My love for watermelon is forever

Watermelon is one reason why I can tolerate summer and the heat.Of course now in the US I can get my hands on this fruit in all seasons but my childhood memories are different.I can eat this fruit all day and not tire of it. My parents always made sure that there was watermelon at home in summer and the taste of chilled watermelon on a hot day is just yumm, brings back all these sweet memories. Even now every summer whenever my parents buy watermelon they think of me. They tell me about it when I call them and it warms my heart. The Mr also knows my love for watermelon and he will pick it up anytime he is grocery shopping. What can I say this sweet and refreshing fruit makes my day.


A fun fact, watermelon is 92% water and has no fat or cholesterol and is an excellent source of vitamins A, B6 and C and contains fiber and potassium. So I'd say all you folks out there go indulge in some watermelon.

“When one has tasted watermelon he knows what the angels eat” ~Mark Twain

Green and all its shades

My mom and dad love gardening and growing up with both the parents so much into it, some of it has rubbed off on me. Though I have time and space constraints, I have managed to keep alive some plants in my balcony. I love watching them grow. I don't spend as much time in my balcony as I should but I am proud of what is growing out there :) I do miss having a house with a yard. It is a dream of mine to have a lovely green garden with a swing, so I can sit down and watch the plants grow. I am also liking the art of photographing nature and beautiful things. I just have a Canon Powershot S3 IS, nothing fancy.


Spider plants ( Chlorophytum comosum) are one of the most common of houseplants and are native to Africa.


A striking dark purple succulent( Aeonium arboreum var. atropurpureum ).


The Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is quite easy to grow and it’s the plant that’s the most efficient at removing formaldehyde (the most common indoor air pollutant).


The Chinese Money Tree ( Pachira Aquatica) is a unique plant from the Orient which Feng Shui Masters recommend for improving wealth & prosperity.

Hiking-Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve

A friend of mine arranges these small hikes for families every now and then on weekends, and I make a point to go on all of them. I enjoy being outdoor and being in the nature. There is something with the greens and browns that keeps me happy and calm. So this June it was decided that we would hike with the kids at the Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve. So off we went on a Sunday morning at 8 am carrying some water and snacks for the hike. We met up our friends at the parking lot of the winery that is on the preserve.


The weather was cloudy and cool and was perfect for the hike. The children were all excited and started off running, little did they know that they were going to walk about 2 or more miles. We parents chatted and enjoyed the greenery around us. We could see the reservoir from the trail we took. The views were beautiful.


We came across this beautiful pond with little frogs hopping everywhere and a large tree had fallen with its branches close to the ground making it a perfect spot for the young and old to climb on and in general be a child.



After more than a mile it was time for snacks and a break posing for pictures and all. After some rest it was time to head back. This time around there was some whining from the kids but all in all they did great. The highlight of the hike for me was sighting the peacock near where we had parked. We were tired and ready to go back home and we see this peacock with lovely bright colors showing off his elegance not afraid of kids or us. We clicked so many pictures of that bird and he was a big showoff.


We were really hungry by now and my daughter and me headed to Chaat Bhawan for some yummy parathas and chaat. A wonderful day came to an end and now I am all set for another hike.

If I were in charge of the world

If I were in charge of the world, I’d cancel
violence, smoking, and also drugs.

If I were in charge of the world, there would be
gum chewing in class, movies to watch at school,
and peace in our world.

If I were in charge of the world, you wouldn’t
have mean people to bully you around. You wouldn’t
have diseases in the world. You wouldn’t have to sleep
early or you wouldn’t have to eat vegetables. You
wouldn’t even have to clean your room!

If were in charge of the world, a Fudgesicle
would be a vegetable! All monsters would be French
fries, and a person who is tardy, and sometimes makes
mistakes, can still be in charge of the world.

By: Shreya Tumma
June 3rd 2009

Again, kids say the darnest things

Amma and Daughter (Shreya ) are driving back from J's house.

Coversations :

Daughter : Amma what is J aunty's last name ?

Amma : Bhattaram

Daughter : What is M's ( J's daughter ) last name ?

Amma : Mazumdar

Daughter : But why are they different ?

Amma : Oh because J aunty did not change her last name after she got married.

Amma thinks this is a good opportunity to brain wash the daughter, so she asks : will you change your last name when you get married ?

Daughter : Nope !

Amma is happy for a while but it is short lived, as soon as she realizes that she does not care for Shreya's last name "Tumma" which happens to be the dad's last name :)

Evil brain works again and amma says : Oh but Shreya, everyone teases you and calls you "TUNA" in school, so if you do get to change your last name you should.

Daughter : Yeah you are right amma, but waaaaaiiiiiiittttttttt what if it is something like "SALMON" ? !!

Amma : Shreya Salmon...... ROFL and has no answers :)