After August, September turned out to be exactly like I had wanted it to be. Happy and healthy. Last three months of 2016 and my favorite time of the year is just a couple of hours away. Festivities, family time and the holiday season – all reasons to be happy.
My gratitude list this month has a lot of things that were special to this month. From my photography to walks, from a bit of cooking to some bingeing, from conversations to arguments, I am grateful for another month in my life.
Peace in chaos: For all of us Bangaloreans, this month was not as peaceful. The water war brought our lives to a standstill. With schools and offices closed, many areas were cordoned off and what we saw was not the quiet, peace-loving Bangalore. Emotions ran high. I am grateful that my loved ones were safe. There were anxious moments but we managed. We also got a chance to entertain our god-daughter for a couple of hours before her parents could reach home on that fateful day.
Long weekends: With the bandhs, at one point in time I was home for five days. It felt different cos we could not step out and even work was off bounds. I am grateful for this unexpected break. It helped me unwind and relax. I slept well and long and for a change, there was no rush to get things done.
Watching food: My health is better and I continued to watch my food again this month. I went easier than last month and enjoyed some junk too. Simple food that I was scared of, worked fine this time around. Pani puri, white sauce pasta, gin, bacon, and cake to name a few. I miss chocolate and nuts but I am not complaining. At least rice seems to be back. So far, so good.
Baked savories: I was upset one day with the lack of choices of snacks and then this idea was executed. Some baked whole wheat snacks turned out well and I enjoyed them with tea and coffee till they lasted. Healthy food can be tasty too and I am happy to prove that to myself.
Random plans: A tea-pot conversation, a saree exhibition and a crafts carnival were the fun things this month. I am grateful for this set of friends with who I was able to explore things. Sometimes newness is all you need to bring out the variety.
Lunches and dinners: Onam Sadhya was a my favorite lunch this month. One, the chance of eating all that yum food on a plantain leaf and two, meeting friends and making the most of a Sunday. Grateful to LP for having us over. It’s not just the gesture but the warmth that matters. This month VT and our little god-daughter celebrated their birthdays. Dinners were fun and the cakes were delicious. Birthdays are reminders of life that we have been gifted with and that’s why I love celebrating them.
There was more to September than the above. Some lovely pictures that I clicked, the rediscovered love for bhajans at six in the morning, breakfast at home, and family. A loving family is a blessing. However much you argue and fight, you come back or call with a smile on face. I am forever grateful to my family.
How was September for you? What is that one thing you are grateful for that would like to share with me?
Linking this post to Vidya’s Gratitude Circle Blog hop for September 2016.
happiness and food 
The Bandh really brought a standstill to many lives. Just reading the tweets was freaking me out.
I can’t believe September is over so soon. I have one thing to be the most grateful about: recovering after a week long of sickness. And being able to write well and complete most of my writing goals even through everything else!
Happy October in advance 😀
LikeLike
Glad you are feeling better. My writing goals have been pushed a bit but I m determined to work on them 🙂 thank you for stopping by!
LikeLike
Oh yes, bandhs and Cauvery issue trouble caused misery to all of us. Hope things get better soon. Your September sounds so cool. Mine was a bit of a rollercoaster ride. But well, that’s life.
LikeLike
That it is. Thank you,Rachna. Hope your October is a smooth ride 🙂
LikeLike
I would be far better off if I watched food more than I ate it.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
LikeLike
Ha ha!
LikeLike
yes the end of the year is coming sooner than we can imagine. glad that September was good for you despite the water wars that rocked your city. May October be another fun filled month of festivities with Navratri and Diwali
LikeLike
Thanks much!
LikeLike
That is a lovely list! And yes the bandh was so irritating. There was nothing we could do on those days and then we had to work during weekends to make up for those days.
LikeLike
Ask me about it. Just one Saturday made me so upset 😉
LikeLike
September seemed like a mixed bag for you. The chaos that the bandh brought in was unimaginable. It was dreadful to watch the news channels. Glad that things are better now.And Onam Sadya. Whoa! 🙂
LikeLike
You are right! I’m glad we sailed through all that chaos.
LikeLike
Good to see ur list of gratitude.
May in October u enjoy more
LikeLike
Thanks! I’ll cos you will make sure I do 😂
LikeLike
Happy that September 2016 has treated you with lots of fun, food and laughter with your family and friends. Happy October, Parul !!!
LikeLike
Thank you, Vasantha! Wish you a good one too..
LikeLike
So nice to hear that you had a wonderful September. Mine was hectic and I didn’t do that well last month emotionally. Hoping for a great , October. These last months of the year are my favourite too 🙂
LikeLike
Wishing you a good one, Naba. I am going home this month and eagerly looking forward to the trip.
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing your gratitude list. I’m grateful for my health. I would have liked to have seen that saree exhibition and all of the beautiful fabrics.
LikeLike
If you ever sail this side, come to Bangalore and we can go shop for a saree.
LikeLike
Wish you more of such happy months, with moments of peace despite the chaos of life, relaxation in the middle of everything, and fun and laughter. I like how you compile these gratitude lists, a good way to take a look at the month gone by. Your god-daughter is lovely, such an infectious smile!
LikeLike
Thank you so much Beloo. Need those wishes 🙂 Yes, she is adorable!
LikeLike
Glad September turned out fine for you – all I’ve been reading about is how horrid it has been. I looove your god-daughter. Sometimes I wish the twins were back t being babies – small children are cute. The bandy seems to have thrown life out of gear for all you Bangaloreans. And now we have these border skirmishes. I do wish peace would come back to our states and countries.
LikeLike
I hope the same too. Yes, she is adorable and I love her to bits 🙂
Thank you, Tulika!
LikeLike
You seem to have found joy in all the things; good, bad and the ugly. Thats what I find so impressive about this list.
Tea-pot conversation sounds interesting – love to have one with you 😉
LikeLike
Thank you! We need to focus on the little things in life else sometimes it gets too much. Thank you, Shalini!
LikeLike
Your September seems to be a happening one Parul! Cauvery Issue was ofcourse some thing that was making us feel sad and worried about people over there. however this time I could see a lot of people extending their help to people who might be stranded. there were calls throughout with shelter and food. I was happy that the border did not kill Humanity!
Menaka Bharathi has recently published http://simpleindianmom.in/simple-indian-moms-in-focus-the-multi-dimensional-modern-gypsy-shinjini/
LikeLike
You’re right Menaka. City was under tight vigil and that kind of helped. Thank you so much for stopping by.
LikeLike