SkyWatch time

I hope ... fingers crossed ....

That the schedule option works.

This is the first time I am scheduling a post.

Well, this weekly SkyWatch has been so cool,

I could not resist sharing another lot with you all.

And why am I excited???

This is the first time I get to click birds.

They were far and distant ...

on a faraway house. I was working on the zoom ability of my camera when I clicked this one.

Nearer home, I was able to capture some more ...

Though I love the bird in this one ...

Overall, I like the next picture the best.

Only if the bird had looked in my direction.

But then how would it know I am trying to get it to pose.

Hope you have a wonderful time ahead.

Follow @RubyManchanda

Weekly Printable Sharing

I created this in a jiffy.

And the inspiration 

A quote I read on the same day in two blogs ...

Catherine's from Hello, New Day

Heidi's from Eight Days a Week

They were talking about a movie, alright

but what wonderful words

and what wonderful wish

"May the odds be ever in your favor."

And with this wish,

I sign off today's post.

In case you are wondering ...

yes, the printable is free and can be used by anyone and everyone.

All you have to do is right click on the image and save it.

Follow @RubyManchanda

23rd March, 2012 : Prompt - Moon

Prompt - Moon

This one has two of my favorite but old clicks being featured again.

I waited and waited

But when you get a prompt - moon near a No Moon Night

and when layers of dust have been building up for a week almost,

it is tough luck.

I seriously wonder what is up with weather these days.

Early mornings are clear and chilly, as the day grows, the layers of dust and stifling heat too builds up.

Dusty, smoky, and a weird climate ...

Anyhow, two of the old but favorite clicks will have to bail me out today

and

As I will be out of station,

the posts and the challenge will have to halt for almost a week.

I have scheduled two weekly features, however,

and I can only hope that the scheduler works.

Rest, all of you have a blessed week ahead.

"May the odds be ever in your favor."

Follow @RubyManchanda

SkyWatch This Week

Oh! the sky has so much to offer.

Only if we have time for the observation.

I share mine with you this week again.

To me this does not look sky at all.

I wonder if you did not read the title, what would you think of it?

So, I clicked another shot but the pattern had changed by now.

To make it look more like sky,

I brought in the trees too.

And I love this picture of the lot.

SkyWatch is really becoming fun.

Follow @RubyManchanda

22nd March, 2012 : Prompt - Kitchen Sink

Prompt - Kitchen Sink

Kitchen sink ... the most debated corner of my house ...

Why???

Because, it needs renovation.

Whole of the kitchen needs renovation ...

But that has long been delayed.

May be this April ...

This is our kitchen ...

the maximum of it ...

The right most corner - the Kitchen Sink

This is the before dinner scene

After dinner scene is just the contrast ...

sink overflowing with dishes

and if I happen to participate in cooking

(like I did today)

clutter everywhere.

The shelf is a little low so we (read me, I am the tallest lady of the house)

have to bend a lot for doing dishes and kneading dough and making rotis (Indian bread)

But soon ... soon it will be a different picture ...

April ... come soon.

Follow @RubyManchanda

21st March, 2012 : Prompt - Delicious

Prompt -Delicious

I wish I had a chance to do this yesterday.

We had my cousin's in-laws visiting us for dinner.

And there was a lot of cooking that my mother did.

Lots of special things on the menu.

However, no leftovers remain this time.

No cheese, no white-gram, no mix-veg, no rice.

But that does not mean, I did not get anything delicious today.

I welcomed spring with open arms and open heart today by tasting

the first (almost) fresh Pineapple juice of the season.

I am a great pineapple fan.

I like pineapple juices, I like pineapple in curd,

I like pineapple pastries, I like pineapple wafers ...

So, a toast to the theme Delicious with a glass of Pineapple juice seems most appropriate for me.

Photograph clicked by Canon Powershot S5 IS

Follow @RubyManchanda

Print Away with me ...

There is a story to this.

Or rather there are two stories to this.

And I will share them both.

Story - 1

I am my mum were having lunch together.

She asked me to fetch pickle.

I was a little surprised because we usually do not include pickles in our diet.

Anyways, I go to the kitchen.

And what do I see!!!

The burner is switched on.

With all our cooking done, this was a little carelessness on our part.

And by God's grace, I reached the kitchen well in time ... before anything untoward happened or could have happened.

Story - 2

I had been making rounds of the District Office to get a certificate made and signed.

That day Mum went and got more than half of the work done.

We were supposed to make another round to their office in the evening to submit the form.

Come evening, we leave for the office.

While descending the stairs, Mum realized she had forgotten her mobile.

I go back to the house.

I pick up the mobile from her room and on an instinct her wallet too.

We were just supposed to submit the form, so we did not see any point in carrying money but sometimes instinct speaks louder than mind.

And in the office, they ask us to submit form and some cash money too.

Mere coincidence. May be, may be not.

But I was instantly reminded of the words I read on a Ma and Pa's Trunk.

Thank you for sharing this quote with us.

On my part, I have created a printable for this one.
For those who happen to like it, all they need to do is, right click on the image and save it.

Do you have a story that makes you Trust in the Lord???

Share with me.

Follow @RubyManchanda

20th March, 2012 : Prompt - Before / After

Prompt - Before / After

I belong to a Sikh family...

and Turban is the pride and prestige of a Sikh man ...

Tying a turban is quite an important part of lives of our boys and males ...

and maintaining those Turbans quite a task for ladies

In our community, they all wear blue turbans ...

but my father (his favorite color being white) could never get used to the pure blue color.

So, his choice is white muslin cloth which has to be treated with the indigo-blue whitener.

This gives it a beautiful blue hue ...

Washed and dried, the 3 m long muslin then is starched at home by my mum ...

In the scorching sun, this can be quite an arduous task for her ... for she has to keep the ends from sticking together.

Dried and starched and stacked away till weekend ...

Every Sunday ...

my father ties his turban with mamma's aid ...

she holds, she pulls and gets the layers in shape for him...

his hands work deftly ...

his temper a little short at that time ...

because you need to use water to get it into shape...

and starch and water are two risky combinations ...

so he works deftly and cautiously ...

and lo and behold ...

he is all set to meet the weekdays in panache.

Follow @RubyManchanda

19th March : Prompt - 2012 : Funny

Prompt - Funny

I'd Describe myself as:

"Sorta tall, I guess"

Who can speak these words???

He needs no introduction.

And who does not adore his smile.

Its fun when JaiAditya (age 1, my nephew) sees this and laughs out loud.

And when he tries to reach up to him.

We have put this Goofy perched high above the window.

All the playing around with my nephews has moved Goofy out of my room.

(That was also because the Goofy won't stick to the wardrobe wall any more .It had been staying there since some 15 years before the gum gave away. I did not want to do away with this, so mum made a hole in it and hung it right in front of my room, so I see it every time I step out.)

I love his colors and I love his laugh.

Follow @RubyManchanda

18th March, 2012 : Prompt - A corner of your home

Prompt - A corner of your home

I knew when I had seen the list what would be my choice ...

I was so sure that I had wanted to do this straight away

But ... I waited for the turn to come ...

And I am glad I waited ...

for I can justify my choice today.

Because in this time, I have given a serious thought as to why I am participating in this challenge ...

I am no photographer ...leave apart classic ... not even average

I do not have a creative skill with photography as many other participants have

(I look at other people's photographs and I feel I can never even go close to those standards)

But I have found my answer today ...

I do not do it for photography ... 

I do it because it tells me how rich my life is ...

You give me a prompt and right within this house I find stuff to meet it up ...

Okay not always (there are prompts that I really messed up with) ... but still ...

I get to realize that I am hundred thousand times blessed than many people out there.

And Thank you God for all giving me a Blessed Ordinary life.

This is more than I can ever handle.

More than I could ever imagine ...

So, I share a corner of my home ... my room

where I look up with a grateful heart

The wall behind this corner has a 3-D picture that changes depending on the viewing angle

This is one view from that picture.

The other well, I lacked skills to do it properly, so I am not sharing it.

It has both Lord Krishna and Devi Radha together.

And if yesterday I was thinking of giving up ... today I am planning to stay in the challenge

for as long as I can.

Photographs clicked by Canon Power shot S5 IS

Linking with Spiritual Sundays

Follow @RubyManchanda

17th March, 2012 : Prompt - Green

Prompt - Green

A simple prompt and even simpler response.

You say green ... and I am reminded of a little green purse of mine.

And it is special because this was my first purse ever.

And this has helped me stack so many stickers, the "rakhis" that I have collected over the years, the spare cash, the passport size photographs ...

this holds all the short comic strips that we used to get with chewing gums

In short this is my treasure trove.

I moved it to a better place for clicking a better photograph

Usually, it hangs in my closet

Happy St. Patrick's day ...

Go green :)

Photographs clicked by Sony Cybershot DSC-W80

Follow @RubyManchanda

Printables @ Friday

I worked on a printable and once I had worked on it ...

I realized I could have created it in another style too ... The St. Patrick's style ...

So, I created two printables with same quotation.

So, I will be sharing both of them ...

You can use whichever you like ...

All you have to do is right click on the image and save it.

I like the soothing effect of the blue in this one ... calm , serene ...

And I absolutely adore the colors in this one ... bright and that dash of rainbow ... I added it on an instinct.

Which one do you prefer of the two???

Linking up with How Sweet the Sound

Follow @RubyManchanda

16th Feb, 2012 : Prompt - Sunglasses

Prompt - Sunglasses

Sunglasses or sun glasses are a form of protective eyewear designed primarily to prevent bright sunlight and high-energy visible light from damaging or discomforting the eyes. They can sometimes also function as a visual aid, as variously termed spectacles or glasses exist, featuring lenses that are colored, polarized or darkened.

: Source - Wikipedia

I go by the part that the sunglasses can sometimes function as a visual aid ...

So, I clicked ... my routine glasses ...

they are my sun glasses ...

my shade glasses ...

my rain glasses ...

Sunglasses like these are not a part of my wardrobe ...

 

Source - Wikipedia again

This is because ...

I use the contact lens only occasionally ...

and surgery ... oh, I just can't stand the thought of it ...

I find my spectacles the most comfortable so, am sticking to their use for as long as I can.

Photograph clicked by Sony Cybershot DSC-W80

P.S. I assure you all that as soon as I get prompts with the object in my reach, I will post better pictures.

Follow @RubyManchanda

SkyWatch ... the Wednesday Sky

It has been shady, cloudy and sunny all this week.

But I was working on another photo-challenge and it had the prompt Clouds ...

and I decided to make it a theme for this week's SkyWatch

The thick grey clouds,

the dismantling of the shroud,

The grey, blue and every other hue ...

The sun shining through

The hope of bright day ahead ...

From the sky is what I read ...

Follow @RubyManchanda

15th March , 2012 : Prompt - Car

Prompt - Car

Today's prompt is the one that leaves me brainstorming again.

And for a simple reason ...

we are the part of the minority crowd that does not own a car.

We have a scooter ... the two - wheeler one that carries us to places where we want to go locally.

For distant travels, long live the public transportation ...

and if we want a luxury travel ...

long live the taxi and the taxi association.

So, it is from here that I get my idea of today's prompt ...

The Taxi stand  ... as viewed from the back side of my house ...

(Sometimes I simply love what my camera can do!!!)

I thought it to be a better gesture of appreciation for all those comfortable taxi-trips that I have made ...

But I could not resist signing off without sharing this one here ...

For those who know what houses we have in my locality, know very well that neither the house in the background nor this car is related to me in any manner.

Or is this car not related to me.

It so happens that the car in question above is happily pasted on my personal closet ever since I was a kiddo (and mind you all, while growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional ...

so you know what category I still belong too.)

Digressions apart, we were discussing cars here and there is one more thing I need to put in before signing off ... though I am not sure if it qualifies ...

Proudly owned by Harjas and JaiAditya ...

Yeah the boys have somehow agreed to share this one.

And now, I am seriously going to digress to an older prompt - sign ...

I had talked of the signs of spring in the nature ...

but I had not had any chance to click those ...

I just got a little lucky today ...

So, with the extra zooming ability of my camera ... I bring to you the flowering trees from some distant hills I have never ever been to ...

The terrace farming in full swing on the same hill ...

and last of all ...

a parting shot .. welcome spring.

And while we are talking of digressions ... tomorrow being friday ... I will be uploading some pics for SkyWatch and also share some more printables.

Till then, have a wonderful day ahead.

All photographs clicked by Canon Powershot S5 IS

Follow @RubyManchanda

14th March, 2012 : Prompt - Clouds

Prompt - Clouds

The clouds are galore in the sky these days.

There is seldom a day when we do not come across the clouds.

Sometimes, the sun shines through ...

other times the sky is grey with overbearing clouds.

Spring is in the air but not just in the weather somehow.

It grows so cold ... or may be it is me who feels cold because of the weakness from the fever.

Oh, for the sunny skies and the warmer days.

But wait says the heart and the mind.

Photograph clicked by Canon Powershot S5 IS

Follow @RubyManchanda

Sharing printables again

We ring in today our traditional new year ...

So saying happy new year with this printable ...

And again with St. Patrick's days celebrations in full swing ...

there has to be one for the theme of the week ...

And last of all ...

how can we not think about angels all this while ...

(The printable carries the lines I wrote myself)

To use, all you have to do is right click on the favorite image and select "save image as".

Then print it.

And feedback will be highly appreciated.

Follow @RubyManchanda

13th March, 2012 : Prompt - A Sign

Prompt - Sign

The nature outside is teeming with signs all heralding spring.

I listened to them a little too early.

Add to it the exertion of the little weekend trip (No, I could not postpone it.)

The result ...

All the precaution taking of entire winter season has come to a naught in this last one week.

So, I have not had the strength to take out my fancy cameras and click those welcoming signs of spring.

I have not had chance to go enjoying the subtle changes of the mother nature.

Because I have been lying in my blankets and quilts and taking proper rest.

And my bed-side is full of medicines of all colors and shapes ...

A definite sign that I have not yet recovered and that it is going to take time.

Photograph clicked by Nokia 2730 Classic

Follow @RubyManchanda

12th March, 2012 : Prompt - Fork

Prompt - Fork

Back to sweetest place on this earth ...

As they say "East or west ... home is best".

And home cooked Mamma's food the best-est ever.

So, I waited today with my bowl and my fork ...

for a ladle full of love ... rice with black beans and chick pea soup.

Photograph clicked by Canon Powershot S5IS

Follow @RubyManchanda

11th March, 2012 : Prompt - Someone you talked to today

Prompt - Someone you talked to today

11th March ... I did a lot of talking ...

there were cousins all around me ...

there were people all around me ...

but the talking that was closest to my heart was ...

the silent prayers that rose upward.

The prayers for good living, hope and inspiration ...

seeking blessings for everyone I know ...

... Welfare unto all.

The twilight sky was captured during my weekend journey using my Nokia 2730 Classic the previous day.

And they fit the theme so well.

For, I did all my talking with heaven and heart.

Follow @RubyManchanda

10th March, 2012 :Prompt - Loud

Prompt - Loud

My weekend travel included a trip in an ordinary HRTC bus.

There was a beautiful scenery all around me ... 

Every time I looked out, it just got better.

But with everything whizzing past me, and in absence of my cameras, I had to use the lens' mother nature has gifted all of us with ... eyes.

However, the prompt loud reminds me of the loud blaring horns,

the loud door bangs ...

and loud voices talking on the mobile phones ...

Here, a scene from my bus journey ...

(pardon the quality of the photograph)

and the trucks all lined up to carry the consignments for the cement factory en-route ...

But the journey was overall pleasant

and the trip fun.

How did you spend your weekend?

Photographs clicked by Nokia 2730 Classic

Follow @RubyManchanda

Printable crafting

This one is about a quote that has stayed with me ... ever since I read it.

I just had to have a printable for this one.

And could I resist sharing this one across?

I love this one ... ever since I have finished it.

I do hope you all like it too.

To use, all you have to do is right click on the above image and then save the image.

Suggestions, improvements, advice ... anything ...

waiting to hear from you all.

Follow @RubyManchanda

9th March, 2012 : Prompt - Red

Prompt - Red

Red chilies!!!

It so happens that yours faithfully was working in the kitchen when she remembered the prompt "Red".

And what could be better than this ... a reminder of my culinary experiments.

Working with spices is real fun and they add so distinctive flavors.

I am only learning and there is so much ...

I have also been busy packing my red back-pack for a weekend trip.

So, a happy weekend to you all.

See you all on Monday.

Till then, have fun.

Photographs clicked by Sony DSC-W80 Cybershot.

Follow @RubyManchanda

It is time for SkyWatch again

I have been actually on a Sky-watch this week.

And the sky presents beautiful patterns of its own.

I tried to capture away some of them.

They are mostly clouds but then ...

It has been raining more than usual in the last week ...

There is more than one shot this time :

The middle of the day when the perfect blue is covered with a perfect white ...

And I looked out of my room-window to see another set of clouds ...

Yesterday I woke up to a sun shining through the clouds (Had I been a little early and perhaps it would have been a cloud with silver lining)

And I slept to a beautiful full moon shining through the trees.

Participating in Skywatch Friday, Season 5, Episode 35

Follow @RubyManchanda