Thanksgiving 2020

 Thanksgiving is a time for family. It is all about togetherness, sharing a meal with your loved ones ,being thankful and grateful . Given the pandemic it will be a very different kind of celebration this year. Some families may even be doing a virtual thanksgiving celebration this year. It can still be a beautiful celebration if we all act responsibly and do our part to limit the spread of disease. 

I am so blessed and thankful this year that my parents are here with me on this special day. So I cooked a very simple menu ahead of thanksgiving day yesterday . It turned out to be simple but delicious . No traditions, no staples but a simple healthy heartful meal with my loved ones. What else can I ask for? Just feel blessed. My heart is full of gratitude . Sharing my plate with you . 

How do you plan to celebrate this day ?

DIY - Diwali Akashdiwa

 Diwali is next week. I am so excited to decorate the house for this big upcoming festival. Diwali is celebration of lights. Back home I used to make a "kandeel" or "akash diwa " every year to hang in our balcony (or patio ). Every year it was a big ordeal to go shopping for craft supplies along with my mom while she picked out groceries to make "faral " or sweets. So like my childhood days or actually a childhood tradition  I still make akashdiwa every year. Now my kids join in too. Fun crafting time with mommy. So here is our 2020 version of "akashdiwa" or "wind sock" as my kindergartener says .

Supplies -

Paper - Any kind that is thin and easy to  fold- crepe /glitter/cardstock/construction 

Scissors

Glue

Embellishments (optional )

Step by step instructions -

1. Fold the A4 size construction paper in half lengthwise .

2. Leaving a margin of about 1.5cm on either side start making linear cuts lengthwise starting from the folded edge(edge that is still together/bound from the fold ). Do not cut all the way to the open edges. leave about 2 cm from the top.

3. Open the sheet and add crepe ribbons to one of the sides (one that is longer in length )

4. Fold around and glue the sides together (at the shorter length) . 

5. Add embellishments as you wish. I used scraps of blue paper and cut out stars and hearts using a mini punch. Recycle and reuse . 

6. Punch holes and add a string/ribbon/yarn to hang it .

So which color is your handmade akashdiwa ?