Food and Family

There is something about food and family...

Family crowded into a home kitchen while cooking, washing dishes, and generally having a good time. 

Family sitting quietly around a table enjoying a good meal and each others company - two of God's good gifts. 

Family passing down the love of good, quality food from one generation to the next.

In the last years we discovered another connection between food and family.  It all began one winter day when my youngest foster brother, Ninh, and his wife, Hue (pronounced Hway), surprised us with a visit - our first contact with our three boys in fourteen years.  Since then we have enjoyed many great visits with Ninh's family... and much great food.

Last winter my family gathered around a table at Ninh and brother An's Vietnamese Orchid Restaurant in White Bear Lake, MN.

Ninh slipped away from his post in the kitchen to catch a few minutes of visiting.

Mom tried one of Ninh's favorite dishes, a fish dinner.  The Orchid's hand-cut lotus blossom carrots make a feast for the eyes.

Dad always loves a good sweet and sour. 

My noodle dish had great flavor!

Hannah (back) and Maren's (front) delicious and beautiful meals.

The next day found us once again feasting on Vietnamese (and Italian) food - this time at the Nguyen home.  Hue served us a full banquet!

Lillian and Athen (Lillian - behind girl in front; Athen - left) shared a meal with two of their cousins at the little table.

Han, Hue's sister, showed up later in the evening.  Before long she was on the floor mixing a batch of caramel rolls.

Lillian and Athen's cousin kept us well fed all evening long from her own little" kitchen." Feasts everywhere!