Random Spring flower pictures from around Cary and Raleigh - NC

Spring season is my favorite season. Renewal of nature and warmer temperatures  bring energized spirits of hope and joy. I love the vibrant magical scene all around city filled with  gorgeous colorful flowers, a perfect time of the year  to enjoy the outdoors.  Following  flowers are captured around home except Magnolia flower pictures are taken while driving in Raleigh area. I will be making few more posts covering Spring bloom around my city. It's my pleasure to share the following  pictures with you. Enjoy!!

My very first spring flower capture - Dandelion

Bradford pear bloom around my home - First week of March.

Check following two pictures of Bradford pear flowers, they are taken one week apart.

Above picture after one week, feel the difference.

Single Daffodil in the lawn

Pink Magnolia Tree in full bloom

Pink Magnolia - beautiful mix of white and pink shade

Honeysuckle flowers

Yellow Forsythia bloom out side Walgreen Pharmacy store

White Dogwood bloom

Red Dogwood bloom

Wisteria in bloom

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ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 - A day of memorable Victory and Joy.

ICC Cricket world cup 2011 was the tenth cricket tournament played on 2nd April 2011. It was impressive remarkable performance by India team, they  became World Champions in one day Cricket after 28 years. I am not cricket fan and I rarely watch cricket match but  this day  marked a very special memory because after 13 years  my family watched live cricket match on our home TV. ICC world cup spirits were high  in my city. All desis secured their spot to enjoy live match  either on internet, temple, restaurant or at friends home. This enthusiasm and spirit of oneness initiated us to subscribe willow TV live streaming via our Roku box, we just paid 25$ and were set to enjoy live relay of ICC world cup 2011.I took some random  pictures from TV screen. I am creating this post to record memories of watching ICC Cricket world cup 2011... Enjoy !!

Congratulations and Thanks team India  for giving us moments to feel  proud.

Bollywood celebrity Sunil Shetty.

~~~~~~Srilanka finished batting.~~~~~~

I had no idea that cricket  bats do break while playing.

Broken cricket bat was replaced during ICC world cup match.

 Amir Khan and Rajanikant in the audience.

India Won ICC Cricket world cup 2011.

Harbhajan Sing's emotional moments after world Cup victory.

ICC World Cup 2011 - Winners after 28 years......

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An Autumn Day drive from Raleigh to Cary on a beautiful cloudy Day.

A  pleasant  morning during fall season, On 16th November 2010.. I was driving from Raleigh to Cary around 7.30 am, weather was  very pleasant, cloudy with lovely mild golden sun rays all around. I  captured following pictures with  cell phone camera (Samsung-SGH-A877) at certain catchy spots. In future I will be posting more pictures from my daily early morning drive. Enjoy!!

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Thai flavored Spicy Baingan with Lal Mirch Tadka - garnished with purple Basil and Cilantro

I enjoy Chinese and Thai dishes for their distinct  taste, they are full of flavor and nutrients. I  mostly cook veg and non-veg stir fries by using basic Asian and Thai cooking ingredients. This simple eggplant stir fry has Thai flavor. It is quick to prepare and tastes spicy, sweet and sour. Fresh purple basil and cilantro infused extra herbal aroma. Try this stir fry when you crave for something Asian.

Ingredients :-

• 3 Cup heaped - 1 inch chunks  of eggplant. ( I used three 6-7 inches long Chinese green egg plant)
• 1 Medium size onion - cut lengthwise
• 1 whole garlic - cut each garlic clove lengthwise
• 4-5 whole dry red chilies - break in 1.5 inch pieces
• 1 T.spoon fish sauce (vegetarians can skip and use little extra soy sauce)
• 1.5 Tb.spoon malt vinegar (regular vinegar can be used)
• 1 T.spoon soy sauce
• 1 T.spoon brown sugar
• 1/2 Cup - chopped purple Basil ( green is fine too)
• 1/2 Cup - chopped fresh cilantro

Cooking Process :-

1. In a small size thick gauge skillet heat 1 tablespoon oil. Toss in  red chilies, stir and sizzle  for 20 seconds. Now add onions and stir fry on medium heat for 5-6 minutes until onions turn soft and translucent.
2. Now add garlic and stir fry for 1 minute on medium heat. Pour one tablespoon Malt vinegar, stir and mix  with onions - saute for 1 minute. Add fish sauce, mix well - stir  for one  minute.
3. Add eggplant, mix with onions..Increase heat to medium high and cook by stirring continuously. During this process allow onion and eggplant pieces to catch few burnt spots, this will bring nice smoky aroma to the stir fry. If you find it too dry then add one tablespoon water. After 4 minutes sprinkle half tablespoon Malt vinegar, brown sugar and one teaspoon soy sauce over eggplant. Reduce heat to medium low and let it cook for 4-5 minutes or until eggplants get tender. This recipe don't require salt because fish sauce and soy sauce makes it salty. If you skip using fish sauce then add  half  teaspoon  more soy sauce. You may add little salt as per your requirement.
4. Finally garnish with basil and cilantro. Enjoy with roti or rice.

Pot grown purple Basil during summer time.