Earlier this year, we four traveled to Southeast Asia experiencing an adventure still etched in our minds. Upon returning we planned to gather with our husbands to recreate a meal that would be typical of what we had on the journey. It took a while, but we finally made it happen.
On the trip, we became expert at making spring rolls so those had to be included on our menu.
If they were to have any, husbands had to get into the act of making them, too!
May I tell you the spring rolls were pretty darned tasty, especially when accompanied by ginger mojitos!
We loved the pho in Vietnam. Here we cheated a bit and had it made for us by a restaurant in Belfast specializing in Vietnamese and Thai food. It was yummy, and not one of us gals regretted not having made it herself.
For the main course, we had a chicken curry done in coconut milk. No picture here because the hubby ate the portion I set aside for a photo before I snapped the picture. Of course, I wasn’t irritated!
As for the table, it started with a woodblock print from Jim Thompson in Bangkok. What beautiful fabrics are made using designs he introduced years ago. By the way, I recently learned there will be a Jim Thompson showroom in Atlanta which will bring the lovely creations a bit closer to home.
From here, it was all improvisation. In Vietnam, I remembered seeing many origami creations so I thought to attempt recreating that memory with a fold that started with the napkin being quartered.
Starting from one corner, it was accordion pleated to the opposite corner.
Then, it was folded in half
and spread in a stemmed glass. I hope your imagination is good enough to see this as an origami bird!
Picking up the colors in the cloth are the familiar orange leafed plates. They’re not going to fool anyone into thinking they are from Vietnam, but the wine bottle holder makes up for that a bit as it is from a Saigon market.
As soon as we are seated, the table will come alive with shared laughter and camaraderie, and that’s what any gathering should be about.
i so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind
P.S. Recipes for the spring rolls and ginger mojito may be found here.
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Lulu's Musings 
What a fun way to share and remember your trip Linda! I would definitely enjoy a ginger mojito and a spring roll 🙂
What a great celebration! Wondering what made you four travel to Asia? Was it just a fun girl trip or was business included. I would not have thought to go there, but what a wonderful trip! I love spring rolls. There is a local Thai restaurant that makes yummy ones. And yes, I could see the bird. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
What a delightful idea! Sounds like the girls had a fabulous trip, and this is certainly a fun way to relive the memories. Thanks for sharing the details.
What better way to relive your trip than through food! Love the textiles…cool napkin fold.
Have a wonderful week, Linda…
Cooking the meal to reflect on your trip was wonderful and a perfect time for sharing stories.
Oh, I would have loved to have been your server, just to see and enjoy the camaraderie of the sisterhood. I would have even done the dishes!
I know the food was good and your table sets the perfect stage for the event.
Very nice… I want to be part of that sisterhood… Pretty leaf set…
Those leaf plates are so pretty…and love your napkin fold. Great celebration!
Love Jim Thompson stores in Thailand- can’t believe there will be one in Atlanta!! Cool- I have 2 silk pillows from his store at the Peninsula in Bangkok!
You simply continue to delight the senses! Beautiful in all aspects. What fun to have the Coven of Asian Culinary World meet and create such delights!
Well done Linda.. I can almost taste your Pho.. and your rice paper rolls looked very professional.. Ms Vy would be proud of you all.. ps.. that ginger Mojito is on my summer cocktail must make list! Thanks for posting.. good to see the friends all together again (and still speaking as well.. aah… the joys of travelling! x j
Both spring rolls and pho look great….very envious:)
Love your celebration reunion. We are having one this weekend but since our trip reunion and celebration is from a country with simple ingredients compared to your SE Asia challenge, it will be a lot easier for me to put together!! Loved all your creativity!
What a wonderful way to celebrate after your trip~the colors on your table really take one to the far east, especially with your origami folded napkins! The ginger mojito and spring rolls sound divine!