Twenty- five Seven

How to avoid an upturned umbrella #atoz challenge

April 25, 2016

With the sun beating down on us and rain clouds gathering it is time for me to bring out my Umbrella .This is my post for the the theme ‘Things around My House’ .

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U for Umbrella is so typically predictable and with every person having one, what’s different about mine?

Well, it is a universal fact that rain makes you wet. It is also a universal fact that monsoon rains with their strong winds render an umbrella useless. Over the years I’ve had many umbrellas backwards (or even blown away )leaving me soaking wet and looking foolish trying to hold it down.

How to avoid an upturned umbrella

The simplest solution would be to stay at home when it rains but with the monsoons stretching for 2-3 months, it is now always possible.

So I did the next best thing – got one that doesn’t fly off or invert completely when confronted with a strong wind.

Here’s my original SENZ storm umbrella that can withstand the monsoon winds. And even though I’ve not photographed it open, I can assure you that it has seen many monsoons and left me dry while walking down the sea front in the rains.

The umbrella designed by Dutch engineers withstands strong and has proved to be effective in our Mumbai weather.

Never mind if you look like a witch with this strange looking black contraption. Equip yourself with a SENZ, this coming monsoon and enjoy your walks in the rain!

This video shows how the SENZ is perfect for our stormy monsoon winds.
The perfect tea cup for the best cup of tea ever#a to z challenge

April 23, 2016
Shennong the discoverer of tea

We have a lot to thank the Chinese for – noodles, chilli chicken and of course the cup that cheers – tea. Indeed if it weren’t for Shennong, we’d all be drinking just hot water. This beverage has become so popular that it has even spawned a new meal – Tea Time with its teapots, tea cups ,tea cozies and tea trays. I personally believe that things taste better when served better which is why I am very particular about drinking tea in my Chinese tea cup.

What’s so special about my Chinese tea cup?

For starters, it is a fine example of Blue & White bone china. It is beautifully decorated with peonies. It consists of 4 parts :
- the outer cup
- the saucer
- the lid
- the inner strainer
To make a perfect cup of tea, rinse the cup with hot water. Add tea leaves in the strainer which is placed inside the cup. Pour hot water over the tea leaves and cover with the lid. Allow the tea to steep for 5 minutes and then lift the inner strainer with the tea leaves and keep aside on the saucer. Now sip the golden yellow liquid. You can use the same tea leaves for the second or third cup of tea.

Flowers play a significant role in Chinese decorative art. Peonies which are very common, symbolise Summer and act as lucky charm keeping people safe and sound, ensuring them money, status and happiness.

Is it any wonder then that my tea tastes better from my Chinese tea cup?

Perhaps this video tutorial will help you have a relaxed weekend!

Cheers!

T is for Tea cup in my theme “Things around my house’ in the 7th A to Z Challenge .

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Sunrises from Mumbai # SkywatchFriday

April 22, 2016

I wanted to track down sunsets for a week but somehow the sun always manages to set just when I have to get the babies wound down for the day. So I thought it may be easier to capture the sunrises instead.

Here’s my sunrise from Sunday 17th April. It started out with a brilliant sun peeping out over a clear blue sky with a splattering of cloud.

On Monday 18th the sky was smoggy and murky but the sun that came out was a bright, golden,orange.

Tuesday was another gloomy day and the sun didn’t come out high in the sky till around 7.30. By that time I was too immersed in the day to capture a higher sunrise than this.

On Wednesday 20th the sky was really overcast and I was worried that the Zubin Mehta and Andrea Bocelli concert we were scheduled to attend would be a wash out. Luckily the weather held and we were treated to an experience of a lifetime as we heard Andrea Bocelli and Maria Carazawa under a Mumbai sky, with soft breezes blowing occasionally to take your spirits heavenwards.

The grey clouds continued on Thursday 21st

And finally on Friday I managed these captures starting 6.00 am and just a few minutes later. It was amazing how a grey sky soon becomes a pink blush and then a blazing hot day.

While the rest of Mumbai swelters in the heat, we are still lucky to enjoy the breezes throughout the day. The nights are particularly pleasant but we still can’t wait for the rain to come and cool the earth down.

Happy Earth Day and Happy Skywatching.

Linking this post to #SkywatchFriday