Christmas 2020
No date stamp needed on this year’s holiday card. Season’s Greetings from us to you! xoxo
PS: The kids are standing on a fence behind us. They’re tall, but not that tall. 
Photo taken at Muir Woods.
December 2020
Happy holidays!
Sunday night we watched the 22nd annual “A Home for the Holidays” on CBS, hosted by Gayle King and produced by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, and I will tell you, I wasn’t the only one sitting on our sofa, crying. The show tells the story of families created through foster-adoption, and every year when I watch it, I’m overwhelmed with a feeling of absolute gratitude for how adoption has transformed my life and our family, and for being part of what I think of as my tribe, my people, my adoption community. I’ll never stop counting my blessings.
Happy holidays from my family to yours! ~ Jessica, Tim, Olivia and Mateo (ages 18 and 16).
PS: The kids are standing on a fence post behind us. They’re tall, but not that tall! 😉
Kirkus review of Mother Mother
Kirkus reviewed Mother Mother and called it “An absorbing, uplifting, and informative family tale.“
Just wanted to share the good news!
Here’s an excerpt:
…The narrative toggles between the Cowans in California and Jack’s birth mother, Rosalba, in Guatemala, and the differences are beyond wrenching. But the conclusion is almost miraculous and quietly joyful…The author’s prose is artful throughout this engrossing novel…This moving story will touch all parents, adoptive or not.
Kirkus review of Mother Mother Read More »
Guatemalan cookbook
I love this cookbook by Amalia Moreno-Damgaard so I’m sharing with you and any foodies you may have in your life. In the Preface, Amalia writes that it’s her “modern take an an ancient cuisine that is not known outside Guatemala.” The 170 recipes are a mix of traditional dishes and Amalia’s own creations–from her grandmother’s kitchen to her own classical education in French cooking. Selections range from breakfast, tapas, and street food to Guatemalan barbeque, Mayan stews, and holiday cuisine. Salsas, sweets, and “the Guatemalan bar”: this cookbook has it all, including a helpful section titled “Guatemalan-isms.”
Available wherever books are sold. Buen provecho!
Guatemalan cookbook Read More »
Parent Panel with Next Generation Guatemala
I’m a long-time admirer of Next Generation Guatemala (NGG), an organization of young adults born in Guatemala and adopted to the US. Which is why I was thrilled when asked to participate in NGG’s Parent Panel/Q&A, with questions around decisions to adopt, how we connect to Guatemalan culture, how/if we build community, how/if/when our families discuss race. Excellent, fascinating discussion all around.
Here’s the YouTube link, with my apologies for joining in late.
Parent Panel with Next Generation Guatemala Read More »