If you know anything about Proeun and I you know that we are big on family. Really we consider family such a blessing. One thing that has really showed me that was the story of Proeun's family. They have gone through so much--a war that took their home, years in refugee camp, living in a country that didn't understand them or at times want that, and that is before you add all the normal life stresses. I love Proeun's family (and mine of course but this post is about Proeun's family), not because they are perfect, but because they love each other and have found a way to stay together on two continents and over 35 years.

This weekend we had a family reunion of sorts to celebrate the newest member



Gage, born to Proeun's cousin and her husband. Here he sleeps in the same kind of baby hammock that my mother-in-law used on all her children and grandchildren in both Cambodia and here.



Proeun's grandmother pounding fish to make a traditional paste eaten with vegetalbes.
 


Proeun's grandfather holding Effie.


 
Proeun's mother and Avril.

I also love family history. Now I just need to learn Cambodian so I can record this fascinating story of loss and rebirth in a new country.



I lvoe the food also and the use of fresh veggies. Here's one of my favorite dishes--a mild soup made of fish, lemon grass and coconut over rice noodles with fresh herbs and bean sprouts and a squeeze of lime.