?POSADAS?

   Japi was exited and impressed. He couldn?t figure out what was going on?sooo much coming and going of so many people, putting ornaments in the garden, colored lights ?etc.

From the bird house on the tree, he had a spectacular view of everything and was attentive to each and every detail.

~ YIPITZ!!!  (guauuu!!!) What a party this will be! But, what are those enormous colored balls hanging from trees and strings? And ?oh! that enormous star hanging over there?  Will ask Tina when she comes for me.

   After a while Tina came to get her friend. She was jumping and dancing, happy to the core.

~ Come Japi, let?s get dressed for the  POSADA.

~ The what ?  P O S A D A ?

~ Yitz Japi, it is a beautiful celebration. Jump into my pocket and I will tell you all about it while we get home.

   Japi did what Tina asked him to do and ? had to hold himself firmly because her friend was twirling like a spinning top.

~ Stop Tina !!! You are making me sick.

~ Skuzek Japi. I will walk instead.

~ Tell me Tina, what is a P OSA D A ?

~ A  P O S A D A is a special feast, and you welcome all your family and friends. All together we celebrate and we prepare for Xmas. Each day one family decides to have a party at their home. We pray together, we cook a special meal that is prepared by the hostess and all the children who volunteer. Children play a very important role in these celebrations.

   There is singing, dancing and of course the breaking of the P I э A T A.

~ The PIсTA ? never heard the word.

~ Usually it is in the shape of a star.

~ Ahhh!!!  I saw an enormous one hanging from a branch of a tree. Is that a PIсTA ?

~ Yitz Japi. The body is made of clay to symbolize mother earth, and each of the points of the star, its arms. It is covered with bright colored paper? Nature is full of colors !!! Inside we put fruit, nuts and candy.

~ And, what do you do with it ?

~ One by one, children hit it with a stick? making a wish.. and when it breaks?it?s like if  ?mother earth? opened her arms and offered us ALL her wonderful gifts born from her.

~ How lovely and interesting but?do you throw away the broken pieces and the paper ?

~ Oh no, dear friend. The pieces of clay are made powder again and returned to earth. The paper is recycled. Nothing is wasted or thrown away.

~ Benek, wonderful !!! Would you show me how to make a PIсTA ? I?d love to show gnome children how to make one.

~ Of course I will Japi. After the PIсTA, all together we choose a pine tree and we decorate it with fruit, pop-corn,  candy, lights and ornaments the children make. We are very careful not to harm the tree. WE NEVER CUT THE TREE AND TAKE IT HOME.  

   Under it the ?host child? places the manger, made of wood. The figures are made of clay and are painted by the children. A special song is sung ? ?Pidiendo Posada? ( ?Asking for Lodging? ) and we ALL embrace.

   An ?AGUINALDO? is given to each child.

~ A what ???

~ An Aguinaldo. It is a small paper basket full of goodies, specially Mexican candy called ?COLACIӎ? ( sugar covered nuts )

~ Mmmmmm? will I get one ?                                                                                                                                ~ Of course Japi. You are my SPECIAL guest. And tomorrow we will go together to the next POSADA

~ Another ?

~ Yitz Japi. There are 9 POSADAS. One each day? until Xmas. Each one in a different home.

Tomorrow?s host child will come and get the manger and will carry it on to his/her house. And the following day another? and so on?

~ One more question Tina. Tell me? what are those big round colored balls hanging everywhere ?

~ Oh? they are  BALLOONS. The are used for decoration but you can also play with them. Will show you some games.

~ Great !!!  Yipitz !!! ( hurray ) Let?s go and get ready for the  ?P O S A D A ?

Japi was delighted !!!  He loved celebrations and parties, specially those with a MEANING. He would have something beautiful to share with his family and the gnome world when he went back home.

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

   SONG: PIDIENDO PODADA  ( Asking for Lodging )

 In the name of heaven                    En el nombre del cielo

 I ask you for lodging                    Os pido posada

 Because my beloved wife                    Pues no puede andar

 Can?t walk any longer                    Mi esposa amada

 Come in holy travelers                                                Entren santos peregrinos

 My home is your home                                               Reciban este rinc󮼯:p>

 Even though is simple                                                Aunque es pobre la morada

 I offer it to you with LOVE                                          Os la doy de CORAZӎ

===========================================================================

                        ?STAR  PIсTA ?

Ingredients:  A clay round vase or:

                       A balloon, newspaper,cardboard, white glue, a piece of strong string and colored paper

How to make:

                      + If you don?t have the clay vase?

                      + blow a balloon to make it  as BIG as you like

                      + paste a ribbon or strong string around it ( vertically ) so to be able to hang the pi񡴡 afterwards. Be sure to leave a long hook at the top.

                      + cover the balloon with small pieces of newspaper ( 4 inches square ) Paste with white glue. Cover it with 3 layers. Let it dry.

                      + make cardboard cones the size you want and paste them on the balloon ? make a star

                      + cover the star with colored paper ( in small pieces ) and glue. LET IT DRY

                      + make an opening at the top?  fill with goodies?

RECIPES...

Champurrado (Chocolate Atole)

6 cups whole milk
1 cup masa harina--corn flour
2 cups water
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
3 oz. unsweetened chocolate, grated
1 cinnamon stick

Heat the milk and chocolate in a saucepan, stirring to dissolve the chocolate. When chocolate is completely dissolved, remove from the heat and set aside to keep warm. Mix the masa harina with the water in another saucepan; place over low heat, add the cinnamon stick, and cook until the mixture has thickened and the masa becomes translucent. Add the chocolate milk and sugar. Stir to dissolve the sugar and simmer for a few minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick and serve the champurrado hot in cups or mugs.

Arroz Dulce (Rice Sweet)

? cup rice
2/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
4 cups milk
1 cup rich cream
? tsp. salt

Scald milk. Put the rice into a deep baking dish, cover with the hot milk, and bake in a moderate oven for 3 hours, or until the rice is soft. Stir occasionally during first hour to prevent sticking. If necessary, add more hot milk. When almost done, add vanilla, sugar, and cream, and finish baking.

     ? HAMAPPY NAVIDISHEN PICCOL AMISHEN?   ?MERRY CHRISTMAS LITTLE FRIENDS?

                        Professor  Konsh

Professor Konsh?s Gnome Dictionary:

Skuzek (skoosek)  excuse me

Benek ( behnehk ) good, fine                                 Yipitz ( yeepits )  hurray, bravo!