~made by marie~: ~memories of mexican mayhem...

When I was in high school, the only thing I wanted to do for a career was to be a Home Economist and work for Canadian Western Natural Gas (now called Atco Gas), in their "Blue Flame Kitchen" (google it, if you don't know what that is!). To me, that was my DREAM job. This required me to persue further schooling at college/university, which I started; but, which I also stopped after a year & a 1/2, to work for one semester in order to earn additional money to continue. After that my journey branched off in other directions and schooling was put on hold. Eventually, I would return to university, but my new path meant there was to be a new destination, which lead to quite a different career. The good news to this short history lesson, is that I never lost my desires to pursue interests & develop talents related to those early-life goals. I always have loved to make things, whether they be crafty or cuisine!

This past weekend I happily spent with 2 dear friends whom I have quite literally grown up with. I recently read someone's comment on FB where they referred to a good friend as an "almost sister." I loved the use of that endearing term & the friends I spent the weekend with certainly fall into that category. They truly are my "almost sisters!" I have known them for most of my life & cannot imagine my life without their support, love & influence. They make me a better person, for sure! We make the time to hang out as often as we can, despite the busy-ness that life's responsibilities may throw our way. Relationships simply take work - whether they be family or friend relationships. I think of it as another aspect of my life that I must work hard at, in order to make work!

As plans were made for this gal-pal weekend, I suggested we plan our menus around a Mexican theme, because I had recently bought a magazine-like cookbook full of sumptuous & authentic Mexican cuisine ideas. Boy, did we have some fun with it. Our inside joke amoungst ourselves is that recipes are guidelines! So, we follow them mostly, but always seem to add our personal stamp too (often 'cause we forgot to buy just the perfect ingredient, or don't have quite enough, or accidentally leave something under the broiler too long, etc.). Along with cooking, eating, lounging, spending one entire day in our jammies; we simply enjoyed our time together crafting some, watching the Food Network & a few movies & watching the snow.fall.in.May - ugghh! Thankfully, that part of the weekend did not last too long.

To me, associating with family & friends is a lot like Mexican cuisine - it can be a little spicy, warm on the tongue & to the soul, & fairly easy to stir in some funky ingredients (i.e. quirky or a little eccentric personalities) to create interesting results. BUT, you end up with a dish that excites the taste buds, and leaves you craving for more. My life would be so different & probably quite boring without the splash of colour and flavour that all of my dear family AND friends add! They lift me up when I am down; they cheer me on; they are ecstatic for me when I accomplish something; they help me with a huge painting project; they give me advice; they walk with me in the morning; they go on trips with me; they laugh & cry with me, they serve me, they let me be me, Put simply, they add richness to my life that cannot begin to be tabulated. I truly am blessed! Maybe, just maybe, I am able to provide some of those things back to them also (I hope!).

Even though the "mayhem" of my life has meant I did not end up as a home economist at the local Blue Flame kitchen as originally planned; it has not stopped me from playing the part on my own time/dime. Wanna see some of what was ~made by marie~ AND my dear friends? Get your virtual bib on & napkin out & please, try not to drool....