My GrandMa's Panjiri recipe (Punjabi food)

Everytime we went to Chandigarh to visit my GrandMa, she would make us tons of panjiri. I've tried making it myself 3 times, with her on the phone initially and this is the best ever. So, here is the recipe.
1/2 cup desi ghee
2 cups flour (i use Golden Temple atta)
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup crushed almonds
1/4 cup raisins
1 tbsp char magaz crushed
1/2 tsp each - ginger powder, saunf, ajwain, kamarkas, goond

Heat ghee for 5 min. till hot. Mix the flour and stir occasionally for 30 min. (my arm is still hurting since yesterday - this is the hardest part). The later part of the 15 min. is crucial as you have to make sure the flour does not burn. On the side, heat 1tsp ghee and mix the kamarkas and goond. Add all the ingredients except sugar and mix well. Remove from the heat. Mix the powdered sugar after about 20 min. (again a good workout). Once it has cooled down a bit, you could compact it for 'on-the-go' people while it is still a bit oily (refer to the last pic). Voila...

Adding Bling to my Blog

Hey! Just found out about this awesome site www.widgetbox.com that has tons and tons of widgets that you could add to your blog...oh my GOD...I'm going crazy.

SPEATBC dinner party

On Friday 19th January, we attended the SPEATBC - Society of Punjabi Engineers and Technologists of British Columbia (www.speatbc.org) annual dinner party. That's one event we look forward to every year as we meet so many people. The kiddies enjoy the clown and love dancing to the bhangra tunes.

New Year Resolutions (revised edition)

Ok, I was bored with the typical New Year resolutions so, here are some practical ones:
Go for an hour long walk on a non-rainy day ;o)
Cut my food intake to 3/4 (as Kabir has started solids)
Give Kabir fresh mashed fruits and veggies
Read one book per day to Sehaj
Take one UBC Continuing Studies course
Blog at least once a week
Get rid of clutter in the house

Disney Princess Jr. Monopoly for Sehaj

Sehaj got so motivated by playing with Gurshan @ the New Year Eve's party that she wanted one for herself. I wasn't sure if she was ready. On Thursday, as we were strolling @Guildford mall, I happened to see this Junior version for 5 - 8 year age group...thought might as well get it , as she is 4+. She's played the game 3 times in 24 hours. The first game we played together and I was kicked out in 15 minutes. So, I left and started to prepare dinner. At that time Sehaj was winning big time...she had tons of money and a lot of homes (castles). By the time I was done, and called for a break-time...things had changed. Poor girl lost almost all her money and homes to Daddy. Well, guess I shouldn't have left the two alone. Anyway, she was pretty good, from rolling the dice, to moving her fave princess by counting the places one at a time. She is learning fast. She just keeps switching her princess's.

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S TO YOU

A new year is beginning to peak through
softly beautiful and different like new falling snow,
each day unique and shaped just for you.
Your life adding something as each day does grow.
My wish for your new year is beauty
and softness with surprises thrown in for delight.
Love for each day bringing happiness to you,
making your life a scene of sparkle and shining sunlight.
~Author Unknown~

New Year Eve's Party @Gurshan's

New Year Eve's Party was a blast. We played Monopoly, ate lots of "yummy to the tummy" food, danced away, played dumb-charades (hilarious).
The kids got super-pampered.
I made some butter-chicken which received tremendous appreciation - "finger licking good", "could open my own restaurant".

Kabir crawling into 2007

Kabir began the New Year crawling; his first big leap was at RBC (Royal Bank). We had an hour long appointment with our Financial Planner on 30th Dec. Sehaj was busy coloring - her fave hobby. And Kabir was trying to spoil her fun, when he tried his best to grab the colorful crayons and paper. Later that day we visited some friends.