This is an old post from August the 5th., 2008.
Time now to go check what is growing outside. Have a wonderful day.
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I learned from my Grandma Maria how to wash dishes.
It's a memory not ever forgotten.. She'd say, "come on mijita, lets wash dishes." She always said to do the glasses first, dishes next, cups, silverware, and then the pots. Of course in those days, people really economized on how much water was used. I followed her directions and to this day when I don't put them in the dishwasher, I do exactly as my dear grandma said.
That's my Grandma Maria when she got married to my Grandpa Louie. They were a beautiful couple and were married forever. Grandpa passed away first. They were both church going people who believed in Gods word. The reason I bring up my grandmother is that today when I was cutting nopales that are in the bucket above, I was reminded how one day she taught me how to cut the nopales off the main plant, how to clean them without getting cut, and cut them into bite sized pieces. She also used to say they were very slimy, so the best thing to do was cook them, rinse under cold water to take the slime off and then use them with meat, eggs, or even salads.
The nopales I cut today will be cleaned, cooked, and stored in my seal a meal bags for future use. I'll cook them with chili and hamburger, use in salads, or just sauté them with onions and tomatoes, s & p and your good to go.
She was a good teacher, and a very loving grandmother. She was Portuguese, from Portugal, and my grandfather was from Spain. She spoke the language but Spanish was her language of choice. They came to the US via Sonora, Mexico. They lived in Glendale, Arizona where my grandfather became a businessman in the art of buying homes, and a great baker as well.
My father picked up the skill of baking as well, but that's another story. Grandma cooked, took care of her children, sewed, cleaned and was a good wife and mother. Eventually they settled in San Jose, CA where grandpa continued with his savvy of buying homes and selling them. He started his own corner grocery store back in the 40's, and had it until the 60's or so, eventually turning it over to one of his sons, my uncle.
So the memories linger and these of course will always be with me. I was reminded by a blogger that "at least we have our memories," and that is absolutely true in every sense of the word. I know that my dear grandma is looking down at me and saying to me, "good job, mijita." Thanks grandma for everything.
Have a great evening.
