A before and after story

Most people love a good makeover story. In my opinion, bringing Watson into our lives was like giving him a makeover, or a new beginning. About four months ago, the poor dog was in a 'kill shelter', waiting to be euthanized :( Thank God that the Austin Boxer Rescue found him, because he is such a lovable and wonderful dog and truly deserved a new 'furever home'.

When we met him exactly two months ago, he was extremely underweight for a boxer of his age and size, at a meer 50 lbs. Over the past eight weeks, he's been fatted up with not just food and treats, but lots of love and is now much closer to his average weight at 62lbs. He's had vet visits, several baths, ear and tooth cleanings and is more handsome than when we first got him. He's a quick learner and will do many tricks for treats ;-) These include sit, down, stay, on/up, off, go to crate, turn, give paw/shake hands and fetch. Even his fur coat has changed and is shinier, softer and brighter in colour. Woohoo for a happy every after!

BEFORE: Watson on Feb 2nd, 2013

AFTER: Watson today on Mar 30th, 2013

 

Yappy Hour

So my apartment complex, Riata, is very dog-friendly and ever so often, they host a happy hour for dogs and their owners, entitled "Yappy Hour"!

We went to our very first one yesterday and I wasn't entirely sure what to expect but there were free drinks so we couldn't pass it up! They had many different dog services such as dog training, boarding, grooming, homemade dog treat bakery and even a pet photographer. Since we're new dog owners, this was really helpful for us and did I mention we got free frozen margaritas? Watson had a great time too. He got to sniff butts galore, eat as many treats as he could handle, and get lots and lots of fusses from all the vendors and other dog owners. He even got to meet four other boxers and his favorite playpal, Bella, the cocker spaniel puppy.

Needless to say, two margaritas each later and Watson full of treats, we all left very happy. And Watson even got a doggy bag filled with a frisbee, tennis ball and MORE treats! Lucky doggy!

Umm, it's hard to take photos of moving doggies.

 

Easter Eggtravaganza

I love decorating and yet, I've never had the opportunity to decorate Easter eggs as several kids do this time in America. I'm always tempted to pick up the PAAS egg dyes from the supermarket and make a set each Easter but never do. However, I found a more adult style this year online and might actually try these out. Check out Holy Man-Crafts Batman's easy and hilarious moustachio eggs and these other great ideas.

Back to my roots

It's no surprise to anyone that Al and I are big foodies. We love to visit new places and try all types of cuisines but we always come back to Indian food as our favorites. When we lived in CT, we would have to travel about an hour to NYC to get some good South Indian vegetarian food, but in Austin, we only have to drive 15 minutes to Madras Pavilion. Yay! Another reason to love Austin!

Clockwise (L-R): Sambar, chutney, idli, vada

Mysore masala dosa

We frequent the weekend brunch buffet at Madras Pavilion and even though, everything is vegetarian, it is mouth-watering and righteous. I opt to focus on the breakfast part of the meal, which includes idlis (rice cakes), vadas (deep fried lentil rings), dosas (crispy rice crepes) with dipping condiments of sambar (spiced vegetable curry) and chutney (spicy coconut puree).

But there are also many typical lunch or dinner dishes to choose from, such as bhindi curries, Hyderabadi biryanis and even Indo-Chinese Hakka noodles. Last but not least, they have some sort of dessert to put out any fires. This time we got gulam jamuns and vermicelli payasam.



Lacha parathas with paneer makhani

Gulam Jamuns

 

A family matriach moves on

This has to be one of the most difficult posts to write, but also one that I am honored to pen down. Al's grandma passed away this month, just two weeks shy of her 89^th birthday. It was extremely sad to hear that she left us, but what a legacy she has left, hence the title, a family matriarch. A matriarch is defined as a woman who is the head of a family or a venerable old woman. She was all of those and much more.

Mrs. Josephine Nazareth decided that she would move to America on her own, after her husband passed away in India. That doesn’t just take guts; it takes independence, drive and an incredibly adventurous spirit. She didn’t know anyone in the US nor did she have any special professional skillset, but she was motivated to make it big; to live the American dream. I know several people have that dream but not a single woman who did it on her own and no less, back in 1970s New York City. Back then NYC wasn’t the expensive touristy trap we all know now, but a lot grittier and known as the big ‘rotten’ apple. Not only did she make that cross-continental move, she sponsored all her five children and their families to settle in the US. She was an enabler and has left behind a successful family line, filled with intelligent, funny and loving children, grandchildren and great-grandkids.

I hope that I can someday leave that legacy for my family but at least she’s given us all something high and remarkable to aim for. We all love you and will miss you heaps, grandma. 

Spring forward

Last weekend marked the change in daylight savings. I never had to deal with this when I grew up in the middle east, but ever since I've been in the US, we move the clocks behind during autumn and ahead for spring. We lost an hour but we gained more light that means we save energy in our house. This made sense when  it was started in World War I, but why the US still follows this strange practice when we have so many 'energy effecient' appliances today? The only smart places on the US mainland are the state of Arizona and Indian reservations. It does get confusing for me though, because I work with clients in Phoenix, and before last weekend, I was only 1 hour ahead. Now, I'm two hours ahead of them... hmmm.


Watson checking out the scenery

This time of the year also marks the onset of spring and it's more obvious in Texas than it ever was in the northeast. You can hear the birds tweeting, see the grass growing extra green and buds and flowers blooming. I really don't like winter, but it always brings on one of the most beautiful seasons of the year, so you learn to deal. Some of you can't be here with me to see it, but hope you can enjoy it through my photos :) 


The Texas longhorns loving the warmer weather

Spring blossoms

What's up, marshmallow?

I read today that they're making a movie of the TV series, Veronica Mars. I never watched the show when it was on the telly, but when I watched it on DVD, I really, really loved it! It's like watching a real-life Nancy Drew, minus any fluff --- no yummy sandwiches and picnics like in Hardy Boys or Secret Seven. Kristen Bell portrays a very angry, pessimistic Veronica while she traverses through high school and college as a super sleuth, uncovering scandals and other drama. I'm so excited and thankful for all those 'marshmallows' aka fans who donated to making the movie. I can't wait to watch it next year, and Kristen Bell is pretty awesome too!

Foster Failures

So it's official, we are now 'foster failures' but the good news is that we have adopted Watson! It's a term often used by animal rescues when foster families fall in love with their pet and can't have any one else adopt the animal. But have you seen Watson? How could you not fall in love with that face? He's soooo adorable and we love him. Here's our first few family pictures. Notice how Watson seems to be the most sane of us three. Love it!

 

 

 

Team Ameri-cah!

A friend recently become an American citizen and hosted a very fun American themed party over the weekend. (I love themed parties!!!) Everyone was asked to dress up in red, white and blue. We had a playlist with songs that mentioned America, or US states or US cities, and even the food and liquor was supposed to be made in America. We actually had some Russian vodka and London gin but we made it American by placing American flag stickers on top of Russia and London on the bottles. Silly but we were drinking so it seemed legit at the time.

We also had fun accessories to wear like Uncle Sam hats, flag hairbands and blinking tiaras, everything in red, white and blue. The themed colours also extended to the jell-o shots made by the hostess and cupcakes made by yours truly. I'm already thinking of what the next themed party will be...

Shoe love

A quick post to let you know about an awesome find. Not only is this shoe super sexy, but it's simple, sophisticated and quite wearable. The ombre colouring makes it so unique. Unfortunately for me, DSW doesn't have my size, but I'll be on the look out elsewhere.

However if you are shopping on DSW and happen to be a DSW rewards member because you're a shoe-a-holic like me, use the coupon ICONIC to get this cute black and white striped bag.