HEIRLOOMS

I'm happy to report that my uncle has made it to Ashville to start his new chapter in his new place. His son and daughter-in-law have also found out their existing house had very minimal damage and the new one their having built had no damage. My cousin will be there for the next ten days getting my uncle unpacked and set up. I say he has guts to up at 92 leave and start a new chapter. He said it was time to start anew and he had good closure with my aunt's passing three years ago. Funny when family changes happen, you think back on things. The above picture I came across, is my mother's ancestral home in the Belleview Park area of Harrisburg. Many good times in there with my grandmother. One of my mother's nieces now lives there. While my uncle was packing up and downsizing, he asked me to come over to select a few things of my aunts, and he had a couple things per my aunts' request to pass on to me. While there were many beautiful things, I only have so much room. What he, I and his kids didn't take, most was picked up by Habitat for Humanity, and the tons of canned and box pastas and such to a food pantry. I selected some meaningful things for me that had fond memories.

The first thing I choose to take was my aunt's bread bowl. It's a huge bowl, that had been her and my mother's Aunt Marions. Upon getting married, my aunt made bread daily in this bowl to let the dough rise. I plan to do the same.

Second, I choose these Polish pottery serving dishes. I have always loved the pattern and colors in them. We had many a dinner served with hot dishes in them.

A cut glass pitcher and glasses she often served her iced tea in.

When I see this tea set, I always see my aunt. She used it quite frequently. And like me she loved artisan colored glass. I always loved this vase. When the sun hit it, the colors are brilliant. I shined a light in it to show the colors.

But what my aunt really wanted me to have were these...

Her personal recipe card library, with many years of family recipes and her two Cooking Bibles....

Those books are tried and true I can tell you. Can you tell she used them ALOT?!?! Being the exceptional cook she was, I was truly honored she passed them on to me and shocked not one of their daughters or sons, all of whom are also good cooks. I also told all the kids to come look through the recipe box when they're in town to take or write down some of the recipes.

I will treasure them and all these heirlooms,

TALE OF A KICKED GRANDFATHER

 

With Memorial Day yesterday, we had several family members here for a family cook out. My Uncle Jack and many of his kids were here. It wasn't long before we were regaling stories of my late Aunt Barbara and my mother parents. It wasn't but 2 years maybe before my aunt's passing away,  that she dropped one of her famous family history bombs. Like the one where she told how we are descendants of Aaron Burr. Being I have an elephant memory; I have become the teller of some of the stories. Since we were talking of some of the past veterans in the family and my Uncle Jack being in the army himself, I was talking about how my maternal grandfather had been rejected by his first wife. Most were in shock! Like me, they hadn't any idea there was a first wife.  I myself shocked when I learned about it. I just assumed he and my grandmother were married only once. Turns out when he was a private in World War I, after three years, he was discharged after a donkey had kicked him hard in the upper thigh and yes...testicles!!!  Upon returning home, his first wife, Carmalita, from what I read, and was told, was a stunning Latina, but very hot tempered. Apparently, it was already a scandal with his family, he hadn't married a white girl, but I digress. Upon follow up checkups with medical professionals, my grandfather learned he would never be able to produce semen for kids; he was told to much damage to the gonads. He was heartbroken as he knew Carmalita wanted kids. Sadly, upon learning about it, she left my grandfather and filed for divorce. It was two years later, that a mutual friend, a shop owner, said he knew a swell Czechoslovakian lady from West Virgina who had just emigrated. You know, the best thing for an old love is a new love, thing. Well, the shop owner passed my grandfather's info along to my grandmother. Before long, they were corresponding in the mail for over a year, finally met once for a week visit, and decided to marry. They were married for over 50 years, had a 19-year age difference and had 6 children.

I guess he didn't shoot blanks after all. And I would have loved to know what Carmalita thought had she heard the news. On a side note, my own parents had a 20-year age difference and met on a blind date, and were married for 33 years till he passed.

BLUE ITALIAN

Now you're probably wondering what this queen is up too posting about bone China. No... it's not about an Asian trick with some hard bone!!! That's my date next week. In a post the other day when I featured a chuckle about my new dinnerware arriving, Debs made a comment about it looking like that of the dinnerware from the scene in the Birdcage. If I recall, I remember the characters all trying to first distract the guest of the subject matter of the pattern and coming up with stories about the pattern and scene. It brought back memories of years of debate and talk over my late aunt, the good chef...her own dinnerware. She and my uncle got a beautiful dinnerware collection when they married, over 70 years ago from Spode, called Blue Italian.

It all started when her kids were all teenagers, right up to the present, and even right before her last meal before passing from her riotous son. On the center of the plate there is what appears to be a lady on her knees, and peering into the water. But the speculation was what was the guy doing?  After copious drinks from cock-a-tail hours, you can imagine what was suggested by the kids and I to her dismay, for dinner talk. Some thought he was getting ready to spear her dead for her family fortune. Another was he was just going to outright murder her and take her clothes and become a cross dresser. Another was he was preparing her for a blow job, and another was he was going to knock her out, flip her bell shirt up and have his way. Another cousin suggested he was going to flip her in the water, since she couldn't swim, and she would drown. Yet another said the man had a pet crodile and she was going to be the main course. And it went downhill from there. Even the poor animals couldn't escape the story, sadly. Even the Lad once asked why my aunt had dinner ware with a man getting ready to stab a woman on it!!!! And was the body ever found?

I mean something is definitely getting ready to happen here. But the pattern is actually very iconic. Blue Italian was launched in 1816 and has been in production with Spode ever since. It features a finely detailed 18th century Imari Oriental border encompassing a scene inspired by the Italian countryside. Steeped in history and mystery, Blue Italian was created amid Britain's Industrial period by Spode's son Josiah Spode II. The exact origin of the design remains unknown despite the efforts of collectors and historians. I mean, all they have to do is ask anyone in my family, and we can tell them. I mean its pretty obvious that the guy is her late dead husband, come back as a ghost for her, who for murdering him for his money, and land and being a ho with his brother. She can't sense him, but all the animals can see him plainly. She is doomed kids! Curtains I say. Two weeks ago, when my cousins were here my uncle had dinner, and the plates came out like always. And the stories started. I'm sure my late aunt was rolling in her grave; God rest her soul.

ps. I know a few of you reach me on Instagram. But I been banned for 2 weeks because I gave Butch Bodied Marge some choice words again this AM. My money is on Jasmine Crockett in a fight. You know MTG would run away, she'd have her head handed to her. How embarrassing this is becoming our politicians though. Apologies if you try to reach me on there...be back shorty on that site.

A MEMORIAL

 

Yesterday we were able to have some closure and a lovely memorial service on a beautiful if chilly afternoon, for my talented yet wildly and wickedly humorous cousin. We were always close as we were close in age to many of the others. He was the son of my late favorite aunt who was one of my role models. He passed on in September, a very unexpected and abrupt death, and one due to an exploded liver from cirrhosis, caused by a drink problem. He had been doing AA and counselling, but he kept the drinking so well hidden to everyone, when we had though he had it under control. We all agreed we wished we could have seen more signs or did more to help him. He was excellent at masking things. He thought of everyone else first... and made everyone laugh, even thought it was evident in the last days, he had been in a dark place. Darker than any of us knew. The family, his siblings, all 6, and their families from California, Texas, Washinton, Alaska, Colorado Mass, Maine, and DC, as well as friends and musicians from far and wide all showed up to join us. It was great hearing and sharing the stories we had not heard of him. We had no idea he was even in contact with friends from music school days still. Even two college friends attended. One of my uncle's students he taught at the time was even present. We held it in nature, at a park across the street from where my uncle Jack's house. We all came together to share our stories, the good and the bad and the sad, we listened to his music, drank ,ate, read favorite poems, and one friend of his even sang a song. The quartet he belonged too played his favorite... the Second movement of Beethoven's String Quartet, Opus 132. 

There was much laughter, which he would have loved, tears and hugs. New friendships made. I plan to keep in contract with a friend of his named Peter from Philadelphia. Robbie was quite something. He was an extremely talented violaist. He at 3, started on the violin, but found he liked the voila better. He once asked me if I knew why musicians in the voila section didn't get hemorrhoids. He replied, because all the assholes were in the violin section!!!! Just a touch of his sense of twisted humor. When it came to playing though he was the consummate professional. Always dressed to the nines...and played so precise. He played at most family weddings and at Christmas for the family.  He played and been the principal violist with the Haddonfield, Bridgeton, Delaware Symphonies and at times with the Philadelphia Orchestra. His longest tenure was with the Chattanooga Symphony for over 15 years. He was a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, and then eventually got his master's in music at Temple University. On the other hand, he could be quite impish, a irrepressible, sharp wit, wickedly humorous and enormously creative.  Even twisted. He could make a room laugh or whine in shock. His jokes usually had the "ohhhh that was bad" punchlines or could take time to tell. He loved cooking, and often said he might have been a chef had he not went into music. His dinners were wonderful, but he was also famous for his food combinations...like a lettuce, mustard and peanut butter sandwich. One thanksgiving I remember him commenting on the turkey greased infuse onions that were left over in the roaster and telling him I'd give him 5 bucks to eat one. He gleefully crammed it in his mouth, drippings running down his chin. I gave him the 5 and he said he'd done it for free! And one never knew what jokes or stories would come up at the dinner table, to the dismay of my proper aunt. He also had the talent of making many feel they  were the most important person to him when you talked to him.

 

When he was in Chattanooga living, he got quite the reputation there, and in Nashville for not only his music but also a comic he used to draw for fun, became a second career. It went on for 8 years in the Pulse, a local paper, till he moved. The paper weekly ran his cartoons called Lockout Mountain under the name Trebor Redle, his name spelled backwards. He created a few me as well.  What could be said of his cartoons? One thing I can say is that one never, and I mean never, knew what he would come up with next. One thing was certain, they rarely failed to entertain if not force one to choke on your beverage mid sip when you saw one of. My first reaction to seeing one was What in the blood and stomach pills is this??? One lady present from the paper showed up and regaled, one of his visits to the paper, where Robbie dropped his trouser in the middle of the office and begun mooning everyone, including onlookers who happened pass the front doors. The building management wasn't to pleased she said, but explained it was a cost of doing business with him. Of course, everyone laughed. But then there was his volunteering to coach and teach kids music. Once moved back to Harrisburg he taught and instructed kids music lessons at no charge.  And a huge nature lover. I knew ashes would be divided up to anyone wanting to take some to spread in some of his old haunts, so I took packets of wildflower seeds for everyone...to be put in the ground with his ashes. I figured Wildflowers for his memory would be the perfect choice. It was also decided by the family that his viola that was custom made for him by a legendary viola maker would go back to its maker, who would then find a suitable steward to care and play its magical notes. I think Robbie would approve of the instrument getting another life and owner. I do know that somewhere in nature Robbie is playing his favorite Beethoven piece.

 I leave you with some of his comic works.

Here's a colorful interview link too.

AUNTIE MAME

When I was little and all through into my adulthood, I'd say the three biggest role models and figures who shaped me were my maternal grandmother, who passed on to me how to be forgiving, kind to everybody, no matter what, and be charitable and generous. My Mother, who passed on her smart and wise cracking mouth. My mother is soooo Debbie Novotny from Queer as Folk, only more polished. And then my favorite aunt, Barbara, who I think I get my feisty, outspokenness and eccentrics from. Sadly, on Sunday morning I got a call from the mother, telling me my aunt had been taken to the hospital with hernia issues she had been fighting with for some time, had gotten worst. But before the procedure, which was to be on Monday, her blood pressure suddenly dropped drastically, stopping her heart and she sadly passed away late Saturday evening. It came as a complete shock, Needless to say we are all a bit sad. I've had a few good cries already.

For me, as a gay fruitcake, when I say she was Auntie Mame, I mean it! My aunt was nuts, colorful and lively. If Auntie Mame and Maude Findley had a baby the result would be my aunt. I have such fond memories of her since we use to visit them when they lived in a huge Victorian in Westfield NJ. I was always one to hang around her or my grandmothers apron strings while they were in the kitchen. It was probably a miracle she was still here, as when she was young, went sledding in the winter once, and she went right under a car while it was moving and only got a scar from it!!! Not to mention had seven kids. She and my uncle met in Carlise at a dance, even though they were there with other dates. He went to give her his number, but she had left before he could give it to. Weeks later, a good friend gave her the number and they were married the next 65 years. When she entered nursing school, it was there that she and my uncle got married... but kept it secret for two years, as back then, you couldn't be married and in nursing school. But she was determined to stay in school and finish. It wasn't till she graduated that she revealed to all she and my uncle were married. Life then took them to Alaska for two years, with my uncle being in the service. Being cultured she hated it. She always said Alaska is no place for a woman. Once the first babe came, they moved from there to New Jersey and stayed for years till they moved back to Harrisburg after the nest went empty and my uncle retired from teaching physics.

And man could she cook. If you could make it at home, she wouldn't buy it. Store bough baked goods? Piff. She baked bread daily right up to this Thanksgiving. Cakes, cookies, pastries you name, made from scratch. She'd die before buying ready-made pie crust.  She had every Julia Child cookbook and Julia was her idol. She aced every recipe, and she even met her twice on two social occasions in NYC. To this day I have many of my aunt's recipes and will always treasure them. It is she who gave me my love of cooking. You can see why I faced with trepidations cooking this year's Thanksgiving dinner for her. But she said it was excellent, so it meant a lot. I am thankful we had this one last dinner together. My aunt is also the family historian on my mother's side. She had the memory of an elephant. And luckily, I do too.

I also credit my aunt for my love of all things culture. My love of art, music and museums, they would often take me into NYC to view such earthly delights. She adored New York City. Right at my teens years, at 13, she was credited as letting me taste my first gin and tonic at the Algonquin Hotel. She created a gin monster kids! She was overjoyed when her youngest, got a position as lead violaist with the New York Philharmonic, before going on to the Philly Orchestra and then the Chattanooga Symphony. She and my uncle were still members of the New York Phil, Philly Orch, and Chattanooga symphonies, The Met, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. They always gave to the local PBS station here and were good members of our local classical radio station. Art was very, very important to her.

As was politics. Oh LORD!!! She could not take even a liberal republican, or even a conservative Democrat.  So, I feel as though on the day she passed, the same day as Bob Dole died, she arrived at the pearly gates with him, and gave him a huge rant! She was famous for having a stiffener and going off on Julia Sugarbaker rants. The newspapers loved her. She and my uncle are as liberal as one can get. I mean, I am 90% sure they still smoked weed here and there.  She had no time for right wing conservative bullshit and having church or politicians telling anyone what to do with their bodies or how to live. But she would sit and talk to anyone no matter what party. She would love good debate. I think that's why she liked my ex who was in politics. Right up till the end, she was on the fresh tip of everything. And she disregarded anyone who was racist or a bigot.

She and my uncle I also credit as passing on my love for the planet. The environment and nature and gardening were loves of hers. She taught me to slow down and take it all in. She instilled in me and her own children to tend to the earth and give back. I do think like myself, the current condition of the earth got her depressed at times. Of course, another thing... my aunt would never be seen in public in pants. I never saw her in pants. Till she passed on at 90, she only ever wore skirts and medium size heels, flowy blouses, and long tailored dusters. And hats.  And she could be eccentric. Some, things were outrageous. It might be a bit much to go to the farmers market with an ostrich feather handbag in one hand and her huge wicker market basket in the other. Or wear about 20 bangles, or wear a man's pork pie hat in the winter! Right before she stopped smoking, she used one of those long cigarette sticks, before moving on to a pipe, and finally cigars. She ended up not smoking anything eventually. The men at the cigar shop must have though she was a hoot. And she was. She loved her happy hour too. To my knowledge she had a gin or two every evening, and also had a scotch as a nightcap before bed. And like auntie Mame never liked a cocktail shaken, she said it bruised the ice. I always called her Auntie Mame and she loved it. Just at Thanksgiving again, she reminded me that when I settle down again, to make sure I pick someone in the arts. She thinks that's why none of the other relationships worked out. She always said, "it will take a creative guy to be with such a fabulous queen" See why I loved her.

Needless to say, these don't even tip the iceberg with my memories of her or even all my traits I get from her. Her last wish was to have her body donated to science, which she is currently enroute to Philly. She said even dead, she hoped if she could be of help with a cause, why not? Science was also very important to her. She will then be cremated and sent back to us. We have a memorial planned for January when all her kids will arrive from Washington, California, Texas, New York, Tennesse, Massachusetts, Colorado, and my dear cousins from Chicago and Boston. Since her stunning rose garden was her pride and joy, my uncle will, with us all present, scatter her ashes through her rose gardens. Her one son has already booked a restaurant for us alone to enjoy a nice dinner in her honor, where no doubt, we will have copious amounts of stiffeners to toast her and talk of art and politics and even maybe enjoy a cigar. But boy, will the holidays be feeling a void without her with us. But she wouldn't want us to be sad. As the song from the movie went and as she would agree, she'd say live life.

55th Anniversary!

Open a new window, open a new door,

Travel a new highway, that's never been tried before.

SIXTY-SIX

Aunt Barb and Uncle Jack 1954

So many good things keep happening during this time and life must go on. Friday was the wedding anniversary of my dear aunt and uncle, Barbara and Jack, who hit the 66th year mark. they married in June of 1954.  How amazing is that?!?!?! I personally don't know anyone married that long, and these days it seems hard to even make it to twenty. My aunt Barbara is the one who is the most excellent cook and baker, who learned everything she knows from Julia Child, and she has one hell of a rose garden. Incidentally, it's also where I got my love of gin and classical music too. My uncle, after the service, was a Physics Professor for years at Rutgers University, before he retired and they moved back to the Harrisburg area. The 66 years just blows my mind with the same person. The funny part as was regaled to me by my aunt, they met on a blind date at a dance. They hit it off, but she forgot to get his number. A few weeks later, her friend did get his number and they started dating.  After 4 months, when my uncle's service job at the time took him to Alaska,  she followed, and got into another nursing school. They continued dating,  but did it secretly, it was frowned upon heavily that nursing students should be dating. 

It got better, because then they secretly got married there!!!! Eventually they headed back east after the first child was born, and that's where my uncle started teaching at Rutgers, and they settled in Westfield NJ. After two years of being secretly married they told the family, and needless to say my grandparents were upset, as they wanted her to have a big church wedding. Didn't happen. My mother was the one who got the big church wedding,  and she was the one who didn't want one. My aunt and uncle went on the have 6 kids, 8 grandkids and one great grandchild. She never did go back to nursing...hence all the cooking and baking. Once the kids were all grown and out, heading toward their senior years, sold the huge Victorian they had,  and moved back to Harrisburg in 1998, where my uncle went into teaching part- time at the Harrisburg Academy in chemistry and physics, and only just resigned six years ago. Their children are all over the country.  My aunt and uncle are also the ones who taught and told me to respect the earth and all it's inhabitants. For their age , there both sharp as whips, hip on current things and even smoke weed on occasion.  I just feel bad we couldn't have had a nice dinner celebration for them on the day, but we do have plans to have a dinner for them soon.

Aunt Barb and Uncle Jack  in summer of 2012

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

But 66 years!!!!!

CHOCOLATE-DRENCHED

Homemade peanut butter eggs are hard to resist at Easter. When I was but a wee one, and my grandmother was sitting me, I can still remember she taking me to church, yeah, there's a visual for you, so she and the other church ladies could start making the hundreds of Easter eggs of peanut butter, coconut and butter crème eggs, to sell which would help supplement the church funds.

At this time of year you find the homemade candies for sale at gas stations, mom and pop shops and the beauty parlor, and of course churches. They often sell for a $1 or more apiece and are individually wrapped in colorful foil wrappers or cellophane bags. Churches, fire halls and other organizations roll them by the thousands as fundraisers. The candy eggs practically sell themselves. If you want to make your own peanut butter or coconut eggs, there are dozens of variations. Some call for cream cheese and butter, others for condensed milk or marshmallow. I can still see and smell the chocolate....and my grandmother walking us in, with her hat and gloves on, to which she would then remove both, and get her apron on....then the other ladies would follow suit and would await directions from my grandmother. This went on for a week!!! And they generally sold out.  My mother and aunt made them also for a couple years, but now my mother goes to a local church to buy them...while my aunt and I make the hot cross buns..another wonderful Easter treat. Should you crave a peanut butter egg...... my grandmother's were to die for.

Margret's Peanut Butter Easter Egg

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/2 pound cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup to 1 cup peanut butter

1 1/2 pounds confectioners' sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Melting chocolate wafers

Cream together first three ingredients until very soft. Add sugar, salt and vanilla. Shape into eggs or balls and chill. Melt chocolate coating slowly over low heat. Coat eggs or balls. Chill again, and keep in frig.

And try , just try to eat ONE!

HIDDEN TREASURE

The Mistress had a very lovely Mother's Day weekend , as I planned to be at the ancestral home for a couple days visit, and had several good dinners for my mother in addition to helping her get some things done around the house. Well, you know, we supervised the houseboys getting things done. One of the things I had been meaning to do for some time, was polished the silver set that my mother packed away after my fathers death. She was never fond of silver sets...she's more modern than I, and she has told me repeatedly to take the set to the Casa du Borghese for entertaining with high teas. Mind you, the set hasn't seen the light of day for at least 15 years...packed away in the china cabinet. Needless to say is was tarnished black as night when we got it out. But nothing the Mistress couldn't spit shine. It was good as new again and ready for happy days.

The set was actually my great, great grandmothers on my father's side. The set was made in 1895 we do know, and was made in Hartford CT, by two brothers who had a silver company, Barbour Brothers Co. The tray is even initialed with a "V" for our families last name. I also know, that all of the grandmothers did indeed use it. My mother recalls when my father took her home to meet his mother and grand, she served coffee with the set. My father's parents were very formal and great entertainers at home. So it was a nice surprise to see it brought back to glory again, I was worried...... such artistry and detail......

Even a gravy boat!  I did some more research over the weekend about the pattern only to find that not many sets where made with this floral and grape pattern, and some collectors had pieces, but not a whole set, which upon further reading, said it's hard to find a whole set still together.

I'm thinking this is a family heirloom to definitely be cherished. If anyone is interested, I'll be serving low tea on Sundays, with light disco ....of course!

FAMILY HEIRLOOMS AND PRACTICAL JOKES

A good time was had by all over the Christmas holiday at the ancestral home. We had our traditional Christmas Eve buffet, our Christmas Day Roast Beef dinner with Yorkshire Pudding, with my famous Cosmopolitans that flowed all day!!!!! We long ago stopped exchanging gifts with the family as a whole, we would rather give handmade baked goods, eat and be merry together, besides, we pretty much get what we want during the year anyhow. Oh sure  my Mother and I get each other something as do my Aunt and Uncle. But this year they left me speechless. My Mother surprised me with a ring my father wore. Rather handsome. It was a complete surprise. The ring in question was from his mother's side, there were 10 made for the males in the family, to be passed down. My half brother has one, as well as a cousin of mine and now the one I inherited.........

 

 

 Not sure where the rest are or who has them. The ring, is a sapphire with my dad's mother's family crest engraved into it. The crest has a shield with laurels branches on either side, with a stag coming out from behind. It matches a framed crest we also have. I adore the ring and it means the world to have it. Will I wear it? If I decide too, I must have a clasp in back as it may side off my finger... I have long fingers.  But it is incredibly cool.

  

 

Then my Aunt surprised me with a platter that was my great, great, grandparents. She has had it for years when she inherited it from her aunt, my great aunt. Now... it is rather beautiful even though I'm far from religious. But it is an honor to have such family history.

 

And then it went south. My mother received this gem from her niece who lives in Michigan. And she is known for her sense of humor..... Man in a Barrel......

 

 

And then she figured out the barrel slid up and off........

 

 

We all laughed till we peed, and then we all laughed some more. And my mother was just dumb founded and embarrassed. I mean, it's been 20 some years since she saw penis, I think. But she was really appalled when I bent it down, and let it spring, where it bounced several times before stopping, getting even further laughs. She just shook her head and said "That's my son."

 

Awwwww good times

 

I had texted this to Anne Marie, because we know how inappropriate she can get, and that's why we love the girl!!!

FOR TABITHA.....THE FAMILY RECIPE

 

The family recipe? Now that must sound like the Baldwin Sisters from the Waltons!! You may remember last Sunday my good blogger hostess with the mostess friend, Tabitha over at Badinage was the inspiration for my title of the post for my holiday home tour. Here we are again, back to Tabitha, who is from across the pond. I had heard this connoisseur of fabulous HAD NEVER PARTAKEN OF EGGNOG!!!!!

 Well we can't have that now can we???

And with a handy step by step guide!!!!!

 

Every year when friends or men suitors are visiting the Casa du Borghese during the holiday season, I always get a lot of compliments on the egg nog that I serve.  Do you need some holiday cheer? Need that extra lift to fight the crowds with a smile for holiday shopping? How about loosen up the stuffy bitches at work, or just putting everybody in a good mood at the office party, or perhaps turn that boring party into some fun? Well this egg nog will do the trick.....

 

 

Well fear not dear ones, I'm here to share my recipe!!!!! It has always brought about good times filled with much hilarity. At least from what I can remember. This recipe I promised Tabs I would post, and has been in my family for years, and now in the clutches of my favorite aunt.

 

Elder Family Egg Nog

 

6 EGG YOLKS

1 CUP GRANULATED SUGAR

2 PINTS COGNAC

1 CUP LIGHT RUM

1/2 bourbon

2 QTS LIGHT CREAM

6 EGG WHITES

1/2 10X SUGAR

 

IN A LARGE SWANK BOWL of course, BEAT AND I MEAN BEAT, WE KNOW YOU LIKE TO, YOLKS TILL NICE AND THICK, THEN ADD GRANULATED SUGAR BEATING AND BEATING TILL LIGHT.

 

SLOWLY STIR IN RUM, BOURBON, AND COGNAC. FEEL FREE TO SAMPLE MULTIPLE TIMES TO MAKE SURE THE HOOCH IS FRESH.

 

ADD 1 1/2 QTS CREAM AND 1/2 THE EGG WHITES AND BEAT UNTIL WILL COMBINED. I TOLD YOU THERE WOULD BE LOTS OF BEATING.

 

FINALLY BEAT,( OK, MY HAND IS GETTING TIRED, SOMEONE TAKE OVER) REMAINING EGG WHITES TILL FOAMY AND GRADUALLY ADD IN THE 10X SUGAR BEATING AFTER EACH ADDITION. FINALLY GRATE SOME FRESH NUTMEG, cinnamon or both,  OVER EACH CUP FOR YOUR GUEST.

 

ohhhhhh and would you look here, a batch is already made.......

 

 

You can then serve with some Pizzelle cookies, Sand Tarts or my personal favorite, hot mince pie or some homemade almond brittle. And I swear it will bring smiles. Last time I served it to my cute neighbor... we ended up examining the new flannel sheets and the thread count on my bed, And trust-two glasses is all one needs.

Tootles and be in good health!