Celebrating April

 

April is always a busy and festive sort of month in our home. Sharing with you some glimpses of the month...

The first week we celebrate a birthday, and the next week we mark the anniversary of our move along with the start of the Bengali new year. 

This is also the month when the onset of summer becomes evident and the garden is full of the seasonal blossoms before the hot winds of May and June make everything barren. 

Our home has always been blessed with bowls full of sweet-smelling blossoms -- shiulis in autumn and bel or jasmine in summers. A tradition started by my mother and one that we happily continue.

For this year's new year celebration we served square rava idlis along with avocado on toast, a first for us. The avo guacamole turned out delicious and creamy and the idli-chutney combo made a hearty meal. Of course we prepared the traditional payesh too but forgot to click a picture.

Decor Prompts

In my efforts of trying to get the new house to look like a home, I have been adding bits and pieces to some key areas....  small touches and decor effects that bring in a certain warmth and lived-in feel.

From a Ganpati with dried florets at the entrance, right across the main door...

...to money plant in a bottle in the kitchen.

The macrame plant hangers that liven up the bathroom are all made by me.

Sundry florals from our garden, propped in random bottles and vases, pep up the living room.

And of course, my cherished green babies that give the home a welcoming, fresh feel.

The packing cases that contain my decoratives are not even opened yet. Can't wait to dress up the walls and corners with all the knick-knacks.

Jodhpur Finds

Time to share with you some of the goodies we brought back from Jodhpur.

When we were heading out for the vacation, Mr. and Ms. Puppet were feeling rather left out since we were going to their homeland. So we got back a relative of theirs to cheer them up! Meet Mr. Musician.... hope his soulful strains bring back nostalgic memories! :)


When I was making my wishlist last month, I didn't realise the first item will get ticked off so soon.


Ok, so the one I finally got is not as big as I wanted. But at least the home now boasts of a 'jharokha' on the wall, adding to the living room decor.

Adding Warmth To The Winters

The new year has started with temperatures dropping recklessly and the days fogging up. So I decided to start the year with a winter decor idea.

I always make slight changes to the decor with the onset of full-blown winters. Rugs dot the floor, adding warmth to the rooms and bringing some relief from the cold tiles. I also drape old, unused shawls on the sofas.

The shawls serve well as warm covers, especially when you plonk in to catch a late-night movie on a freezing winter evening. Tuck in the shawl into the sofa seat cushions, throw in some matching cushions on top, and your winter seating arrangement is ready!


So this is what my regular TV-viewing sofa looks like in winters, all warmed up! :) Hope the idea helps around your house too.

Puppet Passion

Meet Mr. and Ms. Puppet. They arrived last month, and have since been family.

They are currently staying in our living room, spreading joy and cheer with their bright faces and colorful attire.

And of course, the kids love them. After all, where can you find friends who brighten up your day, and listen to all your stories without a whimper of protest! :)

I’m so glad we got this pair of traditional Rajasthani puppets for the home. I absolutely love how they give the plain white walls such a festive look.

Wanna invite them over to jazz up your home? :)

Happy New Year...

Here's wishing all my readers a happy, peaceful, and safe 2009!

Happy New Year should also spell "Happy New Home" for me and my family. So I will be away from my blogs for the next few months as I will be moving houses.

Hope to be back with you all, dear readers and visitors, in the middle of 2009 when I share fresh snippets from my experiences of turning the new house into a real home.

Leaving you with a make-believe image of our living room that I created using the very interesting Arrange A Room tool on Better Homes and Gardens.