Tag Archives: #Songkran

CarolCooks2 weekly roundup…11th April-17th April 2021…#Recipes, Whimsy, Music and Lifestyle Changes

Recipes, Whimsy, Music and Lifestyle Changes…

Welcome to this week’s edition of my weekly roundup of posts…Especially for you just in case you missed a few posts during this last week…we are now into April…Time is marching on…thus far we had some humdingers of storms and the wind certainly hammered one of my curry trees luckily it didn’t break the branches just stretched but like a piece of elastic 2 days later the tree is nearly back to its original glory …isn’t nature wonderful?

Just in case you missed any or love to catch up like I do… snuggle deep be kind to yourselves …I think we all need to do that… get comfy in your favourite corner with your favourite drink tea/coffee or hot chocolate although depending on where in the world you live it could be a glass of wine or two…Cheers!

Meatless Monday’s…

Took a break this week…I haven’t cooked much…eaten much of what I shouldn’t…spent time with my plants and my thoughts and for the first time in all the time I have been blogging just couldn’t be bothered to write..no energy…no thoughts worthy of putting on paper…just a combination of a bad few months or the start of the year however you wish to put it…many lives lost and anniversaries of lives lost…just a culmination which frankly stopped me in my tracks…

Tuesday…Songkran…Thai New Year…

A post from my archives with a little update here and there…a picture of my beloved grandson getting into the spirit of Thai New Year which this year didn’t happen due to Covid restrictions…

Songkran…Thai New Year …13th April 2021…

Wednesday…Carol Taylor’s Green Kitchen…

Today saw me over at Smorgasbord Magazine for this month’s Carol Taylor’s Green Kitchen where Pretzel Bread, Tomato Ketchup, Onions and Japanese Wood Production were some of the items on the menu…

To see what else was on the menu please pop over to Smorgasbord Magazine…

Smorgasbord Food Column – Carol Taylor’s Green Kitchen -April 2021 – #Pretzel Bread, #Onions, #TomatoKetchup, #Japanese Wood Production.

The Environmental A-Z…The letter D.

My new series…still an A-Z but with a difference …it’s not food-related!

In the meantime, the idea for this series came about because yes as my regular followers and commenters know I am passionate about the health of the world I am living in… however often when I am researching and reading articles I come across terms and have to look them up which spawned the idea for this…two-fold… it increases my knowledge and I hope yours…

The Environmental A-Z…the letter D

Thursday...another post from my archives but updated…

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CarolCooks2…Week 9…in my Kitchen…made from scratch…Homemade Sausages and Sausage Spice mixes…

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine…Health Column…Rheumatoid Arthritis…

A debilitating disease that causes anguish to many…either sufferers or carers…

There is no quick fix but sometimes a change in diet and habits can give relief so please head over and give Sally’s post a read…#recommened read

Smorgasbord Health Column – Family Health A-Z – Arthritis (Rheumatoid) by Sally Cronin

Fruity Friday’s…The Cotton Candy Berry.

A beautiful spreading tree with deliciously sweet fruit…

Fruity Friday…#fruits…The Cotton Candy Berry…

Saturday Snippets…

I will be back next week with Saturday Snippets I just didn’t feel it was appropriate for the last 2 weeks…Yesterday was the Royal Ceremonial Funeral of His Royal Highness, Prince Phillip, The Duke of Edinburgh…

I know it was streamed around the world but just in case you missed it or want to recap…it was a beautiful funeral and music which celebrated the Prince’s life and work…

I also know that it was protocol(Covid) that The Queen sat alone but my tears flowed and my heart broke for her…

Rest in peace your Royal Highness, Prince Phillip…The Duke of Edinburgh 1921 – 2021…

Well, that’s it for today…Thank you so much for dropping by…see you next week …Love Carol xx

Songkran…Thai New Year …13th April 2021…

Songkran is held on 13th April every year. Songkran literally means “astrological passage” meaning transformation or change. The term was borrowed from Makar Sankranti a Hindu festival celebrated in India to mark the arrival of spring. Coinciding with the rising of Aries in the astrological calendar, this festival is in keeping with the Buddhist/Hindu solar calendar, which is on many calendars of South and South-East Asia.

It is a time when water is used to cleanse and purify by washing away one’s sins. It is also a time when people return to their home provinces to celebrate with family and friends.

There is much fun and laughter and if you don’t wish to get soaked ..then stay home…Everyone wears bright coloured shirts and most carry a water gun or hose pipe….fully loaded and ready to soak you…haha…

The additional of talcum powder is also used so it is advisable to wear some sort of eye protection though most don’t.

It is a fun occasion for the young and the not so young to enjoy a fun-filled day. The wigs, colourful shirts and water guns of all sorts, it brings the child out in everyone.

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Wherever you venture there will be water for me I just have to hold out my hands and water is poured over my hands and I am blessed…One of the perks of being older …Respect 🙂

I hope you enjoyed these few pictures.. of course, they are all of past times as Songkran for the second year running has been put on hold ..no water fights and parties we have been told to stay home and celebrate quietly as lots of regulations have been put in place in many provinces because of Covid…stay safe, laugh a lot and enjoy…see you next time. Much love Carol 🙂

Thank you once again for reading this post see you tomorrow xx

Why I love Thailand…

Thailand …..The Land of Smiles 🙂 and temples… and so much more…

Golden budha in the forest

 

Many years ago when we first visited Thailand it stole a corner of my heart and although it is a country of many contradictions to me it is home.

Why? I don’t know…I have family in many different countries and have loved my visits..have I wanted to put down roots there ?…No!

Thailand just does it for me…

Whether its beautiful unspoiled beaches and there are many.

beach and chairs nice pic

 

Sunsets which are so amazing, diving, rock climbing or just living among the people.

Sunset (2)

Where we have experienced the real Thailand, the amazing food..which we have tasted which is not cooked purely for the tourists.

For my dear friend Annie I have amended this post..how I could forget our favourite Thai curry…I don’t know..but I did…One of my all time favorite Northern Thai Curries is Khao Soi. I was introduced to it by my dear friend Annie and we would do our research once a month to find the best Khao Soi and have a bit of a girlie chat and maybe a vino or two….as you do!

Khao Soi is a beautiful yellow curry with chicken( Gai) or pork(Moo) with soft yellow noodles and topped with crispy noodles.

Khao Soi

Served with a side of pickled cabbage, lime, shallots and if it isn’t hot enough then some lovely hot, fried chilli mix.

The beautiful countryside and it really is the land of smiles.

We have stayed in villages where the children by our standards have nothing by comparison but they are happy, they have carefree childhoods bought up with love.

Thai boys in tree

Yes there is the seedy side…but so is there in all countries.

Bangkok…..I love it..so vibrant and alive….I have wandered down at midnight to get something to eat at one of the street stalls…do I feel unsafe…never ever. I am given a seat to sit on while I wait..hastily they rub the seat over with a not so clean cloth…do I care…No! They treat madam as they call me like a special visitor and when I say Thai hot …the smile I get and they tell everyone who will listen….”Oh Madam she eat spicy”

What they prepare and cook the food in is spotless..the vegetables so fresh…the food amazing…

China Town and the markets….. I love Bangers as I call it but only for a few days and then I am back to the peace and calm which is home.

Tessaban Market
Tessaban Market

 

Pageantry the Thais love it..every procession is so joyous…..The Vegetarian Festival…..Songkran… Loy Krathong…

 

..if you love being part of festivals make sure you come at the right time ..you will not be disappointed.

Aston Songcram my favorite photo

The noise, the street food and partying is amazing and to be part of it so special.

Have you visited Thailand…If not ..you will not be disappointed…

I hope you enjoyed this post and you can see why I love this country…Over the next few months, I will be taking you to some of the beautiful places I have visited, places which are off the beaten track…The real Thailand and the one I love.

Until next time stay safe, have fun and laugh a lot and if you fancy a boogie then pop over to Sally’s  from Smorgasbord Health 2017 …I will be there as will many others ..lots of fun and frolics….. See you there….

Songkran….Thai New Year

Songkran is held on 13th April every year. Songkran literally means “astrological passage” meaning transformation or change. The term was borrowed from Makar Sankranti a Hindu festival celebrated in India to mark the arrival of spring. Coinciding with the rising of Aries in the astrological calendar, this festival is in keeping with the Buddhist/Hindu solar calendar, which is on many calendars of the south and south-east Asia.

It is a time when water is used to cleanse and purify by washing away one’s sins. It is also a time when people return to their home provinces to celebrate with family and friends.

There is much fun and laughter and if you don’t wish to get soaked ..then stay home…Everyone wears bright coloured shirts and most support a water gun or hose pipe.

The additional of talcum powder is also used so it is advisable to wear some sort of eye protection though most don’t.

It is a fun occasion for the young and the not so young to enjoy a fun-filled day. The wigs, colourful shirts and water guns of all sorts, it brings the child out in everyone.

12990995_10208396475982338_9067258736485590221_n

 

12963714_1695591554049265_5404810361248844810_n

Wherever you venture there will be water for me I just have to hold out my hands and water is poured over my hands and I am blessed..One of the perks of being older …Respect 🙂

I hope you enjoyed these few pictures..have a lovely weekend, stay safe, laugh a lot and enjoy…see you next time. Much love Carol 🙂

Thank you once again for reading this post I hope you all have a great weekend xx