…one of my very favorite photos of my dad, from Christmas Eve 1967 (I think). That red wagon was our big Santa gift that year.
Of course he had to be sure it “worked” after he assembled it…smart thinking since that festive holly mug he’s holding was a hot drink we call Tom & Jerry’s, a Sheffield family holiday tradition.
Tom & Jerry’s
my mother’s recipe
Batter
Slowly beat 2 eggs and 2 egg yolks; stir in 1 pound of powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 teaspoon nutmeg. Refrigerate in a covered container. It keeps for a week or two (if it lasts that long!)
For each drink
Add 1-2 heaping tablespoon(s) of batter to a warmed mug (the batter is pretty rich, I prefer less, but I think others in my family like the full two tablespoons), a jigger of dark or spiced rum or brandy (my dad’s favorite), and boiling water to fill the mug. Stir to dissolve the batter. Add a little sprinkle of nutmeg. Enjoy!
Sadly, I don’t think we have any good Christmas elf stories from our girls’ childhoods. But I think this one serves well for two generations!
mere-et-filles 
I love it!
i sooo love this photo, and all that it "says" about the most awesome father in law.
Christmas pictures of the past evoke such fun memories. I have few pictures in hand but a bunch of them in my head.
Great photo of your Dad. Your recipe for Tom & Jerry's brought back memories from about 20 years ago. Our church organist would have the choir over to her farm for Tom & Jerry's after midnight Mass…such good memories!
What a wonderful picture! And Tom & Jerry's sound very interesting!
Oh, what fun! I love the photo — and the Tom & Jerry's recipe, too. (My parents always enjoyed Tom & Jerry's at the holidays when I was a girl — but I have no recipe. Until now!)
Thanks for sharing this great article! That is very interesting I love reading and I am always searching for informative information like this.Elf on the shelf doll