After my shower this morning I noticed that the gap on that back wall from the top of the sheet rock to the ceiling, that was at least 3/8 inch this summer, is down to about 1/8 inch. That means the rain we had this fall pushed the foundation a bit into place. It won't remedy the problems, but it proves that keeping the foundation watered is a good thing.

Holiday empanadillas are made (8 of them so far) and the rest of the filling is in the fridge. Mexican families make tamales, Puerto Rican families could make pasteles (with banana leaves instead of corn husk), or in our case, meat pies. Tomorrow I can make more dough for these Puerto Rican meat pies or can bake to reheat some of the ones I made tonight. Our main meal is arroz con gondules, and the pies are on the side - all of the extra PR food goes home with my ex as his xmas present. So he may choose to take the extra filling to spoon over rice instead of put inside a hot water dough crust (think Chinese food). I had a couple of the pies for dinner tonight. We make these each year because we want the Puerto Rican recipes to be part of the kids' history, the recipes come from their Abuela. I make this because there is no point in trying to buy other gifts for someone who buys himself what he needs when he needs it, consumables are best.

Signing off for a while - and I hope all of our participants and lurkers have a great and safe holiday week, whatever you celebrate (if you celebrate anything other than family.)