It is finally time to roll into the new year. I don’t know about all of you, but after rebuilding Rosies motor not once, but twice in one year (1800 miles after the first rebuild), the loss of most of our ducks to a mink, losing my grandmother the first part of December, then a good friend of mine a week later, and my brother in law on Christmas Day, not only am I, but my whole family is ready for a new refreshed year.
There are many traditions for the New Year. Along with those mentioned in the link, Danish traditions say that those who celebrate will find a doorstep of broken dishes on New Year’s Day. Thrown at the door through the night, the more broken pieces you have, it is thought the greater the number of friendships. I’m guessing you don’t want to leave the house barefoot New Year’s Day!
Spaniards celebrate the clock striking 12 by challenging themselves to eat 12 grapes before the final ringing of midnight.
Dutch culture holds bonfires of Christmas trees to signal the cleaning and purging of the old year. I love this tradition, and think I may have to try it next year… If I even put up a tree.
And of coarse in the U.S, probably the most famous tradition is the dropping of the New Years ball in Times Square, New York City, at 11:59 P.M. Since I am rarely up at midnight anymore unless I’m trucking, and because I don’t truck on New Year’s Eve night (never have liked the thought of a drunk crashing into me) I usually miss the whole show!
This year, since I am not trucking, (which is abnormal for me) and because I was in bed at 10 o’clock, I decided that I was going to go into this new year as easily as possible, not to mention with as much good luck behind me as I could muster up!
This is where our meal for this evening comes in. Hoppin’ John is a very inexpensive, but VERY satisfying & very tasty southern dish that I actually make throughout the year even though it is probably most famous for the good luck it is suppose to bring those who eat it. So, without further ado this is what we will me eating to celebrate the New Year. You can find the recipe below and whip it up too if you’re feeling at all like following a tradition for the holiday.
I wish all of you a safe, healthy, and prosperous New Year!
xo
Bethany
Ingredients
- 1 package bacon
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 small green pepper, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 pound dried black-eyed peas
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 heaping teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- Salt to taste
- 2 cups long-grain rice
- Scallions or green onions to garnish
Instructions
- Cut bacon into small pieces and cook slowly in a medium pot over medium-low heat. Once the bacon is crispy increase the heat to medium-high and add the celery, onion, and green pepper and sauté until they begin to brown, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic, stir well and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Add the black-eyed peas, bay leaf, thyme and Cajun seasoning and cover with 4 cups of water. Bring to a simmer. Cook for 30 minutes to an hour, or longer if needed, until the peas are tender (not mushy).
- While the black-eyed peas are cooking, cook the rice separately according to package instructions.
- When the peas are tender, strain out the remaining cooking water. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste the peas for salt and add more if needed.
- Serve the dish by placing a ladle-full of black-eyed peas over steamed rice, or by mixing the two together in a large bowl. Garnish with fresh chopped green onions.
- Enjoy!
About Bethany
Happy New Year to You Bethany!
I did not realize you had so much sadness and death lately – Heres to a much happier year ahead!
Take care.
XO
Thank you Laurie! Happy New Year to you and yours! Yes, it has not been a good end to the year, and Christmas will never be the same, but we must put a smile on our face and keep going! Thank you for the comment!
Happy New Year Bethany. I wish you, Hubs, and your two 18 wheeled children a happy and prosperous 2012. May we all have a better year than last, and may our friends and family remain our support systems. WLBS. Ken
Thank you Ken, Happy New Year to you, the Mrs. and kids. Hope all is well in AK! And good news for me?
Hey Bethany. 2012 seems to be feeling A lot like 2011 so far. Coffee and cool weather. No more job hunting though. Going back to school full time thanks to Uncle Sam. Keeping my trucking roots, but going to school for professional piloting. Time to see Alaska from the air. Flying is something I have always wanted to do. 3 yr program for my BS is aviation. Maybe I’ll be a freight dog again, but this time in the air. 44 years old and starting over. Crazy?…you bet…scary?…even more…excited?..ABSOLUTELY!!! Hope you have a great day! WLBS. Ken
Congrats Ken! That is great to hear and not crazy at all! Your never too old to learn something new! Oh I’ll be waiting for pictures!
Bethany, So sorry to hear about your your families losses….I’m hoping that you, Hubs, along with the rest of your family are surrounded by lots of love and all the great memories of those that have gone on before the rest. My heart aches for the pain that you all had to endure this Christmas Season. Your in my thoughts an prayer’s. Agent99 P.S. I took your suggestion, again, last night….got another motel room too many crazies to deal with on the road, and that includes truck driver’s. Glad that you have Milo Otis with you!!
Thank you Bonnie. Same to you, I hope the next year is prosperous for you! I will have to leave Milo tomorrow, but have enjoyed my time with him, even the 4 teeth marks in my forearm! LOL
Oh man sorry to hear about your motor…
not good indeed… Is that a inframe overhaul… ???
Love your recipes, thank’s for sharing…
Pop (Don) and I are both retired and loving it, but miss all of our great friends we made on the road, after more that 35 years each on the road…
Have a good one…
Thank’s for sharing…
God Bless one and all…
Milo Otis, must be a lot of company…
We had, Tootsie, our Poodle mix. for 17 1/2 years, ( still miss her…)and now our Precious little Heidi…
Hi Karen and Happy New Year to you and Pop! The first was an inframe, the second they had to pull the block, send it to Minneapolis and replace the crank shaft. I had over 3 weeks off the second time… Thank you for reading! Milo is company, but he stays with my parents so I only get to love him up every so often. I use to have a Dachshund that rode with me for 13 years, but she went to a better place the summer of ’10. I would love to have another with me, but I just can’t seem to replace Harley Rose quiet yet so I understand you missing Tootsie! Maybe I should have done so sooner, or maybe it just takes time!
Hey Bethany: I am so sorry to hear of all your losses. I hope 2012 is a better year for you, honey! Come South sometime. Your recipe for Hoppin John looks fantastic. Enjoy your winter, I love your trucking stories. You are one unique and wonderful lady! Happy New Year! Therese
Hi Therese thank you so much. I will for sure let you know if I ever wander over that way, I promise! Hope you are doing well. I need to catch up with you!