Twenty- five Seven

Breakfast with Anna Shetty #FlavoursomeTuesdays

October 31, 2017

Mothers and daughters are closest, when daughters become mothers.

I am one of those lucky ones who has two daughters. While Daughter No.1 lives far away over the ocean, Anna Shetty lives just across the road from me. I meet Anna Shetty every other day if not every day. But surprisingly we hardly ever get to talk. This is because most of our conversation centres around Wow Dinga and Little Po who are always running around underfoot whenever we are together.

So when Anna Shetty invited me over to breakfast at Grandmamma’s Cafe, I readily agreed. Because breakfast is my favourite part of the day.

Soon after her case early in the morning, Anna Shetty met me at the corner and we walked down to the newest cafe in my neighbourhood. I had always been intrigued by the name simply because I am a grandma myself and pretty much run my own cafe, catering as I am to a family 24×7.

Anna Shetty was quite familiar with the place as it has become her latest hangout place. She was excited to share this find with me and opened the bluish green door ahead of me.

Before we could settle down, she already spotted a table full of her friends and spent a few minutes exchanging hellos.

Luckily she didn’t have any calls or emergencies and we spent the next hour talking about her weekend, Halloween and #MeToo.

And we sipped our coffees. Hers was a hot Hazelnut Mocha while mine was a cold Ice Caramel. And we shared a plate of Eggs Benedict and a side order of bacon done to a crisp.

Ever since I saw Julia Roberts in “The Runaway Bride”, I had been intrigued by Eggs Benedict. Somehow it seemed more grand and exotic than plain poached egg. As for Hollandaise sauce – this was one sauce I didn’t even attempt to try.

Finally I got to have it.

Perhaps I’ll even try making it some day. Especially when I want to recall this rare and happy moment.

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In our busy lives we hardly ever make time for the simple things in life. Our conversations are transactional as are our interactions. Once in a while, it’s nice to make time for those special people in our lives.

Do join me and my co-host Shilpa in sharing your foodie memories every Tuesday on #FlavoursomeTuesdays.
600 and counting#MondayMusings

October 30, 2017
Today I’ve reached a number I never imagined I’d ever reach .

600 subscribers

And to think that a few months ago I was actually thinking of giving up my blog .

It’s been quite a see-saw of some highs and mostly lows.

But on this Monday afternoon I’d like to share some of my highs:
- I think the highlight of this journey has been my trip to Malaysia. This was truly a wonderful experience that allowed me to shop till I dropped as the Malaysian Tourism Board had tied up this visit with YES. I got to see Melaka, Kuala Lumpur, Johore Bahru, places I’d only heard about . I met some wonderful people and stayed in fabulous hotels.
- All this really began with my association with Blogadda. For years I just plodded on in isolation, hoping against hope that someone would read my blog. Then I stumbled upon Blogadda and joined up with a blogging community. I regularly participated in their contests and weekend prompts.
- Another bonus with Blogadda was my chance meeting with Corinne at Blogadda’s workshop with celebrated chef Michael Swamy. It was here that I met a real live blogger with whom I actually connected.
- And then I joined WriteTribe and got even more connected with wonderful bloggers, one of whom I met last week on my way back from Pune. There are lots more wonderful virtual friends , all of whom I would like to meet …..and if the Universe is listening, I’m sure I one day will.
- SkywatchFriday is another blogger’s group I thoroughly enjoy being part of and one of my first posts ever was chosen as the anchor post ! That was amazing considering I’m a rank amateur.
These are all the highs I can remember. I’m sure there must be more but the thrill I’m experiencing today of reaching 600 is something I can’t explain.

After all those years of blogging for no one to blogging for one. Struggling with platforms, themes, content, traffic. Learning new skills like social media. All this is finally bearing fruit.

Or at least I’d like to think so.

What has been the high point of your blogging career dear reader? Do share in the comments below.

I’m linking up with Corinne’s #MondayMusings.
Ageless Yoga is a way of life #WATWB

October 27, 2017

Yoga for life

I have been doing Yoga for almost 40 years now but wait, don’t get impressed – My practice has been erratic. It’s been off and on and more off than on. In my most recent off phase, I was actually thinking of throwing away my Yoga mat, my Yoga belt and even my Yoga pants which were threatening not to fit any more. But then by chance one of my school friends who also does this exercise, shared this inspiring video of a 98 year old granny doing Yoga.

What I admired about Nanammal is that she is an ordinary Indian – not one of those hoity toities in their designer gear and yoga studio/workshop. She does her practice in a regular sari and her students are both adults and children. I was astonished that there are so many Indians who are practicing this ancient art. And that yoga is more a part of their lives than it is mine!

All this immediately made me feel ashamed of myself and I took out my mat and began breathing!

Yoga is truly an exercise program that is ageless and meant for all ages. I hope this video inspires you too to shake out your mat and stretch!

I’m participating in We are the World Blogfest where bloggers share positive acts of humanity in life, in the news, or social media on the last FRIDAY of each month.

Manyt thanks to our co-hosts for this month Shilpa Garg, Sylvia McGrath, Mary Giese, Belinda Witzenhausen and Guilie Castillo .

Do stop by and visit their blogs and see what the world is up to!