Simple Split Pea Soup and Cats!

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but yesterday was a cool, rainy day and I LOVED EVERY MINUTE!! It's so funny to feel that way, especially when I think of how many days of my life were spent cursing the rain, and wishing for the sun while living in Seattle. I used to cry because the rain was so hard for me to deal with. But here in SLC, the sun is no joke.  I have never dealt with such brutal heat before. There were days when I was getting lost and I would finally find my bus stop, or whatever I was looking for, and wonder if it was real or a mirage. I am a sun lover, have been all my life. My moods are deeply affected by the weather, and even I feel like the sun needed to go have a little nap somewhere! So, it was rainy and cool yesterday, and they say rainy and cool today, and the sun will reappear tomorrow, so we're all a little rested!
As promised, I made split pea soup. I was worried it wouldn't be that great, because I always use either smoked paprika, or liquid smoke when I make split pea. I have neither of those seasonings, but it still turned out delicious, and I wrote it all down! I used red lentils and split peas because I really like the way red lentils become soooooo creamy when they break all the way down.

                                                               Simple Split Pea Soup

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 1/2 tsp. Cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon to 1 tsp. crushed red pepper
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric 
• 1 1/2 T. soy sauce
• 1 C. split peas
• 1/2 C. red lentils
• 2 T. nutritional yeast
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• 4 to 6 C. water or veggie stock

Saute onion, garlic, and celery in oil or water over medium heat for five minutes, add spices and saute for two or three more minutes. Add the soy sauce, peas and lentils along with the nutritional yeast and the water/stock. Bring to a boil, and then turn down to med. low and simmer for about forty five minutes. Serve with rolls or crusty bread for dipping!

Roxy always finds a way to primly cross her paws!

She knows I can't resist that belly!

Those things on the floor that Roxy is laying on came in the box when Derek had shipped my laptop to me. They love them, and so they just stay on my floor. Some of them have been so shredded that I've thankfully been able to toss them, but as you can see, the rest are here to stay awhile! *Cats*
Happy Caturday!!