My Life, in the Year 2010 (Part 2)

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Here is the Part 1 of the 2010 (January to May)  year-end wrap up.

June

"Belief in karma ought to make the life pure, strong, serene, and glad. Only our own deeds can hinder us; only our own will can fetter us. Once let men recognize this truth, and the hour of their liberation has struck. Nature cannot enslave the soul that by wisdom has gained power and uses both in love."
 ~ Annie Besant

Some experiences have the power to bring a drastic change in the overall perspective of one's lives. My service at Karma Kitchen DC was one such sort. In a nutshell, adhering to its motto, "Growing in Generosity", the concept of KK is quite fascinating to me. In their own words -

"Imagine a restaurant where there are no prices on the menu and where the check reads $0.00 with only this footnote: "Your meal was a gift from someone who came before you. To keep the chain of gifts alive, we invite you to pay it forward for those dine after you."...

I owe all this to my dear blogger friend - Sala of Veggie Belly. It all started as a mere bloggers meet (before I left DC for good) and during our conversation, she said - "Lets meet up at KK". I immediately jumped at the opportunity and truly truly cherish it forever. There are many days where I wish, I knew about KK a lot earlier and spent many more Sundays like this volunteering there. Sigh!

Anybody can volunteer at Karma Kitchen and they are based in three locations- Berkely, Washington DC and Chicago. All you have to do is fill out this form.

Favorite recipes for the month of June - Orange Pecan Cookies and Paneer Schezwan Rice

July

I am Bay Area baby! Yippee. :-). After some looong, sad, a zillion adieus later, I finally said goodbye to my beloved DC and landed in San Francisco-Bay Area which is (acc to me), very different for east coast. People here are much more casual and informal both in-person & at work, me think. It is also definitely a playpen of many many countercultures.

Our first trip together as soon as I landed (and while the summer lasts) was to the beautiful, picturesque Half Moon Bay. OMG! everything about it is just perfect - the drive, the beach, the fresh fruits and vegetables, the people, the sunshine - everything. and the best part, it is so close to our area. just 12 miles and there we are, at Bay Area's one of the most beautiful places. ..above pic was taken at HMB. :-)

Favorite recipes for the month of July - Makhani Dal, Mashed Amaranth and these two raitas.

August

I have a new priced possession this month - my 8 inch cast iron skillet. I love it soo much. :-). This is how my grandmom(s) used to cook, before the non-stick pans took over the world. there is still some rustic beauty attached to these and one skillet will last for ages. I have know people who get the iron pots & pans as their family inheritance. Read this post, some do's and don't about a cast iron skillet, if you wish to own one.

Favorite recipes for the month of August - Hotel style sambar and Skillet Banana Bread

September

Fall or Autumn is almost here and this which skies turn gray, leaves start to fall, people wake up late & mostly stay in-doors.

..one of the famous German poets - Rainer Maria Rilke, aptly describe 'FALL' in his famous poem - Herbsttag which translates to "Autumn Day"

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;

this mood doesn't last long for me atleast, as I celebrate my birthday at the end of the month. Yey :-)

Favorite recipes for the month of September - Minty Peas Soup and Ma Choleyan Di Dal

October

No matter when you visit, Yosemite Valley has always something offer - to everybody, from hiking to camping to beautiful water falls.. Its grand majestic and breath taking views are to die for. But, the best time to visit here is definitely the springtime, that is when (as we came to know a tad bit late into our trip) the roaring waterfalls welcome you, coming from the snow melting on the High Sierra.

If you happen to be in or around Bay Area, I highly recommend to add a trip to Yosemite in your travel plans. Hey even Oprah & her best friend Gayle couldn't stop themselves from admiring this beautiful place.

Favorite recipes for the month of October - Wheat-free Chocolate chip cookies and Dahi Vada (Perugu Garelu)

November

photo taken by one my colleagues at work. (the Diwali and Halloween party)

It is November already and that means a holiday mood has started to set in in-and-around-me. The skies are getting darker by 4-5pm every day and the holiday gift season began, for me with that extra hour of sleep, thanks to the daylight savings ;-).

To celebrate the occasion of both Diwali & Halloween, we had a lovely party at work where there was lots of singing, dancing, loads of games and yummy potluck food.

..there could be no better way to set a good moods for the upcoming holiday season.

Favorite recipes for the month of November - Perfectly Baked Brown Rice and Eggless Blueberry Coffee Cake

December

Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home! 

~ Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers, 1836

My little blog has got a new name and a new avatar this month. After blogging in the name of "Siri's Corner" for 3 long years, I have got a new name and a new .com domain, finally!. From now on, it is - "Cooking with Siri". :-). (www.cookingwithsiri.com)

It is holiday time - so my kitchen is brimming with loads of cakes and cookies, with friends coming in, with gifts pouring in,  - it is definitely the best time of the year!!!!!.

Favorite recipes for the month of December -  Barley Lentil Chunky Soup and  Brown Rice Bisibelebath

..it is hard to believe 2010 is almost over and am glad I survived it & as I say year after year  -

Another fresh year is here..
Another year to live..

To banish worry, doubt and fear..
To love, laugh and give.
This bright new year is given me

To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree, And sing more joyful songs!

~ Original quote by William Arthur Ward

Image Credit 

I know, I am a week early. but -

Wishing everybody a belated Christmas and a very very Happy and Prosperous 2011. Hope all your wishes come true in this coming year. :-)

Sending this Part 2 of my 2010 wrap up to Valli's Best of Year 2010 event.

until next time,
Siri

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