Gulmohar

Just a few days ago, I was wondering what happened to all the gulmohar trees - I didn't remember seeing them in their usual fiery bloom for the last few years. I guess I was just not observant enough, because friends told me there were quite a few around. I saw one on the road yesterday but was too inhibited to whip out my camera and take a picture - I saw this in a friend's apartment complex today.

At Work

Soup Stalled!

Guess what planpitch is?

Chick Lit, Choklit

I'm due for a weigh-in tomorrow, so naturally I had to undo the goodness of the past few months and be tempted by a wicked chocolate cake (not seen in picture as it's inside the tummy.) And clean out a fruit trifle that The Spouse ate most of.

In other news, I've stuck to my resolve not to read big fat mystery books for a while, and the above is what I'm reading.

Irony

This is where it has been stuck for the past couple of months!

All Arms & Legs

I noticed this picture in a restaurant today. There were others equally puzzling but this was the closest to our table.

Some Sizzle

Grilled fish with lemon, tarragon and garlic it was supposed to be! I expected a pale sauce but got this robust one instead and I suspect they messed up the order, though they said they'd brought the right dish. It was good, anyway. I could only eat the fish and the potato wedges.

Match Abandoned

The Spouse got a call that irritated him no end and he was in mood to continue. What a pity, we had just sat down to play after months!

Jewellery Box

I don't know what these containers are meant for but I just found them in the depths of my house and am using them for everyday jewellery.

Instant Meal

Noodles, boiling, before the tastemaker has been added.

An Old Treat

Vanilla and strawberry custards, layered, with dates here and there. Our Uncle's creation.

Went Fishing ...

... and realised that the fish needed a bath!

Imagine that - fish needing a bath!

More Salad

A friend came to lunch today and I made two salads for us. She brought the rice and the raita. Later, another friend joined us for dessert.

The Remains Of The Day

At a Malaysian restaurant. We were three of us - we had kway teow with egg, nasi goreng, and satay, and small servings of lamb and prawn curries. Then one of us (not me) had two desserts - butterscotch milkshake and 4-scoop ice-cream!

Roadside Shrine

Speedometer

I like the way the speedometer of the car got reflected - I took this shot through the window. Another vehicle, or more precisely, its lights, is a streak of gold and red.

Andhra Meal

Doesn't look like much but at least it wasn't a fake Andhra Meal with lots of chilli powder in an image-maintaining effort. It was too oily, though!

Salad Days

Ever since I rediscovered The New York Times Natural Foods Cookbook, I've been eyeing the salads there. I've made two so far, and the salad spree - if three can make a spree, that is - resulted in this third salad of recent times. Today's was the fourth. Find the recipe here.

For Some Laughs

Two And A Half Men

Sleepyhead

Known as the rain tree, it's called Nidra Ganneru in Telugu, Thoongu Moonji in Tamil, both names having to do something with its leaves that droop by the evening. There's a green-flower variety too! Here's more on this tree

A Day Of Entertainment

I went to a village nearby on some work. I reaped rich rewards, as you can see below.






Poikaal kudhirai - dummy horse show.



Karagattam - dance with pots on head


Mayilattam - peacock dance

You can find more information about the folk art forms of Tamil Nadu here.

Handiwork

The Pleasures Of The Flesh

The assistant at the tender coconut stall on the pavement looked bemused, and then amused, when I asked him to hold this and pose for a photo. In the many seconds that it took to convince him I was no nut, another customer came by so he became unavailable and this had to go back to the pavement, where the owner thoughtfully swatted the flies while I took my picture.

Home

Can't Live With 'Em, Can't Live Without 'Em

The autorickshaws get into every photo of the outdoors that I take. I didn't make much of an effort for today's photo of the day but decided to get one of them instead.

What Does It Look Like?

To me this looks more like a fish than a palette

Biriyani

This is how it began ...


And this is how it ended!

The Old Curiosity Shop

I've never been inside but always smiled at the literary association.. This shop has been around for a long, long time.

Dolphins

One A Penny, Two A Penny ...

Easter Eggs and Hot Cross Buns