Strange title, eh? Of cakes and personal development. All will be clear in a moment!
Would you agree that there’s nothing more exciting to the senses than passing a bakery and inhaling the fragrance of cakes, breads and other savories as they assault your nostrils? A few years ago, we wished there was a bakery opposite our apartment complex – and soon that wish was granted. The name of the bakery is aptly “Oven Fresh” and we are regulars there. I mean, how hard is it to crave for a piece of cake and just walk across the road to get it? Not hard at all. It is a piece of cake!
So here is a quick preview of what was on offer yesterday. The extra charm is how they spell each flavor. Sometimes they write the right spelling and then “correct” it – but hey, I am not there to proof read – I am there to indulge because cocho chips is still choco chips to me!
Of Cakes
What you see below is “mini pizzas” No idea why they’re shaped as squares. But they’re delightfully tasty.
These are curry puffs – crisp with vegetable filling. And quite filling.
The bakery also has a few ready made cakes – lots of people order birthday and other celebration cakes with them in various designs. This bakery chain is quite well known.
Then, recently, Baskin Robbins opened an outlet in our area. So we had to go welcome them and socialize. With the ice creams I mean.
And now, let’s go join Unknown Mami at her place and see what the others are up to!
Of Personal Development
I’ve got to tell you this.
I was catching up on posts in my mailbox and saw a mention of the nominations for the “Top 50 personal development bloggers of 2012” – remember I had requested you to please vote for Elle Sommer? So I thought I’d go check out what’s happening over there. When I saw over a thousand comments, I decided I’d just wait for the email update, which Steven Aitchison is sure to publish.
Then, out of curiosity, I looked at who made it to the nomination list. Imagine my stunned surprise to see my name at no.45, nestled with all those mega personal development bloggers. Hmm. It reminded me of last year’s nominations, when someone contacted me for something – and when I asked them how they found me – they said I was in the list of nominees for 2011. Quite amazing, wouldn’t you say? There’s a huge badge for this, but I am not displaying it here, now.
It is enough for me to see the smiles on the faces of the lives I touch on a daily basis. A squeeze of the hand. A warm hug. A phone call. An email – to let me know I made a difference for the better.
I am grateful to be remembered with love. All I want to do is be kind, giving and loving. In this context, please may I share one of my most favorite poems? It is by Leigh Hunt – and I learned it in Grade 6 – a crucial year in my life. More about that in another post. For now, here is the poem – it moves me to tears – and please do tell me what you think about it.
Abou Ben Adhem
by James Henry Leigh Hunt
Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold:-
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the presence in the room he said,
‘What writest thou?’ – The vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered ‘The names of those who love the Lord.’
‘And is mine one?’ said Abou. ‘Nay, not so,’
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerly still; and said ‘I pray thee then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow-men.’
The angel wrote, and vanish’d. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had bless’d,
And lo! Ben Adhem’s name led all the rest.
That’s all I would ask for. To be remembered with love.
What is one poem that moved you, dear friends? Please share!
Have a great week ahead!
Beautiful pictures!! And I’m right behind you at #46!!
🙂 Hugs, Betsy. I noticed. I leaned back just a little – did you feel it? 😉 When you visit, I’ll take you to that bakery! Hugs!
Happy Sunday my dear friend! I’m not surprised at all to see you on such a distinguished list. Congratulations!
And now I’m craving some yummy cake.
HUGSSS
Terri
Love you Terri. Hugs! Yeah, I had a tough time drooling all over my keyboard posting those photos. Yum. I am smiling at your facebook status update. All cozied up eh? MMuah!
Congrats; how cool is that?
Great pics too.
Tastes good, Bill! 😀 Thank you and welcome to the new place! Like it? Hugs!
Love the desserts and ice cream pics! Not sure if Baskin Robbins makes ice cream cakes in India but they are the best!! Having a bakery across the street is a like a dream come true Vidya:)
Thanks for continuing to inspire us throughout the year and your high ranking on the top 50 pd blogs!
Oh Vishnu, they do, they do! We wanted to try them out, but it was rather late at night. Vidur is already paying the price for that with his cough…so we’ll wait until it is all better 🙂
Thank you for your comment! Hugs! Loved your “elimination” post!
Are you tryin’ to make us DROOL over here? ALL of that looks quite yummy and I can ALMOST smell it right through the computer screen.
Here in America the pizza they traditionally serve to school children is cut in squares or rectangles and therefore that shape of pizza is often referred to as “lunchroom pizza.”
The shape of the pieces makes no difference to ME ’cause it still tastes YUMMY.
Giggle, Keetha – No, I am not trying. I don’t have to! I had a tough time uploading those photos. Luckily, I did it after dinner, so my drool level was significantly lower. Ah, the shape makes no difference to me, either! This bakery is rather good!
Thank you, your comment has me laughing so hard! Hugs!
Congratulations on your award Vidya! And just to let you know I have nominated you for the Realiy Blog Award which I hope you will accept.
You can read more here:
🙂
Carolyn, I am so humbled. Thank you! But you know what I loved reading in your post? About your book. I am so eagerly waiting to read it. You are easily one of the best writers I know. Hugs!
You my dear Vidya are a huge inspiration to me. I love to read your posts, they’re so full of love and light, not to mention beautiful pics. But this time, forget about the cakes, and ice cream, I want some of those curry puffs – I’m drooling. And this from the cake queen of the century. What can I tell you.
Love Elle
xoxo
Elle, you’ll love them. I can’t understand it – but those puffs are an anytime snack. Fattening though, thanks to the friedness. 🙂 Still. Can always walk it off. I love how they consistently get them perfect, over the years. Ah, the good things in life are so simple, wouldn’t you say? Hugs! I wouldn’t say No to a huge chunk of “death by chocolate” cake from a particular bakery here.
Lovely! the ice creams, your enthusiasm, and you being nominated , . But we are not surprised. We know your are a warm person, who is touching lots of people’s lives daily, in a cheerful way!
Thanks Pattu. As I said, the smiles are enough. No trophies 😀 Hugs! You always make me feel warm and fuzzy inside!
Hi Vidya
After 8 hours of calculating all the nominees for the Top 50, and reading through 71 blogs, you have made it in the top 50 (number 16 no less 🙂 ) – congratulations.
I will be posting this tomorrow afternoon at about 3pm GMT and announcing the top 50 and the overall winners.
Congratulations, you deserve it.
Kindest regards
Steve
Steven, Once again, I am totally humbled. Thank you. I really appreciate that you came over to let me know. I’ll treasure this moment forever.
To make it to that Top 50 list, I feel, brings on the happy responsibility of being even more conscious to be the best person I can be and do everything I can to make my life meaningful. I am very glad to accept that.
Much love to you, Vidya
Congratulations Vidya!
You shouldn’t be surprised because you certainly do deserve to be on that list. 🙂 And you should display the badge too, whenever it’s possible.
Love the pictures as always….and you got my mouth all watering after going through them all!
Oh Harleena, did you see Steven’s comment above? I feel totally humbled. Yes, I think I will display the badge when he officially announces it.
😀 Bakeries are always so tempting, no? I confess I am drooling at my own post! Hugs! Always grateful for your support!
Congratulation!!That was great news, Vidya:) You can now have your cake and eat it too!!
Ah, Rahul, what a sweet comment! Yes. Do make it a point to get in touch when you visit Bangalore. Thank you! P.S.: Loved your latest post. Had me craving for more.
I love how we’re hanging out in the same places lately Vidya! One day we will hang out in person as well 🙂
I believe we will, Sandi! What fun that will be! I love how we are connected. Hugs!
Congrats! You deserve it, you are consistent and kind and real. Your genuine generosity of spirit shines through your writing. You feel like a best friend to all.
Jodi dearest, I will hold that compliment very very close to my heart! Thanks. Love you!
B E A U T I F U L.
I agree w/ Jodi.
You are everybody’s best friend.
We all love you. Xxxxx
Hugs, Kim – I bloom in the company of my friends. Love you!
Vidya, I would be in big, big trouble if there was a bakery across from my house! Those are mightily drool worthy. And the curry!
Lovely poem… I will have to think about my favorites. There are many.
Julie, I was telling someone that the worst time of day for work-at-home me is 11 am when the delivery truck comes by and they pass the loaded trays of cakes and savories back and forth. I can’t see it from where I live, but my nose does a “Goofy” as I strain to see from my verandah. 😀 Only my sense of control and deep-breathing exercises (which don’t help) keep me inside the house. Sigh. I make do with a salad.
Would love to know your favorite poems. Hugs!
So I sat down with a doughnut I just got at my favorite bakery and clicked to see what was up on your blog–how’s that for timing?! And of course you and the other excellent bloggers belong on that list. I’ll pop over and see who else is on it.
I love that, Galen. That happens to me, too – sometimes it is the answer to a question I was about to ask!
Actually I was pretty stunned to see me in the nominations list – and even more shocked to see me on the actual list. A label – a nice one.
The real touch is what matters most. Love you!
Congratulations Vidya! I am so happy for you! It’s so wonderful to see you up there at the top! Very well deserved! 🙂
Thank you, Victor – feels good to keep such great company, doesn’t it? Hugs!
Vidya,
I’m so happy to see your blog acknowledged as one of the best. Because it is! You have the most beautiful heart. Like you though, I believe this is what matters: “It is enough for me to see the smiles on the faces of the lives I touch on a daily basis. A squeeze of the hand. A warm hug. A phone call. An email – to let me know I made a difference for the better.”
I do have one complaint though! How could you tempt us with all these cakes?
It is a happy surprise for me, Sandra, to be on that list. I still go with the cuddles, though!
😀 The cakes..hmm. Right now it is that time of day when the bakery gets its fresh supplies for the day.So imagine my plight as a work-at-home-mom! Nostrils twitching like those puppies in cartoon films as they sniff out stuff!
Visit me, and we can both go indulge! Hugs!
Hi Vidya,
Yum… Yum… Yummy 😉 I feel guilty for coming here ’cause I’m hungry now 😀 lol…
Congratulations on being nominated dear 🙂 Just went there and see you in the list of 70 bloggers at #45 place. Really wonderful 🙂
[Checking the latest post on the site where you were nominated]
Oh no… no… no… You are in #7 Vidya ~ http://www.stevenaitchison.co.uk/blog/the-top-50-personal-development-blogs-of-2012-2 😉
Wooohooo… You are in the TOP 10 🙂
Now Parrrrrtyyyyy…
Enjoy your week with the award dear 🙂
Cheers…
Mayura! You always make me smile! I love how cheerful you are! Party yes – on the condition that you come over! 😀
Thanks for your support, always!
Congrats on making the list Vidya. Very much deserved.
Hey, I tried to subscribe and I keep getting an error.:( Just thought I would let you know.
Welcome, James! Thanks so much for letting me know about the subscribe form – all fixed now! May I invite you back to subscribe? 🙂
Already done! =) did it through the comments!
The cakes look yummy! I have been indulging in the past few days myself.
Congratulations on making it to the list! You deserve it! Much love to you!
Sometimes it feels so good to do that, doesn’t it, Evelyn? I am nursing a rather large bar of dark chocolate right now. Sigh. It’s Christmas time!
Hugs! Thanks so much for your lovely comment!
Hi Vidya. Yeay.. U made the list. Deservingly so! U’ve been giving without asking in return, do you need more reason to be loved? Hugs..
I love this poem! Thanx for sharing.. and the last thing I’m gonna tell you is that the bakery offerings look like those from our part of the globe too, the mini pizzas, currypuffs, cakes!
Thank you, Mama Tim. With a little help from my friends…. 🙂
I am glad you liked the poem – it has been one of my most favorites for decades now!
Love bakeries. There’s something about their presence that makes the whole area so welcoming! 😀 Hugs!
I dream of a bakery opening in my neighborhood. I would go all the time.
The cakes I could avoid but all the savoury items would be very hard! But I am trying to watch my weight!
The extra charm is how they spell each flavor. Sometimes they write the right spelling.