Halloween Eve

We went to visit my family today in the Bronx. First went to my mom's, then visited my sister and Kain, then back to my mom's to eat a wonderfully prepared meal. It was arroz con gandules con pollo frito and it was absolutely delicious. I really do miss good homecooked puertorican food. Definitely something I will pass onto to Leah, the same way my Abuelita and mother passed onto me and my sister.

My sister had also made some arroz con gandules to take over to her in-laws Halloween Party. I'm always surprised when I meet people who don't know how to cook, mostly 'cause in the hispanic culture it is very important to pass on our traditions. And with cooking there really isn't a set recipe for our favorite meals. If your elders don't show you how to make it just right then you will never get it. Learning how to make spanish rice, especially puertorican rice is sort of an art. Sometimes you don't get it the way its supposed to but the first time you do, its great. You feel proud and you know that finally you can cook for your family and they will appreciate all the effort and love you put into the meal. I can only hope to bring that into Leah's life the same way my mother brought it into mine.

Leilani and me could basically cook Thanksgiving dinner all by ourselves by the time we were 15. We prepared dinner for the family by the age of 12. The only things left on my list to learn are how to make pasteles and arroz con coco.

Amanda had gotten Leah this absolutely perfect outfit. Good Halloween Eve outfit. Just too cute.