GANESH CHATURTHI WISHES !!!

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to you all !!!

Usually we used to buy Ganesha only by Morning. But this year, I wanted to paint him. So I asked appa to get me a Ganesha yesterday itself & painted him with bright green silk dhoti  with red jari border & red silk Jari butta Angavasthra.

Also painted his Crown & Jewels with gold , red & green colours in place of stones.

Thought of giving him a royal touch by sticking Kundan Stones instead of paint in his crown & jewels. But being sunday yesterday, I could not find any Kundan stones available shops open. I have orange, blue kundans. But thought that they won't be attractive. So I just used poster colours & glitter outliner for the crown & jewels.

I painted Mooshik with Dark Grey & left the Peedam ( in which Ganesha Sits) as such in the clay colour, as I thought it would be natural.

Here is Our Ganesha.... Before Pooja... His eyes are yet to open....

Just Before Pooja, his eyes were set & Sacred thread were worn. Here's Our Ganesha after Pooja....

Have a Wonderful Festival Time.

Won YOUNG CHEF -- SECOND PRIZE

Hey.... I won the YOUNG CHEF 2nd Title on 17th May 2013, at Nandambakkam Trade Centre.

The Competition was sponsored by Gold Winner and the Media partners were Chutti TV & Chutti Vikatan.

The Theme for the Competition was veg Starters.

It all happened just like that.

We went to Chennai the day before (16th May 2013).... While browsing the Newspaper the next morning, Chithi asked us to visit the Chennai Trade Centre, as they have organised Kids Only -The Carnival there.... Later she read out the events in that Ad.... I shouted Let me participate in the Young Chef Competition.... She said amma to register my name.... Amma tried calling ... no one picked up the phone...

Later I went to play with Sathvi.... We totally forgot the whole episode..... By 11.30 am, amma remembered this event again and called the person incharge of this to know more about this event. The person incharge told amma that its about "Veg Starters' ... Have to bring all the ingredients except oil, vessels & stove, as they would give it there and asked amma to bring a little amount of oil for safer side. She asked us to come by 3 pm sharp.

Its almost 12pm... Amma said its almost time up & we have to decide on the recipe... & based on that we have to procure ingredients ... lets leave this event ... I was totally upset on hearing this.... I said let me give a try ma.... Also It was Chithi who encouraged me & said "Hey Bharu... Let her do... I know she could do it perfectly well... & there is more than 2 hours.... If she is interested... Let her try this... She could sure win a prize... even if she couldn't... this would definitely give her a great experience... & exposure... Hey Shrima.. You can do it dear"...

Chithi immediately took care of the healthy part of it & suggested her own new recipe... HEALTH FRITTERS....

Here is the link for Health Fritters... http://www.nithubala.com/2013/05/health-fritters.html

Then we procured all the things we needed to make Health Fritters... Its almost 1 pm by this time & Chithi asked me to grate all the veggies ( Carrot, Beet), made me boil the Potato, & make paneer. She & Amma packed the Salt, Kashmiri Chilli Powder, Garam Masala, Pepper powder, Oats, Health Powder ( Saththu Maavu), Wheat Bread, & veggies in separate boxes & one bowl to mix all the ingredients.

She taught me how to make this Fritters once & asked me to do on my own. I tried my hand... It came out well. All in a jiffy.

Its 2.45 pm.... almost time to start & we started from Chithi's House & reached the trade centre on time & got our tickets & entered the venue.,..

Ha.... My first experience in a cookery competition... Excited... But Cool....

Amma was as usual a bit nervous.... looked as if she was participating in this event.... I laughed at her for getting tensed up... She wants everything to be perfect & also she took every small thing seriously & would work hard to achieve... :-p ... I used make fun of her personality.... Fun & Enjoyment is the one she really likes the most... but only after achievement.... ha... haa.... haa...

I registered my name & there they said that the preparation time is just 15 minutes... I was already prepared for that... after waiting for more than an hour & a half finally came my turn.... I went & Amma helped me arrange things in the cooking table... She kept all the ingredients & I took one by one & said what it is & what it is used for.... Also simultaneously prepared the recipe for frying...

The Judge was Mr. Ashok Kumar, NDTV Fame, Chief Executive Chef of Hotel Aloft, Sholinganallur, Chennai & the person who compered the program was ShriLekha.

Both Mr. Ashok & Shrilekha asked so many questions while I was cooking right from the start... for what you are using health powder... what for oats.... isn't Paneer full of cholesterol.... why wheat bread ... why not white bread.... why ...what... how.... ??? I answered all their questions with right answers.... Amma stood just by my side & I did all the mixing making a thick dough kind of mix.... balled it... made into slightly thick flattened one.... pour oil in the kadai (they provided induction stove... as I was used to cook in the gas stove... Amma helped me reduce the heat in induction stove...)... fried... while frying Judge asked me why don't I shallow fry it... I said as it is Gold Winner... it is of less cholesterol... it tastes really good in deep frying without cholesterol.... He smiled at me...


Shrilekha Mam asked me whether I cook independently at home... I said Yes... From 4th std onwards I used to make tea on my own & from 5th std onwards I used to cook easy items such as Dhal, Rasam, Noodles, dosas, sandwiches, rotis, etc... I also said I was inspired by my chithi, as she learnt cooking on her own when she was in 6th... My mom learnt it while she was in 8th.... My patti (Viji) is one of the best cooks I have ever known....

I arranged all the fried Health Fritters in a plate & garnished with coriander leaves & Tomato sauce. Then gave it to the Judge Mr.Ashok Kumar of Aloft Hotels & asked him to taste the fritters.

He tasted it & said Its Superb & Nice ... Ms.Shrilekha asked him how is it... He said SHRIMA IS VERY CONFIDENT.... NEVER SOUGHT ANY HELP FROM HER MOTHER.... DID ALL BY HERSELF.... ITS NICE....

He asked Amma " does she cook at home?" Amma said " Yes... at times.... when I'm a bit down... she would cook...making me sit.... Some Sundays will be hers... Try all sort of recipes worldwide... like Banana Spaghetti.... Strawberry Spaghetti.... Variety of noodles... sandwiches... Sometimes Mealmaker 65 too... " ;-) ...

He said to amma... " She is very Confident.... without any fear she answered all the tricky questions with proper answers... Superb.... She deserves.... Lets see" ....

We waited there for another one hour.... or so....  Finally it was time to announce the prizes....

I waited anxiously with butterflies in my stomach.... yeah.... there.... they announced my name for winning 2nd place.... Haaaaaaaaaa... I won..... YOUNG CHEF 2nd TITLE.... WOW.... Awesome moment.... you could see the happiness in my eyes in the photo below.... Superb Moment.....

Thank You Mr.Ashok Kumar. Your words of appreciation encourage me to explore more & more in cooking Sir... Thank you.... 

BIG BAZAAR GIFT VOUCHER

Wonderful Experience ....  Just Loved it..... 

Thanks Every One.... 

Happy Birthday My Sweet Paatti...

Today is Viji Paatti's Birthday.

Its really a very special day for us.... as paatti is completing her 59th year and entering 60th year - Another milestone....

We came to Chennai on 8th March, as we had a 1st Birthday for Tamira, Amma's Cousin Maurya Mama's Daughter. They celebrated Tamira's Birthday in MAHAMUDRA, (Isha Group Restaurant) located in  Mylapore. We all had a wonderful time inspite of my cold and cough.... the only sad thing is I could not eat the Eggless cake which has so much cream and looked so lovely, colourful and tempting. Amma gave me a bit... and I tasted it. I controlled myself so much to celebrate Patti's Birthday.


PAATTI'S BIRTHDAY 

We celebrated Paatti's Birthday yesterday evening itself, as I have my leadership session today at Pondy and also I could not put leave to school on Monday.

Chithi made arrangements for our evening get-together, cooked few delicious items at home all alone and ordered few from the hotel. She has already ordered for an eggless cake in Hot Breads and Chittappa collected it from them by around 5.30 in the evening... till then we kept all  the arrangements in secret from paatti. But while Chittappa carrying the cake inside the house, paatti came to knew it... from then, she kept on asking us.... why we bought cake??? We just smiled at her and asked her to get ready. We all got ready in the meantime. (here WE refers to Thatha, Paatti, Appa, Amma, Chittappa, Chithi, Sathvi & I)

We arranged flowers to Mother & Sri Aurobindo in the afternoon. We offered prayers, meditation followed by Elango Thatha's speech by 6pm.

After Meditation, we asked Paatti to go down and made her look after few other chores. Meanwhile, Appa and Chithi arranged the table for cake cutting in Sri Mother's Room. Amma kept the cake in the middle and we kept the candle. The cake was so colourful & yummy.

Then we went down & asked paatti come up. We all accompanied her. She came & her joy knew no bounds... Thatha gave her a wonderful gift. We all asked her to cut the cake. She wanted all of us by her side and we all cut the cake ;-).  Hmmmm.... yummy..... it tasted superb.... 

After cake cutting, Appa, Amma & I gave her another lovely gift and then its Chithi, Chittappa & Sathvi's turn to give her gifts.

Later we all had a sumptuous dinner.... chatted for hours.... and an hour past mid night, we all went to bed. 

Today morning by around 6.40, we three started to Pondy, as I'm having a Leadership Session today by 9.30, which has been intimated to me only yesterday evening by Sudhir Coach. Earlier we plan to start by  afternoon... now we started a bit early... I am a bit upset over this sudden change in our plan, as I thought of playing with Sathvi.... :-(... 

Chithi's ( in her own name Nithya Balaji) another story (4th Story) has been published in today's Varamalar (Dinamalar)... இனி எல்லாம் நலமே! 

http://www.dinamalar.com/supplementary_detail.asp?id=14498&ncat=2

We are very happy - Chithi's Story published today, that too on Paatti's Birthday...... 

Hats Off Chithi... You are Rocking.... 

Birthday Bash... ;-)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEETEST APPA....

Hey you are 45 today Appa.... I just can't believe this.... You are getting younger day by day Dad

Appa... WHOLE INDIA IS CELEBRATING YOUR BIRTHDAY ... Howz the feel of this Statement Dad..???!!! Nice & Great ..... Ha...ha... ha... Just kidding pa...

Pondicherry is full of lights for the past two days... so colourful... and bright... lights ...lights... and lights everywhere....in beach... in Rajbhavan.... in Assembly.... in parks.... in Marie....in Light House....  in Secretariat.... superb.....

I remember how mom used to kid Dad.... நாடே கொண்டாடுது பா உங்க பிறந்த நாளை...

One thing I used to ask appa for every birthday.... "Have you ever felt sad for not distributing sweets to your friends while you were in school days...??"

Appa usually smiles at me for this question and always says ... "Never felt sad and in my school days we were to be in school by 6.30 am for flag hoisting on 26th Jan every year and in my school they used distribute chocolates after flag hoisting by around 7.30 in the morning and in fact I was Happy as I thought (when I was a kid) that they were celebrating my birthday & distributing sweets instead of me..."

See how innocent he was ... when he was a kid.... The School was celebrating his birthday.... ;-) !!!! LOL... I just can't stop laughing....

We have so many plans.... but as usual... I'm a bit down with throat infection & fever from this morning...

With fingers crossed... waiting for dad's verdict... (for our evening plans)....

Have a memorable day dad...

ANOTHER FEATHER IN MY NITHU CHITHI'S CAP....

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL...

Also....

பொங்கல் நல்வாழ்த்துகள்.... 

Yeah...

Nithu Chithi's (Nithya Balaji) another story was published in Yesterday's (13/1/2013) DINAMALAR VARAMALAR this week... பட்டாம்பூச்சி மனசும் மதிப்பெண்ணும்!  This was her third story within a month... Another Feather in her Cap... ;-)... Sri Mother has given her the Pongal gift...

Another big feast is all I need for this story chithi...

Here's the link for that story...

A wonderful one... narrating the present day education pressures, its stress & strains and the subtle niceties of a harmonious family. Further the story insists that a child would grow as a good valued, good natured human and maintain a cordial and pleasant relationship with relatives and co-human beings only through a strong family bondage and a pressureless education system.

http://www.dinamalar.com/Supplementary_detail.asp?id=13715&ncat=2#comment  

The way it has been written is really awesome.... 

Congrats Chithi...  

Hey... Nithu Chithi... DOUBLE CONGRATS.... DOUBLE DHAMAKA....

HEYYYYY..... MY CHITHI HAS WON DINAMALAR T.V.R.'S SHORT STORY CONTEST...
and Today HER TWO STORIES HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE MAGAZINE.... one in her name & the other in Sathvika's name.

DOUBLE DHAMAKA... Chithi....

CHITHI .... YOU SHOULD GIVE US DOUBLE TREAT for this on MOM'S 39th Birthday on 22nd Dec, as you scheduled to come over here.... and I could enjoy the treat leisurely as 22nd is my last exam.

As I wrote in one of my posts earlier, my Chithi Nithu Bala (Nithya Balaji) is a versatile blogger, writer & so on...

Many number of her stories, her tour experiences with her pictures & photos and recipes were published in leading magazines such as Devathai, Aval Vikatan, The Hindu, Thendral (one of the magazines from USA, as earlier she resided there).

Recently she won Dinamalar T.V.R.s Short story contest and her story has been selected from about 4000 stories.

The prize story " VEEDU" has been published in today's VAARAMALAR in her original name Nithu Bala ( Dinamalar Weekly Magazine) ....

Her Other Story " MAAMIYAAR KUNAM" in a Pen Name SATHVIKA (Name of my Cousin , Her Daughter)... has also been published in today's VAARAMALAR.

A BIG CONGRATS CHITHI.... 

Here goes the LINK.... for Today's DINAMALAR STORIES

1. http://www.dinamalar.com/Supplementary_detail.asp?id=13322&ncat=2

2. http://www.dinamalar.com/Supplementary_detail.asp?id=13330&ncat=2


LINK TO HER OTHER STORIES, ARTICLES & RECIPES PUBLISHED IN VARIOUS OTHER MAGAZINES... 

1. My Chithi Nithu Bala's Article about Niagara Featured in Aval Vikatan (May 24, 2011)  

http://www.vikatan.com/article.php?mid=3&sid=163&aid=5758

My Chithi Nithu Bala's stories

1. http://www.tamilonline.com/thendral/morecontent.aspx?id=128&cid=13&aid=7284

2. http://www.tamilonline.com/thendral/morecontent.aspx?id=137&cid=13&aid=7812

3. Her Story (Paambin Kaal..!) Published in Devathai
(http://www.nithubala.com/search/label/Media )
http://www.nithubala.com/2011/12/my-story-published-in-devathai.html


My Chithi's Recipes Published in THE HINDU... 

1. Her Recipes Featured in The Hindu Metroplus - Kadugu Sadam (June 19, 2010)   and
2.  Thengai Paal Mullu Murukku (September 10, 2010)   ... Link for above two is ...

http://www.nithubala.com/search/label/Article%20Published%20in%20Hindu

3. Her Recipe Featured in Vikatan Deepavali Malar (October, 2010) & the link is ...

http://www.nithubala.com/2010/10/my-recipes-featured-in-vikatan.html

4. Her Recipes Featured in Thendral (November, 2010) 

http://www.nithubala.com/2010/11/my-recipes-featured-in-thendral.html

Apart from these, she has published so many articles in Aval Vikatan, Doctor Vikatan, & few other magazines. 

In the Footsteps of My Thatha, Chithi & Amma.... Here I Come.... 

I am 11 Today....

Today is my 11th Birthday....

Yesterday (Nov 11, 2012) night I had so many surprises... We were chatting & having fun till 11 pm. Both Mom & Dad asked me to sleep so as to wake up early the next morning. As I was in the celebration & festive mood, I could not sleep & was so brisk & bright. By around 12 Midnight, Dad went to hall to get his mobile... later he called Mom & I to hall....  to my surprise, no light was there but only candles... I with my eyes wide open could see a cake in the middle of the hall with candles in all its four corners... WOW.... They are celebrating my birthday in the midnight...

Thank you so much Amma & Appa.

Prayed Sri Mother after lighting the incense sticks & then I cut the cake.

After cutting the cake, Both Amma & Appa gave me gifts... on seeing the pack given by Amma, I thought that might be either  Bailey School kids series or R.K.Narayan's one or two collections.... I said my guess to Mom.... She said No... & then asked me to open it.... I opened it with so many guesses.... to my utter surprise there was educational CDs Combo Pack & Then I took Appa's gift... It was a bit heavy... on opening, I was astonished to see the electronic gadget...  Amazing Dad & Mom... Thank You so much.

This Morning I woke up around 6.45 am and got ready. I bought Salwar & Banaras Pavadai for both my birthday & Diwali. Also bought Black Capri, Black Shrug & Yellow Racer Back top -- It's my Chithi's gift. I wore the Capri  today.

Viga was the first one to call in the morning by 7 am sharp. Thanks Viga for your wonderful wishes. Continuously one by one called me...  Viji Paatti, Nithu Chithi, Elango thatha & Balaji Chittappa, again another Lakshmi Paatti, Mahesh Chittappa, Kavita Chitthi & Nakshu, then Appa's Cousin Preethi Athai & Chitta Thatha, Amma's Aunt (athai Paatti), Her Daughter Mirudu Athai, Her Son Darshan Mama, Our Family Friends Arun Uncle & Devi  Aunty, Vino Mama, Pappy Aunty & their son Aku, ... & received mobile message wishes from Amma's Chithi ( Sundari Paatti & Thatha) , Priya Aunty, Anand uncle, Mrittika & Srutti... Then Amma's MBA & B.Pharm friends.... The list is so big & it continues...

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR ALL THE LOVE YOU SHOWER ON ME....

THANK YOU... THANK YOU..... THANK YOU.... 

Chitta Thatha & Preethi Athai came by around 11 in the morning... I again cut the cake for them & they gave their gifts and blessings.

Athai gave a beautiful greeting card in handmade paper, made by her, & her gift is  a photo frame with Sri Mother & Sri Aurobindo Photos, Multi coloured light & a serial light set for our Christmas & New Year celebrations.... Thatha gave me money to buy the story books of my liking. Thanks Thatha & Athai. They had their lunch with us. We all played Carrom board & Then I played Chess with Preethi Athai.  

Thank You So Much Thatha & Athai for your blessings & gifts. 

FANTABULOUS DAY.....