January 1--Ringing in the New Year!

What are your traditions for starting your New Year off right?
 I've always heard whatever you do on the first day of the year, will be what you do the rest of the year--

Our Southern Tradition continues with food! of course!  On this day, we must eat at least one spoon of cooked cabbage, black-eye peas and have some pork to insure good health and wealth.  I love black-eye peas!  the family not so much!  But, they will indulge in the tradition just the same--who wants to tamper with that health-wealth thing!

Here is a recipe that makes black-eye peas taste absolutely delicious--in my book!

Good Luck Hoppin' John
 4 strips bacon, diced

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 cups cooked black-eyed peas, or 2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen

1/2 cup uncooked rice

2 cups water

1/4 teaspoon dried red-pepper flakes

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Partially cook bacon in a Dutch oven, add onion, and cook until bacon is crisp and onion is soft. Add black-eyed peas, rice, water, and pepper flakes. Cover and simmer over low heat until rice is done, about 20 to 25 minutes. Toss with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

Other customs around the world include food as well:

Eating any ring-shaped treat (such as a donut) symbolize "coming full circle" and leads to good fortune. In Dutch homes, fritters called olie bollen are served.

The Irish enjoy pastries called bannocks.

The tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight comes from Spain.

In India and Pakistan, rice promises prosperity.

Apples dipped in honey are a Rosh Hashanah tradition.

In Swiss homes, dollops of whipped cream, symbolizing the richness of the year to come, are dropped on the floors (and allowed to remain there!)

So, here's to whatever your tradition or custom includes to bring in the New Year--

December 31: Ursher out 2014

New Year's Folklore: 

Some customs and beliefs are simply passed down through the ages. Here are some of our favorite age-old sayings and proverbs.

On New Year's Eve, kiss the person you hope to keep kissing.
If New Year's Eve night wind blow south, It betokened warmth and growth.
For abundance in the new year, fill your pockets and cupboards today.
If the old year goes out like a lion, the new year will come in like a lamb.
Begin the new year square with every man. (i.e., pay your debts!) –Robert B. Thomas, founder of The Old Farmer's Almanac 

So, whether we resolve to return borrowed farm equipment (as did the Babylonians) or drop a few pounds, we're tapping into an ancient and powerful longing for a fresh start

During the early 1970's, there was a saying that the old man goes out and the new baby comes in at the stroke of midnight.  Our son (age 3-4) heard this and always wanted to stay up till midnight to watch the "Old Man" leave and see "The New Baby" arrive!  Hence, he never stayed awake till midnight--he was always fast asleep by 10 PM! 

December 30: Wrapping Up 2014

well, there it is!  the end of another year--I can see the lights shining for 2015

We have taken many a journey throughout the year

and now it is time

to open another door to adventure

as we close out 2014

and walk into 2015!

 

December 29: What's Wrong With This????

The end of 2014 hasn't even come yet and I'm thinking well into 2015 for new projects!  What is wrong with me?  I haven't even finished the UFO's on my list and here I'm signing up with new projects--that will most likely become 2015 UFOs!!  I'm blaming Ravelry!  Yes, that has got to be the culprit.  And then the Brown headed kid, Dr. Dawn, introduced me to Pinterest--now, that website is a real time suck!!

1) Colorworks by Debi --we are doing Mitts with Deborah

2) contrapposto--sock pattern by Claire Ellen and Heidi Nick

3) New Year Socks KAL-- pattern by Maria Rosa Spighetti

4) 12 Hats in 12 Weeks--pattern by Meagheen Ryan Designs (She donates 100% of profits to charities)

5) Vernal Equinox Shawl Surprise --this will certainly be a surprise if I finish!  what a lovely shawl pattern though!

6)    Okay--I want to take a trip from my comfy chair--first stop-- rock-the-kasbah  by designer Cindy Garland

I should stop now!!

December 28: Catching My Breath!

What will you do today?  Maybe, all your house guests have departed.  Maybe, you will think about cleaning up the house.  Maybe, you will take a short nap.  Or if you are like me, I'm thinking about all those projects that got started and are languishing--do I hear them calling my name?  "Pick me up--just put in a few stitches" while you are sitting in your comfortable chair! 

Okay, there is that Advent Scarf I began--I did get up to Day 6 (not bad, huh?)  And now the clues keep piling up!  This delightful Chevron and Ripples pattern is designed by Tricia Weatherston.  The idea was to use sock yarn that was self striping.  My yarn was in my stash from Lorna's Laces. 

 

I'm also thinking about the 2014 Mystery from Bonnie Hunter.  This year's quilt is titled Grand Illusion--Once again, I'm way behind--but, I am saving the clues and I have seen the Bonnie Hunter Club gals working diligently on their clues.  From what I've seen of the first three clues--this is going to be a beauty!  Bonnie offers the pattern free of charge--but, only for a short time--so, if you are interested in creating a magical quilt--better save the clues!

My friend, Judy P, did last years' mystery and just take look at this marvel!!  Great balls of fiber--super duper work Judy P!  I can always count on her to finish what she has begun.

Okay, I'm still sitting in my comfy chair and thinking about all those UFOs.

December 27: Left-Overs.......

The Gifts have been unwrapped--the wrappings have been disposed of--the family is tired of playing with their new toys--and they are also tired of eating that warmed up turkey and dressing.  No one wants turkey sandwiches anymore.  What to feed them today?  We can make turkey gumbo, throw in some sausage.  We could make turkey soup or turkey casserole or turkey pot pie or turkey a la king or turkey tacos or enchiladas.   OR we could make:
                                                         Turkey Tetrazzini!!

A favorite in our household--there are many versions of this dish, but here is my recipe

Chop one medium size onion, sauté in 1/4 lb. of butter till soften.  Now, make that white roux--add 1/4 cup flour to mixture and stir to thicken.  To this add 2 C milk or if you want to start that diet early, use chicken broth.  Stir till thicken.  Now, add chopped turkey bits, sprinkle of Tabasco, 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese; continue to stir. Add salt and pepper to taste.  If need, add more liquid. 

 In another pot, bring to boil several quarts of water--once boiling, add 1 package of spaghetti--cook till tender, drain and add to above turkey mixture.  I like to add the juice of one lemon--gives it a little tang taste.  Combine well.
Pour mixture into one large greased baking dish-- before placing into 350* oven to bake 35-45 minutes, sprinkle the top with grated cheddar cheese and panko crumbs--your choice of how much.
Bake and serve with green salad and fresh baked bread--oh, yes, the bread comes from the local grocery!
Hopefully, this will clear out all that leftover turkey!

December 26: Day After.............................Boxing Day

What do you do on the Day after Christmas?  Return gifts? Shop the bargains? Go on a diet--no wait, that's not till January 2! 

In some countries here is how they celebrate............

Boxing Day is a holiday traditionally celebrated the day following Christmas Day, when servants and tradespeople would receive gifts, known as a "Christmas box", from their bosses or employers, in the United Kingdom, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, South Africa, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and other Commonwealth nations, as well as Norway, the Netherlands and Sweden. Today, Boxing Day is the bank holiday that generally takes place on 26 December.

In South Africa, Boxing Day was renamed Day of Goodwill in 1994. Due to the Roman Catholic Church's liturgical calendar, the day is known as St. Stephen's Day to Catholics, and in Italy, Finland, and Alsace and Moselle in France. It is also known as both St. Stephen's Day and the Day of the Wren or Wren's Day in the Republic of Ireland. In many European countries, including notably Germany, Poland, the Netherlands and those in Scandinavia, 26 December is celebrated as the Second Christmas Day