautiful scenic drive..through small texas towns. And ofcourse,I was looking at it all through my happy glasses .
I was really glad we took this detour..even if it was a long one…but it was totally worth it. It was really really nice meeting Raysh & Vin.. now,I am looking forward to seeing them again..hopefully in this part of the state.
Oh and its Rayshma’s birthday today..so hop over and wish her.Hey Rayshma, Here’s wishing you a fantastic birthday,full of happy happy things.Enjoy your Birthday and have a great year!
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This blog is so dead..I can’t believe it..the last time I posted here was Feb 15th. And Every time I cook something interesting I take a picture,to put here.I think part of it is because I don’t feel motivated enough to cook or that I am just too tired.OR lazy.
Well whatever the reasons..I have decided to seriously start posting something here..At least once a week..if not every day. And I have also decided to start cooking seriously again.. hopefully,I start enjoying it as much as I used to.
Let me waste no further time and post a recipe here..
Summers are here and I have just the right dish for a cool lunch on a hot summer day.Chicken Salad Sandwich
Ingredients:
8-10 slices of bread (white or whole wheat)
For the chicken paste:
200 gms of boneless chicken
1/2 tsp coriander leaves
1 pod of garlic
1 green chili
1/2 cup of fat-free mayonnaise OR 4 tbsp of fresh cream
1 small tomato cubed
1 small onion cubed
2-3 leaves of lettuce,finely shredded
1/2 cup walnuts pieces.
Salt and pepper to taste.Preparation :
Boil the chicken pieces in 1 1/2 cup of water in a pressure cooker till the chicken pieces are tender.Retain the chicken stock.
Allow the chicken to cool down and then shred in a mixer.Grind the shredded chicken with a few teaspoonful of chicken stock.Add garlic and green chili and grind to a fine paste.
Transfer to a mixing bowl.
Add coriander,salt to taste,mayonnaise and everything else.Blend well.
Take a slice of bread and spread this mixture evenly on it,cover with another slice.Cut diagonally and serve.
Serve it with a cool lemonade on a warm day.Note: The original recipe that my mom got from somewhere called for Thyme,but she replaced it with Coriander leaves.When I decided to make this,I added tomatoes and onions and lettuce.The inspiration for walnuts came from
Arby’s Pecan Chicken Salad Sandwich.
Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
