This s the best way to enjoy rainy days. I stay near a window or a veranda and listen to the rain and thunder.
• Eating samosas and pakoras;
It’s a tradition that one gets togetherwith family too enjoy these deep fried treats with a cup of tea.
• Reading;
Since one doesn’t want to venture out, staying home and reading something interesting is the best way to enjoy this time.
• Blogging;
Another lovely way to spend free time. I am always looking for a few spare moments to read posts from the blogs I follow and to answer the comments.
• Going for a aimless drive and enjoying my favorite music;
When I was younger this used to be my favoriteactivity on a rainy day. Now I am a bit cautious and don’t indulge in it often because driving in rain isn’t that easy at my age.
Nothing better than biting into a juicy fresh apple. I like apples that are neither too hard or too soft.
Apple pie, homemade;
This was the first type of pie I learned to make. Everyone liked apple pie in my family so I kept on experimenting and improving on my skill. I have even taught a couple of my friends how to make it.
Apple crumble;
Though this dessert is quite easy to make, I have not made it myself. But I love eating warm apple crumble with vanilla ice cream.
Apple and pineapple salad with chicken;
This is a commonly served salad at most buffet lunches and hi-teas. It’s easy to make and quiet nourishing too.
Apple jam;
It was a routine in my grandmother’s household that when we had a surplus of any fruit, we would turn it into a jam or a jelly. Apple jam is easy to make and is a family favorite.
5 Things Tuesday — 5 Life lessons you have learned during the lockdown.
Something totally unexpected happened at the end of February 2020. A global pandemic was declared by the WHO and most places went into unprecedented lockdowns.
The pandemic still is here. Maybe for another year or two, who can say for sure.
I have learned a few things since February’20
• Share;
After the toilet paper shortage, OTC painkillers were scarce too. People bought all the hand sanitizer from stores and even on Amazon, one couldn’t find any. The most important lesson I learned was to share. Get only what you need and leave the rest for others.
• Be kind;
Pandemic is tough on everyone. Be kind when you see people struggling with their lives. Be more understanding and forgiving. When everyone is suffering, a little kindness goes a long way.
• Learn to entertain yourself;
When one is in a lockdown, there aren’t many people you can visit, movies you can watch in theater, or go shopping to the mall. I have found the ability to entertain myself was a lifesaver. Reading, blogging, making lego creations and going for long walks were the ways I kept myself busy.
• Be organized and disciplined;
I learned that following a routine and sticking to it was the best way to have a stress free day. When I woke up every morning, I knew what was my schedule for the day and I always had something planned that would make me wake up with hope everyday.
• Look after your health and appearance;
It was the perfect time to get back to healthy eating and to try to shed the extra weight. Walking daily, eating according to my plan helped me lose 10 pounds. I also got some kits and products online for self grooming and it was another way to spend my time productively and pleasantly.
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These are some of the very important lessons I learned during the pandemic lockdown.
In her post Tanya has listed her favorite feelings. And of course they are the best, hope, happiness, excitement, anticipation, and contentment! My list would be somewhat identical to a degree.
Feeling of peace; Of all the good feelings, I love to feel at peace with myself and the world around me. This is the feeling I get when my inner self is at peace with my outer world.
Feeling ahead of my daily chores; When I am ahead of my daily targets, I feel so good. My walking done, Blog posts written, and my chores done, that’s when I totally relax. Now I can use my time for reading, coloring and other activities.
Feeling excited; Anticipating something when some new venture is on the horizon, like traveling abroad or going on vacation to a different city makes me feel all excited. As the day the feeling of anticipation is sometimes better than the actual event.
Feeling sated; Having a good night’s sleep, or after a good satisfying meal is the way I feel sated. It is a wonderful feeling that leaves me at peace with myself and my world.
Feeling joyful and happy; This is last in the list but not the last in priority. All the previous feelings listed Brian me to this feeling. Joy and happiness fills me when I am at peace, relaxed and sated.
Longer days give me more time to do what I need/ want to do during daytime. The sun sets later and rises earlier. I specially enjoy early morning time.
Pinacolada
I like this drink so much. A wonderful, refreshing combination of coconut and pineapple. It’s my favorite cold drink.
Mangoes
There was a time that I wasn’t keen on eating mangoes. Perhaps I found them too sweet. But in last couple of years, my love of mangoes has made a comeback. In Pakistan we have a huge variety of mangoes. And the all are amazing.
Summer break
Summer break from school means that we can plan a trip someplace. Usually it’s up north to the cooler areas of the country. This year we went for a couple of days to a hill resort, Nathiagali. It’s a lovely, lush green place. Lots of little monkeys are also roaming around there.
Cool summery clothes
Our summer is very hot. So we have cool lawn clothes to wear. These are made of lightweight cotton fabric which are usually available in very lively colors.
These are my 5 favorites for summer. What are yours?
We have been talking about food related topics here on 5things. This week I wanted to break the mould. Oh dear ! That’s another food related metaphor. I am afraid I can’t help myself. I simply love writing about food.
This week’s topic is Icebreakers or Conversation starters. Which are your favourites?
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In a big get together;
How do you know the host/hostess?
In a wedding reception;
The hosts are not here as yet! Even they are late!
This week Tanya asks us about our favorite jams/ preserves
Strawberry Jam;
I really love strawberry jam, specially homemade one. It’s easy to make and can keep for some time in the fridge. Love it on toasted bread or croissants
Black current jam;
Another favorite which goes well with cream and toast or on top of pancakes.
Grape jelly;
Fruit jelly goes so well with peanut butter. I have tried it both on bread and toast as well.
English marmalade;
This is not as bitter as the regular one and I like it best in my bread and butter pudding.
Guava jelly;
I love it because it reminds me of my childhood and my grandma. She used to make this when our guava trees were full of fruit.
This week Tanya wants to know what are our favorite canned foods.
Fruit cocktail;
Oneof my favorite desserts to make is fruit trifle. And I have a very quick and easyrecipe for it. All I need is a pre-made cake, a big tin of mixed fruit cocktail and some custard. It has earned me praise on many dinners.
Garbanzo bean( Chickpeas);
I love chickpeas in any form. I make chickpea rice with a tin within 15 minutes. When I want to make hummus, it so convenient to just open a tin and viola, it’s done in a jiffy.
Sweetened condensed milk;
If you’re a fan of masala chai, you should try it with a little sweetened condensed milk. It gives it the authentic flavor. I use this milk for making desserts too.
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