Xpressions

Recently going through my collection of snaps came across this beautiful photos which I had captured while in UK. It was fall time and these snaps were captured in a park. The leave are changing colors and are in different stages giving the trees a very colorful look. Summers in Europe may be a more joyful time but I would vote for fall as the most beautiful time of the year. Sharing a few lovely snaps here ...

This was the first weekend of the year ... so decided to start it with something new. Got 2 new plants for my terrace garden ... :) An aloe vera and a lemon grass. Both plants are known for their medicinal value. Tea made with lemon grass, tulsi, adrak and pepper is the best known homemade remedy for common cold. With dipping temperatures, it's the best thing to have, to prepare yourself against the cough/cold viral infections which come around this season. These lovely new shoots come along with the new year. And hibiscus is the best plant in my kitty right now. Its always blooming ... :)

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year 2012 .... Time to stop by and think how 2011 went. Mine was a great year. Many amazing memories, many dreams which came true. 2012 is here with a whole new set of ideas and expectations. New heights to achieve, new places to visit ... Looking forward for another wonderful year ....

My favorite season of the year ... Sitting in my balcony and having hot 'chai' has never felt so good .. :) Unfortunately been too busy at work hence haven't been able to make any outing in last few weeks. But looking forward for something interesting during Christmas and New year. Temperature in Pune is going around 10-12C now. The roads get deserted around 8:30-9:00pm. Less traffic woes for me as this is my usual time of travelling back from office .. :) Early mornings in gym are also blissfully less crowded. Carrots, apples, peas and pears all in abundance. Waiting for grapes and strawberries now .. :) May be I should head to Mahabaleshwar for the strawberries in the coming weeks now ... :)

Another year ... another wonderful Diwali ... :) t'was more about lights and tradition this year ....   Decorated my home with lights and diyas ... Even created a diya shape out of diyas .. :D    This is my favorite snap of this year ....  This lighted diya looked wonderful and serene.   Also tried some traditional Rangoli designs ... done with help of a pattern though. Not an original creation ...   There was a grand fire cracker show at Magarpatta. Was able to witness it for the second year in a row. They also decorate all the office buildings with thousands of lamps. Feels awesome to walk along the path. Celebrations @office were also more on traditional lines with these rangoli patterns and a decorated 'Killa' 

Been busy unleashing my creativity on the paper ... so don't feel like pouring anymore on the net ... :) But can't stop showing off my latest creations ... :D So here you go ... 

Painted Diyas make a very apt Diwali gift. Tried it myself this year and it has turned out really amazing. Here is the plan ... Requirements :  Diyas afcourse ... :) You get them in variety of shapes and sizes in the market. When bought in bulk they come really cheap.  Primer and thinner - this is for a white colored base coat. Colors - base colors would be the usual fabric colors. For detailing, you can select tube colors including sparklers for really good effects. Brushes - larger ones for the coat and base paint. Thinner ones for detailing. For the finishing touches - plastic sheet, different colored satin ribbons and stock paper to make tags Small decorative stick-ons, colored pens et al for decorating the tags. Preparations : Dip the earthen diyas in a bucket of water and keep them overnight. After removing them from water, keep them to dry in sun if possible for a couple of days. Start with the base coat. For this we use the primer directly on the ...