Yuletide season- part 2

After the first Christmas dinner, it felt like Christmas season came too soon. What is there to look forward to if we have already opened our presents? But, no, it seems that there are more to come, this time from the father.

The second dinner was to be at his house. We are joined by sisters, the same brother in the first dinner, and his girlfriend. This time, dinner included, kalkun (turkey), rosenkål (brussel sprouts), sauerkraut, and potatoes. At the end of the dinner, we were served risgrøt (rice porridge). It is a tradition in Norway that an almond is hidden inside the porridge and one that gets it will get a marzipan pig as a prize. This year, I got the almond and got a box of chocolates from brussels instead of the pig because the father forgot to buy one!

Then, the opening of presents, where one is expected to do so infront of the others so they can see whether it is appreciated. Looked like everyone was happy this year.

Then the wine and the conversations flowed until...a) one is too tired to lift one's eyelashes...b)the stomach refuses to take in more alcohol..c) the hosts had to kick you out as they got work the next day..(remember official christmas days are still several days away..)

Two down, another dinner to go..uff...christmas is a very long season indeed!

Yuletide season -part 1

I have always wondered about the word Yuletide and how it can be remotely associated with Christmas. Then, one day, after a few years trying to learn Norwegian, it struck me that it is similar to the norwegian words, "Jul" and "tid" which literally means "Christmas" and "time." So maybe, the Yuletide word has scandinavian origins like ombudsman, smorgasbord and sky.

Ever wonder about how Norwegians celebrate Christmas? My family usually gathers for a christmas dinner and since we are one big extended family complicated by marriages, divorces and romantic relationships, we have more than one dinner to go to. This year, the first was with a mother who lives outside of Oslo. It was held at our house so I prepared the "julemat" or christmas food which included ribbe (grilled pork ribs), medisterkaker (flattened meatballs), julepølse (christmas sausages, and riskrem (rice cream). Usually, while waiting for dinner, one is invited to drink glogg (a christmas drink of red wine, nuts and a unique dark brew of water, sugar and spices).



The dinner is followed by the opening of gifts taken from under the christmas tree. Then the long updates about each other while drinking wine, beer or some spirits of choice, cognac is a favorite or even irish coffee.

One leaves when one is either a) drunk; b) angry; or c)called to get the cab home.

Merry Christmas to all! (God jul!)