A Costa Rican Holiday Celebration

One of my favorite things to eat in Costa Rica over the holidays are tamales. This year I decided I wanted to learn how to make them. My friend, Esmeralda from Talamanca, my other friend, Kimi and I, along with our families, decided to have fun making them together. Here is how you make them!

The fire is set. Esmeralda is adding chicken broth, salt to the boiling water.





The pork is cooking.





Our men making sure the fire keeps going and talking about the next soccer championships!



Chop, chop, chop!



Put cilantro and garlic in the blender.

And of course rice!

 

Cutting and cleaning the banana leaves.







Mixing the dough.



It smelled SO good!






Keren and Margarita









Boiling the tamales.





 





Banana/Plantain leaves.



The ingredients; potato, pepper, pork, rice and the dough.



The finished product. Now to eat them!



Sweet Daugher of Ours

Dear Carmelinda,
You are growin up SO fast! Your're 10 1/2 years old now. I can hardly believe you're almost as tall as I am (I know that doesn't take much) and have bigger hands and feet than I do (and that doesn't take much either)!
Your dad and I are so proud of you. You're our favorite girl in the whole world!
We love when you want to try things out on your own, like difficult Math problems.
I love to hear you sing to Jesus. I can tell you love music in general.
You are also a social butterfly, much like your dad. That's good because you're able to fit in anywhere and make friends anywhere. You're very adaptable to your surroundings.
You love going to church, not only to see your friends, but to worship and learn about God.
We believe there is a call on your life that we're waiting for and that will be revealved in God's timing.
You love to bake and are very creative.
You have a sensitive spirit, especially when you know you've done wrong and are quit to ask for forgiveness.
You love animals and have a compassionate heart.
You love to pray for others in need and continue to pray for them until God releases you of the request.
You love living in Costa Rica! This is home for you.  
I love acting crazy and laughing with you and, of course, going shopping!
You take on your dad's side when it comes to soccer and football teams! 
You love when your dad takes you out on dates. We can tell your little love tank fills up!
I love when you kiss me on the forhead just because you love me.
Your dad and I LOVE when we hear you say, "I love my family!"
We love you honey and ALWAYS will!
Love,
Mom (written for dad too)

Baking apple pie!



Baking apple pies with her friends for a school project.





This is what happens to pre-adolescent girls when they spend too much time in the kitchen!