Rumaira

 "Rumaira", my latest artwork, features the loving relationship between my boys and our lost cat Rumi... She would have turned four this June. Happy 4th birthday dear Rumi, wherever you are!

On a very sad note, last year after Diwali, Rumi wandered off a bit too far and never came back... We are still waiting for her with open arms...

Every Eid Al Adha, we used to celebrate her birthday, as she was a rescued kitten and we did not know her actual birthday. She came to our lives in the Eid holidays of 2021 and filled in the much needed colour and freshness, like the favourite red hibiscus she has borrowed from Amaira, in this artwork!

Rumi and Amaira are like my two ethereal daughters, symbolizing love and strength. This illustration brings together all my children in one frame! This is the first time my boys have been part of my illustrations. 

My artwork always starts with a first rough sketch on a tracing, like back in Architecture college days.  After the final tracing with ink, I fill in the thicker lines with black gouache paint. Thick red gouache paint is used to fill in the hibiscus. Once the ink and paint are dry, the sketch is brought into the digital medium for fine tuning of some linework. This is the process I have followed for all my illustrations showcased in my poetry book, AMAIRA, the little woman, creating my own Amaira signature style. 

I hope to express many more emotions along the way, through the same medium. 

#amairasignaturestyle #minimalistart #rumaira #paintandink #myboysandgirls #amairaart 

Forty Plus Fruity

OUR Birthday Season has begun ...April-May-June!

:: Blueberry-Sweet Lime-Mint Cake::

::Citrus surprise with a hint of cinnamon!::

:: For us, May-Borns! :: 

:: Mango-Coconut Cream Cake for the April boy! ::

:: Virgin Pinacolada Cake for the June Teenager :: 

:: Happy 9th Birthday to Mango-fan Abhiir! ::

Thrifty Thirsty Thirteen

Lost childhood calls
newfound attractions
a journey green and brown

:: Coffee Walnut Cake for the Teenager! ::

Arhaant’s Birthday Interview at 13: 

1. Me:  Current best friends.

Arhaant:  Alan, Jay, Ilona, Matthew, Azim.

2. Me: Favourite band/musician. Mention your favourite song by that person or band.

Arhaant: Coldplay, OneRepublic, One Direction and many more. One of my favourite songs by OneRepublic is probably ‘I ain't worried' because it was played in the movie ‘Top Gun: Maverick' and it sounded really good; it kept getting played in my mind over and over. My favourite song by One Direction was really tough to decide because they make so many great songs. I think it's ‘History'; which was the last One Direction song released before the band went on hiatus or disbanded. In the official video of ‘History', they showed many old pictures and videos of them together when they were younger; hanging out, making jokes, laughing and that reminded me of my friends and I. I don't know why but the song ‘Speed of sound' by Coldplay is one of my favourites. The music in the background was really vibrant to me.

3. Me: Favourite teacher and why.

Arhaant:Mr Warren; he's always so fun and he even hosted one of our amazing pizza parties after school.

4. Me: Favorite activity with your mother.

Arhaant: Playing table tennis with Amma, swimming, yoga. She really wants the best out of us (me and my brother)

5. Me: Favourite activity with your father.

Arhaant:Football was mainly the sport my father liked as a child and that carried on towards me and my brother. We love playing football with Baba. 

6. Me: Favourite sport and why.

Arhaant: My favourite sport, you guessed it, football. Football brings people together, it's really fun; doing skills, slide tackling and mainly scoring goals! I've never thought about playing it professionally, but most of my friends are like, "You take India to the Fifa World Cup." That was kind of funny. Another thing about football, the rules aren't that hard to understand.

7. In football, the biggest question is “Messi or Ronaldo?" I prefer Messi because I think he has a better playing style; less diving, better freekicks, WAY better dribbling and he has won more trophies (1 World Cup, 4 Champions Leagues, 7 Ballon D'ors, I could go on for hours.) Yes you can compare their stats and say Ronaldo is better, but my choice and many others' choices are going to be that Messi is the G.O.A.T (Greatest of all time.)

8. Me: Favourite food.

Arhaant:My father's famous ‘Chicken strips and mushroom sauce' and my mother's cakes - THEY'RE LITERALLY TO DIE FOR!

9. Me: Favourite movie and why.

Arhaant:There's so many to choose from. But one of the best has to be ‘Top Gun: Maverick'. It's a great mix of action, adventure, drama, romance. In addition, ‘I ain’t worried’ was played in this movie.

10. Me: Favourite book and why.

Arhaant:One of my favourite novel series has got to be the ‘Percy Jackson’ saga. It greatly displays Greek mythology throughout the books. It shows Percy going on adventurous and daring quests with his mates, Annabeth and Grover. After reading these books, my interest in Greek mythology has grown. The series unveils Greek gods, villains and valuable treasures very well. However, I think the ‘Harry Potter’ series is even better; the names of the characters, places and even spells are really cool and interesting. To me it feels like you’re part of the book when you say the spells, like Expecto Patronum or Expelliarmus.

11. Me: Do you like school? If yes why, if not, why not.

Arhaant: Most of the time, I do like school because I love meeting my friends there, chatting with them, and playing. I like most of the lessons taught at school, like: Math, English, P.E, I used to like Humanities until our teacher changed and I also like Science as it's very intriguing.

12. Me: What is your birthday wish?

Arhaant: On one of my future birthdays, I wish to get Retro Air Jordans, however I know that they are very expensive and I’ll probably buy them when I’m older. 

13. Me: What do you want as a birthday gift?

Arhaant: On my birthday I want to probably get some Percy Jackson or Harry Potter books. 

14. Me: Is there anything your friends have that you don't and you want it so bad?

Arhaant: Most of my friends have PlayStations, which I do want badly!

15. Me: What do you want to be when you grow up?

Arhaant: I have not decided yet but some of my choices are: Lawyer, Pilot, Engineer, Architect.

16. Me: What do you miss about Ajji (maternal grandma)?

Arhaant: The first things that remind me of Ajji are the soft touch of the blanket she would always carry along with her and the fresh smell of Nivea Cream. And the amazing smell of her famous and mouth-watering ‘Sabudana Khichdi’ that would flow from the kitchen. She was also very helpful and playful with everyone.

17. Me: What's your favorite memory of COVID times?

Arhaant: My favourite memory from the COVID times was when I found Harry Potter movies and watched them - they were so interesting - and then I started reading the books (yes I know I was late in starting to read them!) 

18. Me: Which family trip was your favourite and why?

Arhaant: My favourite family trip has to be the one to Thailand, where we went to Bangkok (not knowing how dangerous it is) and saw the tall skyscraper MahaNakhon with an exceedingly scary skywalk on the top floor! The hotel there was really cozy with a top floor swimming pool and restaurant. Then we went to Udon Thani - mostly famous for its sea of lotuses: Talay Bua Daeng (where we went) However the city seemed very quiet and almost like a ghost town. After that we went to an extremely beautiful city full of sea and green. The beaches there almost looked like they were from a website or magazine. And the water was crystal clear. Even with all this beauty, there were some downsides or one downside. While we were riding on a ferry in the waters of Krabi, I somehow got stung by a jellyfish! Oh the burn! Anyway we met some of our friends there and had a great time, we even made some sandcastles and found fascinating seashells and ate great Thai food. 

19. Me: Which place do you want to visit next and why?

Arhaant: The next place I would like to visit would probably be Rome. I've heard many fantastic things about the place and the great landmarks - The Colosseum, The Pantheon etc. And I’ve heard the weather isn’t too bad there.

20. Me: Which animal do you think you resemble the most and why?

Arhaant: I think I resemble a wolf  because sometimes I act like a bit of a loner and sometimes I act like a leader. 

Lemon & Mint

Happy Birthday to YOU, Happy Birthday to ME!

Its nice to celebrate two birthdays in the same month, in the same house, just a week(and some years) apart! This is my summery 'Lemon and Mint' Cake, bathed in olive oil and showered with fresh orange juice and the zest of two full lemons (that are now sitting naked in my fridge, lol)

#handcraftedwithlove #twotaureans #egglesscakes #maybirthdays 

:: Lemon & Mint Cake ::

Birthday in Baku!

Abhiir’s Birthday Interview at 8:

1. Me: Current best friends.

Abhiir: Younes,Sai,Isla and Vansh.

2. Me: Favourite band/musician. Mention your favourite song by that person or band.

Abhiir: One Direction, Wolves

3. Me: Favourite teacher and why.

Abhiir: Ms Shanon from year 2 because she never shouted at anyone.

4. Me: Favorite activity with your mother.

Abhiir: Playing Table Tennis, Swimming.

5. Me: Favourite activity with your father.

Abhiir: Playing Football. Watching Football. Everything about Football!.

6. Me: Favourite sport and why.

Abhiir: Of course Football because it's my favourite!

7. Me:Favourite sportsman and why.

Abhiir: Messi is the GOAT of football.

8. Me: Favourite food.

Abhiir: Chicken and Mango.

9. Me: Favourite movie and why.

Abhiir: Spider-man: No way home. It was very interesting because Spiderman meets all the other Spidermen.

10. Me: Favourite book and why.

Abhiir: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone. It's my first Harry Potter book and I really like all the characters.

11. Me: Do you like school? If yes why, if not, why not.

Abhiir: Some days are bad and some days are good. I like Tuesdays because we have two PE lessons in the morning. I don't like Wednesdays because we have back to back Science, Math and English.

12. Me: What is your birthday wish?

Abhiir: I wish Manchester City wins 48 Premier Leagues and 30 Champion Leagues.

13. Me: What do you want as a birthday gift?

Abhiir: New football boots.

14. Me: Is there anything your friends have that you don't and you want it so bad?

Abhiir:  DJ and Hassan get to play in the Under 9s and I don't.

15. Me: What do you want to be when you grow up?

Abhiir: I want to be a Chef.

16. Me: What do you miss about Ajji (maternal grandma)?

Abhiir: I miss Ajji because she used to make awesome food and she supported Amma and she was always fun to do everything with. She made everyone happy.

17. Me: What's your favorite memory of COVID times?

Abhiir: The time when I used to write a lot of stories in homeschool.

18. Me: Which family trip was your favourite and why?

Abhiir: My favourite trip was Spain and I liked it because we visited Camp Nou.

19. Me: Which place do you want to visit next and why?

Abhiir: I want to go to Manchester and I want to go because ManCity won the TREBLE.

20. Me: Which animal do you think you resemble the most and why?

Abhiir: I think I resemble a bear because most of my teachers call me ABEAR and not Abhiir ;)

:: Alpaca Farm ::

:: Worst Birthday ;) :: 

:: 8 on the 8th ::

Heart(BEET)

:: Beetroot + Cinnamon Cake with a hint of chocolate ::

:: Happy 12th Birthday Ary ::

Splendid Seven

:: A Natural Eco-friendly Sustainable Celebration ::

:: Homemade Spiced Chocolate-Strawberry Cake ::

:: Handwritten Invite ::

:: Natural Sustainable Gift Wrapping ::

:: Reusable Eco - Friendly Giveaways ::

Six this Spring

My dearest Abhiir,

This is my first letter to you on your 6th birthday, as you can read and write very well now! I wrote my first letter to Arhaant as well when he turned six. I want to tell you so many things today. At this age, you might not understand everything I have written, but you can read my letter when you grow older and it will make more sense to you.

Because of homeschool, I have been more involved in your reading and writing journey and I feel so proud to see you read your favourite Roald Dahl books --- The Twits, Fantastic Mr. Fox and the Enormous Crocodile(so far.)

I love your interest in food and I do see that poster of yours saying “I want to be a Chef when I grow up” becoming true! You always mention what you want in your lunch box and you never forget to say you loved what I packed. I am surprised that you notice the details my little MasterChef!

I am especially moved when you show empathy towards Baba’s egg allergy. You always ask if he has eaten his lunch… You are so much like him!

On days, edged with sadness, as we continue to miss Ajji(Grandma), I am fascinated with your statements like “I can feel Ajji in this house.” I am touched when you bend from all sides and check if I am crying while listening to old Hindi songs...

I liked how you grew to absolutely love Bingo(Arjun-Sara’s dog) within a few hours of meeting him... how you appreciate other people’s houses and the food they offer. You do have a deep opinion on everything around you. Don't be afraid to share your opinions. Your opinions add to your personality.

You and Arhaant are so different from one another, yet so similar. Like two peas in different shades of your favourite colour green, but in the same pod!  But I really like the fact that you learn a lot from him and he is so kind to teach you those. Remember, Arhaant is your first best friend and will always be there for you when you both grow up. Did you know, your first words were not Ba-Ba or Ma-Ma, but “Ra-Ra”, as you fondly called him before!!

This year, there were times when you had to go to school alone in the school bus, when Arhaant was on distance learning. I am happy to see you be so brave. Its only when you give each other some alone time, you understand the perks of having a big brother, always by your side, leading and encouraging  you to try new things. 

I always love to hear your stories(based on true events;) , told with a twist from your imagination. I love how your interest in cricket has evolved this year, and your handwritten lists of created cricket players. 

My most favourite drawing of yours this year was that Anti-Bullying Poster of how Saturn was bullying little Mars and Earth came to rescue, as Mr. Sun (the school Principal with a French beard!) scolded Saturn. Keep drawing from imagination and create a wonderful world around you to keep you company in these uncertain days, when you might not have many friends to play with. 

I am glad you both had each other to play with(and fight with) in the COVID times, making it a memorable year of togetherness. This year, you got four shining new teeth and you mastered riding a cycle. Let's keep dancing to “Our COVID Playlist” with Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, Thaikkudam Bridge and the hindi favourites. 

Happy Sixth Birthday! Enjoy your new Roald Dahl books and Lego safari jeep. 

Lots and lots of love (love you to death, like you say it;)

Amma

:: Birthday Season is here!---April-May-June ::

:: New Flavour Each Month ::

:: Its a Handcrafted Honey Cake for Abhiir!! ::

:: Spring Season Super Six ::

TENtastic

:: Birthday Buddies ::

:: My Double Digit Cake for Mr. TEN ::

:: Carrot Cinnamon for 0 and Naughty Nutty Chocoloaf for 1::

Take Five

:: Abhiir's Interview @ 5::

Me : How old are you today?

Him : High Five!

Me : Do you like home school?

Him : Noo. I miss my friends --- Vansh, Mohammed, Amaaya, Reema...and I miss Miss Daniella.

Me : What do you like to do at home?

Him : Play football. (Man!What a goal by Messi...Messi to Salah...Ya Allah Ya Allah, what a miss by Mohammed Salah  ...

*continuous commentary while kicking the ball in the living room)

Me: Can you tell me a story?

Him : There was a lion. He met a jellyfish. But the jellyfish turned into ice. Then he met a snake. But the snake turned into ice. Then he met a horse. But the horse became ice. But then he met another lion. He thought, I know he will become ice too...(folds his hands, makes a sad face)

But the lion was real. They played with each other....and... The End. 

Me : Oh. So the lion met a friend in the end! Is that the name of the story?

Him: Yes. Friend at last. That's the story.

Me: What do you like about Arhaant?

Him : He is my best brother. But you know, that day, he almost broke my heart! 

Me: Really! What did he say?

Him : No, he didn't say anything. He kicked the football on my chest. And my heart broke!

Me: Ohhh. So he actually "broke" your heart !

Him : Yes (naughty smile). On purpose...

Me : What do you like about this home stay? 

Him : That Baba can always play with us... But I'm a bit sad today. I cant celebrate my birthday with friends...because of the Corona virus...

Me : It's ok. Lets put your emotions in different jars like the Colour Monster did in that book...

Him : Ok. My yellow jar is full. Because I am happy. Its my birthday. My blue jar is a half full. Because I'm a little sad. But my pink jar is soooo full. With Love (shyly) Because I got my birthday presents! 

:: Lockdown Birthday Buddies ::

:: Hi Five with Homemade Chocolate + Berries Cake ::

On Cloud 9!

Dear Arhaant,

Each year I end up questioning how many years have gone by since you were born! I keep telling you to behave like a grown up. But frankly, even I do not know what that means! Are you really nine years old!

Each birthday gives me an enjoyable opportunity to look back at the year and choose some moments. My favorite one this year was that winter morning, when both of us went to Mushrif Park for an “Artsy Picnic” with a basket full of drawing material, sketch books, colors, reading books, picnic mat and some snacks. I really love the fact that you enjoy doing these things, that too, with your mother! We spent a good three hours at the park, with the lofty clouds drifting over us, in the company of birds and butterflies and the sound of the water cascade. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner to do this activity with!

Another proud moment for me was to see you write the biography of Picasso and specially to see how you drew Picasso’s portrait for your school assignment. I think its heartening to know that you have a keen interest in the lives of these great artists from a young age.

When I was carrying you in my womb, I had always imagined you as a curly haired, lean boy with artistic fingers. And as years pass by, I can see you fitting into that image from my mind. Between you and Abhiir, you seem to be the shy, artistic, introvert type while he seems to be the strong, friendly, extrovert type. Just be yourself. Both of you. And be proud to be yourself. Each of us has a unique gift. All we must do is to nurture that gift and let it bloom within us, shaping our character.

I would want you to continue writing your diary, with lots of interesting and detailed sketches. I want you to practice skating. I think it will compliment your personality well. I can almost see you as a teenager, with loose ‘antifit’ clothes, chewing gum, curly wild hair, chiseled face and an intellectual look, carrying a sketch book and a skateboard wherever you go, humming your favorite ‘Cold Play tracks’!

I loved the birthday card you made for me with the little pictures of the incidents from our lives. I enjoyed helping you with your robot project --- the RecycleBOT 3000! I love being your “Google Amma” and am glad to answer your questions.

I loved, how enthusiastically you had packed the specially colour coordinated little goody bags as return gifts for Abhiir's birthday! You sure are my creative partner! 

I thoroughly enjoyed our road-trips this year. To Oman and through UAE, with our special mixed playlist. I was so happy to see yours and Abhiir's love for cats on the streets of Krabi. On that last evening in Thailand, under that huge Gulmohar tree, playing with the street cats, I suddenly realized, you have really grown up!

Let life be full of awesome family trips, of lakes full of lotus, desert camping under the “sky full of stars” , cozy tents, crazy jumps in the swimming pool, our summer noon dancing sessions and playing ‘Lego’ on Friday mornings after a delicious homemade breakfast of  dosas and omelettes!

Happy 9th Birthday Dear Son!

Love, 

Amma

Around the World in Eight Years!

Dear Arhaant,

Exactly eight years ago, you were born in the football season. And your Baba had wished for you to  be interested in sports. From the “Unknown Mix” you used to be, I am very happy to see your transformation into a wonderful blend of the sporty and the arty!

You always ask me, why did I choose Baba and why did Baba choose me? I can definitely say, that it is this perfect balance of artiness and sportiness that both, me and your Baba like the most about each other. You are big enough to understand this connection now.

This year, I can pick out a few precious moments that I got because of you. I like to note down such events so that we can remember them forever.

You will soon finish grade 3 this year! I remember my first term-end meeting with your class teacher Miss Elizabeth. (Miss Elbillet, as Abhiir says it ;) She had said, “I want to thank you for raising such a well-mannered and creative boy. He is a gentleman!”  It was a pleasure hearing her comment about you. I want you to continue the same and give me more of such enjoyable parent-teacher meetings.

Keep up this ‘best foot forward ‘attitude.

This year, I took you to my office once in your term-end break. You sat next to me at my work desk and drew as many as ten drawings on the back side of my check prints! And then you nicely sharpened all my colour pencils and used them to make a colourful drawing that I proudly put up on my wall!  These are the times when I feel, I must have done at least something right as a mother!

My best recollection of this year would be of that particular Friday evening when Abhiir and Baba were relaxing at home, and both of us went out for a walk to explore the ‘woods’ behind Omar’s house. We saw the Robins and the Mynahs resting in the tree branches. We listened to the soothing sound of leaves, rustling on the wind. We walked along the sandy paths under the Ghaf trees, crushing dry leaves under our jumping feet! We saw the beautiful villa by the inner road…the villa with the tall palms and the flowering climbers along its wall. You said to me, “You and Baba should build a home like this!”

I really love these instants that make me realize how similar you are to me! As a child, even I had a huge fascination for little bungalows along the shaded streets of my city and I dreamt about living in them!  

I recall a similar scene from the book “The Namesake” when the dad and the son walked towards the end of a jetty by the sea and forgot the camera. The dad said, “Now you should remember this moment forever! …the time when we had no more left to go!”

Arhaant, you should record such moments in your memory ---moments when we comprehend the real joys of life…and we don’t have a camera to capture them. I know you will always remember our ‘walk in the woods’.

You have been lucky to have gotten a chance to visit many countries in these eight years of your life. That has taught you how to enjoy travel and what all you can collect from each new place you visit.

This year I have seen a marked change in you when we travelled to Spain in spring. I loved how you brought the curvy lines from Gaudi’s architecture into your drawings. You have learnt to appreciate art and architecture from a very young age. I want you to keep these travel-learnings with you all your life and keep exploring the world with your deep sense of observation. That’s your real birthday gift.

Happy Eighth Birthday.

Love, 
Amma