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Thursday, May 5, 2011

I love Mexican Food!


Today is Sinco de Mayo and this always reminds me of my brief, close encounter with the Mexican culture.

You see, my name used to be Figueroa (back in 1969 to 1974.) I can hear you going "What?" but, nobody believed me back then and thought I was pulling their leg when I said that my name was Figueroa. Having just come from Germany, speaking very little English and no Spanish at all, I was married to a handsome young man with olive skin and almond shaped eyes (sigh!) who was born in California, but his mother was Hopi Indian and his daddy was from Mexico. That was a very interesting and educational part of my life and I always remember it fondly. I traveled to Mexico several times for family festivities and got to mingle with ordinary people and be part of their every day lives. I became a Godmother and the party included homemade tortillas and meat from a goat and pig that were buried underground in hot coal for the day...it was the most tender meat I ever ate. The people were of limited means, but their hearts where big and open. I am so glad I had the chance to experience that.

Living in California for 33 years, I had the opportunity to eat a lot of Mexican food and never had any better than there, unless I made it myself. My Hopi Indian ex-MIL taught me how to cook Tamales, Enchiladas, Spanish Rice, Mole and all sorts of other delicious meals...and on the weekends, if I wanted Mexican breakfast, I'd just drive to Santa Ana and get fresh Carnitas or Menudo and there were several Cantinas that made homemade Tamales all the time:
(during Christmas, they offered the sweet ones with nuts and raisins in them)

When I discovered Cilantro I became addicted to it and still love to make burritos even though I quit eating meat. The Mexican sweet breads are so good with coffee in the morning...or afternoons:


I finally discovered a place here that sells them fresh from the bakery and now that I have wheels, I can go get some once in a while.

I also enjoy some of the Mexican candy, especially candied yam and cactus. We actually have a small Mexican grocery store in town now that sells a few of those things.

Anyway, just thought I'd say Happy Cinco de Mayo and remind you that tonight might be a good time to go out for Mexican - Ole!

Listen to the sound of Mariachi music and enjoy the big, flowing colorful skirts:





Click here for some more fine Mariachi fiddling!

I am a very colorful person and miss the Mexian flair I saw so much in Southern California! If I were there today, I'd drive to Los Angeles to visit Olvera Street to get a good dose of Mexian culture!

Here is a little serape and sombrero I crocheted for a hot sauce bottle that fits thoday's theme:


I've listened to many a Mariachi bands over the years and every time I hear that music I want to have chips and salsa. I was so glad when I discovered that a Mexican family opened a restaurant right here in town called El Carrisal. I have been sampling their food and found it to be very authentic tasting.  I will probably get some for my dinner tonight.

Enjoy!



11 comments:

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

Well who would have thought it. I am so pleased to hear that you are my prima (cousin) in loving Cinco de Mayo.
Hopi and Mexican would certainly be a beautiful family. My husband's family is Apache/German and Mexican. I think they are pretty cute too, especially SM. My family is English/Irish and Spanish.
Enjoy your chips and salsa. We're having GK's favorite burritos tonight because it is her B-day. She has always had a Cinco de Mayo theme to her birthdays, but seems to love it right down to the folklorico dancing like your pictures that she is doing.

Annie Jeffries said...

What an interesting bit of personal history, Doris. I would have never guessed. But, I guess we were all very different 40 odd years ago.

I was living in San Diego and married to another. Unfortunately, my memories of that time aren't nearly so colorful.

I love the little sombrero hat. My son is a hot sauce junky. I'll have to check and see if you are selling it on Etsy.

Heather - The Good Life said...

I enjoyed reading your story and I too love Mexican food. We have a wonderful authentic Mexican restaurant close to our house where we like to eat. Enjoy your dinner. :-)

Erika said...

Enjoyed your little story very much. Sounds like you have lived somewhat of a colorful life, but that is what makes it interesting.

Like you, I enjoy Mexican food, and many other foods from around the world for that matter. I might not eat it a second time, but I at least have to try it once. There is nothing like the different smells to entice you to try something new.

Well you managed to make my mouth water and for my stomach to tell me that it's hungry. So of I go to do just that.

Have a great day my friend and enjoy your time out with the food you love.

Hugs

Ginny Hartzler said...

Wow, a part of your life we knew nothing about! And such a colorful and exciting one. Did you take these pictures of the dancers when you lived there? They are fantastic!!

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Mexican food always smells and looks so delectable but it doesn't set well with Mom's tummy. She does give in once in a while and then raids the zantac bottle:)

Happy Cinco de Mayo Day to you too.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Janine said...

Oh how wonderfull.
Das sieht ja sooo lecker aus. Ich liebe mexikanisches Essen auch sehr. Wir haben hier ein mexikanisches Restaurant, aber das ist wohl nicht das selbe, wie bei euch.
Die Bilder von der Tänzerinnen sind toll, aber sah mal, was hat es mit dem cinco de Mayo, dem 5.Mai auf sich?
Warum ist das ein besonderer Tag für Mexiko?
Liebe Grüße
Janine

Ann said...

Well how about that. Interesting to hear more about you.
Those sweet breads look delicious and I just love those colorful skirts.
There is a Mexican restaurant in our area that I've been too and I found the food to be quite good.

Keetha Broyles said...

That top plate of food looks soooo delicious!

Karin said...

Going to have to google why May the 5th is such a special day! Our friends the Mayforths, always celebrate May 4th - I kid you not!
That food looks wonderful and I think I need to take hubby out soon - we both like Tacos the best! Very interesting story you've told us!!

Chatty Crone said...

Doris - I hope you had a great Cinco De Mayo - did you get to eat any of the food you liked? sandie