Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mothers do not really care about getting a big expensive gift for Mother's Day from their little ones. Our attention, time, love and care is all she need. An inexpensive personalized gift can show your feelings for her. One day is not enough, but it is good to dedicate one day to celebrate and cherish the special bond between mommies and us. There are few gifts ideas to make your mom feel happy and pamper her back <3

A Letter: 

You can write about an incident, a fun vacation and attach some picture with it too. Post this letter to her. 

Spa and Saloon Visit:

Who would not like to sit relax and spend some quality time on herself! Massages, facial, manicure and pedicure will definitely make her day. If your budget allows gift her membership card of a good spa and saloon near her.

Fitness Club Membership:

Every person should take care of their body. Mothers are very much concerned about everyone but themselves. If you gift her this, she won't have any excuse for time or weather.

 Hobby Classes: 

Art craft or a musical instrument class would be great for her. If she has a busy schedule, you can opt for short duration classes as chocolate making, candle making, baking classes.

Relaxation, Meditation DVDs:

Find a peaceful insightful guided meditation DVD for her. Mediation can combat anxiety, trouble falling sleep, stress. This would be a valuable gift.

Yoga  DVDs:

She can practice yoga at her pace and comfort. Do some research and find a good yoga DVD for beginner. 

Posters of Her Favorite Movies:

This might be a bit difficult to search and get. But it is something she would definitely like. Be ready to listen some interesting dialogue delivery from her.

Essential Oil Kit: 

These glass bottles might look tiny but they can do wonders if used appropriately. Gift her some Essential oil kit which comes with a book about how to use. You can find some essential oil blends online

http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Undiluted-Therapeutic-Patchouli-grapefruit/dp/B00WT7N4ZA/ref=pd_sim_121_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=418Qpfo4DiL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0D78T276GXXXDRSW8KVG

Books or Kindle:

If she loves to read nothing can beat a good book. If your budget allows than go for light weighted electronic device which she can carry wherever she like. 

Cool Kitchenware: 

Is your mom passionate cook, if the answer is yes than don't think twice, go for funky vegetable cutter, bakery accessories. 

Social Media Class:

If your mom is not familiar with Facebook, Whatssapp and Skype, this is the time you set up a class. You could be the teacher and help her through the doubts. Set up her accounts and now you can chat whenever you want. She will feel more confident.

Movie and Dinner Night:

Go out watch a movie together. Dine at her favorite restaurant. Give her your attention and time. Reserve seats well before time. Request staff to play her favorite songs. Don't forget to ask somebody to click a picture.

Plants and Bonsai:

While flower bouquet might last for a few days plant will remind her of you. In some faith gifting plant has symbolic meaning. Do your research and gift her some exotic plants like Orchid, air purifier like Aloe-vera, Snake plant or Mother in law's tongue. You can gift miniature garden or Bonsai.

A Trip:

Keep in mind her calendar, likes and dislike in mind. Plan in well advance, go and have fun. Don't forget to click so many picture!!!

Way North...

It was third week of February 2016, despite snow and chilly winters we chose Grand Marais to be our winter vacation destination. I read in some magazine "Its easy to reach here but hard to leave" and thats absolutely true. I am back from vacation but my heart is still there. Would you like to walk with me to Up North? Yes. Lets go....

We left Plymouth around 5 am, it was a cloudy day. We took highway 35 N and then highway 61 N.

It was not snowing that day and highways were very well maintained.

We stopped at rest area to have some masala chai I bought from home with milk rusk. As soon as we drove past this rest area, there was this huge wolf right in front of our car, I screamed "STOP" in excitement. This beige colored guy was so smart he scanned both direction and crossed the road very carefully. I was so astonished that I could not even click a picture. But that incident is very well stored in my memory. We stopped at Gooseberry Falls, It was quite and less crowded as compare to last time we were there. I shared the wolf incident on Nature Observation Board.

Fall was frozen and there was only a small pond of running water beneath the falls as you can see in the picture. We spotted many deers on our way to Grand Marais. Deers are so fast I could only click this one pic, which is of not a very good quality.

We stayed at Art House BnB with our awesome host Rose, Jay and Innis Arrowsmith Decoux. 

As soon as we reached there, after meeting and greeting our hosts, we ran towards the harbor. It was at walking distance from our stay. Sweet ocean was cover with ice crystals, and those crystals were splashing on the shore, it was like a child stirring a straw in a bowl full of crushed ice.

We roamed around the shore and clicked a few pictures. I collected few stones with different designs over them. Look at the picture below closely you will see a different kind of pattern, ice created this beautiful snake skin pattern over the rock.

 

 We hiked Grand Flint Trail the next day, did some snow shoeing and had awesome dinner with live music at Gunflint Tavern.
Grand Marais is a small town, a serene and calm place away from crowd and chaos. This town is a magnet for artist and writers.

We did some research about Aurora Boleros or Northern Lights. Cook county is a good place to spot this beautiful phenomena. There was 50% chances to spot Northern Lights that day, but non stop snow fall spoiled it :(

Gifts from USA to India

Who does not like gifts??? Almost, everyone. Specially when you bring something different from the other part of world. It's easy to shop gifts in India than in USA. In USA handmade items are very expensive and not easily available. Most of the stuff is made in China. Which is easily available in China's neighboring country India. Not many fellas find this fact exciting and you may get response like; "Ye to yahan bhi mil jaata hai!(One can get it here as well!)", So what to buy "Jo wahan nahi mileage!! Well now a days you can get anything in India too. And since we are Sanskraari so we have to get something for everyone. So let's walk through these not that expensive, yet meaningful gifts ideas:

* Avoid buying electronics item to shun immigration and international warranty, guaranty issues.
** Shop during Black Friday, Memorial Day, Christmas shopping events, to get heavy discounts.

For Girls:
1. Fashion Jewelry
2. Coats
3. Winter wears
4. Perfumes

5. Handbags
6. Electric pedicure machine
7. Makeup kits
8. Shower gels
9. Hair extensions
10. Manicure kit
11. Cosmetics
12. Gloves and mittens


For Him:
1. Scarves
2. Hats
3. Ties
4. Funky tee shirts
5. Waterproof insulated gloves
6. Winter wears
7. Cufflinks
8. Shirt studs
9. Tie clips
10. Active wears

For Seniors: 

1. Electric heating pad

2. Wearable personal alarm pendant

3. Walking stick

4. Magnifying glasses
5. Handy light weight LED torch
6. B.P. Monitors
7. Blood sugar monitors
8. Knee and joints caps
9. Suger free delights
10. Dietary supplements


For New Mommy and Little One:
1. Breast pumps
2. Maternity wears
3. Baby teether
4. Microwave safe bottle sterilizers
5. Baby monitor
6. Insulated food jar and thermos
7. Baby nail clippers
8. Cute training toothbrushes

For Everyone:
1. Chocolates
2. Flavored green tea
3. Cushioned socks
4. Fleece ear warmer
5. Green tea infuser
6. Baking accessories
7. Handy tool kits
8. Waterproof shower speaker
9. Funky ice cube trays
10. Bar and wine tools and accessories
11. Coasters
12. Veggie spiralizer or pasta maker for health cautious friends.
13. Garlic press
14. Funky vegetable cutter
15. Posters of hollywood movies, city and landmarks
16. Fridge magnets
17. Bottle opener
18. Card cases
19. Money organizer
20. Active wears
21. Wall stickers
22. Tapestries

23. Snow globes
24. Essential oil diffuser
25. Mini LED night lamps
26. Wooden letters
27. Pedometers
28. American currency in origami boxes
29. Cookies
30. Home decor pieces with American flag on it.

Happy shopping guys, I hope everyone appreciate your gifts and efforts for buying, packing and carrying them all the way from USA to India.

Packing for USA from India

Many Desies travel every year for jobs, studies and other reasons to the land of opportunity. USA is developed country where you can get whatever you want under the sun. You just have to spend some extra bucks. Which off course we multiply with 60 for first few months. Limited luggage, sweets made by mommy, gifts by friends, favorite dresses, so many documents agghhh!! Its hard to leave something special or important behind.
Do not go for every other favorite items, pack smart, keep in mind what essential you would need in everyday life, which you might not get there easily, what you gonna need and may last through out your trip!! Think... Think.... Another funda is, that you should pack small and inexpensive stuff that you need to buy just once.
I hope this article helps you in your packing and stay.


Must Pack:

Documents: 

1. Passport
2. Visa
3. Confirmed tickets.
4. Original birth certificate.
5. Marriage certificates and photo showing religious wedding ceremony.
6. Senior citizen certificate to get discounts.
7. Driving license ( in some states you can drive motor vehicle for first 60 days if you have valid driving license from your country).

8. Medical certificates, test reports, prescriptions.
9. Degrees and mark sheets.
10. Money: Indian currency just to use on air port. US currency.
11. Passport size photos.
12. First aid kit.

Good to Pack:

For Everyone:

1. Some instant ready to eat dry and packed snacks or meals because you would be tired after 20+ hours of long flights e.g; Oats umpa, noodles, soups.

2. Pressure cooker, so that you don't miss those whistles, kidding, If you like Indian food, you need it.
  bring extra gascet.
3. Microwave safe idly maker.
4. Basic kitchen utensils, pinwheel, nonstick flat saucepans and tava.
Extra Tip: Utensils should be flat bottom since in USA burners are flat. Fill those utensils with packed food or clothes to save space.
5. Kitchen towels.
6. Nail clippers
7. General medicines, please bring doctor's prescription.
8. Religious books.
9. Phone covers.
10. Cotton towels, gamusa or gamchha.
11. Reading glasses, its very expensive here, so you better pack one extra.
12. Fine cotton bed sheet and top sheet. Check standard measurement for beds on internet.
13. Green tea.
14. toothbrushes.
15. Tongue cleaner
16. Extra shoe laces (thank me later ;)




For Her:

1. Mehendi cones.
2. Indian ethnic dresses and footwear.
3. Hair accessories, hair pin, rubber bands, hair bands etc.
4. Bangles.
5. Scarfs, shawls.
6. Bindi

For Him:

1. Belts.
2. Wallets.
3. Handkerchiefs.
4. Mufflers
5. Leather shoes.

There are few things you may wish you had pack once you reach here:

1. Essential oils.
2. Family  photos.
3. Woolens knitted by loved one to get special warmth.
4. Indian mouth freshener, dry paan, supari etc.
5. If you are a fan of Ayurveda get those jadi booti, with a prescription off course.
6. Get some made in India handicraft items for new friend you will make here, key chain, show pieces.

What NOT to Pack:

1. There is no point of packing spices, lentils, and other food if you are going to stay for long. You will find everything here, fresh and not that expensive.
2. Do not buy heavy jackets and coats in India, you will need heavy winter wears to beat winters in colder region, so better shop from here.
3. Ladies please don't shop and pack western dresses from India. You will get better quality for less money in here.
4. Crockery, knives, hangers, kitchen utensils, glassware.

* If you gonna stay for longer time, do check with your banker or CA regarding your bank accounts, property and taxes.
** Discontinue your mobile, dish, internet, gas and electricity connection.
*** You can convert your mobile connection to pre paid, to get free incoming sms.

The Legend of Noh Ka Likai

This tallest plunge waterfall in India is situated in Sohra Meghalaya, near Cherapunjee which is the wettest place on Earth. It's height is 340 meters. By crushing solid rocks gradually water created a small pond at the bottom of cliff. This place is less explored.

There is a twisted sad story behind the name of this beautiful water fall. The story is about a mother, Ka Likai who happen to remarry after the death of her husband. She used to work as a porter. One day when Ka Likai came home after work, look around for her daughter. Husband served him meal. She used to eat betel nuts and leaves after meal, so she went looking around her beetle cutter, found fingers of her innocent daughter besides the cutter. Ka Likai realized that her jealous husband killed  poor daughter and cooked her meat. After realizing it Ka like ran around madly and jump off the edge of water fall which is now know as "Noh Ka Likai Falls".
The horrific story behind the name gives an eerie sense. This place is quite, away from chaos and noises. Clouds, vegetation and color of rocks creates a heavenly canvas, water falls from cliff very peacefully but the story can make you restless.

Duluth Hot Air Ballon Fest Sept'15

Where the crystal clear water of world's largest fresh water lake meets the endless horizon, diverse community celebrates fun events together, beautiful seaport and aromatic cafes are in abundance that city is known as Duluth.

Bayfront Festival Park:

For the first time I with my friends went to this beautiful city in September 2015, during Hot Air Ballon Fest.
Unfortunately, due to wind speed it was not safe to inflate the balloons that day! But I could observe how do they operate these giants. Military band in the Bayfront Festival Park was playing 80's and 90's songs, couples, kids were dancing, everyone was having a good time. Kiwanis Kite Fly started in the morning and they gave away 5,000 kites for free. Vibrant mermaids, butterflies and American flag were coloring the sky.

Since balloons were not taking off we were walking by the shore, we were walking around the shore and saw one big ship was ready to pass the aerial bridge, which connect shores. I could capture a video of its functioning.

Craft Brew Village and Helicopter Ride:

In the Craft Brew Village so many outlets were showcasing various fine locally crafted beer. These guys were happy to help anyone and were educating people about local microbreweries and national crafted beer. To taste these beer one had to buy coupons at the cash counter and than you can taste and decide which beer you want from various breweries. There were many food trucks serving tasty treats. A few craft stores were selling vibrant hot air balloons made of paper  and other beautiful crafts items. It was a great combination of beer, live military band, helicopters, hot air ballon and lake Superior. Superior Helicopters were offering good tour deals. It was for 50$ per person to fly over Twin Port and various landmarks. It was one of a best experience of my life. From up there I could see how huge Lake Superior is. I was in air flying around not in hot air ballon(as planned) but helicopter.

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