I sat down at my computer on October 1st, 2006 and wrote out my very first blog post with the title, "Life on the hyphen…"
You're welcome to click over and read it. I lifted that post title from a book written by my friend, Gustavo Perez-Firmat, called Life on the Hyphen: The Cuban-American Way. In that book, he brilliantly describes how we Cubans "straddle" the hyphen between being Cuban and American. That so resounded with me that I was inspired to write about my everyday life here in The O.C. as a Cuban-American wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend.
I've written about how I've homeschooled my kids, which is an odd proposition for someone with my history.
I often say that I'm 100% Cuban and 100% American. I'm quite proud of being a part of both of the cultures that have informed my life and personality and for the last five years, this blog.
I have been celebrating Cuban-American life here on this little corner of cyberspace for five years now. And I'm very proud of what I've created.
So, please, help me celebrate my Five Year Blogoversary. Five whole years, people! (I'm like Methuselah in the blogging world, but that's not important right now.)
I'm so grateful that I have had a place to share my stories and my kitchen and the cool stuff I get to do and the people who are so important to me. I'm humbled, too, by the constant and generous attention that you pay me.
I appreciate those of you who have been around since 2006 and have watched my children grow up on these pages. And I appreciate every member of my family who have been gracious enough to let me share their lives here. They are now used to having Mom pointing a camera at them and they're okay with seeing themselves in their fabulous goofiness.
I am grateful to those of you who have just recently Googled a Cuban recipe and found yourselves here and have decided to continue coming back to visit. Please stay. My blog-casa is your blog-casa. ๐
To celebrate this auspicious occasion, and as my way of saying thanks for reading my blog, I'm going to give away 5 (!) MBFCF items from my online shop, Cuba To GO! (because I can).
I'm giving away:
1) A MBFCF Mug:
3) and 4) Two people will win an autographed copy of My Big, Fat, Cuban Family Cookbook:
5) And last, but certainly not least, an autographed copy of my friend, Gustavo Perez-Firmat's lastest and absolutely delicious book, The Havana Habit:
I thought it only fitting, since he was my inspiration for this whole thing. Gracias, Gustavo!
So, by now you know the drill…
To enter the drawing for a chance to win the above mentioned uber-cool MBFCF stuff, please leave a comment on this post and answer one or all of the following questions:
- If you're a regular MBFCF reader, why do you keep coming back ?
- Do you also live "on the hyphen?"
- Is it the recipes?
- The stories?
- The giveaways?
- Or is it like a bad habit you picked up that you can't break? ๐
I'll do a random drawing on Monday, October 3rd at 12 noon Pacific Time.
Happy 5th Blogoversary to me!
*throws confetti*
Happy 5th! I always look forward to reading your blog. I keep coming back because you make me smile, laugh and occasionally cry (sometimes all at once). My Dad was Cubano and very proud. He passed away 4 years ago and shortly thereafter I discovered your blog. In some way I feel connected to your Cuban family and love that you share with us, all of them. It reminds me of good times that my family shared with my father. You know -the laughs, the food, the holidays and the traditions. Did I forget the guava? I don’t want to forget them. Unfortunately, being married to a Greek man there is nothing going on there that’s Cuban (but that is not important right now).I have made your recipes (delicious) and entered your giveaways (nice), but will keep checking in to see what is going on with My Big Fat Cuban Family.
Mucho Besos, Marta and continued Blog Success for more years to come.
First and for most i would like to say Congrats on your 5 year Anniversary. I think thats so wonderful to that you have come this far, and i hope that you keep pushing forward with this site, cause i come here everyday to read your new posts.I love your recipes cause i always like to look for a cuban dish to cook at least twice a week. My husband and kids love it.
I also love your stories cause it always puts a smile on my face and even though ive never met you, to me your are like a far away relative that writes something for me to read and relate to and also share with my family.
I love your giveaways cause you always give away neat and beautiful things, exspecially when it come to Cafe. Lol!
Don’t ever stop doing what your doing. I love your blog and really enjoy it. There is nothing better then My Big Fat Cuban Family. Thank you for everything.
Marta,I keep coming back because, in the Spirit, I feel drawn to you. You have a charisma that many don’t have and if they do, they don’t know what to do with it. I see that you do make an effort to shine each day with what you know and what you love! I feel that I live “on the hyphen” as you call it, I call it “the dash”, that place you live from the date you’re born until the time you step over into eternity. I hope to stuff as much awesome persuasion into my life so as to touch and impact all around me!(p.s. for Jesus)I home school my grandchildren, my husband and I have custody of them, which, by the way, my husband is 1/2 Cuban. His father met his mother while he was in the Coast Guard in Key West during WWII. She taught me how to cook Cuban and it is and has been my favorite food in the entire world. At Christmas time, when my husbands side of the family gathers we have Cuban instead of the traditional turkey and dressing, etc. I don’t know Marta, but God has a platform for you, so speak, write, talk, cook,blog,shoot photos, and keep on doing what you do. It blesses me and I know scads of others! Happy Blogoversary! Jeanna
I come back to your blog because you make me smile!
Congratulations on five years! I LOVE your blog…I LOVE your stories…I LOVE hearing about your family…most of all I LOVE your recipes. I’ve made many of them and any time I have question, you are quick to respond. I’m an honourary Cuban – my husband’s Cuban.Andria
If you’re a regular MBFCF reader, why do you keep coming back ?—You’re funny and interesting and CUBAN! Also, you have a cool family.
Do you also live “on the hyphen?”
—Definitely! I am first generation American with 100% Cuban Blood!
Is it the recipes?
Sadly, while I can cook ANYTHING, my Achilles heel is Cuban food. I just can’t get it right!!! :((((
The stories?
—Yes, more than anything else.
The giveaways?
—They’re nice.
Or is it like a bad habit you picked up that you can’t break? ๐
—Yes.
๐
I don’t need to win anything because I already have your wonderful cookbook and don’t need the other things. I just want to say happy blogiversary! I read you because you are my friend and I am interested in your life!
I love your stories… they remind me of the ones I hear from my relatives who I get to see too infrequently for my liking. ๐
Because you are interesting, funny and Tell the Truth!! Mazel Tov! On the hyphen as a Jewish-American. Yes. 100% Jewish and 100% American. Keep keepin’ on!cariรฑos,
Zelde
I keep coming back for the stories mostly although the recipes are a huge plus. I’m the Irish one married to a Cuban man and we also homeschooled our children. Love, love, love your blog and hope you have at least another 5 years of wonderful blogs.
I don’t even remember when I stumbled upon this blog — I’m sure it was sometime last year when I moved away from my comfort zone that is Miami and went to live in Gringolandia, a.k.a. New Hampshire. I keep coming back because I love hearing your “voice” and I love your mother and just love the fact that you’re able to reach such a wide mass of people…you are awesome!
Its all of the above,I miss my people so much,I try to get down to West Palm Beach once or twice a year to see my Mother and sisters and of course my pastelito fix, I love your stories too its so much like my family, thank youMaria
Congratulations Marta, you always make my day when I turn the computer on and I see your posts in FB.May God give us all health to continue to read them and to you and yours for allowing us to be a part of your family in such a wonderful way.
I keep coming back because you and your family are like a really delicious addiction:)Definitely live on the hyphen and tell people that I am 100% Cuban and 100% American. I’ve made some people mad with that statement.
Your recipes are a life saver and you have taught me the fine art of Cuban Crockpot cooking. My son and daughter-in-law left your book in storage (a huge accidental mistake!)when they moved to Mooseheart this summer so I have given them MY SACRED COPY until they can get someone to send it to them.
The stories are always certain to entertain, enlighten and sometimes even bring a tear to my eye. I can’t tell you how many times I have emailed a link to one of your postings to one of many Cuba-addicted people!
As a winner of a few of your giveaways, OF COURSE THE GIVEAWAYS BRING ME BACK;)
It’s a wonderful (not bad) habit…who would try to break it??
Congratulations my friend, you are DA BOMB!!
I enjoy the topics, pictures, and your warm, funny personality. I was born in the U.S. of Cuban parents, so I can see both sides of the hyphen. I definitely love the recipes and the food pictures, and I enjoy the stories that you encourage others to share along with your family’s adventures. I like reading about the products in your giveaways, but I don’t necessarily enter all of them. A wonderful by-product of reading your blog is sharing the latest topics and comments with my 81-year old Mom who so enjoys hearing about the various topics. Reading your blog makes my day a little brighter. Thanks!
Why do I keep coming back? A lo bueno se acostumbra rapido.As far as the hyphen- I AM THE HYPHEN.
If you go to bohemianbabushka.blogspot.com go to the poem titled “We are.” and you’ll see what I mean.
Congrats on the 5 years, and many, many more.
Happy 5th anniversary of your Blogging!! I have been reading your blog now for a couple of years, and I LOVE IT!!* If you’re a regular MBFCF reader, why do you keep coming back ?
I come back here because I feel at home. I don’t have many Cuban friends where I live, so this is my “vecindario” and my Cuban fix!
* Do you also live “on the hyphen?”
I sure do! I always live on the hyphen and the dash. It is the time from when we were born until going to eternity. And I’m always trying to make it as good as possible.
* Is it the recipes?
I love the recipes you post all the time and the way you cook also. One of my favorite things to do at home is cook. As a matter of fact, I have been wanting to write a Cuban cookbook some day. I better hurry up, because we never know about tomorrow.
* The stories?
I also love your stories and your high energy, what you share is very precious to me and it makes me feel safe.
* The giveaways?
I haven’t won anything yet, so I’m here to win something. I love winning stuff, but that isn’t the only thing that attracts me to come to this site.
* Or is it like a bad habit you picked up that you can’t break? ๐
If it is a habit, I love it, but one thing I know…it isn’t a bad one. ;))
We have many things in common, Cauc husband, older children, belief in God, born again Christian, Orange County, elderly mother, plus we are both Cuban. I feel I have a friend, even though it has only been thru the computer. :))
Esther Avila-Young
Happy Blogiversary!!! I keep coming back because I love you and your family ๐ I like your stories, recipes, and all! Congratulations on 5 amazing years and so many more to come. Keep it up, Sister!
Happy Anniversary!I click on your blog link on FB whenever something catches my interest.
I try to live on the hyphen but sometimes I fall off!
I love the pictures of food! โฅ They make me feel all warm n Cozy!
I like the stories you tell and I get to watch your family grow.
I love the way you embrace life, that is very represented in your blog.
The giveaways always leave me wishing I would win one. Oh! but I just did!
I love that the giveaways have to do with coffee and kitchen, family and friends.
One reason I read your blog for sightings of your mother.:)
I think she is Amazing, I love her style, tradition and matter of fact thinking. โฅ
I love reading your blog!!!! Just because I love you MORE! Congratulations on 5 years! Here’s to many, many more!
Hello again!!! I am hoping for a cookbook so I can cook your amazing food that Jonah says is soooooo awesome! (Love that boy!)Am I a hyphen-kind-of gal? Hmmm, not really. More of a … type! I do like your blog stories, especially when your mom is the topic. Those are a hoot!
So, here’s to your Blogiversary!
Keep ’em coming.
Love you, Darla
Happy Anniversary! I love reading your blog because of your stories AND your recipes, particularly those Cuban Crockpot recipes and the faux pastelitosde guayava. I loveto read your funny stories and about your family, specially your mom, since my mom is on her last days. Living on the hypen is inevitable – Having come to the US as a 7 yr old refugiada I tried real hard to assimilate just to survive. I later realized that growing up in Miami I was no longer a minority, and realized how much I missed my “Cubanness” whenever I traveled and could not get my Cuban food fix. I also love your generosity in sharing links to other blogs which also make me appreciate all thing Cuban. Keep up the good work!
I absolutely love your blog even though I just foundit about 2 months ago, I am in awe of all things cuban
I am from Mexico, Have lived most of my life in the USA
and I married the most wonderful cuban man. Happy anniversary and thank you for being you and for your generosity and spirit.
Hi Marta,Initially I found you because I was searching for a good Cuban black beans and rice recipe. After searching through your recipes archive, I started reading your blog and I couldn’t stop! Your writing and stories make me feel like I’m hanging out with you in your living room. I miss home (Miami) and reading your blog helps me feel connected, even though you’re in CA- go figure! Happy anniversary and here’s to another five- felicidades!!
I’ve been checking your blog (BFCF on my bookmark bar) almost daily for several years now. I started when I googled “Pastelon de Pollo” and your recipe came up. I think that recipe appeared on the Babalu blog (also now on my bookmark bar), and eventually found my way here. I was hooked immediately by the all warm fuzzy feelings I felt here. Thank you Marta for brightening my days and of course for all the great recipes!
Happy Blogoversary, Marta! Five years is a big milestone!The reason I read your blog is because I love your family and the way you write. I keep coming back because I want to hear what a good friend has to say about what is going on w/ her (charmed) life. Yes, it is a bad habit that I can’t seem to break-nor do I want to-smile.
Keep doing what you’re doing, por favor!
cariรฑos
Marta,I keep coming back because you are like that phone call from a friend that you anxiously wait for to catch up with life.
These last four years of reading your blog and getting to know you and Amy have been a blessing. Thank you for opening up your door and welcoming us in. Your gift of hospitality is amazing and like so many, I always feel very welcomed.
HAPPY 5th ANNIVERSARY!!!!!
Un abrazo fuerte!!!!
Ody
Felicidades! Happy 5th Blogversary to you Marta! There are so many reasons I keep coming back! This is a blog i can definitely relate, not to mention, I love your witty writing style ;)So yes, I come back for more of you, more recipes, more stories, more of everything!
Here’s to you as I lift up my Cafe con Leche (clarito), while I have some eggwhites (wish it was some Cuban Toast!)and toast to your fabulous blog!
Que siga la tradicion!
Angie
Ay yay yay! Five years, felicidades!I can’t quite pinpoint when I started coming here, perhaps it was through Babalu Blog, but immediately I felt a great connection to the stories you were telling.
In 2008, I was able to meet you face to face, Marti, and it was like seeing an old friend. I really love coming here – now I click out of habit and I tell others about the site too. congratulations! And thank you for hanging out with us, for sharing your life with us, and for inspiring us!
Happy 5th. Blogger anniversary! I found you by accident over 1 year ago while looking up a Cuban recipe and I am captivated by your blog – have been a regular reader since. I am a Cuban-American now living in S. Florida via La Habana-Miami-Detroit-Miami. I love your recipes, stories, your family and I don’t always go for the give-aways….to me YOU are the gift.
I cannot believe I have been missing out on this fabulous blog all these years. I recently discovered it through FB after “liking” the Voices from Mariel film. This blog has become a daily addiction. I come back for the stories as I am also living on the hyphen and am a mother. I can relate to so many of these stories. I am also far from my Cuban friends and family, living in a small town in central Florida. This blog has become my reconnection to my Cuban roots. Thanks for that Marta!
You’ve come a long way baby!!! Good to see you just keep on coming up with bigger and better stuff!!
Hi Teri,So nice to see you back in my cyber-neighborhood! Thanks for being there for me from the beginning!
Besos,
Marta