It’s snowing. Beautiful white puffed up flurries all over the place. It looks pristine, white, gorgeous.
May this New Year bring prosperity, happiness and love all around. May this year wash away the unpleasant and bring in the beautiful for all of us around the world.
View of the woods from my Kitchen
And I am back. I did not fall off the axis. I was away, in India. I have missed you all like crazy.
India rocked. I had an absolute blast. I hardly could log in from there, partly due to merry-making, partly due to constant travelling, but a large part, due to catching up with family and friends that left little time for socializing online.
The Gorgeous South City Mall, Kolkata
There was so much to do, so much to see and so many people to meet. Some of my favorite people from my childhood – it was painful to see them totally altered beyond recognition with age. Others were kids who were mere toddlers when I last saw them, and now were college going young men and women.
One thing I realized – I am pathetic at clicking pictures. I missed so many opportunities to click that it’s unbelievable. Still I got some great shots. Look at the one below – two blacksmiths, hammering away to mould iron. Look closely. Can you figure out what’s different about this picture of two people working?
Depiction of Village life in 18th century India
Beautifully crafted sculptures, these. These miniature models of people and villages make a very interesting sight at Belur Math museum, Kolkata.
Then I visited the famous temple of Dhakhineshwar, Kolkata. I went all traditional of course. Sitting on the banks of Ganga river, this 19th century temple is an unbelievably peaceful place.
The very beautiful Dhakhineshwar Temple, Kolkata
Amazing Indian Railways at its best.
Museum of Science and Technology at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur,
Meeting Gandhiji at Freedom Movement Museum at IIT, Kharagpur
Look at that cake. It is Pineapple Whipped Cream cake, custom made. And it was all mine on my birthday. Yummm!!!!!!
Pineapple cream cake
I also want to thank ALL my Guest posters who held fort during my 45 days absence (I owe all of you tons of hugs and blog love ). My dear readers, if you have missed out on any of their absolutely outstanding postings, do check them out.
One Guest Poster I specifically need to thank is Helene, from Masala Herb. During the last leg of my trip, I got so busy that I could not log in at all, and I missed giving her an intro. That bothered me to no end. So I must rectify that.
Who is Helene? She is a remarkable blogger from Austria of French decent who now calls Goa, India, her home. Married to an Indian guy, what amazes me is her talent to adapt to her immediate environment and cook authentic food. Coming from India myself, I know it could not have been easy for her. Food from Western Ghats of India is as different from Central European food as chalk is from Cheese. Do check her delicious family cookie she baked for my blog on Christmas.
Wishing you all a spectacular 2013. Happy Blogging!!!!
4 weeks of absolute bliss with you. How I miss that.
Antara recently posted..If I could find a souvenir
It was bliss, and for me, it was a total dream sequence. I have to pinch myself to believe it.I truly had the time of my life.
Minnie recently posted..Happy New Year!!!!
It sounds like you had a wonderful holiday. 45 Days is a great break. How wonderful to have had the opportunity to catch up with people you hadn’t seen in a long time. Welcome back and Happy New Year xx
Hotly Spiced recently posted..2012 – The way it was on Hotly Spiced
Thanks Charlie!! Looking forward to see more of your fab posts
Minnie recently posted..Happy New Year!!!!
welcome bck minnie
u had wonderful 45 days and hope ur mom is better
missed u but again welcome back with a bang
meena recently posted..Vadakari Snc challenge 4
Thank you so so much Meena! Happy New Year
It was a 30 day trip, but close to 45 days of Blog leave. Enjoyed every moment, barring first few which were spent in anxiety of my Mom’s surgery. That went really well, so everything afterwards was awesome.
Happy New Year to you too, and it’s nice that you had such a lovely holiday. I have relatives I only see every few years and it’s really difficult to see the changes, particularly when they are very old. And it’s always so sad leaving, not knowing when you’ll be back.
Happy blogging for 2013.
Eva Taylor recently posted..A little sojourn to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
That were long holidays, the only proper ones
Happy New Year!
Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today recently posted..Semolina with jam
Thank you so much!!!Happy New Year to you too!
That’s so awesome that you were able to visit India. Sounds like an amazing trip! So glad I popped over to visit you again. I truly appreciate all the kind words of encouragement you always share. Wishing you a wonderful and blessed New Year!
Kelly
Thanks Kelly!! I did have a fab time. Happy New year to you too!!
Minnie recently posted..Happy New Year!!!!
who says you are not a good photographer? you are a professional photographer!! these are some beautifully taken photographs! belated birthday wishes and have a great year ahead!!
You know just the thing to say
It’s great to be back. Happy New year again!!!
Minnie recently posted..Happy New Year!!!!
Minnie, you’ve been so busy! Some great shots there and I love the look of that pineapple cake too!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella recently posted..Easy Eggnog Pikelets
Welcome back
I am happy you had a great trip back home. Thank you for sharing those pictures with us
Sawsan @chef in disguise recently posted..Homemade garlic mushroom soup
Thanks Sawsan!!! Happy New year to you too!
Hey Welcome back and Happy New Year. Nice cliks of India. Missing so much , don’t know when I wiill be able to go there again.
Thanks so much!!! Happy New year
I miss it already.
Looks like you had a fabulous time – So glad you had that beautiful birthday cake and you’re back here for us to enjoy
CJ at Food Stories recently posted..Not Tuna Salad & Tofu Press Review/Giveaway
Thanks so much CJ!!!