Hebras y Madejas: Felicidades! Auguri! Congratulations!

I wish you all the very best for 2010. Let's hope that this new year brings all of you, my friends and readers, a lot more sense of hope in these times of turbulence and uncertainty. May God and/or Life, gives you time to appreciate all the goodness that surrounds you.
Yesterday I received a letter from a good friend, in it he wrote something that I would love to share with you: "make the most of the time we have been given, by taking time for those we love......think about life's blessings. Take a short breath before plunging back into a hectic life. Then try to make this a habit. While at a red light, while stuck in the longest line at the grocery store....."

2009 was a very good year for me, I think it ended in the most unexpected and wonderful way as I have too many blessings to thank for. Among the greatest blessings are that I am alive, healthy and surrounded by the love of my family and friends. Another one has to do with Canada and its open doors for me; next, that the experiences I had in Toronto taught me great lessons about who I am and what I want in my life (the best experience any human being deserves to have!); then realize that I love my country, Mexico, and my city, Mexico DF, more than ever; and last but not least, that life keeps on surprising me with wonderful things and a gift that has to do with love and Italy suddenly appeared at my door.

Here is one of my favourite pictures of 2009: my wonderful brother with my darling nephew and me taken on Christmas Day.

I loved Christmas and did two things I love: knit and cook. Yes!
I think Christmas is the best time to do both things, especially since I like knitting gifts and treating family and friends with all I can cook........This last Christmas I almost finished a cardigan that I started in Canada (soon to be posted about here) and regarding cooking there were "French Fingers" cookies (mom loves them), Pandoro and chocolate truffles. For the Christmas lunch (Pranzo di Natale) my mom and I prepared a pumpkin soup, gamberi al burro with tarta salata di 5 formaggi (shrimp and cheese pie), cooked ham with roasted apple pudding and sweet potato pudding, together with artichoke salad, and for a nice finish, a New York style cheesecake with blueberry sauce.........thank God everything came out nice, tasty and healthy.
Anyone wanting the recipes, feel free to say so!

The last picture is a cute one. Being pigs special in our family because of what my grandfather built with them, an important pig's ranch, I found these little ceramic ones at my grandad's homeland these past december. The little wooden shed with a corn basket for them was a special addition to our Presepio.