Holiday Enchantment

Better late than never- how was your Thanksgiving? Mine was great! We had a three day extravaganza- on Turkey day proper we spent it with my brothers family and all I had to do was bring the pies! I made pumpkin cheesecake on Tuesday, apple on Wednesday and pumpkin on Thursday. The pies were a hit and there were even plenty of leftovers to take home! Yum! I have to give our hosts credit, they put on quite a spread and everything was delicious. New to me was yams...with marshmallows on top! I thought it was pretty tasty!

On Friday, the DH and I had a date night and saw Disney's Enchanted. I loved it! I can't remember the last time I smiled through an entire movie. I remembered what "feel good" movies are supposed to be like. I won't bore you with a review (there are plenty of them out there) but I will say that I will probably catch it again this holiday season (I don't think it will be leaving the box office any time soon!) and it will be a definite add to the DVD collection.

Just when we couldn't have any more fun- we did! While all of my friends had turkey growing up, I can only remember eating it once or twice. We had a traditional Mexican meal- tamales- when I was growing up. If you've never helped make tamales, it is quite an experience. All my cousins and I can recall being told we weren't spreading the dough right! To keep this tradition up, the DH and I have a second feast each year, duly named "Mexican Thanksgiving". We ending up with a crowd of 9 this year and I have to say this was our best year ever. The DH has perfected making caramel for the flan (I do the custard) and beans/refried beans. Ironically, the same man who protested when I told him real Mexican food requires lard, now buys the large size tub and hates it when we have to substitute shortening for our vegetarian friends. My Aunt passed on her rice recipe (it's all about toasting the cumin and then grinding it fresh) and I have a chicken enchilada recipe that's to die for. Really, you pour 2 cups of heavy whipping cream on top and then bake them. They are a crowd favorite- not that traditional, but they taste so good nobody cares! I think my brother and I are going to try tamales again this year for Christmas, I told him I'd slap his hand and tell him he's doing it wrong just like mom used to....ah....family traditions!