The Nair Newsline
What's up
Two birthdays, three parties- Aman Nair and close cousin Rishabh Mannar have their birthdays on the same day, same month. Their birth dates are exactly one year apart! So this year, on the double duo's birthday, which, by the way, is on November 8th, you'd expect two parties, But this time, there were three parties, all in the Nair (and extended) family. For Aman's other cousin Arjun, this year turning one, born just three days earlier than Aman & Rishabh, chose to host his party on the same date. While Arjun's family and friends celebrated at a resort in Dehli, Aman had a super fun day at the zoo checking out animals with his sister and parents, and Rishabh partied with his family and friends through the evening. So let's all wish Rishabh (4), Aman(3) and Arjun(1) a very very happy birthday!!!
W.A.G.S- Do you support wildlife? I sure hope so! Every time I pick up a book about an animal, what do I see? The phrase “many species of _____ are endangered”! People don't seem to care about wildlife anymore. W.A.G.S is a group made up by two children from the Nair family- Aman Nair and Karuna Nair. W.A.G.S stands for Wildlife. Animals. Greenery. Support.Help wildlife by not littering, buying eco-friendly products, (some companies test stuff on animals when it's not needed) spreading the word, planting trees and bushes (so that there will be homes for frogs, rabbits, badgers, moles and butterflies) and last but not least, if you know a wildlife support company, raise money and donate 50% or more of your earnings to wildlife.
(Check the W.A.G.S website at supportwildlifeatwags.blogspot.com )
Laugh a Lot
What were the two French firemen's names?
Hose' and Hose B!
What did one rose say to the other?
Hello, Bud!
What did the bee say to the flower?
Hello, Honey!
A boy had a punishment and was to write a recount of what he did last night in 50 words or more so he wrote- I lost my cat last night and I said “Here, kitty kitty kitty kitty...”
Where do baby apes sleep?
In an apricot!
What's black and white and rolls?
The nun that fell down the hill.
What's black and white and goes ha ha?
The nun that pushed her!
What bird can write?
Penguins!
Fantastic Food
Our chefs... so far! YOU can join as a chef by submitting recipes to karunanair99@gmail.com .
Vinod Nair, a top baker
Renu Nair , loves cooking indian sweets
Karuna Nair, likes to make up recipes
Rashmi Menon, likes to try out recipes
Note- From now, each recipe will be marked with a sign-
§-An easy and fun recipe of one of your favorites
©- You may of heard of this, but it's still cool and new
¤- This is definitely a cool, scrumptious creation you have to try
Chocolate cups ¤
To make the case-
Take a small,clean balloon (that's been blown) Pour melted chocolate that's not runny, but not hard-just slightly gooey mixture- over the bottom half (not where it's been tied)of the balloon. Now freeze it in the fridge . When it's set, cut of the tie of the balloon. Empty the deflated balloon out of the chocolate case.
To make the handles-
In a tray, squeeze chocolate (the same that you used for the balloon) out of an icing bag into these shapes-
Freeze the shapes. Now heat up a small spoon very slightly and touch it to the two straight ends of the handle. They will begin to melt. 'Glue' a handle to one side of the cup. Now freeze till you serve it, so the handles will stick firmly.
Serve chocolate cups with sweet fillings- suggestions: Serve a trifle inside the cup by putting in custard, ice cream, small pieces of cake, strawberries. Top with whipped cream, strawberries and small chocolates (Smarties, Gems, boiled sweets, Morish nuts) You can also fill the cup with white chocolate mousse, chocolate mousse and some berries.
Palak Paneer Bhurji §
Ingredients- 500 gms spinach leaves washed & chopped, Cottage cheese- 150gms, onion-finely chopped-1, tomatoes-finely chopped-2, garlic-8-10 pods- finely chopped, green chillies sliced-4, ginger paste- 1tsp, garlic paste-2tsp, butter-25gms, jeera powder-1/2 tsp, red chili powder-1tsp, coriander powder-2tsp, coriander leaves-1/2 cup finely chopped,salt to taste,oil.
Method: Heat oil, fry the garlic & once it turns brown add the chopped spinach & fry & alo add a little salt. Once done, keep aside. In another pan heat some oil- add the ginger paste & garlic paste. Once it becomes brown, add the chopped tomatoes & fry till oil separates. Then add the red chili powder, coriander powder & the Netra powder. Stir fry & put aside. Finally in a pan, heat the butter & fry the onions until golden brown, add the tomato mixture & the cooked spinach mixture. Stir fry for 2 mins. Crush the cottage cheese & add to this. Saute for 2 mins. Then add the slit green chillies & the coriander leave & stir fry. Serve hot with rotis.
This recipe from Rashmi Menon.
The World of Imagination
The Magic Rabbit
The following night, Beth lay absorbed in a dream about her meeting a thousand rabbits. But just as she was drifting of to sleep, a small creaking noise disturbed her. She woke up with a start to find herself on a wet patch of grass. Rolly sat next to her, his shiny black eyes gleaming. He started to hop off, and so Beth, though she was startled and frightened, followed him. They went along the top of a hill, and came to a huge cave. They both entered the cave and sat down. Beth was feeling very scared now. She whispered to Rolly “Do you know where we are going? I’m getting scared.” Rolly, who surprisingly understood what she said, answered “Don’t get scared. We’re visiting my city, Porietta.” Though Beth felt somewhat better, she felt sad at the thought of her parents worrying over her absence. Rolly, as if reading her mind, said “You will be there at home, but your real self will be here. I know you do not understand, but just trust me.” Just then a bell rang and the mouth of the cave opened. A beautiful city, lit up with lights was what Beth saw. Two big rabbits, about her parent’s size, stood on the neat fields holding bright purple torches. “Hello Rolly” they both shouted and they hugged him. “You must be Beth” said the one who looked a female. She wore a yellow skirt and red top, and was very pretty. “Rolly has told us all about you” said the other one. He had specs and wore a green nightshirt and purple shorts. “Are you Rolly’s parents?” she asked anxiously. “Why, yes my dear. I’m Sylvia and he’s Bob” said the female one. “We’d better go back to the house and have some sleep. You can meet your friends tomorrow, and you’d better show Beth around” Bob said quickly. They soon reached a tidy little cottage. Bob took her to a small room and gave her a bed to sleep in. Soon she was dreaming again.
Beth woke up to find everyone up and about. Sylvia was chopping vegetables; Bob was reading the newspaper. Rolly was eating porrietan toast. Bob showed her the bathroom; she washed and then joined Rolly at breakfast. As they munched the toast Rolly told her “Princess Stella has organised a feast this evening. My friends, our parents , you and I are to attend. You’ll be told everything today and you can explore too.” Beth did not reply but wondered who Princess Stella was and whether she’d like Beth. She’d heard stories of grand princesses who were cruel and selfish. She did not know that Porietta was an animal city; she thought Sylvia and Bob had owners and Rolly had been born to them. After that Sylvia gave her a bright red and yellow gown with scarlet roses made of velvet to wear. She set off with Rolly, who was now as tall as her. They met Sly Squirrel and Brownie Bear on the way. The four of them sat down on a long red bench. Sly Squirrel whispered to Rolly “Hi Rolls, is this your friend Beth?” “Yes Sly. Before playing, we’d better explain it to her; otherwise she’ll sit without understanding it and won’t be able to do anything” was Rolly’s reply. “Explain what to me?” asked Beth, who was wondering at how a squirrel could be as big as herself. “You’ll find out soon enough” said Brownie. Sly mumbled “Rolls, she’ll know everything at the feast. Let’s go to the park!’ “Alright” muttered Rolly. Meanwhile, Beth was in a different world, wishing she could meet the animal’s owners, who according to her, existed, and wondering if Brownie Bear was trained.
(To be continued...)
Art and craft -Christmassy Creations
Springy Christmas Designs
Cut out a template of a Christmas design. Trace on coloured paper and cut out. Cut small strips of paper and fold to make small springs. Decorate the Christmas cut-outs and stick together with a spring joining each one together. You have a springy Christmas design!
Golden Pine Cones
Take some pine cones. Clean them fully. Paint them either gold ,silver, or the Christmas colours- red and green. While wet, sprinkle with the matching colour glitter. Tie a long piece of ribbon round it, making a bow while also leaving enough ribbon at the top to tie to your tree, stocking, or just for decoration.
Stick your nose in a book!
Kids
20,000 leagues under the sea- A must read!
Geronimo Stilton Series- Fun for fiction
Double Act (by Jacqueline Wilson)- Cool and fun
Little Ones
Little kids love looking at pictures from animal info books. Don't read them the text though- they'll probably run away!
Toddlers also love animal books. (fiction ones)
Also Try-
Brer Rabbit
Bing!
Katie Duck
Super Survey
This month we interview Rashmi Menon about supporting wildlife.
1.Do you say people should support wildlife more?
Yes, I do. I don't want my son to look at animals just in picture books, I want him to see them for real.
2.Do you know any groups that support wildlife (other than W.A.G.S)?
I've heard of PETA.
3.What small contribution can everyone give to wildlife?
I think as an individual the least we can do is stop pollution. Give a safe and healthy environment to all wildlife.
4.If you had a wildlife support group, what changes would you make to save wildlife?
That animals should have a free, open environment, not live in cages or even small enclosures. Lots of countries have this law but not India.
5.Do you have a message about wildlife support?
If you plant more trees, that will give homes to wildlife like badgers, moles, butterflies and birds. Also, if you conserve energy by using cars less or using bicycles(why not walk,too), that will help stop pollution.
