Saturday, November 1, 2008

Preparing an Altar for Dia de Los Muertos



November 1st and 2nd are the days set aside to celebrate Dia de los Muertos. Originally celebrated in Mexico, it is becoming increasingly common in Los Angeles. The origins of Dia de los Muertos have been traced back as far as Aztec festivals dedicated to the godess Mictecacihuatl. It is now celebrated on the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. It is believed that during this time it is easier for souls to travel back to earth to visit their loved ones. Altars with offerings and refreshments are set up to encourage a soul to visit and to provide sustinence and rest after their long journey back.

Making an altar for Day of the dead is a highly personal experience. Even though it may not be a part of your family tradition, you can always start a new tradition. The ritual of cooking your departed loved one's favorite foods and decorating the altar can be a peaceful and loving way to honor their memory. It can also be highly cathartic. It invites the spirit into your home for a loving visit without the tears and drama. It reminds us that their spirits are gentle and loving souls we once knew, not creepy ghosts and shadows.

Any counter, shelf or table can be converted into an altar; the size is determined by the number of people you are honoring, the size of the pictures, and the amount of food. Traditionally, small amounts of food and drink are set out to welcome your loved one. Often a little alcohol or even cigarettes are left for them to enjoy. It is a joyful if bittersweet holiday, and cartoonish calaveras depicting the hobbies or professions of loved ones are usually present. Flowers (especially marigolds), sugar skulls, candles, religious icons, letters, paper decorations and other mementos can also be used to personalize the altar.

I usually make a bread pudding for my father and blueberry muffins for my grandmother. My husband's dad only wants whisky and cigarettes. Sadly, this year I will be adding my Uncle Warney to the altar. Maybe some Nanaimo Bars will be in order - or another shot of whisky.

The important thing is that the altar is meaningful to you, and allows you to honor your lost loved ones in a way that that feels appropriate.


Dad's Favorite Bread Pudding

6 cups day old bread (approximately 1 long baguette)

1 tart green apple, peeled and chopped (approximately 1 cup

1/4 cup raisins

6 cups milk

3 eggs

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon vanilla


Preheat oven to 325 degrees. butter a 3-quart baking dish

Add bread, apple and raisins to dish.

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients.

Pour milk mixture onto bread and mush it all together

Sprinkle top with a little more cinnamon and sugar.

Bake for 1 hour or until brown and crusty on top.

27 comments:

g and h said...

what a great way to honor the passing of our friends and family. something for me to remember when dia de los muertos comes around next year.

Anonymous said...

cheap ambien online ambien from canadian pharmacy - ambien sleepwalking side effects

Anonymous said...

xanax online long xanax your system drug test - all types xanax pills

Anonymous said...

valium no prescription online valium nerve pill - high dose of valium

Anonymous said...

buy zolpidem online zolpidem hemitartrate 10mg side effects - buy ambien online legally

Anonymous said...

zolpidem online what is ic zolpidem tartrate - zolpidem 5mg vs 10mg

Anonymous said...

lorazepam drug lorazepam online pharmacy - 8 mg ativan too much

Anonymous said...

buy xanax bars online no prescription xanax drug detection time - xanax 1 mg alprazolam

Anonymous said...

ativan pills ativan overdose complications - ativan price

Anonymous said...

buy xanax xanax 2 pill id - xanax for social anxiety reviews

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online without prescription ambien medication interactions - buy ambien online overnight delivery

Anonymous said...

soma price what drug classification is soma - carisoprodol 350 mg used for

Anonymous said...

buy valium in canada valium side effects sleep - valium suppositories

Anonymous said...

soma generic buy soma no script - soma carisoprodol erowid

Anonymous said...

valium cost buy valium online no prescription uk - valium pill orange

Anonymous said...

valium pharmacy green generic valium - valium muscle relaxant dosage

Anonymous said...

Homeopathic Medicines Acne cheapest prednisone - discount prednisone http://www.prednisone4sale.com/#discount-prednisone

Anonymous said...

Hello, buy propecia online no prescription - generic propecia online http://www.bigdocpoker.com/#finasteride-online-no-prescription

Anonymous said...

Ancient China Medicine Herbs buy diflucan - fluconazole 150mg http://www.diflucansaleonline.net/#fluconazole-150mg , [url=http://www.diflucansaleonline.net/#diflucan-cost ]diflucan cost [/url]

Anonymous said...

Summarize Of Natures Of Drugs generic lexapro online - lexapro cost http://www.costoflexaproonline.net/#lexapro-cost , [url=http://www.costoflexaproonline.net/#lexapro-for-sale ]lexapro for sale [/url]

Anonymous said...

Mushrooms In Drug Tests meridia pills online - meridia without prescription http://www.meridiaonlineorder.net/#meridia-without-prescription , [url=http://www.meridiaonlineorder.net/#generic-reductil ]generic reductil [/url]

Anonymous said...

tfv buy lamisil without prescription - buy lamisil no prescription http://www.lamisilonlinerx.net/#purchase-lamisil, [url=http://www.lamisilonlinerx.net/#purchase-lamisil]order lamisil online no prescription [/url]

Anonymous said...

tmd buy prozac online - prozac price http://www.prozacbuynow.net/#buy-fluoxetine, [url=http://www.prozacbuynow.net/#buy-fluoxetine]cost of prozac [/url]

Anonymous said...

Hello, purchase klonopin - purchase klonopin online no prescription http://www.zeekmundial.com/#purchase-klonopin-online-no-prescription , [url=http://www.zeekmundial.com/#klonopin-sale ]klonopin sale [/url]

Anonymous said...

1 cymbalta cost - duloxetine online http://www.cymbaltabuyonline.net/#generic-cymbalta, [url=http://www.cymbaltabuyonline.net/#generic-cymbalta]buy cymbalta[/url]

Anonymous said...

6, klonopin generic - buy klonopin http://www.klonopinonlinediscount.com/#order-klonopin, [url=http://www.klonopinonlinediscount.com/#no-prescription-klonopin]no prescription klonopin[/url]

Anonymous said...

ooo!!! Topamax Online - where to buy topamax http://www.topamaxbestonline.net/#buy-topamax, [url=http://www.topamaxbestonline.net/#buy-topamax]Buy Topamax[/url]