Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo (fifth of May) is a regional holiday in Mexico. The holiday commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin.

In the USA, this is a huge celebration, so if you are planning your own celebration here are some ideas for decorations and yummy goodies! Cinco de Mayo just isn't a fiesta without crispy empanadas and fresh margaritas. Martha has an exciting looking empanada recipe, which you can find here. If you are looking for an exciting margarita recipe, this looks great:

Pomegranate Margarita

• Lime wedge, plus more for garnish
• Salt or Rock Candy finely crushed
• Ice
• 4 ounces Jose Cuervo Especial
• 2 Tbls Orange flavored liqueur
• 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
• 1 lime, juiced (optional)
• Club soda

Mix in a blender and enjoy!

Now for the decorations. So you now probably know I love origami, and so I was so excited when I found these cool origami projects for this special day!

Paper Maracas

Directions:
1. Print maracas on card stock paper. 2. Cut out along solid black lines. 3. Fold tabs and assemble with tape, leaving square top of maracas open. 4. Fill maracas with a few dried beans, then tape top closed.

Origami Mexican Doll

Directions:

1a. Print and cut out doll face and fan along outer solid line. 1b. Cut out Cinco de Mayo doll body along outer solid line. 1c. Turn doll body over so that the printed side is facing down.
2a. Crease along diagonal line as shown. Unfold. 2b. Repeat crease along diagonal line on other side, as shown. Unfold. 2c. Turn origami over so that the printed side faces up. 2d. Crease down along horizontal line as shown. Unfold.
3a. With printed side facing down, carefully "tent" fold upper body forward, as shown. 3b. Fold doll's skirt back, as shown. 3c. Repeat on other side.
4a. Glue head onto body. 4b. Glue fan onto either hand. 4c. Your Cinco de Mayo Origami doll is finished!
Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Happy May Day!

Well, May is here and what a wonderful time of the year it is. The weather has warmed up considerably, and I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some sun! My wonderful husband bought me the pink tulips, and what a great way to start May day it was :)

A popular activity on May Day is to decorate a pole with brightly colored ribbon or paper streamers. Some also add flowers and balloons. The pole is usually carried in a parade and then placed in the ground at a designated area. People then dance around the May pole, holding the ends of the streamers or ribbon in their hands.

In some parts of the USA, May Baskets are made. These baskets are small and usually filled with flowers or treats and left at someone's doorstep. The basket giver would ring the bell and run away. The person receiving the basket would try to catch the fleeing giver. If they caught the person, a kiss was to be exchanged.

I am including a basic instruction for a cone basket, fill it with anything you desire, and give this to your friends on May day, they'll love it! (ps. if you need my address I can e-mail it to you :) )

May Day Cone Basket

Instructions:
Cut a triangle shape out of bright colored construction paper. Make the point flat. Roll the triangle into a cone shape and tape the 2 sides together. Trim off any extra paper around the top of the cone to make it even.

Cut a strip of construction paper that is approximately 12-inches long by 2-inches wide. Tape this strip onto the top of your cone to make a handle.

Now you can fill the cone with flowers and/or treats.

Happy May Day!!