Random musings on a sunday evening

Yes, this is a view into our messy concrete pillar in the middle of our apartment and our messy living room.

Sunday afternoon light filtering in from our one wall with windows. The ranunculus and poppies I bought Friday still look fresh and just make me smile. A brief calm after a hectic morning and before an even busier but more fun evening of friends, homemade pizza and Avatar the last Airbender.
linked up with the Nester.

After seeing this


watching Downton Abbey on Sunday nights is much more enjoyable and Ryan is much more apt to join me. I still can't forgive the Chicken Lady for her comment glorifying 'loading the guns at Lukhnow'. Makes my stomach churn just thinking about it, but no one else seems to mind. I guess mass murder is no big deal depending on who is doing it.

Love this blog post. I hate the saying 'boys will be boys'. My son is only three but he shows his affection to his friends by giving them (well, mainly just one girl, he is constant if anything) flowers, making cupcakes or cookies to share, holding hands, singing, etc. He has his own troubles sharing his toys or being too physical like any toddler, but has never once used aggression as a form of affection.   And he is never encouraged in that.

Nonviolence is not a sign of weakness, but rather one of self-confidence and courage.
-Dalai Lama

I hope that we are teaching him that.

Creamiest Mac & Cheese Ever.

Once again Pinterest pays off.  Otherwise I never would have known that one can boil pasta in milk to make macaroni and cheese.  I didn't really like the rest of the original recipe, but the idea is genius.
Of course I had to make it as soon as possible for lunch one day.  I thought I was making enough for the two of us with plenty of leftovers for little ones later.  Sadly after naptime there was none left for Avinash or Nandini to try!

Quinoa Macaroni and Cheese with wilted spinach

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2 cups whole milk
2 cups quinoa pasta*
1 thinly sliced garlic clove
1 chopped green onion
1 cup cheddar cheese
chopped cilantro
1 tbsp olive oil
big handful of spinach
1 cup water if needed
seasonings to taste:
salt
pepper
turmeric (haldi)
chili powder
crushed red pepper
mustard powder
dried onion flakes


1. Combine pasta and milk in saucepan, bring to boil and reduce to simmer. 
2. Add seasonings and garlic and green onion.  Continue to simmer for twenty minutes.
3. When pasta is al dente add spinach, cheese, olive oil and cilantro.  Add extra water if sauce is too thick to stir in spinach easily.  I needed about half a cup.
4. Serve and enjoy!

*I used corkstrew pasta, but macaroni would work as well.  I buy this at Central Market in the gluten free aisle.  I just like it for the extra protein. I think the quinoa pasta requires a little extra liquid compared to semolina pasta.  I used about tsp of most seasonings but only a pinch of the red pepper.  Do not add the olive oil until the end as it will make the pasta not cook right.  The cilantro and other seasonings are optional, but the turmeric doesn't change the flavor, just makes the color brighter and more appealing, especially if you are able to restrain yourself and serve any to little ones. 

linked up here.

Rainbows, hearts and sunshine

This layout is based on something I saw in a shop window a few weeks ago.  Pinterest come to life? Ha!  I am so often looking at online things for inspiration that it is nice to pull from, you know, reality. 

{Cutie Q
Peek a boo
Love you}

The page is made with lots of papers from Studio Calico, mostly County Fair.  I love those exclusive SC wood letters.  They are the perfect size and a great font.  Hope they sell more of these!  Sorry for not linking up the supplies, but I think my arm would fall off.  Some of the hearts are just punched out from packaging!  I inked the Maya Road doilies with the linen stamp from December's Salvaged.  I couldn't resist adding Pebbles Candy hearts on top.

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 I love when Nandini plays peeka boo with us, and was lucky enough to get some cute pictures too.  I made one of these photos into a Valentine's Day card for my mom also.  The tissue paper is leftover from Avi's party. 

Happiness Cues

Day in the Life was a wonderful thing because it allowed me to think about some of those little things which make me so happy but often go by unnoticed.  And in that spirit I wanted to jot them down before I forget this list that keeps running through my head.

The rain -- not the endless flooding, but my happy little boy, splashing in every puddle he can find in his green monster galoshes. 

Coffee and tea.  In all forms.  This is so trite, but when you get a cup that is the perfect temperature and just sweet enough everything feels better.  In the hospital, studying, at home I have always felt this to be true.

Avi's floor bed.  We moved Avi's bed off the frame and pushed it into the corner.  The whole room feels bigger and lighter, despite having no windows.  We sit, do puzzles, read books, a lot now.  Having a real play room makes a big difference for us.

Prosaic and poetic literary quotes. 


Target.  I get more complements on my bag that I bought in their girls section than anything else I wear (nautical striped harajuku mini tote bag thank you very much).  I hate to even take the tag off.

And this Jason Wu dress. So what if I had to literally grab it off the rack while ten other girls tried to pounce on it at the same time?  And, I think it looks even better in person.

All things rainbow.  Avinash loves to play the 'rainbow game' in the car where we all try to find things of different colors. 

Nandini playing peekaboo and pattycake, waving and clapping all the time.  It is just too too cute.  That and all the love from my family and friends.  Should write about that stuff more, but I don't want to jinx it. 

I would write more but I can't think of all the millions of things I wanted to write anymore.  At least I got these things down.  Hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day!

Project Life + Giveaway

This week was crazy.  We had to vacate our apartment for the week and stayed wherever we could find shelter.  It is so hard, especially because Nandini is really into her routine.  Basically sleep, Mommy time, yogurt, sleep, play, eat, more sleep, repeat.  You get the idea.  We did have fun though.  And I was so blown away by the kindness of our friends, like when I needed someplace for the kids to nap during the day.  Or when Justin drove to Target and bought them Fisher Price horses in case they needed toys to play with.  And, our extra long sleep over at Nisha's house.  We packed in a trip to PJ storytime at the library, a trip to the zoo, a visit to Chuck-e-Cheese and the actual birthday sleepover.  My page felt really busy, but I guess that reflects life? 

I liked how this Martha Stewart tag looked glued on the outside of the pocket.  Used my trusty, old Smash date stamp.  I think I use happy place the most.  Love Nandini's new kimono from Nisha.

A little bit of ephemera.  Wrapping paper and a #3 thicker.

One of my own journaling cards with the Clementine days of the week.  I just got lucky with how well they coordinate.

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In case you were wondering, that little girl is serious when it comes to cupcakes.  She kept mental note of every one being eaten and protested loudly until she had her fair share. 
I made the polaroids in picasa and then created a 'contact sheet' collage and cropped it to 4x6 so I could eliminate the unwanted 'informative header'.  Very quick actually.  Printed out at Ritz.
Saved one of the photo booth cards from Chuck-e-Cheese and added an Ormolu badge and a Crate Love Sticker.  Which is already giving me the idea to make the next two weeks over the top Valentine's Day themed.  I think it will be nice to have the seasons reflected like that as you flip through this album.




Linked up with The Mom Creative and One Happy Mama for Project Life Tuesday. And, please, link me up to any of your inspiring pages this week as well in the comments!

Need to clean out my stash, so I'm giving away 11 packs of letter stickers, thickers and chipboard stickers.  Just become a blog follower, check out my Etsy shop and leave a comment below (constructive criticism appreciated). Get free shipping there with the code rainbows2.  Domestic only please, unless you want to pay your own shipping.  Some are gently used, others are brand new.  Winner will be posted in two weeks.  Good luck.

Day in the Life --- 2012

I just started project life and saw that Ali was doing a day in the life project.  I was wondering why I should do something like this.  But, even with project life there are so many little stories to tell, things that I love, am frustrated by, am thankful for and want to remember.  I had a running commentary going through my head all day yesterday and I guess that is what writing is about. 

Heisenberg tells us that by measuring or observing something we inherently change it.  Does this statement about nanoparticles apply to everday life?  I feel it does, but it doesn't have to follow that it is changed for the worse. 

Morning essentials: coffee and fried eggs.  Two things that make me very happy.  Farm fresh eggs from revival market and locally roasted beans from Java Pura.  Rainbow colored glasses are from Target.  Of course.

Wednesday mornings Avinash has school.  A battle again today (ever since they had to move out of their regular classrooms).  More discussions with his teachers.  Nandini is back to her morning nap schedule.   She very sweetly started sucking her thumb and laid down in her crib without an ounce of protest.  She sleeps when better Avi isn't home and the house quiet. Even better now that we moved her crib into the closet. We live in a loft with no doors and Nandini is a very light sleeper so she needs her own space.  Don't worry, it's a very very large closet.  This also means scrapping time for Mommy.

Just joined the YMCA this month.  Or the library as Avinash calls it.  He usually loves going there to see his 'friends'.  Nandini hates it, but finally had a day with less crying on Tuesday and was good again yesterday.  I peeked in on them before fetching her from childcare and she was sitting in a circle with four others clapping and playing.  Of course her lip started quivering when she saw me approach.  Just to make sure that I remember how unhappy she is without me.  I guess I sort of love that in it's own way.  It is nice to be needed (but also get a break!). 

I made cobbler for lunch, and used up a lot of fruits hanging around the fridge.  Avinash wanted to help and I think so did Nandini by the way she was screaming until I let her sit on the counter with us until I got lunch on the table (spinach tortillas with leftover magic beans).  The cobbler needed a little longer to cook because of all the extra liquid from the extra fruit but was worth the wait. 

Unwinding a bit before afternoon naps, playing while Avi watches the Care Bears Movie.  It is the oooold one from 1985, ie, the one I watched as a child.  I was so happy when I saw it on Netflix streaming and even happier when Avi decided he liked it too.  I thought it might be sappy, but I really enjoyed the songs and all the talk of friendship and feelings.  It is definitely better than Caillou at least!  Love how Nandini's face lights up here when she realizes I am taking her picture.  I think she was most excited about getting the chance to smudge the lens more than anything.
She is so serious when she plays.  She likes the blocks, playing ball and the shape sorter.  Though she doesn't quite get the point.  She keeps showing me how taking off the lid makes it much easier to put the toys inside.  Duh, mommy! 
Avi had a bit of a struggle laying down to nap.  An almost daily fight.  I choose to just ignore his protests while he squirmed on his bed.  After he calmed himself down I sat down beside.  He hugged me and said, 'Mommy? You love me again?' Ugh.  That smarts.  I assured him that I always love him, even if I get mad.  I always love you too.  He is too good.  I rubbed his back until he fell asleep. 

Got my Studio Calico Daydream Believer kit.  Very spring-timey feel to this month.  I scrapped these photos of Nandini in December.  I had printed them out for project life possible filler, but it feels good to do real layouts too.  Love it when the kits spark that inspiration.  The box arrived during naptime which was perfect.  I scrapped while watching old Hindi movies. 
Nandini all refreshed and ready for some pattycake.  She really loves playing and soaks up any one on one attention she can get!

Ryan took the kids to the playground for a little bit.  Me time now equals showering without Avinash or Nandini sitting outside the door trying to break in, ha!  We had a simple dinner of 'stone soup'.  Basically garlic and vegetables cooked in butter, add water.  Simple but so good.  Bathtime is almost always fun for them.  Overheard Avinash talking to his reflection in the faucet too, ha! 'Hi! I'm Avinash...'  Nandini has never been much of a snuggler, but she will nuzzle with you for a second if you're lucky.

Our collection of muppets now sit on Avi's dresser.  I always wanted a muppet babies themed nursery, but could never find enough stuff.  Nandini playing peekaboo with her hoodie towel.  I had left a hindi movie on in the living room and we heard lots of nice hindi songs.  Nandini was very interested in banging along to the music.  We read a Roald Dahl book, The Enormous Crocodile, and played puzzles and things before bed.  We recently moved Avinash's bed and the extra space means they actually have somewhere to play.

And, finally, I checked my email after bedtime and got a bit of scrappy good news.  Getting a layout from Avinash's birthday published in a magazine.

How was your day?

Put a Bird on It: Project Life Art Journaling Cards

I was inspired to make my own set of art journaling cards for project life.  They are also available for purchase in my etsy shop here.

Plus, I was watching Portlandia (my new obsession) and wanted to make the cards into art....by putting a bird on it!


HAHAHAHAAA.

Too much? I actually was laughing out loud by myself (unless you count Nandini, who was sleeping) in the car just thinking about that show.  And, I really did use my JBS bird stamp.  Shiny.

I laid out my stamps all over the place after bedtime.  I may need to do some spring cleaning soon.  It felt so good to actually get some use out of them.

A lot of these are SC and JBS kit exclusive stamps, but  some of the other good ones are the starburst, butterfly, JBS borders, doily and postage stamp, polaroid, whimsy silhouette, and story time stamps.

I find it a little bit hard to use the JBS butterfly rubon without messing up, but was happily amazed at how effortlessly I was able to stamp it perfectly.  The JBS stamps are great quality.

I cut two pieces of 12x12 cardstock into 3x4 cards and a couple 4x6 cards with my paper trimmer. 

I misted half of them with different Mr. Hueys.

I used Overdue (red), Cameo (pink), Bonny Blue, Heirloom Blue, Sunshine (orange), Lemonade (yellow), Plum Thumb and Pony.

While those were drying I stamped my plain cards using Versamark ink and embossed them with a variety of colors.

I was really proud of the homemade 'chevron' using the border stamps.  I thought they looked a bit unfinished so I rounded some of the corners and inked the edges with vintage photo distress ink.  No need to get the foam out or anything.  Just slide the edge of the card along the stamp pad and you are good to go.

 {A page in progress.  I felt very KP with this one.}

 I don't have a corner chomper and don't feel like buying one so I just used my flourish punch to do it.  Just slip one corner in at a time and line it up to get the corner fit.  I'm all about multi-tasking.

I wanted to use a lot of funky color combinations for these cards.  I did a few in plain white or tone on tone; red glitter zing on red, pink on pink, gold on yellow, teal on dark blue.  I also did lime green on red, pink on orange (this was not as bright as I'd hoped it would be), lavender on yellow and teal on red.  And see? I really did a bird one :)

Some of these will be for photos as they are too dark to really write on and some just for journaling.

 And finally my page for last week.  Two of my own journaling cards and three Clementine cards with a wood veneer banner and an Ormolu fabric swatch & tag for extra punch (ha, *eye roll).  The paisley paper is old stationery. Our first week of survival mode this year, going to the museum of course, and a little bit about India's independence Day and my Mom's birthday too.  Maybe those google doodles will be interesting to look back on in the future?

I like making my grainy cell phone pics into polaroids using the collage feature in Picasa (hey, it's free!). As you can see I still need to copy a bit of my journaling from the blog on to the card.  Pretty simple overall, but I love the colors all together. I printed my photos at home again on cardstock, but accidentally used the flat side instead of the textured side.  Definitely did not love that, but was too lazy/tired/blah to do it over.  Maybe next week.

Linked up with The Mom Creative and One Happy Mama for Project Life Tuesday.  And, please, link me up to any of your inspiring pages this week as well in the comments! 

Just saw these hand stitched Amy Tangerine tags....soooo cute.  And perfect for project life.  Don't forget to check out my shop if you like my journaling cards too.

Uchi comes to Houston

{or the story of how we spent Superbowl Sunday}

I love to eat, try new cuisines and flavor combinations. I also love being vegetarian, which makes going out some what of a challenge in Houston.

Things seem to be getting better and better bit by bit. First Pondicheri Cafe started meatless mondays, which I am a tiny bit obsessed with.

Then Revival Market added a new vegetarian sandwich to their menu. (Did my tweet asking for one vegetarian item help? Who knows. I'll take credit for it though if I can.)

And, another Austin transplant restaurant just opened this week. My loving husband wanted to get us reservations for Valentine's Day but accidentally booked it for tonight instead of next Sunday. Ooops. I guess no one really goes out to eat during the Super Bowl, so at least we got a table and didn't have quite so many people to embarrass ourselves in front of with our kids and our own spills all over the place.

So excited to be going there opening week, I had to get a little dolled up in one of my new Jason Wu for Target scores.

Uchi is a sushi place, so the focus is obviously on fish, but there were plenty of options to choose from on the menu. Our waiter was super gracious about us being vegetarian as well in a way that I haven't seen in this city before.  Also, some of the only instagram-worthy food in the city too.

We started out with grilled endamame, which gave Avinash something to do between popping them open, tasting a few 'peas' and decorating the table and floor with the rest. Can you tell I'm rolling my eyes right now just thinking about it? Grilling the endamame was a really unique touch actually, and increased the flavor a lot.

We also had pumpkin tempura that was insane. The pumpkin (kambocha?) was sliced thin and fried to absolute perfection (and makes the rodeo food pale in comparison). Crispy but not greasy.  We may or may not have planned on sharing with the kids and then ended up finishing it up almost entirely ourselves.


Also noteworthy, the sake.  Usually I have no idea what I'm getting when I order one, but the menu had clear descriptions of all the drinks, which is how I chose "Bride of the Fox".  Which also is kinda meant for me because I loved Robin Hood growing up and always wanted a lotus ring like the one he gave Maid Marian in the forest.  We even watched it today after Avi's nap.  Perfect.  Oh yeah, the taste?  Sweet, floral, pear and a little bit of honey.  Ryan and I usually share, but this was not one of those times, ha!  (Again with the not sharing, no wonder Avi doesn't know how).


Panko breaded fried green tomatoes with sesame, spicy ketchup.  Our least favorite dish of the night.  They were crispy to be sure, but lacked seasoning and seemed undercooked somehow.   Even Nandini rejected this one.  (Why do they only want the good stuff?)  She did however love the crispy brussel sprouts topped with lemon aoili.  As did everyone else.  Luckily these were generously portioned and we easily shared.

One of the best bites I've had in a long long time was the Nasu sushi - Japanese eggplant on top of the most perfectly seasoned sushi rice I've ever had.  I could have eaten a huge bowl of it and I don't even like eggplant.


One of the specials was even vegetarian.  It was sunchoke tostones (basically fritters) with garlic sauce, crushed almonds and a special citrus gastrique.  Truly top chef worthy.  Easily compares to our fanciest dinners in New York City (at a much better price too).  Avi really liked this one as well.  I don't think Nandini even got to try any.  We also got Bond rolls, basically avocado sushi wrapped in soy paper.  The dipping sauce was interesting, but nothing compared to the eggplant.


Normally the kids are pretty decent at restaurants, especially Nandini who just happily and quietly eats.  Not today.  I had a wonderful Mommy moment when I had to take her to the bathroom to nurse because I was wearing a dress and then couldn't find anyone to help zip me back up.  Fuuuuun times.  Even I was embarrassed by that one.  One wonders why I am sharing it now??

Once the above arrived however we finally had peace.  Nandini apparently needed to top off her milk with a side of fried milk.  Avi polished off our sorbet.  Both were singing something in the backseat very loudly together on the way home and smiles finally reappeared.

All in all we loved it and will be back many times, preferrably with a babysitter.  Or two.

3 3-and-under go to the zoo...

Ordering food from the tower (for lunch we ate cheese quesadillas with a side of macaroni and cheese while watching the giraffes eat leaves in a box). See the third monkey? Elephants after their baths. Sharing snacks. A tiger named Pandu (as in Nandu pandu). An overturned barrel full of water and fallen foilage. Do not splash rule may be optional.  At least one of them will look at the camera. Thank god, sleeping.  Bonus baby! making up for lost playing time because he got left behind.

And, stopping myself from laughing when people thought Avi and Nisha were twins.

And their favorite part? Chasing birds away after one stole a cheeto out of Nandini's hand.

a little wednesday inspiration

We are still in survival mode here, but that doesn't mean there isn't random inspiration around.

Like the kindness of friends letting us stay with them while our apartment is under siege and a thousand little gestures that go along with that.

Nandini stopped for a little coffee after dropping Avi at school today and spied these beautiful garlands.

Hearts on a string.

XOXO XOXO

And purple flowers in stainless steel cups.

Happy February!!

{Linked up here: 5 Minutes For Mom, Parenting by Dummies, Project Alicia,And Then She Snapped, PaperMama}