January 1, 2019 sayulitablog 0Comment
For many, the New Year is a holiday centered around self-reflection of the year that has passed, and thinking ahead to the new year to come. For many people, setting goals for the new year is a common practice, whether they be personal goals for self-improvement, health, and growth, or goals for improving/fostering relationships with family, friends, loved ones, or even academic or work related goals. For some, the new year is also about letting go of the past--- past mistakes, hurt, losses, or failures, and moving forward in pursuit of success and happiness. In Mexican culture here in Sayulita, our community is full of traditions and rituals believed to help move us into the New Year of 2019 with good luck and fortune.
January 1, 2019 sayulitablog 0Comment
I LOVE COOKIES: peanut butter, shortbread, chocolate chip, etc.; there are so many possibilities! Today I want to share with you the most delicious cookie recipe: PEANUT BUTTER BLOSSOMS. All of the ingredients for these cookies are available here in Sayulita, perhaps with the exception of the Chocolate Kisses, which you can always find at Mega. I can just visualize you sitting on your Sayulita patio enjoying these cookies as an afternoon delight with a glass of very chilled Prosecco or an ice cold glass of milk!
December 24, 2018 sayulitablog 0Comment
Munching and snacking my way around Sayulita, I stumbled upon El Atazcon Restaurant. While I only planned for a quick bite with the family, I ended up chatting and dining my way well into the evening, while filling four little tummies. When it was time to leave, the whole family was smiling from ear to ear. Needless to say, we have been returning again, again, and again. El Atazcon Restaurant is sure to become your new favorite spot for traditional Mexican cuisine in Sayulita.
December 24, 2018 sayulitablog 0Comment
In Mexico, Christmas is generally celebrated starting as early as December 16th, lasting until early January. Many families, friends, and workplaces celebrate with a variety of types of parties and traditions. In Sayulita, we have already seen the festivities in the plaza for Lady Guadalupe days; displays of fireworks, horse dancing, canons, and live music all began on December 2nd and lasted for twelve days. One of the other most common Christmas traditions we have in Mexico is the “Posada”. “Posada” is Spanish for “inn” or “lodging”. There are nine Posadas which celebrate the part of the Christmas story where Joseph and Mary looked for somewhere to stay. In traditional Posadas, children are given candles and a board with painted figures of Joseph and Mary riding a donkey. They take these clay figures and make the rounds to houses of friends and neighbors and sing songs, similar to how other cultures go caroling. Posadas may also include traditional Mexican cuisine, games, fireworks, music and dancing, and maybe even a gift exchange. Each night a different house holds the Posada party, and the final Posada occurs on Christmas eve.
December 19, 2018 sayulitablog 0Comment
Need a day to relax and pamper yourself? Need to spend some time practicing self-care? Need a break from the harsh Sayulita sun and humidity, or want a perfect holiday treat? Then treat yourself to a luxurious day at Bliss Studio and Medi Spa. Bliss Studio and Medi Spa recently adopted a new location in Sayulita and renovated some of the services they provide. I talk with owner Rebecca D'este about the exciting changes and new services offered at the new-and-improved Bliss Studio and Medi Spa here in Sayulita.
December 19, 2018 sayulitablog 0Comment
Being an architectural enthusiast, I am more than excited to meet Dante Borgo and Isabella Eriksson, founders of international architecture studio Main Office. Dante and Isabella are both top-notch architects with solid knowledge from the largest agencies. They have been involved in and developed several projects around the world, and now have two offices, one located in Sweden, and one in Guadalajara. What is the driving force behind their success story, and what are their (architectural) plans for the future, or here in Sayulita? Read to find out.
December 19, 2018 sayulitablog 0Comment
How does the song go? “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!” Well, here in Sayulita it’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas, too! The firecrackers have started booming. I wonder why they go off at 6:00 a.m.? The only answer I have is “well, after all, it is Mexico!” I thought it would be appropriate to share a holiday recipe for my next few columns. Do you remember those old fashioned dinner rolls that we would have with our special Christmas dinner when we were younger? I made some this morning and they came out great; they are so easy and fun to make. If you spread them thick with butter, you will see why I am including this recipe with you. They are oh so yummy and also a recipe that is traditional and stands the test of time.
December 12, 2018 sayulitablog 0Comment
Paulinus of Nola was the first to ring a bell in a Christian Church in 400 AD. It took another 204 years before Pope Sabinian blessed the use of bells on the Universal Catholic Church. It only took another 1,414 years after Pope Sabina blessed the bell for local residents of the community Michael Enright and Jane Bloem to notice that the sound created by the bell on the Iglesia Cuasiparroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Sayulita was a dull thud, rather than the brassy note that should be ringing. Michael Enright, a long-time resident of Sayulita for fifteen years and an owner at Villa Amor, and Jane Bloem, who lives in Higuera Blanca and has had a business in Sayulita since 2011, decided something needed to be done to get a new bell for Sayulita’s church.
December 12, 2018 sayulitablog 0Comment
Dianne Dodsworth, a Sayulita local, has published a children’s book for the children of Sayulita and their families. The book is available in both Spanish and English both online at amazon, and at our local book stores and shops in Sayulita. I talk with Dianne a bit about herself, her inspiration for the book, and what she hopes to contribute to the community of Sayulita.
December 6, 2018 sayulitablog 0Comment
In my last column I told you that I was going to make Martha Stewart’s Butter Ring Cookies. Well, I did make them, but surprisingly they were NOT my favorite. However, I did make a savory dish this week that I totally loved: shrimp scampi. The shrimp were so succulent that I had to share this recipe with you. This is the perfect dish to prepare in your Sayulita kitchen because the prep and cooking can all be done on a stove top! Honestly, if I had been served this dish in a high-end restaurant I would have been raving about it.