Where I've been these past few days....

Hello hello! and how have you been these past few weeks, gentle reader? There have been days I've been super busy and days when I've just bummed around in my PJs *grin*....weirdly I haven't been feeling very chatty lately, which is reflected in the lack of posts on the blog. Sigh. I've kind of given up on trying to "make" myself write--it's not like life hasn't been happening behind the scenes here, just that I haven't felt the overwhelming urge to "talk" about it. Do you know what I mean? I hope it's a phase and it will pass! However, there were a few gloriously sunny days where I was able to take advantage of the light and take a few pictures. ...So if you'll have me, just the way I am at the moment, I have some pictures (and some links) that take you through the days past......

I added a few new pictures to my flickr page. I've also been pretty active on the tumblr front (pretty pictures +  no need to talk = awesome!), do check out my blog here. 

I was really inspired by the latest issue of Sweet Paul Magazine and made this delicious batch of pretzels from the recipe on page 30. I love freshly baked pretzels and I'd always wanted to try some at home, so when I saw how ridiculously simple the recipe was, and the fact that I had all ingredients readily available at home, I went for it! The only thing I would add to the recipe next time would be a source of fat, maybe some olive oil. Because, though these were delicious fresh-out-of-the-oven, they became kind of tough and chewy by the next day. (That didn't prevent my boys from polishing them off tho'! :))

This past month I've fallen hard for Pico Iyer's writing. I just finished "The Global Soul" and I loved it! I've been meaning to read it again, just to linger over parts that really spoke to me.......

Next up on my reading list is Hot, Flat, and Crowded, by Thomas Friedman. I'd really loved watching his interview on GPS last year and it's been on my list of must-reads ever since. I finally got my hands on a copy and I can't wait to get started on it! Have you read it? How did you like it?

In other news, stuff has been blooming in my garden, we've been having unseasonably warm weather in these parts (by unseasonably warm, I mean no frost warnings out yet, and though it is cold enough for me to pull out my warm socks, it's still warm enough for some plants to survive the nights) and I thought I'd capture some of the pretties from my (container) garden and the green fields in front of our home.......

That mint plant has really been pressed into service this year--I've been making mint chutney each week! The red flowers and purple petunias make for a cheerful welcome to our home.....

 

And then, of course, you are all aware that the festive season is upon us.......Have a happy Dussehra, folks! Here's a shot of my threads from last weekend. You know, I've had this Gharchola dupatta since my days in college! Since this dupatta was the star of the show, I kept the rest of the bling down to a minimum. I love the combination of deep, dusty red with the grassy-pistachio color. The gold threadwork, which already had an antiqued look about it, has taken on several  more layers of patina and I love it! This one is a keeper for sure!  (This time, on my trip to India, I'd decided not to go crazy buying new stuff. It was time to revamp some old classics and some hand me downs, and I couldn't be happier with my decision--the smile that this dupatta brought to my face couldn't have been put there by any other "new" piece of clothing. Do you ever do that?--bring back gorgeous memories? :) ) What are you wearing these days? Do share some pictures of your finery!

LOL! That's a surprisingly chatty post for someone who's not in the mood to talk! *grin* That's about it for the "wind up" post....Till I see you next time, be good, and don't do anything I wouldn't do! ;)