Hello, Mr. Frost. How do you do?

Bar-be-Que with friends

"Only for K~, Papa and Mumma" Bar-be-Que

Am I happy? Well .....

The best part of tropical weather has finally arrived. Winters are here to stay for the next three months providing ample opportunities to relish sumptuous food, enjoy interesting indoor activities and gazing at a bountiful flora. Physical Health is at it's best during these cold days .... no indigestion, irritating rashes or skin breaks and no sweating during my long evening walks.

I want to count the experiences that make winters soooo special to me ....

First and foremost, it brings the family together in an array of activities. The bed boxes are opened, lofts are explored and fresh discoveries are made about K~'s physical development. "Oh My! Look at how tall K~ has grown since last year .... the woollen pyjamas look like shorts OR Oh, No! This jacket does not fit anymore!" All warm clothing and heavy quilts, fresh out of packing, smell of naphtha .... sweaters, jackets, ponchos, shawls, inner warmers, caps, mittens and the socks are piled up at one place to be aired and arranged in the wardrobes. Sheets are laid all over the garden, every possible piece of furniture comes out into the balcony and these warm treasures neatly arranged to bask in the sun until evening. In the night, K~ and Mumma would stack it together into the respective almirahs and literally squeeze words of appreciation from each one around. What fun!

Then, here comes the Bar-be-Que ....

The mixed aroma of charcoal smoke, sausages, kebabs, marinated meats and spices along with a nice drink arouse the goofy side of mine. The entire experience gets enriched further with some heart warming talks with loved ones, a few songs and the after-effects of getting drunk .... Hic Hic! These cold evenings and freezing nights provide the best time to organise private bar-be-que in the backyard garden. Bar-be-Que is supposed to be essentially a Man's job (at least that's what I say to motivate K~'s Papa ... who cares about the antecedents of it?) making it more worth while for me to simply get pampered without getting my hands dirty at all. And K~ loves to cosy up to me after getting full with all the tasty treats while I put her to sleep in the warmth of my lap and the glowing embers.

I can gorge endlessly on Gajar ka Halwa, which has been my palate weakness since childhood. I remember having made a record, of sorts, at age ten in single handed emptying up of an entire gajar halwa bowl (made with 2 kg. grated carrot cooked in 1 kg. sugar, 4 kg. milk and 1/2 kg. khoya along with countless spoons of ghee) in just one day. That's right! One day was all I took to finish it up and I remember falling ill the next day with terrible indigestion and bouts of vomiting.

Anyway, history put aside, the point I am trying to make is that I loooove to eat this special dessert (available only during this time of the year) even today and if I get a fair chance to act myself, I will surely break my own record. How wonderful would that be!

Anyone ready to host this eating event for me?

Sleeping has always been my favourite past time and with these present shorter days and longer nights, it could not get any better. I recall my hectic job days when I had to be dragged out of bed every morning at six leaving behind the warmth of my quilt and a few unfinished dreams, both sacrificed at the altars of a ruthless clock alarm. The comfort one feels in K~'s warm cuddle inside a soft quilt, while getting engrossed in a drama based movie on television cannot be expressed through mere words.

I wish these days could last forever and ever. But, like all the cherished things in my life, this will come to an end too, altering into hot days and the merciless sun again.

Till then .... Enjoyyyyy!