How Can I Get This Picture Out of My Head!

If a picture can tell a thousand words and make a heart go in despair this one did it for me. Brian and I were reading the Washington Post last night before tucking into our warm cashmere bed, and this picture was on the "Free For All" page where readers submit whatever they want. The bottom of the picture reads "A woman bathes her malnourished son in the open at the Mazraq refugee camp in Yemen this month. The photo was published November 21."

I held back my tears, trying not to create a scene right before bed, but don't worry the next day I let it out. In fact I let it out while showing Aria the picture; trying to teach her what a lucky girl she is and to not take for granted the food her father and I provide. I think that hit her, as she saw my tears slowly slide down my cheek. She felt compassion for the child just as I, and together we sat there wishing we could get on a plane and give that little boy some food. I prayed that God would somehow get that boy some food to spare his life, so his mother could continue to love him and so that he could live to see the day when he could walk out of that refugee camp.

I did some research on the camp, and the crisis in Yemen, and the World Food Programme and Unicef are currently aiding the people in the camps and surrounding areas. But of course there are so many malnourished children that still children are dying every day. So I am going to do what I can to donate. World Food Programme gives you the option to specifically donate to child hunger and of course Unicef you can donate to specific countries. I just wish I could personally go there and give them what they need....

Just wanted to share this, in hopes that maybe I can get some of my readers to donate as well. Apparently Yemen is a forgotten country and according to Unicef approximately 250 children die daily of malnutrition. I feel guilty and blessed all at once but I know that God makes this all happen for a reason, and he gives us compassionate hearts so that we can care for those in need. To all those children who are hungry today....you are in my thoughts and prayers that soon food will come your way.

I Met The World Famous Lipizanners!

Ok so some of you can't pronounce that last word in my post heading but that doesn't matter...if you really want to know I will tell you what my Dad always told me: "Go look it up in the dictionary:-)" The World Famous Lipizzaners came to town and my mother in law, Barbara, bought Aria and I tickets to go see them!! Thanks Mom! They were at George Mason University which is less than 30 minutes from us.

It was a great show, but for those that are not equine enthusiast such as myself I can see how it can be a little boring. It was very informative with a great narrator whom went through all the neat facts about the breed, the Austrian heritage that these horses have, and the basics of the art of Dressage. Aria liked watching the horses but after awhile I could tell she would have had more fun if she could go pet them or even ride them. Maybe another time...if you ever get a chance to see the show go see it. Even if you are not crazy about horses there is a lot neat history about the horse and the schooling of these horses that originated in Austria.

First Lipizzaner to come out for National Anthem.

Introduction of all the stallions.

One rider showing the audience classic dressage movements...while a man narrated what he was doing which was pretty cool.

This stallion was getting ready to do the courbette which is when the horse balances on the hind legs and then jumps, keeping the hind legs together and the forelegs off the ground.

This stallion was doing the mezair which is when they rear up with forward motion.

This was an Andalucian stallion...I LOVE the mane and tail on these horses.

At the end they all came out for one last ovation.

Another Favorite...

Well it was a long overdue trip to Grandma's house....we have been so busy with the house and just plain having fun in our home. So we decided to pay a trip to Grandma's and well I have to make myself useful while I am there so I made some coconut cupcakes from my Barefoot Contessa cookbook! Love the recipes in this book, traditional, classics, and yummy in the tummy! Aria is always a big help baking and Kaden loves being in the middle of it all; literally! Except he just likes playing drums with all the cool kitchen toys.

The book...if you don't have this one it's a great one to have with classics like scrumptious pancakes, salads, cornbread and of course wonderful entrees. Definitely worth the buy!

Aria lining the cupcake pan.

Aria breaking the eggs...she is a pro at this now!

Kaden playing drums...



TA DA! Yummy coconut cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. The only adjustment I make is to the frosting...I subtract 1/2 cup of the sugar. I enjoy a little more of the cream cheese taste and it was GREAT!

I Met Giada!!!

Yes, I am not normally one to care about celebrities but Giada de Laurentiis is my favorite Italian cook. I don't watch the show too often but when I do I am always surprised at how easy her recipes are and then after I make the recipe I find that they are also DELICIOUS!

I was reading her blog on her website and it mentioned that she had a book signing in D.C. at the Washington Metropolitan Cooking Show so of course I had to buy a ticket! Rarely do I treat myself to anything these days...even a cookbook! So I splurged and spent the $36...was that ok? I guess Mommy can do something for her self every now and then:-)

It was great, well not the 1.5 hour wait to finally get to her and the getting lost in the convention center which made me one of the last in line. Owell. So I waited and waited. She seemed very nice to all of her fans and even let everyone take a picture with her. It was worth the trip and I had her sign the book to myself and Aria. Aria was suppose to go with me but since I was not feeling all that great Brian took the kids for the day so I could rest. So here I was finally got to meet her....thanks Giada!

Happy Costume!

Well Halloween came and went quickly but the best part of the day was our family day out to Great Falls. It's about a 30 minute drive North East and part of the park sits on the Virginia side and part on the Maryland side. We parked at one of the free parking lots right on Georgetown Pike and hiked from there. It was BEAUTIFUL. Something enchanted about hiking when the leaves are in abundant of colors and the water is raging through the rock piles left by God's hands. Aria hiked about 3 of the 4 miles and well Kaden of course was carried the whole way. We even ventured off and did some freestyle rock climbing. I wish our camera had the battery in it, I could have taken some shots and I am sure all of you would have thought we were crazy. But rest assured we would not have done it had we not been the climbers we are:-) Aria did great! We were literally right on the Potomac River. We made it over the big rock face and then ropelled our way up a fallen tree to get to the trail. It was fun, it was relaxing, and most of all it was great to be together as a family!

Then back home for a nap after that we got ready to go out. As you will see we had a good time. We only did about 10 homes, since we didn't want to have to argue with Aria over candy for too many days. We got to meet all of our neighbors, at least the one's that have moved in so that was nice.

Kaden the Gondola driver...where is my Gondola?

I think Aria is in love:-)

It was very hard to get this shot of him with the hat on...he kept taking it off!



Our little princess....Belle!

Daddy and his Gondola driver..

Grandma came over to help us get the munchkins ready.