A Southwest Christmas is almost here

Some Decembers my husband, Wayne, and I go out of town for the holidays, searching for the elusive perfect setting to enjoy Christmas.  We have traveled to several cities in Texas; Auckland, New Zealand; Melbourne, Australia; and Santa Fe, New Mexico.  This year, however, we decided to again explore holiday activities in our home town of El Paso, Texas. Christmas in the Southwest has a special flavor because we live on the US-Mexico border, where languages and cultures swirl together to create a memorable experience.

Our first stop was the newly renovated San Jacinto Plaza, located in the heart of downtown El Paso.  It was a chilly Saturday evening (well, at least 50 degrees F!)  when we joined the crowds to ooh and ahh over the holiday park decorations

and, of course, the giant Christmas tree.

And no El Paso celebration would be complete without mariachi music and traditional Mexican dances.

The visit to San Jacinto Plaza was a great excuse to break a diet regime and line up at the food truck selling churros, served warm and covered with sugar, with a delicious caramel filling. Every bite of churro was worth the extra calories.

Our next hometown holiday experience came on a tour of El Paso's Lower Valley.  We spent a few quiet moments in the Socorro Mission, a beautiful, welcoming church located on what is known as the Mission Trail. The simple exterior of the church contrasts with the ornate interior.

A few miles drive to the south took us to the historic town of San Elizario, where a traditional community celebration was in progress in the plaza.

Upon arrival, we headed straight for the booth selling homemade tamales and champurrado, a special warm drink made with cornmeal, cinnamon and brown sugar. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus arrived to greet the Amigo Man, an El Paso mascot.

I was especially impressed with the live animals that were waiting to take part in a posada, a reenactment of Joseph and Mary's search for shelter on a long ago night. The young goats gamboled as their mother watched placidly.

The San Elizario Chapel overlooking the plaza provided just the right tone for the religious celebration.

Last night, we stopped in the L&J cafe, an iconic El Paso Mexican restaurant, for dinner.  The atmosphere was lively, with a bar filled with holiday merrymakers and tables occupied with couples and families.  Waiters and waitresses rushed around, making a valiant effort to make everyone happy.

Wayne looked out at the scene contentedly and said, "I love El Paso."  Yes, I do too.  It's a great place to spend the Christmas holiday season.

Enjoy the Southwest - seasonally

Each area of the United States provides its inhabitants with a unique lifestyle.  What images come to mind when you read the words "Southwestern Lifestyle"?  Do you see people dressed in cowboy boots and hats, desert landscapes, and bowls of salsa and tostadas?  Perhaps, but a glance beneath the surface reveals so much more about life in the Desert Southwest.

I was born in El Paso, Texas and have made that city my home all of my life.  El Paso is located on the United States/Mexico border in the Chihuahuan Desert.  It is a bilingual, bicultural city. Even though I love to travel to far off lands, one of the best parts of a trip is coming home. When I am gone, I miss our mountains, the dry air, spectacular sunsets, and spicy food.

Life in El Paso can be enjoyed in varied ways, depending on the season of the year.

Yes, we do have four seasons in the Desert Southwest!  They may not be traditional seasons with snowdrifts in December, showers in April, and welcome sunshine in July, but every three months, we have an opportunity to enjoy changing weather and activities, including preparing special dishes for friends and family.

Winter will arrive in less than two weeks. We are already experiencing frosty nights and cool days.  What a great excuse to build a fire in the fireplace in the early morning and drink coffee. Winter brings the promise of a Christmas season with customs from both sides of the border. As the weather cools, I feel an urge to spend the afternoon in the kitchen, making red chile sauce for enchiladas by hand with an old-fashioned vegetable press.  My thoughts go to homemade tamales.  Should we host a tamale-making party this year or order them from a local bakery?

Spring arrives earlier in the Desert Southwest than in other areas of the country.  This season does not greet us with gentle rains but rather with strong winds that howl interminably. In the springtime, I begin dreaming of a yard full of fragrant flowers and a garden full of tomatoes and herbs.  I wait anxiously for the projected last frost date, usually around April 1st.  Mother Nature has occasionally tricked me, however, and brought one last snowstorm in April.  I make special dishes for spring holidays, like Irish-American Soda Bread on St. Patrick's Day and Eggs Delmonico on Easter.

Summer is a very long season in El Paso, lasting from approximately May through September. And how hot is it?  Darn hot!  As soon as the sun dips below the horizon, summer evenings can be enjoyed outdoors at festivals, musical entertainment, and sporting events. Thirsty hummingbirds begin appearing at the feeder. Summer is the season for crisp salads with homegrown tomatoes and guacamole made from plentiful avocados.  I use the weather as an excuse to make up a three-ingredient recipe for Coconut Ice Cream.

By the time summer releases its fiery hold, El Pasoans are mentally and physically ready for cooler weather.  The yard needs a fall clean up, and pears need harvesting before birds peck at them all.  Autumn is greeted locally with a burst of activities — church bazaars, Renaissance Fairs, and, of course, football.  I can finally bear to turn on the stove and oven in the kitchen again.  It's time to plan a Southwestern Thanksgiving Dinner with chipotle cranberry sauce and pumpkin chiffon pie.

Four seasons with unique weather, food and activities make for an enjoyable Southwestern lifestyle. If you are interested in reading more about living in the Southwest, I have recently published a book — Seasons and Seasonings of the Southwest, available on amazon.com or Create Space for $12.00 ( and soon to be available on Kindle).  I have written short creative non-fiction pieces and included recipes for each season of the year.

Comments and suggestions are always welcome! Happy Holidays to all, Southwestern or otherwise!