Tonight I made Pad Thai for dinner. A few months ago my friend Sunaree who is Thai and her husband had my husband and I over for dinner and she cooked Pad Thai for us. I have to tell you it was the most amazing and delicious experience. I didn't take a photo of dinner as it was the first time we had dinner together and I thought it would be rude. The food was incredible and the presentation so colorful. Her husband loves her cooking too and is her perfect match.

Yesterday Sunaree brought me some rice noodles and I tried my first hand at it. I bought a sauce mix ( I know, not very original) however I am going to try making the sauce on my own when I have more time. I only have about an hour in the evening during the week so cooking quickly is often a must. My husband and I had seconds and we'll both have some left over for work tomorrow. Yum!

This is the closest photo to what Sunaree served us for dinner that night (an exceptional photo of Pad Thai I might add!). Pim used a few different ingredients than Sunaree did and I used a packet of sauce picked up at the store which my husband and I both found quite good. I also substituted the shrimp for chicken and left out the egg as we are watching our cholesterol which is a good thing but fresh shrimp with this meal is incredible. I'll save the times to have it with shrimp when Sunaree is doing the cooking. Visually, hers looks so much more vibrant.

I can't say enough about Sunaree, she is an amazing cook and so sweet too, I can't wait until she cooks for us again. After all, why have a copy when you can have the real thing! :)

Labels: "pad thai", "rice noodles", cooking, dinner, food, thai

Labels: "illustration", hats, Margaret Albert Summers, sfg

Labels: "illustration", "lighting fixture", "pen and ink", business, meeting, sketch

Labels: "illustration", Illustration Friday, Maggie Summers, stitch

Labels: "Proud Mom", birthday, celebration, family, son

We still have all our Christmas decorations up; as it's another tradition I hold fast to. My youngest son's birthday is in January and we customarily keep the decorations up until after his birthday. It's so hard to put everything away and go back to being what feels like bare though it's far from it. That and the fact that due to the "project" I can't get to my Christmas boxes yet. Yippee, I can put it off until next weekend!

Labels: "holiday traditions", antiques, family

I've been so blessed today, the first day of the year. I've been touch by sweet friend Debby's words of encouragement and support. I liked what she said about Ali Edwards choosing a word for the year and I've decided to do the same because I felt I really need to in the most sincere way. The word I've chosen is conviction. The definition for the word is:

noun
1. a fixed or firm belief.

Synonyms 1. See belief.
Antonyms 5. doubt, uncertainty.

Moving through the end of 2007, I've been filled with the antonyms of doubt and uncertainty. Even though I've believed in God all my life I feel the need for a stronger conviction in Him and His direction for my life. When life threatens to overwhelm you one is so quickly and brutally reminded of how weak you can become. Coincidentally both Debby and I shared in our own way how Beth Moore has touched our lives.

On that note expect to see more postings of illustrations, something I have been short on these past few months. I'm thankful if you'll just hang in there and be patient with me, my plate has been full and overflowing.

Labels: belief, conviction, new year