Years-end already?

I hope you all had a wonderfully fabulous holiday. I spending these last few days of the year taking care of year-end stuff like catching up on tons of reading I have to do and some errands here and there. Plus, making my resolutions...er...goals for 2011. I was surprised this year that my lovely mom had volunteered to cook up our Christmas meal. A simple celebration we had this year. Nothing to fancy. Over the years, I forego gifts to just being able to spend time with loved ones. This year was no exception.

From top left: Honeybaked Ham, Queso De Bola (cheese), Chicken Pastel, Puchero (center), Embutido, some fruit and wine.

The ham and cheese were bought from the store, but they were really good. Embutido is the Filipino version of meatloaf with a little banan ketchup garnished over them. Really good slightly chilled or fresh the steamer with some pandesal (Filipino dinner rolls) I'll be making this for B+B soon. It's the only way really I could eat meatloaf. I love my mom's cooking. It's from her that I got my love for cooking. :) My mom had recently told me that before we came to America she would cook the puchero every week because it was one of my favorite. Reliving the fond memories for one day.  Of course, we had the traditional steamed rice. I'll just have to get the recipes from her so that I can cook some for myself. Yum yum!!!

 Our lovely tree this year.

Later that night the rain returned and poured down through the night. This gave me a fun 

excuse to jump in some puddles and kick up the waters in my new rainboots and to finish off the night with a nice glass of wine. :)