I want to wish each and every one of you a belated but very Merry Christmas! I would have posted this yesterday but being as I was in lechon cooking mode and this year's Noche Buena celebration was at my Mom and Dad's by their request, I either had my hands covered in charcoal dust and pig fat or had no net access.

We had a humble Christmas this year - there werent the usual bevy of colorfully wrapped boxes of gifts this year - but it certainly was a Christmas to remember. And, really, what better gift can anyone ask for than four generations of your family together on such a special day.

I guess the only thing missing from my Christmas was not being able to share it with all of you. And, I guess the only thing I can add right now for this wonderful Babalu family of mine is a simple wish, from the very bottom of my heart:

Next year, let's hope and pray that we can all share a very special Noche Buena with even more family and friends, together on that island shped like a crocodile in the Caribbean.