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| Julie with her toys and my new Mexican Hot Chocolate discovery |
It's Sunday, January 1st, 2017 and I'm in the middle of cooking black eyed peas, cabbage, and a delicious pork roast for our New Year dinner! DH has run off to the store for a few things, and the inside cats are contently lounging about. Even the outside ferals seem to be in a happy mood... mama feral is playing on the back porch with her kittens (swinging her tail back and forth as the kittens try to catch it) and the furry feral out front came running up to the window this morning to greet Tux (who always helps me open the plantation blinds first thing).
So it begins... a new year. Don't know what to expect, but will hope for good to prevail. I don't make New Year's Resolutions, but I do usually pick a direction. Last year it was to 'put myself out there' more. Don't know if I accomplished that... maybe a little. This year I will double my efforts for that and possibly add 'open up' a bit more. Us introverts don't like the limelight, so staying in the background is our comfort zone. I'm a firm believer in Mother Teresa's quote "man was not made to do great things, only little things with great love" (or something like that). This fits my philosophy that we may not be able to save the world, but we can do our part... whatever that may be.
I'm taking this day to be thankful for our health, our families (including the furry ones), our friends (including online ones), and the things we do have that make life good... not just the material things, but our freedom, our country, our opportunities to make life better for all... (and I'm praying that we have the wisdom to know how to do this).
Going back to our black eyed peas and cabbage (which you probably know is a southern tradition to ensure health and prosperity), DH and I have another tradition we follow on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day... I make his mom's home-made eggnog (to which we add a dash of whiskey) and serve it in our champagne flutes (which also represent health and prosperity). We drink it hot on NY's Eve and cold on NY's Day. It is so-oo good!
Oh... and just to explain the pic at the top. I love Mexican Hot Chocolate (which seems to be hot chocolate with a touch of cinnamon?). Anyway, recently when I was watching the Pioneer Woman on the cooking channel, she was making this and used this "Abuelita's Mexican Hot Chocolate" - which I'd never heard of, but immediately googled (and found!) It's chocolate tablets that you melt in hot milk and is really quite good (I add a touch of cream). Just thought I'd share my discovery.
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| a better picture of the package |
And I didn't want to say goodbye to 2016 without a picture of our Rose under the tree last year. We really thought she'd make another Christmas with us, but we lost her in November. She is truly missed.
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| Rose 2015 |
Happy New Year and enjoy that delicious dinner!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Meryl. We did. Wishing you a wonderful 2017!
DeleteHappy New Year! I certainly wish you health and prosperity in 2017.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eileen. Wishing you the same!
DeleteA very happy new year! Could it be chili (the spice, not the meal - ha) in the hot chocolate? I've seen chocolate with chili pepper in it, haven't tried it though!
ReplyDeleteYes, may the good in our lives prevail over the bad this year. Wishing you good health, happiness, love and laughter!
P.S. Some time ago I'd seen a cute cartoon re: introverts -- paraphrasing -- Introverts unite! For a short time. From the Safely of their own homes. :-D
Kim, I don't think it's chili in the Mexican hot chocolate (although I have eaten some chocolate brownies with chili powder and liked it)... and the ingredients don't say anything but chocolate, sugar, and artificial flavor (?). Tastes like cinnamon or cardamon to me...
DeleteI thought for a minute that your cat had a tabby tail and then realised that it was a cat toy, am I right or not?
ReplyDeleteBriony
x
Had to check out what you meant... but yes, it's a cat toy, not her tail.
DeleteThat meal sounds delicious, and you sound very content and happy. I'm glad you are keeping up your blogging, because that's what brings me into your lovely circle. I also wish you all good things in 2017. RIP, Rose.
ReplyDeleteOur New Year's meal was good, DJan. And yes, I have been blogging (or writing) forever, so I can't imagine stopping. And as far as being in my circle of favorite blogs, you definitely are. I read many more than I comment on, but I do try to keep up with all of my favorites.
DeleteThat was a very nice post. I did not know about the black eyed peas and cabbage, so I have now learned something new. In fact, I don't think I've ever eaten black eyed peas. Have a very happy New Year and all the best for you and your furry friends in 2017! -Jenn
ReplyDeleteSo... no traditional meal for New Years Day in Canada, Jenn? If you like beans, black eyed peas are more beans than peas (IMO) - and cooked with onion, garlic, a little bacon and ham - can be quite good. Have a wonderful 2017!!
DeleteI think the black eyed peas and cabbage sounds pretty good but I have never had it. I did find a little cookbook of 322 Old Dixie Recipes. It is a hoot, but I couldn't find black eyed peas in it. Grits, Hoppin' John, Mammy's Baking Powder Biscuits, Okra and Tomatoes, Alligator Pear Salad, NC Syllabub and wisdom such as:
ReplyDeletecas cookin's lad religion is --
some's 'elected an' some ain't,
an' rules don' no mo' mek a cook
den sermons mek a saint.
Olga, the black eyed peas I cook are similar to Hoppin John, but without the rice. The cabbage is cooked separately. And I love grits! You do know that alligator pear is avocado, yes? Some might not. I like the words of wisdom.
DeleteI probably will never talk Laura into black eyed peas and cabbage.
ReplyDeleteNo, as much as DH and I like it, the kids don't.
DeleteHappy new year to you too ! I think cabbage and pork are always good together, since I do not care for black-eyed peas Id probably fish them out and give them to my husband who'd love everything about your traditional dish, and he'd especially love your beverage.
DeleteI have never heard of this chocolate, and will have to look it up too.
So sorry for your loss of Rose. Blessings to you and your family.
Kathy, Happy New Year! I guess it must sound like my cabbage and black eyed peas are combined, but they're not. I cook them separately with bacon, onion, and a little ham seasoning... so you wouldn't have to fish out the black-eyed peas!
DeleteHappy New Year John!
ReplyDeleteyou should frame that lovely photo of rose under the xmas tree & have it up on a wall, such a beautiful looking cat that one
ReplyDeletethanx for sharing