We never really had any particular traditions for the holidays growing up. We did know that if we went to Grandma Orr's house, we would get freshly baked chocolate cream, banana cream and lemon meringue pies.

There was always turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans and some variety of cranberry sauce.

Now that I am an adult and have a family of my own, we really only have one tradition now-Mother Robertson's Groovy Cranberry Sauce.

This is not something you can buy. You have to make it and that's the fun. When we were living over in Germany, another American friend of ours brought homemade cranberry sauce to a holiday potluck.

It was great. Judy said that it was her mother's receipe and that she shared it with everyone, encouraging them to make it when company was expected for a holiday dinner.

Two things about it are really fun. First is assembling it, which becomes a family effort. Washing and separating the cranberries. Assembling the bouquet garni. And for younger kids, just measuring out the ingredients.

The second thing is enjoying the smell of it cooking.

It simmers for two hours, filling your house with a mixture of smells. To us, smelling it cooking lets us know that the holidays are here.

So here it is:

Groovy Cranberry Sauce

4 cups (about 1 lb.) fresh cranberries

1-1/2 cups straight (cocktail) sherry

2-1/2 cups sugar (or less according to desired sweetness)

Bouquet Garni

In a piece of cheesecloth put:

1 Tsp cinnamon bark

1 Tsp whole cloves

1 Tsp whole allspice

Simmer all ingredients together slowly, stirring frequently for about 2 hours.

Make extra to use with some of that leftover turkey. Enjoy!