Merry Christmas, all!
For the past few days, I've been ponding what to give you for Christmas. As I've mentioned before, I love to share tins of homemade goodies with friends and family. Alas, none of these mint truffles seem to want to fit through my computer screen.
But, I suppose if I can't give you a sample of any of my favorite Christmas treats, I'll have to do the next best thing...
The recipe to my "go to" Christmas party MUST HAVE...Wassail Cider.
I've been serving this nummy drink at holiday parties for the past ten years. I've even been known to make up a big batch to enjoy for NO REASON IN PARTICULAR. (In fact, I'm having some now as I write this!) Up until this point, I have kept the recipe "under lock and key." But, not anymore...
If you're not familiar with Wassail...it is an Old English drink that literally means, "be you healthy." It was most often drunk after the apple harvest in celebration for a good crop and in hopes of securing a great harvest the following season...But, I digress...(It just goes to show you that you can't take the "homeschool" out of the homeschool mom!)
Mulled with a few fragrant spices, it will make your house smell like...well, Christmas...any time of the year.
So, here's the recipe, friends...you'll just have to imagine that it is wrapped in beautiful paper and topped with a shiny foil bow.
Wassail Cider
2 qt. apple cider
6 c. cranberry apple juice
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. ground cloves
4 cinnamon sticks
1 lemon sliced thin
Combine all in a large stock pot. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 20-30 min. Remove cinnamon and lemon and serve hot.
If your serving from a hot beverage dispenser, it is necessary to remove the cinnamon and lemon. I no longer have a server of this kind and opt for a large crockpot with a pretty ladle. In which case, I leave all the goodies as a aromatic garnish.
I wish you a very Merry Christmas! Although I know it can, at times, be a busy and sometimes even stressful day for moms, I hope that you can find time to ponder the very best Christmas gift of all...given by a Baby who left all of Heaven, wrapped Himself in human flesh, and eventually stretched out His arms in love...for you!
Jamie, although I am recently retired from the early childhood sector, I have been reading your newsletters with avid interest, and feel, through them, that you are a friend...so, from the hot and humid south pacific, I wish you and your family a very happy Christmas time celebration.
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