Adios 2011.

Today I've been thinking about the best and worst moments of 2011. It sure was a roller coaster of a year. Only really good, or really bad things happened.

• We said goodbye to Texas, and moved to México.
• I became an EFL teacher.
• I lost my uncle Greg to Pancreatic cancer.
• I got slandered, again.
• Someone dented my Explorer, amongst other things.
• We weren't able to complete our house.
• We went to the beach.
• My sister-in-law got married.
• Esperanza started Preschool.
• The kids became dual citizens. (USA/México)
• I wrote 3 new songs, and learned how to cook 8 new things.
• I admitted to being Atheist.
• I made new friends.
• I lost 27 kilos (60 pounds).
• I made peace with my past, and found confidence in who I am.
• I completed the only New Year's resolution I made: I started a blog.

What about you? What were your best/worst moments of 2011?

Tonight we're eating pavo (turkey) and celebrating the New Year with José's family. We're discussing the Maya calendar; how it ends this year, and what we think might happen. So whether this is the end of the world, and the zombie apocalypse is upon us, or we've got several million more revolutions around the sun to go...Happy 2012, from México! Feliz Año Nuevo!

Aprovecha el día,
Charlotte (Carlota)

Feliz Navidad!

Traditions: This isn't our first Christmas in Zacatecas, but it's definitely been one of the best. Yesterday, was Noche Buena (Christmas Eve). The whole family got together, played games, and had a huge potluck feast; posole verde, pasta salad, Waldorf salad, relleno and sidra. I made/brought stuffed baked potatoes. They were a huge hit!

Regalos: Some families in México, like José's, open presents (regalos) on Noche Buena. We bought the Fruit Ninja Kinect game for the kids. They love it! Esperanza already has a high score of 512. My in-laws got me new dress pants for work. José and I are gifting each other a romantic seafood dinner out that we'll be taking tomorrow night!

Aprovecha: One of my favorite things about this time of year in México is the traditional Ponche Navideño (Christmas Punch). A cousin to Apple Cider; it has the same warming sensation, includes similar holiday spices, but contains several ingredients, native to México, which give it a unique flavor. Full of Vitamin C and sugary sweetness, it's a great addition to any holiday party or stay-in on a cold winter's night. Here's how to make it...

Ponche Navideño
 A recipe from the kitchen of: Rosa Méndez

Makes 12-15, 2-cup portions.
Prep time: 10 minutes. Cook time: 1 hour.

Ingredients:

~ 6 liters of tap water (+/- 1.5 gallons)
~ 1 cup granulated sugar

~ 1 orange (or mandarin) halved
~ 5 guavas, quartered
~ 2 apples, cubbed, seeded
~ 10 tejocotes, halved, seeded
~ *4 whole tamarinds, shells pealed
~ 1 whole cinnamon stick
~ **2 stalks sugarcane, pealed, cut, and sliced


Supplies:
~ 8 quart stock-pot
~ a long ladle

Directions: Fill stockpot 3/4 of the way up with tapwater. Set stove to high heat. Meanwhile, prepare fruit, sugarcane, and set aside. Bring water to a rolling boil. Add the sugar. Stir until disolved. Bring sugar water to a rolling boil. Combine all of the fruit, sugarcane, and cinnamon stick. Bring to a rolling boil. Turn heat to medium low. Simmer for 30 minutes, or until apples are soft, stirring every 10 minutes. Serve immediately with caution. Enjoy with or without fruit pieces.
Optional: Add a shot of vodka or rum to each mug for some extra Christmas cheer!

*You can find all of these ingredients, including tamarinds and tejocotes, at La Michoacana Meat Market or Fiesta Mart during Christmastime.
**If sugarcane is unavailable, substitute 1 additional cup of sugar.

Let me know if you tried the recipe, or have any questions! Thanks for reading! Feliz Navidad!

Aprovecha el día,
Charlotte (Carlota)

Well, here it goes!

Introduction:
Long story short, I'm from Dallas, Texas. José, my husband, is from Zacatecas, México. We met and fell in love in 2004. We married in 2006. José immigrated to Texas shortly thereafter. Our family grew: Esperanza (2006), Leonardo (2008), and Itzel (2010). I graduated with an Associate in Arts in 2010. We moved to Zacatecas in May of this year, and in August, I became an EFL teacher. I love my family, my job, and my life. I also like cooking, making music, copyediting, gardening, watching the night sky, and playing Xbox 360 Kinect. I'm not a fan of religion, cancer, traffic, temperatures over 88 degrees Fahrenheit, or sweeping the floor. 

Blah blah blah:
It's been a little over half a year since we moved here to Zacatecas. I'm feeling well adjusted and acclimated. My Spanish is improving by the day. Honestly, there are only a few things that I miss about Texas; my family, Dublin Dr Pepper, Mesquite Bar-B-Q, Shiner, and Super Target to name a few. I love it here. I love the view, the climate, the pace, the people, the lifestyle... Did I mention that I love the food? The traditions? The Spanish language? There are too many things to love about this place. So much to see. So much to learn. That's why I thought I would create a blog about it all.

Mission statement:
This blog is to document my culinary journey and investigation of the Mexican humanities and social sciences. To share my experiences, as I explore the heart of México; the culture and cuisine of Zacatecas.

Welcome to my blog.
Thanks for reading!

To México and Beyond...

Aprovecha el día,
Charlotte (Carlota)