Ordinary days...

My dad told me today that he loves my blog, I was so happy to hear that and it inspires me to write more. Nothing much to write about today, it was a pretty ordinary day of grocery shopping and playing. I know though to appreciate ordinary days because when your life is in turmoil you yearn for those days. Ordinary days are the days you look back on and you wish for them- the little smiles, the hugs the beautiful moments that can be easily taken for granted. When you are raising a child time flies, you can see the progression of time on your toddlers face, day by day the faces change, the words change, the body changes, it's so bittersweet. I snapped an adorable picture of Pea and Daddy playing together in her room, it was one of the first times I have ever seen them just sit and play and it brought a smile to my face watching them learn from each other. I had to sneak in quietly in the middle of my dinner preparations to snap the photo and I'm glad I got it. Pea also fell asleep in my arms for a nap today and we just laid there on the couch and cuddled, normally I do lay with her for a nap but it's always in bed, it's been awhile since I had her sleep in my arms and it was wonderful, Daddy even got a few photos.

Dinner tonight was a hit, I love trying new things and experimenting in the kitchen. Tonight I made Thai Coconut Roasted Chicken, jasmine rice, broccoli, brussell sprouts and cornbread. So yummy.

Here are my recipes for the chicken and the sweet cornbread.

Thai Roast Chicken


1 medium roasting chicken
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 teaspoons Thai green or red curry paste
2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 teaspoons fish sauce
1 cup (250 ml) coconut milk
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon olive oil
optional- cocconut flakes to sprinkle on top of chicken

Mix all together and pour over chicken. Cover and let sit on chicken for at least an hour but 4 hours is best.
Move the chicken to your roaster or better still a wire rack that is above the pan because it results in a crispier skin. Roast the chicken at 350 deg F for about an hour and a half or until the chicken is done. You can baste it occassionally if you wish to I also sprinkle coocnut flakes on top. We used the sauce on top of our rice and chicken and it was so yummy.

Here is my sweet cornbread recipe

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
2/3 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 egg
1 cup almond milk
1/3 cup olive oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9 inch round cake pan.
In a large bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt and baking powder. Stir in egg, milk and vegetable oil until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.


Enjoy!

I am off and hoping for a relaxing bath with my girl and an easy bed time....toddler yoga in the morning with Pea's aunty and cousin...should be a good time...or completely hilarious...probably both.