Before the school holidays started, I had a rough plan in my mind of how to keep Pari occupied and enjoying the 45 days long break. I was well aware that it won’t be easy and I must try to avoid getting worked up. However, how the summers turned out was nowhere close to what I had imagined.
The classical dance class in which I had been wanting to enroll Pari didn’t tutor children younger than 6 years, but given Pari’s keen interest in dancing, the dance teacher agreed upon giving a try. As expected, the very first day, Pari was overwhelmed by the instructions and also by the fact that none of the students in the class were less than 10 years of age. I tried hard to talk Pari through her apprehensions but the teacher asked us to come back next year.
The art and craft class Pari was due to enroll in didn’t happen when the mercury shot past 46 degrees centigrade. In short, I was left with no choice but to entertain my feisty child myself for the long summer vacations. Pari’s habit of waking up at the crack of dawn and not sleeping until 10 in the night didn’t help either.
For the sake of sanity and peace in our life, I cut down my work heavily, changed gears to become a kid myself and we happily spent the holidays cooking new recipes, playing carom, ludo, snakes and ladders, painting, drawing, origami, dancing, reading lots of books and of course watching cartoons on TV in between.
Finding time to blog or read any of my favorite blogs took a backseat. I limited my Internet time to keep Pari off the TV as long as I could. Though it made me restless and feeling frazzled at times but in the long run, I quite enjoyed the break from being stuck to the computer monitor for long hours.
Shopping and having fun at the fun-fairs added to the joy and crafty inspirations helping us stay afloat in the rather unbearable summers. The one thing I mastered was making huge soap water bubbles. The highlight were the many new recipes I tried and to my surprise, Pari too expanded her list of food favorites (including sweets) giving me some respite from worrying about how to keep her eating well.
Summer vacations are all about mangoes and revolve around them for so many reasons beyond their sweetness and tanginess of the green mango pickle. Making fresh mango ice-cream in plenty was one of the tastiest moments this summer.
Home- made Fresh Mango Ice cream:
Servings: 6
Difficulty Level: Easy
Ingredients:
- Ripe Alphonso Mangoes – 3 to 4 pureed
- Full cream milk – 450 ml
- Fresh cream – 3 cups
- Condensed Milk – 1 tin
Method:
- Whip the cream lightly until soft peaks form and set aside.
- Mix the pureed mangoes with milk and condensed milk. Gently fold in the whipped cream. You can add diced mango pieces for an extra bite.
- Churn it in an ice cream maker until set ( usually takes 20 to 25 minutes). If you do not have an ice cream churner, pour the prepared mixture in an air-tight container and leave it to set in freezer. Every 2 hours whip it well to avoid forming ice crystals. Ice cream sets well in 8 to 10 hours.
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The books that I read were mostly children’s books. I picked up a new pattern of reading books. Reading more than two books by the same author to get a better feel of their writing style. This has been inspired by the joy of reading the book sets I bought for Pari this year. Reading many books by the same author made me feel as if I could read beyond the written word getting closer to the author and his thought process.
I am currently reading this set of books by Ruskin Bond. I intend to review them all because each of these is so beautiful and unique in their own way just like every story written by Ruskin Bond ever is.
With the summer holidays done with, I’m back to the grind and also the blog. Finally writing my heart down feels so liberating. In my mind, I draft posts every single day, but it is only when I see them written down that I feel the weight shift off my shoulders. During the holidays, there were occasions when I was so driven to write that I picked up a pen and paper and spent an hour or so writing away without stopping to read, edit or even think of turning on my computer. I know, I keep getting these bouts of writing inspiration every now and then. But lately, I have come to respect my creative genius better than I feel I ever did before.
The one thing that I almost forgot to mention is the many movies I watched. Just like the books, they too were chosen to keep Pari’s interests in mind. Some of them I’d seen before but like all things, with age and experience my perception of them too have changed dramatically. A post or two on those lines too is on the cards in the next few days.
Despite reading and re-reading many books, there were times when I ran out of the bedtime stories. One evening, a solution to this problem struck me like a bolt of lightening. I decided to tell Pari the story of a Bollywood movie changing the plot to suit her liking. Since then, I am never short of story ideas. And one of those was ‘Mr.Natwarlal‘ that aired on TV a couple of days after I narrated it to Pari. To my dismay, Pari loved watching it for she loves watching the story come alive from her imagination.
Having spent so much time with Pari I got a chance to delve deep into my life, many aspects of parenting and also found answers to the many problems that I face on a daily basis. All of those moments of contemplation and finding enlightening answers are going to find a way in my writing in the coming days.
Among other things, traveling happened in form of a couple same-day-return trips to nearby places owing to the blazing heat.
How have your summers been?
What all did you do?
The song on my mind: Sab Tera ~ Baaghi
The Era I Lived In 
Good to note you and Pari had a great time!
Disappointing that Pari didn’t get to go for the dance classes but positive side of that is you and she had more time together.
That Ice cream looks great. Yum yum.
Looking forward to reading more posts from you soon.
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Long time TH how have you been?
I hope to get Pari in the dance class once she gets older. Fresh fruit ice creams are always fun to make and a treat to eat.
Happy summer time to you too 🙂
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Hola , such an awesome post .
With an ice cream recipe hidden in it .
Love the way you bring up your little princess 😚😚 with Reading and creativity habits.
A suggestion include Ruskin Bond children story books for her if she loves Reading 🙈🙈
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Oh yes Dixita, Pari loves listening to the Ruskin Bond’s children’s stories. His works are pure delight for everyone, young and old.
Am glad you enjoyed my post 🙂
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Oops there are already Ruskin bond novels in your collection 😚😚😍
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They sure are 🙂
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Love the way you are spending summer with Pari ME. Enjoy this time. And that mango ice cream is so yummy. 🙂
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This fresh mango ice cream is the highlight of our summers and has added a fun activity for us during school holidays 🙂
Thank you Dil ❤
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Wow, it looks like Pari enjoyed her summer vacs even though the major classes got cancelled! This post reminded me of the summer vacations I used to have during school days: just sitting around at home, playing games, watching TV, reading books and baking. And occasionally biting everyone’s head off with school homework and new stationery for the new academic year 😁
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Pari’s summer holidays are quite like you mentioned your vacations to be. Thankfully, reading is the highlight for my daughter too, that keeps me sane and content that all time isn’t being wasted. Both hers and mine 🙂
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I guess the cancelled classes led to quality time for Pari and you together 🙂 Your summer reminded me of my childhood summers! Mangoes obviously were (still are) an important part of this period especially the Alphonso.
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Too true Archana, Alphonsos are the highlight of summers and make the heat so bearable 🙂
I agree, in the end things did go well, and we ended up spending quality time.
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wow Mango ice cream. I am drooling here.
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Go make it LF, it’s fun to make and yum to eat 🙂
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Reminds me of the days we made it…long back.
Enjoy your sumers 👍
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Ice creams in summer holidays spell memories for everyone. May you too have a good time this summer 🙂
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Such a feel good post (Except Pari’s dance class. But, it’s okay. She will join next year and learn well). It’s good and important to understand your priorities and work accordingly. I am not able to read and write much these days (for some unknown reasons).
Will try this recipe. Thanks for sharing. And, I like this energetic song. 🙂
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Welcome to my online abode, Tarang 🙂
That’s true, in the end, we did spend some quality time together ad enjoyed the holidays, that’s what matters the most.
I’d love to know how you liked the ice-cream, in case you give it a try.
May you too enjoy your summers 🙂
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Oh, sad that she couldn’t join the dance and art class. But I am so glad that she had a fantabulous time with her mom 🙂 That mango ice cream? Heavenly! Thanks for the recipe. I’ve never tried making fresh ice creams. I will now!
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You should try making fresh fruit ice creams this summer, they are very easy, quick and Y.U.M.
I can’t wait for your posts and pictures ❤
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I can think of no better way to enjoy holidays with children! We learn a lot more about ourselves when we spend time with kids, than in any other circumstances. And I am sure you have realised that after these holidays with Pari 🙂
That Mango Ice cream looks delectable and I hope to make a batch of it, following your recipe. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Welcome to my blog Mayuri 🙂
When things don’t go as per plan, the disappoint can sometimes be difficult to shrug off. But the way our holidays turned out, was a huge relief.
I’d love to know how the ice cream turned out for you 🙂
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I cannot think of anything else but the mango ice-cream that you have shared here. I am craving for it now.
Ruskin Bond is such a versatile and prolific writer. Love his stories.
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Summers are all about Mangoes and ice creams in one form or the other. Have them both in plenty and have a great time!
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I have really started enjoying reading your posts (I steer clear of parenting/children/food blogs for reasons of my own )
But your posts are so personal and I can relate to them so easily as they are peppered with real life emotions of facing situations that crop up every day. Shifting gears without complaining is an art and I must compliment you for it – your child is going to be one happy, independent and well adjusted one in the years to come!!
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Thank you, Shalini for the encouraging words and those beautiful wishes ❤
I'm touched by the fact that you've chosen to break the rule of steering clear of parenting blogs to make mine an exception.
It's a pleasure having you around 🙂
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