A Toast To Summer

Despite the hot and humid weather,we all seem to get highly exhilarated in the company of summer.The season brings with it the holiday spirit,goodwill and cheer.Although summer is noted for it's harshness,it has always been gracious to let me enjoy a two week vacation,every year,in my home country.As summer approaches,my family and I get very excited as we are homeward bound.It is during summer that we get the opportunity to meet the rest of our families back home.Interestingly, the whole ambiance  allows me to wholeheartedly embrace the warmth that sweeps across the bright summer day.It has always been a delight to give ears to the sweet chirpings of the birds in the morning,telling me that it's time to wake up.What is summer without the fun and the frolic! The sense of happiness it gives me  walking along the sandy beaches amid the lush greenery and the  blue sky. Summer time is leisure time  for my whole family .While the kids and my husband  love to take  dips in the pool  in the  hot afternoon,I seize the opportunity to demonstrate my gastronomic know-how to my young audience-my  daughters.I am inclined to try out various  new recipes and pamper their  taste buds. Summer is my most treasured season.It  acts as a stress reliever. It regenerates my   energy and makes me get-up-and-go.Simultaneously, with the hustle and the bustle, it teaches me to approach things in a positive manner.I wholly extend my gratitude to this phenomenal season for showering me with an abundance of blessings by bringing sunshine to my days and making  my vacations  so memorable.Oh Summer! What would I do without you?

Watermelon- Summer's Delight

Watermelon is the typical fruit to quench the parching throat on a hot summer afternoon.The juice of watermelon  protects the skin from the sun. It also clears and cleanses the skin keeping it healthy and glowing.Watermelons are know to have originated in Africa,tracing it’s origins to the Kalahari deserts. It is noteworthy to mention here,that many centuries ago,watermelons were placed in tombs of the Egyptian kings to nourish them after life.(reference-woman’s magazine). Hence from Egypt, water melons spread along the Mediterranean sea by way of trade .It is a common summer crop and is widely cultivated throughout the world today.There are a variety of water melons produced each year.It consists of 93 per cent water.One or two servings of water melon a day is recommended as it is a multi vitamin fruit and contains Vitamin A B6 and C and also potassium and Iron.A variety of  recipes  can be prepared with this succulent fruit .Many love to indulge in the delightful deserts  made with this luscious fruit. During summer when it is  the peak time for tourism in many countries  chefs around the world display their gastronomic skills, displaying carved fruits and vegetables to the amazement of their guests and  visitors.Also others with a flair for art  come out with innovative  ideas and carve beautiful creations out of watermelons.This giant fruit   takes a prominent place  in my kitchen during Summer..

For easy cleaning –Place an old  sheet of newspaper on the kitchen counter  when you cut water melon.This is an easy way to discard the residue.

More on water melons- Farmers In Japan Creates Square-Shaped Watermelons

Give Me A Break Please !

Summer break is here and the children are at home .Though I am relieved there’s no morning rush hours, I find the work load forever increasing, I have suddenly become an automaton, catering to the foursomes’ ever demanding needs. All four, have quite a different appetite. There is also a different kind of noise pollution that erupts during mealtimes: the many hassles and the clamour during breakfast time. The smallest of the off springs, would want to eat his favourite brand of cereal, while the eight year would prefer his bread toasted. One would pleadingly suggest “Mom could we eat pancakes today?’ When my oldest would quickly prompt ‘why can’t we eat something spicy’! Although this kind of blaring drives me nuts, I still carry on the day’s chores , with a smile…After all Summer is the time I get to spend both quality and quantity time with my children..By the way I ‘ve got to cut short my writing for the moment, for I hear my hubby call for his morning tea !