From my kitchen to yours

From my kitchen to yours

Friday, January 11, 2013

I LOVE YOU CHRISTMAS....SIEMPRE...

    There is absolutely nothing that I do not love about Christmas , except not having the ones I love around..
So this year was no different...
I of course put up my Christmas tree on my sister Juliet's birthday 26th Nov..
Yup she is a Saggi..

And from then on...
It was impossible to let anything come in the way ...
So right from getting the letters written to Santa..
To getting my home cleaned..
To making peace with all issues I am struggling with. I walk into December with a big smile on my face..
It's also my birthday month you know...

My birthday lunch...

And so as Christmas got closer, I made and re-worked menus, invited and cancelled lunch...the usual..
Mercurial...that's what Jaya says I am , and she is probably right..
But I can vouch for my heart being in the right place, on the left and my ventricle's all gushing with love ha ha ha ...

And then suddenly in the middle of deciding that Zeke needs to study with me instead of going out , inspite of all the fights he has with me. to the tiny fingers he points at me , to Zene always smiling and winking at me ..
I suddenly out of the blue, get called for an ad_film test..

Gosh I hate tests, I hate being put under pressure to perform and also , the dates were 22-23 December..
Too close to Christmas..
So I was not too sure..
So I consulted with my voice of reason...Mini Mathur..
And she would have slapped me if she was in front of me, thank God she was not, she made sure I called and went for it ..

Well I got chosen, and as luck would have it, they were shooting the ad-film in far away Ooty..
Which means I come back only on the 24th evening, as the flight from Coimbatore is at 3pm..
So I cancelled Christmas at my place because it was impossible..

I decided to do a very small family celebration..
And started cooking with gusto..
22nd afternoon I left for Ooty, reached there in the night .
Could not sleep because I hate hotel rooms..
Ok ok I'm scared ..
And so I was keeping my self all right with happy thoughts and ignored Sandy who was sending me pictures of skeletons..ha ha ha juvenile friends I tell you ...I love her..

And so at some bizarre hour that night my impulses got the better of me, and I again decided to do...  A BIG CHRISTMAS LUNCH, and so started inviting everyone..
Thank God my friends know I'm crazy..
That saves me a lot of explaining ..
Then I put down a food prep and cook plan..

My Menu..

STARTER
Chicken liver pate and Melba toast
Mustard-honey chicken sausages
Winter salad

Main course
Mummy's prawn curry
Leg of Ham
Lamb shanks in red wine
Whole baked chicken
Chicken legs in rose and a mushroom sauce..
Feta aubergine salsa bake
Pesto pasta
Naan

DESSERT
Hazelnut-Chocolate rum pots
Strawberry cream filled hearts

So was awake till 3am, had a wake up at 5 am for make -up..
Don't know why I was woken up so early, when all they put on my face was a tinted moisturiser and powder and lip balm..
And then I went back to sleep...

7 am I was on set..


We started shooting by 9.30 am , I was put into the car and told to drive...
Ha ha ha not driven a geared car for really long, my Beetle s automatic..
So after composing myself, I shifted the gears in the hope that I do not cause any trouble,  smiled like the cat that licked the "low-fat" cream, and my first shot was done..
Ooty was beautifully cold..









I finished at 6pm..
And my crew was just amazing ..
Went to my hotel , picked up my bags, washed my face and left with three other guys who were driving to Bangalore..
Well I reached Bangalore at 2.30 am..
My flight was at 7am..
So we all sat chatted, yes I can talk also in my sleep..
And at 7 am I boarded my flight , and passed out..
Reached home by 9.30 am and got into full "Chef mode" ..
Thanks to Vijay my helper and Zoya..
We ordered , cut , chopped , sauteed , boiled , broiled , baked, chilled , fried , marinated , smeared, mixed , churned ...
My kitchen was a flurry of activity , just like I love it to be..
And by 8 pm..
I was done..
Then we all went for mid-night mass..
Came back opened the gifts under the tree and slept,,
6am the next day I was up and about..
I was done with all the cooking by 11.30am..
Pleased as punch..I decided to get into this very beautiful body hugging dress that my friend Tisca , gifted me..
Never got into it before , but it suddenly fit like a glove..
Ha ha ha thank you Santa...

The fun 5



And then everyone started trooping in..
 
The gifts for all our kids under the Christmas tree multiplied as everyone poured in, laughter took over the afternoon..
And it could not be a better day ..
Family corner

Mad cap corner

"What is that"


Dhoom

Gulab-gang smile

My mom says the grace amidst lotsa noise..


Before the madness..


Why do I love this day..
Well because it stands for Love..
It stands for new beginnings..
It stands for everything that is right ...






Baked Chicken


Rose Chicken with a mushroom sauce
Pesto Pasta

Rosemary potato gratins













Out of focus" lamb shanks"..who is the photographer?? ha ha

And so after a very prolonged lunch with all my friends who did come..
I finally called it a day ..

Every Christmas is so different for me, even though I do the same things...

And so on this day I reach out to the ones I love..
Whether or not they do..
I try and let go of pettiness..
I reinstall my faith in everything I lost faith in..
I start again from zero..
I thank God for all that he has given me ..
And leave the rest of what I want, upto him..
If its good for me, it will be..if not ..well too bad for me..





















Chocolate pots and strawberry hearts...Pure unadulterated Addictive Love...


I wake up with hope and lots of love in my heart, say good bye to the fantastic year I had and start the New Year , with an open trusting and a loving heart..

I learnt a lot this past year..
I lost a lot..
I gained a lot..
I laughed a lot..
I cried a lot too...
I cooked a lot..
I ran a lot..
I talked a lot..
Had a lot of silent moments too..
I worked out a lot..
I binged a lot...
 Climbed the mountain I used to talk about a lot..

I guess I do not know how to, not to do things a lot.. ha ha ha ...

So good bye 2012, and thank you...

As for this New-Year..
Well it has started off really fantastically..

Zeke and me are fighting a little less..
















Zene is waking up on time..



At the launch of "Jolly L.L.B Promo"
Warsi's Launch of his promo of Jolly L.L.B went off really well, and the response is really positive....


I got featured in the Vogue Jan issue..

I'm on a T.V.  advertisement after 12 long years..
Now all I have to do is concentrate and start writing and finishing my work that I love..
And start running ..

So I'm keeping my heart open and am welcoming all that 2013 has to bring for me with a smile ..
And will continue being in love with all whom and what I love ..
Crazily and as long as I can ...

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU ..
LOVE and CALORIES ARE SO MUCH MORE FUN SHARED...

And thank you from the bottom of my heart for always visiting me here and always writing to me here..
I'm a little busy with work, so I may not be very regular, but this is where I'm staying ..
So do come and visit me..

This year I'm plunging into the known, the unknown and into the unknowable, with a knowing , that my heart will stay loved and smiling ...

There is a sun-rise for every sun-set...




44 comments:

  1. Gosh! Very lovely to read and the images add further warmth.

    You know, I was in school in Delhi and had a crush on a boy. Then my Dad got posted out to Pune and after many years, I came visiting to Delhi and met the same boy. You know what he said the moment he saw me? "If I'd known you'd look as hot as Maria Goretti, I never would've waited for you to ask me out!" [ You used to be on MTV those days. ]

    This is just to give you perspective on why I was so excited I got to shoot a quick portrait of you at the Chivas Studio in Bombay :) [ That I shared with you Twitter - 140 characters wasn't enough for me to explain my "kahaani" haha! ]

    Happy New Year Maria!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Naina,
      Ha ha that is a very sweet story, I hope Mr. crush and you are having a loving life ...
      Happy new year and keep smiling ...

      Delete
  2. A Happy New Year to you too! The cup cakes look fantastic!!

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  3. Happy New year to you Maria and you look great in the ad.

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  4. Loveeeeeeeee u,ur family, ur blog and love that u love everything with a whole heart....keep smiling and being happy n contented just d way u r and keep inspiring us!!!
    Looking forward to all ur posts....love ya muaaaah
    Happy 2013 its going to be a rocking year, good luck n big hug
    Thank you
    Nev

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  5. Loved it Maria !!!! So proud that you're my sister :)

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  6. I hope last year....
    you lost a lot of things that needed to be lost
    you gained new friends, lots of smiles and wnate it or not unwanted unsolicited advice and gyaan (we all get it)
    You laughed and giggled alooooooooot
    you cried at things that touched your heart
    you cooked... everything from dal roti to fancy botis, lovely stories specially the spy kinds.
    you worked out, i know that and i am sure you also worked up
    An APPETITE
    You were silent,cause sometimes there are a lot of voices in your head so it looked like you were silent, but i am sure you were having a laugh riot in your head.
    Well that was last year and that is soooo gone by
    For the new year i wish and hope that
    You run again... cause now you will be an even bigger celebrity and you gotta run baby run
    you laugh and giggle.... your way to the bank.
    You be the busiest bee ever
    you get those frequentflier points like no one else
    You come to my side of the world and i can take to the st Lawrence Market
    You do what you have been doing so far, cause whatever it is that you do, you red velevet cooking, spy on the side, appearing on mag covers, girl, you make a lot of us smile.
    There, I have said it all (Just for today)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dearest Sneha,
    You just made an awesome lot of sense of all the nonsense I write...
    Thaaaaank you ...
    And if I ever do come to your side of the world...
    I'm not leaving till I meet you ...
    Happy happy happy new year ...

    ReplyDelete
  8. Happy new year maria. ...You make my day! I love your positivity.love

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Jhumz,
      When you read my post and reply , you make mine ....

      Delete
  9. i just saw the ad on tv and was thinking about time maria is back in your face, and now this post...congratulations...and am glad you made that call to mini! love the family portrait...you look stunning and your home is so beautiful and open and welcoming...and that food on the table! my gosh... i hope you passed out after that whirlwind week! lots of love... happy 2013. best wishes

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Arundati,
      Thnk you soo much ...
      And best wishes , had no time to pass out ha ha ha

      Delete
  10. Your little garden looks like a lovely place to sit with a glass ( or glasses ) of wine and good friends... Very nice blog, new to this but very interesting ...

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  11. Wishing you a very happy new year Maria!
    And yes, this is my favourite spot to visit you. Please do make a plan to visit Toronto this year!
    Lots of lovexxx
    Raman
    Niagara Falls

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wishing you a very happy new year Maria!
    Please keep writing and keep coming here without any long delays :)
    We are so used to come to this hang out spot to meet you, so please keep coming!
    and do make a plan to come to Toronto this year!
    Sneha is not the only one...someone else is also waiting for you , although she is a silent reader most of the time ;)
    lots of love xxx
    Raman
    Niagara Falls

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Raman,
      I know you are busy with your assignments, how did your year go ..
      If I do come, not leaving till I meet all my Toronto friends, my best friend lives there too...

      Delete
  13. Dear Ma'am,
    Happy new year..i really want to thank you for doing dis ad..have not heard ur voice for ages..& i think saree's r made for 'U' only..u luk beautiful..hmmmm..baked chicken iz yummy..do keep writing..& what to say??..u r amazing..

    p.s. The kid is more cute den u..haha..sorrie..

    Love,
    Aryan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Aryan ,
      Hope you are having a great year...
      And yes the kid is adorable ...

      Delete
  14. Such a treat reading your blog and all that yummy food- you have a beautiful family Maria! May God bless you in abundance:)
    And, loved the new Volkswagen ad ! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Martina,
      Thanks a ton..you have a lovely year ...

      Delete
  15. Hey Maria,
    I was checking your blog from time to time these days and was wondering where have you vanished. But this one blog of yours said it all, you were occupied and in amazing tasks. You have a certain 'life' that always inspires me and instills some positivity in me. You are awesome.Do keep writing.
    Pranamee

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Pranamee,
      Actually I have a very normal everyday life...
      But will keep writing, and you have a good year

      Delete
  16. Hey Maria

    Honestly being a regular visitor of your blogspot..i was getting mad for not getting to read your stuff..but you are tooo adorable to be ignored...congratulations for the ad..and thanks for the blog..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Aashi,
      Ha ha ha ...
      Well thank you ..
      And have a great year....

      Delete
  17. Love the ad! Great to see you on screen after so long :) And absolutely love that there's so much love oozing out of everything you talk about! But you havent posted any reciepes in a while :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Tasha,
      Thank you so much, well I'm sorry but I'm working on a project and am not being able to cook and write for the blog, hopefully , will finish my work soon and then , all will be good again ..

      Delete
  18. Hi Marie ... Happy new yr .... Wow ... I super liked ur article ....and d pink glass too ... U have been blessed wit a fab yr and sure many more to come .... Have u realised u look vey respectful at all stages mother ,wife and a strong woman .... I wish u luck in all future assignments ... Buy d way ... I nw assist Fabian wit d cakes .. It's fun... Pls drop in some day tc .... Sugarcraft days

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Erica,
      Thank you sooooo much ,
      Think I have forgotten how to make flowers, I think I need to come for a crash course...
      Big hug and happy new year...

      Delete
  19. awesome.....n belated happy birthday mam......god bless u.......:) ur sweeto fan....:*

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  20. Hey Maria,
    I Simply love your blog and your awesome cuteness! I did see your ad 2 days back and you looked superb...infact very fresh faced!Love the way you prioritize your family and friends and express yourself just like the girl next door without any celebrity airs....always remain like this :-)

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  21. omg!! i fell in love with your cooking skills . how you do it everytime?? i love your family picture, kids are sooo cuttee!!!

    P.S i loved you in volkswagon ad!!

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  22. Dear Maria,
    It's so inspiring to read what you write. There's so much love and gratitude in there...
    I always liked you a lot but now after reading your blog I have so much respect for u.
    Love to u and urs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Archita,
      That is really sweet..
      Thank you so much ...

      Delete