until we meet again...

There is a season for everything under heaven, right? There was a season in my life when telling stories about my family and sharing them with the world helped me make sense of myself as an adoptive mother. There was a season in which it seemed everyone was a "mommy blogger." I am so, so grateful for all the mom-blogs and all the adoption blogs, and for every single person who ever read one of my posts. It was good, it was very good. I could not have done this with out you.

It seems that blog-writing season is over now... the leaves have fallen. The words aren't flowing the way they used to. (Everyone has a podcast these days! LOL) So, I'm closing down this little writing space. (and no to the podcast)

These days I, like many other Americans, find all my words and wondering are about who we are as a country, who we have become, and why, and how the hell can we get out of this mess?! I, like many women, am finding my political voice. I knocked on doors for a local congressional campaign for the first time. (And we won!) I plan to get even more involved in the races of 2020, which are right around the corner...

My children are doing well- they are wonderful. Daniel is tween, almost a teen. Everything is boring and embarrassing and terrible and don't you dare tell him how handsome and strong and tall and capable he is. He's going to be a fine young man and I have to catch my breath sometimes thinking just how fast he turned from my little boy to this strapping nearly-man.

Lily continues to be HERSELF. Her amazing, exhausting, exhilarating, exuberant self. She's crazy smart and thriving and so, so beautiful. God only knows what Life has in store for her, but it will be something special, I know it. I find it hard to believe she was once a teeny tiny baby we prayed would live.

Thank you for reading, thank you for sharing this space.

love,

Becky aka: "Injera Mama"

Ethiopian Food: Yum, Yum, Yum!

I love visiting Ethiopia. I love seeing our family, the beautiful land and animals, and to be immersed in a language and culture that is so different than our own. But what I miss most when I come home is this:

The macchiatos. Oh, the delicious, delicious macchiatos. Hot, strong bunna (Ethiopian coffee) topped with foamed milk and sprinkled with cinnamon or chocolate powder, sometimes served with a little cookie and always with a liberal helping of sugar. Just the best.

You can buy coffee pretty much anywhere - a fancy hotel,  tiny hut, a roadside stand, or maybe at this adorable soda shop. 

At the Sheraton, you can have your coffee with a side of a banana split, if you like.

Traditionally coffee beans are roasted and then ground by hand just before brewing.
Here L is grinding the coffee in her family's home. This was the best bunna we had in Ethiopia, hands down. 

A fancy traditional meal- a variety of stews on top a platter of injera (sourdough pancake)
This one includes ground chickpeas, lentils, beef, cheese, salad and stewed greens. 

A very fancy "fasting" platter - all vegan for those observing Orthodox Easter fasting.
On this plate: lentils, beats, salad, chickpeas, peas, stewed greens, eggplant.

The southern regions are known for its beef. Here is a traditional beef stew roasting over a mini open flame. 

Lake Awassa is known for its fish, and here is a large pot of fish soup being prepared right next to the fisherman's market. 

Ethiopian animal kingdom!

Andrew and I thought seeing all these animals was cool. WE liked stopping and taking photos. WE enjoyed the boat ride. Our children... well, our children would rather be swimming. Nevertheless, we did see some amazing animals on this trip. We traveled south from Addis Ababa through Hosanna, Halaba, and stayed at Lake Awassa for a few days. It was beautiful, beautiful country.

Lots of hard working donkeys on the road. This one is hauling water.

This turtle was just crossing the road in front of a church in Addis. As one does.

The giant birds of Awassa.

First we make friends with the monkeys

And then we feed them from our heads. 

More beautiful birds of Awassa. Oh, you wanted to know their names? Sorry, try Nat Geo.

Hippos! Real live hippos! I'm still giddy. They are so cool. 

Yes, that is me talking with an ostrich.

Monkeys everywhere! Not pictured: the one that stole our breakfast that one morning.

Camels! Apparently grown for the meat market, not for caravans.

Lily was given a donkey ride by her father and brothers. A very special treat.