'tis the season!

My Tree from last year!

That's my Christmas tree from last year! This year my sis will hopefully stop by for a weekend visit in the city and we can decorate one together.  I'm looking forward to getting out the strings of lights, straw ornaments, and glass beads, but most importantly when we decorate we eat left over Thanksgiving pie and drink my father's Glogg!

My father's Glogg is a tradition past down from his father's side. My great grandparents immigrated separately to Chicago in the early 1900s (via Ellis Island), where they met through local Swedish friends and eventually had my grandfather who then had my dad and uncle of course.

Glogg is a hot spiced red wine drink, but my family likes to make it a bit stronger (we even have to burn a bit of it off)! My mother was offered a glass when first introduced to my Dad's family. All eyes were on her as she raised her cup and took a sip. The hot fumes often hit the eyes first and the aromas of the alcohol are almost more intense then the actual taste, which can jar one prior to their first sip. But  my mother swallowed, looked up and smiled. She like it! And well the rest is history.

And so hopefully my sister and I will get to indulge in some holiday cheer in just a few weekends time, while eating Thanksgiving leftovers and tossing back glasses of Glogg! Happy Holidays!

My Dad sent me home with a few bottles last year.