The Holidays Are Here and They Couldn’t Have Come Sooner!

I can’t say enough how excited I am for 2021. It’s not that I think all of the world’s problems will miraculously disappear, it’s just that 2020 was so exhausting in so many ways. I think if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that. 

I learned a lot about myself and even though it wasn’t always pleasant, it was necessary. For that, I’m thankful. I got to spend a slew more time than usual with my husband and kids. For that, also thankful. We were fortunate to be able to continue working and earning an income when so many others suffered such great financial loss. And, of course, we’ve remained healthy and so have our families and friends. Thankful. Thankful.

There are things I’m ungrateful for that need to be fixed: contention for one another, lack of empathy for one another, unwillingness to learn another’s point of view, the extreme political divide that discourages working together and communication, and overall resentment for those with opinions that don’t match your own. 

I think we have it in us to change those ways. Maybe, like me, you’re tired, too. It’s hard to hold negativity close to you, so let’s commit to being more understanding and kind in 2021. Even if the pandemic stays put and even if those in power can’t figure out their crap and even if we lose jobs, income, time with friends, and all that; being kind will help. You and everyone around you. It’s a big ask because sometimes it’s just hard to be nice, especially if someone else is being so mean, but stay strong, stick to it, and make it a habit going into 2021. 

I hope you guys have a very Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy Yule! And better late than never, but Happy belated Hanukka and St. Lucia Day. For those, I missed, have the best anything-else-you-feel-like-celebrating ever!

To help spread some cheer, a recipe for Nordick Glogg (don’t let the name fool you, it’s darn good):

Ingredients

• 4 cups apple juice 1 liter.

• 1 3/4 cups blackcurrant cordial 400ml. (Norwegian: ublandet solbærsaft).

• 3 1/2 cups water 800ml.

• 1 orange; slices of half and juice of the other half.

• 1 lemon; slices of half and juice of the other half.

• 10 black peppercorns

• 6 allspice berries

• 6 cloves

• 4 slices ginger about 1-2 tbsp.

• 2 cinnamon sticks + more for garnish.

• 1 star anise optional, + more for garnish.

• 1 tbsp brown sugar optional

• 1 bottle dry red wine optional. 750ml.

Instructions

1. Add to saucepan: In a medium-large saucepan, add all the ingredients except the red wine. You can add it at this point if everyone wants alcohol. But remember that you only want the wine to heat up, not boil.

2. Let it steep: Whenever you see steam starting to evolve, just remove it from the heat and let it steep for around 20-30 minutes. Longer is also fine. But before steeping, I like to remove the orange and lemon slices to avoid getting too bitter gløgg.

3. Serve: You may want to reheat it just a little when it is done steeping. That's also when you'll heat your red wine if you're separating the two. Strain the mulled wine into glasses, along with red wine or not. Garnish each glass with an orange or clementine slice, cinnamon stick, and star anise. But remember that the garnishes may give it an even stronger flavor.

   Recipe compliments of Ginger with Spice.

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