Saying goodbye to people, pets, and places are a part of life that we can't avoid - it's a part of growing up, growing older, and moving on. Goodbyes are often sad, but they can be filled with happy feelings and memories too!  A couple of weekends ago, the Halbrook clan got together to say goodbye Pete's childhood home in Maryland. We spent the afternoon in our favorite spaces of the house - the kitchen and the deck - eating delicious and lovingly prepared food: traditional Maryland blue crabs seasoned with Old Bay, steamed corn on the cob, fried chicken, avocado black bean salad, fresh fruit salad (from the local farms), tomato salad and chips with mango salsa.   

A few weeks ago, we were lucky enough to find a recipe book from one of our favorite DC restaurants, Rasika - an Indian restaurant - at a local book shop.  Since then, weekends have been filled with travel, so we decided to bring it down with us on our trip to visit Nana in Williamsburg and give a couple of the recipes a go.  

The conclusion is that everything turned out delicious; so much so, we forgot to take photos of the finished products!  The plot is a little more interesting.  Turns out some of the spices are hard to come by!  We went World Market where we bought about one fourth of the items including a mortar and pestle, then to a Harris Teeter grocery store to get another fourth of the ingredients, and then finally we found an Indian market down in Newport News, where we got all of the rest - 3 stops and we were all set for an appetizer and an entree of spicy cauliflower and a shrimp curry.

Heading into the Thanksgiving holiday week, being like where'd the time go? We've been pretty busy getting ready for the baby and the holidays.  Fall really is one of the most productive times for us! We're starting this "10 Things" list as a series to quickly fill you in on things we've been thinking of lately and would like to share.  So here we go:

1. A few weeks ago we consolidated our clothes into one dresser, sold the extra one and registered for one that will work as a changing table. We went with Pottery Barn Kids Emerson dresser. Thankfully, our parents already bought it for us and it's on the way! Hooray! Consolidating our clothes into one furniture piece was also really helpful in making us get rid of excess, once again.

2. We checked out strollers and car seats.  One of the places we recommend for locals in the DMV area is Baby Blossom.  Unlike the big box retailers, the staff is ready to help and very knowledgable about what works best for the uses customers need.  For city dwellers like us, where space is limited and city walking is what we do most, they suggested the Nuna Mixx with the Nuna Pipa car seat or the Bugaboo Cameleon 3.  Both come with overnight rated bassinets if you for travel purposes.

3. We designed our Holiday card, with and emphasis on "H". Pretty excited to showcase it so keep an eye out for it.

4. We sent out a Thanksgiving card/baby announcement to friends we didn't get to share the news with in person. 

Some have asked for our smoothie recipes and we've gladly obliged with a few! We strongly encourage you to check out protein powders by Vega, available at your local Whole Foods, CVS or online! They offer a variety of flavors and mixtures depending on whether your concern is getting your daily nutrients, replenishing or are in need of energy, or protein for muscle building.

Stay tuned for our Oatmeal Cookie and Mango Tumeric smoothies to come...
​In the meantime, let us know what you think!

Sharing a bit about our recent trip to Mexico - la Ciudad de Mexico, Merida y Tulum!

Have you ever heard of that song that is the title of this post?
"Mexico, lindo y querido,
si muero legos te di,
que digan que estoy dormido,
y que me traigan aqui."

Roughly translated it means: lovely and loved Mexico, if I die far from you,
let them say that I'm sleeping and bring me back here to you.

We did a great deal of amazing sight seeing, eating and shopping with our parents!

My favorite part about Mexico besides the history, food and colors is, of course, family.
​We saw the Zoebisch-Loredo side as well as the two J. Devereuxs!  

Places visited were San Angel (El Bazaar del Sabado), el Zocalo, Satelite, Cuahutemoc, Polanco, Merida, Chichen Itza, Valladolid (Cenote Zaci), Playa del Carmen, y la Zona Ecologica de Tulum.
Pete and I've started a family tradition; see you next year querido Mexico! Gracias por las memorias!

Recommended hotels: Hotel Carlota, Hotel Maria Cristina, Mansion Merida,
Zamas Hotel, &  Grand Hyatt.

Women's red bathing suit - Jcrew old (similar here); Women's blue tank top - Nike old (similar here); Straw sun shading hat - purchased at a stand in the Zocalo in a previous trip!