Tag Archives: 2026

Jan14

Brrrr. It’s Cold.

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Brrrr. It’s Cold.

Apparently we are in the midst of a cold snap here in Aguascalientes. This morning I went to Costco wearing a long-sleeve top and a hoodie. The temperature was a balmy 59 degrees. The expected high today is only 70. But I won’t complain. Besides, who would listen?

Costco. Such a different array of products on the shelves and in the freezers here. But I have a small fridge and no freezer. The container of cottage cheese and the carton of hard-boiled eggs take up an entire shelf. And I have to leave room for the cheddar cheese. Those are my staples here in Mexico and is why I have a Costco membership. These items are always available whereas they aren’t usually stocked at other grocery stores here in Aguascalientes and definitely not at my tiendita. The cost of a Costco membership here is also less than half of what it is in the USA and it’s valid in every country.

I’ve started thinking about flights. I plan to head north after Easter. Usually the only stress is how long a layover. But now we have atmospheric rivers and bomb cyclones to contend with. Will LAX even be around in April? At the moment the relationship between Mexico and the USA is a little on the unsettling side. So that’s another stressor. And then there is the where should I go and where will I stay issue. However, seeing as this is all pretty much not in my control, I’m going to be mindful and enjoy my time in the sunshine.

Speaking of being mindful, I registered for a series of programs on Zoom offered by North Central Washington Libraries on this very topic. And my Sage Hills group began a Bible Study this month on Revelation. I also read books online on Libby. I’m so very thankful for the Internet.

The Wateke Weekends have begun again after the holidays. I was delighted to find those amazing cinnamon rolls again. This time I passed on the peanut butter and chocolate frostings and went for the cream cheese. Delicious!

Tomorrow is the tianguis on my street. I’m looking forward to buying some fresh fruit to go along with the cottage cheese. I’m still on the hunt for celery. I’ve only seen it once at the tianguis and Costco didn’t even have it today.

Conversation Club starts up again next week. We’ve had a long break and I hope the participants haven’t forgotten all their English. While it’s easy for me to practice my Spanish everywhere, opportunities to speak English are quite limited here.

I’ll close with this. Today is Wednesday. It’s also Humpday. And it’s the middle of the week. Monday and Tuesday we are climbing. We get to Wednesday and then begin the slide down to the weekend.

WTF? Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. So get your minds out of the gutter.

Have a great day!

Jan6

Remember This One?

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Remember This One?

Who remembers their mom baking a birthday cake with a coin in it? My mom never did but I remember going to birthday parties where other moms did. As if a birthday cake in itself wasn’t exciting enough, now there was the added element of surprise. Who would find that lucky coin that symbolized good things in the year to come? Okay, so it was just a superstition, but it sure added to the fun at a birthday party.

Today, January 6th, is King’s Day here in Mexico. That is synonymous with Rosca de Reyes. And it is every bit as delicious as it looks in the photo. This amazing oval loaf of bread doesn’t contain coins. But it does have small figurines of the baby Jesus baked inside. If you are lucky enough to find one, then you bring the tamales and the atole to the celebration on February 2nd, Dia de la Candelaria. And adults are just as gleeful about this as children.

When I lived in Mazatlan, I took a cooking course where I learned to make a variety of traditional Mexican foods. And yes, Rosca was one of them. But like many other dishes I learned to cook or bake, it is far easier to buy this wonderful delicacy than to make it yourself. At this time of year bakeries are filled with Rosca. And speaking of filled, there are lots of variations. Fillings of cajeta, Nutella, cream cheese, almond paste, fruits and nuts are quite popular.

Buenelas move over. Rosca is here.

Dec29

Happy New Year!

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Happy New Year!

It’s almost December 31st, New Years Eve, which will bring 2025 to a close. January 1st will then mark the beginning of 2026. But the New Year wasn’t always celebrated on these two days.

In ancient Babylon, thousands of years ago, the vernal equinox in March marked the new year. An eleven day festival was held honoring the god Marduk. In 46 BC Julius Caesar established the Roman calendar honoring Janus, god of beginnings. January 1st was then designated as the start to the new year although many medieval Christians continued to celebrate on other dates. Then in 1582 Pope Gregory XIII established the Gregorian calendar which officially restored January 1st as New Years Day and was then adopted globally. However not all cultures recognize this date, such as those who celebrate Chinese New Year and Jews who celebrate Rosh Hashanah.

While New Years is seen as a time of reflection and renewal, traditions vary. In Denmark plates are smashed and in China firecrackers are lit. The intent is to ward off evil. In Mexico and Brazil, wearing red enhances your chances of finding love while wearing yellow is associated with money. In Mexico and Colombia, walking around the block with a suitcase suggests the likelihood of travel in the coming year. Eating Grapes is considered lucky in Mexico and Spain.

Interestingly enough, the first Times Square ball drop dates back to 1907.Other popular traditions include making resolutions and toasting in the New Year with a glass of champagne at midnight on New Years Eve. And one of the most popular traditions has become the elaborate fireworks displays worldwide.

Wherever you are in the world, and whatever way in which you choose to celebrate, best wishes for a Healthy and a Happy New Year. May 2026 bless you with love, peace and happiness.