Miss you!!

This post is dedicated to my father-in-law. A man, I can't actually believe is no more!! A man whose strong value system, I see reflected in his son the man whom I married and deeply love. Yes I had or still have a special kind of love, a combination of respect and deep admiration for hubby's father. I loved him for his sincerity, admired the fact that he always allowed people around him to have their sense of freedom and space, his very strong but not suffocating love for his children.

A completely self made man who I believe was much ahead of his times in his thinking, he educated his siblings, convinced his young wife (my mother-in-law) back in those days to do a double graduation and pursue a career, gave the best education to his kids and never stopped them from pursuing their dreams even if it meant them going far away from him. He always had a sense of satisfaction about him when we were around him and especially doted on his grandchildren.I think he was in his true element only when he was in his own home in Udupi, in the world that he felt the most comfortable in.

 
I really wish that I was together with hubby dear back in Udupi now, being part of the whole process of telling his father goodbye but I think staying back and having the time to think about him and reflect back on some very fond memories is also very special. Today, as I went through some of the pictures of their paternal grandfather with the girls, little bunny told me that her Nana is now in the sky and that he was smiling at us. I am sure he is but we miss you dearly dearest Daddy!!!

Beautiful Pottery

Kota a tiny village which is part of Udupi district is home to two potters Baburaya and Shanker who earn their living by selling earthenware they make on their own. 

Their lovely little shop is right on National Highway 17 and I found it amazing to see the huge variety of earthenware and handicrafts on display there.

A lot of earthenware was widely used in almost every household in the Southern Indian coastal belt, but today this is changing especially with the use of different modern gadgets and devices available for cooking.

Little bunny and her cousin sister G tried out the cute little palm leaf hats that are used on very sunny days for laborers working in the paddy fields.

I wish I could get one of the clay faces designed so beautifully that are usually hung in front of houses in South India to ward off the evil eye, it was quite heavy and with the weight restrictions that apply on flights these days decided against it.

Udupi Krishna temple

With hubby's hometown being in Udupi everytime I am in the lovely town a visit to the Sree Krishna temple is always part of the agenda.

Thousands of devotees come here to this town to catch a glimpse of the lord and what I enjoy the most is actually walking around especially in the small lanes surrounding the temple. The paintings on the walls depicting the different mythological characters were done with such intense warm colors.

Little bunny was very happy to see the elephant happily munching away on his food but the elephant keeper gave me a hard 'you idiot' kinda glare when I tried to get some good shots of the giant beast.

The temple pond looked so nice and tranquil in the early afternoon hours and I was quite tempted to throw in a pebble and see the ripples form in the water but then decided against it.

It's X-Mas time everybody!

Festivities in the air, lights and Christmas decorations everywhere.... yeah, it is Christmas time again!! Last week little bunny and her Aunt in Bangalore got busy decorating the Christmas tree with trinkents and lovely little ornaments. She helped her dearest Chitta and was certified as a very able assistant. A fun activity which definitely keeps the little ones very excited and happy for couple of hours.

The best part is that at the end you have a very beautiful festive looking home. The only problem that was not yet solved was how we could protect all our hard work from little rabbit who was on her prowl :-) 

Back at hubby's hometown in Udupi also a lovely sight welcomed us home. Little bunny's and rabbit's Nani (grandma) had decorated the home so beautifully that put us into a festive spirit immediately.

Happy Christmas everybody, have a wonderful holiday season!!