No more Nigella Wanna-be here

Move over Nigella, there is no room in my kitchen for you. I have my beautiful Margaret. And boy, can she cook up a storm. Last night we had Prawn Biriyani. I figure it is the Indian equivalent of Risotto. We also had Dosa and Sumba Dahl. Dosa is a type of savory pancake. commonly eaten in India for breakfast, to eat it you break of pieces and dip it into the Dahl. And We love it. Sam thinks it's the best thing he has ever eaten. I wish I had smell-a-vision so I could share with you all the wonderful aroma's that waft out of the kitchen. I hope by the time I get home I will have mastered the art of Indian cooking. Yesterday I was watching her cook and I often try to help with doing the dishes or passing her things to make her job a bit easier, but I am usually told in a very polite way to "BACK OFF Madame that is my job" Who's kitchen is it anyway, obviously not mine anymore.

This is our spice jar. Don't ask me what they all are, but I will learn.
Also in the shot are the Prawns that were coated in a batter with fresh coriander, the deep fried. Master very happy when he got home.

This is Singarum. He is one of the guards here at our apartment. We call him Happy Jim. He has always got a smile on his face and a wave for us as we come home or head out the gate. He speaks little or no English. We always say Hi to him and ask "How are you Singarum ?" Victor has tried to teach him how to respond. So now he responds with "Very well Madame" or quite often its "Very welcome Madame" this always gives us a giggle and even Victor finds it amusing.

Whenever I get the camera out, there's my friend Singarum trying to get in the shot. He wants me to get him some copies of the pictures I take of him, I haven't quite tackled the photo store yet, may-be next week.

Poor little Mac is the center of attention when we venture down to the swings and the guards love to play with him. Mac is slowly getting used to them and will now let Singarum pick him up for a spin around.

Frocked Up

I've dried my hair, got make-up on, nice clothes on and I'm going out.
Rather an occasion you might think?
For this old, tired, house -bound woman, Yes.
The big event is a Oversea's Woman's Club Madras, "Shopping in Chennai"
Sounds like my kind of stuff.
I'll fill you in next time.

Domestic Godess Wanna-be

I came to India armed with my "How to be a Domestic Goddess" cook book thinking that maybe I could turn myself into Nigella Lawson.
Hah, In my dreams.
How can I do that when I don't even have an oven and I have no idea how to use my brand new convection micro-wave.
The problem is that when we unpacked the micro-wave there was no manual in the box, but not to worry, the LG guy was coming to demonstrate how to use it.
That was 4 weeks ago and 6 phone calls later and he still hasn't showed his face at Door No. 2A, and look out when he does, even my Margaret will have his "guts for garters" and I am sure she isn't even a violent women.
All we want to do is COOK and BAKE.
Margaret keeps saying to me, "Madame buy an Oven?" no Margaret we have a microwave that will bake cakes and cookies etc. "But Madame I cook nice roast beef in oven" yes Margaret the microwave will do that too.
So yet another call to LG (Lifes real Good when you have a microwave that you know how to use) and try to understand the person on the other end of the line. They will then give me yet another ID no. and Madame you will have someone at your house within 24 hrs. Right, sounds easy. NOT.
Maybe I should stick to my trusty old favorite my Gourmet Cookware pot, it does cook a nice cake on the stove top. At least I have gas. This week.

Milk Delivery

This is the milk man's way of delivering the milk, in a create on the back of his bike.
I love how it is kept refrigerated in this hot climate. This milk needs to be boiled before use.
I think I will continue buying my milk from the local supermarket in it's long life container.

Happy Birthday Ganesha

Wednesday was yet another Festival holiday here in India.


It was Vinayaka Chathurthi, The Birthday of Lord Ganesha, the Elephant headed god.

His devotees pray to him for health and good luck. They do this by purchasing a clay idol of him and then decorate him with fresh flower garlands and cute little umbrellas, which are to keep the rains away. On Wednesday morning people where out everywhere buying their Ganesha and the offerings to decorate them. It was so lovely and colorful, some of the statues are just plain clay and others are highly painted. On streets eveywhere there are Temples set up with music being played and peolpe making offerings of flowers. Our photo's didn't do justice to the day, its a bit hard to get good shots out of a fast moving car.

In 3,5,or 10 days later people then take their statues to the beach and throw them in the ocean, with the wish that they will be blessed next year when Ganeseh will return. Imagine the state of the beach and how this must effect the environment. The beaches are already filthy, as if they need anymore rubbish.


Just another day in" Idol " worshiping India.

Three modes of transport in Chennai

This is a Wedding Car in Chennai. Apparently August is a very auspicious month to get married. They decorate the cars with fresh flowers sticky taped on to the car, it amazes me they stay on in this heat.

I think these guys are painters, look at their ladder and cans of paint in the trailer. Also loved the flowers on the front of the bike.

And this is a dirty big garbage truck, they stink and have black smoke coming out of their exhausts. We hate getting stuck behind them. They usually drop most of their load on the road behind them too. YUK.