My Favourite Things

"Raindrops on Roses n Whiskers on Kittens,

Bright copper kettles n warm woollen mittens,

Brown paper packages tied up with string,

These are a few of my favourite things...."

Who hasn't heard this song from Sound of Music and wanted to draw up their own list and sing it to this tune :)

Well at least I have.

I'm not about to put down a poem of my favs, but I am starting a chain, if you will, of mails that have a common thread - these are thing I absolutely love; love to eat, love to be in, love to see, love to do, etc etc. 

Whenever I stumble across something that I take to instantly (as if something clicks in my head) my enthusiasm knows no bounds and I have to share the joy with friends and really everyone around. The reason? There is a chance you might like this too and I'll be glad to inject some pleasure into your life.

So here's my first indulgence :)

A French Affair

I have an incorrigible sweet tooth. I feel incomplete if my meals don’t end with dessert. So it was just a matter of time before I encountered the femme fatale of desserts. 

I had read and heard a lot about the delectable French Patisserie but nothing in world can prepare you for the burst of flavour and fragrance that hits you when you sit down to enjoy one. And sit you must, at leisure (though I can guarantee it won’t take much time to finish one…they’re irresistible), and sigh…almost moan between mouthfuls…hmmm….

My rendezvous with French patisserie was destined for Patisserie Valerie at Soho. After a rather informational tour at the British Museum, my husband and I headed to Soho for dinner. While walking around deciding where to eat we passed by Patisserie Valerie and I was drawn to the delicious window display. The tarts and gateaux were glistening in the store light. We decided we had to stop by post dinner.

I hurried through my dinner in anticipation of the dessert :) We were shown to our table and I ordered the gorgeous Selva Gateau, while my husband being the sceptic, non foodie and someone who won't touch white creamy dessert, decided to have a cafe au lait.

The gateau arrived and I was smitten! The first mouthful felt like I had eaten a cloud! It was so soft and just melted in my mouth. My husband finally tried a spoonful, half embarrassed by my expressions and half by my enthusiasm. And guess what he's a convert! He loves the stuff and every time we go to London a trip to Patisserie Valerie is mandatory!

We even brought back one to savour later! hmm....blisssss

What’s your song?

Most of us have a song that soothes us and brings hope when we feel down and blue.

Here’s mine….

When all the world is a hopeless jumble
And the raindrops tumble all around,
Heaven opens a magic lane
When all the clouds darken up the skyway,
There's a rainbow highway to be found
Leading from your window pane
To a place behind the sun,
Just a step beyond the rain

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow.
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

Deleted Portion

The write up on this song in Wikipedia mentions this as a deleted portion. Not widely known but used occasionally in theatrical productions.

“ Someday I'll wake and rub my eyes
And in that land beyond the skies,
You'll find me
I'll be a laughing daffodil
And leave the silly cares that fill
My mind behind me ”

R.I.P.

As if in defence to what happened yesterday, Nature decided to react! It snowed last night and the downs were covered. As if Nature was protesting the unscrupulous carnage and at the same time saying a silent farewell to the trees that were once a part of this pretty landscape.

Thanks to the snow, there was no more plundering today. A silent day as we mourn the passing of our friends.

Nothing lasts forever!

I'm deeply saddened today. The view from my home that I once cherished and loved and that warmed my heart and brought limitless happiness to me has gone thanks to the commercial interest of some insensitive county council governors.

I've recently made Dunstable my home and was immensely proud of the view it had; in fact it was one of the reasons I chose to live here. My home on Kiln Way overlooks the Blows Down, a vast stretch of hill, covered with foliage and which is home to several birds and small animals(I've seen a fox here in winter). Through this runs the ancient Icknield Way and an old train track which was unused until now.

The county council in a bid to increase the commuting options between Luton and Dunstable have decided to revive this long dead track by making a busway translink between the 2 towns. While it will be largely useless to the people who live along the way (as there aren't many stops and the stops it will have, anyway have multiple conveyance options), they will have to endure the nuisance of the construction and loss of a beautiful vista and wildlife.

It just seems so unfair and insensitive and I thought only underdeveloped countries faced such issues. But governemnts all over are the same - selfish and self centred. I though countries like the UK emphasise greatly on environment protection and conservation. I wonder how then this decision was taken without thought to the impact on the surrounding flora and fauna. How come the tax payers never have control over what their money is used for? if I'm paying shouldn't I have a right to choose what the money is used for? And what's more, this activity began without any prior intimation. Apparently this has been going on for a while now and most residents are aware, But what about people new to town? If you expect me to pay taxes as soon as I get here, don't I have a right to know what your doing in what is almost by backyard???? Or just wake up one day to see the damage done. On the first day I thought the crane was there to clear the way since winter was nearing it's end!

I had tears in my eyes as I saw huge noisy cranes fell the majestic trees, some of which housed the nests of birds that visit my garden everyday and to see just stumps remain ruthlessly hacked by commercial intent.

This when spring is just round the corner and I was waiting to see the trees bloom with new leaves and flowers and hoping to see more birds that the warmer weather would bring home.

Now these dreams will be replaced by the harsh reality of concrete creating a modern day convenience hazard. The old again is forced to give way to the new leaving a few fond memories, lingering emotions and a melancholic feeling of loss.

Banning the burqa debate

This debate has received a lot of attention thanks to its controversial tone.

I came across this interesting take on the issue and thought i must share it.

Banning the burqa unveils some nasty traits in us | India Knight - Times Online

I don't know what to make of this issue.....I'm constantly swaying back and forth arguing for and against. While France may be trying to establish equality for it's residents, I can't help but feel that it's a tad insensitive to expect, say for instance, a 60 year old lady for whom the veil is almost a matter of respect (and a part of her system) and probably feels undressed without it to suddenly stop wearing it one day!

If the move is to stop discrimination and even oppression and mistreatment of women, then banning the burqa is only a superficial/ symbolic action. The real solution then is a deeper social and cultural change. The move then to me indicates intolerance and an attempt to interfere in an individual's freedom to practise their cultural nuances.

While I understand France's need to keep it's cultural freedom intact. I feel that in the multicultural world of today, there are less drastic ways to implement that than forcing people from other cultures to change their attire....sounds ridiculous doesn't it. What next? A national uniform???

If the impending law stems from a security concern, then is a tough call. I guess the burqa can veil weapons or even gender of intending miscreants. But then does anything stop such people from flouting the law in any case!

I'm not a Muslim but being a woman I do appreciate that women who are forced to wear the uncomfortable garment will find relief. Also I'm sure most young ladies will welcome it.

I just hope if the law is enforced, it is put into action a gradual manner and not in an insensitive fashion.