Keeping in the Spirit of Things

I know Christmas is kinda over but I still like to work on the 12 days thing, then mid-Jan and my tree will probably only come down by... Chinese New Year? Just kidding. But I do love of the way things are this time of year. And the weather in Bangalore is also perfect.

Sari and Sowmya held court over the dinner table, regaling us with recounts of everyone's deep dark secrets. Well, not really but there were a few tidbits that I'm sure Ashir and Arok would rather we forget.

Roast chicken was the order of the day and stuffing and yulelog (the most colourful and floral I have ever seen in my life) kept to the theme. And egg nog being such a cinch to make, now that I'm used to the routine, that was featured. Yes, I slaved hours in the kitchen to get the meal ready, not!

My last dinner party for 2006.

Do They Know It's Christmas?

A blast from the past. Thanks, Kakaktua, for reminding me of this. Dhruv and I were trying so hard to remember this. All we had was the title line from the chorus. The original Band Aid from 1984.

A Biker Christmas

Not quite. Just that Pratap's pride and joy(?) cannot find a better spot to park in the huge house of his except right on the front porch. Christmas day dinner, where we joined revellers from the previous night's party at the Catholic Club, which apparently only ended at 7am. Merry Christmas Bangalore.

A Moment Like This

The title of this blog is just the title of this year's U.K. Christmas number one song by Leona Lewis. Totally irrelevant but I like it.

I'm basically going to let the pictures speak for themselves since Amrita should be posting a blog on this as well. Will just link to it. You may then learn a little more about her family.

The usual suspects having a great time.

I used to dislike anything that tastes like Ricard which kinda tastes like cough syrup. Raki is the same. But it also grows on you... a slow insinuation into your senses. Maybe that's why everyone was having such a good time.

I Wish You

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like eskimos

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight

They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys
And goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly

And so, I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although its been said
Many times, many ways
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas to.. You!

Everybody Knows A Turkey...

... and some mistletoe, help to make the season bright. There wasn't any mistletoe around but the I'm sure the turkey brightened the season somewhat.

Ben asked if I had carved a turkey before. No, but I did some research on the Internet in the morning. Even though he admitted to being bad at it, he gallantly volunteered to take on the bird. Dhruva was also ready to lend a hand or was he actually studying the turkey in order to imitate it...

Amazingly, every one's timing was perfect for a change. We were all able to sit down just when the dinner was served. The conversation flowed and boy, did it. I think it ran the gamut and beyond. Nothing was sacred. No cow was safe, even though this was India.

The highlight of the evening must have been when it was decided that an auction should be held for Ben's picture and the proceeds would go to charity. Under the gentle cajoling of the auctioneer, the bids soared and the picture finally went under the hammer for all of Rs.300.

Sonam is now the proud owner of 'Ben in Drag'. I'm sure it's going to be worth a lot of money one day. It was great watching Ben while the entire proceeding was going on. I've got more 'limited prints' just in case anyone was interested.

For Christmas in Bangalore, this was pretty good going.

Have Youself A Merry Little...

Before everyone headed off for the holidays, the Singaloreans got together at Margaret and Chris' place for possibly the last major get together for 2006. Theme: Christmas. Gift exchange being part of the programme, a tradition here for a while now.

And what a feast we had! Almost everyone who could cook made something. Marge was the chief contributor, with the soup, o-cha chicken, ginger pork and veg. Neo braised the pork belly (there is now a running joke that the pork is never fat enough). Kah Ming samballed the prawns and Saritha curried the pomfret. Ser Joo ching'd the tng. This was arguably the best food at our parties thus far.

Those of us that are challenged in the culinary department took care of the 'more important' aspect of any successful party i.e. the various elixirs of life. What's Christmas without eggnog and Bacardi Breezers... hahaha or should that be hohoho?

And of course some were there early enough to in indulge in one of the favourite past times of the far east, mahjong. There was so much food left over that a marathon MJ session was held so that the food could be consumed as supper. These revellers apparently only called it a 'night' at 5.30am. Needless to say, a good time was had by one and all.

Saturday Morning Excursion

I knew I had a lot to do today and yet managed to squeeze in my usual breakfast at Koshys and then a side trip to Lal Bagh. I read that there was a flower show there, so I though I could get some pictures.

I approached the Pavillion and was then told that I had to get tickets back the way I came. There was hardly any signage indicating that fact. The were many ticket stalls constructed as if a huge crowd was being expected. Maybe later? Only one was open and I was the only customer at the time. Charge? Rs.25. And the guy didn't have change. The flower show was a bit of a let down. There were just pots of poinsettias lined up around the glass pavillion. Pictures I've seen of a previous show was so much better. Never mind, maybe next time.

I then took a quick walk around the outside and it was really pleasant. Weather was rather warm for this time of year but it was perfect in the shade. On the way out, I managed to buy a large pot of poinsettias for Rs.600. Merry Christmas.

Managed to try out the camera on my new phone too. Not bad eh?

A Singalorean Hi-Tea

Singalorean parties are usually the easiest to organise. With the good chefs ready to contribute, all one usually has to do is get enough ice and Barcardi Breezers. On this occasion, Ser Joo and Margaret were on hand to provide glutinous rice, chinese 'tong sui' (soupy dessert) and mee goreng. Ternasser brought sin in the form of the Colonel's favourite.

Thomas had extended his stay by a day so it was perfect for a get-together. Festivities were interrupted. Not by the cops, but the Singalorean passion to shop. Excuse this time? Christmas. More than half the party trooped down to Safina Plaza to patronise Mr. Singh's stall, where we had all bought numerous wall hangings and handbags. Christmas must be good for Mr. Singh.

The weather was pretty perfect this time of year but it did get nippy by evening. We ordered some Chung Wah takeaway. Before we knew it, it was time for Thomas to be on his way.

Until the next time at Woodsville for a Singalorean Christmas and then the Chan's will be hosting us in Singapore on the 30th. As you can see, we plan very much ahead.