Make New (i)friends Monday: Gourmand in Da House

Sung to the tune of Jingle Bells, well my version of that tune anyway, which I'm told is the tone deaf version, but whatever, you get the idea.

Searching through some blogs
I found one the other day.

I liked it oh so much
so I decided to stay.

It features yummy foods,
so many tasty treats.

Like the best cupcakes
that you will ever meet!

Oh today's ifriend, today's ifriend
she is quite a chef

Go to her house for dinner,
and there'll be nothing left!

Oh! Today's ifriend, today's ifriend
I'm so glad that we met.

You should visit her great blog
and you'll love it I bet!

Convinced at her awesomosity?

Well, I was hoping to insert post, custom written for my readers, by Christine of Maman and Gourmand's here today.

Maybe show off a new recipe of hers, something yummy like her German chocolate cheesecake lollipos, just to make you foam at the mouth and wish you could rock an oven the way she does.

Something gorgeous like these babies (her photos are great too, right?)...



Or, something award winning, like this (yep, she won the Iron Cupcake Apple Challenge which is like a big deal in the cupcake-obsessed foodie world)...



But, instead, I'm doing the post for her, about her, and her family, because instead of spending a joyful holiday season all cooking mouthwateringly amazing dishes and being all festive like, they are struggling with illness, and the possible loss of her step son.

Instead of decking the halls and planning for happy times in 2010, they are watching as James (her step son) is being overtaken by heart and lung issues that have forced him to be placed under the care of hospice.

This will likely be their last Christmas with James.

And they are sad (and frustrated, and confused, and frightened).

I can not even begin to attempt to describe what their family is going through at the moment, and I don't even intend to try.

But, I hope that you will take a moment to visit her blog, and possibly leave her a nice comment, and even steal one of her AWESOME recipes and then come back later and tell her how much you enjoyed it.

It may not seem like a lot, and really it's not, but sometimes it's the little things that people do that count, and that's all I'm asking, a little moment to read about her, and her family, and James just so she knows she's not alone.

And then hug your babies and enjoy the holidays, thanking whoever you thank for the beauty of your life for giving you another Christmas with your loved ones.

*Wanna be a PBD ifriend and share your inner most thoughts, your bank statements, your being your blog with Dumb Mom and friends. Shoot me an email to parentingbydummies[at]gmail[dot]com and you'll be in there like swimwear!