Joys of December ....

''Year's end is neither an end 

nor a beginning

but about going on 

it's all about being grateful 

and counting your blessings .....''

Ok ...I am getting back after a longish break and lots have happened  around me .
Seasons have changed, festivals came and went by .
 And as I am typing this post tucked in a quilt
totally enjoying the chill and a warm cuppa of masala chai...

Festivity is still in the air ....
Smell of hot orange cake ...
 Chrysanthum's in full bloom ...

These are the sweet days of the year ....

Reminiscing the monsoons ....

The dark black moody clouds have flown past. Thought the weather is still taking turns and cloudy skies  are painting  in hues of grey .

 The gentle cool breeze and intoxicating smell of moist earth ....

 Reminiscing the monsoons gone past .....

'' The rain began again .It fell  heavily ,easily with no meaning or intention with fulfilment of it's own nature , which was to fall and fall .''

 A flower can't grow without rain , 

Too much rain it parts and drowns .

Places I would like to visit ....

Kedareshwar cave ...in which there is a big Shivlinga  ,which is totally surrounded by water  .It is quite difficult to reach the Shivlinga as the water is icecold and waist deep .There are four pillars built around the Shivlinga  . N o one really knows  the history about the pillars ,but it is said that the pillars depict the four 'Yugas' of life -Satya Yuga , Tretha Yuga ,Dwapara Yuga and Kali Yuga . When aYuga comes to an end one of the pillar apparently breaks down .Three pillars have broken down and a local legend holds that when the fourth pillar breaks ,the world will come to an end....

In the Wild Woods ....

Summer is synonymous with hill stations and Nainital generally appears in the itinerary of most Delhites. Away from the humdrum of city life and in the lap of nature ,
 winding roads, peach laden trees pine and oak forests on either side.....
we headed for a quaint village ahead of Ramgarh.
Sitting out in the verandah watching the sun go down and the mountains dressed with warm orange glow .

At the break of dawn we would head for long walks breathing fresh mountain air , plucking Kaafal (wild berries found on the foothills of  Himalayas )and pausing to smell the flowers....

Wild sage 

Lavender ...

Several thousands of feet above the plains is supposed to be ''Abode of the Gods ''

Mukteshwar Dham

 350years old   Shiva temple .

 Shiva temple with intricate wooden carving ....

Serene landscapes ...

Breakfast under the apricot tree ...

Loud calls of the black francolin ..

Home baked breads and muffins ....

In short and crisp ...my stay in Sonapani was awesome !!!!!

Serene and soulful....

This is corner of my home where I like to sit back and enjoy '' my time ''.Early morning gentle cool breeze ,the sun shine and a cup of tea. .

And when the sun goes down the shadows chase the light....

I just love the silhouette created by the branches in the shadows.... the light filtering through making everything around very serene ....

All images : Radhika bhargava

Please ask for permission if you want to use the images .

Gathered some happiness....

A morning walk ,

  cool gentle breeze caressing me 

intoxicating fragrance of frangipani flowers .

Gathered some happiness and got back .

Plucked a twig from the flower laden bougainvillea  cascading down walls .

I sat back with my big cuppa of morning chai....absolutely blissful!!!!

''Half the joy of life is in little things taken on the run ....

but let us keep our hearts young and our eyes open that 

nothing worth our while shall escape .''

Spring around my home ....

''Through the primrose tufts in the green bower ,

The periwinkle trail its wreath ;

And 'tis my faith that every flower

Enjoys the air it breathes .''

The birds around me hopped and played 

Their thoughts I cannot measure 

 But the least motion which they made  

It seemed a thrill of pleasure....

Welcoming the Spring in my home .....