Me Made May 2016: Finale

Hi Everyone!

I loved participating in Me Made May 2016 challenge..

Thanks to Zoe

Have come across so many like minded people around the world..

Made friends..

Learnt new things..

Was appreciated..

And had tons and tons of fun..

(Click the image for a larger view)

So you All know

What I wore in May 2016

Hope to keep all my old and new found friends..

Keep visiting my blog..

Easy way is to follow me in some form

E-mail suscribe, Pinterest, Google+, Facebook, Twitter.....

Love to meet You again and again..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AAROTRIKA !

Brother Adhrit with Birthday girl Aarotrika! Oof! so much for the posed smile..

  

The day before, I sat down with some coloured papers, pen, scissors and ribbon to make Aarotrika's birthday party invitation card...

Dear girl has her birthday during summer school break and so many of her friends go for outings and to grandparents...

Here is the cake I baked for her in microwave. Did some effort in icing and candies...

Happy birthday Aarotrika !

Please have a piece of cake...

There's a pink cake inside the cake with soft baby pink icing...

The kids need to have fun

Here they are decorating chart paper to make crowns and amulets

glitter...sequin...colours...glue please....

Here the creative masters with their masterpieces...

O! they played another game of balancing the book on head, missed the pic :(

 

There is a banner at the back for my daughter...

All home made delicacies...

and more...

enjoy...

Wish you the best in life, health and happiness...

Love...

LET'S SAVE in this HOLIDAY!

Here is a small and very easy holiday project.

Let's learn the art of saving a little.

"Money saved is money earned"

Take a small can with a lid

Turn the can upside down and mark a line big enough for the coin of largest size in the center of the flat surface(look inset picture)

Now with the help of chisel and hammer carefully open up this mark

Now look inside the tin and try to fold in the raw edges and hammer them down inside the tin

Next tape this edges from inside the tin. This is now safe for even a child try to pick out coin from inside the tin(look at inset picture)

Measure any fancy paper or felt for the outer surfaces of the tin and cut them out. Apply craft glue on the surface of the tin(inset picture)

Neatly fix the paper on the tin can.

Decorate the tin cans with stickers or any thing you like. Once the lid is ON you have a coin slit in the tin and your bank is ready

Save all the coins in the house and have fun...

MERRY CHRISTMAS

and

WARM WISHES FOR THE COMING NEW YEAR!

I am also linking this post in

http://www.thecharmofhome.blogspot.in/ 

DURGA PUJA-9: MAHANAVAMI & DASHAMI

As per Hindu calender timings this time all puja were early in the morning.

We had Mahanavami and Dashami on the same day.

Devi Durga on the MahaNavami

Here the Purohit-moshai(Priest) is giving directions for the Havan(prayer offered in presence of fire with chanting of mantras or holy verses). He forced my hubby to change into white Dhoti(long white cloth wore as lowers), tie a gamcha pagri(head gear) and also have a paatvastra(the orange cloth around his neck with deity names on it) before he sat to perform Havan in behalf of the whole community.

Havan

My daughter Aarotrika on my husband's right and son sitting on his left. They were mesmerized by the fire. 

Dashami Puja is over

We did Boron were in the Devi and her family are bade farewell just the way a married daughter is bade farewell when she proceeds for her  husband's home after her stay in Maike(mother's home).

This was followed by Sindoor khala, wherein all married women apply sindoor to each other and share sweets

Me in a red Taant saari holding Aarotrika

 Tearful moment

The Devi is going back to her abode

Visarjan

We went to ghaat(river bank) to witness Visarjan(immersion)

 

The holy water from the river was brought home and sprinkled.

बोलो बोलो दूर्गा  माई की... जय 

आश्चे बोछोर आबार होबे 

Next year we shall again have Durga Puja

have already started waiting...

DURGA PUJA-8: MAHASHTAMI & SANDHI PUJA

Mahashtami started early and ended with beautiful Sandhi Puja

It was fun waking up at 3am before dawn to go to Pandaal for making Mool Bhog(Anna or cereal prasaad for the Gods) for Ashthami

followed by Ashthami pushpanjali

then

Sandhi Puja

 

The 108 diyas were placed in shape of Devi's footprint

108 Lotus were bloomed

108 dhan(rice with husk) tied

108 dub(three branched grass tips) tied

 Best is when we all come together to lit the diyas with chanting of mantras

It is a pretty sight to behold

 Sandhyaarti time

Along with the Dhaak  and Dhuno(a type of dry gum from plants which when burnt gives out lovely scent)

Devi more beautiful on the Ashthami

 

Here is Dhunochi dance

My little ones performed in a group dance

Aarotrika woke up early after her afternoon nap

Time to get ready

I put nail paint on her for the first time.

Aarotrika was thrilled, a step towards growing up

Aalta(red colour) on feet

Payal

Bangles

May God protect her from all evil

 

 They danced to tunes of

"Ek ekke ek

dui du guni chaar..."

"1x1=1

2x2=4..."

The song says that children in the school are restless to see the preparations for Durga puja, can no more concentrate on studies...

 They even got lovely prizes for their performances

Kids: Adhrit, Aarotrika and Upasana

That's me on the right in the red Kantha saari

  After the Puja and all cultural events

DURGA PUJA-7: SAPTAMI

The days unfold so quick at times

Saptami is here

In the evening of Saptami in front of Devi Durga, a painting competition for the kids was organized

The winners

Adhrit also won 3rd prize in under 5yrs age catagory

My darlings at very hard work

Had to keep imploring my younger one, Adhrit to colour a little more as there is more time left

So many enthusiastic kids putting their imaginations on paper with colours

 

 Following the competition was Aarti along with Dhuno and Dhaak

DURGA PUJA-5: PANCHMI

SUBHA-PANCHAMI

is here.

Under the bel tree Bodhon is done

The Pandal is done

 

The Pandal is being decorated

The beautiful Devi Murti has arrived

 The Pandal is being decorated at night

  The Pandal is ready. Pretty as ever

DURGA PUJA-4: YOU ARE INVITED!

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED

WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

TO CELEBRATED DURGA PUJA WITH US!

This is the official invitation card this year, designed by me.

Feels good...

DURGA PUJA-3: Pre- Puja SHOPPING

SHOPPING!

HAVE YOU DONE YOURS?
STILL PENDING?
LAST MOMENT RUSH?
HECTIC YET EXCITING!

Let me take you out with me
Where?...............................           Taanter Haat

 

This is a wonderful effort by the Government to promote the weavers, small businessmen and craftsmen to come closer to the consumer. The exhibitions are THE place to go. You get to see a variety and some very off the beat stunning pieces at very reasonable prices.

 

We reached in the noon, so were saved off the mad rush.

Pretty mannequin in a pretty saree?

 

Lovely display of different types of handwoven sarees from different parts of Bengal.

All kinds of colours- bright, muted; varying combination...

visual treat...

 

Don't forget the accessories to go with the sarees.

Am just thrilled by the  variety of tassels here...

 

Don't miss these craftsmen at work.

The man on left is carving a piece of soft wood, the man on right is painting the carved wooden block.

 

Must have one of these lovely dolls.

The pretty Lakhi pachaa, Auspicious owl is just right for the table.

 

This is dokra art of the tribals.

Here thin wire like strips of bee wax are twinned to give a shape; then a mold with clay is made; on heating the wax comes out and a hollow mold  is made. Now the craftsman fills the mold with molten copper. Once cold the mold is broken and a shiny piece of art is produced.

 

The masks in the making.

The tribal Santhali man and woman, Goddess Kali and Goddess Durga...

 

Ferocious demon face, just right for the entryway to ward off the evil...

 

Madhubani painting art

Each piece is a story in itself of folklores, daily life or a small prayer

Rush do your shopping
eat out
chat.....chat.....and chat....
Enjoy!!!