The Power of Three

"Three Grand Essentials to the happiness in Life
are something to do,
something to love, and
something to hope for."
- Joseph Addison

The lotus is the most beautiful flower, whose petals open one by one. But it will only grow in the mud. In order to grow and gain wisdom, first you must have the mud --- the obstacles of life and its suffering.

The mud speaks of the common ground that humans share, no matter what our stations in life. Whether we have it all or we have nothing, we are all faced with the same obstacles: sadness, loss, illness, dying and death.

If we are to strive as human beings to gain more wisdom, more kindness and more compassion, we must have the intention to grow as a lotus ...

-- Goldie Hawn --

Most people are afraid of suffering,
but suffering is a kind of mud
to help the lotus flower grow ...

-- Thích Nhất Hạnh --

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vnHtqghNSI

The City in China where my Son and his family now reside just outside of Shanghai


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9J4Xxk5Y-U



Shanghai in Time Lapse

Soup recipe shared from this gorgeous blog

http://aliceinparislovesartandtea.blogspot.ca/2010/10/morrocan-red-lentil-soup.html
Morrocan Red Lentil Soup. 
2 Tbsp Olive Oil or Canola (25 ml) 
2 Onions, chopped 
5 cloves of Garlic, minced 
2 Celery stalks, chopped
(1 Carrot ,chopped.....my addition) 

1 tsp Pepper ( 5ml) 
1 1/2 tsp Turmeric (6 ml)
1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon ( 6ml) 
2 tsp ground Cumin ( 10 ml) 
1 tsp fresh Ginger grated or 1/2 tsp. ground (2ml)
salt to taste

6 cups of water or stock (1.5L)( if using water add some low sodium bullion cubes)
1 cup Red Lentils (250ml) 
1 Tsp Tomato Paste (15ml) 
2 Potatoes peeled and cubed( I used one regular and one Sweet Potato) ( Can also use Squash instead of potatoes) 
1 can stewed Tomatoes (19oz/540ml) 
1 cup frozen Peas( 250ml) 

1/4 cup Sour Cream ( I used non-fat Balkan yogurt) 
2 Tbsp parsley(25ml)

Preparation

1. In large heavy saucepan or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat; cook onions, garlic and celery, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.

2. Add salt, pepper, turmeric, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, and saffron (if using); cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes.

3. Add water/stock, lentils, tomato paste, potatoes and tomatoes, breaking up tomatoes with spoon; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 40 minutes.

4. Add frozen peas; simmer until peas are cooked, about 5 min. Ladle into bowls. Dollop each with sour cream; sprinkle with parsley.

I know it will be even better tomorrow!

✿*´¨)*
¸.•*¸.• ✿´¨).• ✿¨)
(¸.•´*(¸.•´*(.¸. •*Grace comes into the soul, 
as the morning sun into the world; 
first a dawning, then a light; 
and at last the sun in his full
and excellent brightness. ~Thomas Adams

(¯`v´¯)
.`•.¸.•´**[̲̅L̲̅][̲̅O̲̅][̲̅V̲̅][̲̅E̲̅] [̲̅L̲̅][̲̅O̲̅][̲̅V̲̅][̲̅E̲̅] [̲̅L̲̅][̲̅O̲̅][̲̅V̲̅][̲̅E̲̅]
¸.•´.•´¨) ¸.•¨)HAPPY WEDNESDAY!
(¸.•´(¸.•´ (¸.•¨¯`*




♥♥

 ❝I am with you always!❞ sweet Logan Heart to heart forever
▬ ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ

“Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven.” ~Henry Beecher Ward


"If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough.”
- Oprah Winfrey


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRwQIuDeapE&list=UUCZYNJ9oHAVago0SAxKYXbQ

Charmed I am sure
I love this video