My family cried fraud

“You posted a RECIPE,” they cried? “When you don’t cook and all your friends know it?” Ok, busted. I don’t cook, not even hard boiled eggs. But I do make wassail, which isn’t a talent to sneer at, especially on Christmas Eve when it’s cold outside, the family gathers and a fire blazes. Seconds, anyone?

After writing that post, I discovered that it puzzled a lot of people. They thought that wassailing meant caroling, as in “Here we come a-wassailing…” In fact, a wassail is a toast, made on convivial occasions, usually with hot spiced wine (hence the recipe) but also with beer or ale. “Wassail” can also mean the drink, and there’s generally a LOT of toasting. If you go through the verses of the Christmas carol, you’ll see that the children are carrying a wassail cup. They’re asking neighbor families for money and beer.

So lift your own cup on this Christmas Eve. It’s a fine tradition.

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2 comments
sandy // 12/24/2009 at 6:01 pm

i sent you a note the day you sent the web site to me, noting how well laid out it is. also some personal stuff. no response. bob tells me he was unsuccessful as well. so…i’m trying again. i will also send via e-mail to be sure you receive this.
i could not let your wassail note go unpunished. children in the kitchen?? cooking?? since when? as i recall, your best recipe was a baloney sandwich (or was it liverwurst) and your recommendation for thawing frozen peas. are both you and carll starving and delerious?

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Jane // 12/25/2009 at 12:27 am

Stop! I’ve confessed! But really, you oughta try my wassail. It’s the best.

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