Speaking of Frida Kalho…

Frida Kalho: Self-Portrait with Monkeys, 1943

In the Guardian today: an article about a three-course feast inspired by Frida Kahlo. The author, Andrew Gilcrist, writes:

“I’m in Mexico City with a Tate delegation just as the huge jacaranda trees are blooming purple and violet across its parks and boulevards – to follow in Kahlo’s footsteps ahead of Frida: The Making of an Icon, a show of more than 30 of her works at Tate Modern in London that seems destined to be a summer blockbuster, adding yet more fuel to Fridamania.”

New Frying Pan and Other Friday Thoughts

 Lamb Chops

Len bought a new, heavy frying pan, and tried it out on some lamb chops.
The recipe was from the New York Times:
"Seared Lamb Chops With Anchovies, Capers and Sage" by Melissa Clark

The chops were simply delicious!

Over-Easy Eggs

For breakfast the frying pan produced lovely over-easy eggs with toasted English muffins.

In the News: The President of Mexico

In the Guardian: a long read about the President of Mexico (link).

Besides politics, the article described the beautiful clothing of Mexico’s President (right).
The photos reminded me of Frida Kalho and her special style — in left image.

“Claudia Sheinbaum’s clothing – tailored from modest fabrics produced in Mexico and featuring Indigenous motifs – is one of the many ways that her administration communicates its slogan: ‘For the good of all, first the poor.’”

Some Postcards I received this week

Thanks to Evelyn who is traveling in the West.

Blog post © 2026 mae sander

Gods of the Underworld and Earthly Adventures

 

“The Black Road leads to Xibalba, and at its heart there sits my palace, like a jewel upon the crown of your kings. It is very large, and decorated with colorful murals. It has almost as many rooms as the year has days.” (p. 98)

Silvia Moreno-Garcia writes myths set in modern times. She brings old gods to life, using the language of ancient story-tellers. I’ve enjoyed several of her books, and this was as good as the others. Two gods of the underworld struggle violently for domination, and use a mortal girl to try to win. She emerges as her own person, not a subordinate. Are you in need of escape reading? This is a good choice.

Ordinary Life

April snow.

At the Supermarket

"Disease, Hurricane, and Trump's Tariffs Are to
Blame for Orange Juice Getting Way More Expensive" (Food & Wine)

“Compared with a year earlier, egg prices are up 60.4 percent.”

More Reading

Murakami is always so fascinating! Not to mention gently weird.
This is a short tale of a small boy’s surreal experience in a very “strange” library.
Typical Murakami: lots of food.

Quote: “The food looked scrumptious. There was piping-hot sea urchin soup and grilled Spanish mackerel (with sour cream), white asparagus with sesame-seed dressing, a lettuce-and-cucumber salad, and a warm roll with a pat of butter. There was also a big glass of grape juice. When she finished laying it out, the girl turned and spoke to me with her hands: Now wipe away your tears. It’s time to eat.”

Murakami’s book has beautiful illustrations like this.

Photos © 2025 mae sander

Shared with Readerbuzz, Eileen’s Critters, and Sami’s Murals.

Mexico City’s Michelin-Starred Taqueria from Miriam

More from Miriam’s trip to Mexico City, which she shared with me for the blog because I have never been there. Here are her photos from the newly famous El Califa de León — singled out from the 11,000 taco stands in the city!

Miriam waited in line for 45 minutes to try the famous tacos at this taqueria,
which was awarded a star last month in the first Michelin Guide to Mexico.

From The LA Times May 23, 2024:

“The taco guy didn’t quite get the fuss. ‘I didn’t realize the magnitude of the whole thing,’ recalled Arturo Rivera Martínez. ‘I had no idea of what a Michelin star was.’ He does now.

“El Califa de León, the modest taquería where Rivera has labored over a sizzling grill for more than two decades, was awarded a star last week in the first-ever Michelin Guide Mexico, instantly turning him and the rest of the staff into epicurean heroes.” (link)

 

Food and Wine magazine also covered the unexpected star for the taqueria:

“‘The secret is the simplicity of our taco. It has only a tortilla, red or green sauce, and that's it. That, and the quality of the meat,’ Rivera Martínez told the AP, adding that ‘Coke’ is the perfect pairing to his Michelin meals.” (link)

 

Miriam’s lunch — she tried all of the four choices. Liked them! 

More Tacos! More Coke! More Good Food!

Breakfast (also dinner): churros and chocolate.

Dinner with a view.

A mezcal bar.

Photos © 2024 miriam

In Mexico City: From Miriam

Frida Kalho and Diego Rivera’s House

Miriam shared her photos of Mexico City to be posted on my blog.

She spent a week there at a conference with some sightseeing on the side.

Diego Rivera Murals

Trotsky’s House (Where he was assassinated)

In this room, in August of 1940, Trotsky was assassinated by Stalinist agent Ramón Mercader.

On the Street 

Dancing outdoors.

Miriam knows that I love murals, so she took some photos for me while walking around one evening.

At the Museo de Arte Popular

Pre-Aztec Architecture

Teotihuacán must be the most famous site in Mexico. I have never been there, so I’m grateful to Miriam!

She also shared some photos of amazing food, which will be posted tomorrow

Photos © 2024 Miriam