Brunch, Tamales, Chile con Queso, and Family

Tonight, my lovely wife and her beautiful sister and I will share a tradition that goes back as far as I can remember in my family.  We’ll eat tamales, dressed with chile con queso that I made last night, and drink beer.  It’s a Christmas Eve tradition that I remember from my childhood and which I’ve continued, thanks to the willingness of my wife to honor it, ever since.  We’ve made adjustments from time to time, varying my mother’s recipe for the chile con queso, for instance, and sometimes ignoring it completely in favor of a faster, cheaper, easier version.  Tonight’s version, though, was made according to plan, but with one alteration; the original recipe calls for Velveeta cheese, whereas I used only half Velveeta (my wife used the other half in some other dish) and half a Mexican melting cheese.  It may be an improvement over the original.  If I had used all Mexican melting cheese, it might be an even greater improvement.  But I have to admit, I loved the original version; still do.  But things change, as do I.

Tonight’s family gathering will be small, but it will be big enough.  I will embrace two women I love and be grateful we’re together.

Before the evening’s festivities begin, though,  my sister-in-law will make us brunch, a special brunch about which I know very little.  I expect I’ll find out more in just a few hours.  Based on my knowledge of her culinary capabilities, I expect my sister-in-law’s brunch will be spectacular. And, based on the fact that she came over to get our waffle iron yesterday afternoon, I’m betting on waffles.

Tomorrow, we’ll all feast on ham and side dishes my SIL will (or perhaps already has) prepared.  I’m looking forward to today, tonight, tomorrow, and the rest of time.  Merry Christmas, people who read this message!  I wish you the best of the season.