tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35198052274153605062023-09-10T00:28:41.673-07:00Mixed blessingsThis is about myself,my life and my family. I want to keep a diary of everyday things that I want to remember when they have been long forgotten.Dhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519805227415360506.post-91135836643287586232023-09-10T00:28:00.000-07:002023-09-10T00:28:09.884-07:00The Cottage, Nillambe<p>PLease check out my earthen home on Airbnb :-)</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Circular, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, Helvetica Neue, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre;"><a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/976397934745746991?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=d2677417-68d4-4ebe-ac0d-7ad6d57fd454" target="_blank">The Cottage, Nillambe</a></span></span></p>Dhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519805227415360506.post-72903769690985573232022-12-04T22:32:00.000-08:002022-12-04T22:32:12.658-08:00An earthen cottage...a picture story<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br />Dhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519805227415360506.post-77828610321125894352018-09-27T00:39:00.001-07:002018-09-27T00:39:10.579-07:00Our wonderful holiday at Bethel Ecoway- Beruwala-August 2018<br />
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My son and I decided to visit our friend, Maureen and her family in Beruwala, during my son's August school holidays.<br />
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It was a very long overdue trip as we had been planning this trip on and off since 2016 when Maureen and I had first come across eachother at our friend Asanga's Permaculture workshop in Kurunegala.<br />
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This was a special trip to me, as I had never gone on a vacation alone with my son. We woke early, around 3.30am on that day and were at the Kandy Railway station by 4.30am to buy 2nd class tickets on the Kandy -Matara train which left the station at 5am.<br />
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The train journey was very comfortable (which was doubly emphasised by the fact that the return journey home was by bus-and not very comfortable at all...) although it got very crowded in the train towards the end. And we were in Aluthgama by around 11am. While we were waiting for Maureen and her family to come pick us us, Maureen adviced us to enjoy some ice cream at a nearby ice cream parlour-and this was indeed super news to my son, Seth (9 years) who was a little tired and crochety by that time. And the ice cream parlour was superb and served lovely genorous servings of Kothmale ice creams and sundaes at very affordable prices<br />
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Seth enjoying his chocolate -oreo sundae in Aluthgama...<br />
Maureen, husband Dilanda, daughter Staria and son Jetaim came to pick us up and took us to a lovely lamprais lunch (rice and curries packed in a banana leaf) at Perera and Son's bakers. Afterwards we were taken to their lovely home on a 3 acre rubber plantation...Since we opted to occupy the tiny cob house, Maureen had arranged it nicely for us...<br />
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It was a beautifully made wattle and daub/katu mati tiny house. The south of Sri Lanka is quite warm but inside this tiny house we were quite comfortable. It had the basic comforts of a double bed and tiny attached toilet and we were quite comfortable staying 2 nights in it.<br />
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Our short stay with Maureen and her family was truly wonderful...Maureen and her husband are living an off grid life with their two children. They had previously held very busy lifestyles but had retired early from them due to feeling unfulfilled by the rat race most if not all Sri Lankans are competing in.<br />
Maureen makes her own curd/yoghurt and butter from fresh milk, raises hens and ducks, recycles stuff and also makes lovely soap. She also makes jams and preserves from the fruits in season (we had her lovely passion fruit jam) and also the probiotic fermented tea- kambucha.<br />
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She is also on a journey into simplifying their lives and is in the process of decluttering her house. Seth and I were so awed to see that Maureen's house didn't have beds...! They sleep on a huge mattress on the floor...something my son and I too love to do here in Kandy..<br />
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They also harvest rain water and they follow the priniciples of Permaculture in the way they cultivate and also in the way they live.<br />
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Seth and I learnt quite a bit of new things while we were there. Dilanda taught us how to professionally light a wood fired stove.<br />
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We were given a small group class on how to tap rubber by one of the village ladies:<br />
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We also learnt to make ottapalu balls from the drippings of dried rubber leftover on the trees. Staria and Jetaim were very good at making them!:</div>
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Jetaim , Maureen's 7 year old son taught Seth how to collect firewood:<br />
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We enjoyed Maureen's home cooked tasty meals while we were there...We were served simple Sri Lankan food, lovingly prepared by Maureen...and we ate them on Diyapara leaves laid out on woven vatti/ baskets...<br />
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On the second day we were taken to the beach by the family and we enjoyed an evening in the Beruwala beach...<br />
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After which they took us to a hot hot and yummy chicken and chees koththu dinner at Perera and son Bakers...</div>
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All in all we had a wonderful stay and at the end of it, when we had to leave for home, Seth and I didn't want to...! Maureen and her family are truly wonderful and they made us feel so welcomed and loved in their home...Thank you so much to you for making our maiden trip such a memorable one....!<br />
<br />Dhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519805227415360506.post-50701584116590933852014-03-23T09:43:00.001-07:002014-03-23T09:43:43.157-07:00Paulo CoelhoThis week I discovered Paulo Coelho...All this time he had been there, in my background, putting his wisdom into words....but I failed to see him, to know of him...simply because it wasn;t the right time. <br />
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And then, last week, I met this friend on the bus and we got talking...I asked her what books she is reading and she tells me have I read Paulo Coelho...I say no but I've seen his books in the library. She says he writes about spiritual things...and that makes you think...<br />
That same day, I get off the bus and go to the library and find a book written by him. Its called "Brida" . I have been unable to put it down, so to speak...But at times, the things I read in the pages echoe my own thoughts so profoundly that I feel so overwhelmed...that there are other people who thnik like that and that I am not alone...That the Universe/God, whoever is up there has a plan for us, a plan that we do not know of and it is being revealed to us bit by bit...And that if you are well attuned to the ways of the world, you may be able to get a glimpse of how things are going, that a certain thing happened a certain way because there was a reason for it...<br />
In his book, the Magus says to Brida " ...anyone who tries to possess a flower will have to watch its beauty fading. But if you simply look at a flower in a field, you will keep it forever, because the flower is part of the evening and the sunset and the smell of damp earth and the clouds on the horizon. That is what the forest taught me. That you will never be mine, and that is why I will never lose you. You were my hope during my days of loneliness, my anxiety during moments of doubt, my certainty during moments of faith.... knowing that my Soulmate would come one day, I devoted myself to learning the Tradition of the Sun. Knowing that you existed was my one reason for continuing to live"<br />
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I looked at Paulo's picture in his book and he looked hike such a wise man. And there was such humility in his eyes...<br />
I'm definitely going to read his other books!<br />
Dhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519805227415360506.post-4286339486691922932014-03-10T01:46:00.000-07:002014-03-10T01:46:39.850-07:00Handcrafted cards ctd..<strong><em>I made more cards this weekend after I put my son to bed...</em></strong><br />
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I stay up till about 11.30pm making them. And I love every minute I spend, meticulously carving out the finicky details till the final whole picture emerges...My favourite card is the butterfly on the green card-very simple and earthy.<br />
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Hope to do some more tonight...Dhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519805227415360506.post-92227114133899824682014-03-06T00:41:00.000-08:002014-03-06T00:41:42.981-08:00Hand crafted cardsI have been silent for a long time. But it wasn't because I was not engaged in any creative pursuits-quite the reverse infact. But the task of uploading images and writing about them seemed too much for me. I have also been busy with personal matters as well as work related issues (I am writing up my thesis for my MPhil, which for me is a very very very boring task.....!)<br />
But amidst my writing my thesis, I take breaks of ten minutes (which sometimes stretch to twenty....or more...) and during these much anticipated breaks, I got this bright idea of making some handcrafted cards. Now, I am not new to this card making business because if ever there is a need for a farewell card invitation or a sympathy card, my friends in the department run to me (and I very gladly comply, because it allows me to do something which I love, during work hours)<br />
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This is a sympathy card which was made when a staff member in one of the neighbouring departments lost his mother. The tree and leaves are cut out of colour A4 paper and pasted on white A4 board which is available at book stores for Rs.10.00<br />
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This is the first card I made during my "Thesis breaks" last week. Its a simple palm leaf cut out. I used a craft knife, the type with a small blade, to cut these out. It looks a bit bare so I thought of getting some rubber stamps made with maybe "Happy birthday" "With sympathies" and "Thank you" etc and stamping with black ink. </div>
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This is a picture of the cards my son and I made for his teacher;s birthday last year. He made the blue flower card and I the lolly card. The box contains the cake my mother made for her which I iced.</div>
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This is the cake for my son's teacher's birthday:</div>
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I am deviating from the topic but since I may not have many posts I will also include the crochet shawl I made for Teacher, as we all lovingly call her:</div>
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And last of all, the best hand crafted card so far, for my nieces' 6th birthday:</div>
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I get such pleasure, just gazing at it from time to time....I showed these to my good freind, Faseeha and she tells me to make a few samples and she will take me to Arpico, a supermarket nearby, and we will talk to the manager about having these in their shop! I thought about it and said, maybe it is a good idea, as long as they do not pressure me to supply a certain amount and give me deadlines etc. </div>
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I am so happy about finding an outlet for my creative urges again (the rug making has seen its last days...)At the begining of the year I made a new year resolution to take up my oil painting again (after more than a decade!) and I went out and bought canvas, paint, turpentine and the lot. I even found something to paint and even did some initial washes...But since then, I have not touched it...I fear its that I miss the day light-my son will not allow me to do my painting when he is up and I was forced to stay up late and paint with a high watt bulb-and it wasn't very satisfying...I remember longingly, the years before marriage and kids where I used to just plonk all my painting stuff on our balcony floor and just paint away... Oh well...maybe such days will dawn again..</div>
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I appreciate too, that it is my crafts which have kept me sane throughout these years... </div>
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I will end on this lovely quote I came across:</div>
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<strong><em>"Someday, everything will make perfect sense. So, for now, laugh at the confusion, smile through the tears and keep reminding yourself that everything happens for a reason."</em></strong></div>
Dhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519805227415360506.post-88979313619589485632013-10-06T09:29:00.001-07:002013-10-06T09:31:12.992-07:00Today I am thankful for..<br />
I am linking up with <a href="http://lusaorganics.typepad.com/clean/cultivating-gratitude/" target="_blank">Rachel</a> and trying to cultivate some gratitude for all the things I have...<br />
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1. For my family for always being there for me.<br />
2. For new and old friends who are showing me the depth of their love for me in so many heartrending ways...<br />
3. For my son for teaching me so many things about myself and about life ...<br />
4. For Tina, for being such a sweet and loving companion and pet (you'd better stop biting our ankles though Tina)<br />
5. For my son's teacher for being so wise and caring and committed.<br />
6. For weekends spent at the pool with my son while he learns how to swim.<br />
7. For finally being able to have a quick nap in the afternoon after lunch on weekends...<br />
8. The lovely music on my mobile which keeps me company and takes<a name='more'></a> me to another world eachtime I am on the bus to and from the campus...<br />
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yes. Its good to be thankful. Makes you feel your cup is at least half full. <br />
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<br />Dhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519805227415360506.post-23674027639186032072013-09-10T01:24:00.002-07:002013-09-10T01:24:44.440-07:00Newest addition to our family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-odXHbBlpgYM/Ui7QXOzjfTI/AAAAAAAAAtI/WfJP7gQj2Bg/s1600/DSC02482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-odXHbBlpgYM/Ui7QXOzjfTI/AAAAAAAAAtI/WfJP7gQj2Bg/s1600/DSC02482.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>Yesterday my good friend Vathsala found me a puppy from the Animal Hospital. I had been looking for a pup for a few months and had sought her help. It took some time but finally she found us just the one that we had been looking for...And it was all worth the wait. She is about 3 weeks. Born to a stray mongrel mother by we suspect, a Labrador father. She does possess labrador features and is very intelligent for one so small. My son loves her and has named her Tina. I don;t know where he found the name from. He occassionally calls her "Agglutina" and I wonder whether it was in one of the cartoons he is watching these days. </div>
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She is so sweet tempered. She allows my son to carry her everywhere. I thought she would not let us sleep the first night away from her mother but no-she was so quiet in the little box with the cushions and soft toys that we put her in. She woke up around 4.30am and whimpered a little and so I kept her on my lap where she fell asleep. Reminded me of old times when we had little pups at home... <br />
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I'm so glad I was able to get a pup for my son. I know of so many kids who wish for a pet but their parents are unable to comply for various reasons. I think every child benefits from having a pet, especially a dog. They are so loyal and loving. My son is already very gentle with her (although he does get a bit rough if we show too much interest in Tina) and I am sure they will be the best of friends. See how happy he looks!!!!<br />
Thank you so much Vathsala! I owe you big time!Dhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519805227415360506.post-31562756977098039332012-10-03T01:04:00.000-07:002012-10-14T21:50:09.744-07:00My eco friendly rainbow rag rugsI have developed a passion for crocheting rag rugs with t shirt yarn. I thought just like my other passions, this too will disappear from my system with time. I was wrong. I kept making them. I am still making them. Upto now I have made 6 rugs. So I thought, why not open my Etsy shop.<br />
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So I did.<br />
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Its called<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/rainbowrugs?ref=search_shop_redirect" target="_blank"> rainbowrugs</a><br />
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It has two of my most recent rugs. They are made to order and I need about 3-4 weeks to get them ready for shipping.<br />
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They are easy to care for. Machine wash in a pillow case. Dry flat. form into shape while still damp.<br />
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These are the ones I have made so far:<br />
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My very first one: I use it now near my bathroom.<br />
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This is my second one. I made two granny squares and attached them. It is now used as my bedside rug.</div>
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The above hexagon is my 3rd rug. This was when I realized the potential for using lovely colours in my rugs. Not the dull colours in my first two! I found how to crochet an African flower from craftpassion blog. This one I gifted to my sister-in-law who loved it and said she didn't feel like putting it on the floor. <br />
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Then I made this one. Again the pattern was from Craftpassion (Giant doily rug) . But somehow I had made a mistake and it came out not an octagen but a heptagon. But looks good all the same. I gifted it to my aunty Vijaya who uses it as a prayer mat.<br />
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Then, I<em> had</em> to make one for my sister and my brother-inlaw. They had helped me (including my parents and brother and my sister in law) to face a very trying period in my life in the recent past (hence my silence from the blogging world). I am still recovering from that, but I am ok. I smile, I work, I have fun with my family. And I make rugs ;-)<br />
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This is THE rainbowrug.</div>
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I am at the moment making a granny square rainbow rug for my son.</div>
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I hope you will take some time to browse my shop.</div>
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Thank you.</div>
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Dhilma</div>
Dhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519805227415360506.post-39760661293142424722012-03-22T02:31:00.000-07:002012-03-22T02:31:36.754-07:00Playing on a tree trunk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sciencephoto.com/image/72083/530wm/B9160016-Container_planting-SPL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://www.sciencephoto.com/image/72083/530wm/B9160016-Container_planting-SPL.jpg" width="400" /></a>I saw this great idea on<a href="http://www.sciencephoto.com/image/72083/530wm/B9160016-Container_planting-SPL.jpg" target="_blank"> pinterest</a> and liked it so much. I wanted to have it at my place. We had a tree in our garden some time back, a pihimbiya tree ( Filicium decipiens) and it was cut down sadly, to build our garage. The wood is very hard and durable. It was still lying outside our yard and I decide to take it into our garden. But instead of planting flowers in it we decided to have it as our garden seat. My son loves it! and We also enjoy our afternoon tea sitting on it. We call it the Crocodile seat because it looks like one. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DYO6vzBkyMU/T2rq-EcAfUI/AAAAAAAAAmg/4wy0Y1Hi-q8/s1600/DSC01481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DYO6vzBkyMU/T2rq-EcAfUI/AAAAAAAAAmg/4wy0Y1Hi-q8/s640/DSC01481.JPG" width="346" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AllPW5AG9a8/T2rrQElTZeI/AAAAAAAAAmo/Yt73Mm61pYw/s1600/DSC01482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AllPW5AG9a8/T2rrQElTZeI/AAAAAAAAAmo/Yt73Mm61pYw/s640/DSC01482.JPG" width="388" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pajtAionXRk/T2rr_RSgmDI/AAAAAAAAAm4/phpkPd1n1v4/s1600/DSC01484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pajtAionXRk/T2rr_RSgmDI/AAAAAAAAAm4/phpkPd1n1v4/s640/DSC01484.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-viicnoF9fEA/T2rsPxMbNEI/AAAAAAAAAnA/7MLI5vwjeM8/s1600/DSC01485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-viicnoF9fEA/T2rsPxMbNEI/AAAAAAAAAnA/7MLI5vwjeM8/s640/DSC01485.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z0bnZRcKdaE/T2ruYvZVftI/AAAAAAAAAng/qb4jmuxh5-E/s1600/DSC01474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z0bnZRcKdaE/T2ruYvZVftI/AAAAAAAAAng/qb4jmuxh5-E/s640/DSC01474.JPG" width="480" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2rDdUvnJxlo/T2ruJSis0yI/AAAAAAAAAnY/WK8Hjk7xONY/s1600/DSC01477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2rDdUvnJxlo/T2ruJSis0yI/AAAAAAAAAnY/WK8Hjk7xONY/s640/DSC01477.JPG" width="640" /></a>Dhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519805227415360506.post-25644233513909596262012-02-14T23:21:00.000-08:002014-02-03T16:30:59.619-08:00Peace haven, Kandy Sri Lanka.<br />
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Peace haven is my home. It is where I grew up, and it is where I have come back to, to find peace as its name implies!<br />
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It is also a guest-house run by my parents. Peace haven is a little away from the hustle and bustle of the town, but is within walking distance to the famous Temple of the Tooth Relic. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from our balcony, early in the morning</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is our balcony. Our visitors like to relax here with a cup of piping hot Sri Lankn tea. Some even have their breakfast here, enjoying the lush greenery with the chirping of the early morning birds and if they are early enough they will catch sight of the flocks and flocks of white egrets flying west. <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">We have 2 bed rooms with attached toilets with hotwater shower. The rooms have mosquito nets and a fan. My parents are happy to give you a huge breakfast with lots of tropical fruits and most guests say they can happily skip lunch after partaking of it!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bed room 1</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bed room 2</td></tr>
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We also have daily visits by a family of parrots who come to the balcony and holler for Marie biscuits. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our daily visitors</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cd8_dTvakZo/TztNm-bDUDI/AAAAAAAAAkw/bAO6lf78DCg/s1600/DSC00271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cd8_dTvakZo/TztNm-bDUDI/AAAAAAAAAkw/bAO6lf78DCg/s640/DSC00271.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The monkeys. Although visitors are both thrilled and scared by these monkeys, the Sri Lankans find them a menace. I have blogged about it <a href="http://dhilmaa.blogspot.com/2011/08/on-my-mind.html" target="_blank">here</a></td></tr>
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These are my lovely parents. They are good, friendly, hospitable people and are ever willing to help guests with anything they may need. My mother is a good cook and my father is knowledgable about all the tourist destinations, train times etc.<br />
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Please visit us if you are planning on coming to Sri Lanka. It will be like coming home...<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong>February 2014: I belatedly notify that we have been closed for some time and do not hope to re-open the guest house again. Thank you and sorry for the inconvenience.</strong></span> Dhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519805227415360506.post-87273077705421479692012-02-08T21:23:00.000-08:002012-02-08T21:23:58.529-08:00A saucy post<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tomatoes are going cheap in Sri Lanka (Rs.20 a kilo. ) and I decided to make us some tomato sauce. I surfed the net and fund several, some using only tomatoes and vinegar and some using even carrots and onions. When I told my mother this, she said she had a tried and tested reipe given out by our local Agriculture Department in Gannoruwa. It had a lot of spices and even powdered red chillie, so I decided this will be more in keeping with our taste and decided to go for it. Here is the recipe:</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><em><u>Spicy Sri Lankan Tomato Sauce recipe</u></em></strong></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 1/2 Kg ripe tomatoes</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 cup vinegar</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">50g Tamarind </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4tsp dried red chillie powder</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">150g- 200g sugar</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Salt</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Celery chopped</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><u>grind the following on a grinding stone or wet grinder:</u></strong></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 cloves garlic</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 inch piece ginger</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><u>Tie the following in a clean piece of cotton cloth :</u></strong></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 inch piece cinnamon</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">10 peppercorns</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">10 cloves</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Method:</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1. Wash tomatoes well and blend in an electric blender (with skins on). Sieve into heavy bottomed pan.</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2. Dissolve tamarind in some of the vinegar and pour into the tomato juice in te pan.</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3. Add the ground ginger , garlic , chillie powder, the rest of the vinegar and the spices tied in te piece of cloth into the tomato mix. </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4. Put on fire and bring to boil always stirring with a wooden spoon to avoid clumps. (You can see my spice bag in the centre of the sauce.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DXXbsfH_DMQ/TzNPzjS2pQI/AAAAAAAAAjs/4Itgwu5Xkqw/s1600/DSC01306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DXXbsfH_DMQ/TzNPzjS2pQI/AAAAAAAAAjs/4Itgwu5Xkqw/s320/DSC01306.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> 5. Add the sugar and salt to taste. You may adjust the seasoning to your taste. (these quantities give a very rich, spicy and hot hot sauce-very much Sri Lankan)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">6. Simmer for about 30-40mins till thick. Remember to stir frequently.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">7. Add the celery when it is almost ready to be taken off the fire. You may remove the celery pieces once the sauce has cooled.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jTuHNFeeODQ/TzNQGuWbHCI/AAAAAAAAAj0/NoUq0PLd5rk/s1600/DSC01307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jTuHNFeeODQ/TzNQGuWbHCI/AAAAAAAAAj0/NoUq0PLd5rk/s320/DSC01307.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is my bottle of sauce. Yields about 750ml of sauce. Can keep in the refrigerator for some time (I can't tell you exctly how long. Mine has been there for about a week and is still good) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_k9DzD9VxH0/TzNQnFnNWFI/AAAAAAAAAj8/6wL3DetwEjk/s1600/DSC01308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_k9DzD9VxH0/TzNQnFnNWFI/AAAAAAAAAj8/6wL3DetwEjk/s320/DSC01308.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Enjoy your homemade, no preservative sauce with fried fish/ pizza, noodles, rice-with just anything you wish! This has a well balanced taste of tanginess, sweetness and chillie.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also made a handkerchief dress for my 4 year old niece.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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That's all for now. I also warmly welcome Helen and the 7of us to my blog. I am so happy you are here! Maybe that's a reason for my quite frequent posts!!!<br />
Take care,<br />
DhilmaDhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519805227415360506.post-74472874417898568982012-02-02T19:37:00.000-08:002012-02-02T19:39:33.251-08:00A goody bag for little NeeniLast week, my good friend Dr.Rumala, gifted me her two chilren's Lego set. It is a huge set and is being enjoyed by my son now (who is 2years and 8months ). I was so overcome by gratitude. It would have cost the earth if I had bought it. And it keeps my naughty son occupied and out of michief, even for a short time. I told him it belonged to Nirmitha ayya and Neeni akka and they had given it to him and that they expected him to look after the peices and not throw them about and lose them. He has taken this to heart! After play, he meticulously picks each piece up and puts it into the big plastic container I gave him. I am so happy about this! Thank yo Dr.Ru, Nirmtha and Neeni!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4pznJnLBbU8/TytVaOaO2tI/AAAAAAAAAjU/TL-x93E4VGI/s1600/DSC01296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4pznJnLBbU8/TytVaOaO2tI/AAAAAAAAAjU/TL-x93E4VGI/s320/DSC01296.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As a way of showing my gratitude I made 6 year old Neeni a goody bag. I sewed a simple drawstring bag and filled it with:<br />
1. hand crafted bottle top rubber stamps stored in a wooden box and a stamp pad.<br />
2. A Hello kitty box with two hair clips<br />
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The bag:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CbX03_IqQws/TytWDrJ_xvI/AAAAAAAAAjc/jG0AIrg-Jg8/s1600/DSC01304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CbX03_IqQws/TytWDrJ_xvI/AAAAAAAAAjc/jG0AIrg-Jg8/s320/DSC01304.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> I hope she likes it!Dhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519805227415360506.post-90189968016569170832012-02-01T01:48:00.000-08:002012-02-01T01:48:21.942-08:00Slow living 2012I am linking up with Christine over at <a href="http://slowlivingessentials.blogspot.com/2012/02/slow-living-2012-month-1.html">Slow living essentials</a> to set myself some goals for this year. Here are my goals:<br />
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1. Declutter - I want to declutter one room in our house and use it as a play room for my son.<br />
2. Make soap-I have been meaning to make soap since last year. I caught the bug after reading <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Down---to---earth/~3/9DFUxcD3Uv0/soaping-ins-and-outs.html">Rhonda's</a> post on soap making.<br />
3. Gradually introduce my 2yrs and 8month old son to preschool.<br />
4. Get some crafting done. I have developed an intense liking of crochet and bag making. I must finish the crochet bolero I am working on, for my niece.<br />
5. Make another quilt. I've only done the one and have wanted to do one since. But never created the time.<br />
6. Get used to giving handmade gifts instead of convenient, expensive store bought ones.<br />
7. Make some handmade gifts and give to some of my dear friends. (Charmalie, Wathsala)<br />
8. Increase my saving. <br />
9. Reduce my expenses. I have drastically cutdown on my expenses since last October and am keeping it up. <br />
10. Somehow revive my interest in oil painting and do at least one painting this year.<br />
11. Do some serious gardening.<br />
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In my work life:<br />
1. I want towrap up my research on Leishmaniasis and get confirme in my post.<br />
2. I want to find innovative ways of conducting small group discussions for undrgraduates. I think I came up with one suggestion today which was taken up by our staff enthusiastically! It was to give students teaching aids at the class. Our first discusion will be on transmission of helminths and we will give samples of clay soil, sand, etc and talk about helminths (worms) transmitted from such an environ. Also give them a slepper and ask them what type of helminth transmission can be prevented by the simple act of using footwear. etc.<br />
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I thought I would also list the things I have achieve in 2011 so that I read them and know that I have achieved quite a bit (and smile :-)<br />
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1. I have started to record every expense I make in a book.<br />
2. I have started to follow the envelope method of money management.<br />
3. I have cut down on my credit card buying.<br />
4. Minimised on buying toys on impulse for my son and have started to make things like this:<br />
<a href="http://www.modernparentsmessykids.com/2011/09/more-science-at-home.html">Diver in a bottle</a><br />
<a href="http://www.minieco.co.uk/halloween-shadow-makers/">Shadow makers</a><br />
<a href="http://funfamilycrafts.com/" target="_blank">Bottletop stamps</a><br />
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5. I am more into do with what you have and go without buying new. <br />
6. I have also reduced my consumption of chicken. Its something I've always wanted to do. I eat more fish now and also make things with veggies and surprisingly find they are great!<br />
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That seems about it. Thanks Christine for your inspiration!Dhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519805227415360506.post-60427725612404288252012-01-23T22:02:00.000-08:002012-01-23T22:02:30.789-08:00Crafting in the new year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_319NkFJosk/Tx5FeyqmBiI/AAAAAAAAAic/vzAy48bAu2g/s1600/DSC01259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_319NkFJosk/Tx5FeyqmBiI/AAAAAAAAAic/vzAy48bAu2g/s320/DSC01259.JPG" width="320" /></a>I made a table runner in January. These are all scrap material. It is quilted.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I found this great tutorial for making a clutch purse using metal frames. We had an old handbag and I got the frame from that. My first attempt I used pliers and it was horribly disappointing. Removed and googled a bit and came up with <a href="http://u-handbag.typepad.com/uhandblog/2006/12/purse_frames_de.html">this:</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And I made this! Isn't it So GREAT???? Thanks Lisa! I got some glue on the fabric cos I was so in a hurry to get the fabric in the frame before my son woke up from his nap. But I did the whole thing from finding fabric to finishing in 2 hours flat! It is my new fave handbag!! By the way the material is from a ari jacket pice and is silk. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had a lovely time making it. Take care.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HUNdo17ctPc/Tx5DgvlNbaI/AAAAAAAAAiU/VNrghMWOFGE/s1600/DSC01282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HUNdo17ctPc/Tx5DgvlNbaI/AAAAAAAAAiU/VNrghMWOFGE/s320/DSC01282.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Dhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519805227415360506.post-49459501062408327102012-01-20T01:02:00.000-08:002012-01-20T01:02:31.241-08:00I am thankful..I am thankful ,<br />
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for the way my son's face lights up when he sees I have come home from "campus".<br />
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for my parents for so many things I cannot begin to mention.<br />
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for Chuty , my sis, for always supporting me.<br />
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for my brother for caring.<br />
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for Puwa, for being so peaceful to share a room with.<br />
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for Lilly, for never letting us down.<br />
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for always having a safe place to retreat to, whatever harsh way, life may have treated me.<br />
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for having the strength in me to just carry on inspite of everything. <br />
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<strong>Death is nothing at all</strong><br />
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Death is nothing at all<br />
I have only slipped away into the next room<br />
I am I and you are you<br />
Whatever we were to each other<br />
That we are still<br />
Call me by my own familiar name<br />
Speak to me in the easy way you always used<br />
Put no difference into your tone<br />
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow<br />
Laugh as we always laughed<br />
At the little jokes we always enjoyed together<br />
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me<br />
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was<br />
Let it be spoken without effort<br />
Without the ghost of a shadow in it<br />
Life means all that it ever was<br />
There is absolute unbroken continuity<br />
What is death but a negligible accident?<br />
Why should I be out of mind<br />
Because I am out of sight?<br />
I am waiting for you for an interval<br />
Somewhere very near<br />
Just around the corner<br />
All is well.<br />
Nothing is past; nothing is lost<br />
One brief moment and all will be as it was before<br />
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!<br />
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Canon Henry Scott-Holland, Canon of St Paul's Cathedral (1847 - 1918)Dhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519805227415360506.post-29040711838785057012011-12-01T20:03:00.000-08:002011-12-01T20:03:55.930-08:00Some things from the past...<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ze4nTqn9piQ/TVrKbQQxsII/AAAAAAAAAF0/cy_aA4rfYg0/s1600/seth-5%2B174.JPG">I uploaded some pictures of some of my past endeavours a long time ago but failed to publish the post.</a>So here they are:<br />
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These are goody bags I made from scratch for my son's first birthday. I printed out the animals on different coloured photocopy paper and cut out segments and pasted to make a final colourful picture. For example I cut out the duckies beak and wing and pasted on the orange duckie printout.<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573990058395021442" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ze4nTqn9piQ/TVrKbQQxsII/AAAAAAAAAF0/cy_aA4rfYg0/s320/seth-5%2B174.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><br />
This is the knitted elephant that I again made for myson. It took a lot of concentrated knitting to do this. But the final product was well worth it. Its from this <a href="http://www.all-advice-for-women.com/1920.html">site</a><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x6YxWFVe7IA/TVrIA2O41mI/AAAAAAAAAFc/qvsb2Cx_toQ/s1600/183.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573987405707925090" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x6YxWFVe7IA/TVrIA2O41mI/AAAAAAAAAFc/qvsb2Cx_toQ/s320/183.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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This is the cake I decorated for my niece's second birthday. <br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jz2558bPJcE/TVrHKr2RZQI/AAAAAAAAAFU/In4AwMpL12I/s1600/210.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573986475207386370" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jz2558bPJcE/TVrHKr2RZQI/AAAAAAAAAFU/In4AwMpL12I/s320/210.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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This is a baby bag I sewed for my son and me. He is wearing a pixie hood knitted by my mother.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EyJmlEIuWvA/TVrGYD9bS_I/AAAAAAAAAFM/XxsnFZlnhxg/s1600/160.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573985605506518002" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EyJmlEIuWvA/TVrGYD9bS_I/AAAAAAAAAFM/XxsnFZlnhxg/s320/160.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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A picture of the elephant again. I think he turned out really cute!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OMfBiW-yxzQ/TVrFJturS7I/AAAAAAAAAFE/sslHjcn0gXw/s1600/185.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573984259509275570" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OMfBiW-yxzQ/TVrFJturS7I/AAAAAAAAAFE/sslHjcn0gXw/s320/185.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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And this is a cake I iced for my husban's 30th birthday. It had butter icing and the sides were done with a cashew nut nougat. It was delish.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uhfqp9CFDhM/TVrCNrIWd_I/AAAAAAAAAE0/zUgBjAVtOtE/s1600/219.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573981028996249586" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uhfqp9CFDhM/TVrCNrIWd_I/AAAAAAAAAE0/zUgBjAVtOtE/s320/219.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L5XNmyHhScc/TVrD6UHeY6I/AAAAAAAAAE8/tiYD5RsI1gI/s1600/083.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573982895424299938" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L5XNmyHhScc/TVrD6UHeY6I/AAAAAAAAAE8/tiYD5RsI1gI/s320/083.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>This is the amigurumi turtle I knit for my son. This is the <a href="http://knittedtoybox.blogspot.com/2008/04/amigurumi-tiny-turtle.html">link</a>.<br />
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That's all from the past. I bought a silicone chocolate mould tray (rose mould) yesterday. I want to make candy and chocolate and give as gifts to my friends and relatives. I will post about it soon. I am so exited about this! Have a lovely weekend!Dhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.com0Sri Lanka7.8730539999999989 80.7717969999999925.6969689999999993 79.333246999999986 10.049138999999998 82.210347tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519805227415360506.post-37010285276285255372011-11-17T11:06:00.000-08:002011-11-17T11:06:41.117-08:00On my mind<div>Bagels anyone?</div><br />
<div>I made bagels for breakfast and they turned out lovely! They were melt in the mouth soft. Light and airy. I am realtively new to baking and the few times I have made buns/rolls, they have come out "ok". Not great or super. Nothing to rave about. <br />
</div><div>But these bagels....Out of this world...</div><br />
<div>So I thought I would share the recipe. It is from a book called Breads and Baking edited by Gina Stear. (Quick and easy, proven recipes)</div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><u>Bagels:</u></em></span><br />
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450g plain flour <br />
<div>2tbsp sunflower oil (I used olive oil)</div><div>1 1/2tsp salt <br />
250ml tepid water</div><div>2tsp easy blend yeast <br />
2 medium eggs</div><div>1tsp clear honey (I used bee's honey)</div><br />
<div>To finish: 1tbsp castor sugar, a beaten egg</div><br />
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<div>Pre heat oven to 200 Celcius degrees 15minutes before baking.</div><br />
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<div>Sift flour and salt into a large bowl. Stir in yeast, make a well in the centre. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs with honey and oil and add to the dry ingredients along with the tepid water and mix to form a soft dough (I used a little less water)</div><br />
<div>Knead dough on lightly floured surface for 10minutes until smooth and elastic.</div><br />
Put dough in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and leave in a warm place till doubled in size (about 45mins)<br />
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<div>Briefly knead dough to knock out air. Divide into 12 (I divided into 16), form each into 20.5cm/8inch rolls, curve into a ring and pinch edges to seal (do this properly otherwise the ring breaks in the next steps)<br />
</div><div>Put rings on oiled baking sheets and cover with oiled plastic wrap and leave to rise in a warm place for about 20 mins or till puffy.</div><br />
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<div align="center"><em>Here are mine, rising in the morning sun:</em></div><br />
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<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x5QJsHdRi_o/TsNA6Ea8VMI/AAAAAAAAAfg/WYq8OmAkjuU/s1600/DSC01053.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675451321780294850" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x5QJsHdRi_o/TsNA6Ea8VMI/AAAAAAAAAfg/WYq8OmAkjuU/s320/DSC01053.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></div><br />
Add castor sugar to a large saucepan of water. Bring to boil, drop bagels, one at a time and poach for 15 SECONDS. (This is where if you have not sealed your rings properly, they come away and they cannot be sealed afterwards. Happened to me, but it does not detract from their heavenly softness)<br />
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Lift out with a slotted spoon and return to baking tray. <br />
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Brush the bagels with a beaten egg and sprinkle with poppy seeds (I sprinkled sugar).<br />
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Bake in a pre heated oven for about 12-15 minutes or till golden brown. Transfer to wire rack and serve when cool (we ate it hot from the oven with a dollop of butter....)<br />
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<div align="center"><strong><em>Mine are ready to come out of oven:</em></strong><br />
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<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-alKWSVlVNlg/TsNAiGV3yXI/AAAAAAAAAfU/kxd8k5dOzPA/s1600/DSC01055.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675450909979036018" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-alKWSVlVNlg/TsNAiGV3yXI/AAAAAAAAAfU/kxd8k5dOzPA/s320/DSC01055.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<em>My soft soft bagels...<br />
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<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GE15nkxHENo/TsM95daDwzI/AAAAAAAAAfI/M50YwOHFFq4/s1600/DSC01056.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675448012772721458" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GE15nkxHENo/TsM95daDwzI/AAAAAAAAAfI/M50YwOHFFq4/s320/DSC01056.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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<div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UheOEDqZdss/TsM8hRfPHSI/AAAAAAAAAew/iWOETzMLxj0/s1600/DSC01053.JPG"></a>We had these for breakfast. I started getting the ingredients around 6.30am and the bagels were ready to eat by 8am. The poaching bit takes extra effort but it is totally worth it. I don't think I'll make bread rolls again. Bagels it will be..</div><br />
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<div>Linking with Rhonda at <a href="http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/2011/11/on-my-mind_18.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Down---to---earth+%28down---to---earth%29">Down to Earth.</a><br />
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<div></div></div></div></div></div>Dhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519805227415360506.post-29895337945783561552011-11-04T00:23:00.000-07:002011-11-05T13:24:09.622-07:00Handy Medicine tote<div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>So You Think You Can Sew?</strong><br /></div><br /><div>I thought I would enter in this online competition tha<a href="http://mommybydaycrafterbynight.blogspot.com/2011/11/so-you-think-you-can-sew-contest.html">t Mommy by day and crafter by night</a> is hosting. I actually stumbled upon this competition after reading about it in <a href="http://pleasedaspunch-rh.blogspot.com/">Pleased as Punch blog</a>. So I thank Rachel from the bottom of my heart for enlightening us.<br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I am an ardent crafter and I love sewing very much. I am a working mother of a two and a half year old son and while I work , both sets of grandparents take turns caring for him. So I do a lot of traveling and needed a bag to take his and my medicines/ creams etc from place to place. I googled a pattern but couldn't find one to my satisfaction and so decided to create one from scratch. This is the result:</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 302px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671054486112308322" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FAzNk9Nw5x0/TrOiAjKcDGI/AAAAAAAAAdM/R8StmgbxLU4/s320/Medicine%2Btote.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671608438373325122" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x6belu_DtsY/TrWZ00JZmUI/AAAAAAAAAd8/WogY2Dm6xB8/s320/DSC00513.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671605696747315458" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d_cXq3rfoOg/TrWXVOy0oQI/AAAAAAAAAdw/p14F50D71-s/s320/DSC01041.JPG" /> This is the inside of the bag. It has a place to slip my son's thermometer in, on the under side of the lid. And a pocket which carries vitamin supplements, Oral Rehydration Solutions etc.<br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It measures a handy 14cm x 21cm with a height of 21cm. I have been using this for about 6months now and wonder how I ever managed without it. <br /></div><br /><div>Hope my creation is crafty enough to enter the competition!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Dhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519805227415360506.post-51448002023297004372011-09-26T01:06:00.000-07:002011-09-26T01:39:27.507-07:00Homemade yoghurtI made yoghurt at home! I felt so proud of my results! And the way my husband and son ate it and how the jar is now almost empty, after not even 24hours!<br /><br />I used <a href="http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/2011/09/yoghurt-make-it-yourself.htmlhttp://">Rhonda's recipe</a> and followed it to the last t. I didn't have a large bottle so I adjusted the recipe for 1L. I couldn't find a brand of yoghurt without gelatine in Kandy so I took the starter from a pot of curd I git from the market. This is very thick and rich and contains buffalo milk.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tF5b1qTwk9U/ToA17xs45qI/AAAAAAAAAcw/vOxNsLCXy0U/s1600/DSC00936.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656580433047512738" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tF5b1qTwk9U/ToA17xs45qI/AAAAAAAAAcw/vOxNsLCXy0U/s320/DSC00936.JPG" /></a> My buffalo curd starter(it comes in a clay pot)</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hJuyf8n0SdM/ToA1mQMN0TI/AAAAAAAAAco/tEcBXQCDCv8/s1600/DSC00942.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656580063274848562" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hJuyf8n0SdM/ToA1mQMN0TI/AAAAAAAAAco/tEcBXQCDCv8/s320/DSC00942.JPG" /></a><br />My yoghurt "monster" lying in the sun...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FD86GjYDG3Y/ToA1Eog87uI/AAAAAAAAAcg/_j9tA4DIiHM/s1600/DSC00943.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656579485688721122" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FD86GjYDG3Y/ToA1Eog87uI/AAAAAAAAAcg/_j9tA4DIiHM/s320/DSC00943.JPG" /></a> And finally my thick creamy and oh so lovely homemade yoghurt :-)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KF7yR_Mh72I/ToA03sU-kYI/AAAAAAAAAcY/r1FpHGq9s5g/s1600/DSC00945.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656579263373939074" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KF7yR_Mh72I/ToA03sU-kYI/AAAAAAAAAcY/r1FpHGq9s5g/s320/DSC00945.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>I suggested we all (husband and son) try it for breakfast and we did and now I am with an empty jar! My husband and son ate it with some jaggery as it was still not sweet enough for them. I added 3tbsp of sugar but think will need to make it about 5 next time as we have a sweet tooth in our family.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Thank you Rhonda!</div></div></div></div>Dhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519805227415360506.post-51647543879431719502011-08-15T00:48:00.001-07:002011-08-18T23:03:53.397-07:00On my mind..Joining in with <a href="http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/2011/08/on-my-mind_19.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Down---to---earth+%28down---to---earth%29">Rhonda at Down to Earth </a>for an On my Mind post.
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<br />On my mind today are- MONKEYS!!!
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<br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640987293040291458" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-weZ119mfjwQ/TkjQDkgoroI/AAAAAAAAAbg/_iFcU89BMqM/s320/DSC00271.JPG" />The monkey menace in my area (Kandy, Sri Lanka) used to destroy all that sprouted in our garden and played with our clean laundry hanging out in the sun. They leave our water taps open, till the over-head tank runs dry; creep into our house to steal whatever is within sight. We've had over twenty years of this man-monkey battle. We have tried everything from spraying water at them from a hose pipe to lighting crackers to scare them off-with little success. </p>
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<br /><p>Now, finally our neighbours have tried and tested wearing a dark gown over their heads with a devil mask over their faces and jumping up and down, making a huge racket, and it has managed to keep them at bay for about two months. </p>
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<br /><p>My mother (who is adopting this method at the moment) consented to being photographed in her black under-skirt and pumpkin mask- her "Monkey chaser" attire!
<br />Here's to hoping they will keep away for a long time..
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<br />Dhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519805227415360506.post-73691487569199114842011-08-03T22:12:00.000-07:002011-08-03T22:57:42.846-07:00Crafting in July<div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div>Hi, These are some of the things I have been doing in the past month. I made a pyramid play tent for my son using thrifted material (curtains actually) and conduit pipes. It was with great difficulty that I made i because at first in my hurry to get it finished, I paid scant attention to dimensions and it turned out lopsided and awful. SO after giving myself an interval to get over the disappointment I tried again and this is how it ame out. The top part is still not perfect and I need to neaten the edges, butu it does function and my son enjoys being inside. The top was actually difficult to design as I only had elbows and Ts available and so it came out so.</div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636872565478224162" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9bx6rKVbVlI/Tjoxu515cSI/AAAAAAAAAbM/OEfHJibZGAw/s320/DSC00705.JPG" /><br />I bought my first piece of furniture. I am at the moment using it as my kitchen table, fr cutting and chopping stuff, but when someday we do hjave a house of our own I plan to use it as my very own writing table. So as not to spoil its surface I covered it with a pretty green (my fav colour) oil cloth.</div><br /><div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1kYbUWSjuZc/Tjor3Q3YWCI/AAAAAAAAAa0/lfhHPQ0U5xI/s1600/DSC00705.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636869147299652546" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QrKp0RdcEPQ/Tjoun8Ino8I/AAAAAAAAAa8/45aeNNh8AHU/s320/DSC00747.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636869442426313282" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MjQXIQgkud0/Tjou5HkTGkI/AAAAAAAAAbE/Qvfw1O91iY8/s320/DSC00833.JPG" /><br /><br />Then above is an old painting of mine that I had done like stained glass. I found it recently and gave ita facelift. The frame is constructed from an old storage box and frame was made from colour A4 paper. Cost me about Rs. 8.00 for the whole thing and took no more than 15mins to finish. I think it looks lovely, although I do say so myself. I keep gazing at it and loving the colours..Must make some more for our living room. Its dull at the moment as it is.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBgEbU-Mjig/TjorjDbY9AI/AAAAAAAAAas/gqzXQkVjXgw/s1600/DSC00839.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636865764823200770" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBgEbU-Mjig/TjorjDbY9AI/AAAAAAAAAas/gqzXQkVjXgw/s320/DSC00839.JPG" /></a> Then, last but not least, my reason for this blog post, I made floor pillow mattress. I discovered this t Ucreate. It was made by Kendra of <a href="http://southerndisposition.blogspot.com/2011/06/pillow-bed-tutorial.html://">Southern Disposition. </a></div><br /><div>As soon as I saw it I jst knew I needed to make one. And so I did. last night. And my son loves it, as you can see in the picture. I bought thrifted material (again) and made it in nder one hour. I think Kendra's blog is great and am following her. I like the fct that she is also a working mom , but somehow manages to make lovely things for her child. Thanks Kendra, for the great inspiration. The best projects are the easiest ones to do-somtimes :-)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>That's all I have done thins month except, I am doing a lot of cooking these days. I made home made pizza which was devoured by my husband and son (Courtsey of Down to Earth blog) and so many other stuff too. </div><br /><div>Hope to post things I'v made in August sometime. Till then, Tata!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div>Dhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519805227415360506.post-51440717239116649602011-06-21T10:00:00.000-07:002011-06-28T10:15:55.031-07:00Keeping busy in June<div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div>Keeping busy in June</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div>A lot has happened since I last posted which was in April. Writing a post and uploading pictures seems so tedious to me and I feel I'd rather be doing something with that time. But it is also nice to see what I have done on my blog too.<br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div>My son recently celebrate his second birthday and we had a small party for him at our annexe. Everything was homemade except for the marshmallows (which no one ate!)</div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div>I made the cake at my mother's with a lot of help from her. I have not baked many cakes and it was only because of her that this came out good. Its a doggy cake and I got the inspiration from this<a href="http://www.caketopia.blogspot.com/.../puppy-dog-birthday-cake-for-elizabeth.html"> site</a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621084387620644754" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dzfSfNQbpZs/TgIaeACfZ5I/AAAAAAAAAW0/Ck4VqZGhbKg/s320/DSC00588.JPG" /></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div>I also made some fancy sandwiches taken from one very old Good Housekeeping mag that my amma had. They looked nice but were very tricky to cut and also eat. Will not make again!</div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div>I got some thrifted T shirts from our relativey new thrift "shops". These are vendors selling ther goods out on the pavement. At least they used to sell on the pavements but have now been given tyhe rooftop of our biggest parking area-Kandy city centre. Its lovely to just walk around and see lovely material from all over the world. They are not greatly cheap but sometimes you do find some great bargains. I bought several shades of T shirts for just Rs.75 each and made the <a href="http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-90-minute-shirt.html">90-minute shirt </a>as per instruction by Dana of Made. Thew pants are also from her basic pants tutorial. Istencilled my son's name and age and also a figure of an elephant on the T shirt from stencils I cut out on transprent sheets. All in all think it came out just fine.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623135318974073298" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dSkFvSomxaw/Tgljx6tnCdI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/hUK6kqoANuY/s320/DSC00552.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623135863058605746" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zDGfvcFfOhQ/TglkRlleJrI/AAAAAAAAAXY/p8mqJAxQ1pY/s320/DSC00574.JPG" /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div>I recenntly took part in the dishcloth swap organised by Down to Earth blog and received a lovely dishcloth from Helen Wilson in Tasmania (<a href="http://betweennowhereelseandparadise.blogspot.com/">Between nowhere else and Paradise</a>:</div><br /><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623134599507035314" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dJMWaamhG4M/TgljICfTRLI/AAAAAAAAAXI/aZjyYZ78zUc/s320/DSC00568.JPG" /><br />The dishcloth was knit from the softest yarns I have ever touched-bamboo. She also sent me a pack of playing cards and a lovely fragrant soap from Tasmania. Thank you so much Helen, you were a great swap partner and I loved getting your parcel.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Here are some things I have made this year and got immense satisfaction making them.</div><br /><div>A curtain for the bedroom. I patched up some coloured pieces of mterial and sewed a strip in the middle. At first I thought it was odd but later on it gave a stained glass effect in the afternoons and it looked nice. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623139622190802450" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JvVu38mHPQQ/TglnsZcbZhI/AAAAAAAAAYI/S3tFEzuh-pY/s320/DSC00256.JPG" />this is he medicine carrier/tote I made to take my son's and my medicine from place to place. It looks nice here but tends to flop a little after carrying. But its quite handy anyway. I carry almost allof my son's medicine, his thermometer, nail cutter etc.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623137224724001890" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zSiOSYED6_s/Tgllg2LzNGI/AAAAAAAAAXw/wohbmYZHXqk/s320/DSC00512.JPG" />this is the ball I made from small fabric peieces. The end pieces are rexine. Inspired by <a href="http://www.madebyjoel.com/2011/05/recycled-denim-ball-for-kids.html">Made by joel<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623136636206131826" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p4K2ZNtZZW0/Tglk-lyNKnI/AAAAAAAAAXg/wq0pTwbQZug/s320/DSC00519.JPG" /></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623139144276893938" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5iXrItGn1kM/TglnQlE34PI/AAAAAAAAAX4/CITu_daJ34s/s320/DSC00484.JPG" />Here is the quilt that I made for my sister. It is fnally finished and lies where it was meant to lie-in my sis's guest room.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623139323321293282" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CDrs93MMQ5U/TglnbAEYmeI/AAAAAAAAAYA/9ptTOlZqDpA/s320/DSC00487.JPG" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623136981132521922" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RIfNl5Ozx5c/TgllSqvEMcI/AAAAAAAAAXo/kJPnhs5J7a8/s320/DSC00465.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3519805227415360506.post-56371047623491612852011-04-24T10:47:00.000-07:002011-04-24T11:19:21.778-07:00My dishcloth<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NG6-CY_Qw8E/TbRkEMZz24I/AAAAAAAAAGk/qwPBpTwOHqY/s1600/DSC00392.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599210259940105090" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NG6-CY_Qw8E/TbRkEMZz24I/AAAAAAAAAGk/qwPBpTwOHqY/s320/DSC00392.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Amidst chaos I have managed to "finish" my <a href="http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/">waffle knit dishcloth</a> for the Down to earth dishcloth swap. Inverted commas, because I want to fancy it up in some way but I have not figured out how. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Dhilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471873352133297274noreply@blogger.com0