Thursday, May 7, 2015

Southwestern Fiesta for Two


On Cinco de Mayo, I wanted to surprise
Ramblin' Man with a Southwestern Fiesta for two. 

He was leaving town for the rest of the week, 
and I wanted to make things special. 


As newlyweds, we lived in Tucson, Arizona
for two wonderful years. 

We rented a tiny adobe brick house
right on the edge of the Saguaro National Park.

We lived among wild pigs, jack rabbits, coyotes, tarantulas, 
roadrunners, scorpions and lizards.
Oh, and did I mention
rattle snakes?

But when the sun set on the mountains, 
lighting the desert on fire, 
the only word to describe it
was 'magical'. 

At any highpoint, you could see mountain range
after mountain range. 

At night the whole universe hung in the sky. 

It was ancient and mysterious, 
and I have pined for it ever since we left. 


I have collected a few precious mementos
to remind me of those wonderful, 
carefree days. 


Just a few little treasures to enjoy
whenever I want to make things festive. 


This charming vintage cloth belonged to my Mom.
It is faded and soft from wear,
but dear to my heart.  

My Dad brought it home with him when 
he was stationed at Albuquerque, New Mexico
for boot camp in the Army/Air Force during
the early 50's. 

The 2nd day after he came home from serving his time, 
he nearly ran my Mother over, driving past her house
in his red Ford convertible. 
He was driving a friend home 
and asked, "Who was that beautiful girl?" 
The rest is history:)


Whenever we travel to Arizona, 
(It has been a few years :()
I find a little something to take home 
with me. 

This little dish is perfect for guacamole. 


And who doesn't need a hand blown shot glass 
with a tiny cactus inside? 


It comes in handy for a tall, cool, 
tequila sunrise! 

(I decoupaged the tray with a napkin from Tuscon.)


A little grenadine to make the 'sun rise'....


Muy bueno! 


Salsa and guacamole. 

I have the most delicious recipe for guacamole
that a sweet neighbor gave me then. 

Classic Guacamole

2 lg ripe avocados, mashed
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 Tbsp lemon juice (1/2 lemon, squeezed)
2-5 drops hot pepper sauce, if desired
1 clove minced garlic or 1/4-1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp salt and a dash of pepper
1 med. tomato, chopped
2 Tbsp finely chopped green chilies (from a can)
or
1 sm. fresh chili, chopped
2 Tbsp finely chopped cilantro

Mix together and enjoy! 



These bright towels were last summer's finds
 at my local home goods store. 

I am serving Taco salad ..... 


With all the fixin's! 



Just a little fiesta for two. 


Creating new memories from the past. 

The best thing about memories....
is making them! 

xoxo

Wishing you many memorable moments
today, Dear Friends. 

xoxo 

Today I am linking with: Rooted in Thyme - Simple and Sweet Fridays

Rooted In Thyme

29 comments:

  1. I love Mexican food, YUM! Your table setting and food all look delicious.. Your old house in Tucson, sounds awesome. The views and to be close to the park would be great to me..Wonderful post celebrating Cinco de Mayo.. Have a happy day!

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  2. A sweet and thoughtful meal for your dear husband. Loved the memories of how your parents met and your table scape with its Southwestern decor is totally charming. Your rental sounded magical, a very special time and I can't wait to try this recipe. Thank you so much!

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  3. What a wonderful Fiesta For Two!!!! How incredibly romantic!!! I love that you make such a special effort with your meals and settings for different occasions with Ramblin Man, and I am sure that you two love it even more!!! All of your treasures hold such wonderful memories. Thank you for sharing them with us! xx

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  4. What a wonderful meal! Everything looks perfect. I love that you took the time to do this for just the two of you. I want to do more of this kind of thing when I'm done working this summer. Home is really where my heart is! (And I can see it is for you too:)

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  5. You have certainly created an exciting little fiesta there Karen! I love all your table linens and special dishes to help set the mood. So nice to have the vintage linens from your mother. I too have a few of these and know exactly that worn softness that you speak of. Enjoy your day!
    Wendy

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  6. What a fabulous fiesta for two for you and you sweetheart, Karen. It was fun seeing all your mementos that made your table so pretty and fun. I especially love your Mom's vintage tablecloth that set the stage. Guacamole is one of my favorite things....mmmmm, I could eat the whole thing!
    I so enjoyed seeing all your pretty flowers from your previous post. Love those boxes filled with lobelia!!!

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  7. What a great story....I love how you kept these mementos all these years and could enjoy such sweet memories of that wonderful time so long past. Dinner looks great.

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  8. what a sweet and special meal you prepared!

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  9. So glad we found each other! Your fiesta looks amazing and love your Mom's tablecloth, how sweet.

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  10. My dear Karen, such a lovely idea, to creat a wonderful surprise for your hubby! You did it with lots of love , it just looks beautiful!
    I guess, you both had a wonderful time together!
    Yes, the best thing about memories is, to create them!
    Wonderful done, my dear friend!
    Sending Love and hugs,
    Claudia

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  11. Wow, what a fiesta you made for your ' Rambling Man ' it's always the little extra deatils that turn a meal into a fiesta, like using all your special cloths & those dishes are so charming Love it, I'm sure you both enjoyed it.

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  12. Hi Karen. Nice to meet you. Just passing by. Your fiesta for two is wonderful and looks delish. Love your collections. I came from Lavender dream blog. Thanks for the great post.

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  13. Muy bueno! It is a festive feast for two. I love all of your special touches and your drink and dinner sound and looks delicious! That hand blows shot glass is great!

    Memories are made, then savored through the years, and new memories keep being made. That's part of what life and love are about.

    Thanks for sharing ~ FlowerLady

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  14. Wow! It looks fantastic. I love the cactus glass and the sombrero dish. We are having Mexican wraps tonight so will use your guacamole recipe. All the best, Judy.

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  15. How wonderful, such fun items to display and special send off dinner for your hubby!!

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  16. This is realy a very special table setting and - wow - what a dinner!!! I love mexican foot - hot and spicy and fantastic! Great! I also tray to make my hubby nice evening tables and meals!
    Happy days to you and yours
    Elisabeth

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  17. I love the way you have something for every celebration Karen. Your dinner looked so exciting and a perfect send off for Ramblin Man. The table cloth is incredibly colourful and nostalgic. I love the story of how your Dad met your Mum. Take care my lovely xx

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  18. You have such a lovely touch at making moments so special. I bet your Hubby loved it all! It looks so yummy - and those perfect little memorable items add to it all.

    I love the stories about your early days & about your folk too. So sweet. How you describe that area of our beautiful USA sounds amazing.

    Thx for sharing another great post sweet Karen!! Xoxo

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  19. This is so sweet. I love your collection, and your vintage stove. Tucson's summers are better than Phoenix. I love their afternoon's. The wind's pick up around 3:30 or 4, and it feels pleasant. Happy Mother's Day. xoox Su

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  20. nice cinco de mayo fun for you and husband. I met up with a friend in Portland and we had breakfast on that day.... I like you sombrero salt and peppers shakers. When we lived in New Mexico, I thought the Organ mtn range was beautiful, even more so when the moon was out! Thanks for sharing your day and have a good weekend....Happy Mothers' Day!

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  21. Hello Beatrice,
    Very nice shots!! That looks very cozy.
    The table covered beautiful and funny with which Mexican sombreros as sign.

    Many greetings,
    Marco

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  22. Oh Karen, what a delightful time for you and your husband! Your tablescape looked simply lovely and extra festve :) Love those salt and pepper shakers! You inspire me to make every moment count....and to add a little "spice" to my life :)

    Have a blessed weekend and a beautiful Mother's Day, my friend!

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  23. How wonderful, Karen...better than any restaurant! It is all so beautifully set up...I love your family tablecloth. It was fun hearing your family stories, too...thank you for sharing!

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  24. I love the southwest flavor of your post today. Did Hubby appreciate all your hard work? I sure bet he did.

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  25. What a lucky man 'ramblin man' is to have you as his wife! Hope you had a lovely dinner. Thank you for the recipe!

    Madelief x

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  26. Mexican food - I love it! Salsa, mmmm...
    Have a lovely weekend now and take care!
    Love from Sweden and Titti

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  27. What a wonderful evening, everything looks so nice. You can certainly see all the love that was put into this. I love your stove too ;-) Have a wonderful weekend!

    Blessings
    ,Jill

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  28. What a lovely fiesta the two of you had! :-) You must have lived on the east side. We lived near Camino Seco but not as far east as you in a slump block house, painted white, in the early 80s. We often went to the Saguaro Natl Forest in those days, eastside. Now most of what we do is on the west side. I love your wonderful nick-nacks and all the awesome touches you used for your table. How sweet that you have that cloth your Dad brought back to your Mom from Albuquerque!

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  29. I had no idea you had lived in the desert. That was very interesting and I loved reading how your parents met.

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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