Ketchup with us #8

I am a bit late to the party, but better late then never right? (I know the deadline for submitting has passed)

I started this post on the 16th, but I was "enjoying" my last week of maternity leave. (more like going crazy to finish my shopping and other holiday madness.)

This time Michele & Mel have asked us to share a family holiday tradition. 

In 57 words or less, tell about one of your family's holiday traditions. (NOTE: I didn't say you had to LIKE the tradition.)

As a kid my cousins and I always did a Living Nativity on Christmas afternoon. Each year it was the same argument. Why did Joey always get to be Joseph  and who got to be Mary, Becky (the oldest,) or Me (the best actress). No matter who got to be what it always ended in tears.

Ketchup With Us #7

This time around we have been challenged to share a favorite Holiday recipe, no word limit this time!

When I think of Christmas I think of lefse, lutefisk, and my Grandma Andy's Meatballs. Two of the three things invoke good memories. (See this post Ketchup with Us #6 to see which of those 3 I dread.) Grandma Andy also had an aversion to fish and would tell me she made the meatballs for us, but I know they were for everyone. She passed away when I was 13 years old, but the meatballs have remained on our the Christmas menu. Thank you to my Dad for allowing me to share the recipe with all of you.

Mom's Meatballs

Meatballs:                                                           Gravy:
1 lb. ground beef                                                1/4 c. flour
1/2 lb. ground pork                                           1 tsp. paprika
1/2 c. onions                                                       1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. fine bread crumbs (croutons)               1/8 tsp. pepper
1 T. parsley                                                         3/4 c. sour cream to be added 20 minutes
1 1/2 tsp. salt                                                      before serving
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 c. milk

Mix meatball ingredients well, shape into balls the size of walnuts,
brown in 1/4 c. oil
Mix gravy ingredients with meat drippings and 2 cups boiling
water
Cook in crock pot for 4 hours, add 3/4 c sour cream 20 minutes
before serving