Me and My Captain

· 22 Comments

Fiesta Time! Cinco de Mayo !

Cinco de Mayo· Confessions - Over the Hedge· Holiday· Recipes· Seasonal· Side Dishes· Spring· Tablescapes· Travel/Entertainment

 

1711[1]

Fiesta Time! Cinco de Mayo! Ole!

Can you believe that May 5 will soon be here before you know it?

We have the Kentucky Derby on May 4th and then right into another entertaining day and tablescape.

I love Mexican food.

Yes, I am getting a head start on Cinco de Mayo.

I posted about Cinco de Mayo with an explanation of this “Holiday”.  

Click on the below if you would care to read it.

Cinco de Mayo 

I really enjoy smaller dinner parties….like 4 people, and the Captain and I are entertaining two very good friends this evening who just happen to love Mexican (or Tex-Mex) food as much as we do.

After living in New Mexico for so many years, I crave roasting green chiles, plucking dried red chiles from a Ristra hanging at my door and making Pinto beans an almost daily dish.

However, the menu tonight calls for simplicity and something cooling so I am making a Taco Salad….very simple.

108

Perhaps you remember this recipe for taco salad….the recipe is at the following link,…I love serving it in my large Blue enameled cast iron Brazier Pan.

Super Bowl 49 and Help Yourself Taco Salad…

This tablescape is really simple and I am using my everyday Fiesta dishes.

1686[1]

My everyday dishes and my most favorite set of dishes is the colorful Fiesta dishes, of which I am fortunate to have a 20 place setting.

These sturdy plates and cups have survived children and grandchildren and yet they live on in my cabinet, dishwasher and daily use.

Some colors of my collection are no longer made, but they do not get preferential treatment in my kitchen. 

1714[1]

I have a plate stand next to my gas stove top that makes it so convenient when cooking for two…or three or four or more.

1706[1]

1708[1]

I drink from the cups every single day and I must share that the matching glasses in my cabinet are definitely antique as they are no longer manufactured….they are really an odd… almost soda fountain shape with the stripes at the bottom of the glass matching the plate colors.

Although the manufacturer of Fiesta ware provides a matching flatware….the flatware I have is no longer produced. 

However, for this evenings meal, I will be using glassware that I purchased many years ago on a trip to Mexico (while living in New Mexico)….along with a serape-type tablecloth.

1659[1]

I am also using a colorful chip and dip tray for the beginning of the meal…sort of appetizers consisting of blue corn chips, Doritos and guacamole, salsa and Queso. The dips will be served in avocado and chile-pepper shaped bowls. 

1663[1]

I love to use whatever Mexican decor I happen to have hanging about and these cans provide a great vase for colorful Mexican Daisies.

1669[1]

Perhaps you remember this Donkey Pinata from my last 2014 Cinco de Mayo post.

I made little flowers positioned in an empty tomato sauce can. See Below.

 

1715[1]

Aren’t these simple and cute?

1679[1]I added a little moss and a faux flower.

1680[1]

Yes, I do love Mexican food and so does my Captain!

And I love celebrating Cinco de Mayo…!

Do you my dear readers, celebrate Cinco de Mayo with your favorite Mexican foods?

Blessings Always

logo

Subscribe to get the latest

Comments

  1. Julie Briones says

    Such a fun and pretty table, Kari! Love Fiesta ware, and you used it so beautifully here!

    Reply

    • Kari says

      Wonderful Debbie! I am sure you will have a great time with lots of good food. thanks for stopping by.

      Reply

  3. the Painted Apron says

    Oh Kari, your taco salad looks so pretty!! I love love taco salad!! Your table is festive and fabulous! I love celebrating Cinco de Mayo, and set a table with cactus too!
    Jenna

    Reply

  4. Sandra Garth says

    This is so on point and I love it all. You’ve given me so many ideas, I was coming up short so this is right on time. Last year I looked for painted cans and only found the one pictured on the left. Didn’t know you used to live in Mexico, that must’ve been pretty cool. Enjoy the dinner party and thanks again for the inspiration!

    Reply

    • Kari says

      Yay! Glad I could help Sandra…you can find those cans of tomato sauce at Wal-Mart or Target. Thanks for stopping by

      Reply

  5. Irene says

    Hi, Kari, thank you for your kind comment on my blog; I love meeting fellow bloggers who love Mexican food (and food in general, hehe); this is a lovely post for Cinco de Mayo!

    Reply

  6. Tammy in Albuquerque says

    Hi Kari! Cinco de Mayo big here in Albuquerque. We don’t celebrate it, but the Mexican restaurants do a good job celebrating. A lot of folks don’t know that New Mexican food is different from Mexican food and all together different from Tex-Mex. I love, love, love my green chile! 😊 On another note, your Fiesta ware dishes are so bright and cheery-love them! I especially like the glasses….they are so unique. Hugs~~

    Reply

    • Kari says

      I know Tammy….and unless you lived or have been to New Mexico…one has no clue as to the differences in the food. As you know, Tex-Mex is more of a gringo take on Mexican…and here in SW Florida, I have to laugh at their “authentic” Mexican food. Not even close.

      Even in Santa Fe…where the fancy restaurants like the La Fonda started using black beans…we “commoners” use Pinto Beans…and the fancy cheeses, like cotija or Queso Fresco…none of this is the real Mexican flavors of the people.

      When I go into Mexican restaurants here….which is rarely, I will say “what is this?” LOL! It certainly isn’t the original Mexican food which has a flavor all it’s own.

      And give me green or red with my breakfast…I miss that question from a server. LOL
      Hugs my friend.

      Reply

  7. Benita says

    I love those bold colors…so pretty! And I cannot believe we are knocking on May’s door! Where has the time gone?! Love and hugs!

    Reply

    • Kari says

      I hear ya, I know this is a familiar quote, but it seems we just had New Years…January and it is almost May.
      Luv ya my friend. Hugs

      Reply

  8. Sandy K Park says

    Kari, you’ve made my day. All my favorite things. Yes, I too use my Fiesta dinnerware daily and LOVE anything Mexican (especially food). We had a Cinco de Derby Party here last year. And I also live in New Mexico. Small world. Thanks for sharing. I’m ready to have a Fiesta.

    Reply

    • Kari says

      I could eat Mexican food every day Sandy….When I lived there, I almost always had a pot of pinto beans on the stove…it is almost like a requirement when living in New Mexico. LOL I miss the tastes and flavors of N.M….I still do an on line order of Hatch green chiles every year.Yum…. If I were there or you were here…we would have a Fiesta for sure!

      Reply

    • Kari says

      Hi Renette….Thanks, I use the little cans at almost every Mexican dinner either for flowers or napkins or utensils. I just like them. 🙂

      I buy them at Wal-Mart and Target…. The brand is El Pato and there are two that I buy.
      One is called “salsa de chile fresco” which is the yellow can of tomato sauce and the other is “salsa de Jalapeno” which is the green can.

      One side of the cans is a picture of a duck, I know….go figure! haha! But the other side of the cans are tomatoes, onions, red and yellow peppers. If you can’t find them at your local Wal-Mart or Target…you can go on line.

      Hope this helps and thanks for stopping by.

      Reply

  10. Chloe Crabtree says

    Fiesta ware is so wonderful to infuse a burst of color into a tablescape, isn’t it? What a lovely collection of it you have, and Cinco de Mayo is the perfect time to bring it out and use it! I am with you, I love Mexican food, too! Happy Cinco de Mayo!

    Reply

    • Kari says

      Thanks Chloe, Living in New Mexico has given me an appreciation of Mexican food as well as Tex-Mex which are two different things. But I love it all. Happy Cinco de Mayo to you too.

      Reply

    • Kari says

      Oh Jane if you only knew how much I like Mexican food. Living in New Mexico has given me an appreciation of the true Mexican food. But I like Tex-Mex too. Lets face it…I just love to eat. Thanks for commenting. Hugs

      Reply

Please comment, I'd love to hear from you.

Stay up to date with all the latest