Fifth Formers at St.Clare's

Making up for the old times; there are many books in Children's Literature I had always longed to read. Now that I have time, I can not seem to find any good library around in Dharamshala and to purchase all would not be sane. Fortunately one of my husband's colleague's son has a reasonable collection and I borrowed some of Enid Blyton's. The books look very old as if passed down from many a readers, scribbled by different hands and names.The yellow pages remind one of the dusty shelves in old libraries. I love everything old and decaying be it grannies, houses, photos or books. Something is always intriguing about them, they hold secrets that is only about to be lost. The earthy fragrance from the pages, enchants and fills you with the nostalgia of long and gone.

The one I am reading now is “ Fifth formers at St Clare's ”.

The book is eighth in St Clare's series, out of total nine; its about boarding life at st. Clare's, the girls are now fifth formers and all set to go to sixth form. I have not read any of previous books in series but looked up a bit on Internet to get an initial idea. You can also find a few videos on You tube based on it.

Here is link to one quick video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q84Qmik1wJw


A quote from book that reminds you of last days at school and something that you miss utmost when grown up :)

" They tackled their new work, grumbled and groused, laughed and talked, played games and went to bed tired out. It was a good life, an interesting, full and friendly one. Sometimes the fifth formers felt a little sad when they thought that they had only one more form to go into-and then St. Clare's would be left behind forever."

Halfway through the book and I found myself taking a road down the memory lane, the years of friendship, fun and fear of exams! There are amicable moments that will make you smile and blissful. The book starts seeming to be a little broken, however collects itself as we read further. 

The story in book dwells in the interplay between the girls with each having a distinctive character. It conveys the imperative subtle lessons of teenhood to its young readers quite convincingly. Not very heavy and a light read every young teen girl would identify herself with one or the other character.

At Teenage, a tender phase in a child's life, it becomes sometimes hard for parents to communicate with their children and understand their mind, in such times a good book can serve the purpose and be their guide.

Churning butter with love!

Food is very close to my heart, a very important nexus between mother nature's produce and all living beings. But not just any food; food that binds generations and families, foods that have stories to tell. Before we all succumb to the world of ready- made, instant, packaged food, which is somewhat inevitable seeing our growing economy and consumerism.

It took me a while to realize how blessed it is to hail from a place that has just been opening itself to the world, retaining its pristine state is a question. A place with not much of credible and valid historical records of diverse people that have settled here; making everything equally complex and beautiful. And like our lifestyle, food also has evolved and has been adapted in accord with the strong influence that came from all corners. Lahauli food now is no more just potato and buckwheat. So before we loose our indigenous lifestyle altogether, I am making an attempt to have it saved here.

Everything we see in our lives has a story. That is why I love them so much, everything is here because it has a story. The story of your watch, city, friends and you! It's the background story that instills the element of curiosity and interest in any otherwise ordinary thing :)

Churning Home-made Butter :)

Story: Still looking up ;p

Step 1

Thickened Milk Cream

Step 2

Cream turning into lumps

Step 3 

Lump of ready butter and buttermilk