I am back after a really fun filled weekend- went to Phoenix to visit our friends after a whole three weeks- so there was a lot of shopping and catching up to do. This time we were really lucky and got a great deal for a one night stay at the Hilton resorts, although, unfortunately, we were able to enjoy only a good night sleep there as we were out most of the time (we checked in at 1 at night-so you can imagine!).
Besides fun, there was also a lot of eating involved during our Phoenix stay. One of V’s friends’ had his birthday this weekend, and on Sunday his wife had invited all of us for a birthday lunch at their place. The night before, we all went out for dinner to an Italian restaurant Maggiano. Loved the food especially the Pesto chicken and the zuccini fritters. Their eggplant Parmesan was also pretty good. These dishes are on my To-Do list now :).
So, overall, the weekend was spent eating- a lot and late nights! As a result, my stomach started paining, yet again Sunday night. But, nothing a glass of warm water and a good night sleep couldn’t cure.
I did some painting on Monday. I had collected some broken pieces of wood and wanted to paint something on it. Decided to paint a butterfly on one, but lack of ideas and sheer impatience to wait for something better to paint, I just painted the rest two golden! (Yikes!)
I also added another painting to my collection. (I think I’m not ready for portraits yet :(! )
After a week long blogging hiatus, I’m back. The reason for this absence was that I was busy preparing for our first house guests. V’s friends gave us the news last week that they were planning to pay us a visit over the weekend- and when I say they- I mean 6 people ( 3 couples) in total. Now, we have a 3 bedroom house, but, one of the bedrooms is converted into the study. So effectively, there are just two bedrooms. So, accommodating eight people ( six of them and two of us) was a task- more so, since we just have one bathroom. Also, since it was the first time they would be tasting my cooking, I had to make sure it had to be good- my reputation was at stake! So, the cleaning, setting the house, cooking and baking kept me busy the past week and I just couldn’t get to blogging. And, boy, I missed it!
Finally, Friday evening our friends arrived and so began the weekend roller coaster ride! :)! It was fun! A little overwhelming at places, but fun, nonetheless.
The first night we sat outside and drank- after a long time all the guys were together drinking- so they maxed out their capacities!
The second day, V showed them the mine. Later, we went bowling (it was my first time! and I beat V 🙂 !). I also learnt a new thing about V- he is a good pool player.
Once back home, we played poker, grilled some paneer tikkas, watched a horror movie, drank, chatted and ate lots. I also inaugrated our new cocktail shaker- and made a darn good mojito for myself!
The next day, after a really heavy breakfast of the best dal paranthas I have ever made, these guys left. The weekend finally came to an end. Though both of us were happy to get some rest, the house does feel awfully empty now.
Overall, it was a fun weekend. It was also the first time my trunks were going to be seen by someone besides V!
Yes! After weeks of working on them, I finally finished them a few days back. It was time well spent!
I had quite a few adventures painting them, though. While working on the first coat on the first trunk, I managed to paint my hair too. Fortunately, I was going to the salon for a hair cut, so the mishap didn’t do much damage! The first trunk was a trial run and well, even though V thinks it looks great, it could have been better. But, once you put so much of effort in something, even if its ok, you still are proud of it.
The second trunk was much better planned. Plus, I was equipped with a little experience now! Resulting in a much much better trunk. I know I did a good job on this one because our friends who came to visit just couldn’t believe I made this- one of them thought I bought it! :):) That just made my day!
I know this makes this blog sound a dedication to V, but the weekend also made me realize again what a wonderful husband I have. And, without him I wouldn’t have managed to stay so calm and relaxed. V helped me with the dishes, cleaning, and well, by just being there, he helped me a lot.
About ten years back, I did my first water color art. It was part of the school activity I had joined. Besides that one time, I have never tried my hand at doing a full fledged water color art before. So, a few weeks back, on our visit to Michaels for buying paint stuff for the trunk, I thought I will get a sketch book and a set of water colors. I initially thought of oil paints but they were more expensive and I was under the impression that oil painting is more difficult. Well, my mom told me that I was wrong and its more difficult to cover up mistakes in a water color painting. And, you know how it is, mom’s are always right. It wasn’t like painting the trunk where I was able to take a cloth and remove excessive paint- a mistake done in water colors is difficult to correct- the mark always remains. Sigh!
Now, came the question- what should I paint.
In India, the start of anything new is done by worshiping Lord Ganesha. He is considered the god of luck and “of opening the way”. Perfect! I needed a lot of luck for this to go right and so decided to paint him. And, who knows, Lord Ganesha might just open the way to the world of art for me!:):)
So, with background music set as “Damn! It’s good to be me” by Uncle Cracker (a little pep talk doesn’t hurt any one!), I set out on painting my second water color art after ten years! This was my afternoon project, and I am proud at the speed with which I finished the painting, even though its not perfect. The lines are crooked at places. Ganesha’s stomach should have been a little more bulging. The effect of the different colors could have been better. But, then when did I say I was perfect. I’m just a novice housewife ;)!
I am yet to see V’s reaction. He hasn’t come back from work. Let’s see what hubby has to say! Till then I’ll have my afternoon siesta!
