Twenty- five Seven

Aren’t these strange ways of spending money?

May 4, 2016
- Isn’t it strange that we don’t mind spending Rs. 4000 on Perfume
But we don’t want to spend the same on a doctor’s fee?
- Isn’t it strange that we don’t mind spending Rs. 4000 on a pair of shoes
But we don’t want to spend the same on a doctor’s fee?
- Isn’t it strange that we don’t mind spending Rs. 4000 on a branded T shirt
But we don’t want to spend the same on a doctor’s fee?
- Isn’t it strange that we don’t mind spending Rs. 4000 on a Chinese meal
But we don’t want to spend the same as a doctor’s fee?
- Isn’t it strange that we don’t mind spending Rs. 4000 on tickets to a play
But we don’t want to spend the same on a doctor’s fee?
- Isn’t it strange that we don’t mind spending Rs. 4000 on a bottle of French wine
But we don’t want to spend the same on a doctor’s fee?
- Isn’t it strange that we don’t mind spending Rs. 4000 on a sari we don’t really need
But we don’t want to spend the same on a doctor’s fee?
- Isn’t it strange that we don’t mind spending Rs. 4000 on a coffee table book
But we don’t want to spend the same on a doctor’s fee?
- Isn’t it strange that we don’t mind spending Rs. 4000 on a Yoga class that we skip half the time
But we don’t want to spend the same on a doctor’s fee?
- Isn’t it strange that we don’t mind spending Rs. 4000 on subscription for a magazine that often goes unread
But we don’t want to spend the same on a doctor’s fee?
- Isn’t it strange that we don’t mind spending Rs. 4000 on hair treatment that leaves us unhappy
But we don’t want to spend the same on a doctor’s fee?
In search of the perfect Mawa Cake

May 2, 2016

It’s all about the #Mawa Cake

Only a Mumbaikar will understand all the the brouhaha about the Mawa cake. A few years ago B. Merwan, an Irani bakery situated bang opposite Grant Road East Station, announced that they were closing down. Immediately there was a hue and cry with some people petitioning the owners not to shut down.

Even though I live just about 1/2 a km away from the bakery, for the past three decades, I’ve never had the time to walk down so this Saturday, I made it my mission to walk over the ugliest bridge to nowhere and visit the shop. The shop was everything I expected it to be – grungy, overcrowded and manned by crotchety gentlemen.

There was the ubiquitous Family Room which separated respectable families from the hoi polloi dining outside and a distinct separation from the General Store area and the bakery counter selling hot khari and mawa cakes.

B.Merwan takes pride in the fact that by 9 am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, their Mawa cakes are sold out and customers will have to do with “pocket” ( ie packed) ones from Surat.

The Verdict

[ctt title=”Having tasted Mawa Cakes and Khari from Paris Bakery at Dukkar Gully,Quality Cakes at Bhaji Gully, Kwality at Nana’s Chowk , Appetite at Gowalia Tank and the much tom tommed B .Merwan, I can say that without a doubt Paris is the winner .” tweet=”Having tasted Mawa Cakes and Khari from Paris Bakery at Dukkar Gully,Quality Cakes at Bhaji Gully, Kwality at Nana’s Chowk , Appetite at Gowalia Tank and the much tom tommed B .Merwan, I can say that without a doubt Paris is the winner .” coverup=”sfhy4″]

Watch out for more on PARIS BAKERY in another post!
40 winks in the afternoon- Just what Granny ordered

May 2, 2016

Child’s play? You must be kidding

Any one who has looked after children will tell you that looking after children requires all your ingenuity, physical resources and patience. With temperatures rising higher by the day, it is a tall order to keep them happy and occupied especially when they are of different ages. I am a 3 year old granny and thought that I was an old hand at baby care but obviously I got the plot all wrong.

With the regular children’s maids on holiday even with new help it was a daunting task. Simply because children are reluctant to go to strangers. This means that I still have look after the children myself.

“Can I also sleep in the cold room?”

After a morning of playing, napping and feeding, I was quite exhausted . I also realised that it was far too hot for any of them to keep their cool and before the scene descended into chaos, I took Po ( my 10 month old grandson) and Ms Papaya ( my 11 month old grand daughter) into the airconditionned bedroom one by one and let them sleep for a 40 winks. Wow Dinga, the 3 year old was still up and about and as lost as I was. Before I could think of an activity to keep him quiet, he came up to me and asked

“Can I also sleep in the cold room?”

There is no sight sweeter than three sleeping children on a hot and sultry afternoon

Needless to say, he didn’t have to ask twice . I enjoyed half an hour of blissful peace while the children grabbed their 40 winks.

Granny was right after all – an afternoon nap is essential for the well being of both the care giver and the child!