I am doing a Holiday Blog Post Exchange with my very dear friend Dawn from Spatulas on Parade. Today she will let us be a part of her New Years Traditions and Experiences - I am very excited to see what she shares with us :)
Make sure to give her a visit after you've read this and show some Foodie Love :)
Make sure to give her a visit after you've read this and show some Foodie Love :)
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| Wow, can someone tell me where 2012 went? Good grief! Well, now that it is the end of the year, we look at the New Year's Eve celebrations!! Fire works, bon fires, tons of finger foods, hats, streamers, punch and of course music! Oh wait, plus partying until the ball drops at midnight. |  |
Let's see, where to start? When I was growing up, my parents were not social and our family was all over. My dad always worked so it was just me and my mom. We would watch Rockin' In The New Year with Dick Clark. An American icon! He passed away this year so NYE will never be the same for me. Mom and I would put on the pj's, get all comfy and watch the show. Pop popcorn, add M & M's to it and drink sparkling cider in our fancy glasses! We had our own little party. We would eat pigs in a blanket, Lays potato chips with french onion dip, maybe cake or brownies with ice cream. Yes, it was a virtual junk feast!
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For us we would watch Dick Clark, eat our goodies and watch the ball drop. Once this happened we said HAPPY NEW YEAR and off to bed we went. Most times our neighbors were setting off fireworks and if the weather wasn't terrible we might bundle up and go outside to watch before heading to bed.
| As an adult, we have celebrated by having friends over; making a big bon fire, potluck, fire works, music and games. For several years we traveled with a band, so New Year's Eve was a big deal. We would be somewhere for a concert and "rock" in the New Year. That meant we would eat at Waffle House or Ihop because they were the only places open at 3 a.m. when we were driving home. Traditions for celebrating New Year's Eve are as wide as the ocean is deep. In Georgia they watch the 'peach' drop, in our NC capital we watch the "acorn" drop but most watch ABC and the "ball" drop in Time Square, New York City. THOUSANDS of people crowd the streets and wait for the ball. For many NYE means religious observations such as prayer service or watch night. Church members gather to worship and pray in the new year. |  |
Parties, fireworks, food, friends, fellowship, church services or just staying home. Growing up, everyone I knew did something different.
However, most everyone, at least in the South, has the same tradition on New Year's Day. That is cooking collards, black eye peas and ham hocks. The reason, it has been passed down from generation to generation, as a sign of good luck and prosperity. The 'superstitions' are at Mid-night on New Years Eve we kiss a loved one to keep away the cold, sing Auld Lang Syne goodbye to the old welcome in the new. The next day it is said that whatever you do will direct the events of the new year. We don't work, spend time with loved ones, rest, no cleaning but we MUST cook collards and black eye peas to bring in prosperity.
My mother, grandmother, great grandmother have all done this EVERY year. Looks like they would figure out it doesn't work as I grew up LESS than prosperous. They swore each year, we had to cook these items. Funny thing is, we don't even eat black eye peas but my mom would cook them anyway. I have broken this family tradition/superstition. We don't like them, I don't cook them.
Whatever your traditions or celebrations may contain, may they be safe, fun and make memories for a lifetime!
However, most everyone, at least in the South, has the same tradition on New Year's Day. That is cooking collards, black eye peas and ham hocks. The reason, it has been passed down from generation to generation, as a sign of good luck and prosperity. The 'superstitions' are at Mid-night on New Years Eve we kiss a loved one to keep away the cold, sing Auld Lang Syne goodbye to the old welcome in the new. The next day it is said that whatever you do will direct the events of the new year. We don't work, spend time with loved ones, rest, no cleaning but we MUST cook collards and black eye peas to bring in prosperity.
My mother, grandmother, great grandmother have all done this EVERY year. Looks like they would figure out it doesn't work as I grew up LESS than prosperous. They swore each year, we had to cook these items. Funny thing is, we don't even eat black eye peas but my mom would cook them anyway. I have broken this family tradition/superstition. We don't like them, I don't cook them.
Whatever your traditions or celebrations may contain, may they be safe, fun and make memories for a lifetime!
Here are a few recipes that would grace our table for the New Year:
http://spatulasonparade.blogspot.com/2012/07/orange-pecan-brownies.html
http://spatulasonparade.blogspot.com/2012/11/smores-truffles.html
http://spatulasonparade.blogspot.com/2012/09/asian-sweet-and-spicy-meatballs.html
http://spatulasonparade.blogspot.com/2012/10/collards-101.html
http://spatulasonparade.blogspot.com/2012/09/pretzel-bites-sweet-or-savory.html
http://spatulasonparade.blogspot.com/2012/06/pepperoni-pizza-puffs.html
http://spatulasonparade.blogspot.com/2012/11/smores-truffles.html
http://spatulasonparade.blogspot.com/2012/09/asian-sweet-and-spicy-meatballs.html
http://spatulasonparade.blogspot.com/2012/10/collards-101.html
http://spatulasonparade.blogspot.com/2012/09/pretzel-bites-sweet-or-savory.html
http://spatulasonparade.blogspot.com/2012/06/pepperoni-pizza-puffs.html
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