It feels like I’ve been away from the blog for so long. I miss baking and photographing for the blog so much. All the more because I thought that since I’m going to be baking at work, baking at home would naturally increase. But I surely didn’t weigh-in the part about traveling to work by train. For all my life, I’ve refrained from using the trains. If I absolutely had to, then I’d make sure it was on a public holiday or during non-peak hours so that I’d reach my destination without leaving the railway station looking disheveled and struck by a storm. Man, oh man, it’s a crazy world out there – I learned my lesson too late in the day that flip flops aren’t suited for Mumbai Railway. There has not been a day when my slippers haven’t been stepped on from the back less than 5 times a trip. And to top that I haven’t found All Stars in the colour I’d like or the design yet. Come to India, gorgeous Converse, won’t you? But you know what, it’s all worth it. Especially on the days we bake! One day we even visited a local bakery, where for the first time I walked through one of those huge refrigerators and freezers – the one’s I’ve only seen on television until now. Heck, I even got a private macaron-making lesson, courtesy Daniel!
And you know what, there is some excellent news! It is rather belated for me because I didn’t have a clue about this, and only realised with this tweet that The Purple Foodie is amongst the top 100 Food Blogs on Technorati! It’s somewhere around 60 now (changes everyday), and I’m quite amazed by it. Really? Amongst the top 100 blogs in the world? I owe you guys a huge thank you!
(Click on the image to see the labels on the individual items)
And some more… Here is a shot of some Paris loot that orangefoodie got for me! Thanks to Sweet Life in Paris, I knew that G. Detou and Mora are the places he absolutely must visit for all the things I need! I’ve wanted a French rolling pin for sooo long! And a Madeleine mould. And Tahitian vanilla (yay! I can check this off my 2010 To-do list!). And Fleur de Sel. And lots and lots of baking chocolate. I can’t wait to use all these things – oh la la I’m in baker’s heaven!
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{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Bombay locals are fun! I had to travel by trains daily when I was in junior college and I loved it!
You do need to know a few tips in order to survive. In addition to Anons excellent tips:
1. Five things you must ALWAYS keep in your bag.
– A candy bar, a handkerchief (not paper tissues), travel size deodorant, hairbrush & hand sanitizer.
2. If you're traveling by second, go to the compartment that is at the end of the train. It's the least crowded even during peak hours.
If you're traveling by first and don't have a seat, stand inside near the sitting area. It gets super crowded outside and the women are vicious!
3. If you're going to be commuting regularly, try to make small talk with other regulars on the train. There's a very good chance, they'll start saving a seat for you once they get to know you.
4. The sandwichwala at VT makes the best chicken and russian salad sandwiches.
Anon: Some excellent tips – thank you! The use-your-elbows tip really cracked me up!
Chait:yes! I just bought a hand sanitizer yesterday! Rest of them I have. I'm going to skip the candy bar – eating way to much sweet stuff while testing recipes. I think I'm going to thrown in a bag of salted nuts though!
I got to Dadar, so a mental note of the chicken at VT made for when I go there.
Anon and Chait: Thank you so much for spending the time for these tips – very valuable, indeed!
Congratulations! And lucky, lucky you. All the more to look forward to baking now.
I lived in Mumbai for about 8 months once and have visited very often, but one thing I cannot get used to are the trains!
Congratulations, and its no surprise, honestly – you have a great blog !! I am one of your recent followers and have made a lot of stuff from your blog over the last couple of months…All the best with the local trains – they are just something else !
haha anhytime shaheen!
forgot to add my name
- Namo
Heylo purple foodie.. congratualtions on technorati listing..
lucky you!!love your blog!!
Ally
(http://recipesfortheverydaywoman.blogspot.com)
I'm sure the baking makes up for all the hassle with trains
Super about the technorati listing! Congratulations!
Love fleur de sel, don't you. That's a super batch of goodies!
i've gone through all your posts and havent found any mention about the name or address of your pâtisserie. is it up and running or is it still under wraps?
sounds like 2010 is starting off great for you. happy new year Shaheen!
Good for u girl…way to go! Yes about All Star Converse. My daughter drove us MAD with what she wanted but her Grandmom got them for her from the US!What a great stash you got there…ENJOY!!
oooooh namo! thanks ya
and thank you all very much!
Anon: Not really under wraps – it's called Le 15. But there is nothing on the website right now, so once we set that up, I'm going to link to it. Should start off by March-April!
Just have to tell you, I love your blog! I always look forward to receiving your emails. Your pix are good too. Glad to hear that your blog is among the top 100 Food Blogs on Technorati! Congrats! You deserve it! At the rate you're going you'll be in the top 10 soon.
I love your blog!… I found it through the Foodie Roll and I am so excited I did!. I'll be around checking for more updates!.
Have a great 2010…
hey purple congratulations!. ((hugs))!. Well i am mighty happy and thrilled for all the loots that orange foodie got for u. The madeleine mould looks so adorable!. Forgive my ignorance waht is fleur de sel and what is it used for..
Your blog is such a fabulous one that it deserves to be in all the top places. Looking forward to some wonderful recipes this year too from you!!
That is a gorgeous color converse! I think it's the best I've seen!
Congrats on the technorati listing. Your stash from Paris looks like some fun times in the kitchen.
Mimi
Shaheen, I was just wondering…. have you seen the Converse stores at Linking Road and in Lokhandwala market. I didn't go in, but I thought they had good stuff. Why don't you check them out?
absolutely well deserved shaheen! i love ur blog…..paris is my fav city! and shopping for kitchen items from there or elsewhere is so much fun!
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