Holiday Family Traditions
Posted by: OsoMajor
Holiday Family Traditions - 11/26/09 09:44 PM
Hey Everyone, now that the holiday season is upon us I thought it would be a great idea to share holiday family traditions we grew up with as kids and still hold on to today. Having so many people from all over the world in MM's SMB I'm sure many of us would be interested in reading how we celebrate these special days.
When i was growing up Thanksgiving was possibly the most important holiday because of it's emphasis on family and being grateful of the things we had. It's still very important to me and we keep a tradition of having just the immediate family and parents for dinner. Also everyone has to cook something. When my wife was with us she loved making all the desserts; I was in charge of the turkey and the boys did the prepping for the dressing and other goodies. We all had a great time in the kitchen and all enjoyed taking part in preparing our dinner. The boys felt really honored when we'd ask them to pour the wine. Yes, even when they were young they were allowed to have a small glass of wine on special occasions.
New Year's we pretty much stayed home and have a small party and break open the champagne or sometimes we would go to Disneyland to ring in the New year. I get up early on New Year's day and prepare buñuelos and coffee and wake everyone up to view the Tournament of Roses Parade, and of course all of the bowl games. On Jan 2nd, we head out to view the floats (which are quite spectacular) and then go to lunch or have dinner.
So, these are just a few of things we do during the holidays. What about you?
Posted by: vanbags
Re: Holiday Family Traditions - 11/28/09 08:15 PM
this is a great topic =]
christmas was my family's most celebrated holiday. on christmas eve we would celebrate with my moms side of the family with food, fun & games. my maternal grandma would always spend the night at our house & on christmas morning my dad would cook us breakfast. christmas day was spent with my dads side of the family & we always had a big italian feast.
in 2007 i got married & moved to an army base in kentucky USA, where i am now. right before christmas, my husband deployed to iraq. that year my cousin flew out from california USA to be with me.
this is the first christmas i'll be spending with my husband so we hope to create some of our own traditions.
Posted by: steve robinson
Re: Holiday Family Traditions - 11/29/09 04:53 AM
When me and my brother ( 1 year younger ) were kids christmas was ( and still is ) magical . When we went to bed on christmas eve my mum would come in late at night and put a stocking full of little gifts and oranges and sweets on our beds . It was always such a thrill to wake up on christmas morning and fill that heavy "thing" on the bed .
Then we´d go crazy . All the big presents were in the living room which my mum locked so we couldn´t peek .
We´d have a big breakfast , but had to wait for my dad ( not a morning man ) so we got frustrated at times whilst still excited .
After breakfast mum and dad would open the room and me and Nigel would go crazy !
Now i´m older ( much ) and I travel to England to my mum´s farmhouse .. Big open fires and great food and wine . My brother , his wife and my 3 nieces will arrive from Russia . And we´ll be joined by aunts and uncles . The christmas tree will be left undecorated so that the kids can do it .
After the craziness of opening the gifts , and a huge breakfast we´ll go for a walk on the seafront to gain an appetite for the big turkey dinner ( my aunt cooks the turkey ) .
This year will be the first since my dad died ( a few months ago ) , so when I fly to England I´ll meet mum in London for 3 days of shopping , restaurants , bars , theatre . Then we´ll head on down to the South Coast and her house to meet my brother . I can´t wait !
Vanbags ... have a great time with your husband back from Iraq ! That´ll be very cool ! I have a huge respect for the armed forces , even when I was a kid !
Posted by: OsoMajor
Re: Holiday Family Traditions - 11/29/09 08:55 PM
Hey Guys, here are some pics of my Thanksgiving turkey...
Pic #1 Ready to feast!
#2 A bottle from the Jaramillo estate.
#3 Yours truly
#4 My younger son, Isaac.
Posted by: OsoMajor
Re: Holiday Family Traditions - 11/29/09 09:25 PM
Steve, really enjoyed reading your post. Thanks for sharing your family's traditions. Vanbags, I'm glad that you will be spending the holidays with your husband. Enjoy the holidays.
Posted by: laduque
Re: Holiday Family Traditions - 11/30/09 01:17 AM
Great topic, OsoMajor! Love the turkey photos! I had the great pleasure of viewing the Rose Parade floats 2 years ago, what a sight!!
Our holiday has always been Christmas. Christmas eve we usually spent with family in New Mexico. Now that we are in California, I took it upon myself to make my grandmother's food. So, for Christmas eve, we have posole and tamales and open presents.
Now that I have a daughter, we've started new traditions: opening presents from Santa on Christmas morning (something I never did as a kid), and we decorate our tree on December 12th, Santa Lucia Day-my daughter's saint's day. We also get a visit from the kings on Los Reyes (Jan. 6th) because of our Spanish traditions. We get a roscon from the Mexican bakery and invite friends over to celebrate.
Can't wait for the festivities to begin!
Posted by: steve robinson
Re: Holiday Family Traditions - 11/30/09 03:51 AM
Great photos OsoMajor ... Looks like a great feast !
Laduque ... I´m considering putting my tree up on December 1st . Much earlier than normal . I went to the christmas market in Plaza Mayor and oicked up a few sparkly goodies . My nieces also celebrate Russian Orthodox christmas on Jan 6th !
Posted by: Kipper
Re: Holiday Family Traditions - 11/30/09 07:58 AM
Great Photos, beautful Turkey...and a Texas fan....
Wow OsoMajor! Those are great pictures. The turkey looks ready to be in a magazine.
I have a funny story about Christmas traditions and I hope you won't kick me out of the forum for sharing this. I mean no disrespect.
A few years ago at church, the pastor asked several people to share about their Christmas traditions. When she approached me, the only thing I could think of was that we set up a wooden nativity set every year that my husband made. After our sons got airsoft guns, they were doing "target" practice on the Nativity set. I quickly put a stop to it, but I decided that I couldn't share that "tradition" in church.
I tend to stress about the gifts, when in fact, they really aren't that important. I love the music, walking through the neighborhood looking at lights, seeing family again, having a break from school, receiving cards, and baking cookies.
Posted by: OsoMajor
Re: Holiday Family Traditions - 12/01/09 02:12 AM
I told my son, "the pics have to look good, I'm posting them on Madrid Man!". Guess he did a good job!
Teachertraveler8, boys will be boys. It's not so bad. BTW, how big was the nativity scene?
Kipper, I'm a native Texan. Gotta be true to my home state. Since I've lived half of my life here in California (which I love), I think of myself as having Texas roots and California stock!
Posted by: jazz
Re: Holiday Family Traditions - 12/01/09 07:14 AM
nice pictures, next year I'll eat a turkey, I'll learn how to cook
OsoMajor,
The nativity scene is small, just Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. No shepherds, angels or wise men. A few animals.
Have you ever had NY wine? (I'm sure you are a California wine fan and with good reason, but I'm from upstate NY and they make some nice wine, too.) Am I allowed to ask that question on a Spain forum?
Posted by: Donna Cuervo
Re: Holiday Family Traditions - 12/04/09 08:39 PM
When we were kids, my Spanish grandmother would send us several boxes of Spanish turron around the holidays. My brother and I would jump on it like we never saw candy before.
The boxes she sent had a really nice painting of Columbus landing in the new world. I never see that same box, and I look for it on the shelves of all the supermarkets in Spain. There are so many, but I never see that one.
We liked the turron duro - the white hard one with all the nuts. She also used to bring another kind that was soft and oily that we didn't like. Just to be polite, we used to hide it and pretend that it was finished. Usually around June it would be found hidden behind the sofa or under a bed.
I noticed a lot of suger free turron being sold recently. Is that any good?
Posted by: Donna Cuervo
Re: Holiday Family Traditions - 12/04/09 08:41 PM
I had New York wine once, but it was some kind of Jewish wine. Is that what you're talking about?
My hometown of Canandaigua does make a Jewish wine, but there is so much more than that. Have you been upstate? (Finger Lakes, specifically) It is sooooo beautiful and there are tons of wineries, including the new New York State Wine and Culinary Center.
I enjoyed your holiday stories. (and I've enjoyed your other posts. I have learned a lot from you)
Candy, in my opinion, should not be sugar free. (unless it is for diabetics who can't enjoy sugar).
When I was in NYC recently, I noticed that some restaurants sold NYS wine, so if you get a chance, check it out.
Posted by: steve robinson
Re: Holiday Family Traditions - 12/05/09 09:37 AM
I have a friend ( from Quebec ) but who lives with his wife and kids in California ( Napa ) . I went to visit a few years ago and as his business is Wine ( he owns the business ) we had a great time tasting the different varieties ! And we had a great steak BBQ at his house before I had to get the bus to San Francisco .
When I was last in NYC ( maybe 5 years ago ) I was shocked at how unaccessible wine was in the city . You can buy beer , no problems , but wine was difficult . I was in an apartment in Bleeker St .. Downtown .. And some American guys were telling me that some city law prohibits the sale of some wines within the downtown area . But they directed us to a great store that sold ( very good ) wine but only from the USA .
In London , just turn any corner and you can get wine from many countries .
I know there are many New Yorkers on this site so I´d be interested on feedback about this .
Turrón I really don´t like .. I have some in the cupboard right now but from a guy from Alicante ( traditional home of Turrón ) and it´s going to be thrown out .
I´ve never tried Jewish/kosher wine but I adore Jewish food ! The town where I used to live ( Westcliff-on-Sea ) in Essex has a big traditional Jewish population and I used to go for breakfast at a restaurant that served toasted bagels with smoked salmon , cream cheese , olives etc.... And I´ve been to a Jewish restaurant in St. Petersburg ( Russia ) for great food !! ( But behind bullet proof glass as drive by anti-semetic shootings can be a problem ) .
What is NY"S" wine ?
Steve,
When you're from New York State and you tell people that you are from New York, they automatically assume it is New York City. I call New York City "NYC", but when I refer to the state, I say, "NYS" I am from the Finger Lakes area of New York State, but people often have no idea where that is.
I live in Michigan now where you can buy wine in the grocery store or the drug store, but in New York you can only buy wine in wine stores with liquor licenses. Beer is available in the grocery store. I think it has something to do with the alcohol content, but I'm not positive. It is inconvenient for the buyers and possibly the sellers. Last summer we were in a liquor store buying NYS wine (and also some Argentine and Spanish wine) and the proprietor told us that he can't sell anything but wine and wine related items. He'd like to be able to sell some foods, but he can't. weird.
Maybe Donna can shed more light on the New York wine laws.
I didn't like too much of the candy I tried in Spain except for Valor Chocolate. I don't know if it is because it isn't as sweet or what. Generally I like sweets. But you all have made me curious to try turron now.
Posted by: Donna Cuervo
Re: Holiday Family Traditions - 12/06/09 12:46 AM
Turron is wonderful, but make sure you have strong teeth.
As for buying wine in New York City, I don't know what you are talking about. It is not sold in supermarkets, but liquor stores usually sell wine from many countries. Maybe the one you went to specialized in American wine and sold only that. I never heard of a city law that prohibited the sale of some wines in the downtown area. Those guys were just joking with you.
I've been through NYS on a train to Montreal. There was some amazing scenery from that train.
Posted by: OsoMajor
Re: Holiday Family Traditions - 12/06/09 01:05 AM
Teachertraveler8,
I haven't tried any NYS wines, would like to try some. It seems that more states are getting into the wine industry. Out here in the West Coast we have California, Oregon and Washington. Texas has gotten into the wine business as well as Virginia and even Missouri. Don't know of other states with wineries, but I'm sure there's more.
Steve, I love bagels & lox! It was one of my wife's favorite things to nosh! Onion bagels or "everything" bagels are my favorite. We're also fortunate to have a large Jewish community in Los Angeles. Lot's of great food!
I hate to say this but I've never had turron.
Posted by: steve robinson
Re: Holiday Family Traditions - 12/06/09 09:06 AM
Ok there is some law in NYC that prevents the sale of wine in grocery stores unless thay have a license . In Madrid it would be inconcievable to not be able to buy wine in any store . Indeed you can buy wine of the shelf in some bars near me ! The guys in NYC were telling me that to get any decent wine I would maybe have to travel to a supermarket on the outskirts of the city . I saw this article on line which I´m going to paraphrase :
New York is one of those strange cities where you can only buy wine in a licensed liquor store or winery. On your way home from work you cannot walk into a grocery store or a supermarket and pick up a bottle or two. A debate is raging over whether to turn over this prohibition era law. Regardless of the outcome .
The debate in New York has put the groceries against an alliance of distributors, liquor and wine store owners. In fact, this group warns that with the new law a third of the 2,700 independent liquor stores in the city will go out of business. The government is leaning towards letting the grocery stores carry the wines not because it thinks it is the right thing to do but because the city needs the revenue.
The wine stores owners grumble about the competition (primarily the grocery chains) killing their business overnight by their ability to discount their offerings and wrangle better deals from the distributors and the producers. The store owners also think that its unfair that they are not allowed to sell cheese, bread and other foods that naturally pair with wines while the grocery stores can. These wine stores do have a point.
When I'm in New York, I shop at Whole Foods and salivate over the thought that I'll finally be able to buy my wine right after choosing a cheese and vice versa. As a wine consumer, how can I not want that. But then I also frequent a few local wine shops that carry some more high end wines and give me fabulous service. I'm torn on the issue as a result. I would hate to see my local wine stores go out of business. I definitely won't get that service in a grocery chain. But I do believe that in the long run the stronger wine stores will hold their own and opening up sales to the grocery stores can only help the industry.
The website this appeared on was from an Indian guy who wants to develop the wine industry in India . The site is :
http://www.sommelierindia.com/blog/2009/03/buying_wine_retail_in_india_le.html
Posted by: Donna Cuervo
Re: Holiday Family Traditions - 12/08/09 01:01 AM
That article sounds realistic. You can't buy wine in supermarkets. You had 2,700 stores in NYC where you could have bought all the wine you wanted.
A lot of people also buy wine through the mail.
Posted by: steve robinson
Re: Holiday Family Traditions - 12/08/09 10:47 AM
Well . Donna you´re from there so I can´t deny it´s true hahahaha but , honestly , I have a nose for wine shops ( believe me ! ) And there was nothing obvious around the Bleeker Street district ... Mmmmm Maybe my "nose" was too cold from the December air hehehehehe .
We order a lot of our wine in the UK through mail order too .. But here in Spain ( as you know ) It´s available everywhere , in every shop , and the store owners are often so knowledgable about them .
When I was last in Sevilla , I wanted to buy some traditional Manzanilla as well as a bottle of wine from Andalucía . The little old guy kept me there in his small store for a good 15 minutes going through what was good and , surprisingly ( considering he was selling it ) , what was not so good . I ended up buying a good Manzanilla and a bottle of wine for about 8 Euros I think !
The only problem was that he was too short to reach the Manzanilla and I was concerned about him going up a ladder . Being a foot taller than him I grabbed the bottle . That always makes me nervous as I had the unbelievably embarrasing experience of dropping a bottle of ( good ) wine in an average sized supermarket in Madrid ... it just slipped . A bottle of wine exploding on a hard floor sounds like a bomb ! I was the centre of attention . Security arrived . I offered to pay , but he said " don´t worry these things happen " I was as red as a tomato !
Posted by: Donna Cuervo
Re: Holiday Family Traditions - 12/08/09 11:43 PM
Which manzanilla did he recommend?
Posted by: Eddie
Re: Holiday Family Traditions - 12/09/09 04:51 AM
Which manzanilla did he recommend?
It's easy: Manzanilla comes from Sanlucar de barrameda, so you want to find one with that
D.O.. The Manzanilla is a fortified wine (as are all Sherries) & I'm not sure if such wines have a
D.O.Just buy one from Sanlucar and drink it very cold (w/mejillones or boquerones or a similar tapa). In Madrid, VillaRosa on Plaza Santa Ana used to have it from the Baril, the best Manzanilla I have tried.
Posted by: steve robinson
Re: Holiday Family Traditions - 12/09/09 05:33 AM
I actually don´t remember exactly the name , Donna . But it was very dry and very good . Thanks for the explanation Eddie .. I´m not that well informed ( though better now ! ) about Manzanilla .. and I´ll be trying a glass at your recommended place in Pza Santa Ana .
Posted by: eskimo joe
Re: Holiday Family Traditions - 12/09/09 05:49 AM
Iv'e been told by people who know better than me that
La Venencia on calle Echegaray is the best place for sherry in Madrid .
Posted by: steve robinson
Re: Holiday Family Traditions - 12/09/09 07:04 AM
I like that street ( echegaray ) .. Very narrow and shabby , but interesting . I think the best sherry ( Jerez ) I ever had was with MM at a Suma Flamenca event . We were surrounded by some very famous flamenco stars at an " event party " . They had a guy in his typically smart Andalucian suit pouring a "fino" from the barrel then from a ladle way up high above the sherry glass . I have a great photo of that .Really expert stuff . Delicious ... and the food was wonderful ( tapas ) .
Posted by: Donna Cuervo
Re: Holiday Family Traditions - 12/11/09 03:36 AM
I was just wondering which manzanilla the little old man recommended. I've tried all the best known ones.
I had a bottle of La Guita in my apartment when I was recently in Sevilla. When it was time to leave to get my plane to Madrid, I had about a big glass worth left in the bottle. Not wanting to waste it, I poured it into one of those small individual plastic orange juice bottles that was empty. I figured I could drink it on the plane.
Wouldn't you know that my bag was opened in security, and they zeroed right in on that little bottle all the way down at the bottom of the bag. The inspector said I had to drink it right there. As I started to sip it slowly, a police officer who was there figured out what it was. He said I could sit down and drink it. He stood there with a big smile on his face watching me drink La Guita from an orange juice bottle.
Posted by: steve robinson
Re: Holiday Family Traditions - 12/11/09 06:24 AM
That´s hilarious !!!!!!!!!!!! You just made my day !