Showing posts with label Tucson Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tucson Christmas. Show all posts

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Snowbird Journal-Dec 20--Tamale Fest





Pat, Betsy's sister has a group of friends that at one time all worked in dietary services at Tucson United School District. They've known each other for years and meet  monthly to celebrate something or just get togther. One of their special treats is to be invited to Cruz's house for the Christmas Tamale Open House. Somehow Pat got all the Kimbrough-Kuhn clan invited this year. I think part of the reason is that Jim and Jeff both consider a tamale to be a food group all by itself. Jeff actually admitted that he firmly believes that if his day is not going according to plan he will eat a tamale and everything will be better. He also wanted to know how this wonderous food was put together. As I understand it there is a Christmas tradition regarding tamale's. It's where friends and family get together and make tamale's and then have a great meal. The preparation of the tamale's is as important as the meal itself. The making of the tamale can be broken down into several different tasks--one person will prepare the corn husk, another will put the masa on the husk, another will put the meat on, and then another will fold the corn husk. The tradition part of all this is getting together as a family or friends and through cooperative effort make this fantastic meal. Jeff was the pupil and Cruz and her two daughters were the instructors. I'm pretty sure that Jeff will eat far more tamale's than he'll ever make. The food was great and we appreciated so much being invited.  
Top Photo--Jeff stalking the tamale ingredients
Middle Photo--Hands On Training
Bottom Photo--Most of the Kimbrough-Kuhn Clan

Friday, December 12, 2008

Luminaria Nights




I just returned back home from a lovely evening at the Tucson Botanical Gardens Luminaria Nights event with my sister Pat and her happy hour group. The evening was a balmy 65 or so degrees and the paths of the gardens were lined with around 1500 luminaries and countless white christmas lights strung in the trees. As we walked about we enjoyed music by a wide variety of musicians. The group we enjoyed the most was from the Desert Bluegrass Association. What a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit. Betsy
Photo #1 Bluegrass Association Group
Photo #2 Happy Hour Group with Santa
Photo #3 Botanical gardens at night