Noche Buena

Every year like clockwork, my mom would say that she is not going to cook for Christmas. "Kayo na ang magluto. Bahala na kayo (You cook. It's up to you)," she will say to anyone and no one. Of course, we never take it seriously because we all know that she would be up all night the day before Christmas eve, cooking a whole slew of dishes for Noche Buena.

A few weeks ago, while hanging out on The Swing, I asked my mom what we'd be having for Christmas, and she said again that she did not want to cook anything. So, as a gesture, I offered to cook my lasagna: Big mistake!! And that's how I ended up slaving at the kitchen on December 24, while my dad puttered around, saying that my lasagna better taste good. Pressure!

When finally, we took the lasagna out of the oven, my mom and my sister B got their forks and took a taste.

Mom: Uhmm, parang kulang. May asin ba yan? (It lacks something. Did you put salt?)
Sister B: OK naman ah! (It's OK!)

I knew I could always count on my sister B to back me up!! Mwahahaha

As for our Noche Buena, it proved to be quite a spread: turkey baked in pineapple sauce with marble potatoes, roast pork loin, callos, Mom's Potato Salad, green salad, and all sorts of fruits, and halaya. Yum!




Mom and Dad's Noche Buena spread. Yes, Mom ended up cooking the night before Christmas eve, marinating the turkey for hours and hours. She was going to make chicken galantina but then saw this turkey at the supermarket, and wham! Turkey!





The big-ass turkey's neck! It's humongous!





The presents!! :)





Dad got this shirt from my daughter E! Mwahahahaha





Baby S with her two front teeth! So happy! She already knows how to smile for the camera.