Garden Love

"It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts when eating a homegrown tomato"
~ Lewis Grizzard

Photographs by Anupama Puneeth

The tree story ...

This morning everything was usual .. the rush hour and morning madness
...until I heard strange noises from the outside... sounds from the machine ... something drilling or cutting
simultaneously as my brain deciphered what that could be, I could feel a knot in my stomach.

The tree service trucks were there cutting down some of the trees in my community. Trees not very old ... and house to many squirrels that we adore and admire each day.

I hoped they had good reason for doing this and I did check...but I don't think I am convinced. 
That makes me think ... is there anything I can do ?

Reminds me of this quote from movie 'The Lorax' - "I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues."

Only consolation was that they would not touch the trees in my front and backyard...at least not this time ! 'coz these trees are not damaging the roofs or the building structure yet.

There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it.  
~Minnie Aumonier

... my heart is quite but the music is dying :(

Sweet Celebration

My little sunshine turned 5 years !
... a perfect occasion and reason for trying out some home-made sweet treats for the little guests :)

A super simple cup cake decoration ... just a swirl of butter cream icing topped with some sprinkles and M&Ms.
The heart and also the letters in first picture are made from royal icing. It was actually left overs after the pink roses (below) I made for the birthday cake.

First attempt in making a cake of this big a size ! You bet I had my fingers crossed through out :)
Its a simple vanilla cake with butter cream icing. The sides were decorated with the basket weave and this worked pretty well since I still struggle to get the perfect finish with this icing.

For the decoration I made Wilton roses using royal icing.
The left overs of which I used to make the letters, hearts and also number 5 which unfortunately broke :(
So with royal icing, be sure to make plenty of extras in case a few of them break !

Not a great shot, but wanted to show full picture of the cake.
I realize the writing on the cake isn't great...so there is always an excuse to make more cakes and work on that :)

Bread sandwiches cut into Dolphins and heart...using a sandwich cutter.

The Brownies looked pretty plain and simple. So used some butter cream frosting for this quick design.

It was quite some work and planning in getting all this ready in-time for the party. At the end, it was all worth-it !

Spring-ing to action !

As we get set and march into Summer, its been a fantastic spring so far.
For last few weekends it has been a lot of activity in our backyard. 

It started with re-potting my existing plants ...

...then some new additions 

...and few more !

Tried my hands making these Terrariums

We have had a challenge with outdoor plants in the past due to the squirrels. But the optimist me did not want to give up ! Infact made a more ambitious attempt and made this tiny vegetable and flower patch in my backyard...after taking some measures to keep the squirrels away :)

some vegetable seeds that I sowed with a silent prayer ... are now springing to action now. 

Can't wait to cook with veggies from my own backyard :)

The backyard is now the sweet corner of our house .. be it my cup of tea, evening snacks... all the fun time with family and friends is now centered in our backyard.

... and she danced in glory

A heart filled joy and tear filled eyes as I looked at 'my sunshine' dance in glory !
Oh..they grow up so fast :) I am sure every parent thinks so !

Terrarium love

For several weeks now I have been eyeing at these beauties and finally made my own.

The idea is simple...
Find a container, add some rocks for drainage, possibly a little sand (I believe this is optional and skipped this), next add a layer of charcoal, specially if its a closed terrarium to keep the soil fresh, then a layer of potting soil, finally add plants and you're done !

I tried my hand at this bigger jar and it was so simple and easy that I couldn't resist making another one..a baby Terrarium ! 

This one's actually a hanging glass but I am a bit skeptic since it looks pretty fragile and not sure if it can withstand all the weight from inside. So not experimenting this, at least for now !

I love indoor plants and have quite a few. But these terrariums have brought a different charm to our living space and of course a new element of decor. 

A piece of nature in your living room .. It can become a self sustaining system once it reaches that equilibrium.

Making a terrarium seems very simple technique and doesn't necessarily need gardening skills. 
Below are some links that I found very useful. So do check them out if you too are inspired in making one of your own.

Video on Terrarium how-to by Sprout Home
Lots of tips at Apartmenttherapy

Sweet Blossom

Spring has officially started ...
And celebrating the arrival of new season with these sweet blossom !

I have been enjoying the Wilton's cake decoration classes held at Michaels. 

This ones from course II of the four. Course II is mostly working with Royal Icing.

Trying my hands in making rosebuds (my favorite) and primroses.

Apple blossoms and Daffodils

Wilton Roses and Lily 

The finale class ... basket weave technique 

and floral cake decoration using the Butter cream icing.

Bonappetite !

Hooked on Crochet

I did my high schooling at a convent school where we had this compulsory subject called "work experience". We were taught the basics of sewing, knitting and crocheting.

Not sure I enjoyed so much back then. But I certainly am hooked to crochet these days !

Thanks to my neighbor, a friend from Maldova, who is an expert in crocheting. She has done a zillion things using crochet and each of them is an amazing work. Unfortunately she hasn't shared them online.
Inspired by her work and with her guidance to start with...I restarted my crocheting and absolutely loving it :)

A summer hat - inspiration from craftpassion

A winter cap 

A blanket i made as a gift for a very special baby !