Saturday, December 14, 2013

Cucumber Chirstmas Tree & Destination -Broadway, Kochi - a flashback...

 "R" for Recipes..."R" for ramble writes...and those who are "R" for Regular here...will know..that I keep these two separate, in my two twin blogs - QP and PQ respectively. Unlikely this post, for a change,..thought of having both together.
 
A simple "green" edible Christmas tree inter woven with some flashbacks of the Christmas season still bright "red" in memories.
 
  
Christmas ? That's Jingle Bells....Carols....Christmas Tree...Crib...Cakes... 

 
Come December, and these are the typical thoughts that comes first to mind.
Well..for me...going a bit more hearty, to about a decade back.....

The busstop was right in front of my home, yet the almost 1 km walk to Vytilla junction (Kochi, Kerala) was the most common thing that I used to do, need I take a bus plying into the city centrals. In a way, this was also a guarantee that I did get a seat in the other wise crowded buses. Vytilla to Menaka buspoint -  my standard route. Could very well say that my GPS during those days had just these two locations ..the min-max limits. (on self-travel mode that is).


For the Cucumber Chirstmas Tree centre-piece, you need :
 
Cucumbers - sliced dialgonally (as shown)
A small sized onion bulb
A slice of carrot
Tomato ketchup
A bamboo skewer
 

(my Father gets me these custom made knives and my eldest son insisted that it sported a green coloured handle in it, coz its be to used for cutting "green" vegetables !...some matching matching concept ! )

          Destination One  - the most happening place that was then..The Convent Junction
  
Goodwill Collections (getting drowned in the tonnes of accessories).... Tops (some casual yet cheap outfit picks).... Steps/Heels ?? (forgot the name of that footwear shop, esp for the cute chettans who owned the shop..hope they don't see this post ;)...Eloor Lending Library....anything and everything from embroidery threads to oil pastels...need anything...it was Destination Convent Junction !!! 




Giving/ taking Christmas cards was soo much a part of  Christmas times then...and come any function, the first haven for any greetings and gifts was The Archies Gallery.  Browsing....browsing.....and browsing  through the endless rows of greetings cards, was kindof a Christmas tradition as well...something, which is getting extinct, by now...sadly.
To assemble the Christmas Tree
  

Cut the head and tail off of a small onion bulb and lay on the base plate - to form the base of the Tree.
 
 
Insert the base of a bamboo skewer into the onion base and get dragging down the cut cucumber slices round the pole.
 
Destination Two - Broadway..the most ironically named street now existant in our Namma Metro.
 


Being a crafty then, my main supplier for art work rawmaterials, was Jose & Co; towards the end of the street, and don't remember the countless number of times I have walked up and down the street. The tiny cowded way...with absolutely cramped parking spaces...but ironically, called "The Broadway ".





The wholesale shops used to look like this...fully adorned with stars, stars and stars in all shapes, sizes and colours.
 
 
 meanwhile...let the cucumber slices do a pole dance round the skewer ;)
 
 

During Christmas, the sale overflows even into the street which will be thickly packed with vendors and shoppers alike..and I was always a part of that crowd....

( image courtesy - Mr. Cochin Blogger -who whole-heartedly agreed to me borrowing one of his images from his blog. Thanks very much, Sir !)  

                       

                                  push the slices down in an inclined angle, as shown above

 
 
A drop of Tomato Ketchup on each of the Cucumber slice to resember some decoration.
A carrot-star cut out for the tip..and bingo !!!


 Nov 2013 - 10 years had made a world of difference in ME...but not a speck of difference to this world I was looking at right now. Got to walk the same busy wholesale section of the Street during my small one week vacation back home last month . The buildings looked the same....the crowd looked the same....the festive feel was the same....and for a moment....did wonder....
                                                              Am I the only person that has changed in the entire crowd ???                                              Will these old buildings recognize me ?                                               Breathed life into them...may be...maybe...one or two of them would...                                    necessarily not....
Anyways.... with wishes for a very Merry Christmas and an even Blessed New Year .....



  ...let this "another wise woman" take leave for the time being....till then....have a great December !!!



 


 

Stay Happy...Keep Smiling !!! ;)
   
(the general images courtesy Award goes to.... most loyal, Google Search)

 (Let me put the blame on my new Canon for the negligence that howered around my blogs over the last few months. Was clicking more of places and people for my FB page and there was literally, no cooking happening at all. This, is my first post with clicks taken using my DSLR, and got to admit..I am pretty happy with the outcome. In a way..this also means, now..I get no more excuse to be staying away from my blogworld. Inshallah...i stay commited to my spaces. )
 
   
 
 
 
 
 

 
 







44 comments:

  1. Wow, that's so beautifully done!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sona,seeing the first pic I could make out that u have started using ur dslr..pics look really nice love ur Christmas tree.
    Thank you for taking thru the nostalgic ride..
    With beautiful butterflies of St. Treasa's it sure is the happening place right !
    I always thought Goodwill was a treasury until I get to the bill section to get ripped off :)
    Well it was the broadway once upon a time then Greater Cochin development acquired shore and expanded and widened then Shamugham road became really wide :)
    Focus has suddenly shifted from there to Bypass recently.I want to go to the puttu kada next time I go home :))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. well...i knew, you would guess it !!! If it hadnt been for you..i still would have been clicking my foodies with my phone cam . Thanks a bunch, to you, for the inspiration...Meenammaa (SRK style ;) ) .

      St. Tresas butterflies and Law College hunks...all end up at one Junction -
      The "convent" junction. High time the name changes, is it not ...lol.

      Goodwill...yes ! and being there after years..God ! i had butterflies round my head, seeing the bills.

      Byepass...again..thankfully...am glad for that change. I stay just along the bypass,and commutaion is more easier now. Dhae Puttu..allae ? Njaanum nottam ettu vechitundu..hopefully, for the next vacation.

      Delete
  3. Good post Sona. Ernakulam kare aya aniku ethu kandapol kura santhosamayato. Broadway super super

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aaah ! thats nice.Just tell me that you are from Kochi and its instant connection ! Glad to know, Beena . Keep in touch...

      Delete
  4. no words to say... i rest my case!!! :P love that idea of the tree with the cucumber... lovely... :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. The word REST, just dont seem to go along with the BST concept, Rafeeds !!! The ever active Lady, that you are !!

      Delete
  5. This us the first time I saw a healthy edible green Christmas tree.. U are so creative..
    I am inviting you to enter my $50 Persunmall giveaway.
    http://www.beingbeautifulandpretty.com/2013/12/persunamll-50-christmas-giveaway.html?m=0
    Kisses
    www.beingbeautifulandpretty.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. WE GOT HOOKED TO THIS WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS DECORATION....LOOKS SO COOL AND INNOVATIVE...GENIUS IDEA,THANKS FOR SHARING :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are most welcome Kumar's ! Glad that you guys liked it

      Delete
  7. Such a cool Christmas tree.. I might give it a try. WHat a nostalgic post

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yeah ! give it a go ! u will be amazed at how quick u put up a Christmas tree ;) (y)

      Delete
  8. Beautiful and innovative cucumber Christmas tree..

    ReplyDelete
  9. a very cute and creative christmas tree Sona . As for the rest of the post never been anywhere near Cochin but loved reading about its streets....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks a bunch Nayana. glad that you liked the read..

      Delete
  10. Beautiful Christmas tree..love it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow, this is really creative. Cute.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Loved your Christmas tree and loved your nostalgic account of your city even more..
    Merry Christmas to you in advance...have a great festive season..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Advanced wishes of the season to you too, dear. keep in touch..

      Delete
  13. Wow... wat a fantastic Idea.... Edible .. edible cucumber christmas tree... First time on your blog..really.. very creative....and Thank a lot for visiting my blog too....Keep in touch...

    ReplyDelete
  14. That Christmas tree is so creative, I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  15. love your idea....fabulous and delicious...merry christmas...sorry dear could not catch up long time, now am back on track

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. well me too was not around for some time! so, its basically..welcome back ! to both of us :)

      Delete
  16. Wow.. very creative idea dear...

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a great creation! Your cucumber tree is so pretty.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    ReplyDelete
  18. Interesting post!! love the way you attract your readers with your lovely writeups!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wow! What an awesome creation, cucumber tree looks very impressive! Thanks Sona for stopping by and for your sweet words :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. This edible creation of yours looks super cute!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Nice idea of making an edible christmas tree.....so creative u r....... :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Cute christmas tree and kids cannot say no to these veggies when decorated like this!!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. lovely christmas tree...thank you for sharing all nostalgic images of christmas from cochin

    ReplyDelete
  24. wow Sona.. this looks very innovative and different :) loving your cucumber Christmas tree. you seems to be very creative chef :)

    ReplyDelete

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Cucumber Chirstmas Tree & Destination -Broadway, Kochi - a flashback...

 "R" for Recipes..."R" for ramble writes...and those who are "R" for Regular here...will know..that I keep these two separate, in my two twin blogs - QP and PQ respectively. Unlikely this post, for a change,..thought of having both together.
 
A simple "green" edible Christmas tree inter woven with some flashbacks of the Christmas season still bright "red" in memories.
 
  
Christmas ? That's Jingle Bells....Carols....Christmas Tree...Crib...Cakes... 

 
Come December, and these are the typical thoughts that comes first to mind.
Well..for me...going a bit more hearty, to about a decade back.....

The busstop was right in front of my home, yet the almost 1 km walk to Vytilla junction (Kochi, Kerala) was the most common thing that I used to do, need I take a bus plying into the city centrals. In a way, this was also a guarantee that I did get a seat in the other wise crowded buses. Vytilla to Menaka buspoint -  my standard route. Could very well say that my GPS during those days had just these two locations ..the min-max limits. (on self-travel mode that is).


For the Cucumber Chirstmas Tree centre-piece, you need :
 
Cucumbers - sliced dialgonally (as shown)
A small sized onion bulb
A slice of carrot
Tomato ketchup
A bamboo skewer
 

(my Father gets me these custom made knives and my eldest son insisted that it sported a green coloured handle in it, coz its be to used for cutting "green" vegetables !...some matching matching concept ! )

          Destination One  - the most happening place that was then..The Convent Junction
  
Goodwill Collections (getting drowned in the tonnes of accessories).... Tops (some casual yet cheap outfit picks).... Steps/Heels ?? (forgot the name of that footwear shop, esp for the cute chettans who owned the shop..hope they don't see this post ;)...Eloor Lending Library....anything and everything from embroidery threads to oil pastels...need anything...it was Destination Convent Junction !!! 




Giving/ taking Christmas cards was soo much a part of  Christmas times then...and come any function, the first haven for any greetings and gifts was The Archies Gallery.  Browsing....browsing.....and browsing  through the endless rows of greetings cards, was kindof a Christmas tradition as well...something, which is getting extinct, by now...sadly.
To assemble the Christmas Tree
  

Cut the head and tail off of a small onion bulb and lay on the base plate - to form the base of the Tree.
 
 
Insert the base of a bamboo skewer into the onion base and get dragging down the cut cucumber slices round the pole.
 
Destination Two - Broadway..the most ironically named street now existant in our Namma Metro.
 


Being a crafty then, my main supplier for art work rawmaterials, was Jose & Co; towards the end of the street, and don't remember the countless number of times I have walked up and down the street. The tiny cowded way...with absolutely cramped parking spaces...but ironically, called "The Broadway ".





The wholesale shops used to look like this...fully adorned with stars, stars and stars in all shapes, sizes and colours.
 
 
 meanwhile...let the cucumber slices do a pole dance round the skewer ;)
 
 

During Christmas, the sale overflows even into the street which will be thickly packed with vendors and shoppers alike..and I was always a part of that crowd....

( image courtesy - Mr. Cochin Blogger -who whole-heartedly agreed to me borrowing one of his images from his blog. Thanks very much, Sir !)  

                       

                                  push the slices down in an inclined angle, as shown above

 
 
A drop of Tomato Ketchup on each of the Cucumber slice to resember some decoration.
A carrot-star cut out for the tip..and bingo !!!


 Nov 2013 - 10 years had made a world of difference in ME...but not a speck of difference to this world I was looking at right now. Got to walk the same busy wholesale section of the Street during my small one week vacation back home last month . The buildings looked the same....the crowd looked the same....the festive feel was the same....and for a moment....did wonder....
                                                              Am I the only person that has changed in the entire crowd ???                                              Will these old buildings recognize me ?                                               Breathed life into them...may be...maybe...one or two of them would...                                    necessarily not....
Anyways.... with wishes for a very Merry Christmas and an even Blessed New Year .....



  ...let this "another wise woman" take leave for the time being....till then....have a great December !!!



 


 

Stay Happy...Keep Smiling !!! ;)
   
(the general images courtesy Award goes to.... most loyal, Google Search)

 (Let me put the blame on my new Canon for the negligence that howered around my blogs over the last few months. Was clicking more of places and people for my FB page and there was literally, no cooking happening at all. This, is my first post with clicks taken using my DSLR, and got to admit..I am pretty happy with the outcome. In a way..this also means, now..I get no more excuse to be staying away from my blogworld. Inshallah...i stay commited to my spaces. )
 
   
 
 
 
 
 

 
 







44 comments:

  1. Wow, that's so beautifully done!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sona,seeing the first pic I could make out that u have started using ur dslr..pics look really nice love ur Christmas tree.
    Thank you for taking thru the nostalgic ride..
    With beautiful butterflies of St. Treasa's it sure is the happening place right !
    I always thought Goodwill was a treasury until I get to the bill section to get ripped off :)
    Well it was the broadway once upon a time then Greater Cochin development acquired shore and expanded and widened then Shamugham road became really wide :)
    Focus has suddenly shifted from there to Bypass recently.I want to go to the puttu kada next time I go home :))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. well...i knew, you would guess it !!! If it hadnt been for you..i still would have been clicking my foodies with my phone cam . Thanks a bunch, to you, for the inspiration...Meenammaa (SRK style ;) ) .

      St. Tresas butterflies and Law College hunks...all end up at one Junction -
      The "convent" junction. High time the name changes, is it not ...lol.

      Goodwill...yes ! and being there after years..God ! i had butterflies round my head, seeing the bills.

      Byepass...again..thankfully...am glad for that change. I stay just along the bypass,and commutaion is more easier now. Dhae Puttu..allae ? Njaanum nottam ettu vechitundu..hopefully, for the next vacation.

      Delete
  3. Good post Sona. Ernakulam kare aya aniku ethu kandapol kura santhosamayato. Broadway super super

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aaah ! thats nice.Just tell me that you are from Kochi and its instant connection ! Glad to know, Beena . Keep in touch...

      Delete
  4. no words to say... i rest my case!!! :P love that idea of the tree with the cucumber... lovely... :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. The word REST, just dont seem to go along with the BST concept, Rafeeds !!! The ever active Lady, that you are !!

      Delete
  5. This us the first time I saw a healthy edible green Christmas tree.. U are so creative..
    I am inviting you to enter my $50 Persunmall giveaway.
    http://www.beingbeautifulandpretty.com/2013/12/persunamll-50-christmas-giveaway.html?m=0
    Kisses
    www.beingbeautifulandpretty.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. WE GOT HOOKED TO THIS WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS DECORATION....LOOKS SO COOL AND INNOVATIVE...GENIUS IDEA,THANKS FOR SHARING :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are most welcome Kumar's ! Glad that you guys liked it

      Delete
  7. Such a cool Christmas tree.. I might give it a try. WHat a nostalgic post

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yeah ! give it a go ! u will be amazed at how quick u put up a Christmas tree ;) (y)

      Delete
  8. Beautiful and innovative cucumber Christmas tree..

    ReplyDelete
  9. a very cute and creative christmas tree Sona . As for the rest of the post never been anywhere near Cochin but loved reading about its streets....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks a bunch Nayana. glad that you liked the read..

      Delete
  10. Beautiful Christmas tree..love it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow, this is really creative. Cute.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Loved your Christmas tree and loved your nostalgic account of your city even more..
    Merry Christmas to you in advance...have a great festive season..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Advanced wishes of the season to you too, dear. keep in touch..

      Delete
  13. Wow... wat a fantastic Idea.... Edible .. edible cucumber christmas tree... First time on your blog..really.. very creative....and Thank a lot for visiting my blog too....Keep in touch...

    ReplyDelete
  14. That Christmas tree is so creative, I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  15. love your idea....fabulous and delicious...merry christmas...sorry dear could not catch up long time, now am back on track

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. well me too was not around for some time! so, its basically..welcome back ! to both of us :)

      Delete
  16. Wow.. very creative idea dear...

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a great creation! Your cucumber tree is so pretty.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    ReplyDelete
  18. Interesting post!! love the way you attract your readers with your lovely writeups!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wow! What an awesome creation, cucumber tree looks very impressive! Thanks Sona for stopping by and for your sweet words :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. This edible creation of yours looks super cute!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Nice idea of making an edible christmas tree.....so creative u r....... :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Cute christmas tree and kids cannot say no to these veggies when decorated like this!!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. lovely christmas tree...thank you for sharing all nostalgic images of christmas from cochin

    ReplyDelete
  24. wow Sona.. this looks very innovative and different :) loving your cucumber Christmas tree. you seems to be very creative chef :)

    ReplyDelete