Recap ~ Best of 2011

New Year's time is always about thinking back and wondering if you did what all you set out to do. And it's also the time you plan for the coming days. How quickly time does pass! 

Though I was actively updating something of my personal thoughts on my other blog, I haven't really done much lately. Then there was of course the BM that's been such a huge thing. It almost looks like I have been blogging through. Still I never would want to miss out doing things that I consider as traditional things. And do a Best of the Year is always that for me.

The best part I love about this event, is the fact that there are blogger friends who actually look forward to this event and so happily send me their memories. Life is like that right, least thing brings you a smile, when you least expect it.

I am touched by many who support me in all my activities and many who wish me the best in all the things I do. What do I do without you all!

Before I become more sloppy, here's an account of all the stories that's come my way!

For Anusha, the year has been very good as she has so many memories to think back fondly. She recollects her journey through her blog and the different roles she has come to handle. She has a lovely collection of recipes to start with. Browse through and enjoy her recap.

For a person who took a break longer than expected, Cham comes back with a bang, recollecting what's kept her busy through the year! I especially love the fact that she got to taste some exotic fruits and has even come up with a goal sheet. All the best Cham for fulfilling your goals.

Next you get to read about Pan Gravy Kadai Curry, authored by a cool gal, calling herself Cool Lassi(e). My pal in BM,  and trust me she really got me over the moon when she said she remembers only BM these days. From a collection of over 100 recipes, it is really tough to pick just 15 but she really did. And those 15 are really wow!

There are certain things that you do as a tradition and I feel as a tradition. And that will surely be getting an entry from Graziana. I enjoy the fact that I never fail to get an entry from Graziana. Best part of the post is, she has made sure she has selected the very best for us to drool over!

Then we have Hema sharing her best of the year, when she become active blogging. I like her best picture and I am sure you will too.

Next comes Jaya, with her spice and curry mixed up just right for us. If you felt you missed reading some of her delicious dishes, you need not have worried. She has done a beautiful round up of her creations!

Now we have a bubbling blogger all set to get the record straight. Kavi seems surprised that she stayed committed to this entertainment she has started. Well when it is Edible Entertainment, how can one not be addicted. Her list of best what she had to offer are really tempting.

Then we have Lakshmi Grandhim sharing her best of the year. Her Iyengar Bakery Style "Khara Bread" surely caught me drooling over it.

Reading PJ, I can only say I was touched. Not only did she write this post the year along, she sent an email that she was waiting for me to announce this event..:)..Read on her lovely recollection of what best she has in her collection.

Priyanka takes a trip down her memory lane, revisiting some of her posts and enjoying them again. The best I liked was the Eggless Chocolate Cake with Cookies and Cream Icing.

Roshni who started blogging just couple of months ago, is all excited with the encouragement she gets from her new blogging friends. She lists her best that she has to offer in the months that she started.

For Smitha, it's been a wonderful year of change. They moved homes which meant she couldn't blog. The long break that she couldn't avoid made her miss many events. She is hoping to get back to being regular and I hope so too.

and finally thinking back on how and what it was, I was able to write down my thoughts. I have been able to reach my goals that I had thought for Spice your Life. Though still long way to go..

I hope you enjoyed reading every body's account..Now stay back to enjoy the regular show.

***********************************************************************

Thank you everybody for sending and sharing your thoughts.

Memories the Essence of Life ~ Best of 2011!

There are times when you think days are flying and times when you think time just doesn't move. Luckily I haven't felt the latter for a while now. I am not sure if I should be glad or sad over it. The last twelve months have been one hectic period and I have not found time for doing many things. I know it sounds such a routine thing. I have always said if one wants to find time, one can surely. True, maybe I just didn't want to find that out myself. I have made sure I have been busy with more than what I can handle most times.

There have been times when I felt that I wasn't spending enough time with my kids. I try my best to spend as much time as I could manage. Well I know they will surely complain when they felt we are not spending time with them. We take them to park, spend evenings watching movies, I have had them help in cooking at times, helping me with small things that they can do. At the same time, this is the period for us to work hard, meet our goals, make much more of this life then just living everyday life! So sacrifices in certain areas are expected to happen.

Sometime during the last days of 2010 I thought to myself that I should really make an effort to be more active in Spice your Life! and decided to do a Marathon for 30 days. The group that joined us were so interested that they wanted me to continue, though with a theme. Since doing 30 days was just out of question I decided on a weekly marathon. Finally we settled around a pattern of doing 14 day marathons, making sure my other group's activity Indian Cooking Challenge, doesn't get affected by this. Through Blogging Marathon, I have come to know many bloggers and enjoy a close knit community that helps out and reaches out so much.I have been really proud for having got together a group that is so free in sharing knowledge, experience and much more. A big thanks to all my friends who had joined me in Blogging Marathon.

I did Breakfast Mela, Sandwich Mela, Condiment Mela, Soups and Salads Mela and Snacks Mela. And the entries that came my way surely fits us for many years to come!

As I was really busy with Blogging Marathon in Spice your  Life!, I tried hard to be regular in posting here. The highlights would that I managed to observe Navarathri this time and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It really gives one a disciple that's required. After that came Deepavali and for that again I enjoyed making new dishes. Learning traditional Indian snacks and sweets and making sure I record it, gives me great happiness.

It is said life is always a mix of happiness and sorrow. While on a global front, we did see many calamities and casualties, on the blogging front we lost a dear friend. Though I never met Jayasree, it always felt as if we always knew each other. On a personal front, I lost my maternal grandma recently. She was the person behind many of the traditional recipes that are featured on this blog. Amma learnt from her and she passed on to me. Amma always said she can never make those dishes as good as her Mom.

Life goes on and we surely make sure to get involved in many things to forget things that depress us.

As always I have lots of plans to execute in the coming year. I am optimistic that at least having goals gets one to be focused.

Ultimately it all boils down to the fact about, not how much and what all we did. What really matters is if you gave your best efforts and hanged on till the end!

Give your best, rest will take care of itself!

Each year passing, I sit back for a while and think back how it was and I always know I can vividly remember each day passing. There have been few years that passed into oblivion. I know it has been a significant year. I met my childhood friends and it was such a nostalgic time, there is nothing better than meeting your friends you knew so many years ago. When I spoke to them over the phone last year and met couple of them, I knew life has come round a circle. This year I met about thirty of them. We have planned for a bigger group next year!

Also finally I thought I liked a tag line for the blog. "Memories that churn food and Tales". For the records I posted about 277 recipes on Cooking for all Seasons and about 220 in Spice your Life!

I appreciate the support that is shown by the visits and emails. This space if I had wanted it to be just a personal record for my kids, I would have kept it a private one. I enjoy the interactions that happen on this space with my readers, so look forward to reading them.

I wish all my readers a great year ahead!