The Christmas of 2012 was not like Christmases-past. I kept trying to feel but could not feel the 'usual spirit' - goosebumps whenever Jose Mari Chan's 'My Idea Of A Perfect Christmas' hit the airwaves, nostalgia whenever the cold wind and mist would kiss my cheeks. I thought it just goes with maturity, aging. But pondering deeper, I realized it wasn't that I did not feel the 'Christmas spirit ' but I was spending Christmas with everybody I loved and cared for that I did not feel the yearning to be home for Christmas - I was home.
I took it upon myself to make my husband happier this Christmas by organizing Christmas Eve dinner with his side of the family instead of the usual dinner at home. We spent Christmas Eve at my mother-in-law's. His sisters living nearby shared with us this simple but wonderful feast and I felt better knowing that my husband appreciated my efforts - in countless ways I felt he did.
I will not share with you our photographs because my camera was not much of a help that night. It is just a point-and-shoot day camera and did not do our dinner justice. Here are some of my creations though - those that I was able to photograph at home while I was busy preparing and my youngest child was asleep.
Ube Jam - in Tagalog its called Haleyang Ube. A prominent delight at my Christmas table. It's never Christmas without Ube Jam.
I tried making Asado as viand. I got this recipe from Mana Eday - my co-worker. It's beef marinated in soy sauce and vinegar with some herbs and cooked with a splash of tomato sauce.
I'm truly proud this year that my five-year-old daughter had shown interest in the culinary - and mango float was her masterpiece.
