Tuesday, December 30, 2008

How a Southern Belle Does New Year's Day

I'm getting a little despondent because New Year's Day is approaching and that means getting ready to go back to work bright and early on the Monday morning after. I guess I should be thankful (actually I AM thankful) that I have a job but you know how it goes...nobody really looks forward to going back after a nice long relaxing holiday.

We don't do a lot on New Year's Eve. We've had a couple of invitations and will drop by to see a few friends but won't likely stay out until midnight. Legare is heading back to Chapel Hill to be with his pals and there's no telling what Lorelai will be doing. We haven't been able to keep up with her this holiday...since recovering from her wisdom teeth procedure she has been going going going like that little Energizer Bunny.

New Year's Day is another story. First of all, GO TIGERS BEAT THE STUFFING OUT OF NEBRASKA IN THE GATOR BOWL. We aren't traveling down to Jacksonville but have planned our day around the 1:00 PM game. Hank always has to work a few hours on the first day of the month for some odd reason that nobody but him and his staff understands....something to do with billing of the big industrial customers. He'll get home by noon and we'll have some game day tailgate food on hand and are hoping that our friend Ed will be joining us. After the BIG WIN, we'll sit down around 4:00 for a New Year's Day feast...

Pork Chops in Mushroom Gravy
Dressing
Hoppin John
Collard Greens
Broccoli Salad
Sweet Tea or Wine


Generally, we would have macaroni pie instead of dressing but since Legare won't be here we're going with the cornbread dressing...in consulting with Ed, I discovered that not a single one of us had any good dressing for Christmas so we're due!

If you aren't familiar with Hoppin John, it's a field pea and rice dish that, in combination with collard greens is supposed to bring good health, good luck, and wealth in the new year. We eat it every year and while I don't have any proof that we've had extra good fortune and we certainly don't have wealth, things could always be worse so we keep eating it just in case. Some folks find Hoppin John to be a bit disgusting but all I can say is that they haven't eaten MINE...I mix my peas with red onion, bacon, and a balsamic vinegar reduction before combining them with the rice. Likewise, my collards will melt in your mouth...don't knock 'em until you try 'em.

I interrupt this post to have a heart attack...Legare is upstairs in his room and just started hollering and jumping up and down and hollering some more. Lorelai is (was) still asleep and we both jumped up and went running...I thought he'd hurt himself or there was a wild animal in the house. It seems that his Civil Procedures exam grade was posted this morning and he made an "A".... I think we might have to give him a flying pill to calm him down.

Anyway...back to New Year's Day...that's our plan. I surely do hope that each and every one of my blogging friends and their families have a safe and happy celebration. Look for a Life of a Southern Belle Award on New Years Day. I'll also be catching up on some tags and awards that have been passed along to me the past several weeks just as soon as everything calms down.

You're all the GREATEST!

23 comments:

  1. yummm i acutally think hoppin john sounds good...! But my eating habits are a little odd to some!

    I hope that you have a wonderful New Year! I myself will be taking it easy!

    And yay for Legare!! I know a grade like that just makes it all worth it...sometimes :)

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  2. Happy New Year to you and your family ... and my husband loves Hoppin John!!!

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  3. Congrats on the A! Also, have a happy New Year!!

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  4. Your menu sounds fabulous! I am a bit sad that I will not be watching my Vols on new year's day this year!

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  5. What a find I have made in you!!! I absolutely love your blog! (Well, except for the whole Tigers part - would this be LSU? Florida Gators here :).) Hoppin Johns are awesome by us...been there, done those, and will be doing them again! I'll be following your blog. Can't wait to keep reading more posts. I love your sense of humor!

    Not much humor on mine, but please feel free to visit me anytime at The Shadow of the Cross.

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  6. Hoppin John sounds interesting. I love bacon and peas together so I would probably love it.

    I have always heard that cabbage is supposed to bring wealth and good luck in the new year. So I always make rubens with homemade thousand island dressing on NYD. Yeah, we eat that just because of the wealth and good luck...not because it tastes fabulous. Yeah thats it.

    Hope you have wonderful New Years celebration. Go Tigers!!

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  7. We always eat Black-eyed Peas for good luck on NYD!! Good luck to your Tigers!! I remember when the Vols used to go to bowl games. . .

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  8. Your New Year's Day sounds VERY similar to ours!! I love the tradition of the New Year's meal and watching our Tigers play!!

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  9. Hopping John...that's the stuff that multiplies in the pot and makes a ton, right?

    I've got a recipe for it but I've never tried it.

    Thanks for stopping by, I hope you have a great new year!

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  10. Hi Belle ~ thanks for stopping by my blog. I added you to my favorites so I'll be visiting often!

    I've never tried collards...no one ever makes them up here! Your peas do sound good tho...love them!

    Hugz,
    Michele

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  11. Mmmm, your menu sounds so delicious. If you ever feel like sharing your Hoppin John recipe, I would love to try it.

    Happy New Year.

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  12. Happy New Years!!! We have greens and black eyed peas for our luck dinner:)

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  13. Hi………
    Absolutely fantastic post! Good job!
    Great! Keep posting
    Good week………
    " A Happy New Year''

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  14. Oh Belle! You lost me at "GO TIGERS BEAT THE STUFFING OUT OF NEBRASKA IN THE GATOR BOWL". LOL
    Born and raised in NE. You know what that means?!?!

    Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  15. First off, Congrats to your son for the "A". It's always nice to get a belated Christmas gift! I hope you've recovered from your heart attach : )

    The menu sounds delicious! Is there room at the table for one more?

    I too have done the count down to return. I'm excited to see my little guys but, I must admit that I'm really enjoying the laid back daily schedule around our home.

    Wishing you a bright and joyous New Year!
    Jo

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  16. Your New Years Day plans sound wonderful...a yummy feast and football!!
    I will be making some collards and black eyed peas myself, but I hvae to wait until Jan 8 for my big football game(Gators v. Oklahoma)
    Happy New Year!
    Tracey

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  17. Lets see....good food, good company, a good football game, and good grades...sounds like a great way to end the year and start the next one! I hope 2009 is the best ever for you and your family!

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  18. Hello Miss Belle, It is so nice to meet you! I will come back and visit again! Please come back anytime and visit with me and Thanks so much for stopping by and letting me know it! I really appreciate it! Happy New Year, Nancy

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  19. Y'all have fun and a happy New Year!!
    And tell Legare, "way to go!!!!"

    We are going to an open house tomorrow with lots of green and black eyed peas for good luck. I will be eating tons!!!

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  20. sounds like a wonderful new years celebration! have a relaxing rest of your vacation!

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  21. Hey Belle- Sounds like a full day tomorrow! Have fun :) I will be watching my Hawkeyes hopefully kick some S. Carolina butt in the Outback Bowl tomorrow morning.

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  22. I am SO Southern, but have never eaten Hoppin Johns! You have me thinking I need to go out and get some. ha!
    Rebecca
    The Palm Gifts

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  23. Wow! An A in Civ Pro is fabulous. I have a son who's a 1-L and I know just how much this means. Way to go!

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