Christmas Traditions

Happy New Year!!

The red tree (above) has finally been packed away for another year.  And, the gold bell wreath has been packed away, too.  The second will be gone tomorrow.  It might seem lazy for our trees to stay up this long.  But, there’s a tradition in many old Italian families to leave the decorations up through the Epiphany (January 6) for the 12 day festival.  (The Twelve Days of Christmas)  Some even refill stockings with chocolates, candies, and other small gifts on the day of the Epiphany.  And, I believe January 6th is a church day, too.  Though, we’ve never gone.  We tend to be a bit more agnostic than religious.  Yet, we’ll happily use any excuse to celebrate or at the very least decorate.  And, this tradition is one we love.  Those bright balls and shiny decorations brighten up the cold and gloomy winter days.

In Spain, they make Epiphany cake or Twelfth Night bread (Roscon de Reyes or Rosca de Reyes).  Hmm, a new version of King’s cake for me to try?  This is another tradition I could easily learn to love!

We have one last bag of cranberries to use!  Most will be used in a small batch of cranberry jam.  But, I’ve skewered a few dozen on decorative mini bamboo skewers.

Cranberry Elderflower Cocktail
makes 2

2 ounces St Germain Elderflower Liqueur
2 ounces ruby red grapefruit vodka (Charbay)
1 cup cranberry juice
club soda, to fill
2 skewers of frozen cranberries, one per glass

Chill two rocks glasses.  When ready to serve, pour 1 ounce of elderberry liqueur, 1 ounce vodka, and 4 ounces cranberry juice  into each glass.  Fill with club soda.  Garnish with cranberry skewer.

Here’s to 2013!  And, Cheers to 2014!!