Fun Cooking with Mary : December 2015

Pumpkin Jalapeno and Cheese Tamales!

My beautiful parents who made Christmas special!!

Mom always made Christmas special, her staying true to her roots, Mexico, as well as my father did, the southern state Louisiana, and how they loved preparing for the right meal, which would always include Tamales! I always thought her tamales would always be the best simply because it is a food memory of my past moments of family gatherings.

As the Christmas holidays approach one more year, I woke up thinking about our President Barack Obama. I'm going to miss him, simply because he was different from other presidents, yet he didn't really change anything. He merely reinforced what we as a people wanted and needed. Some of my own children weren't happy of his election, to my surprise, they themselves are of a African American decent, more then myself, (although I do acknowledge all of my races).

My father, their grandfather could not wait to see a Black President and he was so amazed. When he won presidency, he screamed with so much joy. But I don't see him as a Black President. I see him as a man who simply reinforced what our country needed.

I got fired the day after he was elected, and then lost my house of 24 years, simply because some people were afraid, and not getting the proper support didn't help me save it. There were many African-American women who got fired, where I worked, and cases were filed. My case was dropped, and it became OK. I don't get much into politics, and maybe it's best and should be that way for me, since I'm not very good at it, and it confuses me at times. I feel since we are all Americans and pretty much strive for the same thing, we should just get a long. At least most of us, unless one is or we all become nuts, chestnuts roasting on a open fire at that. Yet, some people are very passionate, sometimes, debating, blaming, arguing, etc, which I often saw at my father's table, (I miss this), while the women were cooking and cleaning. Go figure. And for most of it, my opinion didn't seem to matter, maybe because I was just a woman, the youngest in the family, or who knows, maybe my opinion simply sucked. I think I'm always going to be a bit liberal. Still we all strive for the same thing. This I find to be so true as I come into my 56th birthday.

Wow, 56, who knew I would make it this far!! I can still remember when I was a kid. I remember the kitchen filled with all sorts of aromas in the cold season, and Christmas had to be my favorite time of the year. Anticipating opening presents, laughing, playing, and those Christmas Tamales!! Only from my mother's heart and kitchen. Couldn't wait to have them! And would eat at least 6!!

During the holidays and my birthday, the only thing I think about are my kids, their family, new arrivals, like my parents did, although they are in various parts. If only I could be everywhere at the same time. And I miss my parents who are no longer here.

Today I was just thinking,....maybe I shouldn't. (lol) Happy Holidays! Please stay safe!