Edgar's Christmas Page

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Finally, it's my turn to host a page.
Here I am beside the yule log.

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Check out this page for
a recipe, a song, and
(Suzanne's obsessed) another little trip to Norway

First, it's good to know all the words to the songs you hum . . . .

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light.
From now on our troubles will be out of sight.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the yultide gay.
From now on our troubles will be miles away.
Once again as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore,
Faithful friends who are dear to us,
Will be near to us once more.
Through the years we all will be together,
If the Fates allow.
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

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Next, a family recipe . . . .

1/2 c butter
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 c finely chopped pecans
1 c sifted flour
1/8 tsp salt
confectioner's sugar

Mix these by hand, first the dry ingredients, then cut in the butter, adding the vanilla. Form into balls the size of an unshelled walnut.  Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet at 325° for 30 minutes.  Roll in confectioner's sugar while still warm and again when cool. This was my Mom's favorite Christmas cookie.  My brother Fred loved them too.  Hope you try them!

At 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve all the churches begin to ring in Christmas. The churches are never as full as they are on this day when young and old alike attend the Christmas Eve service dressed in their Christmas finery. When the bells ring as the people file out, and the lights flicker in the dark night, the peace and joy of Christmas settle over the land.

Food traditions vary, but a meal of rømmegrøt with an almond hidden in someone's bowl is on most menus. Not everything has changed with time. Before the family sit down to dinner a bowl of rømmegrøt (porridge) with butter, sugar and cinnamon has to be put out for the nisse (elves). Afterwards the family sit down to listen to the Christmas Gospel and then join hands to walk around the Christmas tree, singing carols.

The children anxiously await the knock on the door, announcing the arrival of Julenissen with his sack full of gifts. Before he takes the presents out of the sack he always asks "Are there any good children here?"  Shop-bought presents have gradually replaced the homemade presents that used to be common.

After the presents are opened and the excitement subsides, the family sit down again for coffee and cake. A feeling of peace and tranquillity gradually takes hold. Outside, the snow falls gently from the sky. Quiet and darkness envelop the snow-covered landscape and Christmas night.