Continuing Education

So, I have a bit of free time on my hands now and have enjoyed taking a few classes. I recently took a Vietnamese cooking class. We made fresh spring rolls, a delicious beef salad and Hanoi spare rib soup with rice noodles. It was all yummy and spicy thanks to the Sriracha hot chili sauce. A staple in any Asian dish!

I took an icing and cupcake decorating class. It was so much fun. We made chocolate ganache, cream cheese frosting, buttercream and coffee-flavored buttercream. Who doesn't love a sweet little cupcake?

I took a cooking class at a culinary studio. We made some traditional dishes. Char Kuay Teow is a mix of Malaysian/Chinese cuisine with noodles, onions, shrimp, egg and sprouts. We also made a Chinese chicken and rice dish with ginger, soy and chili dipping sauces. For this class, I received a certificate, chef's hat and apron. I think I'll hang the certificate in my kitchen!

Hess wives

 

I also took a drawing class. This is my friend Anissa and I drawing our hands. We look kind of silly, but it was an exercise in "seeing" before we really got started.

 

 

  

Hard at work



I chose an octopus for my ink drawing

Here is my finished project!

 

I think it turned out really well for my 1st attempt at trying something new.  I was able to work on it for a little while, then come back to it later. I think I'll try some different animals and scenery. Maybe even some colored pens would add a nice touch. I was needing a creative outlet and this is pretty fun! Ok, so it's really just doodling, but it's doodling with a purpose and it makes me happy.

Do you doodle? Do you want to try something new?

What makes you happy? Have you thought about taking a class?