Our Christmas ritual is fairly typical. The only difference in recent years is that everyone sleeps later now that the kids are in high school and college. No complaints from me on that one. For once Mom wasn't the last one to bed - she beat both me and Dad. The main thing that keeps us up is presents left to wrap, but one thing on Mom's list every year is preparation for the breakfast casserole that has become a Christmas tradition. Its nothing fancy, and its just out of a newspaper, but its damn good. Here's the recipe in case you want to make it a tradition of your own:

• 1 lb mild sausage
• 6 eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 3 slices bread, cubed
• 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp dry mustard

Prepare the night before serving: lightly brown sausage and drain (press between paper towels until ALL grease is gone). Beat eggs and milk together and season with salt and dry mustard. Spray 9x13 Pyrex dish with Pam and layer above ingredients as follows: cubed bread, sausage, cheese. Pour egg mixture over this. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes. Serve immediately.