…bring Armenian food to the girl. Seattle is a long way from Armenia but, in early fall, my heart is there. I long for a warm evening, a sidewalk cafe, and a slice of lahmajun with a glass of tahn on the side. So on a warm night in late September, we laid out an […]
Armenia
I heart Armenia
When summer turns to fall, my heart longs for Armenia. I made four trips to Armenia in the fall, and when the air begins to feel crisp and leaves on the trees trim their edges with gold and red, I reminisce: Vines laden with ripe grapes drape trellises outside people’s homes, hills are dry and […]
Never forget: Commemorating the Armenian Genocide
April 24 commemorates the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923, where it is estimated that 1.5 million Armenians perished. April 24 was chosen as the starting date for the genocide, because, on this day the day Ottoman authorities rounded up and arrested some 250 Armenian intellectuals and community leaders. During our trips to Armenia, we made several […]
A room of her own
April 8, 2012 This is the first time our daughter set foot inside her crib. Her crib in a room of her own. I’m sure it was a shock to her, arriving at this new, strange place with sounds and smells she didn’t recognize. Big Papa and I were elated to be in our home […]
With love, to Gyumri
You can’t love a city if you have no memories buried there. ~Marina Tavares Dias Take the road less traveled, Beth
Leaving the orphanage
I will always be grateful for the care our daughter received, during the first year of her life, as a child in an orphanage. Whenever I talk with her about the nannies who watched over her, I make sure she knows they did the best they could. I’ve told her they changed her diaper, bathed […]
Our family turns 2!
March 22, 2012 Gyumri, Armenia Snow and ice covered the ground and temperatures hovered near zero. We spent the morning trying to distract our minds from the wait, the wait to find out if the judge would grant us permission to adopt one tiny 11-month-old baby girl. Our driver took us to see Mother Armenia. […]
Two years ago in Armenia
Two years ago in Armenia…we awoke in Yerevan and made ourselves a cup of Armenian coffee. Okay, we made several cups. Next we had breakfast: Matsun (yogurt). I heart Matsun. Omelets (nice work Big Papa!)…and more Armenian coffee. of course. Then we walked down the stairs of our apartment and waited for our taxi and […]
Armenian Matnakash Bread Recipe
Four years ago, this week, Big Papa and I visited Armenia for the first time and ate Armenian Matnakash Bread. This bread was our introduction to Armenian cuisine. I remember we arrived late at night and were very hungry. On the dining room table in the apartment where we were staying, our host had left […]
Lovely Lancaster
We spent a long weekend in lovely Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Green rolling hill, cows dotting the landscape, horses pulling buggies, and Amish men and women dressed in plain, simple clothing. “Miracles come after a lot of hard work.” ~Sue Bender, Plain and Simple: A Journey to the Amish Want to see more simple beauty? Check out […]