Today, a week from Christmas Eve and the barring to the doors at midnight of the last shopping mall to end the commercial cacophony and ease us each to a day of Holiday rest and repast – today . . . I exhort and encourage us each in loud hortatory cheer to break from our frantic pace and partake in a simple libation to relax the frayed and frazzled nerves.

Let’s have an egg nog.

In Canada and the United States, when the boreal winds commence to blow, the time is propitious for an indulgence in that opalescent beverage known as egg nog or eggnog. Especially during the Christmas season, there is a scurry in those ancient scoriac-rimmed cook books for the favorite family recipe for this delicious beverage of family delight.

Egg nog is a stirred, mixed, whipped and frothed drink of milk, sugar, eggs and spices. Cream can be added to make the drink even richer and thicker. Vanilla is a pleasant flavor enhancer. On top, grated nutmeg is often seen and enjoyed, perhaps with a tad of cinnamon and even, for some, a dollop of sweet whipped cream and a few curls of chocolate. This inviting concoction can be served cold or warm. I like it both ways. Smallish clear cups or mugs present an easy and tempting vista for the Holiday treat.

First mixed and poured in the English isles, it made a quick trip to the Colonies where it became a must for travelers boarding the morning stages to be whisked through the wintry countryside on the way to Grandma’s house.  Wikipedia reports this book entry from 1800: “The American travelers, before they pursued their journey, took a hearty draught each, according to custom, of egg-nog, a mixture composed of new milk, eggs, rum, and sugar, beat up together.” One for the road and off we go. . . .

As you see, that nog in egg nog was often a bit of Colonial grog of alcoholic origin, likely a lacing of rum added to the mix and served in a noggin or wooden mug — to warm those adventurers for the roads ahead.

The beverage of festivity is delightful without the grog and many consider this to be the better course. Certainly that was the case at the United States Military Academy during the Christmas of 1826 when the Eggnog Riot resulted in the court-martial of 20 cadets. So, if the grog is to be added to your egg nog, I encourage you to behave responsibly, designate a driver and protect our children.

At this season, we are reminded by recent events how precious our children are and how diligent we each should be in guarding and protecting those young lives.

This is a wonderful time of year to spend time with our children. Take a break from the fevered pace, slow down and mix up a batch of your favorite-recipe egg nog — without the rum. Share a cup with your kids and grandkids, grab a favorite story, and all gather round on pillows and under blankets for a Christmas read and comforting sip of a very special beverage for a very special season.

I’m on the way . . . save some for me,

Grandpa Jim