Some fragmented thoughts on the Laotian-American chef Lon Bounsanga, his new restaurant SAAP, the taste of comfort, interviews with Edouard Louis and Marilynne Robinson, and the music of Bridgerton
We just finished His Dark Materials - dare I say the series was better than the book? It was so refreshing to my post-evangelical soul.
I love soundtracks too! I just worked on my dissertation to Bridgerton - it’s perfect for writing. I also really like Bear McCreary’s work for Outlander and Rings of Power.
I'll be praying for Fozzie. My rescue dog, Sammy. was with me for 11 years and I'm not kidding when I say he was the best dog ever. He died suddenly on 3-5-24 and I am devastated but blessed with the years I had with him. Looking forward to seeing him again in Heaven. Give Fozzie a big hug and a big helping of something he loves! xoxo
I'm ALWAYS thinking of Fozzie. Gentle hugs to you, little dude. May your good days be so good that they make you forget the bad ones. Love and kisses from Sharon, Daisy, and Lily
I loved hearing about the chef that makes his food from Laos with love. “Though Bounsanga has never been able to return to Laos, he has found a way to create home on the plate, for himself as well as for others. “This is success to me,” he said. Home on a plate is pure joy.
And Marylin Robinson’s interview was so uplifting Love the gush over Biden. As a 64 year old I’m well aware of the agism that we are seeing growing all around us. She was funny and honest and I loved the interviewer. Yea not everyone has those skills to interview and dig deeper.
So a big thank you for taking all the time and your extreme talent to share a part of your world with us and expanding my visions. And helping me see more too with your thoughts on the score from Bridgerton. So many good themes and I especially loved the focus on female pleasure. Now I’ll blush. But what a delight to hear this in a movie!
I love that concept that a dish can both transport us into the chef's world and also provide this sense of feeling at home. I'm from Montana and currently live in southeast Finland (South Karelia). One of my favorite treats this season has been laskiaispulla. It's a simple sweet bun flavored with cardamom and filled with almond paste, jam, and whipped cream. So good.
Praying for Fozzie. These little creatures get so tethered to our hearts. And their lives are so short in comparison to ours. I hope the warmth and sunshine soothes his aching joints.
I echo what others have said about Queen Charlotte. Oh my… I have never cried so hard during a show or movie as I did at the end of the last episode. It demonstrated such an incredible display of love. I watched Past Lives last night after both Sarah Bessey and Sarah Stewart Holland mentioned it in their newsletters this week. It was a beautiful, interesting story and worth watching.
Some friends and I plan to come hear you speak in Santa Monica next weekend. They are friends to whom you sent a postcard a couple of years ago. They are teachers and the pandemic was particularly difficult for them. That postcard is still stuck on the front of their kitchen cabinets as a reminder and encouragement. I look forward to meeting you there.
Originally from northern Indiana, I've lived in Laos nearly 28 years with my Lao spouse. It's great to see nem (nam) khao being appreciated; it's our go to arrival meal for my friends and family from the US visiting. Hearing that Bounsanga serves only Lao food was pleasantly surprising. Many of the Lao restaurants I've been to in the US are called "Thai" or "Bangkok" as so many people don't know of Laos and serve a mixture of Thai/Lao food.
It would be remiss for me not to highlight the most famous Lao dish was not mentioned in your article- laap (larp). The saying here goes that laap is the national dish. It is also a kind of "meat salad" and can be made with pork, beef, turkey, chicken, fish, shrimp, tofu, really anything. I hope you get a chance to try it sometime, especially in Laos (just make sure it's the version with cooked meat!) Even our Lao-American relatives who cook primarily Lao food say that laap is never as good in the US as that made here.
Thinking of you and Fozzie!
All Creatures Great and Small! (on PBS )
We just finished His Dark Materials - dare I say the series was better than the book? It was so refreshing to my post-evangelical soul.
I love soundtracks too! I just worked on my dissertation to Bridgerton - it’s perfect for writing. I also really like Bear McCreary’s work for Outlander and Rings of Power.
I'll be praying for Fozzie. My rescue dog, Sammy. was with me for 11 years and I'm not kidding when I say he was the best dog ever. He died suddenly on 3-5-24 and I am devastated but blessed with the years I had with him. Looking forward to seeing him again in Heaven. Give Fozzie a big hug and a big helping of something he loves! xoxo
I'm ALWAYS thinking of Fozzie. Gentle hugs to you, little dude. May your good days be so good that they make you forget the bad ones. Love and kisses from Sharon, Daisy, and Lily
Oh so many good things in your letter Jeff.
I loved hearing about the chef that makes his food from Laos with love. “Though Bounsanga has never been able to return to Laos, he has found a way to create home on the plate, for himself as well as for others. “This is success to me,” he said. Home on a plate is pure joy.
And Marylin Robinson’s interview was so uplifting Love the gush over Biden. As a 64 year old I’m well aware of the agism that we are seeing growing all around us. She was funny and honest and I loved the interviewer. Yea not everyone has those skills to interview and dig deeper.
So a big thank you for taking all the time and your extreme talent to share a part of your world with us and expanding my visions. And helping me see more too with your thoughts on the score from Bridgerton. So many good themes and I especially loved the focus on female pleasure. Now I’ll blush. But what a delight to hear this in a movie!
I love that concept that a dish can both transport us into the chef's world and also provide this sense of feeling at home. I'm from Montana and currently live in southeast Finland (South Karelia). One of my favorite treats this season has been laskiaispulla. It's a simple sweet bun flavored with cardamom and filled with almond paste, jam, and whipped cream. So good.
Praying for Fozzie. These little creatures get so tethered to our hearts. And their lives are so short in comparison to ours. I hope the warmth and sunshine soothes his aching joints.
I echo what others have said about Queen Charlotte. Oh my… I have never cried so hard during a show or movie as I did at the end of the last episode. It demonstrated such an incredible display of love. I watched Past Lives last night after both Sarah Bessey and Sarah Stewart Holland mentioned it in their newsletters this week. It was a beautiful, interesting story and worth watching.
Some friends and I plan to come hear you speak in Santa Monica next weekend. They are friends to whom you sent a postcard a couple of years ago. They are teachers and the pandemic was particularly difficult for them. That postcard is still stuck on the front of their kitchen cabinets as a reminder and encouragement. I look forward to meeting you there.
Fozzie, reminds me of my daughter’s dog(Milo) in so many ways. Prayers go with you every day. Sue
Originally from northern Indiana, I've lived in Laos nearly 28 years with my Lao spouse. It's great to see nem (nam) khao being appreciated; it's our go to arrival meal for my friends and family from the US visiting. Hearing that Bounsanga serves only Lao food was pleasantly surprising. Many of the Lao restaurants I've been to in the US are called "Thai" or "Bangkok" as so many people don't know of Laos and serve a mixture of Thai/Lao food.
It would be remiss for me not to highlight the most famous Lao dish was not mentioned in your article- laap (larp). The saying here goes that laap is the national dish. It is also a kind of "meat salad" and can be made with pork, beef, turkey, chicken, fish, shrimp, tofu, really anything. I hope you get a chance to try it sometime, especially in Laos (just make sure it's the version with cooked meat!) Even our Lao-American relatives who cook primarily Lao food say that laap is never as good in the US as that made here.
https://www.mandadelaos.com/post/manda-de-laos-delicious-laap-moo
I really enjoyed *The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store* by James McBride. You might like it. Some of my thoughts: https://www.mavismoon.com/blog/heaven-amp-earth-grocery-store-by-james-mcbride