Christmastime is Here!
I came out of the cocoon long enough to make sure there was traditional merriment…our style. Mike and I were married several years before the Grand Duchess was born. Our relatives live in other states, and often the holidays came at a time when we didn’t have the time or money to go for a visit. One of the things that doesn’t work for 2 people is a big turkey or ham for the holiday meal. Delicious the first time, but gets tedious after the fourth service of leftovers.
So, was created, our family Christmas Eve tradition: chili dogs and banana splits. Served with all festivity!
The first rule of hot dog is, if it tastes like hot baloney, it ain’t a real weiner. Get a Kosher dog with garlic and a “snappy” casing! Then we have chili topping (sometimes canned, sometimes I make it up myself- like taco filling with a chili tang) chopped onions and shredded cheese- like Rachael says “Delish!” 
We had some good potato salad (store bought out of sheer laziness) and the perfect beverage. Not wine- our flutes were filled with Detroit’s finest Vernor’s Ginger Soda. Don’t waste Vernors on the kiddies - give them punch or something. Vernors is ginger ale, but it’s aged for 3 years. Lots of bubbles and tangs.
We were stuffed by then, so later in the evening back to the kitchen to make dessert. We have banana split down to an art form- 3 flavors of ice cream, 3 different syrups and lots of delicious goo- 
Since we’ll be a on diet next month anyhow, what a way to go!
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December 25th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
We used to make homemade hot dog chili around here but I found a “store-bought” one that is about as good as anything I have ever had. It is called “So Good” and it comes in a glass jar.
As far as the Vernor’s goes, I take it for granted since I live in Michigan, but I was shocked to see it in a store in Orem Utah when I was out there last year.
Merry Christmas!