Wonder no more

I know! All of you have been wondering what happened! To the Traveling NaBloWriMo Masterpiece, of course! Well, wonder no more.

It's not done yet. Far from it! Almost all the Boulder/Denver bloggers have added their touch. Jen showed her love for the mountains and drew them right onto the canvas. Kitt added some lovely squiggly line art to the canvas and handed it to Amy, who did her thing and added bling. Once Amy was done, Danette drew a gorgeous palm tree on it and we're not surprised, given her love for Key West! We lost a couple of bloggers along the way but now it's on its way to Seriously Wonderful in Boulder. That will be the last stop in Colorado! It's taken much longer than anticipated but there's something called life that gets in the way from time to time.

The same thing happened to me! Nirmala is, of course, so right when she says that I shouldn't blog just for NaBloWriMo. Believe me, I considered doing NaBloPoMo again but it was time to acknowledge that I was in over my head with my commitments already. I did a quiet NaBloSiMo sans any announcements. (Enough with the links already? OK!)

November was a truly crazy month. I haven't met or entertained as many people in such a short period. And I cooked. A lot. Unfortunately, I don't have many pictures to show for it so I am just going to have to re-create those dishes one by one. But it's great when another food blogger is there for the meal because she takes all the pictures! And, honestly, when it's someone as talented as Jen, there's really no need to bother taking any as she makes everything look really good! A fun time was had by all at the Girls' Lunch I hosted. We missed Kitt as she had to bee elsewhere. She made up for it by taking herMom and I out to lunch at Louisville's The Huckleberry, a tea house and café.


I know it doesn't look very appetizing but this is the best burger in town. It's a veggie garden burger with all kinds of seeds, melted jack cheese, and slices of avocado. And, yes, I ate all those fries. Again, because Huckleberry's fries are the best thin fries I have ever eaten!

The horrific events in Bombay wiped me out as I watched my stomping grounds attacked, and innocent people killed and injured senselessly. Luckily, all my family and friends were safe but many others were not so lucky.


I feel guilty when life goes on like normal when others' world in what used to be my world has been turned upside down. When you no longer feel safe in your hometown.

Moments like this - a man wearing skis on wheels on a major arterial road - make me smile.


I look in my (dirty) rear view mirror and see the mountains in the distance, standing tall as if to say that all will be well. No matter how much I want to believe that, it is not all well, is it? The economy is spiraling downward - it has been for over a year now. A record number of jobs are lost on a daily basis and it has hit home with several friends being laid off. I pulled myself out of the general despair I was feeling to write an article for The Daily Tiffin called Nail Those Invisible Expenses. We survived the dotcom bust but this is worse as it is not restricted to just one industry. Being frugal and living a simple life seems to be the answer in these trying times.

I have been finding peace in working with my hands. My yard could have done with a good dose of that but I sprained my back a couple of weeks ago and that became the perfect excuse for not doing anything to prepare my poor neglected plants and trees for this brutal winter that is upon us now. I finally finished the lacy scarf I was knitting. Yes, I frogged it and started over with US #11 needles. I made a ton of mistakes along the way but the net result is a beautiful airy scarf that is going to my friend, Gabi.


I also made her a beaded bracelet that I am quite thrilled about.

The Holidays are almost here and my friend Dhana will be here with her family for a week. I am looking forward to her visit, and perhaps some snowshoeing in the mountains. I have a great excuse for not skiing - my back, you know!

I'm sorry I've been away for so long but there were too many things all happening at the same time and something had to give, along with my back. It's good to be posting again and I hope to be back with recipes, beginning with the yummies I cooked for the Girls' Lunch with four other fabulous women!

19 comments:

Thistledew Farm said...

I am so glad you posted today! I was missing you! I am overjoyed to see the masterpiece. I have been following it on the posts but didn't see any postings for awhile and was getting worried it disappeared! I am excited to see it progress.

Bharti said...

Your post is strangely comforting. I feel guilty about life going on as usual after the Mumbai fiasco too.
And I agree with you about simplicity in lifestyle. The scarf turned out lovely! Oh and I wish I could eat that veggie burger!

Susan from Food Blogga said...

I am relieved to hear your family and friends are safe. However, the attacks were truly ghastly. I can only imagine how painful life must be for so many people right now. Thank you for sharing a thoughtful post.

Anita said...

You may have been away from your blog but you have been busy! That is one pretty scarf...the bracelet as well. Lucky girl Gabi!

Yeah, on to the recipes quick...I have seen the pictures at Jen's and it would be nice to have the recipes...

Rima said...

The scarf and bracelet is look beautiful. Yes--Bombay is unfortunate. Think about the days when I lived there.

Pelicano said...

Indeed these past weeks have been depressing, but still it's nice to read about these positive things that you've shared here.

Pelicano said...

BTW, just checked out the pics of your food on Jen's: looks great- especially the coconut barfi! And the portabella mushrooms w/peas... but murgh makhani?! I thought we had a talk about that dish. :-)

Aparna Balasubramanian said...

Hope you have a nice holiday with family and friends and your back gets better too.

Best wishes for the festive season and a Happy New Year.

Cynthia said...

It is so nice to hear you.

Happy Holidays!

Sheetal Kiran said...

Welcome back, Manisha! It's great hearing from you again.
Mumbai has me numb ... don't know what to think or how to react anymore.
The scarf is so pretty, as is the cute bracelet. Looking forward to your wonderful recipes!

bee said...

have a wonderful 2009, dear manisha.

Pragyan said...

Wow, the crochet looks absolutely out-of-this-world..that's one thing I have to make time to learn someday! Happy holidays!

Kitt said...

Happy New Year (almost), Manisha! Glad the art is still moving along, however slowly. Your own crafting is lovely.

Here's to peace, everywhere.

sra said...

Happy New Year, Manisha!

Srivalli said...

Dear manisha,

Wishes for a wonderful 2009 to you and your family!..hope your lil one is doing great!

-valli

Nirmala said...

Thats great come back dear! Was missing your posts so much! Wishing you and your family and wonderful and prosperous New Year! Wishing you all the goodness and peace in the new year ahead!

Mandira said...

happy new year to you and your family Manisha! Looking forward to many delicious posts in 2009.

Jaya M said...

Hi,
Manisha,
I liked the white scarf very much ...Great work..
wish you and yours a very happy new year 2009 ...
hugs and smiles

Anjali Koli said...

Wish you a happy year 2009! and some recipe posting ;). When are you sharing all the recipes from your Mom's diary?