C in my Kitchen

I chose simple to post for C, some spices, seasonings that i use everyday in my kitchen, without which my meal wouldn't be flavorful and aromatic. 

Curry leaves, i add them while tempering and coriander leaves as garnish, both play vital role for that happy aroma that emanates from a Indian Kitchen. 

Cloves and cardamom, cannot imagine my evening tea without them!! Coriander seeds is what gives my curry that kick, that keep people taking about it!!

Thanks to Nature for the abundance and for the knowledge to accept and appreciate them!

Chillies, Chana Dal & Coriander getting ready for curry powder

Beginning in my balcony

Its been 2 years  now, since i started gardening. Not anything big, just a small green patch in my small balcony. Last year i had some tomatoes and capsicums along with flowering plants like hibiscus, rose and some spinach. 

This year i delayed planting tomatoes, now since summer has arrived, i might skip tomatoes this year. And with our annual vacation in june, i cannot see them dry out with little watering.

I have some flowering plants now and a small herb garden. 

I tried to capture their beginnings in my lens. 1000 mile journey begins with small steps, so here is to all new beginnings, including ours!!!

Rose bud, playing peek-a-boo

Purslane leaves, shooting up!! Reach for the Sky

Hibiscus, Budding up!!!

See you all on Sunday!

Art & Architecture

I started this blog to help me improve my photography skills and indulge myself in clicking something interesting apart from food too.  I still continue posting in FB page for this blog, but have long neglected this space. So, to nurture it again, i signed up for A-Z challenge for April 2016.

Starting from today i will be posting one picture everyday, with Sunday's off. Hoping to complete the challenge well. I dont have any particular theme for this challenge, it will be a random post that will be in alphabetical order.

Today i have some pics from our Tanjore/Thanjavur Visit.  Tanjore/Thanjavur is a city in the southern state of Tamilnadu, India. A city known for The Big Temple, The Chola love for architecture, world famous Tanjore Paintings and the list is endless.

Here today, i show you a glimpse of that timeless art & architecture that stands today, to tell us stories of our rich cultural heritage. 

The Entrance to The Big Temple

The Iconic Big Temple Tower , UNESCO certified Heritage Site,
The Tower is built in such way, that its shadow will fall on itself and not
on the ground, this was some 1000 years ago!!!! #Salute 

A watch tower behind Saraswathi Mahal,
 and also an arms storage.

Clock Tower near the Bus Stand

Painting inside the Central hall of Saraswathi Mahal,
made using natural colors, bright as new

Will meet you all with another picture-perfect post, ciao!!!

World Photography Day - Pykara Lake

The calm and the serenity of this place will overtake, your every sense and gives you a great feel!

Toy Train

A customary and a must-visit/travel places of Ooty,  is this Toy train ride, we too enjoyed this to the core!!!

African White Daisy

Loved these cute white daisies with purple center. Saw them everywhere in Ooty. They looked very pretty in that scenic atmosphere. 

Roots- Garden

Harvest from my garden. They call this red amarnath as 6-months keerai. They grow tall and its stem grows thick and they taste better when they are thick and luscious. The leaves and the stem are cooked separately as kootu or curry. Since i was leaving to India, i couldn't leave them unattended for such a long time, so, i harvested them last week.  For sure, home grown food tastes out of the world. 

Camera settings : Nikon D5100, 50mm lens, ISO 100, f/3.5, 1/1250.