What Swedish Sausage Day Means To Me ~ by Jessica

Here is a wonderful story from my neice J.

J. and Grandma M
wearing those adorable caps

I can't think of a specific memory at the moment, I will have to think about it a bit for now I thought I would contribute what Swedish Sausage Day means to me.
It's funny how something so normal and routine to us can seem so foreign and confusing to others. It never fails every year in the excitement of Sausage day approaching I will mention it in every day conversation to someone. Their eyes usually get this perplexed look followed by "you do what?" "really, what it is that?" Now, I laugh at their confusion and explain how we are lucky enough to have a family tradition that still brings us all together each year. A tradition passed down from generations before. I remember as a kid when I would mention the Swedish Sausage stuffing and my friends would respond "what is that!?" I was the one confused thinking Wait, so this isn't part of everyone's Christmas traditions? Swedish Sausage making is so much more than just mixing up the cold meat, crying eyes from the pounds of chopped onions, the worry of "oh no, why is only one needle in the potato?!" when there should be two and the sore wrist from repeated shoving of the mixture through a funnel into the casings. It is a day we look forward to each year to see everyone together, it's a chance to catch up on what everyone has done in the last year. It is a day to reflect on the way great grandma would do it and how she never would be ok with the amount and size of our tasting patties. I personally also enjoy watching my children get to be part of such an amazing gift that they will also get to pass on to their children someday. I get to watch each year as they get to participate a bit more from the kid with the needle to pop the bubbles to beginning stuffer. Sausage day is never complete without a few inappropriate jokes about "mixing the meat" and laughing as like clock work someone's casing explodes or falls off their funnel. Over the years a few things have evolved with the new stuffing devices that make the process go faster. This has left us with time to have our Christmas Ornament white elephant exchange. The ornament exchange has quickly become what the kids look forward to and another source of laughs. It's always funny to see Uncle K. end up with a cute pink horse or everyone trying to get the Santa in the outhouse ornament. Oh and let's not forget to be sure grandma does not get another jingle bell ornament! Swedish Sausage day is more than just making the meat for our Christmas dinner, it's a day of family, love, laughter and memories. I cherish each and every year and feel truly lucky to have such an experience.

Thank you J. for sharing this story. I will love to come and reread in the years to come.