Random TIp: Cleaning Heavily Smogged Windows

Before the summer sun completely shines through my windows, I decided to clean my ceiling to floor windows that run across the entire length of the living room. Man this job is worth a weeks workouts! It was another task I had been ignoring for sometime now.

Grub gathered throughout the long and slushy winters...All gone. Here's a quick tip.

Use a telescopic Mop for tall and wide Windows like mine. Use a clean towel attachement and get scrubbin' it all of in long strides.

Since I don't have a hose I had to wipe the cleaning mixture off instead of running it down using water. I took a bucket of water and added rough amounts of Fairy Dish wash liquid, and a generous splurt of glass shinner (made for dish washers)  in it too.

 I used a reusable towel attachement ..washing and wringing it in this solution..until all the black stuff came off..my Windows get really really dirty because I live on a main road on ground floor!

Don't let this dry..work quickly to avoid streaks. To wipe it off use the same but well washed mop and then the BEST Thing that cleans glass..use a ball of scrunched up newspaper!

I sprayed the entire window with sporadic splashes of glint and used the newspaper to rub it off in circular movements until I could see my sweaty face in the glass!

Whoopsie..forgot to take an after Picture!

Instant Microwave Kulfi

This post came into being after a late night venture in the kitchen by my sweet toothed husband!
Its almost crazy how the idea came and at midnight we were having kulfi ! Later he did 40 mins on the cross Trainer..but I was under the effects of kulfi I just had and wanted to doze off.

We watch our local home news channels after dinner and this advertisement was poping up on every commercial break. Its a hilarious one with an even more cheapo Jingle but...I came up saying that its been Ages since I've had kulfi....and that my friends was when hubbs searched for a recipe on Google and was in the kitchen after 8 minutes and 56 seconds!

The recipie as shown in the Video was quick..but it obviously lacked the creamy texture..which I think Comes from Khoya..but it was a nice try to satisfy nostalgia.

Kheer / Rice Pudding

I'll get down to the point as quickly as possible. Rice Pudding otherwise known as kheer in the sub-continent is a  Dessert staple. It Needs Basic ingredients from the pantry. No whipping, no piping bags no layering just plain simmer, cool and serve method.

Here we go. I followed the exact recipe written by momsie in my handy book of all recipies a beginner would ever need! Ignore the water marks please :)                             

1. I use White Basmati Rice. You Need one fistful (thats a reletive measurment, i guess it would be a Little more then half a Cup) for every one litre of milk. You may use low fat but the creamy texture of kheer may be lost.
2. Take your Rice and milk. Add one Cup of water to it. Bring it to boil, add crushed seeds of four cardamom pods. From this point on reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 1 and a half hour. The Rice should be really soft and the milk bubbles should be thick and round by then.
3. Now add 1 Cup of sugar to this simmering pot, stir and cook for another 4-5 mins. Saffron and kewera essence is opptional..I didnt have them so I skipped. They add a  rich Aroma tot he kheer.
4. I liike the Rice to be slightly broken, but not completely pureed. I ran a Hand mixer in the pot..quick 3 or 4 blitz not more.
5. Remove from pot into a dish of choice.
6. Garnish with crushed pistachios, almonds, cashews or if you like raisins too.
7. Give a final finishing toch by adding pure silver leaves. they are hard to find, I got mine from Pakistan.

Notes:

• Use a heavy based steel pot..non stick pots will burn the milk.
• Stir several times while it simmers.
• Refridfgerate it once it cools on R.temp.
• Decorate only after it has cooled, otherwise the nuts will sink at the bootom.
• The consistency should be creamy..not runny and not too thick. Keep in mind that it will thicken more once it sits in the fridge.
• A hard film might form while it cools..give it a stir before serving or decorating.

Hope it all helps.

Laundry Love

'Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes' ( read clothespins)

Words to ponder upon^

Hello hello! My blog looks like an ignored baby. I almost lost it in the market..apparently my domain name for the website expired and the blog disappeared ! My brother resucitated it somehow. Also, I have been unable to do much stuff because I'm upto something else these days..thats a secret for now..:p

That secret project involves studying..which is rather not easy to do after 4 eventful years after leaving university! I needed an excuse to avoid it so I gave my clothespins all the attention they ever needed !!

Some washi tape and a pack of wooden clothespins.

 Pretty Little eye pleasers!

Motivation for Creation: Toddler Crafts

Long afternoons spent at the play ground are going to be the modus operandi for the following months. Temperatures are good but the April showers keep us staying indoors and getting naughtier !

I bought some new art supplies for my son, the existing crayons had broken into a million pieces.

He likes putting them in a case and not letting anyone touch them but his attention span is too small to let him sit and actually make something with them. Keeping that in mind I make him do one tiny project every other day to keep him motivated. Little man loves being praised and when daddy comes home he likes to show off what he made.

His favorite poem is the itsy bitsy spider these days so we made a spider. With green legs made with straw.

Another day we made a crab..using a paper plate, drinking straw and water colors.

An octopus, made from a toilet paper roll.

Introducing Play Dough : Although the box said Ages 3+ but I still bought it for my son who is 2 years and 4mnths. I made sure I didn't leave him unattended.

It was a funny first time with Play dough..I made a ball and he threw it on the floor..just like any other ball..he wanted to mix two Colors together...and too much stopping and telling wasn't fun. I guess the manufacturers knew this! Lets see how long it takes before the beautiful Colors turn into a Brown mass of Play dough.

Spring Through My Door

Dear nice weather wo bist du ? Brrrrr its still cold and windy here in Munich. The easter break was wet and snowy! Much time to sit inside and make a crepe paper floral wreath.

The last time I made a wreath, I used coffee filters. You can find the tutorial HERE.
Its been hanging on my appartement's door since then. Time to freshen up!

I had some mint green crepe paper on hand and on a quick trip to the basement I found this rectangular styro packing material. I have been desperately wanting to make a door piece ( is that a thing? ) using a wooden frame and a monogram may be...but for the moment I just started off with this rather unplanned Project.

For the petals I accordian folded the crepe paper and then cut out "B" shapes from the folded crepe paper. This gave me a four edged petal. I must say all of my petals were not the same size or shape..I underestimated the concentration this petal making requires!

Once the petals are done close down the open petals by folding them or scrunching them up a bit. Use hot glue to attach the petals to the styrofoam, taking care not to burn your fingers! i used the back of a pencil to push the paper down.

As my petals were not all the same size..one corner of the wreath seemed to be 'fuller' then the rest so I added a paper flower I had made earlier to balance it out.

My new welcome wreath for the main door.  This way please :)