MERRY CHRISTMAS!

It's Christmas Eve! The very evening when Europeans are having their most important celebration of the year. It's the time when children are so happy. For days they have been speculating about what Santa would put under the Christmas Tree. Well, you understand that I am speaking of my looong-gone experience as a child. Are children still that eager to get to the tree?

I have my doubts, but I hope they are.

In the english speaking part of the world Christmas first starts on Dec. 25. And, sadly, here in North America, commerce has reduced it to a single day. Europeans are still celebrating the Christian feast during Dec. 26. The day is used for visiting family, parents get to see their grown-up children's family and grandparents are seeing grand children. Such was the tradition.

Now most sovereign nations have developed their own unique Christmas Tradition. I know such from Scandinavia where I spent 25 years. 

In Norway they usually have a white Christmas and the families are feasting on very traditional dishes, f.ex. there is "Svineribbe" (roasted pork ribs), there is "Pinnekjøtt" (a lengthy process of first cooking then roasting lamb ribs) or up in the north along the stormy northern atlantic coast they will eat cod, or alternatively also "Lutefisk" which I believe is largely known in Norse-heritage communities also in North America.

Most romantic, of course is a Christmas celebrated "på hytta" (in the cabin) On the 25th they would do an outing on ski, wandering through the magic white wonderland.

While many customs are the same in Sweden, some things are different. On Christmas Eve the family would gather in front of the TV and watch a traditional program from SVT1, the public Swedish State TV channel. There the nation is watching "Kalle Anka och hans vänner önsker God Jul" which translate to "Donald Duck and friends are wishing a Merry Christmas".  The phenomenon has a tradition starting in the late fifties with Donald Duck Movies being shown on SVT1. Ever since it's not gonna be Christmas in Sweden without this entertainment.

Sweden generally also is enjoying a white Christmas and the swedish landscape transforms into a magic adventure.

So time to look back at where we are. It's not gonna snow here. Last I checked the weather forecast, we are gonna enjoy 23C on Christmas Day. So we are gathering with our camper neighbours for a nice Christmas dinner outside. 

And today, on Christmas Eve, I made a dish I grew up with in Northern Germany. It's simply called "Grünkohl" (Kale)

So kale (must be frozen first) is cut and cooked together with smoked meat, f.ex. sausage or smoked pork chops. Baby potatoes are cooked then peeled after cooling, later they are rolled in melted sugar in an iron skillet until they are caramelized.

This wonderful dish is enjoyed with a "Schnaps" and a nice beer. My youth and young adulthood is full of this dish and I never had a Christmas without it.

Have a Merry Christmas and I include my wish for peace on earth and that dictators and cruel rulers may be defeated in 2025.