DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

   One way to conquer that culinary anxiety that may accompany you during the holiday season, is to think about this time of year as just that---a season!  This is the most productive time of year.  There is always so much to do, and apparently so little time in which to do it.  These are the most favorable conditions for producing great food.  That's for sure!  The day after Halloween signals the start of what promises to be a flavorful culinary journey: which shall last well beyond New Year's Day.  By September, after the heat of summer has gone, we have already begun to prepare for the holiday season.  Sooner or later, something wonderful is bound to happen!    This is the time for cordials; homemade liqueurs.  Perhaps raspberry,cranberry, peach, or pear, maybe even hazelnuts.  Everything is set as early as September, in order to perfectly steep these delightful flavors in a neutral vodka and sometime in rum for weeks at a time.  After awhile, a sugar syrup is added and

   The sound of happiness, sincere appreciation and the presence of family make the Christmas holiday one of the most festive occasions of the year.  Such festivities were also present during medieval times.  The spirit of the holiday was the closeness of family, serfs, lords and their workers and the communal sharing and preparing of the holiday meal.    The celebration of Christmas and the concept of Christ's birthday goes back much farther than the 19th century.  Originally a pagan festival celebrated during the Mid-Winter Solstice, Christmas, was eventually adopted by the Christians, thus being passed on through the generations.  In Medieval times a 12 day festival, held from December 25th to January 6th, opened the New Year with all of the contemporary fixings such as plays, processions, and the spreading of good cheer.  The actual gift giving took place on January 6th with the honoring of St. Nicholas, patron son of saints.    The Druids and the Vikings used the Yule lo