Celebrating Cinco de Mayo Americano …Just Because
Dear ones….Cinco de Mayo is just a few days away…Cinco de Mayo may not be known to everyone…and *USA Today summed it up real well! *”For many Americans, Cinco de Mayo means enjoying Mexican food and probably a few margaritas as well. But Cinco de Mayo, which means May 5 in Spanish, is probably one of the most misunderstood Mexican holidays. This day is not Mexico’s Independence day. Mexican independence is celebrated on Sept.16. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over the French forces of Napoleon III on May 5, 1862, at the Battle of Puebla. Mexico had troubles paying back war debts to European countries, and France had come to Mexico to collect that debt. Ironically, today Cinco de Mayo has become more of an American holiday than a Mexican one.”
I really enjoy smaller dinner parties….like 4 people, and the Captain and I will be entertaining two very good friends 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. (I do order Hatch green chilies and Ristras direct from New Mexico.) However, my menu calls for simplicity and something cooling so I am making a Taco Salad….very simple. Perhaps you remember this recipe for taco salad….Super Bowl 49 and Help Yourself Taco Salad…the recipe is the link,…I love serving it in my large Blue enameled cast iron Brazier Pan…so colorful. This tablescape is really simple and I am using my 20 place setting of Fiesta dishes. For years I have used these Fiesta dishes from Homer Laughlin as my everyday dishes and have only recently retired them to my dish pantry….as I decided my everyday dishes should be white.![1686[1]](https://meandmycaptain.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/16861.jpg)
My Mexican Fiesta Dishes:
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 have not gotten preferential treatment in my kitchen.
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Years ago, I used this plate stand next to my gas stove top …and yes, my Fiesta dishes were readily available to me.
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My collection includes vintage Fiesta glasses, cups and flatware. They no longer manufacture the glasses, I am fortunate to have the originals. Although the manufacturer of Fiesta ware today provides a matching flatware….the flatware I have is no longer produced. However, for this Cinco de Mayo 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. The cactus centerpiece is metal and also very old. 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. I like to use a mix and match for the plates, flatware, and napkins …by using the same 4 colors. Orange, lime green, yellow, turquoise.
The cute little sombrero tortillas warmers I found in Mexico many years ago and I use a Mexican fringed napkin to help keep the tortillas warm. I also found the colorful donkey Pinata in New Mexico at a tourist shop. (see below) I just loved his colors and although he is filled with candy…we most likely will never break him open.
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I like anything Mexican and I used these salsa sauce cans as small vases. I added a little Spanish moss and a faux colorful flower. Aren’t these simple and cute? (you can find the sauces at Wal-Mart and other supermarkets)
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Are you celebrating Cinco de Mayo this year? Perhaps a Taco Tuesday or an Enchilada Casserole. I have a lot of Mexican recipes in my recipe section of this blog. We lived in New Mexico for about 10 years and I loved it …and I learned a lot of Mexican recipes…we still have family there that we visit from time to time. So…Yes, I do love Mexican food and so does my Captain! And I love celebrating Cinco de Mayo…even if it is more Americano than Mexican!
- 1 Corinthians 5:8: “Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (ESV).
Blessings Always
Hi Kari! I too love Mexican or Tex-Mex food and your taco salad is a beautiful work of art! I have Fiestaware dishes in different colors and they truly are wonderful. Your table is so colorful and the little salsa sauce cans are perfect for flowers. Happy Cinco de Mayo!!
thanks Kitty…you and I are kindred spirits as Anne (with Anne with an ‘e’) used to say. We definitely have the same tastes. Hugs my friend…Have a great Mother’s Day…I know it will be filled with love. 🥰💕
I am beyond in love with this post, Kari! I use my Fiesta for daily dishes in the summer (I just have the vintage ones and not nearly so many or so many “accessory pieces” (like glasses and mugs) as you do. So, right now, they are “resting.” But maybe I should bring them up. And thank you for reminding me that I have a serape (is that right) that I’ve used as a table cover in the past — the far past! The must come out this year. Alas, it probably won’t make it for Cinco de Mayo but I wish I was a guest at yours!
Oh Jeanie what fun that we have the same dishes and serape…we could have a ball sitting at our table reminiscing about our parallel past lives that happened long before we ‘knew’ each other. In our younger days, I have no doubt that we would have been best buddies. Hugs and Blessings my friend. Have a wonderful upcoming Mother’s Day!
Love your gorgeous and colorful dishes. We used to party on Cinco de Mayo, but unfortunately we can’t this year. We are just too warn out. You and The Captain enjoy. Also, enjoy the race tomorrow.
Hugs,
Sandy
I hear ya Sandy…we are not as prone to party anymore either which is why we have small intimate gatherings that end quite early. Most likely we will be ready to hit the hay around 8 or 9 pm and our friends will feel the same so I expect them to leave around 7 pm after the 6ish Derby race. LOL Say hey to Ron from the Captain and me. Blessings always.🏇🥰🏇
Kari, once again, you have all of the dishware and accoutrements for a splendid themed tablesetting. I do love a taco salad and your looks delicious. The colorful Fiesta dishes and the serape-type tablecloth are perfect to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! The colorful donkey Pinata is so cute, my grands would love it. Thank you, my friend for sharing another amazing themed Tablescape. Happy May dear one!
Taco salad is not only good Pam…it is so easy to make and our guests can dish out what they like and the way they like it. That way the hostess doesn’t have to do a thing once we sit down to dinner. I love playing with themes and once I finally figured out a way to entertain without weeks of prep…I can enjoy our guests and the food. And once I figured out how to accept our guests’ help when they offer…the evening becomes more enjoyable. It took my illness to teach me. 🥰Happy May to you and your wonderful family! 🙏🏻🥰🌸🏇
Love, love, love!♥️💜💙🧡❤️💛
All the colors on the table, including the food, make for a beautiful celebration! My little J loves Mexican and she is known as a burrito bandit. 😊 Fiestaware is awesome in its colors, but it is very heavy (and durable!) stuff. Being made in WV, we’re fortunate to have outlets and tent sales here. Love Your colorful Brazier pan for serving. Have a great Cinco!
Thanks Rita for stopping by…and I love that your sweet grand, J… loves Mexican food. Mine do too so it is very easy to ‘feed’ them if you know what I mean. You are right, Fiesta ware is heavy which is probably why it has survived so long in my kitchen. I have some really old discontinued colors like rose, peony pink, periwinkle and lilac… I started collecting it before I was married. LOL I have not followed the newer colors because I barely have room for the 20 some colors I currently have. I didn’t mention the 2 different tea sets, s&p’s and miscellaneous pieces…I even have the pitchers in a few favored colors (in 3 sizes). I especially adore the little tiny pitchers that I like to serve individual syrups. (I mean who needs 20 of those?) Alas, my fiesta takes up a LOT of cabinet space but I wouldn’t part with any of it, However, I don’t envy your close proximity to outlets….out of sight…out of mind. 🥰😂