Mini Cheesecake with Blueberry sauce

  Mini Cheesecakes with blueberry sauce

(adapted from the Joy of Baking)

http://www.joyofbaking.com/Cheesecakes%28Individual%29.html

  

I used aluminum foil baking cups for the cheesecakes. I found that they peel off easily and stand up really well during the baking process.

Crust:

1 cup (100 grams) graham wafer crumbs or crushed digestive biscuits

1 tablespoon (15 grams) granulated white sugar

4 - 5 tablespoons (55-65 grams) butter, melted

Filling:

2 - 8 ounce (454 grams) packages of full fat cream cheese, room temperature

2/3 cup (130 grams) granulated white sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs, room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1/2 cup (120 ml) sour cream, room temperature

Cheesecakes: Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) and place oven rack in the center of the oven. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners. (Can also use silicone baking cups.)

For Crust: In a small bowl combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press a heaping tablespoon of crumbs onto the bottoms of the 12 muffin cups. Cover and refrigerate while you make the filling.

For Filling: In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the cream cheese on low speed until creamy and smooth. Add the sugar and salt and beat until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until incorporated. Add the vanilla extract, lemon zest, and sour cream and beat until incorporated. Remove the crusts from the refrigerator and evenly divide the filling among the 12 muffin cups. 

Bake for about 18 - 22 minutes or until firm but the centers of the cheesecakes still wobble a little. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack. Let cool and then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate (a few hours or even overnight).

To serve, gently peel off the paper liners and place on your serving plate. Serve with strawberry or raspberry sauce, fresh berries, or drizzle with melted chocolate. These cheesecakes can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for several days.

Makes 12 individual cheesecakes.

Rasberry Swirl Cheesecake Cupcake

Summer-Fall 2012

Almost the end of our fantabulous summer!!..reflecting back on this season, I realize that it has been different from all the other summers we have enjoyed in Canada. This year we enjoyed it in a different way. We mostly stuck around and had tons of fun enjoying our neighborhood. I enjoyed walking hand in hand with Kimberly late evenings after our meals, enjoying and savoring the cool evening breeze and stopping to chat with neighbors sitting on their porches or doing garden work or just hanging out. Sometimes, the boys would join. Most afternoons and evenings were spent with neighborhood kids at the pool. Every year we go to festivals, street parties and functions downtown but this year, we did some but not as many as we usually go to.  Summer came to us. Even on scorching hot days, I worked in my garden, thanking the sun for providing us with energy and means for plants to make food for themselves.

Yohann`s birthday was spent at Canada`s wonderland. the pics capture the fun..no words needed.

Last weekend we went to my darling sister`s birthday. They had decorated their backyard with festive lights. together with the ambience, our friends and the sumptious food, there was no better place in the world to be at that time. My contribution to the party was shortbread pastry cups with a cream filling.

I did my first 5K at Toronto Islands in 32 minutes. Crossing the finish line breathless with excitement, with family there to cheer me, was the highlight of my summer. The kids also participated in the 1k race and came in 4th and 5th. I am so proud of them. We enjoyed a family bbq and spent the rest of the day at the island.


Thanksgiving.

We had a great Thanksgiving in my Reina's house. She made the most perfect turkey. and we had even more reason to give thanks when our close freind announced that she is expecting...Yippppppeeeee, we all screamed..more chaos and more noise  at our parties. She wanted to make a big announcement, but it all came tumbling out of her mouth like this:
ME: Dan, what are wearing? your blouse looks kind of interesting, can you take off your wrap?
DAN: Oh well, ok..it's just a ruffle blouse.
ME: I love your pants too...I have the same one..where did you get yours from?
JARON: I think her pants look too big for her..at least two sizes too big..looks like you are hiding something.
DAN: Yes, you will find out soon!
JUNE: OH! are you pregnant,,,
DAN! YES..HOW DID YOU GUESS??
ALL OF US GROAN..OH WELL..

We had tons of fun...Gangam style dance competition for the kids, where the judges (June and Dan) declared that all of them were winners and they got $5 each...the talent competition, where Danielle sang a song from 'One direction' and Hayley sang ; yellow rose of texas with help from mommy.

We had roast turkey and Duchess potatoes, which looked really fabulous,,I wish I had taken pictures. Giselle made some awesome roasted veggies (Parsnips, sweet potatoes, asparagus and brusells sprouts) and Moroccan couscous. My contribution was crispy fried tofu squares and spicy satay sauce. I also made mini cheesecakes with homemade Blueberry sauce.

 

Cheers Summer, see you next year, same time, same place, Adios my friend!!

Winner's circle

12 Choices Winners Make Every Day

2012/08/15

You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win. -Zig Ziglar

1. They don’t give up on the things they believe in. – If J.K. Rowling stopped after being turned down by multiple publishers for years, there would be no Harry Potter.  If Howard Schultz gave up after being turned down by banks 200+ times, there would be no Starbucks.  If Walt Disney quit too soon after his theme park concept was trashed by 300+ investors, there would be no Disney.  One thing for sure: If you give up on your dreams too soon, you will miss out on seeing them become a reality.
2. They work with, and spend time with, the right people. – A day spent with the right people is always a day spent well.  Sometimes the most ordinary ideas and projects can be made extraordinary, simply by discussing them and doing them with the right people.
3. They concentrate on the present. – Remember, you can’t reach what’s in front of you until you let go of what’s behind you.  Today is a new day.  Don’t let your history interfere with your destiny.  It doesn’t matter what you did or where you were; it matters where you are and what you’re doing now.  Never give up on yourself, and never abandon your values and dreams.  As long as you feel pain, you’re still alive.  As long as you make mistakes, you’re still human.  And as long as you keep trying, there’s still hope.
4. They maintain a positive attitude. – Only you can change your life, no one can do it for you.  Happiness always comes from within, and it’s found in the present moment by making peace with the past and looking forward to the future.  Each morning when you open your eyes, think only three things first: Thank you, thank you, and thank you.  Then set out to make the best use of the gift of this day that you can.
5. They endure the pain. – Maybe there’s something you’re afraid to say, or someone you’re afraid to love, or somewhere you’re afraid to go.  Maybe it’s going to hurt.  Maybe it’s going to hurt because it matters, and because it expands your horizons.  Remember, pain isn’t always a bad thing; sometimes it’s just another step toward personal growth.  
6. They ignore the naysayers. – Unless someone has walked in your shoes on the same path that you have travelled, and lived through all of your ups and downs alongside you, they have no right to judge you.  Unless they can look into the core of your heart and see the degree of your passion, or look into the depths of your soul and see the extent of your will, then they have no business telling you who you are or what you can or can’t achieve.  Everyone has a story.  Everyone has unique gifts.  Unless that someone is YOU, their opinion of you means nothing in the long run.
7. They live through love. – Every human thought, word, or deed is based on fear or love.  Fear is the energy which contracts, closes down, draws in, hides, hoards, and harms.  Love is the energy which expands, opens up, sends out, reveals, shares, and heals.  The only question is:  What choice will you make today?
8. They accept 100% responsibility for their current situation. – The next five years can be the best five years of your life, or just another five years.  The decision is yours.  The best part of your life will start on the day you decide your life is your own – no one to lean on, rely on, or blame.  It takes courage and strength, but you need to say it: “The gift of life is mine, it is an amazing journey, and I alone am responsible for the quality of it.”
9. They take action and plant the right seeds. – Many great things can be done in a day if you don’t always make that day tomorrow.  Take positive action and plant the right seeds in your life right now.  Nature herself does not distinguish between what seeds she receives.  She grows whatever seeds are planted; this is the way life works.  Be mindful of the seeds you plant today, as they will become the crop you harvest in the future.
10. They don’t lose themselves in the commotion. – There are two things you shouldn’t waste your time on: things that don’t matter and people who don’t think you matter.  Remember, sometimes in the midst of all the commotion and negativity swirling around, life will force you to make a choice between losing yourself and losing someone or something else.  Regardless of the situation, don’t lose yourself.  Stay true to your path and keep moving forward.
11. They appreciate what they have. – Sometimes people throw away something good for something better, only to find out later that good was actually good enough and better never even came close.  Stop long enough to appreciate things.  When you appreciate what you have, what you have appreciates in value.  When you truly appreciate your life, you’ll find that you have more of it to live.  
12. They make a positive difference. – Let a person’s character be their currency and you will sadly find that a lot of rich people are actually bankrupt.  Being the richest man or woman in the cemetery doesn’t matter; going to bed every night knowing that you’re making a positive deference in the world is what matters.

Cakes

Chocolate cake with ganache filling and buttercream frosting (Nicole's birthday - April 29th)

Chocolate cake with ganache filling and buttercream frosting (Nicole's birthday - April 29th)

Chocolate cake with Chocolate mousse filling and frostes with chocolate ganache and walnuts (Karen's birthday April 7th 2012)

Vanilla cake with mango mousse filling and covered with whipped cream frosting, almonds and decorated with fresh mango slices (Lorraine's birthday-May 29th-2012)

Vanilla sponge cake filled with whipped cream and fresh strawberries and covered with whipped cream and almonds (June and Lancy's wedding anniversary June 30th 2012)-

Blackforest cake filled with whipped cream and cherries and decorated with chocolate shavings and cherries (Kyren's birthday July 23rd 2012)

The Most Astounding Fact

 http://apwateronline.com/2012/07/04/the-most-astounding-fact/

2012/07/04

Spring/Summer 2012

Spring is such an exciting time...tender new leaves, fresh smell of cut grass, plants and flowers bursting through the earth and the potential of what is to come. Breathtaking flowers, warm sunshine and birds tweeting and chirping with happiness. I love sitting on the porch in the evenings when all is quite. I love to watch the planes and stars in the sky and feel the warm breeze on my skin...Our 'Tiger Eyes' plant shields and offers privacy from walkers and strollers passing by.

This summer was also my 40th birthday..sigh..but on the positive side, closer to collecting my sr. citizen benefits. My parents and sisters and Karen made it special by celebrating it with me (not to mention the fabulous gifts-clothes). Keith's birthday was a quite celebration. He started the day by taking Yohann for Lacrosse and we headed to Whittamore's farm to pick fresh Ontario strawberries http://www.whittamoresfarm.com/fun-farm.html. On the way to the farm, Kyren asked to see the map, I was so impressed that I started looking for the map but  we only had directions to the farm, so I told him next time we would print out maps for sure. He replied..'mom, that's fine, I am going to get an app on my DS instead". uh oh..anyways, if the battery on his DS dies out, he'll know maps are the way to go.  The boys, Kim and I were so excited to pick, my instincts made me want to protect our picking territory by putting a fence around it..Kimberly eagerly picked the baby strawberries and after a while when she got tired of picking and eating (her mouth smeared with red), she plopped herself between the plants and just picked what she could reach. It was so cute to watch them. Kyren was mostly giving directions to Yohann and asking to hurry up because after, they could go on the giant slides and play in the corn maze. Yohann and myself could easily have made a career in picking. we did not want to stop but our bucket was full so we reluctantly made our way to the cashier.  They had tons of activities apart from strawberry picking..but we couldn't do it as Keith wanted to watch the world series soccer match and it was his birthday so we headed back home. However, not before we first sampled all of their freshly baked pastries filled with produce from the fields, Strawberry Cheese and blueberry Cheese Danishes, Rasberry Coconut Tarts, Raisin Tarts and Yohann's favorite Cinnamon buns. The boys also had cotton candy icecream? cotton candy? but Kyren reasoned it is not very easy to find cotton candy flavour..umm, ok. whatever.

Kyren: I am so proud of my boy, he gave his first public performance at a recent community event. He sang 'bad moon rising' by CCR. so many people came up to us and said 'he has such a wonderful voice. all of the band members came up and congratulated him on his performance. One of the organizers said 'Kyren, my heart stopped beating when I heard you singing'..'you gave me goosebumps'..that is the same reaction I have when I hear him singing..his voice is like an angel.

Kyren's birthday-was a blast as usual..We all had so much of fun. He had 10 boys over and they all came at 1:30 p. and left by 9:30 p.m..He had a pool party followed by a soccer match and then we headed home for some bbq and water gun fight..we slept that night exhausted and with happy feelings.

 Camping - was more like a party than camping but neverthless so much fun. shilps and family, ayesha and family and giselle and family came with us. the cuzzins in the end looked like they lived the forest all the time...tired, happy and wanting more of it :-) we spent lots of time at the beach..the lake was warm and beach 3 at Awenda Park was awesome....the lake had sandbanks in various places that means that kimberly and kyle could wade further into the water and still have the water only come up to their hips. 

We also brought tons of food to feed an army- ayesha thought of everything ;-) lots of snacks and fun food for the kids (popcorn packs, jelly cups, fruit bowls, PC chocolate covered biscuits which we used to make smores)..Ships brought awesome chicken wings and giselle brought achari chicken to bbq and pulled pork which we did not get around to tasting. Keith made his signature beef chillifry which was appreciated by everybody. 2 days was certainly not enough to devour the food. Awenda is a beautiful provincial park in Ontario on the banks of the Georgian back. It is encompassed by Lake Huron which is connected to Lake Michigan (one of the 5 great lakes). We camped at Turtle campsite which was perfect. Lots of privacy but a drive to the beach. Here is the link to Awenda and I am also including a link from trip advisor that I found very helpful.
http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowUserReviews-g678572-d1549175-r117089362-Awenda_Provincial_Park-Penetanguishene_Ontario.html


Kimberly- every night we go through the ritual of her saying 'goodnight mommy' and I'll say 'goodnight darling'..and she'll say 'no, say goodnight angel'...so we try again.'Goodnight mommy' and I'll say 'goodnight angel'...then she says 'see you in the morning mommy' (and I have to say exactly these words and in a specific tone..otherwise we go through the ritual at least 5 times before I get everything right) 'see you in the morning angel' and she'll say.."no, 'say, see you in the morning Kimberly'..if i do lose my cool, i have to start all over again. so I remain calm and focussed and concentrate on getting it right.

Summer Fun

Sponge Cake with Pastry Cream and Berries Recipe

Sponge Cake with Pastry Cream and Berries Recipe

• Basic Jelly Roll Sponge Cake (recipe follows)
• Pastry Cream (recipe follows)
• Sliced Berries
• 1 cup 35% whipping cream
• 1 cup toasted sliced almonds

Basic Jelly Roll Sponge Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 5 tbsp water
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup sifted all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt

How to Make the Jelly Roll Sponge Cake:

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line a 15 x 10 x 1-inch with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
2. Beat eggs in a small bowl with electric mixer until very thick and fluffy. This will take about 5 minutes at high speed. Add sugar gradually and beat very well after each addition. Turn mixer speed to low and beat in water and vanilla.
3. Sift the flour before measuring, then spoon it lightly into a dry measuring cup and level it off with the back of a knife. Sift measured flour, baking powder and add to egg mixture. Beat on low speed until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl often.
4. Pour into prepared pan and spread evenly with a rubber scraper.Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until top springs back when touched lightly in the centre. Loosen cake around the edges.
5. Place a clean tea towel over a large cake rack and invert the rack and towel on top of the cake. Turn the cake, towel and rack back over and carefully lift the pan off the cake. Strip the paper off the cake. Let cool.
6. Position cake horizontally and cut into three equal parts.

Pastry Cream Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk, divided
• 2 strips lemon rind
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 5 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

How to Make the Pastry Cream.

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring 1 3/4 cups of the milk and the lemon zest to a boil.
2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/4 cup milk and the cornstarch, stirring to dissolve the cornstarch. Set aside.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the yolks and the sugar. When the milk mixture has come to a boil, pour it through a strainer onto the beaten yolks-sugar mixture, whisking constantly. Return this mixture to the saucepan and whisk in the milk-cornstarch mixture. Over medium heat, bring to a boil again, whisking all the while, and continue to whisk until the mixture thickens. Add the vanilla, remove from the heat, and scrape into a bowl.
4. Cover the surface of the cream with plastic wrap to prevent it from forming a skin.
5. (The cream keeps for up to 3 days, tightly and refrigerated.) Chill before serving.

How to Assemble the Sponge Cake with Pastry Cream and Berries Cake:

1. Whip the 35% with whipping attachment of electric mixture until soft peaks form.
2. Place one third of the jelly roll cake on plate..
3. Spread with pastry cream.
4. Top with berries.
5. Place the second layer of jelly roll cake on top.
6. Spread with pastry cream.
7. Top with berries.
8. Place third layer of jelly roll on top of berries.
9. Spread whipping cream on top layer.
10. Add sliced berries and sprinkle with toasted almonds.
11. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

http://liliana-tommasini.suite101.com/berry-sponge-cake-with-pastry-cream-recipe-a66453

Swami Rama

Swami Rama continued to spread the teachings his own teacher had given him, that the first goal is to seek freedom from fears, and second, to seek the direct experience of the absolute reality at the core of your being, the center of consciousness that goes by many names. He taught that one should "know yourself at all levels," explaining that "After visiting hundreds of countries I have discovered that all over the world there is one great problem, and that problem is that the human being has not yet understood himself or herself, and tries, instead, to understand God and others. 

http://swamij.com/swami-rama-guru.htm 

If you prepare yourself to know the higher knowledge, then you will deserve. To deserve means to increase your capacity. You want to put the entire ocean in a bucket. The ocean is there. You can have it, but you do not have the capacity. When you deserve, you will have the capacity. The Lord, the Reality, the Truth, is always within you. You simply have to become aware. You can make sincere efforts to work with yourself. 

The light itself will guide you. 

Don’t be disappointed with failures. When you start to make sincere efforts and start to practice, you will find light on the path. The light itself will guide you. The light of consciousness is within you. If you ignore that light, the guide outside you, the external teacher, will be of no use to you. He will make you a slave. Every individual has certain notions. He also lives with his notions. He creates a following and millions of people are swayed and misguided.  

Do not depend much on guides. It is better for you to prepare yourself and remain awake. 

 Do you know what a guide means? The word guru has been vulgarized. Such a pious word is being misused. I call it guide. Do not depend much on guides. It is better for you to prepare yourself and remain awake. The scriptures say to wake up from the deep sleep of ignorance. Remain fully awake, remain conscious, and go on learning. Never close the door of learning. The day you close the door of learning you become ego, ego, ego. In the Himalayas the teacher examines the student and the student examines the teacher. When my master sent me to various teachers he told me, “The teacher who can sit still for a long time is a good teacher because he has practiced something. Listen to him. If the teacher changes his posture many times in five minutes, do not waste your time there.” There are certain signs and symptoms that have been explained by the great scriptures. The scriptures help the student to know who is a good teacher so he does not waste much time. Otherwise, what are we teachers doing? Suppose you want to go to New York. You come to Swami Rama for directions and Swami Rama says to go this way. You meet a different Rama on the way and he says, “Oh, come on! He does not know anything. Go this way.” And the student is very sincere. Then another teacher says, “Both Ramas are fools. Better go this way.” By that time the poor fellow has wasted twelve years and he is nowhere. The knowledge should be followed, not the individual personality of the teacher. The word teacher means “knowledge.” The knowledge should be followed, not the individual personality of the teacher. The subject should be given prime importance, not the individual. Teachers have complicated things. Yoga science has suffered because of this. One teacher says, “This is my method.” Another teacher says, “This is my method.” The poor student is confused. After some time he finds that his mind, his individuality, and his pocket have been robbed. From your external teacher just pick up that which is useful for you and leave that which is not useful. When you become aware of the light within, and that light reveals the Truth to you, there are no chances of being misguided. Teachers come and go. From your external teacher just pick up that which is useful for you and leave that which is not useful. No doubt you need a teacher, a guide. I will never tell you that you should not seek and you should not learn from other people, or that you should not study books. Teachers only inspire you and make you aware of that Self-existence that you have forgotten. Their role is to make you aware of the Reality. You do not need any new form. Christians should not become Hindu, Hindus should not become Buddhist, and Buddhists should not become anything else. They should remain as they are and not create any serious new problems for themselves. A known devil is better than an unknown devil. Remember this.

Salted Caramel Brownies

Fudge Brownies with Salted Caramel topping
yield: 24 brownies



1 cup (2 sticks) Butter
2 cups Sugar
1/4 cup Brown Sugar
4 Eggs
1 1/4 cup Cocoa Powder
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Baking Powder
1 1/2 cups AP Flour
2 cups Dark Chocolate Chips (I used Hersheys Special Dark)

preheat oven to 350 degrees, prepare 9×13 pan

1. Melt butter in a sauce pot. Add sugar and stir over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, until sugar has melted slightly and liquid is silky.
2. Remove from heat and pour into a large bowl. Use a spatula to scrape all butter into bowl.
3. Add eggs one at a time, stirring between each one. Add cocoa powder and stir until fully combined.
4. Add baking powder, salt and flour. Stir until just combined, though make sure there are no lumps or ‘pockets’ full of flour in the batter. Add the chocolate chips.
5. Pour into a prepared 9×13 pan and use the back of a spoon to spread out evenly. Bake for 40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool at least one hour before cutting.

Salted Caramel Topping
yield: 1 cup topping

1/2 cup (1 stick) Butter
1 cup Dark Brown Sugar
1/4 cup Whole Milk
2 cups Powdered Sugar, sifted
Salt, for topping

Christmas in Bombay

WINTER 2010 Ok..not yet winter..but still wanted to capture the activity in December..Once we booked our tickets to India for christmas, we could not think or do anything that was not related to the holiday. A simple request like 'can you fix the lightbulb in my room dad?" would elicit a response.."no, we'll do it when we get back from India". Anyways, we spent our time buying gifts for everyone and ourselves. The travel to bombbay was tiring but good. we had a stopover in paris for 2 hours..where i changed Kimberly;s dirty diaper in the children's play area..i was tired and the airport washroom (at least where we were seated) did not have a baby changetable. so there..an explanation if Kimberly ever gets to reading this post and finds out the nasty thing I did. anyways, Kyren/Yohann/Keith and mum travelled home in one car..keith told us later that the boys were looking around surprised and trying to comprehend the birthplace of their parents and Yohann made an observation "looks like the city was destroyed and the only thing that survived was the people" ha ha..that was only the beginning...when they rode in a rickshaw for the first time..they jumped in excitedly and started looking around for seatbelts.. We had a great great time in bbay..everynight we sat around until midnight sipping wine and chatting. Mum made sure we had great food which we would always remember..and she's accomplished that. fried bombils/ targollas/ coconut water and malai. Chappatis in the morning for b/fast/ brun bread/ multigrain bread/ cheese/ jam and eggs. lunch was fish curry/ rice/ 2 vegetables and fried fish. Dinner was a feast of and un-gravy dish/ cutlets/fried chicken..i am salivating even now. Joel came running home from school everyday and devoted every minute and breath of his playing with kyren, yohann and kimberly. I miss you joel, so much. Jane/Elvido came home everyday after work and spent all of their free time with us. Fiona came in from Mauritius a few days later. she is Mrs Claus. she bought tons of gifts for the kids and homemade christmas cake which was to die for. Aunty Elsa and Noreen came and spent a couple of days with us. Aunty Elsa made the most amazing cheesestraws. kyren is begging me to learn..but i dont' think mine would turn as good as the original. Christmas in Bbay. We went for midnight mass and was surprised to see the entire Domenic colony was decorated with Christmas lights including the inside lanes...such a beautiful sight and so christmassy...all around the church there were shops with an abundance of christmas sweets/ decorations/ and people hurrying about trying to get their shopping done.

We had such a feast on Christmas day (Roast Chicken/ Sorpotel/ Meat Loaf/ Roast Beef/Salad/ Rice/ Sanaas/ and christmas sweets for Dessert.

The boys had a fantastic time in bombay. Their aunts spoiled them rotten. They went to the play zone at Inorbit mall frequently. Yohanna tried paper dosas and Kimberly tried a rava dosa plain. We all went to Manori, which is a small island just outside bombbay. so serene and quite and we took a horse carriage to reach the bungalow that we booked. We played on the beach and the boys built sand castles. Kimberly sat on a fishing boat and refuse to vacate it. we had to pull her out kicking and screaming. We went to far end of the beach for a walk where couples make out..and Kimberly went into a rocky area where she parked herself and did not want to move. we again had to carry her kicking and screaming... The smell of sea water combined with the white foamy waves should make it into the book of awesome.

GOA We arrived in Goa on Jan 1st and stayed with the banglore gang..we went that night to dinner at Cavallis with all of them. We were 20 of us including some friends from New Zealand. We stayed at Giselle's house in Goa. We visited Jennifer/ Ronnie one day and the next went parasailing and jet sking. All new experiences for us and thoroughly enjoyable.

Anniversary

Elvido Jane Joel mum and armando dropped us back to airport. Chaotic at the airport but that was expected. In france, we took a cab to see the Eiffel tower. Paris is beautiful and we would like to go back for a longer time.

Jaron came to pick us from the airport. Karen and Lancy were waiting for us at home with food that June made. Also our fridge was stocked with all our favourite food courtesy giselle..croissants for the boys with strawberries and blue berries. smoked salmon/ humus/ and baguette.