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!)