Light

One of those fluke images. The chandelier reflects in the window while showing the outer arch of the elevation. Two words - Love, Light!

Munch!

We don't just taste with our mouths. That is probably why artisans in culinary schools learn the presentation part of a meal. The smell and the look enhance or spoil the taste for us. I for one, am a big sucker for presentation as much as I am for experimenting in the kitchen. I made this sandwiches for Aarti's potluck picnic. These are all vegetarian, and made with an original recipe I invented on the fly. I like splashes of color in everything from makeup to food. And I am ecstatic to share the original pic of the original creation


Avocado Carrot Cucumber sandwiches.

Ingredients

Shredded carrots and cucumber
avocado
Spreadable cream cheese

Layer these on toasted bread of your choice and enjoy!

One breezy afternoon, I'd realized my little girl's school building has a Claude Monet like background. I was outside in the parking lot, and a breathtaking array of color appeared before me like an Angel who'd come and bestow blessings upon mortals. This picture came and bestowed upon me, the blessing of inspiration. I was moved by the art of Divine, something as mundane as a bunch of overgrown weeds presenting to me the layer, depth and allure of a masterpiece. I drove back home, dusted my cam and went back armed, to capture the beauty.
As they say, It is just in the eye of the beholder - we should just notice it around us.

Ever since I saw Hue Mei, the cute as a button, ( but not as small) black and white hued panda bear hanging on the trees of the world famous San Diego zoo, seemingly posing for countless shutterbugs like a camera loving celebrity, I was smitten. I was also a little pained that she'd be gone to China in the following year as a part of a 'program' of some sort. Hue Mei, meaning China and USA, was aptly named since she was a product of the countries' efforts to keep the species out of extinction. "Extinction" was the buzz word all around. Imagine - our off springs oohing and aahing over a painting or a sculpture of a Panda Bear or a giraffe like the way we do over Dinosaurs, except we are not responsible for their disappearance? Wouldn't it be a sorry situation? And may be turkeys would disappear too one day and tigers. Or to make it a very effective hyperbole, may be all animals would cease to exist and all that remains is just us - the homo sapience.
Back to the spot light - Panda bears are carnivore and live on Bamboo - a type of grass (though it appears to be on steroids) but they gulp down the occasional small mammal they come across.
They are playful and curious animals.
I for one, am in the smitten spree, and make sure to pick up the occasional stuffed panda, the trinket box panda, the hand puppet panda, panda on the coffee mug or panda on the watch face just as an evidence of my awe.
We as humans, should do our part to co-exist with other species in nature - or all we leave back as a legacy would be hand painted Panda Bear mugs for our kids.

Shown in this pic are my recent acquisition - a pair of hand painted Panda Bear mugs (shown front and back!)

Light seems to enhance the beauty of everything - actually, light allows us to enjoy beauty. It is like one of those stories where a tomato decides to put on her red color again once the sun rises. Over the years of decorating and redecorating my house, I'd realised that proper lighting can make a breathtaking room and also make mediocre anything look mind boggling. Be it a simple tea light burning by itself or a chandelier adorned with tons of crystals, light makes an impact like nothing else. Try it - and you'll agree.

This one is a pic clicked in a city civic center - waiting for my daughter to come out after a Christmas performance. I settled on the floor, to one corner of the humongous hall and all I could see was only this light fixture. No need to say cheese and freeze - when the lights are on, smiles of beauty bloom by themselves:-)

My spring village 2010