grove

Happy Easter to Everyone!! I cannot believe it’s been so long since I visited myself over here. Last couple of weeks have been crazy from travelling to live concerts to Spring break and then stressing over my son’s results (Yipeeeee). All in all it’s been a crazy week – of course not to forget the festive season of playing with colours and water fights “Holi” and Easter egg Hunts in the park…  Family Bdays, breakfast mornings, movie nights – a lots of fun and too little time ..

Amongst all this I finally received my Bamboo case for iPhone 5 after about approx. 10 weeks. But it was totally worth the wait and I love it. This is the second time for me to place an order with them and I am so thrilled. Normally it takes lesser time however mine had to be customized hence the delay… They have some very unique designs and all of them are hand made.

Look what i got

love the packing

close up

love it!

reemachadha.meLink: http://www.grovemade.com

Pizzeria Amami

Well the weekend is almost here and you must go and try the new Pizzeria “Amami”..

Recently they had a soft opening and I went there with my son. I just loved the ambience, the music and the lighting effect in the restaurant. And what was even more interesting is that all the staff are Italians, from the Chefs, the Manager and even the server … so you get a complete authentic feel as if you were in Italy…

The unique thing about this place is that apart from they set menu, they stick to the real meaning of Pizzeria, which is recognized round shape, made to order, fresh vegetables (everything from potatoes, zucchini, melezane (eggplant), bell peppers etc and cooked in a Traditional Wood Fired Oven.

1 Amami 1 (1) Amami 1 (3) Amami 1 (4) Amami 1 (6) Amami 1 (8)It was delightful to watch the chef, tossing and whirling round the dough with his hands for the pizza crust.

Amami 1 (9.5) Amami 1 (10) Amami 1 (11) Amami 1 (11.5)Since my son loves pizzas, I suppose normally all kids do, he ordered the MARGHERITA (Pomodoro, mozzarella) and i ordered the ORTOLANA (with lots of char grilled fresh vegetables) the Chef then treated us to this delicious Tiramisu. Apart from pizzas they serve Pastas, Calzone and Focaccia also.

Just to help you guys out – they are located in Salmiya, on Salem Al Mubarak St, behind Olympia Mall.

Oh! btw – if you want to start learning Italian – do it now… with Amami which means “Love me”..

JuJu’s Cupcakes

Well didn’t I say something about cupackes  a few days ago.. I mean it… Look what I got from Juju’s… They really have some whimsical Cupcakes…:-)

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Ferrero Rocher cupcake – amazing!!

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Red Velvet – My Favourite!!!

juju's (5)If you are looking to treat someone, wish someone or even surprise someone with some sweetness, then i suggest JuJu’s is the place to try !!! Have a Sweet Saturday!!

 

Copper Chimney

Well i have been postponing my visit to this newly opened (almost 5 months ago) Indian restaurant located at Bidaa known as “Copper Chimney”. It’s a franchise from India and finally I thought to myself we have got a new addition to the already existing Nice – Semi Causal Indian Dinning restaurants.. So here i go to enjoy and savor our authentic Indian cuisine..

To begin with I must admit the staff and the service were both excellent something that I have really been missing out, on my recent visits to various restaurants … However, I wish I could say the same about the food.. Normally it would really take someone to Piss me Off for me to really give a bad review about the place.. But excuse my honesty.. I just have to say its a NO NO for me and to top it off the exorbitant prices!!!! Did I just eat with a golden spoon ??? Not that i hadn’t been warned about the place but then thanks to my nature I like to give everyone the slight benefit of the doubt.. andn choice of food..

Indian Condiments

 Indian Condiments (Chutney, pickles and Mitti or Imli Chutney) – to enhance and give the extra flavouring to the food along with a basket of pompadams..

Jhinga Nisha

Jhinga Nisha  – Grilled Prawns, which were not too bad or i must be hungry, cox i only remembered to take the picture after i had eaten two, just to be fair there are 6 in a platter @ 7.600 KD (yup that’s right)

Burrah Chop

Burrah Chop – since I am always craving for the perfect Lamb chops – I ordered it first on the list .. but I thought the Masala (marinade) for the prawns and the Lamb was quite similar and not done upto my expectations… which can be high at times… 😉 @ KD 4.950

Mahi Tikka Lasooni

 Mahi Tikka Lasooni – Boneless Fried Fish Fillets, (lasooni means garlic flavoured) @ KD 5.850 – it could have been more Lasooni…

Murg Rahra

 Murg Rahra – I somehow assume one cannot go wrong with a chicken dish, but I guess I could not make a difference in Murg Rahra or was it Butter chicken with no taste, only color.. @ KD 4.200

Lachcha Paratha and Pyaz Ka Kulcha

 Lachcha Paratha and Pyaz Ka Kulcha – My Favourite – I love breads in any form or cuisine (hmnnn not too bad) @ KD 0.650 for each

Ras Malai

No meal is complete without the dessert – so why not order a Ras Malia ???? I thought i was chewing on a sponge cake…. @ KD 1.750

Masala tea @ KD 1.250 only difference i tasted salt in my masala chai

Blush on Ice @ KD 1.500 (lets say rose with 7-up)

Most refreshing drink (Water) Acquapanna @ KD 1.500

The Butcher’s Den

This place is basically for Steak lovers… Even so I am not one of those … nevertheless  i still decided to give it a try… as long as i spot some poultry products on the menu, I don’t mind giving it a go…

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My overall experience: Service was good.. Ambience was great also, spacious not very loud… Now the Food… Well not too exotic for my taste… But… i loved my dessert and the coffee. There is always more to try from and more to go back for… at least for all those who enjoy prime cuts of premium Argentinean beef or Black Angus beef !!!! 

Silver Linings Playbook

I haven’t seen many movies this year, but I must say I loved watching Silver Linings Playbook. With such an impeccable cast (Anupam Kher, Bradley Cooper, Chris Tucker, Jacki Weaver, Jennifer Lawrence, Julia Stiles, Robert De Niro) I think anyone would enjoy it.

With our daily insanities, deranged things and our crazy selves, we find ourselves drifting in and out of love or devotion, rationalizing decisions and walking the line between our obsessions and our actions.

It is a well-directed movie with lots of mixed feelings about mental illness, family, positivity, hopes and a remarkable entertainment. Foolishly cute but not overdone..

Kudos to director David O. Russell for managing all of this, and putting all these pieces collectively to make a delightful film.

All in All –  we all need to grow up sooner or later and handle the truthful situations of our lives and move on …. I loved it and I think you guys will too – So Enjoy it!

Silver-Linings-Playbook-poster

Someday

I happen to chance upon this place…. I am sure, pictures say a thousand words.. All in all, a very capacious, well lit, peaceful and relaxed atmosphere.

“Someday” serves you with an assortment of sandwiches, snacks, salads, breakfast menu, hot and cold beverages and of course my favorite part of the meal “desserts”… in a wide range..

For deliveries and prices, see link below :

http://www.somedaykw.com/

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Mummy Claus!

My red paper Cups
My red paper Cups

Well! Have you done or planned any leisure time with your children this Christmas so far? If not, now is the time… Look what I made – CUPCAKES!! And guess how my son contributed to it – by eating them and taking the whole lot to school for his picnic….

Sam: Mom can you make some more, one boy was begging for more cox his mom gives him the same sandwich everyday…

Hmnnn… Kids will be kids – wonder what my son says on normal days… But you know what these innocent dialogues are priceless and guess what I am going to bake some more. I have to admit the last lot I just wanted to finish the batter, so I over poured in the paper cups and they were a bit out of shape.. But the wonderful thing is – they are all over!!!!

The Mix is ready..
The Mix is ready..
All ready to be poured into..
All ready to be poured into..
Caramel Cupcakes - All together in one go...
Caramel Cupcakes – All together in one go…
IIn the Oven
In the Cave, warm and nice.

Love Being a Single MOM

It’s been so long again and I keep shillyshally! I keep writing and not posting but I guess it’s time to get back in action and so I wanted to share this …on 12/12/12…. I know it’s kinda long but hey what the hell – Happy Reading!!

Well it is not a bed of roses to raise a child single handedly; however it’s up to the individual to take it as a blessing or to keep ranting about it… Personally I have learnt that it is indeed a blessing. There are a lot of upsides to being a single mom and the extra ordinary experiences that emerge from bringing up your child alone… (no doubt at times it totally frustrating and you wish they was someone to just take over for a bit like even an hour – just so you don’t have to run to the stationary shop at 10pm or run to buy a pair of white shoes for school PE or take him for a haircut or someone who could actually stand up and make a point without ME having to feel bad all the time or even, not having to hook up the TV/ video or ps3 cables for him…)

It’s definitely not easy being a single mom but here is how I look at it:

1. I share a closer bond with my son.

Although it is true that boys are closer to mom and daughter are closer to Dads however solo parenting does not leave you with that choice – you love your one and only be it a girl or a boy or even more than one. My son can trust me fully and depend on me and that’s a wonderful feeling. I can proudly say that I have been there for him since he was born and I kinda taught him everything he knows. I witnessed the first smile, the first letter, the sound the steps and annoying yet heart melting crying and those things you cannot relive. I am his mom and I am his dad.

2. I feel like a supermom

And I can only talk for myself or help other single mom’s change they perspective if be it. I have people asking me all the time “How do u do it”, “It must be difficult” and it makes me feel rather silly cox, “I just do it”, I wouldn’t know the difference of not doing it”… This is my life and I am used to it and I am content, happy and also confident.” And I can tell from the look on my son’s face that somehow my hard work, scarifies, love, protecting and my attitude has only made him a happy child too (and a very friendly and lovely too).

3. Yes there days when they are younger and crankier and more issues but now when he’s turned ten already, he is all grown up, he understands me better, he’s more concerned about my whereabouts and likes and dislikes and my moods and even what color lipstick should I wear…or maybe I should wear the blue frock (yes he calls it’s a frock and not a dress “giggles”) I can look back 10 years and feel proud that I have come a long way on my own and it is the best feeling ever.

4. Although I have to thank my immediate family and very close friends (more like family) that have been there for me – a few have come and gone and a few have still hung around and many more have added… It is very important to have a reliable and close knitted group of people you can bank on. And thanks to them we end up having a bigger family and thus it is not hard at all being a single mom.

5. Then I have my mom who thinks how am I ever going to make it thru at different stages in my life being a single mom, but I get a lot of encouraging words, moral support and unconditional love from certain people, that make all my worries vanish and makes me a stronger woman internally and more on the outside…

6. And now the kool part is that I am my own boss in my own house especially even more so if you are not sharing the custody of your child with his/her father. Cox at the end of the day it’s your call (be it right or wrong) you have the freedom to make those important decisions.. My son cannot turn around and tell me “Hmmnnnn – let me ask Daddy or he will do it for me or I will go ask him”.. Plus even my son doesn’t have to think about who do I love more or who’s gonna get me the better gift or Dad is in a bad mood or mom and dad are forever fighting and stuff like that.. He knows what to expect from me and I know how much to spoil him..

7. As a single mom and a mother I need to keep both my son and myself safe at all times. So no abusive or unhealthy environment at home is allowed (which generally happens in the case if men are around – they want to drink, they bring they office stress home, throw they weight around, call friends at any time of the night over, the manly talk and abusive language)

8. I don’t mean to belittle or demean any Dads or men – I am just stating how I love being a single mom and it means everything to me that I am the reason my child feels loved and I am capable of providing all the emotional security. So all you single mom’s out there you guys are doing a brilliant job, it’s never going to be easy and at times your children will refuse to even acknowledge you but deep down in their hearts they know that it YOU who has always been they from them and no one else. They will be your friends; it’s only up to you how you make them your BEST friends!

9. All said and done, I wish him all the success in his life, of course a typical parent (mom) always wanting him to accomplish more and want more for him and all of that but I might not say this quite often I am grateful for all that he is and for all that he does..

10. My friends even call him my Manager or my Bodyguard or someone who doesn’t let me do anything without him knowing or approving it first… Now with him around who needs a bigger family…? I can hardly handle him!!