January 2019

We are now deep into the holiday season and thinking about what has changed. Yes, our Christmas is simple when you think of our previous Texas Christmas which involves shop till you drop and your credit card is full.

I know my first blog about Christmas Season of Angels and is one of the most amazing experience ever. We see little children all decked out as little angels cruising along the sidewalks. There are huge bags of animal crackers are at least 25-pound bags. The children are happy to receive a bag of goodies as well as the elders. Well, there are still little angels and parades, fireworks, all night music from the hills so that has not changed. What has changed is that La Mirage no longer has the magical children’s parade. I guess this is what I miss the most. I love the children gathering outside of the market and parading to the gates of La Mirage it was truly a magical time which is now just history. I have to count my blessings that for several years I marched right along with the children to find Santa and oh such grand memories. Our first Christmas in the Andes that I rediscovered the true meaning of the season. Watching the children’s parade carrying little baby Jesus back and tucked in La Mirage cradle. Oh, what a sight to behold. During the dark of the evening the fireworks exploding with color and the little fireflies in the yard presenting their fireworks show.

I really need to change the title of this blog to the season of parties. Our social life is so busy with Cotacachi friend and sometimes there are several parties on the same day. I shamefully admit that we did to not attend some simply because it is nice to be home. One of the parties was a cookie/candy exchange. So I got busy in the kitchen baking the required 9 dozen goodies for the party. Well, that really got me on a cooking jag. One of the ladies had made gingersnap cookies. Oh my, they were wonderful. I had no idea you come make gingersnaps here. So let the adventure begin which started with needing ginger powder. Of all the spices I hauled from Texas I did not have any ginger powder which I guess is because we have plenty of fresh ginger available. Thank heavens for Pinterest and I learned I could make a ginger powder out of fresh ginger which then leads to making crystallized ginger which also produced ginger sugar and ginger syrup. Later I learned you could buy ginger powder at the market but I rationalize mine was better since it was super fresh.

My aunt always made a white fruitcake which I yearn for during Christmas. This year I discovered where I can buy dried fruit which included, orange, coconut, kiwi and every other fruit available in Ecuador. So I soaked the fruit for several days in Ecuadorian orange liqueur. I call this my version of my aunt’s white fruitcake which is also loaded with toasted pecans. Oh my so yummy and memories of past family Christmas rush back with every decadent bite. I also made an assortment of cookies and candy which I like to give to friends as a little thank you for their friendship.

On Christmas, we are spoiled with yummy “Big Meat Chili” hosted by friends that happen to be the owners of Land of the Sun Hotel. Billy Boy brought my Dad’s now famous Johnny’s Bloody Mary’s. I think my Dad would be surprised but pleased to know that Johnny’s Bloody Mary’s are famous in little Cotacachi Ecuador.

Peace be with you as we enter 2019