3rd November 2011*

*Today is the day that my best friend’s eldest daughter has given birth to her first child, a beautiful baby girl, healthy and bonny and destined for greatness.

Shine angel, shine your light for all to see.

*Today is also the day I ordered my marmite tea cosy from Amazon. It’s not just a tea cosy, it’s much, much more.
It represents new beginnings for my family and I.
We have been through two difficult years, years where I would go shopping and really, really want this tea cosy, but could think of a million other things we needed more, bills to pay, ways of staying afloat. So the tea cosy stayed on the shelf and never became mine.
But circumstances change and now the tea cosy WILL be mine and every time I make a cuppa I’ll remember that circumstances change and that when one door closes another one opens and beckons you forth into greater things.

*Today is the day that the heavens opened and the rain poured down, but rather than letting it get me down, I just thought of all the good that rain can do.

The way it washes everything clean and new again, so, I gave a customer a carrier bag to put over her hair and as she rushed to her car in the rain, it made me smile again and I thought of something wonderfully warming for today…

Indian spiced split peas,
served with my favourite Basmati rice.

Adapted from ‘Prima’ magazine:

1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tsp coriander seeds
2 tsp turmeric powder
2 tsp Garam masala
1 bay leaf
225g Yellow split peas, rinsed
400ml can coconut milk
750ml hot vegetable stock.

1. Heat oil in a large pan and fry onion for 2-3 minutes until soft, season well.

2. Add garlic, coriander, turmeric, garam masala and bay leaf, stir and cook for a couple of minutes, add split peas, then coconut milk.

3. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer, then add stock, simmer on a low heat for about an hour. (Mine needed slightly longer – nothing worse than crunchy split peas!)

Today has been a good day!

Here’s to tomorrow!

and the day after…..

and the day after that…….

13 comments on “3rd November 2011*”

Aww that Marmite tea cosy is so cute! And congratulations to all on the healthy baby! 🙂

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Anna a birth is always a great event!!! Congratulations

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Anna, I am so glad that things are looking up for you – and I love the way you have chosen to celebrate!Please pass on congratulations to your friend and her daughter.

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Anna I congrat you whishing you blessings and love! gloria

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I love this dish a lot..Thanks for the recipe dear..Totally loving it….Following your blog straight away..If you have time Check out my blog too..Aarthihttp://yummytummy-aarthi.blogspot.com/I am having a Giveaway..http://yummytummy-aarthi.blogspot.com/2011/10/3-reason-to-celebrate-3-cookbooks.html

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Congratulations to your friend and her daughter on the birth of their new baby. Exciting times!

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What a great message in your post! Things mean so much more when you have to wait for them…and now you will truly treasure your new tea cozy. I'm glad your circumstances have changed so that you could treat yourself…you deserve this :)Congrats to your friend on the birth of her granddaughter…such wonderful news!

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Congratulations to your friend and her daughter, what lovely news! Gx

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Every time one of my friends has a child, it's like I've just met the newest, most precious member of my family – congratulations! And I love your perspective on the tea cozy…

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It has been a good day for you and your recipe has made my day considerably better. Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend. Blessings…Mary

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I'm glad you've had a great day,Anna!Congratulations on both the newborn and the tea cosy!!I love Indian food and your split peas sound delicious!Thanks for sharing,enjoy the weekend and the new arrivals!!XO

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