Setting down

We're home, the kids start school Monday, and I'm ready for a routine. Unfortunately my camera charger is missing! I had to order a new one, so will be able to post once it arrives. I am so itching to start regular posting once again, but it will probably be middle or end of next week before I can. :(

Coming Home

After the fun of summer at the grandparents, we leave tomorrow for Florida. It takes us two whole days of travel to reach the other end of the world. See you there.

Young India Project

The Young India Project was founded 1982; tried to develop work guarantee plans for Indian agricultural workers in the federal state of Andhra Pradesh.

This is where we were the last few days, my first time seeing the work started by friends of my parents, a bi-racial Dutch - Indian couple, 30 years ago. After crowded and polluted city life in Bangalore it was such a lovely break to be back to the basics, watching cows being milked for morning breakfast, and taking a dip in the little water tank. The YIP also has a Handwork Center which the kids spent a lot of time in, doing experimental embroidery under the supervision of the girls.

I am excited to say that work has begun on a new wee gallery product which hopefully I can announce when we return to Florida in less than 2 weeks.

Mama Massage

The only way I get a 'massage' is getting my 4 year old to walk up and down my back. She loves it and it's the only way I get to lie down for 15 minutes.

Colours and contrasts

Art Camp

My friend conducts an art class, which my kids went to for a day. I wish we lived closer so that the kids could have gone the whole three weeks. They had so much fun! The studio was so charming, my favourite part was the glass tiles in the roof making lovely little skylights. And of course, being surrounded by delicious kiddy art was fantastic!

Monsoon Wedding

We have been out of town attending a wedding in Goa. Check out the amazing skies in the monsoon. Goa reminds me of California but with Florida weather... beautiful. I haven't worn a sari in a hundred years, so was excited to be in one again.

Procter and Gamble in India

This afternoon, my kids were watching a show on TV, during which a Pampers commercial was shown. It showed a doctor telling a mother that her baby's illness was due to the wetness of the cloth diaper, so she should switch to Pampers!

I was so outraged by this! Yes, I agree that disposables are more convenient, but in a country where waste management is such an issue, I don't think it was very responsible of Procter and Gamble to push their product saying that cloth diapers are the cause of illnesses, which I think is untrue.

I would love to hear what you think about this.

Our House on Design Sponge

This is one of our most exciting moments - our home featured on Design Sponge. Thanks so much, Grace! We are so nervous, and hope that you like it...

Soft Book Tester Pictures

Here are some great pictures shared by Shellyfish who volunteered to test out our soft book kit. I love her blog as well - be sure to check it out here!

Audience

In India you can't do anything without somebody stopping by to watch. This is our old gardener keeping us company during Anya's haircut.

Home

It's a strange feeling. Being part of a family where 3 members consider this a holiday, and to one it's home. We are going to be in India for 3 months. I wonder how my kids will take it all. So far, they seem to be adjusting fine. These pics were taken on the walk from my house to the local shopping centre to get our passport pictures taken.

Small Magazine Giveaway

We had a giveaway at the wonderful Small Magazine blog yesterday. The 10th person to email us was the winner of a set of Safari Wall Graphics. Congrats, Sacha!

Getting Ready to say Bye Bye

We leave for India in a week. I will probably be slow in posting. Today I'm showing a little bit the end-of-the-year gift for my son's First Grade teacher that I am assembling, the idea shared Lynne and Melissa in this amazing post. When it comes to children's art you can never go wrong...

What goes on in the office on a holiday

Sneak Peek

The last few days we've been setting up a 'woodlands' wall at our fantastic local retailer, Seedlings in Tampa Bay. If you live in the area, be sure to check out their upcoming Baby Shower on Saturday May 30th, 2009, 10am - 5pm - looks like it's going to be a fabulous event. Details on their website.

Savoury Semolina Cake

Description by Anjum Anand:
This savoury cake is spongy, crispy on the edges and replete with the textures of the vegetables. It is light and satisfying, easy to make and takes care of itself in the oven.

Recipe Here.

Pockets

We received a wonderful package with a lovely handmade shirt in the mail yesterday. My daughter absolutely LOVES the pockets! Made by the talented wendybirdie on etsy.

Perfect Day

You know how some days go like clockwork? Well, yesterday we went kayaking in the morning, had a picnic lunch in the mangroves, came back exhausted, and while the kids played quietly downstairs I opened my factory and churned out 6 boo boo packs! I usually get bored making the same thing over and over again but somehow this was very satisfying. I think it's because I managed to finish what I started, and that's rare with 2 kiddies on the weekend.

Lemonade on the Steps...

...is always more fun with a friend.