Isn’t this Mother’s Day spread just scrumptious? Before you think I did all of this, let me just say right now that I was nowhere in the kitchen when this magical culinary chaos happened. This is all my friend Simeen’s doing. And why am I blogging about it? Because I’m so proud of her!

See, when people saw the food she’d bring to work for lunch, they’d ask, “Did you make that?” And she would say dramatically, “Phst, please people, NO. I’m not J.!” But then, last week, she mentioned she was in placed in charge of Mother’s Day activities for her family. And instead of making reservations…she made dinner! And lovingly so!

The feast you see above included a colorful Cajun Corn Salad, a tangy-savory Salad Olivier (her mom’s awesome recipe), juicy steaks cooked with salt, pepper and garlic and comforting, home-y pasta. That is a Herculean effort, even for me. I heard she started cooking the night before. Proud as she was, she made sure to take pictures to show me. (Don’t you just love the one of her nephew with his face in a cupcake? And those smiles from her beautiful family?)

She said she thought about me the whole time she was cooking. Hearing that made me want to do cartwheels (except I can’t, so I just squealed and hugged her instead.) I just never thought that my own cooking could encourage other people to try it themselves. I don’t consider myself the best cook in the world—that distinction is reserved for my Grandma. I used to think instead of being the best, I was just the bravest cook. But after this weekend, I’m passing the wooden spoon on to Simeen. Her bravery now inspires me.