Traditions

I'm really big on traditions. I absolutely LOVE them. But I can't really say more, because I'm teaching a mothers group in a couple of weeks on traditions and don't want to spoil it for them. But that being said, here is one tradition that I'm trying to launch into the Ruiz family.

Christmas Tamales

This is what all of Mexico eats at Christmas time. It's like their Thanksgiving turkey. But our family has never had them on Christmas. We never have them now, or at least not handmade within the family.  Miguel's mom is the only one left who knows how to do it. The story goes, that she only made them when her mother came up from Mexico and now that her mom has passed away, I'm afraid that tradition and knowlege has passed away along with her.

Everytime I mention it to his mother, she kind of hesitates, and his dad says it's too much work. But it's about being Mexican and passing along tradition and being with family. It's only once a year. And if this did become a tradition in our family it would bring all of us together for many generations I believe. I love that Miguel is Mexican. It could be my favorite thing. Just kidding. But seriously, it adds so much flavor to our family. I love to celebrate anything that is Mexican. I want my girls to know the ways of their culture and embrace it. It's so fun, and tamales is one of those things.

Anyhow...I found this video last night that captures perfectly what I had invisioned for OUR family. I only hope I can get Graciela to share her knowledge with the next generation, so that we can then share it with our children.
Afterall, they already have 9 granddaughters who could possibley make them someday.