HONK !

Le Chat et le jardin

2011-10-26T17:48:00.000+05:30

Rouge!

2011-05-09T16:35:00.001+05:30

bon pur l'énergie

2011-04-28T15:26:00.000+05:30

RIP

2011-04-26T01:01:00.001+05:30

HONK the blog failed to get regularly fed with
Gobi Manchurian and died.

Goodbye HONK, I don't think you will be missed.

Flowers of the Nilgiris

2011-04-17T15:06:00.005+05:30

Green Acres

2011-04-16T12:27:00.002+05:30

Deux chATs

2011-04-11T23:00:00.001+05:30

une chat est calme et une chat est méfiante

testing...testing...

2011-04-10T09:01:00.000+05:30

Vow

2011-04-09T17:25:00.001+05:30

Okay, no more other mediums. I am just going to use charcoal - I found the right kind (Derwent) at Reliance and magically I just know what has to be done on paper. I am a fish back in the water again.

I am keeping a NEW sketchbook from Monday for only Charcoal drawings, especially and FINALLY from my garden. And it will be a beautiful sketchbook. Not the usual untidy ones that I've kept till now.

Score:

Priya = 76

Emby = 05

le chat

2011-04-09T08:55:00.000+05:30

cake

2011-04-09T08:53:00.000+05:30

Preparatory sketch for an illustration for a story

Cat!

2011-04-07T15:31:00.006+05:30

So sketching does lead to other good things. After drawing the cat above, I did a drawing of the cat below.

I also had a revelation - I stuff up things when I look at them and draw. I have to look at something, absorb it and then just do my own thing. Like the cats here.

Ok, I got myself a sketchbook and I'm going out of town for a week so I hope to fill it up with a gazillion sketches . see you all next week friday. Ciao.

Back to Charcoal

2011-04-07T15:26:00.000+05:30

I don't think I'm ever going to attempt anything else. When I draw with graphite, pencil, pen....after a while I plunge into depression. Now that I'm back in the arms of charcoal, I'm on top of the world.

2011-04-06T16:53:00.001+05:30

add gel pen on sunlit bond paper

And Again!

2011-04-04T16:47:00.003+05:30

pencil on sunlit bond paper

Tree outside my Window

2011-04-04T14:29:00.007+05:30

I tried stylizing trees the way the two Prabhas do at Pencil Jam, unfortunately I ended up overworking and stuffing things up. Then I just messed around with the tree, used an eraser, cut it out and made a collage. This has resulted in a far better image than what started out originally.

SCORE

pRiyA - 6

Emby - 1

The other half of the brown paper bag and blue ballpoint pen. I'm hooked on Origami.

It is All Right

2011-04-03T20:11:00.000+05:30

to cheat occasionally.

I've had a damn full day.

Draw I Must!

2011-04-02T22:08:00.005+05:30

Blunt pencil on brown paper bag. World Cup finals 2011.

Five minute drawing

It's Friday already

2011-04-01T18:36:00.000+05:30

It's Friday already and I have skipped two days of posting on SOUND HORN. I am consumed with guilt about this. I have sleepless nights...I have decided not to cheat and post old drawings because who am I fooling anyway but myself. Just before it is time to do the weekly cleaning and tidying of the house I decided to quickly draw some pictures before the light got too bad. Amazing how motivating house work can be.

2011-03-29T15:49:00.003+05:30

Brown paper envelope, black Add Gel pen.
Hey Soul Sister is on my playlist and you can tell I love it.

A New Project!

2011-03-29T11:51:00.002+05:30

Since we cannot live without a project, and since the old one died a natural death, we decided on a new one - SOUND HORN!

This year we've decided to do at least one drawing a day and post it up on this blahg.

I've decided to inaugurate the project by drinking a cup of tea and posting Le Theeng Bizarre which I drew over the weekend at the fair at my former art college.

Cheers!

The Best Graphic Novels of 2010.

2010-12-23T09:12:00.008+05:30

Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2011 to all our readers.

Click here to get a glimpse of the best.

The Babes Secret Weapon

2010-10-08T19:38:00.011+05:30

Our secret weapon is ..... you've guessed it Food - that's simple, satisfying and simply mind blowing. The kind found in Anjum Anand's - Indian Food Made Easy.

The lists follow, discussed over hedonistic desserts only Rahila knows to make .

Priya's armoury includes the following:

1) To have someone eat out of your hand
a) Coconut Mackerel Curry with Basmati Rice or Succulent Chicken Tikka Wraps
b) For Veggies – Southern Indian Mixed Vegetable Dish, Basmati Rice and Simple Spinach and Lentil Curry
c) Nutty Saffron flavoured Yoghurt

2) Stake a claim on a man's heart.
a) Potato and Pea Samosas
b) Coconut and Chilli Pan fried Halibut with Chopped Salad with Coconut and Peanuts (they go rrrreally well together)
c) Lemon Rice with North Indian Lamb Curry
d) Kulfi
e) Ultimate Masala Tea with Fennel Seed Drop Biscuits
(Yes! All in ONE meal….Burp!)

3. to have people call at odd hours and like Oliver Twist ask when they can have some more!
a) Chicken in Creamy Yoghurt and Simple Pilaff or Paneer Mushroom and Spinach Wraps (maybe without the mushrooms)
b) Smashed Fried Potatoes (p.91)
No desert for odd hour people.

Embellisher's arsenal reads as follows:

1) To have someone eat out of your hand

a) Prawn Balchao (pg 80)

b) Coconut Rice (pg123)

c)Steamed Yoghurt (pg 141)

2)To retain all right's over a certain man's heart.

a) Green Coriander Chicken (pg.39) or North IndianLamb Curry (pg.54) with Basmati Rice (pg.120)

b) Simple Spinach and Lentil Curry (pg.111)

c) Five-seed Potatoes (pg.92) or Fried Spiced Okra (pg.101)

d) Pomegranate Raita (pg.132)

e) Kulfi (pg.145)

3) To have people call at odd hours and like Oliver Twist ask when they can have some more!

a) Lamb with Squat green Chillies (pg.63)

b) Spinach Pilaff (pg.120)

c)Jaggery - caramelised Walnuts (pg.152)

Wouldn't it be wonderful if all who follow and visit this blog could meet over Potluck and discuss their favourite menu's inspired by the recipes in this book. However its still possible virtually.

So do share your lists in the comment section, we're dying to know about the secret weaponry you've amassed reading Anjum Anand's - Indian Food Made Easy.

Literary Manna

2010-09-21T15:31:00.008+05:30

After a long hiatus we've come back with a literary offering for your delectation which is dear to us babes -

Both of us swear by the simple sumptuousness of the food this slim tome makes possible.

Please get hold of this book and cook up a storm and tell us which recipe(s) you would choose

1. to have someone eat out of your hand.

2. stake a claim on a man's heart.

3. to have people call at odd hours and like Oliver Twist ask when they can have some more!

Our personal lists shall be revealed in the near future. Bon appetit!

Update

2010-06-15T18:42:00.004+05:30

Some time ago there was this thing going around on Facebook which asked us to name 10 favourite books we’ve read. Savita, one of the Book Babe followers named a book called The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society – a title intriguing enough to hook even the choosiest of readers. Therefore when I came across the book at Crossword the other day, I pounced on it and I am now in page 34.

Now I have no idea where the other Book Babe is. She is most likely hurtling in a bus towards yet another village in search of more iron pots for her kitchen. What I do know is that she has The Solitaire Mystery on her person. Meanwhile since I need something to read in the midst of screwing up my drawings, I am reading the Potato Peel Pie book and publishing useless blog posts such as this one.

What are your 10 favourite books?

We're Back!

2010-05-01T14:15:00.005+05:30

Yes, the Book Babes are back, Large and Centre after being flattened out by the summer heat.
This time we've got for you The Solitaire Mystery by Jostein Gaarder, a Norwegian writer (!). Naturally I had to go see if he is as handsome as Norwegian's usually are and I got a look here >>.

Well, lets keep superficial subjects like looks aside and talk about the terrific novel that Jostein Gaarder has written instead. The Solitaire Mystery is about Hans Thomas and his father who drive off in search of Han's mother. During the journey Hans is given a magnifying glass by a dwarf and a tiny book hidden within a sticky bun by a baker. The story alternates between the journey and the story within the sticky bun book. Slowly the two stories merge....

At the moment, I'm living within playing cards, rainbow fizz, a drive through Europe, strange islands, profound thoughts about life, fantastic fruit, six- legged animals...I want to quickly post this and go back into that world of The Solitaire Mystery once more - a second hand book I picked up at Blossom's on a whim, because I liked the cover and which hasn't disappointed me.
Well, more later... :)

New Decade, New Book!

2010-02-11T16:46:00.003+05:30

2010!

2009-12-31T13:30:00.006+05:30

Book Babes wish you a happy new decade!

What on earth is that cute dude doing in the picture?
Well what did you expect from Book Babes in the New Year anyway? A picture of a nerdy author? Oh Please! In the spirit of moving forward into a new decade of joy and fulfilment, and in the spirit of being a Book Babe, here is a man with a nice smile to end the year with.

(Can you belieeeeve he is a Prime Minister and all???? Gosh!!!!)

Oh, and Happy Reading!
huh?
Uff! Just go back and look at his picture. I know you want to.

Author Interview !

2009-12-30T18:36:00.002+05:30

Here is an interview by Liz Gilbert about her new book Committed.
Her ex husband is also writing a book. Now that should be interesting!
;-)
See you soon!

Killing Three Birds with one Stone

2009-12-02T20:21:00.011+05:30

Here's what we're going to do to achieve what's suggested in the title of this post.

Saturday 5th December we're meeting to answer the following questions about Chicken with Plums by Marjane Satrapi. ( I hope you borrowed/bought the book and read it)

1.Is this your first Marjane Satrapi book? Will you be scouring the bookshelves at your local library/bookshop for more of her work and what do you like or dislike about her style?

2.Is this the first graphic novel you've read? Have you read Japanese Manga?

3.Do you have a favourite home cooked meal/dish. Who would you have prepare it for you?

We are meeting at The Rogue Elephant. ( I bet I've got your attention now.) Where? you might ask. The Rogue Elephant is the cafe at Basava Ambara in Basavangudi.

It so happens, there's a children's book - Pampasutra being launched the same evening 4.30 - 7 pm. Read more about it here.

There you have it, three birds with one stone - discussing Chicken with Plums, exploring Rogue Elephant and Basava Ambara and the book launch of Pampasutra.

See you at 3pm.

Basava Ambara,

93, Kanakapura Road,

(Opp. Renukamba temple on MNK park),

Basavangudi,

Bangalore - 560 004

26561940, 65461856

Latest Pick!

2009-10-31T17:33:00.003+05:30

At Book Babes, it is time for a new selection yet again. This time we are doing our first graphic novel - Marjane Satrapi's
Chicken with Plums.

Discussing Onion pakoras and Ruby slippers

2009-10-29T14:46:00.009+05:30

No onion Pakoras on the menu so we made do with ham sandwiches and coffee at Koshy's.

Recipe for Onion Pakoras

I never make them at home either and I haven't tasted them at Thoms either.

Prep time : 15 mins

Cooking: 30mins

Makes 20

150 gms dhal flour/besan

1/4 tsp. bicarbonate of soda

Sift gram flour/besan with bicarbonate of soda into a mixing bowl

Mix in the following

1/2 tsp. salt

2 medium sized onions sliced/diced

4 dried chillies, sliced

3 sprigs curry leaves chopped

Add 1/2 cup water and mix into a soft sticky dough.

Heat oil for deep frying. Using the fingers pinch walnut - size balls of dough and drop into the hot oil.Fry until golden brown in colour. Drain on absorbent paper.

Its perfect for hot Onion pakoras and tea this grey cloudy evening while I listen to 91.9 FM - the colour of music.

red slippers and onion pakoras

2009-10-29T11:14:00.002+05:30

here is my picture of The Ruby Red Slippers. I couldn't find a pic in a magazine, so I scoured my fave site nycrunfashion and came up with this. They are flat, comfortable but stylish. Just how i like them.

Then the Onion pakoras - I don't make them at home because when at look at the oil it is fried in, it makes me guilty. I go to Thom's bakery instead, and buy a scoop or two. Its crisp and delicious and I don't feel too guilty about guffing them down in about 5 minutes or so.

Aren't my Red slippers cool?
:-)

East West comes up for discussion

2009-10-26T16:00:00.005+05:30

I hope you decided to buy yourself a copy of East West because here's what's been planned for the discussion slated for Wednesday, 28th Nov 2009 ,10am at Koshy's.

Personalise your copy of East West with the following.

1.Share your favourite recipe for pakoras of any sort - chilli, onion......any sort of pakora. (Good Advice is Rarer Than Rubies)

2.What would be your pick for a pair of Ruby Slippers? Draw them, find a picture in a magazine to cut out and stick, get creative we'd like to see. (At the Auction of Ruby Slippers)

3. Do you listen to the radio? What channels do you lock onto? (The Free Radio)

4. Which was your favourite short story in East West?

See you at 10 on Wednesday we'll have pakoras and tea.

Its Book BAbes time again!

2009-08-31T15:03:00.003+05:30

and here are the pics of the meeting for Eat Pray Love.

Well, well, well...

2009-08-25T21:09:00.001+05:30

...Ms. Liz Gilbert has written another book!
Click here to read about it.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

2009-07-28T00:33:00.001+05:30

We are having our first Book Babes meeting on the 29th of August.
More details regarding time and place will be posted later.
See you soon!
;-)

for you to mull over

2009-07-27T23:07:00.004+05:30

Hello Book Babes, here are a few points for you all to mull over while reading Eat Pray Love. Our discussion at our first meeting will be based on these. Remember, you are not compelled to say something regarding these points, this is after all, an informal and fun gathering.
Well here it is:
* What is your idea of a really good time (chapter 21)
* What word would you use to describe Bengaluru and the area you live in (chapter 33)
* If you had to undertake a personal journey, what three words would describe it and which three places would you travel to fulfill those aspirations.
Cheers!
:-)

...and we are reading away!

2009-07-19T19:14:00.004+05:30

Hello Book Babes, here are some terrific second hand bookshops where you can get almost new copies of the book of the moment - Eat, Pray, Love.

Goobey Book Republic at Church Street is right opposite where the old Premier Book Shop used to be. It is situated in a basement and has this delightful mish mash of books.

Then there is good old Blossom book shop just further down Church street towards Brigade road where if you ask for a copy of a book, they will offer you new, old, older and oldest versions of the same title, the price of course decreasing proportionately with the age of the copy.

We will soon be posting a list of questions/points to mull over for discussion when we meet. If you do have any points that you would like to discuss, do let us know.

Please do add Book Babes to your followers list/Google reader. Google has a whole lot of options on the right side of the blog so that you are always informed when there is a new post.

And most importantly, do give your suggestions for a really nice informal meeting place where we can yak over coffee and Eat Pray Love together.
;-)

Book for July

2009-06-23T12:30:00.016+05:30