Pumpkin cake with a dose of Philosophy

Generation Z knows everything. There is no way one can beat them in speed especially in new technologies. They are the Linkster generation - a generation that is linked into technology from day one. Hence by the time I find the right button to click (and rejoice at my achievement), the 13-yr old clicks a couple of times and reaches the destination screen! In that high speed journey of clicks, reading whatever pops up on each intermediate screen is "not cool" and also "not required".
At times this freaks me out!
I have grown up with the "Thik kore poro (Read everything carefully)" instruction. I have read all manuals whether it was the hotshot camera or the cake oven or the VCR.
(Yes, So Gen X indeed!!...)
I did that not only because of the instruction above but also because I knew, if I break something, I will not get it again. I also did not have the luxury of Google and Youtube! 

The 'Read everything carefully' instruction has no meaning nowadays, totally obsolete.
..makes me think, philosophize....

The second phrase I have grown up with is "Ami bolchi bole....(because I said so)"

When I grew up, age was (thought to be) directly proportional to wisdom.  So there was no way I could challenge what the elders said, who has seen the world more than me and hence by virtue of experience knew more. I also did not have the required information and hence the confidence to challenge anything they said (no Google, no Youtube). 
This generation challenges !!They challenge even before the sentence is complete. They have the world at their fingertips (the Google, the Youtube).
The 'because I said so' phrase had vanished today, totally obsolete.
--makes me think, philosophize...

Parenting was and will be always difficult.....
No 'syllabus', no 'common questions', no 'second chance'!
Only philosophy can save us!

The good news is that Philosophy is not limited to Plato and Socrates and Aristotle and Confucius and....
It is everywhere around us, we just need the ears to listen and interpret.
[A beard definitely helps but is not a necessity]

pc:wikipedia

A few days back, A-junior's phone was not working. Even though the battery showed FULL CHARGE, the screen was frozen. None of the buttons worked. He kept on saying that the battery was really empty but somehow the screenshot of a full battery was frozen in time and was being displayed. 

I kept on saying that it is impossible. I could CLEARLY SEE that the battery was fully charged!

He said, "No mama, this can happen, I know!"

I said, (voice one decibel higher): Tumi beshi jano? (You know more?)

He sulked.

I sulked.
After a while, I confidently asked for his phone and said..."let me have a look.."
With all the expertise I have on smart phones, I used my first trick!

I tried to switch it off and on again...
......and BAM, suddenly it did show battery EMPTY!

A-junior (with an I-told-you-so-look): This happens, Mom. Just like sometimes we smile and show we are fully happy and charged but inside we are empty and sad.....

WHOAAA!! Philosophy!!.......That's big! Had to appreciate it......

Now the recipe, a few days too late but still relevant.
"Halloween" has never impressed me. In general, I am a fun loving person but totally fail to find fun in Halloween! I hate ghosts in all forms, however sweet they might be as a 'person'. I do not like spiders and cobwebs, they are creepy and ugly. Witches in fairy tales are supposed to be killed by the handsome prince dude. Dracula is not handsome, he is just scary! I am totally against face painting and I hate the Pumpkin.

.......you get the message!

But still, I tried this at home this year.....

Pumpkin Cake

Ingredients:
1 cup  flour 
1/2 cup almond powder
2 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp baking soda 
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon powder
1 cup oil 
1 can(or 1- 1/2 cup) pumpkin puree

Ready steady cook: 

Pumpkin puree
Remove the top of the Pumpkin and cut into big slices.
Scrape the seeds out from the pumpkin.
Bake them (skin side down) in a preheated over at 200 degC for 20mins.

Cool and scrape out the flesh from the pumpkin.

Blend into a smooth puree.

Add caption

1. First mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl. Whisk it properly.
2. Mix the eggs, oil and pumpkin puree in a separate bowl.
3. Add this to the dry mix slowly to avoid any lumps. Mix it in a blender.
4. Preheat the oven to 190 degC. Transfer the cake mix to a nonstick greased baking pan.
5. Bake for 50 mins.
6. Enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

ps: My son said it is a bit TOO healthy for a cake!!