Allen wrote: You know that these people put their heart in it when the whole family is cooking and hand rolling tamales. I have witnessed some of my Mexican friends families making homemade tamales. It is amazing and heart warming to see them all laughing and working together. I was never allowed to participate in the operation. The head of the family said that me being a guest it would have been disrespectful to themselves to have a guest make tamales. I did get to participate in the fun and laughter though. They were great people, and great friends, they also made great tamales. That's one of the nicest posts I've read here. Thanks, Allen. And have a tamale for me this Christmas, too! Catharine