“Holi” – the festival of colors is one of Houston’s favorite festivals. Every year, Indian Association, Gujarati Samaj and Masala Radio together organize a fun filled, Holi celebration in a Houston city park. Nearly 10,000 to 12,000 people come from all parts of Texas to this event. Colors, food, dance programs plus pleasant weather and spring holiday break make Holi celebrations a hugely popular, favorite family event. We go every year and always had fun. The celebrations for this year were today at Seabourne Creek Park in Rosenberg. Here are some photos of Holi hungama.

Sunil and Preyanka ~ DJ’s and Organizers of “Party in the Park ~ Houston Holi” Event

Auto Riksha from India ~ Transport Mascot of Houston Holi

Holi Balloon Decorations in front of a Food Stall

Entertaining Dance Programs by Houston Youth

Bhangra for Holi

Traditional Dress Fashion Show by a Local Designer

The Crowd, Watching the Holi Event

“buranaa maano, Holi Hai” ~ Fun with Colors

Fresh Sugar Cane Juice (Ganne ka Ras, Cheraku Rasam) ~ Our Favorite Holi Beverage

See You Next Year ~ The Holi Hiranyakashyap

15 Comments

The First full moon of Spring 2011. A renewal of the growing season.
Here are some photos from my garden.

Peaceful and Pleasant ~ Spring Time Holi Moon

Perfume in the Air ~ Jasmine Flowers (Chambeli)

Gorgeous Gardenia

Beautiful Buds ~ A first for my Orange (mandarin) Plant

A Rose Under the Moonlight

16 Comments

Get Together Party at a Friend’s Home

Theme: Casual Get Together
Attendees: 8
Time: Dinner
Venue: Home
Preparation: Homemade

Party Menu:
Red Beans Kosambari with Tomatoes and Corn

Lemon Sevai and Coconut Sevai with Fresh, Homemade Sevai
Jeera Basmati Rice
Plain Chapati and Ghee Chapati
Thayir Sadam (Daddhojanam), Sweetened with Red Grapes

Mor Kuzhambu Vadai
Coconut Chutney
Green Mango Pickle
Bengali Alu Dum
Punjabi Rajma

Dessert:
Comforting, Semiya Kheer
Rava Kesari in Flower Shapes
Coconut-Pecan Burfi with Pecans from the Neighborhood

Drinks:
South-Indian Filter Coffee with Cafe Du Monde’s Chicory Coffee

10 Comments

Some delicious options for different occasions, that’s “Indian Party Menus”.
Hope you would find this series helpful when planning your party food menu.

Birthday Party at a Friend’s Home

Theme: Friend’s 41-year birthday celebration
Guests Number: 8
Time: Dinner
Venue: Home
Preparation: Homemade

Party Menu:
Brown Rice and White Rice
Tomato Pappu (Tomato Dal)
Broccoli-Sweet Potato Stir-fry
Plantain Curry
Eggs Vepudu
Coconut Pacchadi
Tindora Pacchadi
Majjiga Pulusu (Tadka buttermilk)

Dessert:
Birthday Cake with Pound Cake
Ravva Kesari

Gifts from Guests:
Coconut-Pecan Burfi (prepared by us)
German Chocolate Fudge Cake

5 Comments

Some delicious options for different occasions, that’s Indian Party Menus.
Hope you would find this new series helpful when planning your party food menu.

Birthday Party at a Friend’s Home

Theme: 3-year old baby boy birthday celebration
Guest number: 70 (50 adults+20 children)
Time: for lunch
Venue: Home
Preparation: Restaurant food from Mayuri, Houston & Pizza Hut Pizzas

Party Menu:
Masala Vada
Vegetable Manchurian
Coconut Chutney

Vegetable Salad
Vegetable Biryani
Tandoori Roti
Poori
Paneer Tikka Masala
Navaratan Kurma
Stuffed Brinjal Curry
Boondi Raita
Daddhojanam (Curd Rice)
Mango Aavakaaya and Ginger Pickle

Vegetable, Pineapple and Cheese Pizzas for Kids

Dessert:
Carrot Halwa
Peechu Mithai (Cotton Candy)

Party Favors:
Gifts for Children

6 Comments

Tiyya Pongali (Sweet Pongal with Jaggery)
Pulagam
Chikkudu Vittanaalu Kurma (Indian Broadbeans Kurma)
Peanut-Jaggery Pachhadi
Peanut Pacchi Pulusu
Mirchi Bajji
Ghee
Dahi

Happy Sankranthi, dear friends. What’s on the menu for Sankranthi?

16 Comments

Vijay and I went to London to visit my sister for the holidays. We had a wonderful and memorable time sightseeing and spending time with family and friends. Here are some pictures from the trip.

The Tower Bridge

The Tower of London

London Eye

The Palace of Westminster and the Big Ben

Greenwich Time and Prime Meridian Line

Beautiful Bournemouth Beach

Spectacular Swaminarayan Mandir, London

Peaceful Balaji Temple, Birmingham

Snow Girl with Rosemary Hat ~ Made by My Sister’s Daughter

23 Comments

Some delicious options for different occasions, that’s Indian Party Menus.
Hope you would find this new series helpful when planning your party food menu.

Holiday Dinner Party at My Sister’s Place:

Theme: Holiday Dinner get-together
Guest number: 5
Time: for dinner
Venue: Delhi Spicee, Ruislip, UK
Preparation: Restaurant food

Dinner Menu:
Masala Papads
Pani Puri
Chicken tikka

Naans and Stuffed Parathas
Madras Chicken Curry
Chicken Biryani
Malai Kofta
Chilli Paneer
Raita
Mango Lassi

Party Favors:
Lots of laughter and memorable experience

Share your party menus.

9 Comments

Some delicious options for different occasions, that’s Indian Party Menus.
Hope you would find this new series helpful when planning your party food menu.

Holiday Brunch Party at My Home.

Theme: Christmas brunch get-together
Guest number: 5
Time: for brunch
Venue: Home
Preparation: Homemade

Brunch Menu:
Strawberry-Orange Soy Smoothie
Carrot-Cucumber Kosambari
Poori
Cumin-Basmati Rice
Chana Masala
Alu Curry seasoned with fresh, grated coconut
Masoor-Tomato Dal (thick soupy like in Sambar consistency)
Coconut-Onion Pacchadi
Dahi

Dessert:
Chocolate -Pecan pie (eggless)
Carrot-Pecan cake (eggless)

Party Favors:
Party food takeout
Some toys and chocolate

Share your holiday party menus.

11 Comments