Thursday, May 7, 2009

Feliz Dia de Las Madres

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

There is a wonderful piece that was written sometime ago commemorating
women everywhere. I've searched throughout the internet but have never found the author of this piece. If someones knows who wrote it, please let me know.

For the past nine years I have posted it on the internet and have dedicated it to my mother and to all women celebrating Mother's Day.

So whether you are a mother or not, young or old, any color of the rainbow or from any city or country in the world, this goes out to you.

How to Recognize a Latina Woman
(or ANY woman)

A Latina woman is proud of herself. She respects herself and others. She is aware of who she is. She neither seeks definition from the person she is with, nor does she expect them to read her mind. She is quite capable of articulating her needs. A Latina woman is hopeful. She is strong enough to make all her dreams come true. She knows love, therefore she gives love. She recognizes that her love has great value and must be reciprocated. If her love is taken for granted, it soon disappears.

A Latina woman has a dash of inspiration and a dabble of endurance. She knows that she will, at times, have to inspire others to reach the potential God gave them. A Latina woman knows her past, understands her present and moves toward the future.

A Latina woman knows God. She knows that with God the world is her playground, but without God, she will just be played with. A Latina woman does not live in fear of the future because of her past. Instead, she understands that her life experiences are merely lessons, meant to bring her closer to self-knowledge and unconditional self-love.

( In memory of my mother. )
( En recuerdo de mi madre, Maria Luisa Cordero (1915 - 1997)



Mother's Day Mango-Walnut Cake

1 yellow cake mix
1 small box vanilla instant pudding
1 16-ounce container of sour cream
4 eggs
¾ cup vegetable oil
¾ cup mango nectar
1 cup walnut pieces

Grease and flour bundt cake pan. Pre-heat oven to 350°. Mix all ingredients except walnut pieces until well blended and smooth. Fold-in walnut pieces. Pour into prepared pan and bake in pre-heated oven for 1 hour. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes.. Invert cake onto a cake plate and allow to cool completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting
1 8-ounce package cream cheese (room temp)
1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter (room temp)
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a large bowl, blend cream cheese and butter with mixer on low speed for 1 minute. Add powdered sugar, a little at a time, until all sugar is thoroughly incorporated. Add vanilla and increase speed on mixer to medium and mix until frosting is fluffy.

In a medium saucepan, heat 1 cup of the cream cheese frosting over low flame until semi-melted and pourable. Pour over bundt cake to cover. With remaining frosting, decorate around bottom edge of cake. Place mango slices and whole walnuts around cake to decorate.

13 comments:

Ramya Vijaykumar said...

Happy mothers day again Teresa... One nice gesture to honor Mom is this cake... If she would have see this she would be the most happiest person in the world... Cake looks great!

The Blonde Duck said...

Did you know that picture is on the wall of a restaurant in SA?

Finla said...

Happy mother day Teressa.
Beautiful tribute to your mom and that cake looks so beautiful, i want he have a huge slice from that cake.

Heather S-G said...

That's a great verse! And the cake is superb :) Feliz Dia de Las Madres!

Ivy said...

What a lovely writeup for your mother Teresa and I bet you are a great mother as well. The cake looks stunning. Happy Mother's Day.

Maria said...

It's a beautiful way to honor your mom Teresa. Happy Mother's Day and may you always enjoy such sweet treats as this gorgeous cake with your loved ones.

Reeni said...

What a sweet tribute to your Mom and Moms everywhere. The cake is beautiful! And I bet it's really scrumptious. Happy Mother's Day!!

Esi said...

That's a lovely tribute. Happy mother's day!

Gloria Chadwick said...

What a beautiful way to honor your mom. :) I know you still miss her terribly, but she's with you in spirit... she lives on through you and your kids. Hugs.

Arlene Delloro said...

Happy Mother's Day, Teresa. What a beautiful post--and what a delicious-looking cake. I received my copy of Gloria's cookbook--gracias--and can't wait to try out some of the recipes there and in your wonderful e-Book. Oh, the chocolate we'll eat! This is my first Mother's Day without my mom so it makes your tribute all the more special.

anudivya said...

That cake is the most beautiful thing I have seen today. I am a huge fan of mangoes and this is perfect.
Happy Mother's Day. I agree with all the things you mentioned about a Latina woman, I have a very close friend and she is all that and more. :)

Kelly said...

That is the first time I have read that poem/sentiment and it's quite lovely. That cake also looks fantastic. I love mango and I imagine putting it in a cake would take it over the top.

Alicia Foodycat said...

That is a beautiful cake - and a very beautiful poem! I hope your family spoiled you rotten for mother's day, lovely lady!