Feliz Ano Nuevo

So, if I forgot to buy grapes and do not eat 12 of them at midnight will 2008 be less than sweet and fruitful? Would raisins do, Cubanos?

We are having a low-key evening. We'll be eating lentils (because I also forgot to buy black-eyed peas to celebrate the Southern) and drinking excellent bubbly on the couch.

Not so bad a way to bring in the New Year.

This past year has brought joy, adventure, sadness and fear, just what I have come to expect from living a full life. It all has been good, for even the bad inspires new direction and grace.

I'm feeling a bit nostalgic and fuzzy and I haven't even started on the champagne. (Probably because I have been listening to This American Life podcasts for two hours while cooking). I'm thinking a lot about what I want for myself, my family, my business in 2008. Will post a little list at some point.

If you like, tell me what you would like when you visit this space.

Happy and Wonderful and Propero 2008 to you and yours.

Squid Who?

I moved to Nashville in 1991 to work as a general assignment reporter on the Metro desk. My reporter friends in Jersey, where I had been working and dying, teased me that I was going South to cover the rhinestone beat and Elvis sightings. None of that, but I did once write about a naked woman walking down Music Row.

The truth is, I thought I would be here just a couple of years. This place was another planet and I was the alien. But, we're going on 17 years of residency.

I like it here.

As testament, I have made a Lens on Squidoo offering up some insider tips to visiting Nashville. It's a love letter and a field guide. Visiting this place without the right map could indeed leave an impression different from the one I have. So, I Squidoo-ed for love. (Plus, as per my dad, lots of Cubanitos from Miami want to move to Tennessee. Well, here's a guide to the coolest city in the state.)

And because I can't get enough of a good thing, I also made a Lens about Los Pollitos Dicen.
I included links to traditional Latino children's songs, YouTube videos, and the bilingual books and CDs we most love. This one is kind of a draft, so I will be adding more when there is time and brain power.

Please visit me and drop me a note over there.

Suggestions always are welcome. Everyone needs an editor.

By the way, please notice that Seth Godin left me a little note on the Nashville lens. Let's just say, the holiday was made after that one. Maybe he writes notes to all the girls, but I'll share.

The favorite Christmas gift

Maria opens a Christmas box of books...

"What is this?''
"It's a little air pouch. It is used to pack things in boxes.''
"Oh Mami, I LOVE it!''

Oy.

Feliz Noche Buena y Navidad

The house, and my hands, smell like garlic and lime juice. Al fin, it's time for Noche Buena roast pork. And black beans and yuca, the canned stuff my dad brings us. I love it and pretend not to care it is from a can.

Many good wishes for a warm and happy and garlicky and glittery Christmas.

Feliz Navidad from the Boonies.

At least two reasons not to teach my daughter Spanish

Me to waiter: "Y para la nina, leche. Pero cuando venga la comida.''
Maria: "But, I would like my milk now.''

Waiter to me: "Quiere leche blanca o de chocolate?''
Me to waiter: "Blanca, por favor.''
Maria: "They have chocolate milk? I want chocolate milk!''

I used to be able to get away with a lot.
Now, not so much.

Boonie Princess in Disney World

In the summer of '72, my parents, cousins, aunts and uncles piled into a church-owned mini bus and drove north toward Fantasyland. It was one long, un-airconditioned ride and one I made 18 times over the next 14 years of my life. A few times in the church mini bus, a few times in the back of the baby blue Pinto, a few times with my aunt, and many other times in ways I can't even remember. It is all one big Goofy blur.

And now, a new generation of my family has been introduced to the Kingdom's crack-like draw. Thank goodness for no mini bus. (And despite my love of Walt and his pals, if we go there 18 times in the next 14 years, I may hurt myself.)

As I said before, it was a delight to watch the girls take it all in. They were overwhelmed, but happy. But, my best personal moment might just have been crowning myself with a pink tiara in a frilly, pixie dust-filled store.

My kid isn't really into princesses.

But me?


And finally, a plug for the place where we stayed: Dizney Condo, just a few minutes from Walt Disney World. It's in the middle of everything and has the best clubhouse and playground we could have hoped for. It's also owned by my cousin, a woman of extreme detail and hospitality.

Here's to Magic...

Hello and Los Pollitos Blogger Discount

Dear Amigos,

Thank you so much for the wonderful notes and e-mails. It has meant a lot.

Still unable to post at length, but from here all looks good and promising. Surgery will be soon.

My family met last week at Disney World. The trip already was planned and my mom's doctor told her to go and enjoy her family. She did. We did. I had not been to the Magic Kingdom in 22 years. It had changed a lot and it had changed little. It was great to see my 4-year-old daughter and 18-month-old niece take it all in. Oh, and thank goodness neither one of them knows about collecting character autographs. The lines were outrageous. Pictures to come, and if I get the courage, one of me in a pink princess tiara.

For your kindness, we at Los Pollitos Dicen are offering a discount code for blog readers: Enter blog07 and receive a 20% discount.

At this point, can't guarantee a Christmas delivery, but we'll certainly try.

Holidays and Hand-holding

There will be scant, if any, posts from the Boonies in the next few days -- or weeks.

We will be off for hand-holding.

My mother has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The prognosis looks good. It appears to have been detected early. (A plug for regular mammograms). More tests and surgery are coming soon.

Best wishes to you and your families during the holidays.

Each of you -- the regular readers and secret e-mailers -- are a lovely part of my days and I will be thinking of you.

If you can, think of my family a little too.

Un beso.

Sweetness all around

There is a Martha Stewart magazine on my shelf that teases me each holiday. All cookies. Cookies of deep chocolate with black pepper and cookies with lemon and rosemary and peppermint. I've never made one batch, though I love the thought of giving someone delicious cookies for Christmas. Part too busy and part wondering whether it's worth it to make and give, or ship, cookies that stay fresh but a few days.

This year, I've made many of our gifts, or I've bought hand-made or small business-owned. Most, not all. But, there still are a few girlfriends on the list for whom shopping for is hell. And so, it was back to looking at Martha's cookie magazine and wondering.

But then, this: Coconut Dulce de Leche. (And this glory: Balsamic Fig Chutney, both from the December's issue of Bon Appetit magazine.)

Ay, que rico!

Dulce de leche for Christmas? What more could you want when you already have it all?

Oh, and there's also this smart and easy version from Marta.

So, that's what I'll be doing the next few days. Making dulce de leche and licking spoons.

And, because I have thick skin, I'll share this collage I made for my niece. It's a total rip-off of a couple of Claudine Hellmuth designs, though not even close to her talent. I love Claudine.

I nabbed this idea for two reasons: My sister-in-law has a special connection to the song "You are my sunshine'' and sings it to my niece, as her mom sung it to her. The button used to represent the sun comes from a dress that belonged to my grandmother, my niece's great-grandmother.

It might end up stashed in a closet, but it was made with love.

Did you take the hand-made pledge?

Around these parts you can't swing a guitar without hitting a musician -- whether famous or wannabe. It's getting just as crowded with creative crafters and artists.

I present you with a list of women I personally know, and have worked with, to present an annual show. They are delightful and talented. And, if you still are in search of a hand-made Christmas gift, one of them -- or more -- is sure to fill the need.

Tomo & Edie, organic baby kimonos and hair accessories.
Two Green Olive Trees, sweet baby clothes, bibs, art.
His Hands Designs, jewelry made from broken china.
Freshie & Zero, simple, modern silver and gold jewelry.
Beth Howard Studio, hand-printed fabric, bags, and more.
Julie's Digital Designs, for the scrapper from one of my favorite people.
Tisra Fadely Originals, block prints and cards. (Photo above)
Jenni Hopkins Design, hand-embroidery and paintings.

Aprieta el paso

A few mornings ago, the sky was cloudy as we pulled out of the driveway and I hear a little voice in the backseat:

Parece que va llover
El cielo se esta nublando.
Parece que va a llover
Ay mama, me estoy mojando.

Aprieta el paso
que no vamos a mojar.
Aprieta el paso
que nos vamos a mojar.

Oh yes. I nearly bust a gut. My father taught her the words when they were here for Thanksgiving. To my delight, he can be counted on to teach her some new Cubanism, Latinism, Silly-ism, each time they are together. She remembers them all.

The song, for those who don't understand, says it looks like it's going to rain, oh mama, I'm getting wet, pick up the pace, we're going to get wet.

Not sure who sang the original version in my father's Cuba, but I did see a Google reference to the amazing Beny More. I found this fun and funky version by the Kumbia All-Starz.

So, here's to sunshine, in all forms:

Making room for more...Updated

Hola and buenos dias...I have been digging myself out of the clutter and chaos that is my office, so forgive the brief absence. Usually, it doesn't hit until January that I'm feeling overwhelmed by madness and stuff -- mostly unfiled paperwork and out-of-place craft supplies -- but this year, it hit about a week ago. I've shredded and shredded and gotten rid of stuff that only collects dust, despite sentimentality. The guy at Goodwill must wonder what is up with me. If I were him, I would think this frequent-donator steals from the hoarders just so she can donate regularly.

Besides that, I've been making some Christmas gifts, and planning others. (Most unfortunately, I discovered Martha Stewart has message boards. Time sucker.) And, I've been trolling Etsy for inexpensive awesomeness. I do believe, I have discovered a new drug and it is Etsy.

Oh, and yesterday, I made cookies called: "Cookies that Bring Joy'' from this book, a re-gift from my father. Lots of clove and cinnamon and butter. They did, indeed, make me happy. La nena too.

And of course, there has been order-filling going on, which is a highlight of the day.

As promised:

Cookies that Bring Joy
from St. Hildegard's Kitchen
Foods of Heath. Foods of Joy


12 tbsp, plus 1 tsp butter (see why they bring joy?)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup honey
4 egg yolks
2 1/2 cups spelt flour
1 tsp salt
2 rounded tbsp of "Spices that Bring Joy'' (recipe follows)


Melt butter under low heat, add sugar, honey and egg yolks. Beat lightly.
Combine the flour, salt and spices and combine gently.
Combine all ingredients, mix gently.
Refrigerate dough after mixing.
Roll out onto a floured surface and cut with a cookie cutter.
Bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes until just golden.


Spices that Bring Joy mixture:
1 tbsp nutmeg; 1 tbsp cinnamon; 1 tsp ground cloves. This may be doubled or tripled as needed.

In the book: "Make small cookies and eat these often. They will reduce the bad humors, enrich the blood, and fortify the nerves.''

I am not an expert baker, so maybe the problem was mine, but the dough softened very quickly and using a small cookie cutter didn't work very well, as it reduced itself from heart shape to melting heart shape. It didn't take as long as 10 minutes to cook, but we were making small cookies. And, the recipe doesn't specify dark brown sugar or light brown sugar. I used light brown sugar.

Enjoy and buen provecho!