Dazzling Durban

I took this amazing pic of Moses Mabida at sunset.

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Tower Bridge

A stunning pic of my beloved London at night

Keep Calm

when the worlds problem seem too much drink tea:-)

My gran

celebrating her birthday last year 2012

There is no function that occurs in an Indian home where Tea is not served.Each family have their own way of preparing this hot drink and their own offical Teamaker. Some like boiled milk, while others prefer cold and some will always add loads of sugar to the teapot so everyone is given a sickly sweet cup of tea.

In my family and extended family this is my task regardless of how hot it is or how many people I have to make tea. This got me thinking as the British too love their tea and any problem or good news is solved with a switching on of the kettle. I am definately thinking the British spending time in India made them a tea drinking nation.

Nothing is more comforting than a hot cup of brew in your favourite mug, to make you take a deep breathe and then exhale.

The market has now been flooded with all sorts of teas from fruit flavoured, to green and yes even powdered chai tea.Each offering its own flavour and healing property.I must admit I have a weakness for any vanilla or chai tea variants and will buy them regardless of price.

A few years ago I read a very funny book by an Indian author called Kavita Daswani, the book was called the purpose of marriage. This book was very interesting on the Indian community and how they viewed skin colour. If a guy or girl was tea coloured (thats tea with milk), he/she would be much more suitable for marriage and have many suitors. So as you can see the obession of tea is not only about drinking it lol.

My recipe for tea :

In a teapot add half milk and half boilingwater.To this add the number of teabags you need, once the liquid mix has started to boil. Into this add sticks of cinnamon and whole pods of Elachi. let this boil, then drain off and serve.Enjoy

Have a fabulous tea drinking day, time of a cup of chai me thinks
Ciao
X

My inspiration…..

Today my beloved grandmother turns 79.

She is the strongest and bravest person I know.Gran lost my grandad 20years ago and my dad,her only child to cancer last year.Four years ago gran had a triple bypass but this has not stopped her from enjoying life.

Gran has extensivelly travelled in South Africa and was a very active member of a Seniors community group.When I lived in London, gran came to visit and stayed three weeks with me. She loved the hustle and bustle of London as well as wide variety of foods available. Gran fondly recalls her time in London with anyone who has been there. When Gran visited India she was there for 6 weeks, a long time but her trip included the Far East as well and a Temple pilgrimage of the South of India.Gran’s last holiday abroad was to the beautiful island of Mauritius. I hope when I am her age, I have haf her energy and sense of adventure.

My gran is no longer able to be so active and now uses a walker and a wheelchair.However this has not stopped her from cooking for my brother and I who are her only grandchildren.Gran has taught me to cook and passed on her excellent cooking skills and knowledge to me.

Gran’skin is all soft, smooth and full of wrinkles.Yet when I look at her pics of her young days boy oh boy was she so stunning and chic.The skin on her hands are worn out from years of hard labour.

My gran has the most unreal tastebuds for an indian old lady.She loves marmalade jam, roast duck, and Englisg fry up breakfasts. Once I asked her howcome, to which she replied with the story of how she worked for a White British family as a lil girl doing there washing and cleaning their home.Gran is the eldest of her siblings so she had to work to help her family.

Gran has never been to school, yet speaks perfect English, she cant read but can scan the sales phamplets for deals,she cant write but knows only to sign her name.

There are no words to truly describe how amazing my gran is and how truly blessed I am to have her in my life.I hope and pray when I am her age, I have her positive outlook, her energy, her gift of storytelling and her excellent cooking skills.And I hope my grandkids say wow my gran is such a Legend 🙂

Happy Birthday to the greatest Grandmother in the world, you amaze me with your strenght and courage each day.We love you with all that we have and are blessed to have you in our lives.

XXX