Merry Christmas!!!

Season's Greetings!

I hope everyone is having a fantastic break! The only thing better than having exams over with, is having Christmas Break start!!! Seniors- way to go! Exams are done!!! (I don't seem excited do I?) I wish I could tell you that your done with them, but unfortunately they just keep coming. But hey, I survived right? No problem!!

Anyway, on to more exciting matters! As many of you may have assumed with three generations of my family going to Luther, I am in fact......is the suspense killing you?.....Norwegian! Which of course means that we celebrate a very fun, very Norwegian Christmas!

After church this evening, we'll come back for a traditional Norwegian meal- including all the usual entrees: ham, rutabagas, green bean casserole, lefsa (a wonderful tradition to keep: it's like a Mexican tortilla but made from potatoes and flour. Served warm with butter and sugar for a fantastic finish!), and last but still least-you Norwegians out there won't actually believe we still do this. Even our family in Norway doesn't eat this stuff anymore!- LUTEFISK!!! If you don't know what that is I'm going to spare you a description- this is supposed to be "G" rated after all. If you do know what this lovely fish is, please, I BEG OF YOU, say a prayer for me! I am forced to eat it before I can open presents!!!! ............Uff da!

Besides the way-too-Norwegian-for-my-taste meal, we also sing carols for hours around the piano. Now when I say carols, I'm not talking one or two or ten. I'm talking about every verse of every single carol from the secular to religious. No but's about it- We all sit down, grit our teeth, and crank 'em out. After the fourth verse of "Silent Night" (sung in Norwegian although none of us know what we're saying), we sit down for dessert. This includes some amazing yummies from turtles, divinity, and krum kakke to pumpkin and pecan pie and peanut brittle (Oh- did I mention it's ALL home made?!? That's right! We Norwegians know how to throw a party!)

There is one last thing we do before opening presents. (The suspense is already getting to me!!!) Every Christmas Eve, we always read the Christmas story in Luke. It's a nice reminder what the day is really about. We have so much to be thankful for- family together, presents under the tree, a roof over our heads, and especially an amazing Savior who came to die for us!

And of course, this is followed by a mad rush to the tree and hours of shredding wrapping paper and total excitement and ecstasy!

I know this sounds pretty crazy and, well, Norwegian! But here's the really weird part- I absolutely LOVE Christmas with my family! I wouldn't have the jam-packed day any other way! I hope everyone has a wonderful time during this special holiday! Enjoy your family's unique and special traditions (unless of course, like me, your forced to eat Lutefisk against your will. In that case, you should run!)

Merry Christmas!
Happy New Year y'all!

~Anna