Puzzles me, how things work around us, how each person reacts to a situation in different ways, how some things are taken for granted, how the day starts and ends and finally how we are still puzzled even at the end of all the chaos……………….

Can I be in control in all kind of situations, now this is something I like to talk….but I won’t start, it will get difficult to stop. But, yes…to a very decent extent.

The beautiful part of all this………..

In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.               -Robert Frost-

Rather than thinking why, I am used to thinking why not, it only sharpened the optimist side of me. Situation gets better or worse depending on how we handle it. Some need more consideration, whereas for some, we give unwanted attention. To prioritize is the important key. Put yourself as the focal point and start spinning right.

Now when it comes to hosting a party too, there is tension, anxiety, cluelessness and like few others would say, it’s a nightmare. Solving this puzzle was my best past time. Let me help you put this puzzle together….Make The List of everything needed for the party, I seriously mean writing it down. Puzzles can’t be solved in mid-air………

Stuffing up your head with all To do things would only lead to a headache, put it down on a piece of paper for some peace for yourself. Everything looks very clear and at times may even look much easier to handle.

It worked wonders for me, growing up with a notepad and a pencil…..hahahaha

A beautiful puzzle I solved long back and my favorite:

Cucumber Boats

I would consider this as an Appetizer salad, something light to stimulate the appetite as the first course of the meal. But if not stopped would seriously fill you up too.
Presentation is a key factor to attract guests and it’s not difficult to do too. Come up with color coordinated menu, garnish every item or just make the tableware attractive.

pleasant colors, pleasant mind and a very pleasant party………..

Cucumber Boats: Makes 6 servings (2 piece each)

• Cucumbers                               6 whole (5 to 6 inch ones)
• Carrots                                      3 cups grated
• Oil                                              1 1/2  tablespoon
• Mustard seeds                         3/4 teaspoon
• Green Chillies                          3 to 4 (as per taste)
• Peanuts                                     3/4 cup coarsely grounded
• Coconut Flakes                       1/4 cup (fresh or dry)
• Salt                                            3/4 teaspoon (as per taste)
• Sugar                                        3/4 tablespoon
• Lemon/lime                            1/2  or 2 tsp
• Grapes                                      for decoration
• Green bell pepper                  for decoration

Directions:

• Peel the cucumbers, cut them in to 2 halves horizontally.
• Scrape of the seeds, don’t throw them away, kids love them..
• Put these pieces of cucumber in the fridge, so that they stay fresh.
• Cut the bell pepper/ capsicum in strips to be used as sail.
• Have the grapes ready too.
• Wash, peel and grate the carrots.
• Heat olive oil on medium high in a deep saute pan.
• Add mustard seeds, wait till it starts to pop,
• Reduce the flame and add green chillies, fry them for 15 seconds
• Add grounded peanuts and coconut flakes, fry another 20 seconds
• Add grated carrots, salt and sugar, slowly mix them for another 5 mins or 3/4 done
• Switch off the heat, now add the lemon/lime juice.

Filling is ready for the boats.

Let the filling cool. Hot or warm filling would spoil the crunchy cucumber and make it soft, even shedding water.

Cucumbers could be uneven, to make them stable, use a peeler to peel some layer in the bottom. Fill them and decorate… use toothpicks to hold the grape and to make the sail.

Puzzle solved

Enjoy the crunch with your favorite drink for the evening………..